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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.”
“Students who are parents prioritize feeding their children over getting their own meal in order to make their tuition payments.”
Survivors say it’s not too late to file a claim, but some would like another legal window sometime in the near future.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
Zeldin was one of four Republican members of Congress from New York who voted against certifying the results in Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Cuomo denies the charges, and when he was first accused in late winter apologized if his actions had been misinterpreted.
“JCOPE was set up in a way to fail.”
“There was a concern that was brought to our attention. About whether or not Open Meetings Law applies to hearings.”
“Sixty-three percent of Earned Income Tax Credit recipients spent some, or all of their payment on paying down debt.”
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.
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.
On July 29, ten service areas will close to start work on the first phase of the project.
“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.”
“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.”
“This initiative will help create affordable connected homes that equip residents with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern world.”
A bill before Gov. Andrew Cuomo would create a lockbox for anticipated opioid drug manufacturer settlement funds.
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.
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.
“The emergency is over. It will not be renewed.”
“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?”
The term-limited Mayor Bill de Blasio is exiting after eight years in office, leaving the door of Gracie Mansion wide open for a newcomer. The race is tight, and the field is diverse.
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.
Republicans, who have not won a statewide election in nearly 20 years, are energized by the multiple scandals that are weakening current Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Republicans, who have not won a statewide election in nearly 20 years, are energized by the multiple scandals that are weakening current Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“This isn’t rocket science. It’s public policies that are the biggest lever to lift families out of poverty.”
Not everyone can immediately go back to normal. Unvaccinated New Yorkers still need to wear masks in public and practice safe social distancing.
The Students for Solar Act passed with unanimous support in the state Senate, but never reached the floor of the Assembly for a vote.
The good news is that the local economy is improving and more tourists are coming to town. The bad news is there is a shortage of workers to staff businesses and serve those tourists.
The tourism industry claims 70% of a $900 million industry in central New York, was lost in the past year.
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.
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.
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.”
In a statement, Senator Stewart-Cousins said talks continue on some issues and the Senate would return to act on them if “necessary”.
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.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
“We hit 70%, we will be back to life as normal, or as normalized as you can be post-COVID.”
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.
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.
It looks like New York State is not ready to change its guidance on masking yet for grades K-12.
“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.”
“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.”
“What I hear from prosecutors is just how often laws on the books here in New York get broken but are not prosecuted.”
“It is not just sufficient to say that abortion is a right that everybody has access to. We have to also make it accessible.”
“Ending qualified immunity is about accountability for police and justice for the victims whose rights have been violated.”
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.
“I again ask this industry: what are you going to do about your products that are killing our people?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
78% of New Yorkers want the option, implemented during the pandemic, to be made permanent in New York.
More New Yorkers think the embattled governor should hang on than think he should resign.
Governor Cuomo also announced that more than 1 million Excelsior Passes have been issued since New York began the program in March.
“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.”
“I was running COVID response for this state, so I didn’t want to get COVID, and precautions were taken.”
The top prize is $5 million dollars, but the Governor says there are also lesser prizes, with a one in nine chance of winning.
“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.”
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.
“Self-serving nakedly political press stunts are nothing new for these Republican politicians.”
If enough evidence is found, the Trump Organization could face criminal charges from two New York prosecutors: the New York state attorney general and the Manhattan district attorney.
The “Love Our NY Lands” campaign will include in-person education at trailheads in the Adirondacks and Catskills during the hiking season.
Reuters reports the pending lawsuit focuses on stock purchases that preceded a proposed deal during the Trump administration to finance a pharmaceutical venture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Marginalized New Yorkers who can’t pay the arbitrary fees baked into nearly every step of our state’s legal process deserve a justice system that doesn’t pick their pockets and jeopardize their freedom.”
Of the initial payment for his new book, nearly half was taken out in expenses and taxes, and the rest was donated to the United Way of New York and placed in a trust for his three daughters.
