Blog

This week, the Governor signed a package of bills intended to increase protections for crime victims. The following bills were included: S.1868/A.5614 – Allows victims of domestic violence to seek damages against individuals who fail to obey or enforce an order of protection. This legislation will allow victims of domestic violence to recover monetary and non-monetary damages […]

This week, the Public Campaign Finance Commission held an organizational meetingin New York City to begin to the process of determining the details of a publicly financed campaign system. The commission agreed to hold five public meetings across the state over the coming months. According to reports, the first hearing will be held Sept. 10 at […]

This week, the Governor announced that New Yorkers can vote on the state’s next license plate design, which will be available in April. It was also announced that the state will require plates older than 10 years be replaced upon a vehicle registration renewal. The cost will be $25 for the new plate, plus a $20 up-charge to retain […]

City & State NY’s Winners and Losers here. City & State NY’s Brooklyn Power 100 here. Senator Kevin Parker gets a primary challenger. Senator Brian Benjamin considering a run for NYC Comptroller. Congressman Reed and Governor Cuomo exchange harsh words over thruway repair delay.

The Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention is holding aroundtable discussion in Madison County that will focus around challenges faced by rural communities on August 26 at 11:00 AM in the Madison County Board of Supervisors Chambers in Wampsville, NY. A Joint Assembly and Senate public hearing on the electric power system reliability will be held […]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have finalized an agreement that would return oversight of procurement and contracting to the comptroller’s office, powers that had come under scrutiny following the corruption arrests of a close former aide to the governor, upstate developers and the president of SUNY Polytechnic. The agreement was laid out in […]

Rochester is not rolling out the welcome mat for Verizon Wireless as the company gears up for next-generation 5G connectivity. That, at least, is the gist of a new lawsuit filed by Verizon Wireless against the city, which argues that Rochester’s regulations for installing telecom equipment – like small cell nodes – violate federal law by imposing non-cost-based fees […]

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is visiting Western New York this week. One of his stops Tuesday afternoon was New Era Field. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz (Left) with New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (Right) CREDIT NICK LIPPA / WBFO Talks of building a new stadium has been a hot topic […]

This week Governor Cuomo signed legislation (S.6577/A.8421) to enact new workplace harassment protections. This legislation eliminates the restriction that harassment be “severe or pervasive” in order to be legally actionable; mandates that all non-disclosure agreements allow employees to file a complaint of harassment or discrimination; and extends the statute of limitations for employment sexual harassment […]

Governor Cuomo signed a package of three bills aimed at protecting homeowners in New York. The legislation includes the following: Deed Fraud and Mortgage Scams (A.5615/S.1688) – Expands the existing safeguards provided under the Home Equity Theft Protection Act (“HETPA”) by covering not only homes in foreclosure, but also homes that are in default. The bill also […]