Ryan Delaney

In an attempt to boost New York’s entrepreneurial atmosphere, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed new “Innovation Hot Spots” in his third State of the State speech Wednesday. They would be areas where startups can get free assistance and maybe even a break from taxes.

Cuomo pointed out the state struggles to bring in venture capital, or investment dollars, for startups. California and its Silicon Valley rakes in 47 percent of venture capital dollars in the country.

New York’s 4 percent cut pales by comparison.

While the Fiscal Cliff deal passed by Congress at the turn of the New Year raised taxes on some of the wealthiest people in America, it left many tax breaks in place that benefit small businesses. That is, along as they take advantage of them.

Many of the research and development (R&D) incentives, or programs designed to help small businesses export their products go underutilized, says tax policy analyst Dean Zerbe.

2012 was the warmest year in much of central and upstate New York in more than 80 years.

Many cities across the Northeast experiencing warmer than average years.

Temperature data on 35 major cities across the Northeast was compiled by Cornell University and the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

Winds from Hurricane Sandy were stronger coming off Lake Ontario than in other parts of central New York. WRVO’s Ryan Delaney spent the morning along the lake in Cayuga County and reports folks are dealing with only minor damage.

Bob and Allyson Malo were out checking their neighbor’s cottages along Little Sodus Bay in Fair Haven.

Allyson, who spent the night in their home on the opposite side of the road, says the winds were strong for most of the night.