Crime and Justice
NY AG’s Report Finds Cuomo Sexually Harassed Women, Created Toxic Workplace
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“These interviews and pieces of evidence reveal a deeply disturbing yet clear picture.”
Akshar
Lupardo Joins Calls For Cuomo Resignation After AG Releases Sexual Harassment Report
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“We should be both expeditious and thorough. The state deserves that. The people of New York deserve that.”
AG Letita James
Cuomo Sexually Harassed Women, Broke State and Federal Laws, AG James Report Concludes
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It’s unclear if the attorney general’s report will be a catalyst for the Assembly’s investigation, prompting impeachment, or not.
App NEWS
Federal Guidance Poses Yet Another Problem For The GOP-Backed Effort To Review PA’s 2020 Election
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Federal officials said turning over things like ballots or hard drives to anyone who isn’t an election official could violate the Civil Rights Act.
App NEWS
Funding Still Available In Binghamton Rent Relief Program
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Residents eligible for the city’s rental assistance program must have experienced a COVID-19-related hardship, such as a loss of income or employment since March 2020 and earn either equal to or less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income.
Government
Cuomo: New York Needs Stronger Vaccination Policy
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“I wore a mask for year, it’s not the biggest deal in the world. I could get this delta variant, and I could spread the delta variant. So, better safe than sorry, I’m going to wear a mask.”
App NEWS
New York Senator Works To Increase SNAP Benefits For College Students
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“Students who are parents prioritize feeding their children over getting their own meal in order to make their tuition payments.”
App NEWS
Child Victims Act Lawsuit Window Ends August 13
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Survivors say it’s not too late to file a claim, but some would like another legal window sometime in the near future.
App NEWS
Will This Round Of PA Redistricting Be Another All-Out War? It’s All In The Details
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One big question: How hard should mapmakers try to match up district lines with county and municipal borders?
App NEWS
EPA Soliciting Comment On Vapor Intrusion Plan In Elmira Heights
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Testing has shown some homes in Elmira Heights to have indoor air concentrations as high as 37 micrograms per cubic meter, over seventeen times the EPA’s maximum for homes.
Andrew Cuomo
New York To Mandates Vaccines For State Employees
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Cuomo said his administration is doing a “full review” of its mask policies, now that the CDC has altered its recommendations.
App NEWS
NY Lawmakers Examine Challenges Faced by Nursing Homes
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“The key difference between a job at McDonald’s and a job at a nursing home should be a career, that you’re beginning a career. We believe we need to build that infrastructure.”
Former Broome County DA Charged With Public Corruption, Forgery
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Court documents unsealed Tuesday showed the alleged crimes occurred on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2019.
air
Coalition To Promote Clean Air And Water Amendment On November Ballot
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Jackson said the amendment will empower citizens to go to court, if necessary, to enforce those rights.
american rescue plan
Binghamton Approves Council Chamber Repair In Chaotic Meeting
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Democrats on the council said they wanted a clearer plan of where the plans would be allocated.
App NEWS
New York Spends $15 Million To Target Areas With Low Vaccination Rates
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New York is using those funds to target 117 zip codes from around the state with lower-than-average vaccination rates, though nearly 80% of those neighborhoods are in New York City or on Long Island.
App NEWS
Cuomo Accuses AG’s Investigators Of Bias
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“I have concerns as to the independence of the reviewers,” Cuomo said. “Is this all happening in a political system? Yes, that is undeniable.”
Cuomo, After Criticism From Schumer, Announces New Rent Relief Application Process
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Schumer said over the weekend that the state was in danger of losing $2.4 billion in federal aid due to delays by the Cuomo administration in getting out the rent relief.
App NEWS
Assembly Speaker Draws Fire For Attempts To Tamp Down Cuomo Impeachment Inquiry Tensions
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Assembly Speaker Heastie, who attended an unrelated event in Schenectady with Steck, said he’s trying to stay neutral until the impeachment inquiry concludes.
While Canada To Reopen Border Aug. 9, Cannabis Is Not Invited
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Niezgoda said that smaller infractions, and unintended smuggling, are another matter for travelers to keep in mind.
App NEWS
Northern Border Remains Closed As The Canadian Side Is Set To Reopen
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The Department of Homeland Security said that the closure extension–which applies to the southern border as well–was partially motivated by the desire to minimize the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
App NEWS
NYS Says It’s Targeting Jobs As Alternative To Gun Violence
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“Many employers are begging for assistance and what we can do is pair up these individuals and get them the training they need, through state-run programs, with willing employers to help eradicate the spectre of violence by giving them an alternative.”
