Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
“Your wealth should not determine your health,” advocates tell lawmakers As President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers seek to repeal the Affordable Care Act and pass their American Health Care Act, a universal single-payer health program for New Yorkers could pick up more support this session. The New York Health […]
As someone who struggled with dyslexia from kindergarten through college, Senator John Brooks is supporting legislation he says would give dyslexic students the assistance he didn’t have when he was in school. Brooks, D-Seaford, is a cosponsor of bill S.2534 that would require training of teachers in the area of […]
The NYCLU broke out its “Wheel of Justice” and asked legislators to give it a spin and test their fate in New York’s “broken criminal justice system,” as a way to raise awareness and promote support for the Justice Equality Act. The bill, (A.1903) which would provide full state […]
Senate Democrats hope to prevent a quorum to pass budget extender until raise the age is settled Despite the weekend extension on the now-late state budget, lawmakers still disagree on the hot button issue of “raising the age” of criminal responsibility, which is holding up the 2017-2018 budget, originally […]
Governor, legislative leaders poised to pass extender budget until compromise is reached on difficult issues Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement late Sunday night, April 2, after it became clear the Legislature would not reach a compromise on several difficult issues before Monday morning. Cuomo has presented an “extender”to keep […]
I’ve known Congressman John Faso for many years. I’ve followed his career since he was a member of the State Assembly, through his time as leader of the Assembly Republicans, when he ran for governor and then when he became a successful lobbyist. Now Faso has made a colossal […]
Legislators from both parties joined neonatal doctors and advocates to call for Medicaid funding of donor breast milk for premature infants to be included in the final enacted budget. The bill, (A.6481/ S.4526) sponsored by Senate Health committee chair Kemp Hannon, R- Garden City, and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, D-Elmont, […]
Public defenders point to Rensselaer County case as evidence of “serious shortfalls” in governor’s proposed interrogation reforms As legislators debate whether to require recording of interrogations, and for which crimes, a coalition of public defenders is pushing for the Adrian Thomas Innocence Protection Act, which they say would reduce the […]