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New York State Legislature

'Can't Happen Again': Lying About Candidate Background Would Be Perjury Under NY Bill 'Can't Happen Again': Lying About Candidate Background Would Be Perjury Under NY Bill
'Can't Happen Again': Lying About Candidate Background Would Be Perjury Under NY Bill New York lawmakers are hoping to prevent a repeat of disgraced former Congressman George Santos’ meteoric rise and fall after he lied about much of his background to get elected. A new bill announced Friday, Dec. 8 would require candidates to make sworn statements under penalty of perjury about parts of their background. Specifically, it would require candidates running for any elected office in New York State to sign a sworn statement affirming their military service, if any, as well their employment history and current residence. Earlier Report: Election Date Set To Fill George Sa…
Minimum Wage To Go Up In Westchester: Here's When, How Much Minimum Wage To Go Up In Westchester: Here's When, How Much
Minimum Wage To Go Up In Westchester: Here's When, How Much To help those struggling with rising costs, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that the state's minimum wage will be increasing when the new year begins.  Effective on Monday, Jan. 1, the minimum wage in Westchester County, Long Island, and New York City will increase to $16 per hour, and $15 per hour in the rest of the state, Hochul announced on Monday, Dec. 11.  The current minimum wage in Westchester, Long Island, and New York City is $15 per hour, while it is $14.20 in the rest of the state.  According to Hochul, the increases come thanks to an agreement between he…
Overpass Bridge To Be Renamed After Fallen Officer In Westchester: 'Will Not Be Forgotten' Overpass Bridge To Be Renamed After Fallen Officer In Westchester: 'Will Not Be Forgotten'
Overpass Bridge To Be Renamed After Fallen Officer In Westchester: 'Will Not Be Forgotten' A bill that would rename a bridge in Westchester after a beloved fallen officer is set to be introduced by both state and county elected officials.  A bill that would rename the Tuckahoe Road Bridge over the Sprain Brook Parkway in Yonkers after Yonkers Police Detective Sergeant Frank Gualdino, who died in December 2022, will soon be introduced in the New York state legislature by Assemblyman Nader Sayegh (D-Yonkers).  Additionally, a legislative resolution in favor of the bridge renaming will also be introduced to the Westchester Board of Legislators by County Legislato…
Lawmakers Renew Call For Renaming Donald J. Trump State Park In Northern Westchester Lawmakers Renew Call For Renaming Donald J. Trump State Park In Northern Westchester
Lawmakers Renew Call For Renaming Donald J. Trump State Park In Northern Westchester Two New York state legislators are again calling for the Hudson Valley's Donald J. Trump State Park to be renamed.  The 436-acre park, named after the 45th president after he donated the property to the state in 2006, is located on the Westchester/Putnam line in both Yorktown and Putnam Valley.  In the wake of Former President Trump facing a possible indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal are reintroducing legislation that calls on the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic pres…
Serial Westchester Shoplifter: Man Arrested 17th Time In Year, Police Call For Bail Law Change Serial Westchester Shoplifter: Man Arrested 17th Time In Year, Police Call For Bail Law Change
Serial Westchester Shoplifter: Man Arrested 17th Time In Year, Police Call For Bail Law Change A man faces his 17th arrest in a little more than a year after shoplifting from a store in Westchester County, leading a police department to urge lawmakers to allow courts to hold repeat offenders in jail.  The plea came from the Yonkers Police Department, who arrested 25-year-old Anthony Arias of the Bronx on Sunday night, Feb. 12 after he allegedly shoplifted from the Burlington Coat Factory at 2500 Central Park Ave.  Police added that it was Arias' seventeenth arrest since January 2022 and that since then, he has failed to appear in court six times, had two open arrest warrants, and fo…
Courtroom In Hudson Valley Named After Judge Who Died From Heart Attack In Court Courtroom In Hudson Valley Named After Judge Who Died From Heart Attack In Court
Courtroom In Hudson Valley Named After Judge Who Died From Heart Attack In Court A bill renaming a Hudson Valley courtroom after a judge who died of a heart attack while in court has been signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.  Earlier Report - Judge Was Handling Family Law Matter When He Suffered Fatal Heart Attack In Putnam County The bill, which names a courtroom in the Putnam Supreme and County Court after the late Putnam County Court Judge James F. Reitz, was signed on Monday, Dec. 19, according to the New York State Legislature.  The renamed room, Room 301, will now be known as the "Judge James F. Reitz Memorial Courtroom," according to a spokespers…
