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.
Economy
Advocates, Opponents Skeptical Of Governor’s Marijuana Plan
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“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.”
Government
New York Begins Administering Johnson & Johnson Vaccine At Mass Vaccination Sites
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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.
App NEWS
Legislature Agrees to Strip Cuomo of Emergency Pandemic Powers
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“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.”
App NEWS
3rd Woman Accuses Cuomo Of Offensive Behavior
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“The pattern of sexual harassment and predatory behavior by Governor Cuomo is unacceptable, and I believe the women coming forward.”
Government
Republicans Question New York’s COVID-19 Policy At Group Homes
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The policy at group homes has been to require those facilities to admit residents discharged from the hospital regardless of their COVID-19 status.
App NEWS
Even With Tax Relief, Advocates Say Tax Hikes On The Wealthy Needed
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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.
Government
Assembly Dems Plan Votes Next Week On Nursing Home Reforms
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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.
Government
New York Attorney General Joins Coalition Suing Company For Preying On Immigrants
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“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.”
Government
State Senate Approves Package of Bills Related to Nursing Homes
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“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.”
binghamton
Assembly Democrats Agree to Take Action Against Cuomo Admin Over Nursing Homes
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“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.”
Nursing Home Employees Stage Pickets, Seek State Reforms At Facilities
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“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.”
Government
Four New Mass Vaccination Sites to Open Upstate
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“This is a very big and aggressive effort to address vaccine hesitancy in the Black community.”
Bipartisan Lawmakers Say It’s Time To Fund A Veterans Support Program Differently
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“I, too, have lost more friends due to post-traumatic stress than I have lost friends who have died overseas in combat.”
New York Sues Amazon Over COVID-19 Workplace Safety Failures
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New York Attorney General Letitia James said Amazon refused to obey coronavirus guidelines that would protect its warehouse employees from infection.
Gestational Surrogacy Now Legal In New York State
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“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.”
Economy
Cuomo Changes Marijuana Legalization Proposal, Outlining Plan for Revenue and Delivery
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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.
Falling Inmate Numbers Push More State Prison Closures
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The state is now in the process of decommissioning three prisons: Gowanda, Watertown and the Clinton Annex in Dannemora.
Economy
New York Expands List Of Late Closing Establishments
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“With the holiday surge now in our rear-view mirror, we must keep taking steps to further re-open the economy safely and responsibly.”
App NEWS
New York Mayor Urges Albany To Tax Billionaires And Avoid Budget Cuts
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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.
App NEWS
Hemp Farmers Prepare for Lawsuit Against Cuomo Administration
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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.
App NEWS
New York Republicans Seek New Process to Remove Statewide Officials From Office
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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.
Government
Problematic Pandemic Response At Nursing Homes Prompts Action By New York’s Senate
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“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.”
Government
Another Boost In Vaccine Doses Headed For New York
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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.
App NEWS
New Data Show COVID Killed Nearly 15,000 Nursing Home And Adult Care Residents In New York
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The numbers confirm a report by State Attorney General Tish James, who said the state undercounted nursing home hospital deaths by 50%.
App NEWS
New York Senate Approves Bills Targeting Housing Discrimination
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“Buying a new home should be a special achievement in a person’s life without the risk of becoming a victim of abhorrent discrimination.”
Government
Chronically Ill New Yorkers Can Sign Up At State Vaccination Sites On Valentine’s Day
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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.
Crime and Justice
Attorneys, Residents Criticize Police Reform Process In New York State
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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.
Federal Aid Should Not Supplant State School Funding, Says Education Commissioner
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“We are opposed to a one-shot federal fund replacing needed state dollars for schools.”
App NEWS
New York Lawmakers Eye Another Rent Relief Program Before Budget Deadline
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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.
What’s Fairness Got To Do With Redistricting? Not Much
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For the first time in generations, New York Democrats are in absolute control of the process for Congress and the state legislature.
