Author: Glenn Leaman

https://rumble.com/v76mvzu-wlea-news-assemblyman-phil-palmesano-talks-at-energy-press-conference.html

February 13 2026

FROM THE ALLEGANY COUNTY DEMOCRATS: Allegany County, NY – The Allegany County Democratic Committee is pleased to announce that strong>applications are open for the second annual Student Civic Engagement Award. This annual award strong>recognizes students in grades 11 and 12 residing or attending school in Allegany County for their civic engagement in the community. It is a monetary award of $500.00 unrelated to academic performance and need not be applied to the cost of secondary education.

The Allegany County Democratic Committee, with the motto “Serving Our Community,” actively seeks to improve the quality of life for Allegany County residents. With the Student Civic Engagement Award, the Committee’s aim is to recognize and celebrate student participation in community-based activities that promote civic betterment and that demonstrate the Committee’s values of social and economic justice, equality, diversity, and helping the less fortunate among us.

Applicants are asked to submit either an essay or a video describing in detail how they have strong>engaged in their community in ways that express the democratic values of the Committee and that clearly show how community life has been improved as a result. All submissions must include one or
more letters of support, written by an adult who can attest to the student’s participation in the activities described in the application. Applications are judged by a panel of Committee members on originality and clarity, community involvement or engagement, community benefit, and explicitly express the Committee’s democratic values.

Interested students can request an application from their guidance counselors or contact ACDC to have materials emailed to you. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2026.

January 8, 2026

Statement by Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning)

            “I am outraged after learning that Kathy Hochul’s administration has unilaterally decided to downgrade assaults committed by inmates in our prison system against staff. Under new guidelines, assaults will be re-classified as ‘harassment’ and ‘disruptive behavior.’ Make no mistake, this is just a PR and election year move, allowing the governor to pretend she has control of the prison system by saying assaults are down.  The fact of the matter is, she does not have control of the rising violence and dangerous situation inside our correctional facilities. And despite her insulting attempt to change the definition of assault, this will do nothing to reduce the actual rising level of assaults plaguing correctional officers and staff. This is just another slap on the face to our brave correctional officers who work a dangerous job to keep us safe. If Governor Hochul truly wants to reduce the number of inmate assaults on staff and other inmates, she would repeal the HALT Act and truly show our correctional officers New York state has their backs instead of stabbing them in the back with this politically motivated unilateral action. Gov. Hochul, do the right thing and reverse this insulting and dangerous decision.”

Assemblyman Palmesano represents the 132^nd District, which includes Schuyler County, Yates County and Parts of Chemung County, Seneca County and Steuben County. For more information about Assemblyman Palmesano. Please follow him on Facebook.

December 15, 2025

            Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), along with his Assembly Republican colleagues, sent a letter today to Gov. Kathy Hochul urging her to veto a bill (A.8888) that would eliminate New York’s 100-foot rule. The rule requires utilities to cover the cost of new gas hookups located within 100 feet of an existing main line. Palmesano and his colleagues argue that removing this rule would increase costs for consumers. 

            In their letter, the legislators wrote, “Eliminating this rule would shift thousands of dollars in new hookup costs (estimated at $3,000 to $15,000 per connection) directly onto households, builders, and renters. At a time when New York is facing an affordability crisis, a historic shortage of housing, and rising energy costs, this additional burden is unnecessary and counterproductive.” 

            They also pointed to the reliability of natural gas, saying, “Natural gas remains an essential, reliable, and affordable energy source for nearly 60% of New York households. During the deadly 2022 Buffalo blizzard, natural gas service allowed many homes to retain heat even as the electric grid failed, underscoring that diversifying energy sources is critical for public safety, particularly in upstate communities where harsh winter weather is common.” 

            Palmesano also pointed out that this is just another example of the Democrats’ radical Green New Deal-style takeover of the grid, which would negatively impact consumers and put extra strain on the electric grid. 

