Lawmakers try to connect veterans to state benefits
June 18, 2021 – Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett, a Hudson Valley Democrat, breaks down a slew of bills approved by state lawmakers designed to ensure veterans and their families...
View ArticlePhysicians celebrate vaccine milestone, ready to vaccinate more New Yorkers
June 18, 2021 – Dr. Bonnie Litvack, a member of the governor’s vaccine distribution and implementation task force, discusses the recent COVID-19 vaccine threshold hit by the state, peels back the...
View ArticleAndrew Hevesi is working for New York’s kids
June 18, 2021 – If 2020 was a dark year for New York’s child care industry, 2021 has the potential to be the dawn of a new era, according to Assembly Children and Families Committee Chair Andrew...
View ArticleNew York City state lawmakers pursue shorter commutes
June 21, 2021 – On Tuesday, June 22, a handful of state lawmakers from New York City are hoping to win Democratic primaries and trade in Albany for municipal jobs closer to home. City & State New...
View ArticleRochester lawmaker finishes first session with accomplishments, but more left...
June 21, 2021 – Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Samra Brouk, a Rochester-area Democrat, talks about her end-of-session legislative victories, reflects on her first session in Albany and reviews...
View ArticleNew York State Bar Association wades into police reform debate
June 22, 2021 – As part of the ongoing discussion about reforming policing in New York, a task force from the New York State Bar Association has released its own recommendations for improving law...
View ArticleSmall businesses vie for help from $800 million state pandemic fund
June 22, 2021 – Kate Baker, interim director of the New York State Small Business Development Center, explains the ins and outs of an $800 million small business relief fund – including who benefits...
View ArticleLawmakers update local tax rules to ensure big box stores pay their fair share
June 22, 2021 – Senate Local Government Committee Chair Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat, talks about his campaign to ensure big box stores pay their fair share of taxes, discusses the challenges...
View ArticleNew York’s marijuana gold rush hindered by state’s regulatory rollout
June 23, 2021 – Marijuana was immediately legalized for adult consumption this spring with the adoption of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, but many components of the new law are awaiting...
View ArticleRenewed scrutiny of New York’s bar exam
June 23, 2021 – The New York State Bar Association says it’s time to overhaul the content on the bar exam and potentially create new pathways to practicing law in the Empire State
View ArticleAssembly studies concurrent mental health and substance abuse treatment...
June 23, 2021 – Assembly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck, a Capital Region Democrat, discusses strategies to ensure New Yorkers with mental health and substance abuse conditions...
View ArticleCounty executives reflect on early days of pandemic battle
June 24, 2021 – We’re highlighting the stories of county executives from the early days of the pandemic, which were recorded as part of the New York State Association of Counties new book reflecting on...
View ArticleBorder restrictions continue to hinder travel between America and Canada
June 24, 2021 – With the border between America and Canada still tightly controlled, Assemblymember D. Billy Jones, a North Country Democrat, is calling for unilateral action by American officials to...
View ArticleFreshman state lawmaker wages uphill environmental campaign
June 24, 2021 – Assemblymember Anna Kelles, an Ithaca Democrat, talks about the unsuccessful campaign she led during her freshman year to restrict cryptocurrency mining operations gobbling up fossil...
View ArticleNew York’s parole overhaul prioritizes reintegration over reincarceration
June 25, 2021 – The Legal Action Center’s Corey Brinson and A Little Piece of Light founder Donna Hylton break down legislation – approved by state lawmakers and awaiting the governor’s signature –...
View ArticleNew York’s formally ends its pandemic disaster. Now what?
June 25, 2021 – On June 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo let the state’s 15-month-old disaster declaration expire, signaling a new chapter in New York’s battle with COVID-19. The USA Today’s Jon Campbell explains...
View ArticleExpanded child care benefits enter precarious pandemic transition
June 25, 2021 – The lapsing of the state’s disaster declaration will likely have immediate ramifications for the child care industry, with The Children’s Agenda Director of Policy Pete Nabozny...
View ArticleNew study targets prevention of harmful algal blooms
June 25, 2021 – Dr. Rick Relyea, director of the Jefferson Project at Lake George, discusses a new initiative studying the cause and potential prevention of harmful algal blooms at two lakes with...
View ArticleWill new state law dramatically alter hospital staffing? Maybe not
June 28, 2021 – Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation designed to overhaul staffing at hospitals, but will it make a big difference in the level and amount of care for patients? We turned to...
View ArticleVaccine researcher maps out uphill journey to COVID-19 herd immunity
June 28, 2021 – With a little more than half of New Yorkers fully vaccinated for COVID-19, we turned to Dr. Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, for ideas on increasing...
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