App NEWS
Flood Recovery Efforts Continue In Otsego County
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“We’re starting to see it more and more. The weather patterns, I think are changing.”
Education
University Chancellor Floats $75 million Plan For One-Time State Money At PA Senate Panel
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The system’s Board of Governors voted to proceed with those mergers in a unanimous vote last week, and plan to launch the new “integrated” western and northeast university systems next July.
Government
New York Public Health Law Prompts Changes At Summer Camps
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“Parents can rest assured that sending their child to camp will not mean sending them away from expert mental health care should they need it.”
Government
Despite Public Support, Watertown Bans Marijuana Dispensaries
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“It’s just crazy. It’s here. It’s already here. People are already smoking it. Let us just go and get a legal substance from a safe provider.”
Crime and Justice
New York Secures $1.1 Billion Settlement From Opioid Distributors
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“We’re holding them accountable and delivering more than $1 billion more into New York communities ravaged by opioids for treatment, recovery, and prevention efforts.”
App NEWS
Senior Advocacy Group Presses New York For Caregiver Tax Credit
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By age group, Generation X caregivers spent the most money, at more than $8500.00 in out of pocket expenses, while Generation Z and Millennials spent a larger share of their total household income.
Government
Fully Vaccinated Americans Can Cross Canadian border Starting In August
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Children younger than 12 will be allowed to enter Canada with their parents or guardians if they follow public health guidelines.
Government
Not All Of New York’s Reforms Benefit Voters, Advocate Says
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“We don’t love all of them, truthfully.”
App NEWS
PA Republicans Take Election ‘Audits’ Seriously. Here’s What’s Known About Their Plan
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So far, Tioga and York Counties have both said they will not be voluntarily turning over any material. Tioga said the primary reason was that Governor Tom Wolf’s administration had heavily discouraged it.
Economy
GlobalFoundries Announces Further Expansion in Saratoga County
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“Why is this so important? Because whether you know it or not, almost every device, every machine you own, depends on a chip.”
App NEWS
Why Rep. Zeldin, Now Running for Governor, Says He Voted Against The 2020 Election Results
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Zeldin was one of four Republican members of Congress from New York who voted against certifying the results in Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Probe Into Alleged Sexual Harassment By New York’s Governor Could Be Near Its End
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Cuomo denies the charges, and when he was first accused in late winter apologized if his actions had been misinterpreted.
App NEWS
Police Firing Records Now Included In Pennsylvania-wide Personnel Database
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The move is part of the police accountability law passed by the General Assembly last July in response to the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Government
Extra Monthly Checks Heading To Millions Of New Yorkers
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“It’s going to have an enormous impact within this community just helping families make ends meet.”
App NEWS
PA May See The Nation’s Strongest Post-Pandemic Sales Tax Boost
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Forecasters predict Pennsylvania will rake in nearly 15 percent more this year than last. That would be the largest increase of any state.
Crime and Justice
Critics Of New York Ethics Panel Not Giving Up
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“JCOPE was set up in a way to fail.”
App NEWS
Report: Cuomo To Be Questioned Saturday On Sexual Harassment Claims
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“I can’t tell you how eager I am to tell my side of the story and the time will come.”
App NEWS
In Ithaca, Chain Works Site Remediation Amendment Is Clearing Way For Development
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Contaminants were regularly used at the plant, especially in metal finishing processes.
Education
Pennsylvania State University System Merges Six Schools Into Two
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“We know that significant change must occur if we are going to ensure that accessible, affordable public higher education remains available and attractive to students.”
Government
Governor Defends, Explains New York’s Undercount Of COVID Deaths
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The AP finds that other states, including Pennsylvania, report death numbers that mirror the CDC numbers, and count all cases where COVID is either the cause of death or a contributing factor.
App NEWS
Environmental Advocates Call for Changes To Proposed Federal Climate Legislation
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“We would like him to remove all dirty fossil fuel solutions, including, for example, the combined heat and power plants, which run on fracked gas. That, under Mr. Tonko’s definition, is clean energy,”
Binghamton Mayor Rich David Announces Bid For State Senate
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David is running for the seat currently held by Fred Akshar, who is not seeking reelection.
Government
New York Lawmakers Criticize Selection Of Chick-fil-A For New Thruway Dining Options
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“When the state is engaged in a contract with an organization that has a history of discrimination, that’s inappropriate.”
