The Assembly this week passed a bill creating a voluntary income tax check-off box to fund the 231 school based health centers in districts across New York state. Funds donated by New Yorkers would be deposited in a “school-based health centers fund” under control of the state comptroller. The state […]

A bill that would better protect New Yorkers in the workplace passed the Senate and was sent to the Assembly for consideration this week. Bill S.1677, known as Joanne’s Law, would provide a warning when a former employee who was convicted of a crime committed in the workplace is released […]

For many New Yorkers, the choice between taking care of a loved one and keeping their job is almost impossible. With Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Paid Family Leave proposal now officially endorsed by the AARP, New York family care givers have a strong ally to help push the bill through the […]

A new bill would require teachers to complete mental health education and awareness courses to make them more knowledgeable about mental health issues with their students. Assemblyman Marcus Crespo and Sen. Jesse Hamilton proposed the new legislation (S.6234/A.9299) because, they noted, children spend much of their time in school, making […]

In the wake of a shocking crime in the Capital Region, state lawmakers are calling for a new law (S.2936/A.1596) that would expand the definition of cruelty to animals. Specifically, the bill would impose two years in jail and a $5,000 fine on those who harm animals while committing another […]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration successfully inspected crude oil tank cars and rails that transport oil across the state. Inspection teams examined 215 crude oil tank cars, approximately 190 miles of track and 26 switches. They […]

A coalition of environmental activists, attorneys and residents of Pennsylvania and New York met last Thursday in Albany to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reject the construction of the Constitution Pipeline and to denounce current tree-cutting associated with the project. The proposed pipeline is being developed by Williams, an energy […]

Assemblyman Dean Murray, a Suffolk County Democrat, is calling for a new law that would place harsher penalties on those who drive with suspended licenses. The bill (S.00458/A.8369) is known as “Angelica’s Law.”  It was named after Angelica Nappi, a 14-year old from Medford, New York who was killed after […]