Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Two Western New York lawmakers today spoke of the need to pass federal funding through the U.S. Senate to prevent future weather emergencies and promote their local manufacturing industries and job markets. State Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo, Assemblyman Bill Conrad, D-Tonawanda, and climate change activists urged the U.S. Senate to […]
On March 2, 2022, hundreds of members from the Coverage for All Coalition traveled to the state Capitol to put pressure on leaders to pass the Coverage for All bill (S.1572A/A.880A) in this year’s budget. This rally was the culmination of a series of events that have taken place in […]
On Feb. 16, 2022, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced her support of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act and Put Trafficking Victims First Act — two bipartisan bills supporting human trafficking survivors. Sen. Gillibrand, via a video press conference, was joined by survivors of sex trafficking and anti-trafficking activists, including Shandra Woworuntu, […]
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued guidance to help New Yorkers avoid conflict with coyotes and protect their pets. “This is the time of year when New York’s resident coyotes breed and set up dens for pups that will arrive in the spring,” said DEC Commissioner Basil […]
In line with federal and international sanctions against Russia, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is showing support for Ukrainians with an executive order directing state agencies and authorities to immediately divest public funds from Russia. The Feb. 27 order directs all state agencies and authorities to review and divest public […]
Gov. Kathy Hochul was joined by restaurant workers and lawmakers this morning to announce plans to boost staff and funding for the State Liquor Authority and make to-go liquor sales permanent in New York. Brooklyn restaurant owner and board member of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, Angela Terry, introduced Gov. Hochul […]
On Feb. 3, 2022, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced “Sammy’s Law” (S.524-a), a bill sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman that would allow New York City to independently establish and control its own speed limits. In 2021, New York City saw 273 pedestrian fatalities, the highest number since 2013. “Statistics show that even […]
Sen. James Tedisco announced a new bill (S.8285) with 12 of his Republican colleagues requiring an official investigation of the more than 15,000 nursing home-related deaths that occurred in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. That bill calls for an independent investigation into the 15,286 reported nursing home-related deaths that occurred during the pandemic, while another bill (S.8217) […]