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Vote Now: Should 'Cuomo Bridge' Be Stripped As Official Name Of New Tappan Zee Span? Vote Now: Should 'Cuomo Bridge' Be Stripped As Official Name Of New Tappan Zee Span?
Vote Now: Should 'Cuomo Bridge' Be Stripped As Official Name Of New Tappan Zee Span? A New York lawmaker is pushing to restore the Tappan Zee Bridge as the official span of the bridge whose official name is currently the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. New York State Assemblyman Mike Lawler has introduced legislation in Albany to change the name of the bridge that connects Westchester and Rockland counties as the governor deals with multiple scandals surrounding his administration, one involving the reporting of COVID-19 nursing home deaths and the other involving seven accusations of either sexual abuse or sexual harassment. The old Tappan Zee Bridge's official name was the G…

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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
NY Republicans Introduce Cuomo Impeachment Resolution NY Republicans Introduce Cuomo Impeachment Resolution
NY Republicans Introduce Cuomo Impeachment Resolution New York Republicans are looking to make Andrew Cuomo the second governor in the state's history to be impeached as they announced they are introducing an impeachment resolution. Saying that Cuomo has lost "credibility and trust" and has an "inability to lead” New York, Republicans in the state Assembly announced an impeachment Monday, March 8 as the governor deals with sexual harassment allegations and investigations into his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re going to introduce this resolution because we believe the time has come," New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barc…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Calls For Cuomo To Resign Draw Attention To Next In Line Lieutenant Governor As AG Starts Probe Calls For Cuomo To Resign Draw Attention To Next In Line Lieutenant Governor As AG Starts Probe
Calls For Cuomo To Resign Draw Attention To Next In Line Lieutenant Governor As AG Starts Probe As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo nears a week without holding a news conference after a series of recent scandals, many are looking toward the next in line if he is forced out of office: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. Cuomo has been under fire for weeks, first for his handling of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes, then allegedly attempting to cover it up. Now, he finds himself embroiled in separate sexual harassment claims, prompting for many to call for a probe of the governor, and potentially, his job. Earlier story - New Cuomo Sexual Harassment Allegations Spark Bipartisan Backlash, Some Calls To…

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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
Politics
NY State Assembly Advances Bill To Rename Trump State Park Near Westchester-Putnam Border NY State Assembly Advances Bill To Rename Trump State Park Near Westchester-Putnam Border
NY State Assembly Advances Bill To Rename Trump State Park Near Westchester-Putnam Border New York lawmakers are moving forward with plans to potentially replace and rebrand the Donald J. Trump State Park near the Westchester-Putnam County border. With the former president’s impeachment trial underway, the New York State Assembly voted 14 to 7 to advance a bill that would rebrand the 435-acre park and remove signage advertising it along the Taconic State Parkway. 
“Our parklands should be reflective of New Yorkers that we can be proud of, New Yorkers that have expressed our values,” Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, who sponsored the bill, said to Politico. “There are a lot of…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges
Former NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Sentenced For Conviction On Corruption Charges Former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, once one of the state’s most powerful politicians, will spend the better part of a decade behind bars after being convicted on corruption charges. A federal judge in Manhattan sentenced Silver, 76, to six-and-a-half years in prison on Monday, July 20 following his 2018 conviction. The former Democratic leader, who acknowledged his wrongdoing at his sentencing, was also ordered to pay a $1 million fine. Silver, who at one point represented most of Manhattan, was found guilty of two counts of honest service wire fraud, two counts of hones…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Cuomo Wants To Move NY Presidential Primary From April To 'Prime' February Date, Reports Say Cuomo Wants To Move NY Presidential Primary From April To 'Prime' February Date, Reports Say
Cuomo Wants To Move NY Presidential Primary From April To 'Prime' February Date, Reports Say Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly pushing to “upend the presidential primary calendar” by having voters head to the polls in February rather than April. If Cuomo makes the decision to veto a bill that would set the presidential primary to Tuesday, April 28, it would occur just a few weeks after the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, which are considered to be “pivotal.” Cuomo may also approve of moving New York’s legislative primaries for state Senate and Assembly, currently scheduled for June 23, 2020, to coincide with a February presidential primary. However, officials say that …

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by Valerie Musson
Politics
Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest
Internet Abuzz With Speculation Cuomo Rigged New NY License Plate Contest New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to come under fire for his new license plate design proposal, this time with Internet buzzing with speculation the whole thing is rigged. Last month, the governor announced that he was launching a statewide survey (which has since closed without results being announced) to allow New Yorkers to vote on the design of a new license plate, with each of the five proposals featured Empire State landmarks. One of the plates features the new Tappan Zee Bridge, whose official name, Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, was pushed through by the governor to honor his late fath…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols
State Bill Would Teach Students About Hateful Symbols Middle and high school students in New York may soon be taught the meaning of hateful symbols such as the swastika and noose as part of new legislation that has been introduced by state lawmakers. With reports of hate crimes on the rise statewide, including dozens on Long Island and the Hudson Valley, lawmakers are seeking to improve student education on racist and anti-Semitic symbolism. In Nassau County, there have already been 44 reported incidents, more than double at this point last year. Last week, seven swastikas were found drawn on a pavilion at an Oyster Bay park, and nooses have …

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats
Me-Ouch! New York Becomes First State In Nation To Ban Declawing Cats New York has officially become the first state in the nation to ban the declawing of cats. Earlier this year, the New York Senate and Assembly voted to approve legislation that would eliminate the declawing of cats, following similar laws in Denver and various towns in California. On Monday, July 22, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed that bill into law, making the Empire State the first to ban the “cruel and painful procedure” that many an owner has forced on their felines. “Declawing is a cruel and painful procedure that can create physical and behavioral problems for helpless animals, an…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines
State Assembly Grants Four Hudson Valley School Districts Waivers On Millions In Fines Four Hudson Valley school districts may be spared from paying about $19 million in fines due to late paperwork on construction projects. The state Assembly gave its approval on Tuesday, June 4 to legislation freeing the Orange County school districts of Newburgh and Chester, as well as the Sullivan County school district in Monticello. They allegedly neglected to file final reports on building projects years ago. The state Senate previously approved the bills last month — and a separate bill to grant Roscoe School District the same penalty waiver in Sullivan County. The legislation now goe…

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by Jon Craig