Lawmakers debate healthcare for asylum seekers in New York
The federal government has approved New York to provide health care coverage to migrants with asylum seeker status and undocumented residents, marking a significant step towards inclusion. However, the legislation to actualize this must pass ... more
Senate passes HEAT Act: Natural gas appliances one step closer to being banned in NY
The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances, which would reduce the use of natural gas in the state ... more
Supervisors debate, ultimately delay vote on asylum seeker resolution in Ontario County
Last week, the Ontario County Board of Supervisors postponed a vote on a resolution addressing the unplanned relocation of asylum seekers from New York City to Ontario County. Canandaigua Supervisor Jared Simpson proposed several amendments, ... more
Student loan payments will soon resume thanks to debt ceiling deal
As part of the recent debt ceiling agreement passed by Congress, student loan repayments are set to resume. This provision is part of a broader deal that prevents the nation from defaulting by enabling the ... more
Packaging and Recycling Infrastructure Act faces pushback from state business leaders
The Packaging and Recycling Infrastructure Act, a late amendment bill aimed at mitigating plastic pollution and enhancing recycling statewide, has drawn strong opposition from state business leaders. The proposed legislation seeks to establish an Extended ... more
Hochul says changes to Clean Slate Act possible before end of session
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday her confidence in the passing of the Clean Slate Act, a proposal aimed at sealing many criminal records, before state lawmakers adjourn for the year. The act, seen as ... more
Auburn City Council approves 2023-24 budget
In a party-line vote, the Auburn City Council gave the green light to the 2023-24 budget, amounting to $45,117,898. This figure, passed 4-1 at Thursday's meeting, shows a slight .06% drop from the existing year's ... more
Lawmakers: Home sales need to have better flood disclosures
Amidst escalating flood concerns linked to climate change, a new bill has progressed in the New York state Assembly to bolster flood risk disclosure to homebuyers. The bill, supported by Assemblymember Robert Carroll, is set ... more
Sen. Gillibrand takes aim at improving hunger among seniors
In an effort to combat food insecurity among seniors, Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced the Senior Hunger Prevention Act on Thursday. Gillibrand noted that despite the availability of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), half ... more
How much chocolate milk do students drink? 70% of all consumed at school is chocolate
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed new nutrition standards for school lunches, focusing particularly on chocolate milk, a staple in many school meals. Currently, while unflavored low-fat or fat-free milk is mandatory, flavored ... more
Don’t expect bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores to be approved
The proposal permitting wine sales in New York grocery stores is expected to be shelved for the year. Top Democrats have indicated the lack of legislative consensus as reason for the delay. Additionally, a comprehensive ... more
Local boy scout camp may be sold to New York State, managed by Seneca County
Boy Scout Camp Babcock-Hovey, located on the east shore of Seneca Lake, might be sold to the state and managed by Seneca County through a local development corporation. On May 23, the county Board of ... more
Tax increase on out-of-state health insurance profits draws mixed reactions from NY lawmakers
A proposal supported by Democratic lawmakers and a prominent health care workers union may lead to a tax hike for health insurance companies operating in New York with out-of-state entities. The measure, set to impose ... more
Lawmakers want early voting by mail in New York: Can they get it?
In response to New York voters' rejection of a constitutional amendment for no-excuse absentee balloting, Democratic lawmakers are now proposing to broaden early voting options by including voting by mail. The proposal, endorsed by Assemblymember ... more
Steuben legislature receives $5.8M for emergency communications upgrade
The Steuben County Legislature has received a $5.8 million grant from New York State, intended to strengthen emergency response communications within the county and its neighbors, Allegany, Chemung, and Schuyler. The investment is set to ... more
Supreme Court rolls back protections for wetlands in broad ruling that favors farmers, developers, and polluting industries
New York State’s top environmental regulator today condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday that will remove millions of acres of environmentally sensitive wetlands from federal regulation. The Montezuma Wildlife Refuge in Seneca, Wayne and ... more
Cayuga Lake shore property sparks controversy in Aurora
A dispute over the future of a 300-foot slice of the Cayuga Lake shore owned by Wells College has gripped the village of Aurora. Kevin Fitzgerald, co-manager of the college's golf course and representing Aurora ... more
Rental and housing protections targeted as final legislative hurdle for this session in Albany
The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus is intensifying its advocacy for reforms focused on education, health, criminal justice, and notably, housing and tenant protections as the current legislative session ... more
Ontario County officials urge state to come up with housing plan for asylum seekers
Ontario County officials are urging the New York State government to devise a housing plan amidst the recent surge of migrants and asylum seekers. Todd Campbell, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, voiced concerns regarding ... more