Government
Senate Ethics Hearing Delayed Due to Open Meetings Law Concerns
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“There was a concern that was brought to our attention. About whether or not Open Meetings Law applies to hearings.”
Government
Effort Underway To Make Expanded Child Tax Credit Permanent
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“Sixty-three percent of Earned Income Tax Credit recipients spent some, or all of their payment on paying down debt.”
Anthony Brindisi
Brindisi Announces Judicial Bid After Ruling Out Congressional Run In 2022
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Last month, Brindisi announced he would not run for his old House seat in New York’s 22nd Congressional District.
App NEWS
After Pushback In PA, A Widely Criticized Mandatory Minimum Bill Is On Hold
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Pennsylvania legislative leaders say a bill that would institute new mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crime is “off the calendar,” at least temporarily.
abuse
An Uncertain Future For The Adult Survivors Act
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The Adult Survivors Act would create a one-year look back window for cases of adult sexual abuse. That’s similar to the Child Victims Act, legislation passed in 2019 targeted at victims of child sex abuse.
App NEWS
Former Bradford Co. District Attorney Sentenced To State Prison Time
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“Thanks to those brave victims. He’s no longer the district attorney and now he’s a convicted felon.”
Crime and Justice
New York, Other States Announce $4.5B Settlement With Purdue Pharma
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About $4.3 billion will be distributed to nearly every state in the nation to help fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs; New York will get $200 million.
broadband
Sherburne Officials Seek Funding To Get Municipal Broadband Off The Ground
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“Getting these costs nailed down is really the next step.”
An Appeals Court Suspends Rudy Giuliani’s Ability To Practice Law In D.C.
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The suspension by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and a New York state appellate court stems from Rudy Giuliani’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
15 States Drop Opposition To Controversial Purdue Pharma Oxycontin Bankruptcy
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New York is among the states agreeing to end the fight to halt a controversial Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan. The deal shelters members of the Sackler family from opioid lawsuits.
Government
Republican Congress Member Unworried By Trump ‘Nonsense,’ Calls Pelosi’s Insurrection Committee ‘A Mess’
|
Former President Donald Trump told the Onondaga County Conservative Party last month, that he’ll help campaign for a challenger against Katko.
Energy
State Report: PA Extracted More Natural Gas Than Ever During Pandemic
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Unconventional wells produced 7.1 trillion cubic feet of gas last year, even as national and regional natural gas prices dipped in response to the pandemic.
Crime and Justice
Critics: New York Doesn’t Need Another State of Emergency
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“Review some of the soft-on-crime pieces of legislation that have been passed in the last few years. I think the combination of all of those policies is having a big effect on this increase in violent crime.”
Andrew Cuomo
After Third Police Shooting In A Month, Broome Sheriff Puts Onus On Lawmakers
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Harder’s press conference came a day after Governor Andrew Cuomo instituted a statewide disaster emergency declaration on gun violence.
App NEWS
Senate Majority Leader Calls For Unilateral Opening Of Border With Canada
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On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that fully vaccinated Canadians returning to the country from the U.S. would no longer need to quarantine.
Government
As Gun Violence Intensifies, New York Congress Member Wants To Roll Back Firearm Regs
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Claudia Tenney is among 168 other members of the House of Representatives in presenting a brief to the Supreme Court pushing for loosened restrictions on who can receive a concealed carry permit.
Government
After Contact Tracing Data Breach, PA Sidesteps Scrutiny On Proposed $34M Contract
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The state’s Department of Health is working to hire a new company under an even pricier contract to take over its contact tracing program. The previous company was fired for a massive data breach.
Government
New York Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis, Outlines Plan to Address Crime
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“Gun Violence is not only taking a human toll. It’s taking an economic toll. So we have no choice but to address it. It’s the right thing to do.”
american rescue plan
New York’s Small Towns Shortchanged On Pandemic Funding
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New York’s small towns are currently receiving $104 per resident from the Rescue Plan, compared to over $1300 in states with a large unincorporated population.
App NEWS
Siting Board Denies Rehearing For High Bridge Wind Farm
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“GCNR’s petition does not establish any error of law or fact to support its rehearing request.”
App NEWS
Updated: Tompkins, Broome Co. End State Of Emergency Orders
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Broome County’s declaration will expire at 3:30 p.m., after 457 days in effect.
Andrew Cuomo
NYS Assembly To Issue Subpoenas In Cuomo Impeachment Probe
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The firm has received more than 100,000 pages of documents to sort through as part of the inquiry, which is far-reaching and not limited to any one allegation against Cuomo.
