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.” […]
Recent
Pipeline opponents say tree-cutting along Pa.-NY border is illegal
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 […]
‘Angelica’s Law’ would crack down on dangerous drivers
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 […]
Lawmaker warns of anti-Semitism on educational website
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 […]
Assembly GOP bills would provide more aid for college students
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 […]
Advocates seek $92 million one-shot for mental health services
Hundreds marched in Albany Tuesday to advocate for New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities, pressing Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators to increase funding for community housing and mental health services. Advocates are pushing for Cuomo to include funding increases for mental health services in this year’s budget, including a […]
Nurses say new evidence proves need for ‘safe staffing’ bill
An alliance of unions and patients’ rights groups are pushing for the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act again this session, using evidence from California to help their cause. The bi-partisan legislation would establish secure and consistent standards for nursing care in the state of New York. The New York […]
Bill requires statewide inspection of at-grade rail crossings
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, D-Greenburgh, is calling for the passage of his bill (A.5235-B/S.03458-B) that would require the New York State Department of Transportation to conduct a statewide study of level grade rail crossings. Abinanti introduced the bill after the February 2015 Valhalla Metro-North crash that left six people dead and […]