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Business
Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies
Around 2 Million NYers To Get Nearly $500M In Tax Relief Checks: Here's Who Qualifies New Yorkers may want to keep an eye on their mailbox in the coming weeks as the state has begun sending out tax relief checks to some families in an effort to alleviate rising costs of living.  The New York Department of Taxation and Finance announced that it started sending out $475 million worth of checks to 1.8 million residents who received at least $100 in Empire State child credits or the state’s earned income credit on their 2021 state tax return. Payments will average $270 per eligible recipient. Checks are being mailed automatically and recipients don’t need to do anything in orde…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
New Poll Reveals How Hochul-Zeldin Race Looks Among Those Who Say They Will 'Definitely Vote' New Poll Reveals How Hochul-Zeldin Race Looks Among Those Who Say They Will 'Definitely Vote'
New Poll Reveals How Hochul-Zeldin Race Looks Among Those Who Say They Will 'Definitely Vote' With less than a month to go until New Yorkers choose their next governor, fresh polling shows Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the favorite over her Republican opponent, Rep. Lee Zeldin. Hochul holds a 10-point lead over Zeldin, 51 to 41 percent, among registered voters statewide, including those who are undecided, according to a new Marist poll.  Earlier Report: Debate Over Debates: Zeldin Rips Hochul's Offer Of Single Matchup Before Gubernatorial Election Among those who say they "will definitely vote," Hochul's lead is down to an eight-point edge over Zeldin, 52 to 44 pe…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
New Report Reveals Percentage Of Americans Living Paycheck To Paycheck New Report Reveals Percentage Of Americans Living Paycheck To Paycheck
New Report Reveals Percentage Of Americans Living Paycheck To Paycheck Many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck as inflation continues to impact their finances, according to a new report.  PYMNTS and LendingClub published their September 2022 report on inflation and the United States paycheck-to-paycheck landscape. Researchers found that 60 percent of consumers reported that inflation has impacted how they manage their finances. The report also found that 60 percent of US consumers are living paycheck to paycheck as of August, an increase from 57 percent in September of 2021. According to the report, 45 percent of consumers who are earni…

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by Nicole Valinote
Politics
Brand-New Poll Reveals NYers' Reaction To Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Brand-New Poll Reveals NYers' Reaction To Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
Brand-New Poll Reveals NYers' Reaction To Student Loan Forgiveness Plan When it comes to President Biden’s sweeping plan to forgive thousands of dollars in federal student loans, a majority of New Yorkers support the move, according to a fresh Siena College poll.  The poll found that by 56 to 33 percent, New Yorkers supported the plan, which would forgive up to $20,000 in debt for those who received Pell Grants with loans held by the Department of Education. Non-Pell Grant recipients would have $10,000 in student debt canceled. Among those polled, 29 percent think Biden’s plan goes too far, while 21 percent said it doesn’t go far enough. Thirty-nine …

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Brand-New Poll Reveals Shift In NYers' Consumer Sentiment Brand-New Poll Reveals Shift In NYers' Consumer Sentiment
Brand-New Poll Reveals Shift In NYers' Consumer Sentiment New Yorkers are feeling more optimistic about the economy, according to a new Siena College poll released Wednesday, Sept. 14. The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment was up 9.1 points to 70.8 in the third quarter of 2022, the poll found. That’s 12.6 points above the nation’s Index of 58.2. The current index rose nearly 12 points from the previous quarter to 64.1 and the future index increased nearly eight points from 67.6 to 75.2, researchers found. Future confidence in the state is 17.2 points higher than the nation’s 58.0. “New Yorkers’ collective sentiment continues to o…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270
Will You Get One? 1.75 Million NYers Will Receive Checks Averaging $270 New Yorkers may want to keep an eye on their mailbox in the coming weeks as the state gears up to send out relief checks to low income families aimed at combating inflation and improving affordability. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will soon begin sending out checks with an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient to those who received the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns. Checks will be mailed automatically and recipients don’t need to do anything in order to receive them, the department said. The exact amou…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Hudson Valley County Exec's Congressional Special Election Win Cited Nationally As Bellwether Hudson Valley County Exec's Congressional Special Election Win Cited Nationally As Bellwether
Hudson Valley County Exec's Congressional Special Election Win Cited Nationally As Bellwether Democrats received a major confidence boost heading into the November midterms after Pat Ryan won a special election for New York's open 19th House seat in a race that's considered a national bellwether. Ryan, the Ulster County executive, was leading Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, with 51 percent of the vote when the Associated Press called the race just after midnight Wednesday, Aug. 24. The swing district, located in the Catskills and mid-Hudson Valley regions and which includes Ulster and Dutchess counties, was left vacant when Democrat Antonio Delgado became …

