Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
With a ban on single-use plastic bags going into effect on March 1, a coalition of environmental groups has asked the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to reconsider the way the law will be implemented. The environmental groups — including the New York Public Interest Research Group and Environmental Advocates […]
The first-ever early voting period in New York ended on Sunday. Two leading good government groups see the rollout as largely a success, but say there is room for improvement before the 2020 presidential election. On January 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation to allow early voting in New York, […]
The New York Public Interest Research Group — New York’s largest student-run watchdog group — unveiled a new report detailing the significant role that campaign contributions play in electing state legislators. According to the report, the majority of campaign contributions for state legislators still come from a small handful […]
Interviews for the interim attorney general position officially concluded Wednesday around noon. Questions regarding topics such as workplace harassment, opioids, New York relations with the federal government, political party tribalism, civil rights and the status of American democracy dominated each interview. In addition to these topics, each candidate had uttered […]
Earlier this month, the New York Public Interest Research Group launched the 2018 update of “What’s In My Water”, an interactive online database which makes it easier to find information on potential contaminants and threats to surface drinking water supplies. The annual update compiles information and research from various government […]
College students, professors and other education advocacy groups are speaking out against education opportunity program budget cuts proposed in the Executive Budget. Groups such as the New York Public Interest Group and their allies want more funding for Educational Opportunity Programs, Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge and CUNY’s Accelerated […]
With voter turnout on Tuesday hovering around 30 percent for major races across the state, a leading public watchdog group is hoping to begin discussions on how to increase participation in future elections. Looking at the voter participation rate on ballot Proposal One — by far the most publicized and […]
The Capital Region Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union will honor three formidable public advocates — Blair Horner, Barbara Bartoletti and Joe Paparone — who have dedicated their careers to challenging political corruption in New York; lobbying for good government, and seeking to ameliorate the plight of immigrants. […]