It is nothing short of disappointing that the process to generate a state budget has yielded confusion, a missed deadline, at least one emergency extender and uncertainty for residents and businesses who rely on the critical funding included in the agreement. Considering that the closed-door negotiations are being conducted by […]
Author: WILL BARCLAY, Assembly Minority Leader
Publisher’s Corner: Does the ‘Persuader’ Have Our Best Interest In Mind?
In the end, it is a matter of priorities. Right now, our top priority is understanding why Donald Trump is sucking up all the oxygen in the room. People either can’t stand the guy, and I count myself in that group, or they adore him. I truly can’t understand what […]
Legislation Would Increase Penalties for Swatting Incidents
In the recent days, there has been an unfortunate increase in false reports of active shooter incidents at schools across New York. The Ballston Spa School district for example, had a report that led to a large police presence. Such incidences lead to a heightened degree of stress, fear, anxiety […]
Hochul Asks State Police to Investigate Recent Rash of School ‘Swatting’ Calls
After a second day of widespread “swatting” calls to school districts across New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul reassured parents and educators that the State Police are actively investigating the incidents. On March 30, a reported 36 “swatting” incidents occurred across New York state, threatening school districts with the potential of […]
Video: Small Business Coalition Warns of Negative Consequences if Lawmakers Raise Minimum Wage
The National Federation of Independent Businesses organized a press conference in the Capitol on March 22 to make its case that a mandatory minimum wage increase could have a detrimental impact on New York’s economy, and even have a reverse effect on the working-class individuals who legislators are trying to […]
Video: Sen. Jessica Ramos Explains Why She is Fighting For a Higher Minimum Wage
When New York state enacted a $15 minimum wage in 2016, it did not include cost of living adjustments after reaching $15. The Raise the Wage Act sponsored by Senate Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos and Assembly Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner would change this by incrementally raising the minimum […]
Lawmakers Want to End Midnight Budget Secrecy With ‘Transparency Act’
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Senators Jim Tedisco and Steve Rhoads, accompanied by Assemblyman John McGowan and other lawmakers, held a press conference to make a case for their bill before the April 1 New York state budget deadline. The “NYS Budget Transparency Act” aims to prohibit the passage of […]
Siena Poll: Voters Strongly Support Bail Changes, 90 Percent Say Crime is a ‘Serious’ Issue in New York
With the clock ticking on the budget deadline, a large majority of voters from both parties strongly support a higher income tax on New Yorkers earning at least $5 million and changing the state’s controversial bail laws to give judges more discretion in setting pre-trial bail. Meanwhile, there is also […]