The governor says it’s still OK to continue to wear a mask, if you feel more comfortable doing so.
Governor Cuomo said flat-out at several public appearances that he did nothing “wrong,” and rebuffing claims that his actions violated the state’s laws on sexual harassment.
The Governor also announced that beaches and pools will operate with 6′ social distancing, with the goal to reopen them to 100% capacity by July 4.
“We want to make it easier for customers to have access to them wherever you live in New York state, not just in the downstate markets.”
“Even if a younger person tends to be less affected by COVID, they can transmit COVID just as easily as anyone. So, we have to change the mindset.”
The bill is gaining strength in the State Legislature.
“I think it’s going to be excellent trout fishing, especially for beginners because the stocked trout are hungry and not too bright.”
Though many still don’t qualify for federal veterans benefits, they now can receive state benefits in New York, Colorado, and other states.
“This ‘reform’ shows a deliberate and callous indifference to the lives and safety of Correction Officers, Correction Sergeants and peaceful incarcerated individuals in the general population of State prisons.”
“We really feel that our population of loved ones is just being completely disregarded.”
“I’ve been denied a lot of jobs because of my criminal background. I’ve been denied a lot of housing throughout the years because of my criminal background.”
“If passed, this legislation would pose a serious threat to public safety. Day care providers would have no way to ensure the people they hire to look after your children are not violent criminals.”
“We do need to find a way to pay for all the transportation, housing, industrial changes that the state will undertake.”
“Finally, we could have a strong law and tools we need to advocate for our patients.”
“These are growing pains. And the people that can navigate the growing pains, both with patience, intelligence and capital, they could come out in the next 3-5 years being pretty successful.”
The legislation would allow the state to treat high-speed internet as a utility, which would empower regulators to drill down on the industry, like they do with other utilities.
The legislation would apply to both residential and commercial tenants who file a hardship declaration form with their landlord.
The governor said everything can’t be reopened all at once — it’s not like flipping a “light switch,” he said — and some restrictions will remain for now.
DiNapoli believes there is an opportunity to set aside the new revenues to make sure the state is in a good position in case of an emergency, such as another lockdown.
“It shouldn’t take lawsuits and court hearings for our struggling restaurants to be heard.”
Restaurant industry groups hailed the end of what they called a “burdensome mandate” that further harmed businesses financially devastated by the pandemic.
Another version was struck down in court early last year, when a state judge declared it unconstitutional as written.
“You don’t have to call; you don’t have to make an appointment.”
The restrictions on the media began shortly after several current and former female aides accused the governor of sexual harassment, and in one case, sexual assault.
“It is time to begin removing certain restrictions and regulations that are no longer necessary, so we can safely reopen and rebuild our state’s economy,”
Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said he was concerned about a proposed fee in the legislation that would charge fossil fuel companies $55 per ton of greenhouse gases.
“We’re looking at legal options because when you’re talking about 89 [people], I mean, that could be a minor mistake.”
“The fair will be open, mark it on your calendar, start to plan to buy tickets and vendors start to get ready.”
“The pandemic has laid bare the risks to vulnerable nursing home residents that are inherent in a low staffing business model.”
If 89 more people had been counted last year as part of the federal census in New York, the state wouldn’t be losing a seat in Congress for at least the next decade.
At issue is how much the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to carry concealed weapons outside their home for self-defense. The case will likely be argued in the fall.
“All of this money, the $3.5 million in housing relief ultimately goes to landlords, we are helping them out.”
“It could really change the whole way that child care is done, it could change the child care system going forward.”
The Senecas have insisted that under the Compact, their financial obligations to New York State ceased after the original 14-year deal.
“I believe that New York is ready to be returned to glory, but it’s not going to happen with a continued reign of Andrew Cuomo.”
Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine said a hotline set up by the committee has generated over 200 tips on probes into sexual harassment allegations made by multiple women.
