Control of the state’s upper house will remain with Republicans until at least November, according to Sen. Simcha Felder, D-Brooklyn. Though Democrats won Tuesday’s special elections in Senate Districts 32 and 37, giving them the electoral majority — 32 Democrats to 31 Republicans — Felder’s support of the Democratic party […]
Politics
New Yorkers elect 11 new legislators from Buffalo to Brookhaven
Voters across New York came out to elect new legislators in two Senate districts and nine Assembly districts on Tuesday. Turnout was low in most districts and there were few surprises, save one. In the Assembly, Republicans picked up five seats — in Erie County, the Capital Region, the Hudson […]
New law requires full disclosure for political ads on social media
New York has become the first state in the nation to implement comprehensive regulations for political advertisements on social media. The New York State Democracy Protection Act holds New York to the same standards for transparency in political advertising seen in traditional media and at the national level. The federal […]
Mixed reactions to executive order that lets paroled felons vote
New York will restore the right to vote to upwards of 35,000 New York parolees who have served time for felonies, after an executive order was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday. Under the order, New York will join a list of 14 other states and the District of […]
Local, national groups join forces in hopes of passing Aid-in-Dying bill
A group of local and national organizations pushing for an assisted suicide law in New York have created a larger coalition which they hope will further intensify their fight to expand end-of-life choices. The New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying — comprised of four like-minded organizations — is […]
Senate bill would outlaw sanctuary cities in New York
The Senate has passed a bill that would prohibit cities in New York from flouting federal laws regarding sanctuary for undocumented immigrants. However, the legislation could face an uphill battle in the Assembly, according to the chair of the Governmental Operations Committee, where the bill resides. The New Yorkers Combating […]
Despite budget setback, immigrants still pushing for drivers licenses, DREAM Act
Make the Road New York, an organization of 22,000 that advocates for the rights of immigrants, say they are “deeply disappointed” by the state budget they say fails undocumented New Yorkers. “Make the Road is committed to continue organizing and fighting through the end of the legislative session to make […]
As Senate hangs in the balance, all eyes are on Westchester and The Bronx
The balance in the Senate could be decided by a single race in next week’s special elections. The race for Senate District 37 in Westchester — between Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, D-Yonkers, and Republican candidate Julie Killian — is getting a lot of attention from the media, sitting legislators and state […]