Though NY’ers are pessimistic, there is a near-unanimous call for passing anti-corruption bills this session Even though 96 percent of New Yok voters say passing anti-corruption laws is an important end-of-session task for the Legislature, only 31 percent believe it will actually happen, according to a Siena College […]
Author: James Gormley Gazette Editor
Aid-in-dying bill passes Assembly Health Committee in close vote
The Assembly Health Committee on Monday reported the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.10059/S.7579), which would allow terminally-ill, mentally competent, adult patients to self-administer prescribed medicines to end their own lives if suffering becomes unbearable. The Health Committee approved the measure by a 14-11 vote and it was reported […]
Governor proposes an overhaul of NY’s blue laws
Bills would also reduce fees and paperwork for craft brewers and small wholesalers The governor is introducing legislation that would overhaul the state’s blue laws and reduce paperwork for craft brewers and cut down the fees paid by small wholesalers to further expand New York’s growing brewing, distilling […]
More schools committing to buying locally produced foods
The number of school districts committing to purchasing local fruits and vegetables has increased to 134 districts in 24 counties across the state, according to the Office of General Services, which oversees a federal pilot program that provides funding. OGS Commissioner RoAnn Destito announced that the participating school districts […]
Both houses pass veteran benefits bill, but will governor sign it?
A bill (S.7160/A.9531) that would extend eligibility for additional credits in the state retirement system to all veterans working for state and local governments has now been passed by both houses after it cleared the Assembly on Wednesday. But after being vetoed twice by the governor in recent years, […]
NYSUT: Voters approve 99 percent of school budgets this week
Voters across the state approved 99 percent of school budgets Tuesday, according to a preliminary estimate by New York State United Teachers. “We are extremely pleased with the vote of confidence in our public schools by New Yorkers in every region of our state,” said NYSUT President Karen Magee. […]
Tedisco looks to step into Farley’s Senate seat
It’s official. Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, the outspoken and independent-minded assemblyman from Glenville, has thrown his hat in the ring for the open 49th Senate District, hoping to replace longtime Senator Hugh Farley, who announced his retirement last week. The Republican legislator, a master of tapping into public sentiment, and […]
Addressing corruption is voters’ top end-of-session priority
Voters overwhelmingly support stripping pensions from legislators and state employees convicted of crimes related to their public jobs; Divided on limiting legislators’ outside income to 15 percent of salary; Strongly pessimistic that anti-corruption legislation passes by June Ninety-seven percent of New Yorkers say it is important for the governor […]