The Cuomo administration announced today that layoff notices went out to 321 state workers because it has yet to reach a labor agreement with some major public-employee unions. The Public Employees Federation is the main recipient of the cuts after the Civil Service Employees Union last month reached a tentative… Read More →
Yes, 29 Democrats voted for the same-sex marriage bill last month. But no, not all 29 are members of the Senate Democratic Conference, points out Rich Azzopardi, spokesman for the Senate Independent Democratic Conference. “The Independent Democratic Conference is proud to have been part of a bi-partisan coalition of four… Read More →
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office certified Yonkers 2012 fiscal year budget on July 1, the same day it took effect. Here is a copy of the letter released by City Hall: State Comptroller Certifies Yonkers’ 2012 Budget
UPDATED (4:45 p.m.): DEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said the department’s oil and gas program was not affected by today’s cuts. “Any layoffs required as part of achieving workforce savings will have no impact on the review, monitoring and enforcement of activities associated with hydraulic fracturing,” she said in a statement…. Read More →
Here’s the New York City-commissioned report leaked to the New York Times yesterday that warns of potential pollution problems and higher energy costs if the Westchester County-based Indian Point nuclear plant were to close in 2016, when its permits would official expire. The 105-page report from the Charles River Associates… Read More →
Lambda Legal has produced a document with answers to frequently asked questions on New York’s new same-sex marriage law. The law takes effect July 24, although most town and city clerks’ office won’t be open that Sunday. Exceptions include New York City, Binghamton and the town of Ithaca. The gay-marriage law… Read More →
About 150 people opposed to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas rallied in Albany today, calling for a statewide ban less than a week after the state Department of Environmental Conservation released its latest review of the practice. The protesters held a press conference in the well of the Legislative Office… Read More →
Senate Democrats, seeking a return to the majority in the 2012 elections, sent out a fundraising appeal today touting their legislative successes. “Just two weeks ago, we concluded what was truly an historic legislative session in Albany. Together, Senate Dems worked diligently to balance our state’s checkbook while at the… Read More →
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced that New York and 24 other states reached a $92 million settlement with J.P. Morgan Chase over fraudulent and anti-competitive conduct in regards to municipal bond transactions with governments and nonprofits. As part of the settlement, $65.5 million will go to restitution for affected… Read More →
A look at eight counties within the Finger Lakes region found that 30 percent of gas rights to the land was leased to natural gas companies between 2005 to 2010, an environmental group found. Citizens Campaign for the Environment released a report today mapping out where and to whom lands… Read More →