App NEWS
Relatives Of Nursing Home Residents Killed By COVID Seek Accountability From New York State
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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%.
Government
New York Republicans Draft Subpoena On Nursing Homes, Urge Dems To Move Forward
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“You have to know where you went wrong in order to correct things.”
App NEWS
Vaccine Acceptance Challenged By Long History Of Injustice, Conspiracy Theories
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“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.”
Government
New York Democrats Block Attempt To Subpoena Health Commissioner Over Nursing Home Deaths
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A state probe last week found that Zucker could have underreported these deaths by up to 50%.
New York Repeals ‘Walking While Trans’ Law
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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.
Economy
As COVID-19 Raged On, State Sales Tax Collections Last Year Took A Dive
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The steepest decline in sales tax collections happened during the peak of the pandemic, when sales tax collections dropped by about 27% statewide.
Government
Local Governments Will Decide if Restaurant Workers, Others Can Get the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Governor Cuomo received word from the Biden administration that New York would receive an additional 5% of vaccine doses over the next three weeks.
Government
After Pocket Veto, Cuomo Will Propose Legislation to Study Broadband Access in New York
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The legislation would have required the Public Service Commission to study the availability, affordability, and reliability of high-speed internet
App NEWS
New York May Have Undercounted Nursing Home Deaths By 50%, State Attorney General Says
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“Clearly, some facilities were not prepared to handle outbreaks through early and effective training or staffing.”
Environmental Advocates Say New York Should Keep Promise And Fund Climate Change Initiatives
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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.
Government
Digital Privacy Advocate Urges Lawmakers to Reject Measure In Cuomo’s Budget
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“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.”
App NEWS
30 Years After Americans With Disabilities Act, Accessible Housing Still Tough To Find
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“If I can’t maneuver the bathroom, that deems the entire apartment unlivable.”
Education
Cuomo Administration Mum On Overdue Child Care Report
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“We were told two weeks ago it was done, ready to go. I don’t know what the hold up is.”
App NEWS
Senate Republicans Propose COVID-19 Relief Package for New York Restaurants
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“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.”
Government
Cuomo to Decide Fate of Bill to Study Broadband in NY
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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.
App NEWS
Lawmakers Say Residents In State Run Homes Should Have WiFi
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“These residents have been as isolated as ever before, many have not been able to see their parents, their families at all.”
Government
Senator Hints At Subpoenas If New York Doesn’t Supply Key Nursing Home Death Numbers
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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.
App NEWS
New York Allows Resumption Of Riskier High School Sports
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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.
App NEWS
Statewide Campaign Calls For Immediate Parole System Reforms
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“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.’”
Cuomo’s Reservations About His Own Tax-The-Rich Proposal
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It would lead taxes to skyrocket for some of the wealthiest taxpayers, “which would be the highest income tax in the nation.”
New York Judge Rejects NRA’s Bid To Throw Out Or Transfer Lawsuit That Could Shut It Down
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The organization had filed for bankruptcy and said it would reincorporate in Texas.
Cuomo Says President Biden Sets A New Tone And It Matters
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“The president is not just another person on Twitter, normally. The president is a leader, a tone-setter.”
Government
Three Members Of The New York National Guard Killed In Helicopter Crash Near Rochester
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“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.”
Government
Cuomo Presents Tale of Two Budgets, Threatens to Sue Federal Gov’t Over Aid Request
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Cuomo said if Biden and the Democratic-led Congress don’t come through with the full amount he’s seeking, he will commence litigation.
Government
Cuomo Proposes Legal Marijuana for Third Year, With New Changes
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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.
App NEWS
Gov. Cuomo’s 2021 State Budget Address
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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.
Government
Schumer, Gillibrand Optimistic New Congress Will Pass COVID-Relief For States, Cities
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“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.”
Government
Cuomo Faces $15 Billion Deficit Challenge In Budget Plan
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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.
More Security At New York’s Capitol, Although No ‘Specific Threat’
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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.
