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1.28.22 COVID-19 Bulletin: Hochul Extends Mask Mandate

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January 28, 2022

Today, Gov. Kathy Hochul extended the state’s mask mandate for indoor public places through February 10th. The mandate was previously set to expire on Tuesday.

The move comes after a confusing week of litigation. After a state court ruled the mandate unconstitutional, the Hochul administration immediately appealed. Another court then temporarily allowed the rule to remain in place.

Hochul announced the extension during a press conference this afternoon, viewable here (discussed at the 32:30 mark).

For organizations in Erie County, the county’s mask mandate would remain in effect even if the state’s was lifted. The county’s mandate does not have an expiration date, but County Executive Poloncarz indicated this week that the mandate may be lifted in February if COVID continues to slow in the region.

The BNP recently hosted a webinar to help you implement the state mandate, available here.

We will keep you informed of any changes to state or county mandates.

6.21.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Poloncarz Announces ARP Spending Plan

By growthzone | June 21, 2021

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced today his plan to invest the county’s share of local aid from the latest COVID-19 relief package.

The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed by President Biden in March, provided $178 million to Erie County.

Poloncarz said the county’s “RENEW Plan” will invest $123.7 million in:

6.15.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: NYS Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions

By growthzone | June 15, 2021

NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today the immediate lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions as 70% of the state’s adult population has been vaccinated (receiving at least one dose of vaccine). The 70 percent threshold in a national standard.

6.15.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – 2021 NYS Legislative Session in Review

By growthzone | June 15, 2021

As the 2021 state legislative session comes to a close, the BNP is proud of the many advocacy wins it earned this year. The BNP, on behalf of its members who employ over a quarter million people in the region, remains in frequent contact with lawmakers about legislation that would impact our regional economy.