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Senate

Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise
Merry Christmas: NY Lawmakers To Become Highest Paid In US After Approving Raise New York State lawmakers have voted to give themselves a significant pay raise days before Christmas, a move that would make them the highest paid in the country. Meeting for a special session in Albany on Thursday, Dec. 22, the legislature approved a bill that raises member pay by $32,000, bringing their total annual compensation to $142,000, beginning in 2023. The final vote in the Senate was 33 to 23 in favor, and 81 to 52 in the Assembly, WRGB reports. Every Republican in the Assembly voted against the pay hike. If the bill becomes law, it would also cap how much legislators can make…
Member Of Trump Family Who Lives In Northern Westchester Hired By Fox News Member Of Trump Family Who Lives In Northern Westchester Hired By Fox News
Member Of Trump Family Who Lives In Northern Westchester Hired By Fox News Westchester resident Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the former president and former advisor to his campaign has taken a position as a paid on-air contributor for Fox News. Trump made it official on Monday, March 29 during an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” where she was welcomed with open arms by the network that led to newfound infamy for the former president. “Well I’m so excited, first of all, to be joining the Fox family,” Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump, said during her initial appearance. “I sort of feel like I’ve been an unofficial member of the team for so long. R…
Billions In New Taxes On Wealthy New Yorkers Proposed Billions In New Taxes On Wealthy New Yorkers Proposed
Billions In New Taxes On Wealthy New Yorkers Proposed New York’s lawmakers have proposed budgets that include nearly $7 billion in new and increased taxes on businesses and the rich. Over the weekend, both houses of the state legislature proposed the tax hike on New York’s wealthiest to help close the record $15 billion financial shortfall the state faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though New York is due to receive an influx of cash from President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief bill, legislators believe that the gap still needs to be closed and that the tax on the rich could aid that effort. New York is expected to receive approximately $23.5…
COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe COVID-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe
Covid-19: Nursing Home Scandal Fallout Increases As More Dems Turn On Cuomo, Feds Launch Probe The heat is on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he attempts to counter the fallout from both sides of the aisle over his handling of COVID-19 cases in the state’s nursing homes. Some state Democrats have joined in the cacophony of Republican voices expressing outrage over Cuomo’s administration underreporting and subsequent coverup of COVID-19-related nursing home deaths in New York. The federal government is now planning to launch a probe into the scandal that has turned Cuomo from an Emmy award-winning national figure touted for his daily COVID-19 briefings complete with power-point slides …
COVID-19: Here's Who's Expected To Qualify For Third IRS Stimulus Check COVID-19: Here's Who's Expected To Qualify For Third IRS Stimulus Check
Covid-19: Here's Who's Expected To Qualify For Third IRS Stimulus Check Relief may be coming for millions of Americans after the Senate and House of Representatives took a major step forward by approving a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 package that includes a third round of stimulus checks. President Joe Biden has proposed sending $1,400 to every person who received stimulus checks during the first two rounds of payments, though it could be weeks until money starts showing up in bank accounts. The approvals by Congress will now lead to a “reconciliation” process in which congressional committees will draft a bill based on Biden’s sweeping proposal. Every adult taxpay…
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State A prominent politician from the Hudson Valley will serve as America’s top diplomat after being sworn in as President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State. Yonkers native Antony "Tony" Blinken, age 58, a longtime confidant and aide of the new president, was approved by the Senate with a 78-22 bipartisan vote this week and will return to the White House following time spent as a top member of the Obama administration. From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, where he was tasked with helping to craft foreign policy in t…
Ex-NY HS Wrestling Standout Who Smoked Pot In Senator's Office Says He Has No Regrets For Riot Ex-NY HS Wrestling Standout Who Smoked Pot In Senator's Office Says He Has No Regrets For Riot
Ex-NY HS Wrestling Standout Who Smoked Pot In Senator's Office Says He Has No Regrets For Riot A 26-year-old former high school wrestling standout in New York who went to community college in the Hudson Valley said he has “no regrets” after rioting at the U.S. Capitol and smoking weed in Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office. After seeing a tweet from President Donald Trump, upstate New York resident Brandon Fellows - who attended Hudson Valley Community College - was one of the hundreds to flood the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 6 when protesters stormed the building, according to a new report by Bloomberg. Fellows, a standout high school wrestler at Niskayuna High School near Albany, …
