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New York State Assembly

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Dutchess County Rep. Lawler Admits Donning Blackface As 'Hero' Michael Jackson In NYT Exposé Dutchess County Rep. Lawler Admits Donning Blackface As 'Hero' Michael Jackson In NYT Exposé
Dutchess County Rep. Lawler Admits Donning Blackface As 'Hero' Michael Jackson In NYT Exposé New York Rep. Mike Lawler – a freshman Republican hoping to defend his battleground congressional seat in the Hudson Valley – admitted to once donning blackface, The New York Times reports. The 38-year-old Lawler darkened his skin and dressed up as Michael Jackson for Halloween while he was a sophomore at the now Manhattan University in 2006, photos obtained by the outlet show. In a statement to the New York Times, Lawler said the costume was meant to be “truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s ki…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature 'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature
'Jury Of Our Peers Act' Allowing Convicted Felons To Serve On Juries Passes NY Legislature New Yorkers with felony convictions could soon serve on court juries after state lawmakers passed legislation reversing the lifetime ban on such service. The New York State Assembly on Friday, June 7, passed the “Jury of Our Peers Act,” which would allow those convicted of felonies to serve on New York juries once they are released from prison or have otherwise satisfied all of their sentencing requirements. Advocates say the move will help rectify an underrepresentation of minorities on juries. “Black New Yorkers have been systematically denied the right to serve on juries as they are dis…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward
Bill Adding Fencing To Hudson Valley Bridges To Prevent People From Deadly Jumps Moves Forward A bill aimed at stopping suicides by adding preventive fencing to five Hudson Valley bridges has passed the New York State Senate unanimously. Now, the bill introduced by State Sen. Pete Harckham (D, Mount Kisco), will move to the State Assembly, whose session ends on Friday, June 7, for consideration. The bill mandates that climb deterrent fencing be installed on all bridges under the New York State Bridge Authority (NYSBA) jurisdiction. The five Hudson Valley bridges are: Bear Mountain Bridge. Rip Van Winkle Bridge,  Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge,  Mid-Hudson Bridge,  Newbu…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
'Melanie's Law' Closing Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing Passes Assembly 'Melanie's Law' Closing Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing Passes Assembly
'Melanie's Law' Closing Loophole That Led To Hudson Valley Mom's Killing Passes Assembly Two years after a young mother from New York was stabbed to death by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, state lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at closing the dangerous loophole that led to her killing. On Tuesday, May 21, the New York Assembly passed “Melanie’s Law,” allowing judges to expand orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of named victims of domestic violence, regardless of their age. The legislation is named after Melanie Chianese, who was stabbed to death on May 29, 2022, inside the Dutchess County residence in Wappingers Falls that she shared with …

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by Michael Mashburn