Cuomo Looks to De-Criminalize Marijuana Possession

Cuomo Wants to De-Criminalize Small Pot Possession

New York governor Andrew Cuomo is proposing to de-criminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The proposal would make it a violation to have less than 25 grams of pot; conviction would result in a $100 fine.

At the moment it’s a misdemeanor charge which frequently results in a night in jail while the suspect is waiting for a court appearance, and it ends up on the person’s criminal record.

The bill would keep smoking marijuana a misdemeanor.

Supporters of the bill say the current law disproportionally affects minority youth from the inner city. The proposed legislation has support from assembly democrats, but not senate republicans.

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Nice March, Cold April Hurt New York Apple Growers

Apple and other fruit growers to our north are having a tough year. The warmer weather in late March caused fruit trees to bud early, and then got zapped by the frost.

The problem is reportedly worse than the last big freeze in 1945 for apple, peach, grape and cherry growers.

Consumers will see a shortages and higher prices,

Meanwhile, help may be coming for the growers from New York State.

A number of lawmakers have proposed the “Family, Farmers and Apple Growers Relief Act”. The bill would give tax credits to farmers, allowing them to claim 35 percent of their losses.

New York State is the second largest apple producing state in the country, with about 10,000 people working in the industry and a normal economic value of about $230 million a year.

Troopers Issue 1,600 Seat belt Tickets During ‘Click it or Ticket’ Campaign

New York State troopers say they’ve issued just over 1,6000 tickets for those who were caught not wearing seat belts. Troop C commander Kevin Molinari says that included 84 tickets to drivers who had unbuckled children in the car.

The two week “Click it or Ticket” enforcement operation included local police departments and county sheriff’s deputies.

Molinari says before the campaign started in 1999, less than 75 percent of drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts, now the figure is about 90 percent.

Cuomo Opposes Exclusive Casino Right for Racetracks

Governor Cuomo says he’s fully opposed to giving the exclusive rights to build casinos only to the state’s nine race tracks.

There’s been an effort toward a constitutional amendment to allow the tracks to have gaming, and the state legislature has begun the amendment process this year by passing the first of two amendment bills needed.

The governor, however, has suddenly changed his position on the racinos, and says others should be given the opportunity to expand gaming, and it should not be politicians making the decision.

Cuomo announced the end of a $5 billion deal to build a convention center and casino at the Aqueduct racetrack near New York City. He says it was because the developer wanted exclusive rights to all legalized casinos in the metropolitan area.