Trump Becomes Only President To Be Impeached Twice, This Time For 'Incitement Of Insurrection' Trump Becomes Only President To Be Impeached Twice, This Time For 'Incitement Of Insurrection'
Trump Becomes Only President To Be Impeached Twice, This Time For 'Incitement Of Insurrection' Donald John Trump is now the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Jan. 13 - just a week before the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden and a week after the deadly pro-Trump riot at the Capitol building - the U.S. House voted to impeach Trump, a Republican, by a margin of 232-197 on one charge of incitement of insurrection. View the impeachment resolution here The vote was bipartisan. All 222 Democrats voted to impeach while 10 Republicans also did so, including GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney of Wyoming, daughter of form…
Capitol Hill Chaos: Lockdown Halts Electoral College Confirmation As Protesters Storm Building Capitol Hill Chaos: Lockdown Halts Electoral College Confirmation As Protesters Storm Building
Capitol Hill Chaos: Lockdown Halts Electoral College Confirmation As Protesters Storm Building The United States Capitol is in lockdown after pro-Trump protesters swarmed into the building just after the Electoral College confirmation process got underway on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, Protesters waving Confederate and American flags as well as pro-Trump merchandise, moved past police and into the Capitol Building to disrupt the Senate’s confirmation of votes Joe Biden’s election to the presidency, according to the New York Times and multiple media reports. A clash between police and protesters broke out around noon on Wednesday.  The chaos disrupted the proceedings and force…
Isaias: Latimer Blasts Response By Utility, Telecom Companies At Joint State Hearing Isaias: Latimer Blasts Response By Utility, Telecom Companies At Joint State Hearing
Isaias: Latimer Blasts Response By Utility, Telecom Companies At Joint State Hearing Westchester County Executive George Latimer was the latest elected official to come down on utility and telecom companies for their poor response to Tropical Storm Isaias. Latimer spoke this week during a joint Senate and Assembly public hearing on the power and communication failures caused by the winds and rain Isaias brought as it ripped through the East Coast. Latimer made note that the region is still dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, and the outages came in the midst of a heatwave that saw temperatures approach 100 degrees. “(This is) outrageous in any time, but today,…
Cuomo, Ocasio-Cortez, Clintons Among Democratic National Convention Speakers Cuomo, Ocasio-Cortez, Clintons Among Democratic National Convention Speakers
Cuomo, Ocasio-Cortez, Clintons Among Democratic National Convention Speakers Some prominent New York politicians are among the speakers announced for the virtual Democratic National Convention. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Clintons, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are all on the list of speakers scheduled for the convention, which will run from Monday, Aug. 17 through Thursday, Aug. 20. Cuomo is scheduled to speak on the first night of the convention along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican. This is the second time Cuomo will speak at the conven…
COVID-19: 'Who's Bailing Out Whom?' Says Cuomo, Taking On Republican Senators COVID-19: 'Who's Bailing Out Whom?' Says Cuomo, Taking On Republican Senators
Covid-19: 'Who's Bailing Out Whom?' Says Cuomo, Taking On Republican Senators New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is taking on Republican lawmakers who have made comments about “blue state bailouts” during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Cuomo again took on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) and added first-term Sen. Rick Scott (Florida) to his line of fire. Both said providing federal aid to states hit hard by the crisis would amount to a bailout and some states should file for bankruptcy. Related - COVID-19: 'I Dare You,' Says Cuomo, Firing Back At Mitch McConnell Over State Bankruptcy Cuomo again made note tha…
Cuomo COVID-19 Crisis Management Prompts Speculation About Possible Bid For Presidency Cuomo COVID-19 Crisis Management Prompts Speculation About Possible Bid For Presidency
Cuomo Covid-19 Crisis Management Prompts Speculation About Possible Bid For Presidency With Gov. Andrew Cuomo earning rave reviews nationally for his handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak in New York, he suddenly has become a sleeper for the democratic presidential candidacy, according to new reports. Cuomo has been providing popular daily updates on the pandemic, which has hit New York exponentially harder than any other state in the country, with more than 37,000 reported cases.  Cuomo has been praised for his collected nature during the outbreak, while the case for presidential hopeful Joe Biden has seemingly lost some of its steam. According to reports, some De…
New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty
New NY Law Would Allow Nursing Mothers To Delay Jury Duty Can't get out of jury duty? Have a baby.  That's not a joke.  Nursing mothers may avoid jury duty in New York, thanks to state legislation passed this week in Albany by the Assembly and Senate. Women could delay jury duty for up to two years if they are breastfeeding a baby. If signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as expected, nursing mothers would need to provide a doctor's note to postpone jury duty. Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, a Bronx Democrat, sponsored the bill. 