Featured in Category
Rookie Lawmaker Liked New York’s State of State Address, But Wants Details
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Kelles spoke as Governor Andrew Cuomo lays out his vision for the state this week
New York State Sues NYPD Over Its Handling Of 2020 Racial Justice Protests
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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.
Government
New York Governor Outlines Array Of Infrastructure Projects
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“We will make these investments at a time when the interest rates are low, and when New Yorkers are looking for work.”
App NEWS
New York Lawmakers Propose ‘Polluter Pays’ Model For Recycling
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“For the taxpayers, this is going to help fund a lot of their municipalities’ costs in recovering this material.”
New York City Cancels Contracts With Trump Organization
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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.”
Energy
Governor Unveils Ambitious Green Energy Program For New York
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Plans include new solar farms and off shore wind turbines, and more transmission lines across the state.
Cuomo: New Performance Series Meant To Revive Dormant Arts Culture
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“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.”
Government
New York Governor Proposes High-Speed Internet Price Cap for Low-Income Families
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“A basic high-speed internet plan costs on average more than $50 per month. For too many families, this just isn’t affordable.”
‘We Are At War,’ Cuomo Delivers His 2021 State of the State Address
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“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.”
Government
New York Lawmakers Complain Vaccine Rollout “Extremely Disappointing”
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Republican state lawmakers were vocal in their criticisms, saying the Cuomo administration was unprepared.
Government
For Cuomo, COVID-19 Is A ‘War’ And New York Is Winning
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“We are at war — a war that started last year when we were ambushed by the COVID virus, and a war that continues today,”
New York 50-A Repeal: Months Later, Police Find Ways To Shield Disciplinary Records
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“I am absolutely floored by how inaccessible this is to an ordinary person. The learning curve has been really, really steep.”
With Democrats In Control, Cuomo says State of the State Message Can Offer Hope
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The Governor hopes the federal government will help New York close what Andrew Cuomo said is a $15 billion budget deficit.
Government
After Slow Rollout, New York Will Offer Vaccines At More Sites
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo, bowing to pressure from local governments, is agreeing to expand the state’s vaccination sites for front-line health care workers.
New Yorkers Who Attacked The U.S. Capitol Could Face Federal Prosecution
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“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.”
Democrats, Unions Seek Workplace Protections Against Infectious Diseases through NY HERO Act
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“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.”
Crime and Justice
Advocates, Legislators Call For Limits On Solitary Confinement
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As the New York state legislature resumes session today (Wednesday), advocates and some legislators are calling for limits on solitary confinement in state prisons.
Government
Cuomo, Lawmakers Still Divided on Urgency of Tax Hikes in New Year
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“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.”
App NEWS
New York’s 2021 Legislative Session Begins As Pandemic Worsens
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“We stand here today with the largest majority in the almost 250 year history of the New York State senate of any party.”
Government
Cuomo To Pitch Marijuana Legalization, Online Sports Betting Next Week
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“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.”
New York GOP Lawmakers Push Back Harder On Cuomo’s Emergency Pandemic Powers
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“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.”
County Leaders Seek Governor’s Cooperation As They Carry Out Vaccination Plans
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They said Cuomo and the state health department are not providing data that they need and are leaving them out of key meetings.
Economy
New Paid Leave Law Could Help New York Slow Spread Of COVID-19
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“This is really a very important step forward in fighting COVID and in fighting any other kind of illness.’
More Contagious Strain Of COVID-19 Found In New York State
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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.
Cuomo Won’t Get Vaccine Until His Group’s Turn In Black, Hispanic, Poor Communities
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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.”
Government
If They Don’t Act Faster, Cuomo Threatens To Cut Off Hospitals From Vaccination Program
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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.
Minimum Wage Up Again, While Tip Credits Change
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There are several new tip credit rates covering various employees who typically receive a tip as part of their service.
Economy
Despite Virus Spike, Governor Says 2021 Could Bring Reopenings
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“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.”
