Regional Briefs – August 14, 2015

NJ Approves Electronic Financial Disclosures

TRENTON – New Jersey lawmakers can now file their financial disclosure forms electronically after the state Senate on Thursday followed the Assembly in unanimously approving the option, The Associated Press reported. The change doesn’t need the OK of Gov. Chris Christie.

N.Y. Bans Smoking During After-School Programs

ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday extended the smoking ban near schools to include when after-school programs are in session. It bans smoking within 100 feet of the entrances and exits of public and private schools.

Grandchildren of Homicide Victims May Get Counseling

ALBANY – Grandchildren of murder victims will now be reimbursed for therapy costs under a bill signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday. There is no limit, meaning they’ll receive help as long as they need it. The funding is already available to parents, siblings and spouses as long as the victim was innocent.

Poll: Majority in NJ Want Christie to Resign

NEWARK – A majority of New Jersey voters think Gov. Chris Christie should resign as he mounts a run for the White House, a Rutgers-Eagleton poll out Thursday finds. But the 54 percent drops to 45 percent when told that Democrats want to pass a law forcing him out.

Audit Finds NYC Subway Delays Increased Last Year

NEW YORK – NYC subway’s on-time performance dropped last year to 74 percent on weekdays and 81 percent on weekends — compared to 81 percent and 85 percent in 2013, according to a state comptroller’s audit, the Wall Street Journal reported. On-time means reaching the end of its line within 5 minutes of the scheduled time.

Finger Lakes Vineyard Wins Top Wine Prize

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – A red wine from Ventosa Vineyards was awarded Wednesday the top prize at the 30th annual New York Wine and Food Classic competition, besting 910 entries. The competition included 858 wines, 20 hard ciders and 32 craft spirits. Twenty-one experts did blind tastings.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the August 14th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.