Owen H. Johnson's News items

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2012

Relief includes no foreclosures or late fees for 90 daysGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that several major state-chartered banks and mortgage servicers have agreed to offer relief for home mortgage borrowers in the areas affected by Storm Sandy, including, in many cases, no foreclosures and no late fees for 90 days.

Absentee Ballot Receipt Deadline also ExtendedALBANY, NY (11/01/2012)(readMedia)-- The State Board of Elections met in an emergency meeting late yesterday and approved an extension of the deadline for absentee ballot applications as New Yorkers continue to deal with the fallout of Hurricane Sandy. The original deadline for applications transmitted by mail, fax or letter was October 30th, it is now Friday, November 2nd. This extension applies statewide.Voters may still go to their local board of elections and cast an absentee ballot in person up to Monday, November 5th.

Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation allowing the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to place a distinguishing mark on a driver’s license, or non-driver ID, to indicate its holder is a veteran. Under this law, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces may request to have this veteran status mark from the DMV. Many local businesses across the state currently provide discounts to veterans. This law will make it more simple and convenient for veterans to show and verify to a business their status as veterans on a driver’s license or non-driver ID without having to carry multiple forms of identification. In order to obtain this status from the DMV, applicants will have to submit proof that they were honorably discharged from the armed forces.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES REGULATIONS TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM DANGEROUS DRIVERSAction Targets Drivers With Repeat Dangerous Driving Convictions New DMV Rules Among Toughest Licensing Policies in the NationGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today a multi-pronged initiative to keep drivers with a history of repeat alcohol- or drug-related driving convictions off the road. At the Governor's direction, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue new regulations that will give New York among the toughest protections in the nation against drivers who persistently drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The New York State Museum today unveiled an exhibition in recognition of the eleventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The exhibition will be on display in the War Room in the State Capitol from September 11th to mid-October and will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.The exhibition features artifacts from the New York State Museum, and honors the victims of September 11th and the countless heroes who helped in the clean-up and recovery efforts. New York State's permanent exhibit to commemorate September 11th – "The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response" – remains on display in the State Museum.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the placement of drop boxes at nine New York State Police Troop Headquarters that will give New Yorkers across the state a secure place to anonymously dispose of unused prescription medications and controlled substances."With the state cracking down harder than ever before on prescription drug abuse, these secure drop boxes will give New Yorkers a place to dispose of unneeded medications, helping keep harmful substances out of the hands of those who would abuse them," Governor Cuomo said.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a series of bills to better protect New Yorkers' privacy and personal information, and help combat consumer scams. The new laws include measures to prohibit the hiring of inmates for any job that would give them access to the Social Security numbers of other people (A.8375-A / S.7594.A), to limit instances where entities are allowed to request New Yorkers' Social Security numbers (A.8992-A / S.6608-A), and to improve consumer regulations to prohibit prize award schemes that require a customer to make a pay-per-call service phone call (A.4365-A / S.7595).

Governor Cuomo signed into law a bill to better protect teens from infections and blood-borne disease by requiring that a minor have written parental consent before obtaining a body piercing. This bill, overwhelmingly passed by both the Senate and the Assembly, is an important measure that will help to keep young New Yorkers healthy and safe.

"Body piercing can result in severe health risks and it is our obligation as New Yorkers and parents to make sure that our teens are taking every precaution to remain healthy and safe," Governor Cuomo said. "I thank Senator Robach and Assembly Member Simanowitz for their hard work on this legislation."