TIMELINES 4/19/18

Pension Fund Invests in Start Ups

Another $20 million from the New York State Common Retirement Fund was committed to the Tribeca Venture Partners Growth Fund to increase investment in local companies. Since 2014, $35 million has been invested in Tribeca. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced on April 13 this new addition totals his In-State Private Equity Program to $1.6 billion. Since 2000, the program has invested over $1 billion in almost 400 companies. Working with Tribeca will help startup companies expand. In the program’s 18 years, it’s achieved solid return rates for the Fund. The NYS Common Retirement Fund is the third largest pension fund in the U.S. 

Millions of Eggs Recalled After Salmonella Contamination

More than 200 million eggs were recalled for salmonella contamination from nine states including New York and New Jersey. The Rose Acre Farm company recalled the eggs that came from a farm in North Carolina. The contaminated eggs were sold under the brand names Coburn Farms, Country Daybreak, the Food Lion store brand, Crystal Farms, Great Value and Sunshine Farms. The FDA warns that no one should eat the contaminated eggs at home. If contaminiated eggs are consumed, symptoms may include diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. 

Rockland Raises Legal Smoking Age

Rockland’s plan to raise the smoking age is becoming a reality after County Executive Ed Day returned a piece of legislation unsigned, allowing it to pass. The new law will ban the sale of tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes and rolling papers to anyone under 21 years old. The Rockland County Health Department is designated to enforce the law and it establishes a fine of up to $2,000 per day per violation. “The payoff will come in the form of reduced disease and death,” says County Legislator Aney Paul.

Rockland Pharmacies to Collect Prescription Drugs

April 28 is “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” and Rockland pharmacies are looking for county residents to safely dispose of pharmaceuticals. Rockland, along with the rest of us the U.S., is facing an opioid epidemic partially fueled by prescription painkillers. Bins to securely dispose of drugs will be available on April 28 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations: New City CVS Pharmacy, Bardonia CVS Pharmacy, Garnerville CVS Pharmacy, Spring Valley Walgreens, Nyack Walgreens. The County Executive’s office and Rockland Department of Mental Health organized the event. In October, the program led to New York Police Departments collecting almost 40,000 pounds of drugs.

Schnedierman Pushes for Double Jeopardy Loophole Closure

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman is urging lawmakers to close the loop on New York’s double jeopardy law. It would ensure people who broke New York laws could not evade accountability for these crimes because of strategically-timed presidential pardons. “The Supreme Court made clear that presidents cannot pardon for state crimes—now it’s time for New York law to do the same,” he said. 

North & South Korea Leaders Expected to Meet

Leaders of North and South Korea are expected to meet at the end of the month in the border village of Panmunjon. This meeting is surrounded by speculation that the two countries will end their 68-year war. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in may release a joint statement, according to Bloomberg. The two states have been at war since the 1950-53 conflict, which ended in a truce. A successful meeting between the two could lead to U.S. President Trump meeting with Kim Jung Un—the first U.S. sitting president to meet with a North Korean leader. There are many issues involved in peace talks between the two, including demilitarizing the border.