Government
New York Legislature to Revoke Governor’s Special Pandemic Powers
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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.
WSKG (https://wskg.org/tag/ny-government/)
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.”
“The tragic situation in our nursing homes remains a heartbreaking reminder of the toll this pandemic has taken and has made it clear that real reforms are needed.”
“I do think there’s a consensus of the members that they want to take some action. We’re still trying to come to a place where all the members are comfortable, and I don’t know if we’re there yet.”
“We want to provide a system in New York State that holds owners accountable, that makes sure we have the care hours that residents need to feel at home.”
“This is a very big and aggressive effort to address vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.”
“I, too, have lost more friends due to post-traumatic stress than I have lost friends who have died overseas in combat.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James said Amazon refused to obey coronavirus guidelines that would protect its warehouse employees from infection.
“With this law now in effect, no longer will anyone will be blocked from the joys of starting a family and raising children simply because of who they are.”
Cuomo’s proposal would set aside $100 million of the state tax revenue generated by the cannabis industry to be reinvested for purposes of social equity, targeting communities disproportionately impacted by the state’s drug laws.
The state is now in the process of decommissioning three prisons: Gowanda, Watertown and the Clinton Annex in Dannemora.
“With the holiday surge now in our rear-view mirror, we must keep taking steps to further re-open the economy safely and responsibly.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio spent the better part of three hours on Thursday morning asking state lawmakers to empower localities to fight the pandemic and distribute vaccines, and raise taxes on ultra-wealthy New Yorkers.
Hemp farmers are laying the groundwork for a lawsuit against New York in response to proposed state regulations that would prohibit the sale of hemp flower.
The idea to create a process to recall statewide elected officials isn’t new. Republicans have sponsored the measure before, but it hasn’t picked up steam.
“If there’s things need to be codified in law, mandated in law that actually secure people’s safety and well being, that’s what we want to do.”
Cuomo, who was on a call with the Biden administration Tuesday morning, said the federal government is planning to boost the state’s vaccine supply by 5% over the next three weeks.
The numbers confirm a report by State Attorney General Tish James, who said the state undercounted nursing home hospital deaths by 50%.
“Buying a new home should be a special achievement in a person’s life without the risk of becoming a victim of abhorrent discrimination.”
They include cancer, heart conditions, COPD, chronic kidney disease, Type 1 and 2 diabetes, moderate to severe asthma, and people with intellectual and development disabilities, organ transplant recipients, and people who are morbidly obese.
The governor’s order — the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Plan — requires local police agencies to modernize their strategies and programs based on community input.
“We are opposed to a one-shot federal fund replacing needed state dollars for schools.”
The December stimulus from Washington D.C. included about $1.3 billion in housing assistance for New York, with the bulk of the money left to the state to distribute.
For the first time in generations, New York Democrats are in absolute control of the process for Congress and the state legislature.
The attorney general’s report, released on January 28, found that the health department was undercounting the number of nursing home residents who died by 50%.
“You have to know where you went wrong in order to correct things.”
“We have to recognize the very long history of injustice and misuse that really sets the context for why community members feel the way that they do.”
A state probe last week found that Zucker could have underreported these deaths by up to 50%.
The anti-loitering law, passed in 1976, resulted in decades of discrimination by law enforcement against women of color and people who are transgender, critics say.
The steepest decline in sales tax collections happened during the peak of the pandemic, when sales tax collections dropped by about 27% statewide.
Governor Cuomo received word from the Biden administration that New York would receive an additional 5% of vaccine doses over the next three weeks.
The legislation would have required the Public Service Commission to study the availability, affordability, and reliability of high-speed internet
“Clearly, some facilities were not prepared to handle outbreaks through early and effective training or staffing.”
Environmental advocates say money in the state budget meant for environmental initiatives needs to stay intact. Advocates want the state to fund the environmental programs they promised.
“Privacy legislation is extraordinarily complex and hard to get right, and we will likely have one bite at the apple, so we need to be sure we are getting it right this time.”
