NEWS
Queens pols and grieving families celebrate passage of Sammy’s Law
Source: Queens Daily Eagle
Queens lawmakers, advocates and parents are breathing a sigh of relief after Sammy’s Law, a street safety measure pushed heavily by Queens electeds and families, was passed as part of the state budget over the weekend, allowing the city to determine the speed limit on its own streets.
Lawmakers have mixed feelings on issues of affordability, public safety in budget
Source: Spectrum News
With the budget process seemingly wrapping up, lawmakers are beginning to reflect on what was accomplished and what is still left to do.
NY to declare drug overdoses a state emergency? Lawmakers raise alarm about rising deaths
Source: Democrat & Chronicle
Anti-overdose efforts in New York have gained access to $335 million in opioid settlement funds so far, but mounting drug deaths have now fueled a push for a state emergency declaration to combat the public health crisis.
Astoria students learn about drones and green energy jobs at STEM event
Source: QNS
Over 40 students at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens in Astoria participated in a mentoring session on drone technology and green energy jobs Wednesday evening as part of an initiative to introduce young children to STEM careers.
Op-Ed | Let’s Pass a Budget Only Moms Can Deliver
Source: Empire Report
The halls of power have not always been open to us. There is no doubt that women are still a minority in the state legislature as we make up only 33% of seats between both the Assembly and Senate. But we are breaking glass ceilings as the number of moms and parents, particularly of school-aged children in the New York State legislature, is growing.
Bipartisan group calls on Hochul to declare opioid epidemic a public health emergency
Source: City & State
More than 50 state lawmakers signed on to a letter sent to the governor urging her to make the declaration.
Mayoral control extension in final state budget unlikely, lawmakers say
Source: Spectrum News
The city public school system’s top bureaucrat lobbied Albany lawmakers Tuesday, holding out hope that the Legislature grants Mayor Eric Adams an extension of mayoral control.
Gianaris and González-Rojas rally for MENA Bill recognizing Middle Eastern and North African communities in state data
Source: QNS
State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas joined a number of local advocacy groups to call for support of their proposed legislation that disaggregates Middle Eastern and North African populations from white demographics in state-collected data.
Parents, pols rally for safer streets
Source: Queens Chronicle
They did it for Bayron Palomino Arroyo, 8; for Giovanni Ampuero, 9; Dolma Naadhun, 7; Quintus Chen, 3; Doniqueca Cooke, 21; and for those they left behind, hoping no other parents will lose their children because of a bad or inattentive driver.
Unions, lawmakers rally for higher education funding in the final state budget
Source: NYUT
Albany — New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person, United University Professions President Fred Kowal and Professional Staff Congress/CUNY President James Davis were joined by lawmakers and advocates at the state Capitol on Tuesday in calling on the Legislature to hold firm on increased funding for SUNY, CUNY and community colleges in the state’s final budget.
New York advocates push for emergency declaration, more funding to address substance use disorder
Source: Spectrum News
Some New York lawmakers and advocates are pushing the state to invest more in prevention, treatment and recovery when it comes to substance use disorders. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Senate and Assembly all made slightly different budget proposals for fighting the crisis.
Immigration Advocates Say Hike in Legal Services Budget Is Needed to Fix 'Completely Broken' System
Source: Law.com
New York's migrant system is "completely broken," and that was even before the current wave of asylum seekers reached upward of 175,000 newcomers, said state Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, D-Queens.
New York’s legislative moms come out against school district funding cuts
Source: City & State
The newly formed Mom Squad in the state Legislature are calling on New York’s first mom governor to reverse her school aid proposal that would lead to cuts for districts across the state.
Restaurants react to bill that could raise wages
Source: Spectrum News
A new bill has been introduced that would raise the base pay for tipped workers.
Should tipped workers get paid minimum wage?
Source: Riverdale Press
As it currently stands city restaurants are only required to pay their workers a wage of $10.65 an hour, barring that wage combined with tips isn’t less than $16.
Conflicting views on mandating minimum wage for tipped workers in N.Y.
Source: Spectrum News
Some advocates are pushing lawmakers to ensure tipped workers in New York State receive at least the statewide minimum wage before tips are factored in.
Lawmakers voice concerns over human services funding at budget hearing
Source: Spectrum News
State lawmakers want more funding for workers and human services in the state budget compared to what Gov. Kathy Hochul wants as workforce sectors across the state remain under-resourced and much of the executive's proposal reduces spending ahead of projected future deficits.
Major Upstate New York food retailers, health advocates call for SNAP increase
Source: Spectrum News
Health advocates and major upstate New York food retailers including Price Chopper and Tops Friendly Markets are calling for an increase in the SNAP program to combat food insecurity in the Empire State via letters sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
New York State Contemplates Bill Mandating Minimum Wage for Restaurant Staff
Source: Published Reporter
A proposed state measure that would boost the minimum wage for servers is raising the fears of restaurant owners in New York City.