NY budget includes financial assistance for undocumented workers
The $212 billion budget deal, 10% higher than last year, seeks to rectify numerous issues posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Read more »
State
NY expands tax credits, lowers health insurance premiums for residents
In addition to the expansion of tax credits, the plan covers a wide variety of other measures, such as stimulus payments to individual citizens and financial support for colleges and universities. Read more »
When you can smoke, grow and buy marijuana in New York
Now that marijuana is legal in the state, residents can smoke marijuana in public spaces where cigarette smoking is allowed. Read more »
Lawmakers continue calls for Cuomo to resign following harassment allegations
State and national lawmakers have called for Cuomo’s resignation, and some key Democrats are calling for his impeachment. Read more »
NY legalizes recreational marijuana, expunges past convictions
Cuomo and New York state lawmakers recently reached an agreement for recreational marijuana legislation, and the state Senate and Assembly both voted to approve the bill on Tuesday. Read more »
New York will open vaccine eligibility to residents over 16 next week
The state will allow all residents 30 years old and older to become eligible on Tuesday and residents 16 years old and over to become eligible on April 6. Read more »
Local organization joins statewide effort to combat housing discrimination
Fair housing testing uses undercover testers, who pose as individuals looking to buy or rent a property, to determine if sellers act in a discriminatory way. Read more »
Sen. Schumer calls on Biden to reduce student debt with executive order
Schumer’s proposal would urge President Joe Biden and Miguel Cardona, the secretary of education, to forgive federal or federally-backed loans with executive power. Read more »
Biden calls for Cuomo resignation if investigation confirms allegations
Three women, including two former aides in Cuomo’s administration, have come forward with sexual harassment allegations against the governor. Read more »
Identification service will help prevent fraudulent unemployment claims
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the state’s partnership with ID.me on Feb. 25 after the state’s Department of Labor identified over 500,000 fraudulent unemployment claims that have occurred since the start of the pandemic. Read more »
New York State faces $15 billion COVID-19 budget deficit
COVID-19 related expenses, as well as losses in sales tax revenues during shutdowns, will cost the state about $39 billion over four years. Read more »
New SUNY initiatives aim to combat domestic and sexual violence
The plan, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his State of the State address in January, includes four new or updated initiatives meant to reduce sexual and domestic violence on SUNY campuses, as well as at other colleges and universities. Read more »
New York politicians support investigation into Cuomo harassment allegations
Two former aides have come forward saying Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed them while they were working for his administration. Read more »
Fraudulent unemployment claims target SU employees
There have been over 425,000 fraudulent claims statewide as of Feb. 2. The university is taking necessary precautions. Read more »
Relaxed regulations not enough to recover, Syracuse restaurant owners say
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a Feb. 14 executive order that New York state would extend mandated closing times for bars, restaurants and gyms by one hour. Read more »
After 97 days, state certifies Claudia Tenney as winner of NY-22 by 109 votes
Rep. Anthony Brindisi, who had been pursuing a legal appeal of the election results and demanding a manual recount of its votes, conceded to Tenney on Monday. Read more »
In New York prisons, widespread package room complaints go unresolved
Internal records from 13 New York State prisons show widespread package room grievances, stemming from inconsistent procedures and a directive that leaves families financially hurt. Read more »
Gov. Cuomo tackles COVID-19 vaccine distribution, economic revival in address
Cuomo announced the launch of the state’s Public Health Core, a joint effort by Cornell University and Northwell Hospital to educate and vaccinate residents. Read more »
Gov. Cuomo proposes recreational marijuana legalization
Cuomo’s proposal includes creating an Office of Cannabis management to oversee both recreational and medicinal marijuana use. Read more »
New York confirms first case of UK coronavirus variant
A patient from Saratoga Springs, New York, about two hours away from Onondaga County, has contracted a new strain of COVID-19 that was originally detected in the United Kingdom. Read more »
SU limits gatherings as Cuomo names parts of Onondaga County ‘orange zones'
The areas in the orange zone include the city of Syracuse, as well as Solvay, DeWitt and Lyncourt. Read more »
SUNY-ESF delays start of in-person spring 2021 semester to February
SUNY schools will delay the start of in-person classes until February and require students get COVID-19 testing upon their return. Read more »
New York leaders celebrate historic breakthroughs of Biden, Harris victory
New York state leaders mentioned Biden’s connection to Syracuse and congratulated Harris for combating racial and gender barriers. Read more »
SU, SUNY-ESF students excited to cast ballots, feel safe voting in person
SU and SUNY-ESF students said they were excited to vote in person Tuesday across the city. Read more »
