Second Amendment Legal Update, June 2025

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Ovid seeks applicants for new local development board

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The Ovid Town Board is calling on local leaders and business owners to help shape the area’s future by joining the board of a proposed Local Development Corporation (LDC).

The new not-for-profit corporation would focus on boosting economic development and revitalizing neighborhoods within the Town and Village of Ovid. The Town Board will appoint seven members to serve on the board of directors once the LDC is incorporated.

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In addition to appointed members, the board will include the Ovid Village Mayor and the Ovid Town Supervisor as ex-officio members or through designated representatives.

Those interested in applying must submit a letter detailing their residence and qualifications to the Ovid Town Board by 5:00 p.m. on June 30. Applications can be sent to 2136 Brown St, Ovid, NY 14521 or by email to ovidtowndeputyclerk@townofovid.net.

For more information, click the link above.

Briefing on the 2025-26 Adopted State Budget

On May 8, the Governor and the State Legislature finally reached an agreement on a $254 billion spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year which began on April 1.

The New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) has published its summary of key initiatives included in the Adopted State Budget.

The document, which is regularly updated, is available on the NYCOM website.

NYCOM reports that the Adopted State Budget continues to fund the $50 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance from last year and includes a $50 million increase in CHIPS funding. In addition, the budget contains a number of provisions related to public safety and municipal government, including:

• Revised Involuntary Commitment and Assisted Outpatient Treatment
• Streamlining and Clarifing Criminal Case Discovery Requirements
• Virtual Appearances in Certain Criminal Proceedings
• Unlicensed Sale of Cannabis Enforcement
• Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment
• Water and Sewer Infrastructure Funding

A copy of the update, current as of May 13, 2025 appears below.

NYCOM Briefing on the 2025-26 Adopted State Budget by Steven Getman on Scribd

Schuyler County hosts Rabies Clinic May 17th

The next Schuyler County Rabies clinic will be: Saturday, May 17, 2025 10:00 am – 11:00 am, at the Reading Town Barn, Reading Center, New York.

Clinics are free, but donations are accepted.

It is New York State law that all dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets be vaccinated against rabies after they reach the age of 4 months. Animals must remain up to date on rabies vaccination at all times.

Rabies is a serious virus of all mammals with no known cure. It causes neurological degeneration that ultimately leads to the death of the infected person or animal. Luckily, Rabies can be prevented with vaccination.

For more information, click here.

Second Amendment Legal Update, May 2025

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Law Day is Thursday (May 1) and the Schuyler County Legislature has recognized as the Law Day 2025 theme, “the Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One.”

The legislature passed a resolution at its April 14, 2025 meeting, recognizing “Law Day” as an occasion of public acknowledgement of our Nation’s heritage of justice, liberty, and equality under the law.

The resolution was submitted to the legislature by Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman.

“The Preamble to the Constitution asserts that the Founders established the Constitution as representatives of ‘We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union,’” Getman wrote. “And the Constitution establishes a framework for government that unites us as one citizenry, through means such as our representative government and an engaged populace.”

In passing the resolution, the legislature called upon all Schuyler County residents “to observe this day together as one … whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through service to our county, state and nation, or by working together, every day, to fulfill the promise of ‘E pluribus unum,’ or ‘Out of many, one.’”

The measure was introduced by Legislator Phil Barnes (R- District VI) and seconded by Legislator Mark Rondinaro (R-District VII). It was supported unanimously by the members present.

May 1, 2025 is the 67th Law Day. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Law Day Proclamation to mark our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Each year the American Bar Association selects an annual theme for Law Day.

A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution “Recognizing and Commemorating ‘Law Day’ in Schuyler County” is available here.

RECOGNIZING AND COMMEMORATING MAY 1, 2025 AS “LAW DAY” IN SCHUYLER COUNTY – COUNTY ATTORNEY by Steven Getman on Scribd

New York State Court system’s annual report released

The New York State Unified Court system has issued its annual report for the previous year.