“If I can’t maneuver the bathroom, that deems the entire apartment unlivable.”
“We were told two weeks ago it was done, ready to go. I don’t know what the hold up is.”
“The state needs to step up and help us ensure that this industry is able to continue on and prosper. It is the lifeblood of New York state.”
If Cuomo doesn’t act on the bill by the end of the month, it will quietly disappear in the form of a pocket veto, which means lawmakers would have to pass it again for his consideration.
“These residents have been as isolated as ever before, many have not been able to see their parents, their families at all.”
The Cuomo Administration issued a controversial order on March 25th 2020, that required nursing homes to allow hospitalized residents sick with COVID re-entry into the homes.
The state says local health officials should consider whether there has been a more transmissible variant of COVID-19 identified in the area, and local rates of COVID-19 transmission.
“Right from the very beginning of the parole process, which is the appearance in front of the parole board, there is no ‘right to counsel.’”
It would lead taxes to skyrocket for some of the wealthiest taxpayers, “which would be the highest income tax in the nation.”
The organization had filed for bankruptcy and said it would reincorporate in Texas.
“The president is not just another person on Twitter, normally. The president is a leader, a tone-setter.”
“These are our freedom providers and just showing again that freedom is not free, we lost three great Americans today in the service of our country.”
Cuomo said if Biden and the Democratic-led Congress don’t come through with the full amount he’s seeking, he will commence litigation.
Cuomo, during his address on the state budget Tuesday, said the potential tax revenue from the cannabis industry would likely help garner support for legalization this year.
New York NOW’s Dan Clark hosted live coverage of the address along with analysis of the address with David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom on public radio, and Amanda Fries from the Times Union.
“We’re going to act swiftly and decisively to provide direct federal aid so state, county and local governments can save tens of thousands of vital public service jobs.”
The governor in his State of the State address on January 11, said without a bailout, the choices to close the deficit are grim, and they include tax hikes, and cuts to schools.
Concrete barricades have already been put in place to close off a portion of the street next to the Capitol. National Guard members were on site.
Kelles spoke as Governor Andrew Cuomo lays out his vision for the state this week
The state attorney general’s office says it has received “more than 1,300 complaints and pieces of evidence” about the police response to the protests in New York City.
“We will make these investments at a time when the interest rates are low, and when New Yorkers are looking for work.”
“For the taxpayers, this is going to help fund a lot of their municipalities’ costs in recovering this material.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said that President Trump “incited a rebellion” and that New York City “will not be associated with those unforgivable acts in any shape, way or form.”
Plans include new solar farms and off shore wind turbines, and more transmission lines across the state.
“We cannot wait until summer to turn the lights back on the arts and provide a living wage for artists. We will not let the curtain fall on their careers, or on the future of our cities.”
“A basic high-speed internet plan costs on average more than $50 per month. For too many families, this just isn’t affordable.”
“We’re more than willing to look at taxing millionaires and billionaires, because again, we need to rebuild our economy, we can’t just wait for Washington.”
Republican state lawmakers were vocal in their criticisms, saying the Cuomo administration was unprepared.
“We are at war — a war that started last year when we were ambushed by the COVID virus, and a war that continues today,”
“I am absolutely floored by how inaccessible this is to an ordinary person. The learning curve has been really, really steep.”
The Governor hopes the federal government will help New York close what Andrew Cuomo said is a $15 billion budget deficit.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, bowing to pressure from local governments, is agreeing to expand the state’s vaccination sites for front-line health care workers.
“They don’t necessarily have to know they traveled to go to a riot. They just have to travel and then intentionally get themselves intentionally involved in a riot.”
“We saw in the first big wave here in New York that the people who bore the brunt, the sacrifice and health problems, were the people who had to go to work.”
As the New York state legislature resumes session today (Wednesday), advocates and some legislators are calling for limits on solitary confinement in state prisons.
“We need to get serious about making sure that everyone shares the burden,. We need to ask more of the millionaires and billionaires who have gotten even richer during this pandemic.”