Ocasio-Cortez Joins Bernie Sanders' Call For 15 Percent Cap On Credit Card Interest Ocasio-Cortez Joins Bernie Sanders' Call For 15 Percent Cap On Credit Card Interest
Ocasio-Cortez Joins Bernie Sanders' Call For 15 Percent Cap On Credit Card Interest Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s latest major bill since taking office has a powerful backer. The 2007 Yorktown High School graduate and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders just introduced a proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 15 percent this week, which would rein in the profits major banks can capitalize on. The legislation has been dubbed the “Loan Shark Prevention Act.” Currently, the national average annual percentage rate his 17.73 percent, while the median was sitting at 21.36 percent, according to CreditCards.com. “Despite the fact that banks can borro…
Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown
Thinly Staffed IRS Won't Issue Refunds During Shutdown As tax season draws near, the Internal Revenue Service, thinly staffed due to the partial government shutdown, can’t currently issue any refunds. In addition, the IRS has not announced an official start date for the 2019 filing season. The IRS began the filing season last year on Jan. 29. The IRS is now working under non-filing season shutdown plans with only 12.5 percent of the IRS workforce authorized to work. The partial shutdown marked its 14th day on Friday, Jan. 4. As the standoff drags on, about 800,000 federal employees are working without pay or being furloughed.  …
Video: Trump Tax Returns, Travel Ban ... Lowey Outlines Appropriations Committee's Priorities Video: Trump Tax Returns, Travel Ban ... Lowey Outlines Appropriations Committee's Priorities
Video: Trump Tax Returns, Travel Ban ... Lowey Outlines Appropriations Committee's Priorities Incoming House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey of Westchester, a close ally of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, said "yes" to a long list of possible investigative targets within the Trump Administration. In a videotaped interview with Axois, Lowey said investigations could include the Space Force, hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, White House security clearances, White House use of personal email and more. "The funnest thing is to win," Lowey, a Democrat from Harrison began in this interview.  In the Nov. 6 elections, Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives wit…
Limo That Crashed, Killing 20, Failed Inspection, Driver Did Not Have Proper License Limo That Crashed, Killing 20, Failed Inspection, Driver Did Not Have Proper License
Limo That Crashed, Killing 20, Failed Inspection, Driver Did Not Have Proper License The stretch limousine involved in the horrific crash that killed 20 adults over the weekend near Albany failed an inspection in September and was not supposed to be on the road, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday afternoon. The limo driver, identified as 53-year-old Scott Lisinicchia, also did not have the proper license to operate the vehicle, Cuomo told reporters at the Columbus Day Parade in New York City. Cuomo said the state is working on getting a cease-and-desist order to prevent the limousine company, Prestige Limousine, from operating until the National Transportation Safety Bo…
Bills Introduced To Restore Tappan Zee Name To New Bridge Bills Introduced To Restore Tappan Zee Name To New Bridge
Bills Introduced To Restore Tappan Zee Name To New Bridge Few refer to the new Tappan Zee Bridge by its official name of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, just as few called the old bridge by its designated name, the Malcolm Wilson Bridge, honoring another former New York governor. Now, two bills are moving through the state Assembly and Senate to nix any uncertainty. In effect, the bills say what most already do: it's the new Tappan Zee Bridge. Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, R-Brewster, the sponsor of the Assembly bill, amended his bill last month to mirror a Senate version sponsored by John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.  "The future of my Assembly bill dep…