Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Lawmakers, survivors of solitary confinements and family members of prisoners are pushing for the enactment of the Human Alternative to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act to put an end to solitary confinement “torture.” The HALT legislation, (A.3080B/S.4784A) sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, D-Corona, and Senator Kevin Parker, D-Brooklyn, would limit […]
Take the Eric Schneiderman case. No doubt about it, Schneiderman knew his politics. However, there was something missing. He grew up and prospered in the same place that I did on the real upper West Side of Manhattan. I use the word “real” because I know a lot of very […]
Republican legislators are calling on the state Parole Board to deny the release of a man convicted of killing two NYPD officers in the 1970s. Anthony Bottom was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 1971 murders of NYPD officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. Bottom was […]
Lawmakers, police departments and immigrant-rights groups are calling for legislation that would extend the ability to obtain a license to all New Yorkers — including undocumented immigrants. The bill, known as the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act (S.8680/A.10273) is sponsored by Sen. Luis Sepúlveda, D-Bronx, and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, D-Bronx. The […]
The National Rifle Association is suing Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Department of Financial Services for allegedly targeting insurance companies they partner with to offer protection programs for gun owners. In a statement, Cuomo called the lawsuit an attempt by the NRA to advance its “dangerous agenda to sell […]
After a recent increase in gang violence in New York, legislators have introduced two bills that would help investigate, prosecute and prevent gang activity in the state. In the past two years, the gang MS-13 has taken at least 25 lives on Long Island alone. The bills being acted on […]
The New York State Senate Democratic Conference is sponsoring a package of bills to simplify the voter registration process for primary, general and special elections after releasing their own report researching low voter turnout. The Senate Democratic report, “Why Don’t More New Yorkers Vote? A Snapshot Identifying Low Voter Turnout,” […]
After repeated calls to action from state legislators and drug policy groups, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio has made the decision to bring safer consumption sites into the city. “After a rigorous review of similar efforts across the world,” said De Blasio on Twitter, “and after careful consideration […]