App NEWS
In 2021, New York Workers Will Earn More Sick Leave And A Higher Minimum Wage
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Large and medium businesses must pay their employees if they are out because of their own illness, or to care for sick family member.
Crime and Justice
Statewide Ban On Prison Visitation In Effect
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There are currently 3,914 COVID-19 cases among inmates, parolees, and corrections officers at state prisons, while 2,156 people have recovered.
App NEWS
New Penn Station Opens January 1
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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.
Government
In 2020, The Pandemic Was The Only Story
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“There will be a New Year, I can’t say that it won’t be worse, because now, I don’t know.”
Prison Visitations Suspended Statewide As COVID Cases Surge
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“We recognize that visitation is a vital part of family reunification and therefore, we will resume it when safe to do so.
App NEWS
New York State Legislature Approves New Eviction Protections
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The New York State Legislature places a moratorium on pandemic-related evictions, but admits it’s only a stopgap measure.
Government
Cuomo Hopes Virus Spike Is An Aberration
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New York state’s positivity rate for the coronavirus jumped to 8.3%, according to the latest numbers released Monday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Government
Cuomo Says Shutdown Can Be Avoided if Behaviors Change
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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.
Economy
Cuomo Warns of Total Shutdown if Virus Rate is Not Controlled
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“If we do not change the trajectory, we could very well be headed to shutdown, and shutdown is something to worry about.”
Government
Meeting In-Person, New York’s Electors Vote For Biden, Harris
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“This pandemic, these masks, this physical configuration are a stark reminder to the nation that government matters and leadership matters.”
App NEWS
Lawmakers Could Return to Albany This Month And Hike Taxes On The Rich
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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.
Government
New York’s First COVID-19 Vaccine Given To NYC Nurse
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“I know how horrific it was. It was a modern day battlefield. What you do, showing up every day, you really are heroes.”
Government
New York’s Electoral College Meets Today
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“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.”
Government
Redistricting Panel Formally Asks New York State to Release Funds
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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.
Environment
New York State Moves To Halt The Migration Of Lanternflies
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Possessing a voracious appetite, the biggest concerns with the spotted lanternfly are their impacts on fruit trees, maples, and especially on vineyards.
Economy
New York Sets Net Zero Carbon Target for State Retirement Fund
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“This is an important step in the worldwide campaign to stop investments in fossil fuels in order to prevent the worst of global warming.”
App NEWS
If Congress Does Not Approve Relief Package, Cuomo Predicts Dire Consequences
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“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?”
Government
Cuomo Calls Latest Federal Relief Plan by Dems A Downpayment On What’s Owed
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“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.”
Economy
Restaurants In New York Struggle As Pandemic, And The Cold Weather, Intensifies
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“I would consider it shameful that our federally elected representatives have not been able to come together to provide some type of meaningful assistance.”
Government
Thruway Board Votes To Raise Tolls For Non E-ZPass Travelers
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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.
aids
New York’s HIV Task Force Worries Cuts To Rebate Program Will Hurt Efforts
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The task force, also called ETE, had the ambitious goal of ending the epidemic in the state by 2020.
App NEWS
State Senator Objects To Thruway Toll Increase For Vehicles Without E-ZPass
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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.
Government
Lots Of Thanksgiving Travel Expected; Some Areas May Enforce Gathering Limits
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“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.”
Food and Farms
New York’s Democrats Gain Supermajority In State Senate
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“New Yorkers have not only chosen to return to a Democratic Majority, but they’ve chosen to return a super majority.”
App NEWS
WATCH: New Yorkers Warned To Take Precautions Against COVID-19 This Thanksgiving
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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.
App NEWS
COVID-19 Data Trending Toward Tougher Restrictions for Some Areas, Cuomo Says
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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.
Economy
Unemployment Ticks Down Statewide, But Up Outside New York City
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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.
Energy
NYSEG To Raise Rates Slightly, Scale Back Natural Gas
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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.
