The United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on a decision this spring that could have far reaching implications for the future of politics in New York state. The case Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is threatening to weaken public labor unions across the […]
Month: April 2018
Sen. Brooks praises budget for eliminating “lunch shaming” in schools
Sen. John Brooks, D-Seaford, is praising the passage of the Education, Labor, and Family Assistance budget bill (S.7506-b/A.9506-b) which includes a requirement that schools must adopt policies to prevent “lunch shaming” and policies regarding unpaid meal charges. Brooks and Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino, D-West Islip, introduced a similar bill in […]
IDC rejoins mainline Dems in Senate
Gov. Andrew Cuomo brokered a deal between mainline Senate Democrats and the eight-member Independent Democratic Conference Wednesday, to create a unified Democratic Senate. Cuomo said the move will help to “protect against Washington’s attack on New York and continue New York’s bold, progressive path forward.” The IDC was founded in […]
Funding for early voting excluded from state budget
Despite months of lobbying by voting reform activists, local and county officials and good government groups, lawmakers in Albany failed to include funding for early voting in the final version of the 2018-2019 budget. The completed spending plan, which was finalized early Saturday morning ahead of the start of […]
Bill would allow expansion of Tesla dealerships in NY
With New York state aiming to have 50 percent of electricity generated by renewable sources by 2030, lawmakers are looking to further cement New York’s place as a leader in sustainability by taking environmental conservation on the road. Sen. George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequiot, are sponsoring a […]
Hudson Valley journalist explores the human contribution to Lyme disease
In her new book, “Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change,” author and journalist Mary Beth Pfeiffer documents the human contribution to the spread of Lyme disease to dozens of countries and multitudes of people, challenging the medical advice that has left many untreated. Pfeiffer began writing about Lyme disease […]
State Dems: “We will not tolerate division or power struggles in the Senate”
Geoff Berman, executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee, issued the following statement on the 2018-2019 budget, blaming the failure of many progressive policy goals on the Independent Democratic Conference — a group of eight senators who were elected as Democrats but often vote with Republicans — and […]
Budget includes new protections against sexual harassment in the workplace
Calling it a victory for sexual harassment victims, and a defining moment for New York, Sen. Catharine Young, R– Olean, is praising new protections included in 2018-2019 state budget to combat the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace. The framework of the new law adheres closely to legislation that […]