Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Two bills introduced by Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Sen. Andrew Lanza, both Staten Island Republicans, would strengthen New York’s animal cruelty laws. The bills, which have been endorsed by the Humane Society of New York, would increase penalties and close legal loopholes that create opportunity for animal cruelty. The first […]
Lawmakers fighting to legalize mixed martial arts in New York have taken the first step towards making that desire become a reality. Earlier this month, the Senate voted 48-14 in favor of a bill (S.5949-a) to legalize the combat sport in the Empire State. Seventy-two members of the Assembly have […]
The United States Attorney for the Southern District, Preet Bharara, came to Albany last Monday. He took the town by force. He was kind enough to choose public radio station WAMC as the venue for his address, which was broadcast live. I did the interview and found my hero to […]
The Senate Democratic Conference’s policy group has introduced a new set of initiatives to help New York families during the early childhood period, saving the state more than $2 billion a year, they say. The proposed initiatives include a strong paid family leave program, increased access to childcare, assistance for […]
A coalition of lawmakers and higher education advocates are again pushing a bill (S.281A/A.05370) that would require the state to cover all ongoing and mandatory costs of public colleges and SUNY health centers. This legislation identifies the programs and expenditures to be included in the “maintenance of effort” provision for public […]
Janet DiFiore was sworn in Monday as the Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals following a unanimous confirmation by the Senate. “My professional life has been devoted to the fair administration of justice, and I [will] gladly continue my service to the people of New York on […]
The Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection passed a bill Tuesday that would require mandatory labeling of food made with genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. The bill, A.617, passed through the committee with nine affirmative votes. The vote comes on the heels of the controversial federal approval of genetically […]
The Fostering Youth Success Alliance proposed a $4.5 million budget this year to make it more realistic for young adults in foster care to go to college. The coalition was formed in 2015 and consists of 18 organizations. Their program was awarded an initial $1.5 million to send 352 foster […]
