A look at some of the top issues for the New York state Legislature during its 2019 session, which formally begins Wednesday and is scheduled to end June 19:
LEGALIZED MARIJUANA: Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he wants adult recreational use of pot legalized within the first 100 days of the session. The third-term Democrat hopes that within that period he and the Democrat-controlled Legislature will have hashed out specifics of how legalized marijuana will be sold, taxed and regulated. Legal sales likely wouldn’t begin for another two years.
SPORTS BETTING: New Jersey already has it, and privately owned and Native American-owned casinos in New York are preparing for the state to approve legally wagering on college and professional sports.
CONGESTION TOLLS: Charging private and commercial vehicles to enter the busiest parts of Manhattan would raise billions of much-needed revenues for New York City’s aging subway system.
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE: Many Democrats are pushing for a state-level, single-payer health care system.
CHILD VICTIMS ACT: Would extend the statute of limitations for child molestation and create a one-year window for victims to sue over old abuse claims. Opponents include the Roman Catholic Church.
CODIFYING ROE v. WADE: For years Senate Republicans blocked efforts to put federal legal protections of abortion rights in state law. With Democrats now in charge, however, supporters say it’s time to ensure those rights continue in New York if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned.
WSTM-Syracuse:
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