PA Users Can Now Buy Three-Month Supply Of Medical Marijuana
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“This legislation provides important updates to our state’s medical marijuana program to ensure that patients have improved access to medication.”
american rescue plan
PA Plans To Spend $1 Billion In American Rescue Plan Money. Some Similar States Plan To Spend More.
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The money is supposed to make up for what states missed out on during the pandemic in taxes and fees — and help pay for the recovery effort over the next five years.
Education
Groups Partner With State to Expand High-Speed Internet Access to Affordable Housing
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“This initiative will help create affordable connected homes that equip residents with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern world.”
App NEWS
Ithaca Moves Police Reimagining Plan Forward, Mayor Awaits New Chief Search
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“Having an acting chief at the helm of the department right now is not causing any problems.”
Wall Street Bosses Want Their Workers Back. That’s Good For The King Of Falafel
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Wall Street executives are pushing vaccinated workers to return to work, and that’s good news for vendors and other small businesses in New York that depend on workers from finance.
App NEWS
Tompkins Co. Prepares Comments on Draft Algal Bloom Measure
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The comments, drafted by the Tompkins County Office of Planning and Sustainability staff, ask the DEC to provide more specifics about implementation.
Government
COVID-Related Hospitalizations Drop To New Low In New York State
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The 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate for the Finger Lakes region is now down to .40%.
Government
New York Bill That Creates Opioid Settlement Lockbox On Governor’s Desk
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A bill before Gov. Andrew Cuomo would create a lockbox for anticipated opioid drug manufacturer settlement funds.
App NEWS
PA Immigrants Skeptical That Dems In D.C. Will Create A Path To Citizenship
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Immigration groups around Pennsylvania and the country want to keep pressure on Washington to include a path to citizenship in the final package.
App NEWS
New York Governor Signs Gender Recognition Law
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Under the law, New Yorkers who want to change their gender listed on an official identification, no longer needs a doctor’s permission or present medical evidence to obtain those changes.
Government
PA Republicans Vote To Ban Vaccine Mandates At Schools And Limit Health Secretary’s Authority
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An amendment to the Senate bill designed to prevent “vaccine passports” would prohibit the secretary from ordering mask wearing and other public health measures.
App NEWS
PA Budget Deal Inches Closer To Finish Line
|
Lawmakers are working with at least two new piles of money: $2.9 billion in unanticipated income and sales tax revenue and $7.29 billion from the federal government.
Government
Fiscal Watchdog Seeks COVID-19 Data From State Health Department
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They seek a detailed list of data about the deaths of New Yorkers from COVID-19, including those tracked by the date, county and ZIP code, as well as confirmed cases of coronavirus by age group, race, and ethnicity.
App NEWS
Governor Cuomo’s Emergency Pandemic Powers End Today
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“The emergency is over. It will not be renewed.”
Environment
November Ballot Question Will Determine Right to Clean Air and Water
|
“Voters are going to be asked a simple question. Should we add to New York state’s bill of rights, the right to clean air, clean water and a healthful environment?”
App NEWS
For Activists, Felony Disenfranchisement Remains A Fight For Civil Rights
|
A majority of those incarcerated will rejoin the community outside of prison at some point.
Economy
Senator Gillibrand Pushes For New Union Protections
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“The best way to get our economy back and to rebuild our middle class is to support our unions and our workers.”
Government
How A PA Lawmaker Billed Taxpayers $1.8 Million In Expenses
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Western Pennsylvania Democrat Chris Sainato spent or has been reimbursed personally for more than $1.8 million in mileage, meals, lodging, travel, and office-related costs.
Government
New York Lawmakers Discuss Mental Health And Addiction
|
Members of the Assembly held an hours-long meeting, speaking with stakeholders in the healthcare industry on what can be done to save the lives of people dealing with addiction and mental illness.
Andrew Cuomo
Gillibrand Rules Out Bid For Governor, Touts Free School Lunch Proposal
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Gillibrand discussed both during a stop in Ithaca on Monday.
5G
The Debate Over 5G In Ithaca
|
“Why would you want to install 100 facilities when you can do it with three?”
App NEWS
Lawmakers, Advocates Urge New York’s Governor To Sign Child Poverty Reduction Act
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“This isn’t rocket science. It’s public policies that are the biggest lever to lift families out of poverty.”