The bill requires that the state health and labor departments design minimum standards for health and safety during outbreaks of airborne viruses and all infectious disease outbreaks.
“We know that real justice is not found in a single conviction. Real justice is transformative, systemic change.”
“New Yorkers deserve an independent ethics watchdog, one with the resources and legal support to take on even a governor without fear or favor.”
“Sometimes we’ve heard from the public, ‘we didn’t know that you’re volunteer, we thought you were a paid service.”
“Over and over, we’ve heard that we’re supposed to be following the facts and science. But as weeks turn into months, and months have now turned into over a year, we watched this administration change the rules without regard to either.”
“We are probably introducing a new draft in both houses, and I’m cautiously optimistic that we might be able to get first passage in both houses.”
“New York State’s pension fund is at the leading edge of investors addressing climate risk, because investing for the low-carbon future is essential to protect the fund’s long-term value.”
The situation has reignited the conversation in Albany over enforcement of the state’s ethics laws, and whether the entities that already exist have been effective.
“I believe that New York is ready to be returned to glory, but it’s not going to happen with the continued reign of Andrew Cuomo.”
“We know this has been a really hard year and a half. We are going to put resources behind education to prop the kids back up, give them time to maneuver through these changes and then get back on track with their education.”
“For America, broadband holds great power. It will either be the great equalizer for society, or it will be the great divider.”
“It is frustrating and heartbreaking that we have to call for and impose yet another travel ban in response to yet another state enacting dangerous and harmful anti-trans legislation.”
In recent days, the state’s COVID-19 indicators have shifted downward, with a decline in the statewide positivity rate compared to numbers seen in March.
“Now, people realize more than ever that dying could come at any time, and we must be prepared for it.”
Restaurants, financially devastated by months-long indoor dining bans to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, say the rule helped some of them turn enough profit to keep from closing.
“At same time, we caution New Yorkers. Don’t get cocky. The disease is still very much with us.”
“We do have enough Pfizer and we do have enough Moderna to keep our schedule.”
“When the parole board in the State of New York does not grant the paroles that so many deserve, and you allow them to die in prisons, you have now become a murderer yourself.”
Chef Amanda Cohen, owner of Dirt Candy in New York City, says the coronavirus relief package’s $28.6 billion for independent and small-chain restaurants means many in the industry can stay afloat.
In the Finger Lakes region, 97% of vaccine doses received have been administered, according to the state.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the national unemployment rate for March was around 6%. Meanwhile, that number for New York State was still at around 8.8% as of February.
The new fund is designed to offer relief to undocumented immigrants who, during the pandemic, didn’t have access to unemployment and other benefits, like federal stimulus checks.
The two new candidates come after Republican Southern Tier Rep. Tom Reed announced he will not seek elected office again.
Cuomo did not deny the allegations, saying that people who visited him during the early days of the pandemic received testing.
“The gavel came down and I was in my living room with tears streaming down my face.”
“It’s a beautiful day to tax the rich!”
The deal will also require the state to study access and reliability of high-speed internet service statewide, including in historically underserved rural areas.
“We not only balanced our budget, we are also making historic investments to reimagine, rebuild and renew New York in the aftermath of the worst health and economic crisis in a century.”
The Ithaca plan was approved, while trustees in Malone ended up sending a revised version of its strategy to the state.
The law, approved nearly a year ago, essentially made it harder to sue those providers.
A recent study found New York’s over 120 billionaires increased their wealth by $88 billion dollars during the pandemic.
“We have gotten past the impasse of impaired driving and are looking to get language that will be satisfactory in the next day or so.”
The New York Attorney General’s Office is conducting its own, simultaneous investigation into the sexual harassment claim leveled against Cuomo in recent weeks.
“We’ll consider the use of subpoenas to ensure the documents are produced and there isn’t any obstruction or any destruction of documents.”
Democrats have said those tax hikes, coupled with other revenue raisers targeted at the wealthy, could generate more than $8 billion for the state each year.