NY State Senator Resigns NY State Senator Resigns
NY State Senator Resigns A New York state senator has resigned after serving nearly eight years in the state Legislature. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat representing the state’s 9th District on the South Shore of Long Island in Nassau County, announced his resignation Friday, July 29, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. "Today is my last day as an elected official, and I will start a new chapter in my life next week in the private sector,” Kaminsky wrote. “It has been an incredible honor and privilege to work on behalf of the residents of Long Island’s South Shore for the past eight years.  …
COVID-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate COVID-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate
Covid-19: Uncertainty Abounds After NY Supreme Court Strikes Down Mask Mandate A Supreme Court justice on Long Island struck down the statewide mask mandate in New York, causing mass confusion and prompting a fight from Gov. Kathy Hochul and her administration. In Nassau County, Justice Thomas Rademaker ruled that Hochul’s office had overstepped its authority with its December mask mandate that was issued through then-acting Health Commissioner Mary T. Bassett. Instead, the judge said that it was not up to the Department of Health to approve the mandate, it instead should go through the Legislature, where it is potentially less likely to pass. Rademaker said that the…
COVID-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants COVID-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants
Covid-19: Hochul Proposes Bringing 'To-Go Drinks' Back To New York Restaurants Have a drink on her? In her first “State of the State" address, Gov. Kathy Hochul called for the return of “to-go drinks” for restaurants as New York deals with the latest surge of COVID-19 cases that have struck the region. “We're going to do something bars and restaurants have been asking for, to once again allow the sale of to-go drinks,” she said. “Cheers, New York.” During the initial COVID-19 outbreak, “to-go drinks” became a popular item for New Yorkers until former Gov. Andrew Cuomo rescinded the policy when the number of new cases began plateauing in June. New York Gov. Ka…
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In Westchester Workers in downstate New York are all getting a holiday bonus this year, as minimum wage rates get bumped for the third straight year. As of Friday, Dec. 31, minimum wage workers in Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties will see a bump in their paychecks as their hourly wages will rise to a minimum of $15, putting them on par with employees at large firms in New York City, which has been at that benchmark for three years. Minimum wage employees in those counties had previously been getting $14 an hour. Fast-food workers across New York also make $15 an hour, regardless of location, wh…
Where Will Cuo Go? Soon-To-Be Ex-Gov Unsure What He'll Do, Where He'll Live After Leaving Post Where Will Cuo Go? Soon-To-Be Ex-Gov Unsure What He'll Do, Where He'll Live After Leaving Post
Where Will Cuo Go? Soon-To-Be Ex-Gov Unsure What He'll Do, Where He'll Live After Leaving Post In his first interview after announcing his resignation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is unsure of his immediate plans, but he won't be "disappearing." Cuomo is set to step down as New York's governor on Tuesday, Aug. 24. He made the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 10, following a 165-page report from Attorney General Letitia James, which included accusations that he sexually harassed 11 women.  In the interview with New York Magazine Cuomo said he is unsure of his plans, including where he is going to live after leaving the executive mansion in Albany, a place where either h…
'New York Enters A New Day': Reaction Pours In After Cuomo's Resignation 'New York Enters A New Day': Reaction Pours In After Cuomo's Resignation
'New York Enters A New Day': Reaction Pours In After Cuomo's Resignation It didn’t take long for a reaction to pour in after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he will be resigning amid the sexual harassment scandal surrounding his administration. Cuomo finally acquiesced to calls for his resignation on Tuesday, Aug. 10 following days of furor from New Yorkers and politicians alike after the Attorney General’s investigators released a scathing 165-page report finding him guilty of sexually harassing multiple women. New York Attorney General Letitia James whose investigation led to the governor's resignation, said that Cuomo's announcement "closes a sad ch…
Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022 Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022