“We stand here today with the largest majority in the almost 250 year history of the New York State senate of any party.”
“I’ve tried to pass it, but this is the year that we need the funding and a lot of New Yorkers need the funding.”
“It would be one thing if he was making split-second decisions about procurement (of medical supplies), but I think we have moved well beyond the time when that resolution was necessary.”
They said Cuomo and the state health department are not providing data that they need and are leaving them out of key meetings.
“This is really a very important step forward in fighting COVID and in fighting any other kind of illness.’
The governor said the man, in his 60s, works in a jewelry store, N. Fox Jewelers, in Saratoga Springs and that three other employees have also tested positive for the virus.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said testing for COVID-19 was more readily available in richer, whiter communities in the state. He added: “This can’t happen again, and it can’t happen with this vaccine.”
Cuomo says the underperforming hospitals will face sanctions, including a fine of up to $100,000 if they don’t use up all of the vaccine they have in store by the end of the week.
There are several new tip credit rates covering various employees who typically receive a tip as part of their service.
“2021 is going to be literally what we make of it. We’re coming out of probably the most traumatic year that we’ve had in decades.”
Large and medium businesses must pay their employees if they are out because of their own illness, or to care for sick family member.
There are currently 3,914 COVID-19 cases among inmates, parolees, and corrections officers at state prisons, while 2,156 people have recovered.
The first Penn Station was opened in 1910, and was considered an architectural masterpiece, but it was torn down in 1963, in what most now believe was a terrible mistake.
“There will be a New Year, I can’t say that it won’t be worse, because now, I don’t know.”
“We recognize that visitation is a vital part of family reunification and therefore, we will resume it when safe to do so.
The New York State Legislature places a moratorium on pandemic-related evictions, but admits it’s only a stopgap measure.
New York state’s positivity rate for the coronavirus jumped to 8.3%, according to the latest numbers released Monday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Hospitalization rates are steadily rising. More than 6000 New Yorkers are in the hospital with COVID-19, and more than 1000 are in intensive care.
“If we do not change the trajectory, we could very well be headed to shutdown, and shutdown is something to worry about.”
“This pandemic, these masks, this physical configuration are a stark reminder to the nation that government matters and leadership matters.”
The Assembly Leader said it would be ideal to approve tax hikes on the rich before the start of the year instead of waiting to address the issue as part of the state budget in March.
“I know how horrific it was. It was a modern day battlefield. What you do, showing up every day, you really are heroes.”
“Apparently, the law specifically says meet in person at the state Capitol. There’s been so much litigation about the election, we don’t want to test the law.”
A panel tasked with drawing new legislative districts for members of Congress and the state Legislature still hasn’t received funding allocated in this year’s state budget.
Possessing a voracious appetite, the biggest concerns with the spotted lanternfly are their impacts on fruit trees, maples, and especially on vineyards.
“This is an important step in the worldwide campaign to stop investments in fossil fuels in order to prevent the worst of global warming.”
“I believe we’re going to have to raise taxes at the end of the day, in any event, but the question is, how much in taxes?”
“It doesn’t come near to the need. It would be a short term bill until March. I would urge them to get this first down payment bill before they leave.”
“I would consider it shameful that our federally elected representatives have not been able to come together to provide some type of meaningful assistance.”
The Thruway converted to all cashless tolling in mid-November, after work crews mounted cameras on 70 steel gantries that span the lanes at 58 locations on the toll road.
The task force, also called ETE, had the ambitious goal of ending the epidemic in the state by 2020.
The Thruway Authority Board of Directors is poised to approve a 30% increase for cars without the electronic toll pass at its Dec. 1 meeting. The increase would become effective in January.
“I didn’t want to disappoint my mother, 89 years old. She’s thinking how many Thanksgivings will I get, you start to think that way. But it’s hard. But sometimes hard is smart.”
“New Yorkers have not only chosen to return to a Democratic Majority, but they’ve chosen to return a super majority.”
