Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
Ask Rusty: How will my SS WEP Reduction be Calculated?
Dear Rusty: I don’t understand exactly how the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) works for my situation. I turned age 62 in 2017 and am currently still working in a “non-covered” job, not paying into Social Security (SS), but from which I will get a government pension when I retire. I began collecting Social Security at […]

New York’s Clean Slate Act takes effect this fall
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? It’s a standard question on job applications, but this fall, how people answer that question will change thanks to a new state law. New York’s Clean Slate Act goes into effect on Nov. 16. In short, the act is an automatic civil sealing bill that means criminal

New York craft producers could get a boost from new legislation
ALBANY — New York craft producers of liquor, cider, mead, and braggot would be able to ship their products directly to customers, living in and out of the state, under a bill that still needs the signature of Gov. Kathy Hochul. The New York State Assembly approved legislation on June 7, New York State Assembly

Harris Beach to combine with New England law firm
ROCHESTER — Harris Beach PLLC — which is based in Rochester and has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and other locations in New York — plans to combine with a law firm, Murtha Cullina LLP, that has offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and White Plains in Westchester County. The new combined law firm will be known as
VIEWPOINT: Implications of the proposed American Privacy Rights Act
On April 7, 2024, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Senator Maria Cantwell introduced the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) setting forth national data-privacy rights and proposing a single, comprehensive federal data-privacy law. This bipartisan legislation, if enacted, will provide for enhanced consumer protections, transparency, and data minimization, while eliminating the patchwork, state-specific data privacy protections

Oneida County and sheriff’s office reach collective-bargaining agreement
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (PBA) that includes pay increases and an expansion of health insurance for retirees, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced in a press release. “I’m very pleased that we came to an

Onondaga County launches 10th year of Onondaga Grown campaign
SKANEATELES, N.Y. — The “Buy Local. Buy Onondaga Grown” campaign is now in its 10th year and encourages the public to choose food and products grown in Onondaga County by more than 570 farm families. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga County Agriculture Council on Tuesday launched this year’s campaign during a visit

Study launched on Utica Thruway exit and surrounding roads
UTICA, N.Y. — The Herkimer Oneida County Transportation Council (HOCTC) is launching a study and website to improve the connectivity and safety of the I-90

Route 11 bridge project begins in Whitney Point
WHITNEY POINT, N.Y. — A $21.2 million project to replace the U.S. Route 11 bridge over the Tioughnioga River, install one and a half miles of accessible sidewalks along Main Street, and new crosswalks at Whitney Point Middle School and the Broome County Fairgrounds has begun in Whitney Point. As part of the project, the

Court Street Apartments project in Binghamton celebrates groundbreaking
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Officials broke ground June 11 on a project in Binghamton to transform a vacant warehouse and office building into 111 affordable apartments, with more than half reserved for homeless veterans and other vulnerable populations in need of supportive services to live independently, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The Court Street Apartments project will
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.