Pharmacies were previously only able to vaccinate New Yorkers over the age of 60 and teachers.
She said the proposed $3.6 billion would dramatically increase currently allocated funds for wraparound services. And she believes those are more sorely needed because of the pandemic.
According to legend, Governor Sulzer was a product of the powerful Tammany Hall, and it helped him get elected in November of 1912.
Questions are being raised about the State Assembly’s choice of a law firm to help an impeachment investigation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“The passage of HALT in the Senate brings us one step closer to bringing justice to all those who have lost loved ones to the wrongful use of solitary.”
“We know the vaccine is the weapon that defeats this invisible enemy and we are getting more shots in arms than ever before.”
New York now allows the resumption of weddings. But wedding planners have a list of COVID-19 safety measures to follow.
Former Congressman Rangel addressed the accusations directly, saying Cuomo deserves a fair defense.
“We found in that report that 70% (of New York’s villages) are not posting their meeting documents online, and that’s just a huge problem with informing the public.”
Under the legislation, incarcerated individuals would not be allowed to spend more than 15 days in solitary confinement.
Hochul has held a slim portfolio during her years under Cuomo, although she did notably lead the governor’s “Enough is Enough” campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses.
“I’ve made my opinions clear, I think the governor should resign but I also understand that it is important that we do our job and that will always be my focus.”
“I spent this past weekend on the phone with the Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes working through it. We’re very close on marijuana.”
Rather than wait for new cannabis cultivators to build from the ground up, medical cannabis companies say they could use their existing infrastructure to give the new market a boost.
“If you’re not careful the way you do it, you may actually lose money for the state because businesses and residents will make changes.”
“The voters are not necessarily, at the moment, following the lead of the elected officials.”
Republicans, who are in the minority in the legislature, said if the governor won’t resign, impeachment proceedings should begin.
While no longer required, the New York State Department of Health still recommends quarantine after domestic travel as an added precaution.
“The Department of Labor told my office that they are investigating, and they have already identified 425,000 fraudulent claims statewide.”
After Gov. Andrew Cuomo denied touching women inappropriately, “the female aide became emotional” as she and other staff watched his remarks, according to the Times Union newspaper in Albany.
A majority of Democrats in the state Legislature either haven’t taken a public position on whether Cuomo should resign, or have said they want to wait for the results of the attorney general’s investigation.
“We know that in particular young children are at risk of neurological and behavioral health consequences associated with developing bodies and that is something that lasts forever.”
Cuomo’s plan would add a new, higher income tax bracket for New Yorkers making over $5 million a year. The wealthy would have the option of prepaying their taxes for the next two years at the 2020 rates.
“There is no question that they both have the knowledge and background necessary to lead this investigation and provide New Yorkers with the answers they deserve.”
That money would be used to fill the state’s budget deficit, which Cuomo’s office has projected to be about $15 billion over two years.
The action comes as Cuomo is embroiled in scandals over his nursing home policies during the coronavirus and allegations that he sexually harassed former staffers.
“What we’ve seen in other states like Colorado — less taxes and lower barrier to entry — means more revenue. More revenue means more money for community reinvestment.”
Over three million people have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in New York, according to the state, which is now administering more than 100,000 shots per day.
“These temporary emergency powers were granted as New York was devastated by a virus we knew nothing about. Now it is time for our government to return to regular order.”
“The pattern of sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Governor Cuomo is unacceptable, and I believe the women coming forward.”
The policy at group homes has been to require those facilities to admit residents discharged from the hospital regardless of their COVID-19 status.
A study by left leaning groups calculates that the state’s billionaires saw their earnings and investments rise by 16.8% during the first ten months of the pandemic.
Legislation making it easier to visit nursing homes is expected to get an Assembly vote next week as part of a package of reforms targeting the industry.
“What strikes at my heart, is the inhumane way in which Libre shackled immigrants with homing devices so they could keep tabs on their investments.”
