ALBANY COUNTY — Governor Kathy Hochul spoke at the county’s airport today before taking off for Washington, D.C. to be at the White House for the signing of the infrastructure bill.

“I was invited by President Biden along with a select number of governors from states that will be recipients of this funding,” said Hochul. “This is a $1.2 trillion generational opportunity to transform infrastructure in America. And I feel like this is long overdue ….”

She said that New York State will be getting more than $14 billion for roads and bridges, $10.5 billion for transit systems, $3 billion for clean water, and $100 million for continued broadband deployment as well as “hundreds of millions of dollars for climate resiliency projects across the state.”

Hochul also said, “This is an investment for New York State families. This means that parents do not have to worry about the safety of the water that comes out of the tap for their babies and children to drink …. This is about quality-of-life issues.”

The Albany International Airport, where she spoke, is getting $26.8 million, said Hochul.

Hochul also said that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help New York create thousands of jobs across the state.

“This is an opportunity in this post-pandemic world to let people know, get the skills, go into apprenticeship programs, get trained,” she said. “There’s jobs waiting for you to help rebuild this great state after we were knocked down so far.”

Finally, Hochul said, “I’ll be on speed dial with Mitch Landrieu, former mayor of New Orleans, someone we’re going to develop a very close relationship, and to make sure that everyone understands how important this is.”

President Joe Biden announced that Landrieu would be senior advisor for the Infrastructure and Jobs Act;  Landrieu took office when the bill was signed into law on Monday.

Booster booster

Separately on Monday, Hocul issued a statement urging New Yorkers, as the holidays loom, to get booster shots.

“We know the vaccine not only slows the spread, but also improves outcomes and reduces the stress placed on our hospitals and health care system …,” said Hochul. “I am strongly encouraging all New Yorkers who live or work in a high-risk setting to get the booster. I received the booster, and believe no one who feels they are at risk should be turned away from getting a COVID-19 booster shot. If you feel at risk, please get the booster.”

Those who initially were vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna are eligible for the booster shots after six months if they are 65 or older or if they are 18 or older and live in a long-term care setting, have underlying medical conditions, or work in a high-risk setting.

People who received the one-shot Johnston & Johnston are eligible for a second shot, a booster, after two months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allowed a mix-or-match approach so that the booster shot can be the same as or different from the original shots.

Help for tenants

Also on Monday, Hochul announced the legal-service providers who will be awarded portions of $25 million in federal funding to offer free legal assistance and comprehensive housing stability services.

The awardees will use the money to help renters avoid eviction in areas of the state outside of New York City where access to free legal aid is not available to meet the need of these renters. Residents of New York City already have access to free legal representation in housing court to help avoid eviction. 

The legal assistance is aimed at helping both tenants and landlords resolve rent-related disputes and maintaining tenants’ housing stability. 

Locally, these grants were awarded:

— $4,076,178 to the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York to serve the Capital Region and parts of the North Country; and

— $5,591,018 to the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to serve the Hudson Valley.

Each provider, the governor’s office said, has extensive experience working with vulnerable populations and is easily accessible to renter households in the regions they serve.

Additionally, the selected service providers will work with other local organizations to ensure that their services are broadly available to help those most in need.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced that the state has requested $996 million in additional federal funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

These funds, if awarded, would cover projected need over the next four months, based on already-submitted applications, as well as a portion of projected need for tenants living in publicly subsidized housing, according to a release from the governor’s office. 

New York State recently surpassed $1 billion in direct payments to landlords and has now fully obligated its $2.4 billion in funding — less than six months after first taking applications. The program stopped accepting new applications on Nov. 14 in most parts of the state, including in Albany County.

Shots for kids

On Saturday, Hochul announced 10 state mass vaccination sites are now open to 5- to 11-year-olds, including the site at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, on the upper level where Lord & Taylor used to be located.

Children in that age group are now allowed to get a modified amount of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; it’s a two-shot regimen.

The Guilderland school district is partnering with Albany County’s health department to host a vaccination clinic at Guilderland Elementary School, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 with follow-up appointments on Dec. 13.

Doses will be available for 5- to 11-year-olds as well as for those 12 and older. Booster shots will also be administered.

Appointments are required.

Court closed

Guilderland Town Court temporarily suspended in-person sessions on Monday and Thursday nights because of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the court office, according to the town’s website.

In-person court sessions are canceled for Nov. 15, 18, and 22.

The court will remain open virtually and for limited in-person business opportunities from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, the notice said.

Newest numbers

“There is some good news in today’s data, as we report no new COVID hospitalizations and once again, no new deaths,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy in his Monday morning release on COVID-19.

He last reported deaths from Wednesday, Nov. 11, when three men died of the virus, bringing the county’s death toll to 433.

However, later on Monday, in the daily COVID-19 release from the governor’s office, one death from Albany County was reported.

“Now that parents are able to get their children vaccinated — including at state-run mass vaccination sites — we will see our overall vaccination rates continue to rise,” said McCoy. “This will only help us reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent more hospitalizations and casualties.

“I encourage all parents to consult with their pediatricians or trusted health-care professionals on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine so we can continue to move our community forward.”

As of Sunday, 73.9 percent of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 67.3 percent have been fully vaccinated. Of county residents 18 and older, 84.4 percent have received at least one dose, McCoy reported.

McCoy reported 70 new COVID-19 cases on Monday morning, bringing the county’s five-day average of new daily cases down to 101.

There are now 617 active cases in the county, down from 633 on Sunday. The number of county residents under quarantine decreased to 1,168 from 1,196.

There are now a total of 33 county residents hospitalized with the coronavirus – a net decrease of two. Eight of those hospital patients are in intensive-care units, up one from Sunday.