Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, D-Jackson Heights, introduced a bill (A-09552) to prevent HIV positive individuals from being discriminated against while applying for life insurance. On Tuesday, March 3, DenDekker introduced the new legislation that he referred to as a “simple bill” meant to protect individuals who have been diagnosed with an […]
Month: March 2020
Ulster County reports first COVID-19 case
Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan held a press conference regarding the first case of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 in the county. The resident tested for the virus received a “presumptive positive” result a short time after returning from an international trip to France. The patient notified the Ulster County Health […]
Publisher’s Corner: No time to fool with dynamite
COVID-19, the new Corona Virus, is upon us, as everyone knows. It is making for strange politics. In a recent discussion I had with Governor Cuomo, I expected to hear the usual and appropriate anti-Trump critique, but I didn’t get it. That’s because Trump put his Vice President, the usually […]
State producing hand sanitizer to combat price gouging, limited availability
As New York state hits 142 confirmed cases of coronavirus, officials will begin providing hand sanitizer to local municipalities to help limit community spread and combat price gouging. The governor announced Monday that the state decided to produce its own hand sanitizer to address concerns of shortages and rising prices. […]
Immigration Coalition wants funding restored for legal services program
Attorneys and immigrant rights groups are demanding funding for the Liberty Defense Project, a program that provides legal services for immigrants that was cut from the 2020-2021 Executive Budget. Introduced to the budget in 2017, the Liberty Defense Project is the first state-funded program that partners with private organizations to […]
State of Emergency as virus cases spread across New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency on Saturday to help New York more quickly and effectively contain the spread of COVID-19 in New York. The declaration comes after officials confirmed dozens of new cases, bringing the statewide total to 89. More than 4,000 New Yorkers are now under […]
DEC will delay enforcement of plastic bag ban until April 1
The penalties for the plastic bag ban originally set to go into effect statewide this past Sunday, have been pushed back until April 1, 2020. The law is being challenged in state court by Poly-Pak, a Long Island plastics manufacturer as well as 5,000 bodega owners in New York City […]
Lawmakers propose easier suicide prevention hotline number
New York’s suicide prevention hotline would be changed to a three-digit number, 988, if efforts to pass legislation (S.6833/A.8778) are successful. There is currently a national suicide prevention lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK, but leaders think that changing the number to resemble an emergency service number like 911 will make it easier for […]