            “For years, Democrats in Albany have made it known that their plan is to completely dismantle the natural gas infrastructure, supply and delivery system in New York and move to the complete electrification of the grid. This will negatively impact New York in multiple ways. For starters, natural gas is affordable and reliable. Adding an additional cost to use natural gas will make it unaffordable. At a time when New Yorkers are struggling, this is completely unfair. Also, our electric grid cannot handle the additional strain. Removal of the 100-foot rule would add that strain to the grid, potentially resulting in blackouts, which would put New Yorkers in danger, especially during winter when the weather is freezing in much of upstate. Finally, this is just another step designed to take away consumer choice on how you heat your home, cook your food, power your building and the vehicle you drive,” said Palmesano.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) said, “The 100-foot rule is another green-energy mandate that forces New Yorkers to pay more and get less in return. The northeast is experiencing some of the most frigid temperatures of the year, with more to come.  It’s an important reminder that driving energy prices up while driving energy availability down is delusional and dangerous. Roughly 60% of New York homes are powered by gas. Democrats’ attack on one of the state’s most important and reliable power sources–as energy demand continues to soar–will have disastrous consequences. Gov. Hochul should veto this bill.” 

“Gov. Hochul continues to talk about her support for “an all-of-the-above” approach and “affordable and reliable” energy for New York families and businesses. If she is being honest, then she absolutely must veto this bill. To do otherwise would be completely disingenuous and a direct contradiction to her continued statements on this important issue. Gov. Hochul, do the right thing and veto this bill,” concluded Palmesano.

Assemblyman Palmesano represents the 132^nd District, which includes Schuyler County, Yates County and parts of Chemung County, Seneca County and Steuben County. For more information about Assemblyman Palmesano, please follow him on Facebook.

October 7, 2025

State Police say there’s a scam going on at ATM machines.  The way the scam works is, the con artist tells a person at an ATM machine that they are unable to get their money, and asks the person at the ATM, to do a withdrawal – after that, the scam artist takes the money from the victim.

Also, Sheriff Jim Allard says a scam has been going on in the Corning area, where scam artists pretend to be texting from a local bank saying that you need to click on a link and change your account information.  Allard says this is a scam – and says to never give out that kind of information when texting or from a phone call.  Call the bank, the sheriff says, to verify anything like that.

September 26, 2025

Hornell Public Works officials want to remind residents that they offer a sidewalk replacement program.  Work will be completed as time allows for $17.50 a square foot. Call Hornell City Hall for more information.

September 26, 2025

Oak Orchard Health will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, September 30, to welcome the Canisteo Valley Family Practice community to their Hornell location.  Oak Orchard Health is opening their doors for those interested in taking a tour, meeting its health providers and learning what services they offer.  That open house will be at Oak Orchard Health, 7309 Seneca Road North, Hornell, on September 30 from 4 to 6PM.

September 26, 2025

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State’s first-ever inflation refund checks up to $400 are now being sent to 8.2 million households statewide. Starting today, checks will be mailed directly to eligible New Yorkers, with deliveries to continue throughout October and November. There is no need to apply, sign up or do anything to receive a check. Governor Hochul secured and enacted this initiative as part of her ongoing commitment to putting money back in the pockets of New Yorkers. Earlier this year, the Governor also secured and enacted initiatives to cut taxes for the middle class to their lowest levels in 70 years, expand New York’s Child Tax Credit to up to $1,000 per child and ensure universal free school meals to save families around $1,600 per child.

Who’s Eligible for an Inflation Refund Check?

You are eligible for an inflation refund check if, for tax year 2023, you:

• Filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
• Reported income within the qualifying thresholds below; and
• Were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

Joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check.

Joint tax filers with income over $150,000 but no greater than $300,000 will receive a $300 check.

Single tax filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check.

Single tax filers with incomes over $75,000 but no greater than $150,000 will receive a $150 check.

There are no age restrictions. Filers do not need to do anything to receive an inflation refund check. If you filed a tax return, are below the income thresholds, and no one else claimed you as a dependent, you will receive a check.

When Will Checks Be Delivered?

Checks will be mailed across the state starting today and deliveries will continue throughout October and November.

Your check may arrive earlier or later than your neighbors, as mailings will not be based on zip code or region.

Additional information from the New York State Tax Department can be seen at ny.gov/inflationrefund.