Negotiations are now set to begin on a final budget, due by April 1, now that the Assembly and Senate have both passed one-house budget resolutions outlining their respective priorities. Both houses restored the Executive’s reduction of Medicaidspending contained in the 30 day amendments. Both houses also provided an additional $1.6 billion in education funding. The Assembly’s plan would add […]
In an op-ed published by the Daily News, Governor Cuomo pledged that he would not sign a budget that does not include criminal justice reforms. Issues specifically mentioned were changes to the bail system, the right to a speedy trial, and the discovery process. The Governor argues that our current bail system disproportionately affects the poor […]
Attorney General Tish James announced this week that she and the legislature have come to an agreement on legislation to close the double jeopardy loophole. The bill is designed to allow New York prosecutors to bring charges for state crimes committed in New York against anyone who is granted a presidential pardon for federal crimes. The double […]
Former Assembly Speaker Mel Miller, 79, passed away in Manhattan of complications from lung cancer. Miller served in the Assembly for 21 years and rose to the speakership in 1987 where he stood up to Governor Mario Cuomo, a fellow democrat, by fighting to enact a larger than proposed income tax cut. Miller advocated for education […]
Congressman Gregory Meeks was voted unanimously to replace Former Representative Joe Crowley as Chairman of the Queens County Democratic Committee. “I supported Greg’s candidacy to replace me as County Leader,” Crowley said. “I think he will do a great job of building on all our accomplishments in electing competent, ethical elected officials that are reflective of the […]
This week, both the Nassau and Suffolk County Executives argued that their respective counties should opt out of any potential recreational marijuana law the state may enact. Speaking to an audience at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday, County Executive Laura Curran said “Let me say it again, no legalized recreational marijuana sales in Nassau County. This is not […]
Robert Mujica, the Governor’s Budget Director, expressed doubt about the idea that New York could accelerate the opening of downstate casinos despite a recent push to do so in the wake of MGM’s purchase of Empire City Casino in Yonkers. Mujica said that even if the state could accelerate the issuance of licenses, it would not be […]
City & State NY’s weekly Winners & Losers here. State to launch new school funding transparency website. REBNY outlines issues with proposed pied-a-terre tax. Cuomo says Assembly doing the teachers union bidding in opposing property tax cap. A 227-year-old peace pipe-tomahawk given to a Seneca chief by George Washington is returning to Seneca land. Remington Arms laying off 300 workers. HBO to close Long Island facility.
The Commissioners of the State Board of Elections will meet on March 19. The legislature will hold a joint public hearing on the effectiveness of the state’s transit networks in Syracuse on March 22nd. JCOPE will hold its next meeting on March 26th The Board of Regents will next meet on April 8 and 9. Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing to […]
The end of last week marked the deadline for a consensus revenue forecast, reached by three-way negotiated agreement between the Governor, Assembly, and Senate. The revenue forecast is the foundation of the state budget, it is an agreement between the parties on how much money is available to spend in the upcoming spending plan. State […]