On April 14, 2022 members of the group TIAA Divest held a rally at SUNY New Paltz to spread the word about their campaign to pressure TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett into halting new investments in fossil fuels, fully divesting from fossil fuels by 2025, and immediately stopping TIAA’s acquisition […]
Policy
Kyra’s Law advances in Senate; aimed at protecting children in custody and visitation cases
A bill that would change the way New York courts handle child custody and parental visitation decisions has moved out of committee after a unanimous, bi-partisan vote and has now advanced to a third reading in the Senate. Kyra’s Law (S.7425/A.5398), which is currently awaiting a vote on the Senate […]
Senate Investigations Committee chair launches widespread probe into rising utility costs
On March 4, 2022, Sen. James Skoufis, chairman of the New York Senate Committee of Investigations and Government Operations, launched a probe into the rising costs of heating and electric bills across the state. After receiving complaints from constituents in his district about the rising prices of heating costs this […]
More than 20 injured in Brooklyn subway shooting; Gov. Hochul says “insanity is seizing our city”
Shortly before 8:30 Tuesday morning, firefighters responding to a report of smoke at the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn were met with a grisly scene. Several morning commuters were found wounded and bleeding on the platform. Overall, 16 people were injured, including 10 who had been shot by an […]
Hochul announces agreement on budget framework, lawmakers begin passing bills
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday night provided an overview of the key priorities that will be in the final fiscal year 2023 state budget. State lawmakers were said to be passing budget bills Thursday night and will continue Friday. “As we make our comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic we are […]
Senate passes bill requiring potable water testing at all NY state parks
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris announced the Senate has passed his bill (S.1256) that would require state and local parks to test water fixtures for lead and make repairs to any deemed unsafe. The bill requires that park staff must test potable water every three years to determine if there […]
New statewide ad campaign promotes responsible cannabis use
The state Office of Cannabis Management announced a a new public service campaign meant to promote safe and responsible cannabis use. “Cannabis Conversations” is the first public health education campaign on Cannabis Law of its kind in New York. The campaign will feature a wide array of advertisements and messages […]
Bail and justice reforms at center of ongoing budget negotiations
An intense debate around bail reform has thrown a wrench into the budget negotiation process as New York prepares to finalize its $216 billion state budget for fiscal year 2023. New York state passed a bail reform law in 2019 in an effort to ensure that race or access to […]