September 2024

MONTICELLO, NY–The veteran Sullivan County politician and businessman Anthony “Tony” Cellini passed away on Sept. 6 at the age of 83.

Did you apply for the Employee Retention Credit over the last few years only to face daunting delays? ERCs were a refundable tax credit introduced by the U.S. government to help businesses keep employees on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act from March of 2020.

NEW YORK— Expecting to see green, New York City officials are seeing red instead.
Approved by voters statewide in 2022, the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act allows the state to borrow $4.2 billion to pay for big projects, such as stormwater and wastewater systems, green buildings, coastal protections and electric school buses.

WASHINGTON—As employment opportunities in the sustainable energy sector advance, elected officials representing New York State announced $3,828,000 in federal funding for the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry to help establish a Global Wind Organization onshore and offshore wind safety training facility in Walden, NY (Orange County) to train New Yorkers for careers in clean energy.

WASHINGTON—Nearly 221,800 U.S. bridges need major repair or replacement, a major national construction trade association reported following an analysis of recently released federal government data shows.

ALBANY—The latest round of communities to achieve certification as part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities Certification program, which supports local efforts to meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges posed by climate change were recently announced. As part of the latest certification round, a total of 31 local governments were recognized for taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change as New York State celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Climate Smart Communities Certification program.

NEW YORK – New York City announced on Sept. 4 the completion and opening of 24 new school buildings, including 11,010 new seats, across the city, each set to welcome students for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.

SUFFERN, NY– Planning is underway to welcome more than 600 local high school students who will meet with experts in the Building & Construction Trades to explore the jobs of tomorrow and the training that is needed to fill those high-paying positions.

Although the decision of Secretary of Labor v. Trinity Solar, LLC specifically pertains both to the use of hard hats and fall arrest systems necessary for the protection of workers, this decision is another reminder that a company’s safety program is only as good as how strictly it is complied with and enforced.

TARRYTOWN, NY—With a final score that was more indicative of football game than a softball contest, the annual CIC Softball Classic was tied after six regulation innings at 30 all. Of course it was—it was Friday the Thirteenth.