New York Almanack

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politics

Avoiding A Repeat of 2020 Election Attacks

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Voting illustration by Lincoln Agnew courtesy Brennan Center for Justice at NYU LawAfter the 2020 election, Donald Trump and his allies assaulted, and continue to assault, our democratic system. It remains vulnerable in 2024.

Some of the loopholes they exploited have been closed — for example, Congress updated the Electoral Count Act — but many remain. If any defeated candidate, were to deploy the same tactics in 2024, we would still be relying on the goodwill and law-abiding honesty of individual officials to ensure a smooth and lawful transition. [Read more…] about Avoiding A Repeat of 2020 Election Attacks

The Heart Network Seeks Stories About Medical Debt

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Medical debt photo courtesy AARPThe Heart Network is seeking stories from Northern New York residents impacted by medical debt. The testimonials collected will be used to support a statewide campaign to end medical debt.

Earlier this year, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act, which would protect patients from having their credit ruined due to the reporting of medical debt to credit bureaus. Medical debt is a serious issue that affects 100 million Americans — 41% of the population. [Read more…] about The Heart Network Seeks Stories About Medical Debt

2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public

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Salt Plow Truck courtesy Adirondack CouncilIn December 2020, the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act was signed into law, creating the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. The Task Force was organized in 2021, led by Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Transportation (DOT), and completed its deliberations by late 2022.

As a new winter and road salt season approaches there has been no news or public information about the report, which has apparently been drafted for months. [Read more…] about 2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public

Raul Aguirre Named Adirondack Council Executive Director

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The Adirondack Council’s Board of Directors today announced that it had hired the Council’s current Deputy Executive Director Raul “Rocci” Aguirre to be the new Executive Director of the organization, effective immediately. [Read more…] about Raul Aguirre Named Adirondack Council Executive Director

State Legislature Passes Bill Banning Wildlife Killing Contests

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New York State CapitolOn June 21, 2023, the New York State Assembly passed legislation carried by Deborah Glick, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Conservation to ban wildlife killing contests in New York State. This bill was passed by the State Senate in early June, carried by Senator Timothy Kennedy. If the legislation is signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul as expected, New York State will become the ninth state to ban wildlife killing contests. [Read more…] about State Legislature Passes Bill Banning Wildlife Killing Contests

Environmental Bond Act Listening Sessions

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DEC LogoOverwhelmingly approved by voters last fall, the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act prioritizes investments in environmental justice, climate change mitigation, shoreline restoration, flood resilience, water quality, open space conservation, recreational resources, and green jobs. This spring and summer, the public and potential funding applicants will be able to learn more about the Bond Act at a series of educational listening sessions. [Read more…] about Environmental Bond Act Listening Sessions

Adirondack Bills Advance in Legislative Session

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New York State CapitolAdirondack Park advocates are celebrating passage of three bills that would protect birds and bees from pesticides, protect native aquatic plants from invasive species, and deal with a violation of the New York State Constitution’s “forever wild” clause. [Read more…] about Adirondack Bills Advance in Legislative Session

Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Caucus Named Adirondack Conservationist of the Year

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Adirondack CouncilThe Adirondack Council will present its Conservationist of the Year Award to the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative (BPHA) Caucus for its support of Adirondack environmental science, education, jobs and wilderness protection. [Read more…] about Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Caucus Named Adirondack Conservationist of the Year

$1M for Museum Study Act in NYS Budget

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New York State CapitolThe 2023/24 New York State Budget included $1M in funding for The Museum Study Act. The department of economic development, in conjunction with other departments and entities, are expected to conduct a comprehensive study of public and private museums and report their findings and recommendations. [Read more…] about $1M for Museum Study Act in NYS Budget

NY’s Paid Family Leave Helping Millions of Workers

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Paid Family Leave Laws 2021Payments under New York’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) program rose steadily between 2018 and 2021 as the amount of allowable time off and weekly cash benefits increased. Almost eight million workers were covered under PFL, with $872 million paid on approximately 156,000 claims in 2021, the latest year for which PFL data is available from the state Department of Financial Services, according to an analysis by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. [Read more…] about NY’s Paid Family Leave Helping Millions of Workers