App NEWS
Poll Shows A Job Rating Drop For PA’s Governor And Support For Controversial Voting Law Changes
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“If you add in the fact that we have had this crisis, and the governor has taken some heat for it, and the fact that people aren’t feeling better economically, I think that all comes together to produce these lower ratings.”
Government
With COVID-19 Waning, Cuomo Retains Emergency Powers
|
Not everyone can immediately go back to normal. Unvaccinated New Yorkers still need to wear masks in public and practice safe social distancing.
How A Former New York Principal Tries To Make Congress Work For His Community
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Freshman New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman joins a class of younger Black lawmakers working to broaden representation and progressive power in Congress, as well as in the Democratic Party.
Environment
‘Left At The Altar’: New York Climate Activists Lament Unapproved Bills
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The Students for Solar Act passed with unanimous support in the state Senate, but never reached the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
App NEWS
PA Celebrates New Unemployment System, But Advocates Say Problems Remain
|
The official launch of a new state unemployment benefits portal last Tuesday was riddled with technical hiccups.
Crime and Justice
After GOP Senators Block Insurrection Commission, New York Republican Says ‘It’s Not Over Yet’
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Five people were killed, including three law enforcement officers, in a riot at the Capitol, following a rally for then-President Trump. More than a hundred officers were injured.
Economy
New Phase Of “I LOVE NY” Campaign Features Upstate Communities Dependent On Tourism
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The tourism industry claims 70% of a $900 million industry in central New York, was lost in the past year.
Crime and Justice
PA Congressman’s Letter Surfaces In U.S. House Investigation Into Jan. 6 Insurrection
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The effort supported a wider goal of overturning or invalidating election results in several swing states, including Pennsylvania.
Government
Governor Cuomo Celebrates COVID-19 Milestone By Lifting More Mandates
|
New York is still in the process of reopening from the months-long mandatory lock downs, and Governor Cuomo says there are still dangerous variants of the virus that are spreading in other parts of the world.
App NEWS
Rural Broome DMV Reopens After Closing Amid Pandemic
|
“We’re very happy to be back again, helping to serve the rural community here in the Harpursville area.”
App NEWS
Cuomo: New York State Fair To Open At 100% Capacity This Summer
|
In May, the governor announced the fair would be open at 50% capacity, but with record low infection rates and an almost 70% vaccination rate, Cuomo said it’s time to open the gates all the way.
App NEWS
House Republican Sponsor Tees Up Fight With Governor Over PA’s Voting Law Changes
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Republicans have described it as “comprehensive,” and the product of witness and expert testimony during a series of committee meetings earlier this year.
Government
Cuomo Says New York One Step Closer to Vaccination Milestone
|
Rates in some low-income urban and rural areas are as low as 38.8%. The governor says local governments need to focus on those areas and give it “one more push.”
Government
New York In Tie For The Lowest COVID-19 Infection Rate In The U.S.
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“New York’s COVID-19 numbers continue to hit record lows and New Yorkers are ready to return to normal.”
Government
PA Counties Fear Desired Election Law Changes Will Get Lost In Sprawling GOP Bill
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Many aspects of the proposal may not address actual problems, one expert said.
Andrew Cuomo
Lupardo Discusses “Clean Slate”, Cuomo Impeachment Inquiry
|
“Any charges or implications that somehow this is being slow walked, I can categorically deny that.”
Government
New York Legislature Adjourns, Leaves Unfinished Business
|
In a statement, Senator Stewart-Cousins said talks continue on some issues and the Senate would return to act on them if “necessary”.
App NEWS
New York’s Legislative Session Draws To A Quieter Close
|
For the second year in a row, the New York State Capitol has been off limits to visitors, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, facing multiple scandals, is largely isolated from the negotiations.
Government
Southwest Airlines Flies Out Of Syracuse This Fall: ‘This Is A Game Changer’
|
“When airlines start coming to your community, that’s a sign the economic trajectory is going in the right direction.”
Government
PA GOP Proposes Major Election Overhaul, Including Stricter Voter ID And In-Person Early Voting
|
Pennsylvania Republicans lawmakers are calling for stricter voter identification requirements, in-person early voting, signature verification of mail ballots, and other major changes.
Government
‘Alcohol-To-Go’ Stopped In The New York State Legislature
|
Restaurants and tavern owners say it’s been a lifeline and allowed them to increase sales and add staff as they struggle to come back from pandemic shutdowns.
Crime and Justice
New York Legislature To Act On Some (But Not All) Criminal Justice Measures
|
“If we were talking about very specific crimes, non-violent crimes, first offender type crimes, that’s something that I could consider. But we’re not talking about that. We’re talking about all crimes.”
