Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Our teachers are among the most significant influences in our lives. Every one of us can point to an individual teacher who has been more important to us than anyone else, with the possible exception of our parents. I remember the good ones and the bad ones. I’m a teacher, […]
Some things in Albany change, many do not. Some, I really miss. I remember when Stanley Steingut was the Minority Leader and then the Speaker. I really liked the guy and I think he liked me. Back then, when Albany was different and I was a graduate intern in Manfred […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill today, clearing the way for qualified farmers to begin planting cannabis this spring. The legislation creates a new “Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator” license, establishing a pathway for existing New York hemp farmers to apply for a conditional license to grow cannabis in the 2022 […]
The New York State Restaurant Association, local restaurant owners, and New York lawmakers are pushing for the New York State Legislature to finalize Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal of permanent to-go alcohol. The call for permanent to-go liquor sales came in anticipation of last Wednesday’s budget subcommittee’s hearing on Economic Development. Restaurant owners […]
Assemblymember Tom Abinanti, D-Pleasantville, is concerned about the dangerous road conditions across New York so early in the pothole season and is calling on New Yorkers to bring the problem to the governor’s attention. “Wicked winter weather has wrecked our roads — recent rains surfaced plenty of snow-covered potholes,” Abinanti said. The […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul has appointed a veteran of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Violence Prevention Program to head the state’s new Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Calliana Thomas was appointed the head of the New York State Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in January, coinciding with Hochul’s […]
To the editor: The New York State Legislature should increase the maximum income amount that would make senior citizens eligible for partial senior tax breaks. The last time the state Legislature increased the amount for Westchester County seniors and seniors around New York state was more than 15 years ago. […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced there has been almost $2 billion in wagers taken during the first 30 days of legal mobile sports betting in New York. These figures do not include betting activity for the Super Bowl. Those revenues are expected to be reported on Friday. This record-breaking betting activity […]