Government

Texting While Driving Tickets Up 35% Statewide

Texting While Driving Tickets Up 35% Statewide

Targeted Efforts by Law Enforcement Leads to 35% Increase in Tickets Tickets issued to motorists for texting while driving increased 35 percent statewide from 2013 to 2014, as police continue to crack down on distracted drivers. In recent years, several initiatives […]

by · April 14, 2015 · Government
The NYS CAPITOL BUILDING, ALBANY,

Governor Cuomo Uses Veto Pen 184 Times

Today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo used his veto pen to strike 184 items from the 2015-16 Enacted Budget. In some cases – such as $53,000 in re-appropriations for Bronx settlement house programs  – funds were fully expended. The vetoes include 30 reappropriations for items that […]

by · April 14, 2015 · Government
The NYS CAPITOL BUILDING, ALBANY,

CORRUPTION WATCH: Albany’s Ethics Reform Leaves Transformation for Another Day

Now that the ink is dry on New York State’s budget, it’s a good time to rate Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the ethics reform promise he made two months ago. In a nutshell, it looks like a disappointment: the ethics […]

#Not62: GOV CUOMO ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT OBESITY

#Not62: GOV CUOMO ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT OBESITY

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday encouraged New Yorkers to help fight obesity during this year’s 20th anniversary of National Public Health Week, which began Monday, April 6. Obesity, the second leading cause of preventable death in the nation, has also reached […]

The NYS CAPITOL BUILDING, ALBANY,

CORRUPTION WATCH: Cuomo’s Ethics Reforms Fall Short

  Window Dressing, Not Reform by Russ Haven, Esq.   Albany has seen a parade of scandals over the past decade:  Two sitting governors; three of the past four Senate Majority Leaders; the Speaker of the Assembly; a state Comptroller; […]

Week In Pictures: BP Diaz at Ferry Point, Israel Discussion, Unclaimed Funds

Week In Pictures: BP Diaz at Ferry Point, Israel Discussion, Unclaimed Funds

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. tees off towards Manhattan on the opening day of the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in The Bronx on April 1, 2015.   New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli presents Bronx Borough […]

Education Transformation Act of 2015

Education Transformation Act of 2015

Budget Includes Landmark Education Reforms  New York’s education system is set to implement some of its most dramatic and fundamental reforms in years through Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Education Transformation Act. “When it comes to education, the budget we approved will […]

by · April 2, 2015 · Education News, Government, News
Metro North Funding in New State Budget

Metro North Funding in New State Budget

The recently enacted State Budget allocates the state’s $5.4 billion in financial settlements to continue growing and strengthening New York’s economy. The budget includes the $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative to jumpstart the best regional approaches to economic development, $1.3 […]

by · April 2, 2015 · Government
Corruption Watch: BerlinRosen’s Silver Lining Playbook

Corruption Watch: BerlinRosen’s Silver Lining Playbook

Why Did Sheldon Silver Pay A Consultant $750,000 and Spend Almost $2 Million When He Had No Challengers? by Gary Tilzer From 2010 to 2014, Friends of Silver (the former Speaker’s main campaign account) paid lobbyists campaign consultant BerlinRosen over $750,000.  […]

CORRUPTION WATCH: Gov. Cuomo Touts New Ethics Reforms Enacted in State Budget

CORRUPTION WATCH: Gov. Cuomo Touts New Ethics Reforms Enacted in State Budget

Ethics Reform Includes Nation’s Strongest and Most Comprehensive Disclosure Laws for Public Officials with Outside Income Ethics in government and conflicts of interest in the legislature have been among the most persistent issues facing New York State for generations. Governor […]

DC37, City Reach Living Wage Agreement

District Council 37 leaders and city officials have agreed to a living wage for thousands of public service workers previously earning $10 per hour or less. Union and city officials recently signed a memorandum of understanding that boosts wages to $11.50 […]

by · March 31, 2015 · Government, Labor

Sen. Diaz: Real Opportunities for Black and Hispanic Students 

What You Should Know By State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz Real Opportunities for Black and Hispanic Students  You should know that charter schools are creating real opportunities for Black and Hispanic students throughout the five boroughs of New York City […]

by · March 30, 2015 · Education News, Government, Op Ed

BREAKING NEWS:Cuomo, Legislature Reach Budget Accord

Fifth straight on-time budget achieved Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced an agreement on the 2015-16 State Budget. The Budget agreement includes landmark education reforms and investment, an ethics package with […]

by · March 29, 2015 · Government, News
Williamsbridge Oval Park Nominated to State and Federal Historic Places Registry

Williamsbridge Oval Park Nominated to State and Federal Historic Places Registry

(Albany NY) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended the addition of  Williamsbridge Oval Park and 21 other properties, resources and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic […]

by · March 25, 2015 · Government, Local News, Parks
Parents, Clergy Urge Lawmakers to Take Action of Education Reforms

Parents, Clergy Urge Lawmakers to Take Action of Education Reforms

Albany NY – More than a dozen parents and members of clergy traveled to the New York State Capitol building in Albany on Wednesday afternoon to urge the passage of bold, structural education reforms to fix statewide failing schools. With nearly 800,000 […]

by · March 25, 2015 · Education News, Government