Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
NYSUT and the United University Professions are blasting a SUNY Board of Trustees proposal to allow high-performing charter schools to set up their own training programs for teachers. Both unions accused the charter school industry of trying to “bypass” state teaching certification regulations by using their own training programs and […]
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-MO, are speaking out against changes being made at the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. The senators co-authored a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that outlines their displeasure with the new procedural changes being put in place that will alter […]
Rep. Sean Maloney, D-NY, held a press conference on the waterfront in the City of Newburgh where he announced his next steps to address the Coast Guard’s “Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment” for anchorage points on the Hudson. The Coast Guard announced on June 28 it is suspending the Hudson […]
A bill allowing students with disabilities to participate in their high school graduation ceremony has passed both the Assembly and the Senate, and is now awaiting signature from the governor to become law. Co-sponsored by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, the bill is part of an eleven-bill package dubbed the “Autism Action” […]
Our Sarah and Dan just delivered their second child, Hana Camille. Of course, there has never been a more beautiful child anywhere. I swore I wouldn’t cry when I first saw Hana but I did, just like all your mothers and fathers and aunts and uncles and grandparents cried, right? […]
With boating season in full force, Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City, has introduced a bill that would require judges to take prior convictions for boating while intoxicated into account when sentencing for a DWI offense. “Bryan Johnson’s Law” (S.6832) would require judges to treat BWI convictions the same as a […]
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Democratic Committee are launching a series of voter registration drives across the state this summer in response to proposed changes to the nation’s health care laws. Democrats across the nation, and in New York, have deemed the Better Care Reconciliation Act as […]
Lines are being drawn and sides are being picked as New Yorkers prepare for one of the more intriguing “off year” elections in recent memory with three ballot initiatives, including the contentious Constitutional Convention, going before voters in November. Voters will be met with more than just their local election […]