Economy
New State Grant Program To Help Struggling Small Businesses In New York
|
“Business owners have seen their work and their dreams just disappear. I don’t know how many thousands of businesses have closed permanently, but it’s thousands, and that’s just a tragedy.”
App NEWS
Despite ‘A Little Bit Of Anxiety,’ PA Officials Say Most Activities Are Safe For Young, Unvaccinated Kids
|
Acting State Human Services Secretary Meg Snead said parents ultimately have to make their own decisions about what’s safe.
Government
New York Lawmakers Approve More Monitoring Of Contaminants In Drinking Water
|
“We all take water for granted. We bathe in it. We cook with it. We drink it. It’s not until something goes wrong with the water that we realize how dependent we are on it.”
Crime and Justice
Advocates Demand Assembly Action On The Adult Survivors Act
|
“With a 62 to nothing vote in the senate just last week, I don’t know what else they need to know or learn about the bill, I think they just need to bring it to the floor.”
App NEWS
PA Sprays For Gypsy Moths In 19 Counties, Hoping To Reduce Spike In Leaf-Rating Insect
|
Pennsylvania hopes to bring down a boom in the gypsy moth population, spraying for the invasive species of caterpillar in 19 counties, including northwest Pennsylvania.
Crime and Justice
Cuomo’s Court Nominees Approved, But Faced Scrutiny From Left And Right
|
Some state senators felt the court needed more public defenders and civil rights lawyers in the wake of racial injustice in the state’s criminal justice system.
Crime and Justice
New York Lawmakers Reach Deal On Criminal Justice Measures
|
The two bills would, respectively, allow people who’ve served their full sentence to have records sealed in most cases, and reduce the likelihood that technical parole violations will land them back in prison.
App NEWS
In Corning, Faith Groups Demand Reed Support Sanctions Against Israel
|
“When I got my [citizenship], I swear to protect this country but I have the right, too, to ask my government, or my Congressman, or my president, where is my tax money going?”
App NEWS
New York Governor Revises School Mask Policy: Yes Inside, No Outside
|
The announcement began a weekend of confusion and anxiety for school leaders, teachers and parents who said they would have to once again reconfigure classrooms and alter other protocols.
Government
Cuomo: Most COVID-19 Restrictions Will End Once Vaccination Rate Hits 70%
|
“We hit 70%, we will be back to life as normal, or as normalized as you can be post-COVID.”
Government
New York’s On The Cusp Of A Health Care Overhaul, But Sticking Points Remain
|
A top sticking point for the New York Health Act, which would create a universal, single-payer health care system in New York, is opposition from public sector labor leaders.
App NEWS
Parole Changes In The Spotlight As New York’s Legislative Session Ends
|
The Elder Parole measure would require a person who is 55 or older to be considered for release by the parole board if they’ve served at least 15 years of their sentence.
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo Addresses Bitcoin Mining: “There Are Serious Concerns”
|
Any bills passed would require Cuomo’s signature.
App NEWS
Akshar Says He Encouraged Binghamton Mayor To Consider Run For NY Senate Seat
|
“I think that’s the right thing to do, but I think you will see a more formal decision from him in the coming months.”
App NEWS
Anti-Harassment Groups Call Out New York’s General Assembly
|
“The Senate passing it is fantastic. That the assembly hasn’t passed it is mystifying, unless you look at it as part of a pattern.”
Crime and Justice
A Last-Minute Push For Clean Slate In New York
|
“I’m the manager at a bank, I’m looking to hire somebody. I can’t know if this person stole money in his previous job, or her previous job.”
App NEWS
Zeldin Says No New Laws Needed To Curb Gun Crime in New York
|
“What I hear from prosecutors is just how often laws on the books here in New York get broken but are not prosecuted.”
anna kelles
Kelles Pushes Cryptocurrency Bills As State Legislative Session Nears End
|
A separate piece of legislation by Kelles could possibly come up for a final vote as soon as Monday
Clock Ticking For New York Municipalities To Opt Out Of Marijuana Sales
|
“The local law has to be adopted on or before Dec. 31, 2021. That’s coming up really quickly. It’s like a one or done shot. If you adopt it on Jan. 1, it has no effect.”
Government
Bill Would Force PA To Post Online How Lawmakers Spend Millions In Tax Dollars Each Year
|
The bipartisan measure comes in response to an ongoing investigation by Spotlight PA and The Caucus
Government
New York Dems Push For New Abortion Access Fund
|
“It is not just sufficient to say that abortion is a right that everybody has access to. We have to also make it accessible.”