Pro-Trump Congressman Announces He's Running For NY Governor In 2022 A Long Island Republican Congressman who stood firmly behind former President Donald Trump throughout his embattled tenure in office announced that he will be challenging incumbent New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the 2022 election. Congressman Lee Zeldin officially threw his hat into the gubernatorial ring on Thursday morning, April 8, following Trump’s modus operandi by announcing his candidacy in a string of tweets largely targeting Cuomo. “I’m running for Governor of NY in 2022. To save NY, #CuomosGottaGo,” he posted. “I’ll bring the kind of relentless, fighting spirit towards helping o s…
Hudson Valley Assemblyman's Proposed Bill Named For Cuomo Accuser To Protect Whistleblowers Hudson Valley Assemblyman's Proposed Bill Named For Cuomo Accuser To Protect Whistleblowers
Hudson Valley Assemblyman's Proposed Bill Named For Cuomo Accuser To Protect Whistleblowers A Republican lawmaker in New York took a thinly veiled shot at Gov. Andrew Cuomo with new legislation to protect whistleblowers named after one of the women accusing him of sexual harassment. Hudson Valley Assemblyman Mike Lawler, who represents parts of Rockland, was among the New York lawmakers to introduce new legislation to amend the state’s penal code to add a misdemeanor penalty for public officials that engage in retaliation against those who report any form of sexual harassment. The move comes as Cuomo faces claims of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, and fostering a hostil…
New Bipartisan Calls For Cuomo To Resign Made After Groping Accusation New Bipartisan Calls For Cuomo To Resign Made After Groping Accusation
New Bipartisan Calls For Cuomo To Resign Made After Groping Accusation New bipartisan calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation are coming from all corners following the latest allegations of him having inappropriate sexual contact with a staffer. This week, a sixth woman came forward, reportedly claiming that Cuomo summoned her to the Executive Mansion, where he reached under her shirt and groped her, a claim that the governor has vehemently denied. Original story - Most Serious Sexual Abuse Accusation Against Cuomo Emerges As Ex-Aide Alleges Groping Following that report, more New York lawmakers have come out with calls for Cuomo to resign, with Democr…
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…
COVID-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash COVID-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash
Covid-19: Cuomo Admits Lack Of Transparency On Reporting Nursing Home Data Amid Backlash In his first public comments on a top aide's admission that his administration "froze" when asked by both federal and state officials to release data on COVID-19 nursing home fatalities, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the lack of transparency was a mistake. Cuomo said “there was a delay,” in reporting the data, and that void led to “skepticism, cynicism and conspiracy theories which furthered confusion" in a news briefing held in Albany on Monday, Feb. 15. "We should have provided more information faster," Cuomo said. "We were too focused on doing the job and addressing the crisis of the …
COVID-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report COVID-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report
Covid-19: NY Health Director Denies Undercount On Nursing Home Deaths After Scathing AG Report New York Health Commissioner Howard Zucker is defending the state following Attorney General Letitia James’ newly released report that alleges COVID-19 deaths in the state's nursing homes were underreported by as much as 50 percent. The report found the state negligible for COVID-19-related deaths inside New York nursing homes that had previously gone unreported, which Zucker has denied in a lengthy statement released late on Thursday, Jan. 28, just hours after the report was released. Earlier story - COVID-19: NY AG Report Says Nursing Home Deaths May Have Been Undercounted By 50 Percent …
AOC Vs. Andy: Ocasio-Cortez, Cuomo At Odds Over Climate Change, Queens DA Endorsement AOC Vs. Andy: Ocasio-Cortez, Cuomo At Odds Over Climate Change, Queens DA Endorsement
AOC Vs. Andy: Ocasio-Cortez, Cuomo At Odds Over Climate Change, Queens DA Endorsement U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of parts of Queens and the Bronx has hopped on the Green train in Albany, criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo for failing to meet earlier promises of a fossil-freer future in New York. The congresswoman blasted Cuomo of New Castle for not making the environment a top priority of the current legislative session.  Cuomo took to the radio airwaves to refute that claim: “I proposed the Green New Deal before there was a Green New Deal being discussed nationwide,” Cuomo told WNYC's Brian Lehrer on Tuesday, June 4. Ocasio-Cortez, a 2007 Yorktown High School gradu…