Economy
Businesses Plead With New York Officials To Avoid Wider Economic Shutdowns
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“Let’s not do these massive shutdowns of gyms or shopping malls or restaurants. That will just crush the economy more.”
Government
New York Governor Places New Restrictions On Hot Zones; NYC Closes Schools
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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.
Crime and Justice
Confidentiality Program Gives Victims Of Domestic Violence Online Access To Protections
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“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.”
App NEWS
For The First Time Since June, COVID-19 Hospitalizations Now Exceed 2,000 In New York
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“Despite our success in managing the spread, New York is not immune to this national surge of COVID.”
App NEWS
December State Legislative Session Still Possible
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Sixty-three politically progressive advocacy groups have written a letter to legislative leaders, asking them to hold an emergency session before 2020 ends.
Government
Panel: No Pay Raises for Legislature, Cuomo, & Judges
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“Granting raises to public servants, no matter how much they might otherwise deserve them, is simply not possible at this time.”
News
Absentee Ballot Counters Soldier On
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“The pro is, we’re going to make sure we count correctly and not miscount anyone’s vote.”
Government
Thruway Switches To Cashless Tolls This Weekend
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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.
Government
NY Senate Leader Says No Plans For Special Session, Urges State Spending
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“So far we have been able to keep the budget balanced while minimizing the impact on New Yorkers and fighting the pandemic.”
Economy
Governor Orders New Restrictions On New York Bars, Restaurants, Gyms, Home Gatherings
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Social dining, whether indoors or outdoors, is one of three “main spreaders of COVID.” He urged local authorities to enforce the new rules.
Government
NY COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Cases Reach Levels Not Seen Since Spring
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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.
Government
As COVID-19 Rates Rise in New York, Cuomo Warns Of Coming Months
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“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.”
Government
With Votes Cast, New York Must Resolve Multibillion-Dollar Deficit
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“I talk to the Republican governors all day long, they need a stimulus package. They spent money on COVID, their revenues are down.”
Government
Due To Budget Shortfall, New York Governor Predicts Marijuana Legalization in 2021
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“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.”
Government
Republicans Tout Wins In State Races; Democrats Say Not So Fast
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“We knew that there is an overwhelming Democratic absentee vote that has to be counted still in a lot of our districts.”
App NEWS
Early And In-Person Voting Boost Some GOP State Senate Candidates
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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.
News
Election Day Is Here, But Many New Yorkers Have Already Voted
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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.
Government
Governor, Attorney General Say Federal Vaccine Plan Ignores Communities of Color
|
“COVID has revealed from the very beginning the underlying injustice and inequity in this society.”
Government
In New York’s State Senate, Over A Dozen Races Are In Play
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“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.”
App NEWS
New York Might Transfer Vulnerable Inmates From Elmira Prison, Cuomo Says
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“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.”
Energy
Cuomo, Lawmakers Unveil Bill Targeting Utility Companies Over Storm Response
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“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.”
App NEWS
For First Time Since June, New York Reports Over 1,000 COVID-19 Hospitalizations
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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.
App NEWS
While New York Fights To Control COVID-19; Cuomo Claims Trump Surrendered
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“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.”
News
Early Voting In New York Starts This Weekend
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The number of polling places vary from county to county, but each county is required to have at least one early voting polling site.
App NEWS
Elections Officials Ready For Early Voting In New York
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“We’re anticipating a very big turnout in early voting, it seems easier than Election Day, but we have no idea.”
Government
COVID-19, Criminal Justice on the Ballot this Year in NY
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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.
Government
New York Could Replace Out-Of-State Quarantines With Targeted Tests
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“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.”
App NEWS
Pennsylvania Qualifies for New York’s Quarantine List, But Travel Can Continue
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New York will not restrict travel from Pennsylvania because of the number of people who go back and forth for business each day.
Government
LGBTQ People Go Undocumented In New York State’s COVID-19 Health Data
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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.
