The controversial aid-in-dying legislation is facing opposition from an alliance of groups that oppose the bill for both moral and pragmatic reasons, arguing that the legislation would put elderly and disabled people at risk of being abused. The bill, titled the “Patient Self-Determination Act” (S.5814-a/A.5261-c) would allow people with terminal […]
Recent
Are we ready for the unthinkable?
The world, of course, is a very dangerous place. The threat of nuclear holocaust has been with us since World War II. Children in the 1950’s learned to recognize the yellow and black “fallout shelter” signs and were taught to “duck and cover” when the sirens sounded. During the Cuban […]
Assembly bill would delay gun sales to suspected terrorists
A new bill in the Assembly is designed to prevent individuals on the Terror Watch List from purchasing a firearm in New York state. The bill (A.9433) introduced by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, is an attempt to give more time to the FBI for completing background checks on those purchasing […]
Watchdogs want a “people’s convention”
Reform groups are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers to create a commission that would develop a plan to properly run a constitutional convention. They are also urging lawmakers to consider reforming the convention process. That is, of course, if New Yorkers actually decide they want a constitutional […]
Women should not be swayed by a rosy-hued hunting vest
To the editor, The bill proposed in New York (S.6863) to allow hunters to wear pink in place of orange made clear its goal: to recruit more women into hunting. But any woman who cares about her family shouldn’t be swayed by a rosy-hued hunting vest into gunning down animals. […]
Senate bill creates felony for inciting violence against police
The New York State Senate passed legislation (S.5598) that would establish the new crime of inciting violence against a police officer. Sponsor Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, said the bill is in response to input received during a series of public hearings held by the Senate Majority last year, which examined police […]
Group of lawmakers hope to end ‘spending in the shadows’
Assembly Republicans unveiled a bill that would require member items, discretionary funds, and so-called “lump sum payments” — typically controlled by legislative leaders and the governor, and negotiated behind closed doors — be made public and fully transparent in the state budget for rank-and-file legislators, the public and the […]
Bill makes it easier to fund school-based health centers
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 […]