Reps. Reed, Brindisi say more investment needed for rural broadband
Industries across the country are rapidly growing reliant on internet connectivity. As that expansion continues, getting rural areas connected to the internet is also growing as a pressing issue for the nation’s lawmakers. Last week, a House subcommittee held a hearing about success stories of rural areas that have been able to extend access to…
Upstate members introduce fix for rural hospitals
Some upstate hospitals may see some relief after a bipartisan bill introduced by three New York members of Congress attempts to clear up some bureaucratic confusion. Many hospitals across upstate don’t see enough patients to survive on their own. So, they receive what’s called a Volume Decrease Adjustment from Medicaid and Medicare payments in order…
Brindisi votes for election security bill, Katko votes against it
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Securing America’s Federal Elections Act, a measure aimed at increasing election security. Listen to the full story here: View the full story HERE.
Tompkins gets approval to spend local dollars on affordable housing
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — With authorization to now put local dollars directly toward affordable housing, Tompkins County may see more projects funded and more creative solutions to mitigate local demand for apartments and houses. For the full story, click HERE
Tompkins to get third county court judge
TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — Tompkins County is poised to be one of the few jurisdictions in New York to receive authorization for an additional county court judge after legislation passed as part of last week’s end-of-session additions to the state budget deal. For the full story, click HERE
Capitol Watch: Big bills on farm workers, marijuana and climate change debated
ITHACA, N.Y. — This week’s Capitol Watch is a few stories packed in one, as some big legislation moved forward, including a bill about labor requirements for farm workers with the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, partial marijuana decriminalization and a sweeping new set of goals for action on climate change. For the full story,…
Capitol Watch: Legislature pushes to pass progressive measures before wrapping up
ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Legislature is done for the year on Wednesday and legislators are pushing to pass progressive measures like driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants before time runs out. Last week they narrowly passed a bill to ban religious vaccine exemptions and sweeping new changes to rent and tenant laws. At…
Brindisi introduces bill to eliminate automatic pay raises for Congress
The House of Representatives won’t be getting a pay raise this year, after freshmen Democrats, including Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) protested to leadership. Now, Brindisi and a bipartisan group of representatives are taking it a step further. Brindisi has introduced a bill to permanently eliminate the mechanism that raises Congress’ pay each year. Download the…
Capitol Watch: Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, vaccines and climate goals
ITHACA, N.Y. — The clock is ticking in Albany as lawmakers are in the last two weeks of the legislative session considering bills that would extend driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, close religious exemptions on vaccines, set new climate and energy goals and legalize recreational marijuana. For the full story, click HERE
Capitol Watch: 9 legislative updates you may have missed over the long weekend
National political headlines were dominated by calls for impeachment, lost hopes of infrastructure week and subpoena filings last week, but lawmakers in Albany and Washington took on a range of issues before leaving town for a weeklong recess. The House passed a major bipartisan plan to help Americans save for retirement, a disaster relief bill…