Jeff Lewis

The already late state budget may a little later than it might have been following a cyber-attack on the state agency responsible for drafting and publishing the bills on which lawmakers need to vote. The New York Post reported yesterday that the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission was hacked late Tuesday, and didn’t get back online until yesterday morning. The damage or who may have been behind the attack is reportedly not known. Earlier this week, Rockland State Senator Bill Weber of the 38th District said he was optimistic the budget could get finished before lawmakers break for Passover, which starts Monday…

The governor’s announcement of a “conceptual agreement” earlier in the week took many state lawmakers by surprise, including New York State Assemblyman Democrat Chris Eachus of the 99th District, covering Stony Point and parts of Orange County. Eachus also expected the budget to be locked down before the holiday begins…

The $237 billion 2025 fiscal year budget reportedly includes plans for new housing construction, addresses the migrant situation and cracks down on illegal marijuana shops. It was due April first.

The Senate yesterday rejected both articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, ending the trial that began with the House’s February vote to impeach. Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the 17th District voted with GOP colleagues to impeach Mayorkas back then, citing immigration issues stemming from his failure to protect the border…

Mayorkas was charged with willfully ignoring the law, but Democrats called it a policy dispute with Republicans, saying there were no “high crimes and misdemeanors” as required for impeachment. 

A local state lawmaker is hoping Rockland Community College can get on its financial feet. Announced layoffs have Rockland State Senator Bill Weber of the 38th District and other local lawmakers concerned about the school’s future. Weber says he’s met with the administration, unions and teachers’ groups, and one of the main issues is, enrollment is down…

In addition to declining enrollment, RCC is also reportedly wrestling with budget shortfalls, furloughs, and hiring freezes. The Rockland County Business Journal reported last month that the school’s Faculty Senate called for the RCC Board of Trustees to remove the president, who took over just last July. The board was reportedly going to review the faculty’s request.

If you plan on taking a trip over to Congers Lake, be careful not to step on its latest resident! Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann says photos of a large snake have been making the rounds online. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation identified it as a large, native black rat snake. They average between three and five feet in length, though they can be as long as eight feet. In a post on Facebook, Hoehmann said not to fret, the snake only feeds on small rodents, it’s not venomous, and poses no harm to people. If you do encounter it, just give it some space.