Paper mill profits from iPhone case

The Capital District Business Review today outlines how Mohawk, a company traditionally known for paper, is profiting from a new iPhone case.  The base of the newest DODOcase, released Thursday, has 30 pages of notebook paper from Mohawk included.

Long Island shows job growth

Although Long Island shows signs of a declining economy  – high cost of living, high taxes and an aging population - Nassau and Suffolk counties have the fastest-growing economies in New York, according to the state Department of Labor.   More than 30,500 jobs added over the past year were in the  retail and restaurant industries and the area has gained back all of the jobs it lost after the financial crisis.

The Wall Street Journal has more.

DEC approves EIS for Rosendale resort

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has approved  the final environmental impact statement for a proposed resort and housing development at Williams Lake, clearing the way for  a State Environmental Quality Review findings statement.  It the state approves, Rosendale will issue its own findings statement, hold a hearing about requested zoning changes and review the developers’ site plan.

JCOPE new disclosure rules take effect for state officials

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics today announced that financial disclosure forms filed by the four statewide elected officials are now available online.  The new disclosures for the first time publicly reveal the values of outside financial interests and certain clients of public officials.

Oneida nation reaches deal with state

Governor Cuomo and the Oneida Indian nation announced an agreement yesterday  for an exclusive gambling franchise after settling a long-standing land claim.  The Onieda Indian nation will also pay the state 25 percent of slot revenues at Turning Stone casino.  Governor Cuomo also weighed in on the Seneca casinos saying they could close in three years if they don’t reach a deal with the state to pay nearly $600 million in stalled slot machine revenue-sharing payments.

Governor Cuomo demands Assemblyman Vito Lopez resign

Assembly Speaker Silver Vows to Seek Lopez’s Expulsion

Governor Cuomo told reporters that Assemblyman Vito Lopez should either resign or be booted from the Assembly. His comments came a day after the release of a report detailing accusations of sexual harassment against Lopez from his former staff members. When questioned about Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s role in the scandal, the governor “pulled his punches,” wrote Juan Gonzalez, Celeste Katz and Glenn Blain of the New York Daily News.

Click here to read more.

Regional Economic Development Councils

Governor Cuomo announced the third round of Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) yesterday. The competitive process will provide $760 million in state funding and tax incentives – including $150 million in economic development capital and $70 million in Excelsior tax credits – and $540 million through other state-supported programs. Five regions will receive dedicated funding while others will compete for the balance of  the money.  The plan also involves a series of tax credits and “Innovation Hot Spots.”

“Over the past two years, the Regional Economic Development Councils have been a tremendous success, transforming our state’s approach to job creating from a traditional Albany top-down model to a community-based, bottom-up process,” Governor Cuomo said. “From Niagara Falls, to Plattsburgh, to Long Island, the results are clear in communities all across the state as new projects are being launched, creating jobs and supporting local economic growth. Today we are building on that success, convening local job creators and community leaders from across the state to officially kick off round three of the Regional Councils.”

Governor Cuomo also appointed Alain Kaloyeros, head of the University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, to help set up the “innovation hot spots.”

Paterson considers congressional run

Former Governor David Paterson announced yesterday he may consider running for Congress.  Paterson told the New York Post’s Fred Dicker, on his radio show, that he has been approached about running for the Harlem congressional seat currently occupied by Rep. Charles Rangel.

N.Y. economic recovery complete?

The Press Republican addressed New York State’s economy today in their editorial, “Recovery is complete?,“ focusing on a recent survey by American Express that found small businesses — particularly those in New York State — don’t see a dramatic economic turnaround in their future.