Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Despite April 6 having the highest number of deaths — 731 from COVID-19 in one single day — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is beginning to plan for an approach to restart life in New York using a tri-state approach with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. The […]
Despite the continued focus on fighting New York’s COVID-19 outbreak, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state’s Legislature agreed to a $177 billion budget on Friday, April 3. Included in the 2021 fiscal year budget are sweeping environmental policies that will directly combat and prepare for challenges brought on by climate […]
The federal government has granted Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s request to allow COVID-19 patients to be treated aboard the USNS Comfort, freeing up 500 much-needed hospital beds in the metro New York region. Meanwhile, for the second day in a row, death rates in New York state due to COVID-19 have […]
Senator Robert Ortt wrote a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo urging him to classify gun stores and “sporting shops” as essential businesses. Ortt argues that closing gun stores, and not allowing New Yorkers to access guns or ammunition, is violating their Second Amendment rights. “While taking proper public health precautions […]
Bail reform is one of the most controversial topics this session. While this year’s budget is intended to be bare-bones in the wake of COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he would be including bail reform in the upcoming budget. “Bail reform is something we’ve talked about until we’re blue […]
In a move to keep athletes, coaches, families and fans safe, Special Olympics New York has cancelled its signature State Summer Games which would have been held June 12 and 13 in Dutchess County. Additionally, all local and regional competitions, as well as formal training programs for athletes, has been […]
Democracy doesn’t pause during emergencies, it adapts. Two good government groups are urging state lawmakers to adopt this mantra and continue to legislative, even after the budget is adopted. Common Cause New York and Citizens Union held a press conference call on Tuesday, March 31 to provide guidance and direction […]
New York state’s newest projected models for COVID-19 predict an apex of the virus to be at the end of April, with an estimated 16,000 deaths in the state after the worst of the pandemic. Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged New Yorkers at today’s afternoon press conference to find a way […]
