Tag: Kathy Hochul
State expanding mental health services for kids by making certification change
Parents searching for mental health help for kids have run into a long-standing problem in New York. There’s a serious lack of it available. The coronavirus pandemic made the statewide shortage of mental health experts worse. Now though, a bill included in ... MORE
Finger Lakes Forward: Ocean Insight expansion in Monroe County viewed as major win for region
Officials are calling it a major step for “Finger Lakes Forward.” The initiative was a strategy to revitalize communities in the Finger Lakes and grow the economy at large. This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Ocean Insight, a spectroscopic systems developer ... MORE
Over $100M being spent to rehabilitate, update NYS Thruway in Western, Central New York
Big improvements are coming to the New York State Thruway, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul. A series of projects were announced this week in Western and Central New York, which would mean major improvement to the interstate. In Western New York a ... MORE
Alyssa’s Law awaiting Governor Hochul’s signature
A new bill named Alyssa’s Law will create another layer of safety in the future for New York school districts. The bill named after 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff who was killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida shooting, will require schools to have a ... MORE
All new school buses in New York will need to be ‘zero emission’ by 2027
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $220 billion budget was signed into law last week, and clean-energy advocates say it includes a strong commitment to addressing climate change in the state. The budget requires all new school bus purchases to be ‘zero emission’ by 2027, and ... MORE
What happens next now that Benjamin has resigned? Who will be the next lieutenant governor?
The corruption charges brought against Former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, the Democrat who will remain on the ticket this fall despite being indicted this week, has resulted in a number of questions. Who will serve as interim lieutenant governor? Who will Governor ... MORE
Child care deserts: Billions will be spent to make access universal
Child care is expensive. Lawmakers at the state and federal level are trying to figure out the best ways to help parents afford child care, while giving providers the funds they need to keep doing the work. It’s a complex task, but ... MORE
State budget: New York really only giving up 50% of gas tax collection, alcohol-to-go comes with strings attached
Lawmakers agreed to terms of a new state budget, but New Yorkers are hardly satisfied with the outcome. The budget, which was days late, leaves significant gaps — especially for the business community. The state had a surplus of funds to work ... MORE
Gas prices: Will a gas tax suspension happen?
Gas prices are out of control and lawmakers are looking at ways to fix it. Three states across the United States have already suspended gasoline taxes to deal with inflated prices. The National average price for a gallon of gas was $4.25, ... MORE
Bolstering electrification policies will be crucial step in New York’s pending budget
The New York Legislature will approve Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget by April 1. Environmental advocates are pushing for the fiscal plan to include policies that move buildings off fossil fuels. Hochul’s budget includes $250 million for electrifying homes as part of a plan to ... MORE
New York drops mask mandate in schools: Hochul says it’s up to counties and parents
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday that it would be up to counties and parents to determine whether students would be required to mask up when heading to school. Lifting the mask mandate in New York’s schools was a step many had ... MORE
Update to New York mask mandate coming Wednesday, but expected to remain in schools
Governor Kathy Hochul says an update to the proof-of-vaccination or mask mandate is coming to New York on Wednesday. Exact details have not yet been leaked, but according to statements made last week, as well as an ongoing legal battle over the ... MORE
School mask mandate could fall with rest of executive order if found unconstitutional, despite Hochul efforts to prove otherwise
What’s next for New York’s mask mandate in schools? Attorneys say it comes down to how the state’s highest courts rule on it. Governor Kathy Hochul says the mask mandate imposed on private businesses, covering all public indoor spaces is different than ... MORE
Hochul says New Yorkers are doing the right thing: COVID positivity rate declines further
The COVID-19 positivity rate continued to decline on Sunday, as Governor Kathy Hochul gave a status update on the state’s battle against the Omicron variant. “New Yorkers are doing the right thing – getting vaccinated and receiving their booster, wearing their masks, ... MORE
New York mask mandate extended through February 10, then will be reassessed every two weeks
New York’s embattled indoor mask mandate has been extended. At least for a week- pending any further court action on the matter. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that the state’s mask mandate would be extended from February 1 to February 10 ... MORE
