Category Archives: Unshackle Upstate Update

Statewide Crash of Online English Exams

On Tuesday, the statewide English exams for grades 3 through 8 were disrupted by computer glitches throughout the system. Some students received system error notifications, while others were unable to log into the online system at all. This is the second year in a row where online test takers had to deal with glitches and generally similar […]


Attorney General Announces Lawsuit Against New York City Stem Cell Clinic

Attorney General Letitia James today announced a lawsuit filed against Park Avenue Stem Cell, a New York City for-profit stem cell clinic, and its managing doctor, Dr. Joel B. Singer, M.D., for allegedly engaging in fraudulent and illegal advertising regarding its stem cell procedures. The lawsuit alleges that the clinic falsely advertised their ability to treat a number of diseases […]


Updates, Reminders and Links

City & State NY’s weekly Winners & Losers here. How the State Budget will impact your wallet, for better or worse. The Legislature eyes an aggressive post-budget agenda. Driver of Schoharie limo tragedy had significant amount of marijuana in system. Governor releases a women’s salary negotiating guide.


Coming Up

The Board of Regents will next meet on April 8 and 9. Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing to explore ways to provide oversight of for-profit schools at 10:00am on April 10 in Albany (Hearing Room A, LOB). The Public Service Commission will hold its next meeting on April 18. Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on the issue […]


Legislature Passes Debt Service Budget Appropriation

The legislature this week passed the debt service appropriation, which is traditionally the first of the budget bills to pass each year as it does not require amendment, giving the legislature a lot of discretion regarding the timing of passage. It is typically a sign that the process is moving forward with an end in sight, […]


Governor Signs Prosecutorial Conduct Chapter Amendment

Governor Cuomo signed into law a chapter amendment to the prosecutorial conduct commission. The original bill passed last year and was signed by the Governor (Chapter 202 of the laws of 2018) with an approval message indicating that the Governor expected to work with the Legislature to address certain constitutional issues identified by the Attorney General’s office via a […]


Governor Announces ReCharge NY Power Allocations

The Governor announced the latest round of ReCharge NY power allocations this week as the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees approved 16.7 megawatts of low-cost allocations to 23 different entities across the state. The program began in 2011 and currently provides power to 770 businesses and not-for-profit organizations. NYPA’s board also approved the seven year Alcoa […]


Rockland County Declares Measles State of Emergency

Rockland County has declared a state of emergency regarding a measles outbreak that is now entering its 26th week. The county is banning any unvaccinated minor under 18 from any public places until they receive the vaccination. It is unclear how they intend to enforce the ban, however, if anyone found in violation they could face 6 […]


US Representative Jose Serrano Will Not Seek Reelection

Long-time Bronx congressman Jose Serrano announced that he would not seek reelection amid revelations that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. First elected in 1990, Serrano is the longest-serving Hispanic-American in the House of Representatives. Serrano said: “After my diagnosis, I initially planned to continue my work representing the people of the South Bronx […]


New York Racing Association Names New CEO

This week the New York Racing Association (NYRA) named a new CEO, elevating David O’Rourke from the title of interim president and CEO. O’Rourke assumed the interim position after the resignation of Chris Kay in the wake of allegations he used NYRA employees to do work on his home in Saratoga. Prior to holding the interim […]