App NEWS
Supporters Push Bill That Ends Some Legal Immunity For New York Police
|
“Ending qualified immunity is about accountability for police and justice for the victims whose rights have been violated.”
Crime and Justice
New York AG Asks Court To Order Kodak CEO To Testify
|
The Attorney General’s Office filed a petition with the New York State Supreme Court to force Continenza to publicly testify about his purchase of more than 46,000 shares of Kodak stock last summer.
Government
Tenney Wants More Federal Funds For New York-Based Veterans Groups
|
“So many of these local governments have not had the resources to give the proper recognition posthumously to these people and remember them.”
App NEWS
Busy June Planned For New York State Legislature
|
Also under consideration before the session ends is the Adult Survivors Act. It would allow adult survivors of sexual abuse and harassment a one-year window of opportunity to bring their abuser to court.
App NEWS
To Curb Shootings, New York Democrats Seek Tougher Gun Laws
|
“I again ask this industry: what are you going to do about your products that are killing our people?”
Economy
Schumer Requests Funds For ‘Video Game Accelerator’ Program
|
“Gaming is one of the hottest, and fastest growing industries and companies close to home. More people do video games than watch movies. Look at Hollywood. We can become the Hollywood of gaming.”
Crime and Justice
GOP Lawmakers Push Back Against Criminal Justice Changes
|
“It seems like every morning we wake up to see another story about violence in our streets or a shooting where innocent victims are either killed or injured.”
American Jobs Plan
Schumer Talks Broadband With Chenango Leaders
|
“We’re going to try to make sure that it’s really good broadband.”
App NEWS
NY COVID Rental Assistance Applications Open Tuesday
|
During the first 30 days, the program will prioritize those who are unemployed, those with income at or below 50 percent of area median income and other vulnerable populations at risk of homelessness.
App NEWS
Parole Reform Among NY Legislature’s End-Of-Session Priorities
|
“Yes we punish the criminals, but [make sure] that the punishment fits the crime, and that you don’t continue to pay for the crime long after you’ve done the time.”
App NEWS
State Senate Approves Anti Sexual Harassment Measures
|
“Today we are going to be righting that wrong,” Gounardes said. “To put a stop to the license to harass that elected officials and judges have exercised in New York for far too long.”
Antonio Delgado
Otsego Officials Say Federal Aid Won’t Completely Cover Pandemic Budget Losses
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“When our sales tax is cut by that much it affects us, when other counties weren’t nearly as affected because the majority of their revenue comes from tax revenue.”
App NEWS
Tenney, Chenango Leaders Discuss Broadband Expansion Plan
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“The school district has trouble with their teachers getting access to the students. Some of the hospitals and medical units have trouble getting access to people in the rural areas.”
Food and Farms
Consumer Groups Claim Alarming Levels Of Lead And Arsenic Found In Some Major Vinegar Brands
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Some consumer groups are calling on the federal government to take a closer look at what they are calling alarming levels of lead and arsenic in some vinegar products.
App NEWS
Assembly Impeachment Inquiry Committee Gives Update On Cuomo Case
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“There is already more than enough evidence to warrant Cuomo’s removal from office, yet the Assembly continues to dither and protect his power at the expense of New Yorkers.”
Energy
Climate Bill Before New York Senate Could Lead To Higher Prices At The Pump
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“The car is a way of life here. It is not just for recreational purposes. People need this to go to work. People need this to take care of business.”
Education
Community College Leaders Favor President’s Plan For Free Tuition
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Some community college leaders say despite New York’s free tuition program, there are improvements that a federal version could make possible.
Government
PA Probe Finds No Intentional Act To Derail Sex-Abuse Vote
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“I still have a hard time believing that it wasn’t intentional, even with what was reported today.”
App NEWS
NY U.S. Senators Urge Further Pandemic Relief For Dairy Farmers
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“Not only do we call for these payments to continue for the first half of the year, we also want them made retroactive to January 1.”
Economy
New York Comptroller To Challenge Amazon’s Racial Justice Practices
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DiNapoli is asking that Amazon to review its impacts on civil rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, and the impacts of those issues on its business.
Government
New York Offers College Scholarships To Teens Who Are Vaccinated
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Younger people were cleared for the COVID-19 vaccine later than older people, and they are getting vaccinated at much lower rates.
