Under the New York Labor Law 201-D, employers are now unable to discriminate against their employees or future hires by testing for cannabis. They also must have objectively observable evidence that an employee’s job performance is negatively affected by their use of marijuana in order to take disciplinary action […]
Month: November 2021
With virus cases still prevalent, Assemblyman wants to extend COVID exception for absentee ballots
The temporary law that that allows voters to use an absentee ballot for COVID-related reasons is expiring soon and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is proposing an extension through February, 2024. As the Jan. 1, 2022 sunset approaches, Dinowitz said his proposal to extend the absentee ballot eligibility is motivated by a […]
Publisher’s Corner: Occasionally, we meet our heroes
Having been alive for quite a while, I often find myself looking back on my favorite people. I’ve interviewed hundreds, if not thousands, of people but only a few have risen to the top of my most favorite people list. For a long, long period of time, I interviewed Mario […]
State revamps its COVID-19 dashboard, making data retrieval faster and easier
A new data hub recently unveiled by the governor includes new and reorganized COVID-19 data to make it easier for the public to access, read and understand. After 18 months of pandemic data collection — which began in March 2020 — it was time a for a reorganization of the […]
Governor opens 10 mass vax sites for children ages five and older
Select mass vaccination sites across New York state are now administering COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 to 11. “Parents have been waiting for the ability to protect their young children from COVID-19, and we are doing everything we can to make that possible,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. Following the […]
New laws aimed at protecting domestic violence victims as they rebuild their lives
On Oct. 28, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed domestic violence legislation meant help survivors of domestic abuse protect their finances and maintain their privacy and safety as they move forward with their lives. “People’s lives can change if we help them escape the cycle of violence,” Hochul tweeted after the bill […]
New laws signed by Gov. Hochul will phase out dirty fuel oil and paving materials
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed two new laws that will phase out the use of grade-6 fuel oil and coal tar paving materials — two substances that contribute to air, soil and water pollution in New York. The first bill (S.2936-a/A.5029-a) was sponsored by Sen. Todd Kaminsky, D-Long Beach, and Assemblywoman […]
Lieutenant governor opens new east gate for Walkway Over the Hudson
On Tuesday October 26, 2021, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin opened the new East Gate Plaza for The Walkway Over The Hudson. Located just outside the Poughkeepsie entrance, the new gathering space doubles in space atop the Washington Street Stairs and provides an ideal location for community events. The $2 million […]