Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan announced Tuesday the formation of the Senate Republican Women’s Caucus and appointed Senator Betty Little as its chairwoman. Following the November elections, Senate Republicans now have seven women members — more than either the Democrats or the IDC. Little, a former teacher with more than […]
Month: May 2017
Senate bill helps prosecutors better fight gang activity
Legislation would also use seized assets to fund educational programs in schools The state Senate is taking action to combat what they say is an uptick in criminal gang activity. On Monday night it passed the Criminal Street Gang Act (S.2410), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn. For […]
Bill would allow “responsible” homesharing in New York City
One year after state legislators cracked down on illegal Airbnb listings in New York City, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, D-Brooklyn, introduced a bill that would allow for “responsible” homesharing in the Big Apple. In 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law making it illegal for Airbnb hosts to list entire […]
Church supports alternative to Child Victims Act
As lawmakers prepare for the closing weeks of session, victims of childhood sexual abuse are pushing once again for a controversial bill that would give them a chance to seek justice for decades-old cases. The Child Victims Act (S.809) would allow victims to file legal action against their abusers, regardless […]
Bikers to rally for freedom and protections
As riding season approaches, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, R-Endwell, and other sympathetic lawmakers are sponsoring an array of bills aimed at protecting bikers. The group American Bikers Aimed Toward Education will be riding to the Capitol on May 15 for a “freedom rally” to promote the interests of motorcyclists across the […]
Group seeks alternatives to solitary confinement
With just six weeks remaining in the legislative session, a coalition of former prisoners, justice reformers and state lawmakers are trying to pass the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act. The bill (S.4784/A.3080) would impose a 15-consecutive-day limit to solitary confinement in state prisons and a 20-day total […]
Time to restore the comptroller’s full auditing powers
I don’t want to toot my own horn but I have been saying for some time that one of the most disgraceful things Andrew Cuomo and his lackeys in the Legislature have ever done was depriving Comptroller Tom DiNapoli of some his audit functions over state development projects. You […]
Far-reaching bill package is aimed at curbing gun violence
Legislators were joined by New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, students and families affected by gun violence to announce bills and proposals aimed at further curbing gun deaths in New York. The ten bill package was presented by Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, D-Manhattan, the chair of New York legislators for Gun Violence […]