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NY Governor Suggests Special Session For Flood Relief

The state capitol in Albany
Dave Lucas
/
WAMC

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says a special legislative session may be needed this fall to increase assistance for those affected by floods along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. 

The Democrat wrote to lawmakers in the affected region on Tuesday. He noted that while officials approved $45 million for flood relief, more help will likely be needed. He says many business owners and residents can't wait until next year, when lawmakers could add money as part of a new state budget.

Shoreline flooding earlier this year damaged homes and businesses from the Niagara River to the St. Lawrence River.

Cuomo also has raised the possibility of a special session to adjust state finances in the face of deep cuts in federal health care spending.

© 2017 AP

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Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.