App NEWS
New York State, Advocates Hope Public Will Help Enforce Plastic Bag Ban
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“It could not come a day too soon. New Yorkers use a staggering 23 billion plastic bags every year.”
Government
Cuomo: Vaccine Plan Leaves Lots Of Blanks
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Also unanswered, said Cuomo, is how the vaccine will be funded, and whether states will be reimbursed for costs.
Government
Cuomo Parses Pandemic Stats
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“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.”
App NEWS
New York’s Vaccine Plan Prioritizes Essential Workers, High-Risk People
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“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.”
Government
County Leaders Say New York State’s Failing To Help With Pandemic
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“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.”
Books
Cuomo’s New Book Chronicles COVID-19 Crisis, Conflict With Trump
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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.
Government
Families Of Nursing Home Residents Want More Access
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“I was not only unable to see her, not even technologically through a digital device, the nursing home, when I called, was nonresponsive,”
Government
New York’s Governor Threatens To Withhold State Funds Unless Shutdown Orders Are Enforced
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“Because nothing else I have done has motivated them, maybe money works.”
Education
Cuomo Orders Some School Closures, Possible Ban On Religious Gatherings
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Cuomo said he’s taking the steps because he does not want the hot spots to spread to the rest of the state.
Government
New York State Ramps Up Enforcement in COVID-19 Clusters
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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.
binghamton
Local Governments Could Be Fined $10K Per Day For Not Enforcing COVID Rules
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“If the local governments don’t step up the compliance, they will actually be in violation of the law and they can be fined.”
Government
Smartphone App Warns Of Contact With COVID Carriers
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“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.”
Government
Advocates Call On Governor To End Driver’s License Suspensions For Unpaid Traffic Fines
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“People who are unemployed or underemployed, who don’t have the capacity to have $200 or $500 lying around for the fees.”
Government
New York Governor Acts To Contain COVID-19 Clusters
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“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.”
Government
New York Governor Asks Governments To Reopen Homeless Shelters
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“Not only is a homeless encampment a violation of that homeless person’s dignity, it’s also a public health threat.”
App NEWS
Cuomo: Pause On Evictions Extended Through 2020
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“I want people to have fundamental stability in their lives. Nobody’s going to be evicted because of housing.”
Government
Cuomo Takes Steps To Control COVID-19 Clusters
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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.
Environment
New York Begins Plastic Bag Ban Enforcement October 19th
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The COVID-19 pandemic, and an unsuccessful lawsuit brought by the plastics industry delayed its implementation.
Government
Governor Will Await Federal Relief Before Closing New York’s State Deficit
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“If we were not in this governmental structure I would sue the federal government for gross negligence.”
Government
New York Governor Calls President’s Attempt To Withhold Federal Funds “More Of The Same”
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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.
Economy
New York To Begin Enforcing Plastic Bag Ban Oct. 19
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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.
Government
New York Attorney General: State Policies Used To Suppress Prude Video
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“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.”
App NEWS
Debate Continues On Taxing New York’s Wealthiest
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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.
Name Change Rejected For Tiny Town Of Swastika, NY
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“Suddenly I came to a town called Swastika, which is a symbol of the tyranny and hatred those soldiers fought and died to fight.”
App NEWS
The New York State Thruway Ends Cash Tolls In November
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“We are asking people to recognize the importance of getting an E-ZPass because it’s going to save you money.”
Government
Revised Assisted Care Policy Could Reunite Many New York Families
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“It’s depressing because you know that the families and the residents are lonely.”
No Permanent Solution In Sight For New York State’s Huge Budget Deficit
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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 Lowers Coronavirus Threshold For Nursing Home Visits
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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.
Education
Teachers Union Calls School Aid Cuts ‘Unconstitutional’ in Lawsuit Against Cuomo
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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.
Food and Farms
Hemp Growers Call On Governor To Release State Regulations Before Harvest
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“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.”
Cuomo: Halloween Trick-Or-Treating Left To Parents
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“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.”
