Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
New York state Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan and State Senator Luis Sepúlveda announced new legislation today, A.10399, that would shut down New York’s live animal markets to help prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. The legislation would create The Task Force on Slaughterhouse Public Health and Safety and Animal Welfare, […]
As the state continues to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a proposed reimagined education blueprint by the Gates Foundation, discussed new death toll projections as some states begin to reopen and addressed the ongoing disagreement between the state and federal government during his daily press briefing today. […]
With the budget passed amid a global health emergency, the legalization of marijuana has been put on the back burner for now. However, a handful of state lawmakers are regularly urging their colleagues to resume session and pass a recreational cannabis bill before June. Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed before the […]
A housing-relief bill aimed at ensuring affordable housing for New Yorkers during the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is moving through both the Senate and Assembly in recent days. The Emergency Coronavirus Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2020, or the “Relief For All” (A.10318/S.8190) bill, would provide financial […]
To the editor: A recent Harvard study has linked COVID-19 related deaths to respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution. Strong evidence also shows that the virus travels a great distance on soot. Knowing this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to loosen restrictions on power plant emissions, including soot […]
Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, Attorney General Letitia James and President of the New York State Bar Association Hank Greenberg held a virtual Law Day ceremony on Friday, May 1. On the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, the theme of this year’s program was […]
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the New York State Legislature will hold two public hearings to look at the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on small businesses and minority communities in New York state. In the interest of public safety, the hearings will take place via […]
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli are coordinating their efforts to fight new frauds and scams that have emerged in the COVID-19 outbreak and recovery. The United States Department of Justice previously warned Americans about health care fraud, cryptocurrency, […]