Blog

A settlement was reached this week between New York City and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District over fraudulent damage claims in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. According to the filing, NYC Department of Transportation claimed pre-existing damage to the city fleet as having occurred during the storm and sought and received federal funds for replacement of vehicles […]

The New York State Complete Count Commission has scheduled six public hearings to begin the process of readying the state for the upcoming census. The commission has been maligned by advocates who bemoaned the late start. The commission’s final report was supposed to have been released on January 10th, but, Governor Cuomo did not appoint his members until January […]

City & State NY’s weekly Winners & Losers here. Cuomo attacks Senate Dems, calling the Amazon debacle as “the greatest tragedy I have seen since I have been in government” – Listen here. Times Union reviews Cuomo’s backseat seatbelt proposal. Replacement for Joe Crowley as Queens Democrat Chair named. Reports surface that James Dolan is taking offers to sell the Knicks. Jim Boeheim involved in tragic accident resulting in […]

JCOPE will meet Tuesday, February 29th. Sen. Metzger to hold a public hearing on the Climate & Community Protection Act on March 1st at 2pm. Hearing will be held at the New Paltz Village Hall. The Board of Regents will hold its next meeting March 11-12. PSC will hold its next meeting on March 14th.

The Governor, joined by Comptroller DiNapoli, held a press conference this week to announce that revenue collections had fallen far short of original projections, creating a massive $2.3 billion gap in this year’s budget. The Governor stated that a significant drop in personal income tax (PIT) receipts were the cause of the shortfall, blaming the federal cap […]

During the President’s State of the Union address this week he criticized New York’s passing of the Reproductive Health Act and proceeded to call on Congress to pass a law banning late term abortions. The President’s comments prompted push-back from the Governor and his administration, the Washington Post (owned by Amazon) had a fact check article produced […]

In a bold move, Senator Stewart-Cousins appointed Senator Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) to the powerful Public Authorities Control Board (PACB), setting up for a fight with the Governor over the approval of Amazon subsidies for the new headquarters in Long Island City. The appointment is notable as Senator Gianaris has been a vocal critic of the deal to lure the new headquarters […]

Well, that didn’t take long. Reports emerged Friday that Amazon was rethinking its proposed New York City Headquarters due to local opposition. The sources were anonymous, but, suggested that Amazon had made no official decision yet – only that the decision would have to be made soon. Cuomo was quoted: “For the State Senate to oppose Amazon […]

This week the Governor announced that IBM would be investing $2 billion for artificial intelligence-focused computer chip research, development, prototyping, testing and simulation, growing its high-tech footprint on SUNY Poly campus. Empire State Development is expected to provide a $300 million capital grant over five years to support this endeavor. Cuomo Said: “New York has […]

Attorney General Tish James announced this week that she would be submitting to the legislature a program bill designed to penalize any employer who threatens to call federal authorities regarding the immigration status or suspected immigration status of an employee. This new legislation will amend the Labor Law to make clear that such an action […]