The Legislative Gazette

This week, New York Attorney General Tish James released a bombshell report finding Governor Andrew Cuomo violated multiple state and federal laws by sexually harassing multiple women. Our political observer Alan Chartock discusses whether the Governor will be forced to resign. Also, we’ll look at the rules for traveling to Canada with the border set to open on August 9th.

This week, a newly formed coalition is joining with lawmakers to campaign for a ballot measure to give New Yorkers a constitutional right to clean air and clean water. Our political observer Alan Chartock discusses Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York’s 21st District’s comments on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Also, amid ongoing unrest in Cuba, rallies for change in the Caribbean nation are continuing in upstate New York.

This week, despite new voting reforms, a leading voter advocate says the state needs to do more before mail-in balloting is universally accessible. Our political observer Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on his conversation with Westchester County Executive George Latimer. Also, more than 80 organizations urge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to protect Rockland County’s drinking water.

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo held a unity event Wednesday with Eric Adams, the winner of the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on Adams and the event. Also, Governor Cuomo’s “disaster emergency” over gun violence is drawing mixed reaction from local and federal officials.

Photo courtesy of Flickr/ The Office of Gov. Cuomo

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo targets guns after the COVID emergency as critics warn of a power grab. Our political obeserver Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on Cuomo’s executive order regarding guns. The U.S.-Canada border has been closed since March 20, 2020, with all but essential travelers limited since. There have been growing calls on both sides to reopen the border now that vaccinations are curtailing the spread of COVID-19.

A fiscal watchdog group is using the Freedom of Information Law to try to get New York state’s health department to release more detailed data on the over 42,000 New Yorkers who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the NYC Board of Elections. At a rally, last weekend outside the governor’s mansion in Albany, activists and elected officials demanded an increase in clemencies granted to the incarcerated.

This week, Environmental groups say there were some wins in the recently concluded New York State legislative session; including a new constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to clean air and water. But, business groups say the provision could lead to all sorts of complications. Our political observer Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the primary races in New York. Also, U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Colonie, New York this week. The Democrat is pushing to make the Universal School Meals program permanent.

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that he’s lifting all remaining state COVID-19 restrictions, including requirements for mask-wearing and social distancing, and capacity limits at events. The announcement comes after New York reached the governor’s goal of 70% of adults receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. We also hear from our political observer Alan Chartock, who shares his thoughts on the 2021 New York City mayor’s race. And, three bills intended to upgrade U.S. drinking water systems and address toxic pollutants took a step forward Wednesday as the conversation in Washington D.C. focuses on a wide-ranging infrastructure package.

Photo courtesy of NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

This week, calls are intensifying for the border between the U.S and Canada to re-open. Federal authorities on both sides appear to be moving toward a possible phased in reopening soon. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock, shares his thoughts on the criminal justice reforms that continue to dominate at the end of the New York Legislative session. Also, the New York State Senate’s Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday over Governor Andrew Cuomo’s nominees to the state’s highest court.

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Democrats who lead the New York State legislature are moving ahead with several criminal justice reforms in the remaining weeks of the 2021 session. But Republicans are pushing back saying the measures go too far and will contribute to the rising crime rates across the state. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the proposed reforms. Also, the New York State Attorney General’s Office is suing the Rensselaer County Board of Elections over its early voting program.