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Carl Heastie

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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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'Coward's Way Out': Cuomo Accuser Calls Out NY Assembly For Failure To Impeach Disgraced Gov 'Coward's Way Out': Cuomo Accuser Calls Out NY Assembly For Failure To Impeach Disgraced Gov
'Coward's Way Out': Cuomo Accuser Calls Out NY Assembly For Failure To Impeach Disgraced Gov One of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s first and most public accusers didn't mince words when it came to the Assembly Judiciary Committee dropping its impeachment inquiry into the embattled lawmaker. Former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett, age 25, a Northern Westchester native, ripped into Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on Sunday, Aug. 15, following the decision to let the governor off the hook after being found complicit in sexually harassing at least 11 women by the Attorney General's office. “Speaker Carl Heastie’s unilateral decision to end the impeachment investigation into the governor sends…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
New York State Assembly Suspends Cuomo Impeachment Investigation New York State Assembly Suspends Cuomo Impeachment Investigation
New York State Assembly Suspends Cuomo Impeachment Investigation The New York State Assembly will be suspending its impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo once his resignation takes effect in less than 10 days. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced on Friday, Aug. 13 that the inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment made by more than 11 women against the governor “could have likely resulted in articles impeachment had he not resigned." Cuomo announced on Tuesday, Aug. 10 that he would be resigning from office effective 14 days later. “There are two reasons for this decision. First, the purpose of the Assembly Judiciary Committee’s imp…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Calls Grow For Cuomo's Resignation Following Release Of NY AG's Sexual Harassment Report Calls Grow For Cuomo's Resignation Following Release Of NY AG's Sexual Harassment Report
Calls Grow For Cuomo's Resignation Following Release Of NY AG's Sexual Harassment Report New York politicians are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign following the release of the results of the scathing independent investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Office that found he was a serial sexual harasser. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, New York AG Letitia James released the findings of a five-month independent investigation that found the governor allegedly fostered a toxic workplace environment while also subjecting state employees to unwanted touching and inappropriate dialogue. Earlier story - Cuomo Sexually Harassed 'Multiple Women,' Including State Trooper, Scathing AG…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Forging A Vaccination Card Could Soon Be A Felony In New York COVID-19: Forging A Vaccination Card Could Soon Be A Felony In New York
Covid-19: Forging A Vaccination Card Could Soon Be A Felony In New York Lawmakers in New York are looking to make penalties harsher for those attempting to forge COVID-19 vaccination cards to fraudulently claim they’ve been vaccinated. The Democratic-led Assembly has proposed legislation that would make it a felony in New York to forge a vaccination card or fraudulently provide proof of immunity with the intent to defraud. “New Yorkers deserve to know that when they attend an event or go to a ballgame where proof of vaccination is required that those around them are not putting people at risk by using forged documents,” Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz stated. “…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
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…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations
Cuomo Impeachment Investigation Will Go Beyond Sexual Harassment Allegations As the New York State Assembly moves forward with its impeachment investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo, lawmakers are advising that the scope of it will be “very broad” and will expand past just the sexual harassment claims of seven women. Last week, the Assembly voted to move forward with its investigation, which could lead to the first impeachment trial in New York in over a century. The investigation is expected to focus on the harassment allegations and the COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes and subsequent attempted coverup by his administration. Lawmakers are also expected to look into a…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
State Assembly Authorized To Begin Impeachment Investigation Into Cuomo Misconduct State Assembly Authorized To Begin Impeachment Investigation Into Cuomo Misconduct
State Assembly Authorized To Begin Impeachment Investigation Into Cuomo Misconduct The New York State Assembly Judiciary Committee will begin an impeachment investigation into misconduct allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced late Thursday afternoon, March 11. The move comes following reports of sexual harassment and inappropriate touching by six women who have come forward in recent weeks. Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, reportedly recommended the probe during a private meeting earlier Thursday with other Democratic members of the Assembly. He later confirmed the move in a released statement. "After meeting with the Assembly Majority …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says 'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says
'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says Andrew Cuomo's hopes of serving out his third term as New York governor have taken a dramatic turn for the worse in the last 24 hours. First, two more women, both former aides, came forward with new allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo, bringing the number of women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment to five. Now, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) has said she's seen enough and has called on Cuomo to resign. "Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement released …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Democratic Majority To Pass Legislation Repealing Cuomo Emergency Powers Immediately COVID-19: Democratic Majority To Pass Legislation Repealing Cuomo Emergency Powers Immediately
Covid-19: Democratic Majority To Pass Legislation Repealing Cuomo Emergency Powers Immediately Lawmakers in New York reached an agreement that will strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of his COVID-19 pandemic-linked emergency powers. Legislators from New York’s Assembly and Senate announced on Tuesday, March 2 that Cuomo would be stripped of emergency powers and the state will return some matters he had control of, such as lockdowns, to local officials. The announcement was made by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who noted that the legislation will allow current directives pertaining to preserving public health to continue. “I think everyone unde…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
State Senate Majority Leader Says Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations 'Deeply Disturbing' State Senate Majority Leader Says Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations 'Deeply Disturbing'
State Senate Majority Leader Says Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations 'Deeply Disturbing' New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the latest to weigh in on the allegations of sexual harassment that have been levied against Gov. Andrew Cuomo by a former aide as some lawmakers in the state are calling for an investigation into the matter. This week, former Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan came forward with accusations against the governor that included claims of inappropriate comments, touching, and an unprompted kiss on the lips in his Manhattan office. Original story - New Details Of Cuomo Sexual Harassment Claims Released By Former Aide Coupled with the o…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal COVID-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal
Covid-19: Dems In Assembly Expected To Take Action Against Cuomo For Nursing Home Scandal Lawmakers in New York are expected to take action against Gov. Andrew Cuomo following the reveal that his administration underreported the number of COVID-19 deaths in the state’s nursing home and then sought to cover it up from the federal government. Democrats in the New York State Assembly held a lengthy hearing on Monday, Feb. 22, with the proposed removal of Cuomo's emergency powers among the topics. Democratic Assembly members again met on Tuesday, Feb. 23 for a lengthy hearing, but no consequences have yet been announced for Cuomo.  “I do think there’s a consensus of the member…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ban On Chokeholds, Other Police, Criminal Justice Reforms Become Law In New York Ban On Chokeholds, Other Police, Criminal Justice Reforms Become Law In New York
Ban On Chokeholds, Other Police, Criminal Justice Reforms Become Law In New York New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that will radically reform policing throughout the state. At the conclusion of his daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, June 12 in Manhattan, Cuomo signed a police reform package that he dubbed the “Say Their Name Agenda.” Flanked by Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Rev. Al Sharpton, Cuomo signed the legislation into law that includes the ban of chokeholds by police. The package also calls for the repeal of Section 50a of the Civil Rights law, which will include more transparency of police disciplinar…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol
Tenant Protest Leads To Dozens Of Arrests At State Capitol More than 60 housing rights protesters were arrested at the state Capitol in Albany on Tuesday, June 4. They want to extend New York City’s rent regulations to Upstate and portions of the New York City suburbs that don't have rent control. Protesters blocked the entrances to the Senate and Assembly chambers as well as Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. Among those arrested was New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who demanded the 2019 session not end this month as scheduled unless rent laws are reformed.  In a press statement, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonke…