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
New Poll Reveals Percentages Of NYers Squeezed by Gas Prices, Hit By Food Costs New Poll Reveals Percentages Of NYers Squeezed by Gas Prices, Hit By Food Costs
New Poll Reveals Percentages Of NYers Squeezed by Gas Prices, Hit By Food Costs If you’ve been feeling the pinch at the gas pump or grocery store lately, you’re not alone, according to a new poll from the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). Pollsters found that 69 percent of New Yorkers said that current gasoline prices are having a very serious or somewhat serious impact on their financial condition.  That’s up from 66 percent last quarter. And even more New Yorkers reported feeling burdened by the cost of groceries, with 80 percent of respondents saying that the amount of money they spend on food is having either a very serious or somewhat serious impact …

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Here's How Long NYers Will Get Relief At Pump As Gas Tax Holiday Takes Effect Here's How Long NYers Will Get Relief At Pump As Gas Tax Holiday Takes Effect
Here's How Long NYers Will Get Relief At Pump As Gas Tax Holiday Takes Effect With gas prices reaching record heights across the nation, New Yorkers will see some financial relief at the pump as the statewide gas tax holiday goes into effect. As of Wednesday, June 1, New York is suspending certain taxes on fuel for the rest of the year to help limit the strain motorists have been feeling for months amid record inflation. The tax suspension will reduce prices by at least 16 cents per gallon statewide, with some counties offering additional savings to aid consumers who have struggled with rising gas prices. Related story - Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In Th…

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by Zak Failla
News
Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County
Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County Motorists in one Hudson Valley county will see some financial relief at the gas pump as prices continue to rise to record levels nationwide. In Rockland County, beginning on Wednesday, June 1, the local sales cap tax on gas will be capped at $2 per gallon, amid the record spike in prices at the pump. According to officials, the change means sales tax will only be applied to the first $2 of a gasoline purchase, as opposed to the full gas price. The cap will be in effect through Feb. 28, 2023. Officials said that inspectors from the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection "have been…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Gas Prices In New York Reach Record High, AAA Says Gas Prices In New York Reach Record High, AAA Says
Gas Prices In New York Reach Record High, AAA Says Gas prices in New York have reached a new record high as the country deals with rising oil prices and nationwide inflation amid tensions overseas. On Monday, May 9, AAA was reporting that the average price per regular gallon of gas in New York has hit $4.52, the highest recorded average price in history. Likewise, truck drivers are also seeking relief at the pump, as the price of diesel fuel price also set a record on May 9 when it hit $6.38 per gallon. In New York, the price per gallon is up 17 cents from a week ago, 28 cents from a month ago, and $1.51 from May 9, 2021. Gas prices…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Concerns Increase As US Baby Formula Shortage Worsens Concerns Increase As US Baby Formula Shortage Worsens
Concerns Increase As US Baby Formula Shortage Worsens The months-long baby formula shortage that has plagued parents and retailers across the country is getting worse, according to reports. In the first half of 2021, the out-of-stock baby formula hovered below 10 percent in the first half of 2021, according to Datasembly, though that number has jumped above 30 percent between November 2021 and April 2022. According to reports, that rate has increased above 40 percent in certain states, with some completely selling out of formula during the week of Sunday, April 24. Original story - Parents, Retailers Deal With National Baby Formula Shortag…

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by Zak Failla