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A State Senator covering Rockland County thinks the governor will easily get the Reproductive Health Act passed. David Carlucci says adding it to the state constitution would be a more difficult hill to climb…

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his goal earlier this week of passing the Reproductive Health Act in the first 30 days of the new legislative session. Cuomo said taking it a step further and making it part of the state constitution is important to its survival…

Cuomo said he won’t sign a budget until the Reproductive Health Act and the Contraceptive Care Act pass. The budget is due April first. 

Rockland’s Congresswoman yesterday slammed the president for the government shutdown, which entered its 19th day today, and the impact it’s having on the TSA and the 65 security agents at the Westchester County Airport who could miss their first paychecks tomorrow. Nita Lowey, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said the government doesn’t have to be shut down…

Vincent Castellano Sr., a national vice president with the American Federation of Government Employees, said with TSA employees locked out, they can’t support their families…

Last night the president took to prime-time TV to make an appeal for his plan for border security. US Senator Chuck Schumer of New York asked the president to end the shutdown and start border discussions.

The partial government shutdown is also affecting Main Streets all around the country and here in Rockland. WRCR’s Market Analyst Ken Mahoney of Mahoney Asset Management spoke to a Chase banker recently and says the Small Business Administration and the companies they serve are feeling the pinch…

A small business event in Westchester planned for this Friday has been cancelled. The event, “The 3C’s of the Small Business Administration: A Discussion on Capital, Counseling and Contracting,” was being run by the Small Business Administration, but they’ve been sidelined by the shutdown.

There are 105 confirmed cases of measles within Rockland County and one suspected case. If you think you may have the measles or need the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. For information on the measles, click here, or call the State Department of Health’s toll-free Measles Information line at 1-888-364-4837.

With plans forging ahead for Macys in the Shops of Nanuet and Aldi supermarket planning to renovate and take over the former Pathmark on Route 59, the town of Clarkstown is hoping for some movement at other large retail locations in town. Supervisor George Hoehman couldn’t discuss specific plans, but is hopeful something significant takes over the old Toys R Us and Sears locations…

Tina Traster is publisher of the Rockland County Business Journal, and Traster says a rash of recent closings has been part of the larger, overall correction in retail…

Aldi is expected to open later this year. Macys is looking to become an “At Home” location in 2021. Meanwhile, Clarkstown is holding its re-organizational meeting tonight at 7pm at town hall. Supervisor Hoehmann will deliver his annual State of the Town address, the Clarkstown Police Honor Guard will present the colors, and the Nanuet High School Concert Choir will perform throughout the program.