Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
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 […]
There is a very bad old joke about a mule that just won’t do what he is told. Along comes an old prospector who astounds everyone when he gets the mule to behave. He hits the mule with a 2-by-4 and announces, “First you have to get his attention.” […]
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 […]
Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, is asking the CEO of a website used by teachers to review the appropriateness and accuracy of lessons posted to the site. This is in response to complaints by several of his constituents, who called to address Study.com’s “insensitive” portrayal of the Jewish faith. Zebrowski […]
A bill package being pushed by Assembly Republicans would help young adults who are faced with thousands of dollars of student debt. There were six pieces of legislation unveiled at a recent Albany press conference, each of which is sponsored by either Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci or Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, or […]