New York’s rate of the virus has been creeping up through the fall, though the state is still at a significantly lower rate than most of the nation.
Part of Manhattan, Staten Island, Rochester, Syracuse, and Long Island could face new, or stronger, restrictions if the positivity rates in those areas don’t decline in the coming days.
While the unemployment rate in the five boroughs dropped to 13.2% in October, the rate outside New York City went up from 6.6% in September to 6.9% in October.
Under the settlement, NYSEG would halt a proposed pipeline expansion in the Southern Tier and would stop promoting the use of natural gas and commit to net-zero growth in gas sales.
“Let’s not do these massive shutdowns of gyms or shopping malls or restaurants. That will just crush the economy more.”
Cuomo has set a limit of 10 or fewer people at in-home gatherings. But some county sheriffs in the state have said they don’t plan to enforce those rules, saying it’s a violation of people’s privacy.
“You can just go online and just fill out the application. Which is especially helpful with COVID, thinking about ways to give survivors access to resources in a faster way.”
“Despite our success in managing the spread, New York is not immune to this national surge of COVID.”
Sixty-three politically progressive advocacy groups have written a letter to legislative leaders, asking them to hold an emergency session before 2020 ends.
“Granting raises to public servants, no matter how much they might otherwise deserve them, is simply not possible at this time.”
“The pro is, we’re going to make sure we count correctly and not miscount anyone’s vote.”
The tolls for E-ZPass holders will remain the same, but for travelers without electronic passes, the Thruway Authority is proposing a 30 toll increase in January.
“So far we have been able to keep the budget balanced while minimizing the impact on New Yorkers and fighting the pandemic.”
Social dining, whether indoors or outdoors, is one of three “main spreaders of COVID.” He urged local authorities to enforce the new rules.
The number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 also reached a new high in the latest wave of the virus, with nearly 4,000 cases reported Tuesday — the most since early May.
“Why do we have such a disparity in the infection rate and the mortality rate in COVID? Because some communities don’t have the same access to health care.”
“I talk to the Republican governors all day long, they need a stimulus package. They spent money on COVID, their revenues are down.”
“I think this year it is ripe because the state is going to be desperate for funding. Even with Biden, even with the stimulus, we’re still going to need funding. I think we’re going to get there this year.”
“We knew that there is an overwhelming Democratic absentee vote that has to be counted still in a lot of our districts.”
This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all eligible voters were allowed to cast mail in ballots, and they have not yet been counted, and may not be for several days.
While Democrat Joe Biden is heavily favored to win the state over President Donald Trump, there is plenty of action in congressional and state races for voters to weigh in on.
“COVID has revealed from the very beginning the underlying injustice and inequity in this society.”
“There’s no gimmies. In this election cycle in a state like New York there’s no automatics. So wherever there is an open seat, we have to be invested and take it very seriously.”
“There is a problem in Elmira. We are already taking special measures for members of the population who may be vulnerable. They’re getting additional safety precautions within the facility.”
“Utilities do not have a mandate. They are legally required to provide adequate and reliable service that’s in the public interest … and they have dropped the ball far too long.”
Hospitalizations were up to 1,023 on Thursday, according to data released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Friday. Exactly one month ago Friday, hospitalizations were at 490 in New York.
“They could have controlled the virus, we are still controlling the virus, look at the numbers going up all across the nation, we are still controlling the virus, they believed you can’t control the virus, they capitulated, they surrendered.”
The number of polling places vary from county to county, but each county is required to have at least one early voting polling site.
“We’re anticipating a very big turnout in early voting, it seems easier than Election Day, but we have no idea.”
After the new bail reform laws took effect in January, some areas of the state started to report a rise in crime, particularly in New York City.
“There’s new testing technology, there are rapid tests, is there a better, smarter way to handle a quarantine? None of this has been done before, so we’re figuring it out as it goes.”
New York will not restrict travel from Pennsylvania because of the number of people who go back and forth for business each day.
