Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued guidance to help New Yorkers avoid conflict with coyotes and protect their pets. “This is the time of year when New York’s resident coyotes breed and set up dens for pups that will arrive in the spring,” said DEC Commissioner Basil […]
In line with federal and international sanctions against Russia, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is showing support for Ukrainians with an executive order directing state agencies and authorities to immediately divest public funds from Russia. The Feb. 27 order directs all state agencies and authorities to review and divest public […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul was joined by restaurant workers and lawmakers this morning to announce plans to boost staff and funding for the State Liquor Authority and make to-go liquor sales permanent in New York. Brooklyn restaurant owner and board member of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Angela Terry, introduced Gov. Hochul […]
On Feb. 3, 2022, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced “Sammy’s Law” (S.524-a), a bill sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman that would allow New York City to independently establish and control its own speed limits. In 2021, New York City saw 273 pedestrian fatalities, the highest number since 2013. “Statistics show that even […]
Sen. James Tedisco announced a new bill (S.8285) with 12 of his Republican colleagues requiring an official investigation of the more than 15,000 nursing home-related deaths that occurred in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. That bill calls for an independent investigation into the 15,286 reported nursing home-related deaths that occurred during the pandemic, while another bill (S.8217) […]
Two state lawmakers are “dismayed” by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to designate two SUNY university centers as flagship institutions, while excluding two others. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Endwell, and State Sen. Frederick Akshar, R-Endwell, have raised concerns over the governor’s State of the State proposal to designate SUNY Buffalo and SUNY […]
Our teachers are among the most significant influences in our lives. Every one of us can point to an individual teacher who has been more important to us than anyone else, with the possible exception of our parents. I remember the good ones and the bad ones. I’m a teacher, […]
Some things in Albany change, many do not. Some, I really miss. I remember when Stanley Steingut was the Minority Leader and then the Speaker. I really liked the guy and I think he liked me. Back then, when Albany was different and I was a graduate intern in Manfred […]