New York May Become Sanctuary State For Undocumented Immigrants New York May Become Sanctuary State For Undocumented Immigrants
New York May Become Sanctuary State For Undocumented Immigrants A lawmaker is pushing legislation that would see the Empire State become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Democratic State Sen. Jose Serrano Jr. is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit law enforcement from holding non-citizens for deportation by federal officials unless they’ve been convicted of a violent crime in the past several years. The bill - titled the "Dignity for Immigrants in New York State Act” - has been introduced in the past, but never made it through the legislature. It is now being considered in committee. Several cities throughout New York have already declared themsel…
Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget
Plastic Bag Ban, Congestion Pricing, Mansion Tax: Here Are Highlights Of New $175B State Budget Congestion pricing for motorists in Manhattan, a plastic bag ban and a new “mansion tax” are coming to New York. New York lawmakers worked late into Sunday night, March 31 before finally approving Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $175.5 billion state spending plan early on Monday morning, April 1. The budget calls for a ban on single-use plastic bags, will charge motorists driving below 60th Street in Manhattan a fee and ad the “mansion tax,” which is a one-time fee for some of the state’s wealthiest residents and is expected to bring in approximately $365 million. Much of the additional revenue being …
Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides
Dems Clash: Three Female Lawmakers Slam Secretive Fundraiser, Sparking Spat With Cuomo Aides Suspicious and secretive fundraising efforts have led to infighting between Democratic state lawmakers, with three women accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of hypocrisy and pay-to-play tactics, according to a new report. The New York Times reported earlier this week that Cuomo was the guest of honor at a secretive rooftop fundraiser, where the minimum donation was $25,000. The fundraiser came weeks before the state’s April 1 budget deadline, and was filled with lobbyists looking to further their own interests, the report stated. Earlier story: Secretive $25K Per Plate Rooftop Cuomo F…
Bear Mountain Bridge Now Has Its Own New Name Bear Mountain Bridge Now Has Its Own New Name
Bear Mountain Bridge Now Has Its Own New Name With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave another iconic bridge in the Hudson Valley a new official name. Cuomo signed into law legislation changing the name of the Bear Mountain Bridge to the Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bridge. The state Legislature voted in favor of the new name in June, and the change became final Tuesday when it was signed by Cuomo. The bridge's new name is connected, in a way, to the new Tappan Zee Bridge's official name of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. In May 2017, the state Senate passed a bill to name the new Tappan Zee Bridge the "Purple Heart Memoria…
Westchester DA, Cuomo Rally For Bill To Pull Guns From Troubled Kids' Homes Westchester DA, Cuomo Rally For Bill To Pull Guns From Troubled Kids' Homes
Westchester DA, Cuomo Rally For Bill To Pull Guns From Troubled Kids' Homes Elected officials continue to call on New York State to enact a Red Flag Gun Protection bill that would make it the first state in the nation to allow teachers and school administrators to prevent potential school shootings by pursuing court intervention. Last week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo began his push of an “Extreme Risk Protection Order” bill, which would permit teachers and school administrators to have the power to petition a judge to remove guns from the homes of students deemed troublesome. Family members and law enforcement agencies would also be able to approach the court about …
Town Supervisor Proposes Extending Elections When Trains Aren't Running Town Supervisor Proposes Extending Elections When Trains Aren't Running
Town Supervisor Proposes Extending Elections When Trains Aren't Running Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner suggested on Wednesday that a state law should be passed to extend elections during emergencies that shut down Metro-North commuter trains. "On Tuesday, May 15th there was a very important election around the county for School Boards and school budgets. . . . And there were some hotly contested elections for School Board in some districts," Feiner said. School budgets were defeated in Brewster and New Rochelle.  "Many voters who intended to vote after they came home from work were unable to catch a train to Westchester in time to vote. Vote…