Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill that would expand a law that forces treatment for those with severe mental illness while making it permanent. Supporters of the bill to make Kendra’s Law permanent (S.516-b) say it would improve the quality of care for the mentally ill and strengthen existing state […]
It has not been a good year for Facebook. The social media giant has come under heavy fire from privacy advocates, lawmakers, politicians and users from around the globe for myriad concerns. Questions have been raised regarding data security, the privacy of more than one billion users and how the […]
An open letter to New York state Democrats from the party’s Executive Director, Geoff Berman: In the last few weeks New York State’s Democratic political world was revolutionized. The Senate Democrats, who were part of the Independent Democratic Caucus (IDC), have dissolved and joined with the mainline Democrats. Governor Cuomo […]
The Preservation League of New York State has included Albany’s South End-Groesbeckville neighborhood in its seven most endangered sites list. Last week, lawmakers and preservationists shared the 2018-2019 “Seven to Save” list. Since 1999 the Preservation League every year has identified seven historic locations across New York state it hopes to designate […]
Despite a robo call that suggests otherwise, the Republican candidate in the 37th Senate District, Julie Killian, is adamant she will vote in favor of the Child Victims Act with a one-year “look-back” window allowing victims to file lawsuits for sexual assault crimes committed decades ago. Killian is running for […]
Following multiple incidents of pets dying during their grooming sessions, Sen. Tony Avella, D-Queens, has introduced legislation (S.1569-a) that would require licensing and other regulations for pet groomers in New York. The legislation, which is co sponsored by Sens. Phil Boyle, R-Bay Shore, and José Serrano, D-Bronx, would regulate pet […]
Retired Congressman Chris Gibson has agreed to serve as the campaign chairman for Marc Molinaro in his gubernatorial bid. Gibson served three terms in Congress and 24 years in the U.S. Army, and is well respected on both sides of the aisle. “Chris Gibson embodies the high standards for integrity, […]
Democratic candidate for governor Cynthia Nixon on Wednesday declared her support for taxing, regulating, and legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in New York state. In a 90-second video, released through social media, Nixon said her position is a matter of racial justice, and that legalization marijuana can also generate […]