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by Jon Craig
Lifestyle
You May Soon Have To Pay $10 To Drive Into Manhattan Under New Congestion Pricing Plan You May Soon Have To Pay $10 To Drive Into Manhattan Under New Congestion Pricing Plan
You May Soon Have To Pay $10 To Drive Into Manhattan Under New Congestion Pricing Plan Driving in Manhattan has always been a frustrating endeavor. It may about to become more costly, as well. New York State lawmakers have expressed support for a “congestion pricing” plan, which could charge motorists a fee to enter certain parts of Manhattan. The proposal comes as the city faces a massive shortfall in funds to repair Manhattan’s subway system and improve infrastructure. If approved, motorists would be charged when their vehicle entered the most frequented spots in Manhattan, according to reports released this week. It is estimated that it may cost more than $10 to drive fro…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
New York Will Become Early Voting State For First Time New York Will Become Early Voting State For First Time
New York Will Become Early Voting State For First Time Voting in New York will be a little easier this fall. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law on Thursday that will allow up to eight days of early voting before an election. The new legislation also will synchronize federal and state primary elections, allow voter preregistration for teenagers, provide voter registration portability within the state, and close the “LLC loophole.” “At a time when the federal government is doing everything it can to disenfranchise voters, we are breaking down the barriers that have discouraged too many generations of New Yorkers from exercising the…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Stewart-Cousins Poised To Make History As Democrats Take Over State Senate Stewart-Cousins Poised To Make History As Democrats Take Over State Senate
Stewart-Cousins Poised To Make History As Democrats Take Over State Senate Do you know much about Andrew Stewart-Cousins? Her leadership style is so low-key and selfless that few constituents know much about her life. Yet, the Tuesday, Nov. 6 election has catapulted her to a position of huge political power in Albany. Democrats retained control of a majority of seats in the state Senate. Related story: Democrats Take Control of State Senate Come January, Stewart-Cousins is expected to become the first woman in state history to lead majority control of a legislative chamber in the New York General Assembly.  The 68-year-old Yonkers resident also is one o…

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by Jon Craig