The Legislative Gazette

This week on The Gazette, The federal pandemic relief package moving through Congress will go a long way toward filling New York’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit. But Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature will still need to plug a smaller gap. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the embattled governor and the looming state budget. With eviction moratoriums continuing for almost a year, lawmakers in Albany are trying to find ways to assist landlords struggling from a loss of rent during the pandemic. (more…)

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for the first time publicly addressed sexual harassment accusations against him Wednesday, saying he did not intend to make anyone uncomfortable and that he is truly sorry. Many are calling for his resignation, including some fellow Democrats, but the governor says he’s not leaving. (more…)

This week, Two former female aides to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are accusing him of bad behavior. One says the governor sexually harassed her in incidents that included inappropriate touching and an invitation to play strip poker. Cuomo denies the allegations. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the political ramifications of the allegations against the governor. Also, New York U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney were in Newburgh Monday announcing legislation to protect firefighters from PFAS. (more…)

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo broke days of silence over escalating accusations that he and his top aides deliberately withheld key COVID-19 death numbers of nursing home residents. Our political observer Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the controversy. Also, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is prioritizing restaurants in a new COVID-19 relief bill. (more…)

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and officials from President Joe Biden’s administration say they will open mass COVID-19 vaccination sites in medically underserved areas, beginning in Queens and Brooklyn, and later upstate. Our political observer Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the ongoing controversy surrounding the number of deaths in NY nursing homes due to COVID-19. The Chancellor of the SUNY system visited three northern New York campuses Monday as students begin to return for in-person classes. (more…)