Among the issues addressed in the report for 2024 are:

• Access to Justice and Equal Justice

• Community Outreach & Civic Education
• Justice for Children
• Court Modernization
• Diversity and Inclusion
• E-Filing
• Grants and Contracts
• Indian Nation Courts
• Justice Court Support
• Technology and Court Research

The New York State Unified Court System is administered by the Office of Court Administration (OCA) under the authority of the Chief Judge and Chief Administrative Judge. OCA provides financial management, automation, public safety, personnel management and other essential services to support day-to-day court operations throughout the state, including Schuyler County.

A complete copy of the report is available here.

Second Amendment Legal Update: April 2025

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Schuyler County tables resolution to sue New York State; receives notice Hochul’s “no hire” order for fired Corrections Offices to expire April 9.

Watkins Glen, NY --The Schuyler County Legislature has tabled its resolution suing the state over Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order that banned fired striking Corrections Officers from seeking other public employment, after getting news that the order will expire April 9.

 

According to Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, on Monday (March 24) the legislature adjourned the action to its April 14 meeting, after the county received word from state officials that the relevant provisions of Hochul’s Executive Order 47.3 will expire and will not be renewed.

 

“After the county’s proposed lawsuit was announced, the New York State Division of Homeland Security issued a letter March 22 to all counties,” Getman said.  “That letter states the governor’s order prohibiting the hiring of correction officers whom she fired in connection with the strike is temporary,” Getman said.  “The letter says these provisions of the order will expire on April 9 and the governor does not intend to renew these provisions.”

 

“That means any local government, including Schuyler County will be able to hire any terminated correction officer any time on or after April 10.”

 

If the order does expire, Getman explained, the county has received the bulk of the relief it wanted in the lawsuit and the case would be moot.

 

Sheriff Kevin Rumsey agreed with the decision to table, noting that if the order is extended, the county legislature can authorize the lawsuit on April 14.

 

"If the order is not rescinded, I will ask the legislature to move forward to protect our ability to staff our jail with experienced personnel and to stand against unconstitutional overreach," said Rumsey.

 

Rumsey also expressed concerns with the governor’s plan to decertify the fired officers. 

 

“If she decides to push the issue of having them all decertified, counties will have to spend the time and money to ‘re-train’ these DOCCS CO's, which many of them have some considerable time on the job.  It would be a cost benefit to have them lateral rather than to have to send them through another academy.”

 

Rumsey, along with County Legislature Chair Carl Blowers, blasted Hochul’s “no hire” order affecting the corrections officers fired after a three-week strike, in a letter sent to her March 18.

 

“We write to express our strong opposition to your recent Executive Order, which unjustly prohibits Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees from being hired by other state, county, or local government workers…Leadership means standing up for workers, not abandoning them to serve political expediency.”

 

Blowers and Rumsey noted that the county is experiencing staffing shortages and sees this order as something that only worsens things for the county.

 

“It is unthinkable and outrageous that, in the same breath that you push for second chances through the Clean Slate Act, you are denying those who have devoted their careers to public service the chance to continue their work and support their families,” their letter states.

 

“We urge you to reconsider this ill-conceived, arbitrary, and capricious order and immediately reverse your decision.”

 

Schuyler County’s April 14 meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the Schuyler County Courthouse, 105 Ninth Street, Watkins Glen, New York.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Spring 2025

Albany Law School, the New York State Judicial Institute, and the New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference are sponsoring 2023 Fair Trial/Free Press Conference, to be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

What happens if decades of legal precedent protecting a free press is suddenly turned on its head? Hear from a distinguished panel of experts from the media, courts, and bar as they explore

the legal, political, and ethical issues that arise in a hypothetical scenario.

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The conference combines a discussion of a hypothetical scenario with an overview of media law and constitutional law. An interactive discussion between the panelists and audience will follow the panel discussion.

This free event is open to the public and includes a reception before the program. Registration is required.

Interested persons can attend in person at the following location:

NYS Judicial Institute
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
78 N Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603

For more information, including how to register, click here.