Crime and Justice
A Year After Floyd Murder, Black PA Lawmakers Double Down On Push For Police Accountability
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After weeks of widespread demonstrations, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a number of measures last July that he said “[made] progress in keeping every Pennsylvanian safe.”
Crime and Justice
New York Ethics Panel Refuses To Issue Subpoena In Case Involving Former Cuomo Aide
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Members of the state’s ethics commission pressed Tuesday for a subpoena to look into a controversy over Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s hiring of a former aide as a “volunteer” COVID-19 vaccine czar.
Crime and Justice
Cuomo Announces Picks To Fill Two Seats on New York’s Highest State Court
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Those nominations will now go before the Judiciary Committee in the State Senate, which will then decide if they’ll get a full vote before the entire chamber. It’s likely that they will.
App NEWS
New York Dems Look to End Qualified Immunity
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“All we’re doing is asking the officials of the state of New York, in their capacity, is to serve and protect, and not harm and kill.”
App NEWS
After Backlash, New York State Changes COVID-19 Child Care Guidance
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“Trying to get ten toddlers to keep a mask on is a feat that’s impossible. It’s very, very difficult. We can barely get them to keep their shoes on, let alone a mask on their face.”
Education
Bill Would Bar PA School Districts From Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations
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“Our goal should be focused on getting the vaccine to those who want it, but not punish those who have made a personal choice.”
Food and Farms
Should To-Go Alcohol be Made Permanent in New York After COVID-19? Restaurants Say Yes
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78% of New Yorkers want the option, implemented during the pandemic, to be made permanent in New York.
Government
Governor Cuomo Offers More Incentives To Freshly Vaccinated New Yorkers
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Meanwhile, Republicans in the state legislature say they want lawmakers to rescind a new mask mandate imposed by Cuomo on young children at day care centers.
App NEWS
Poll Finds Good And Bad News For New York’s Embattled Governor
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More New Yorkers think the embattled governor should hang on than think he should resign.
App NEWS
Census Bureau Calculations Could Impact Transportation Funding For Cities
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The change to use housing density instead of population density has some urban planners on edge.
Government
New York Extends Expiration Date For COVID-19 Excelsior Pass
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Governor Cuomo also announced that more than 1 million Excelsior Passes have been issued since New York began the program in March.
Government
PA Nursing Homes, Hard Hit By Pandemic, Seek American Rescue Plan Funds
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Providers’ groups say many long term care homes are on the brink of closure.
App NEWS
Attorney General Rejects Cuomo’s Political Claims, Defends Probe Into His Book Deal
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“This is Albany politics at its worst — both the Comptroller and the Attorney General have spoken to people about running for Governor and it is unethical to wield criminal referral authority to further political self-interest.”
App NEWS
New York Attorney General Seeks Statewide Use of Force Standard for Police
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“This has rekindled a flame of righteousness, and righteous indignation that has been smoldering for centuries. We are in the midst of a racial reckoning in this country.”
App NEWS
Gillibrand Pushes Prescription-Price Legislation In Binghamton
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“We saw drugmakers raising already exorbitant prices on hundreds of drugs while families faced unprecedented health challenges and financial insecurity.”
App NEWS
PA Citizens Groups Will Review State Police Use-Of-Force And Racial Bias Incidents
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The Critical Incident Committee will look at police shootings. Another, called the Use of Force Committee, will review incidents when police hurt or killed someone and a gun wasn’t involved.
App NEWS
Cuomo Defends Early Pandemic Preferential COVID-19 Testing for Family
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“I was running COVID response for this state, so I didn’t want to get COVID, and precautions were taken.”
Aging
Gillibrand Addresses Issues Impacting Seniors, Caregivers In Town Hall
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Gillibrand, a member of Congress’s Special Committee on Aging, said making long-term care more accessible and affordable is among her top priorities.
App NEWS
Newly Vaccinated New Yorkers Can Earn Lottery Tickets
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The top prize is $5 million dollars, but the Governor says there are also lesser prizes, with a one in nine chance of winning.
Education
Surveys Created To Identify Remaining Broadband Dark Spots In New York
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“When so many people had to work and learn and play at home, the lack of broadband internet service clearly became a real problem for those families.”
Government
In A Win For GOP Lawmakers, PA Voters Curtail Governor’s Emergency Powers
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The ballot questions were widely seen as a referendum on the Wolf administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
App NEWS
Despite CDC Changes, Face Mask Rules Still In Effect at State Capitol
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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins are easing capacity limits in the Assembly and Senate chambers, but masks will still be required during session.