New York state recently changed health forms to better reflect transgender and non-binary people, but, public health experts say the change fails to capture the full picture.
“It could not come a day too soon. New Yorkers use a staggering 23 billion plastic bags every year.”
Also unanswered, said Cuomo, is how the vaccine will be funded, and whether states will be reimbursed for costs.
“We have flare-ups because in this state we have a microscope, and the other states don’t have a microscope. If you don’t have a microscope, you don’t see a lot of things.”
“This is a larger operational undertaking, I would argue, than anything we have done during COVID to date. And we need the federal government to be a competent partner with this state and every state.”
“Seven months in now, our local health departments are short-staffed. We’re working overtime, and we’re being folded into this newest initiative without any proper support, any funding or any guidance.”
The book, titled ‘American Crisis,’ is Cuomo’s attempt to convince readers that New York formed a competent response to the pandemic, while characterizing President Donald Trump and his administration as careless and dismissive to the virus.
“I was not only unable to see her, not even technologically through a digital device, the nursing home, when I called, was nonresponsive,”
“Because nothing else I have done has motivated them, maybe money works.”
Cuomo said he’s taking the steps because he does not want the hot spots to spread to the rest of the state.
The statewide infection rate, including the 20 hotspot zip codes, was 1.1% Saturday, Cuomo said. There were 14 new deaths and, after several days of increases, total hospitalizations dropped to 618, according to state data.
“If the local governments don’t step up the compliance, they will actually be in violation of the law and they can be fined.”
“The COVID-Alert New York does not track your location, your movement or use GPS. It does not collect or store any personal information. It is completely anonymous.”
“People who are unemployed or underemployed, who don’t have the capacity to have $200 or $500 lying around for the fees.”
“These are embers that are starting to catch fire in dry grass. Send all the firefighting equipment and personnel to those embers, and stamp out the embers right away.”
“Not only is a homeless encampment a violation of that homeless person’s dignity, it’s also a public health threat.”
“I want people to have fundamental stability in their lives. Nobody’s going to be evicted because of housing.”
Some of the zip codes coincide with areas that have large Orthodox Jewish populations, and some of those communities have been cited in the past for holding large gatherings, like weddings, in violation of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
The COVID-19 pandemic, and an unsuccessful lawsuit brought by the plastics industry delayed its implementation.
“If we were not in this governmental structure I would sue the federal government for gross negligence.”
Governor Cuomo says it’s another attempt by Trump to “manipulate and distort government agencies to play politics”, to further the President’s re election efforts.
New York state will begin enforcing its ban on single-use carry-out plastic bags next month after a brief hiatus of the law due to a legal challenge brought earlier this year.
“All of the emails that I have seen so far as a result of the media would suggest that they used our policies and practices as an excuse to suppress the video and that’s unfortunate.”
Governor Cuomo had said on Sept. 10 that New York might have to raise taxes to deal with its massive budget deficit but has since walked back those comments.
“Suddenly I came to a town called Swastika, which is a symbol of the tyranny and hatred those soldiers fought and died to fight.”
“We are asking people to recognize the importance of getting an E-ZPass because it’s going to save you money.”
“It’s depressing because you know that the families and the residents are lonely.”
The governor has temporarily held back 20% in aid payments to schools, local governments and others, under emergency powers granted to him by the State Legislature.
New York will begin allowing visitors to see loved ones at nursing homes that have been coronavirus-free for 14 days, down from 28 days under previous rules.
NEW YORK NOW – The state’s largest teachers union filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Division of Budget over more than $5 billion in state spending that’s expected to be withheld from school districts as the state grapples with an unprecedented budget crisis.
“We cannot continue operating our businesses in New York without a clear regulatory framework, while competing with out of state products being shipped in the state.”
“If you want to go knock on your neighbor’s door, God bless you and I’m not going to tell you not to. If you want to go for a walk with your child through the neighborhood, I’m not going to tell you, you can’t take your child to the neighborhood. I’m not going to do that.”