New York NOW

Nursing Homes Update, NY HERO Act, Mental Health Funding

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Lawmakers are continuing to put pressure on the Cuomo administration to release more data and information on the state's handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We'll have details and analysis with Jesse McKinley from the New York Times and Bernadette Hogan from the New York Post.
The NY HERO Act would require stronger workplace protections against airborne infectious diseases, like the coronavirus, in New York. Assemblymember Karines Reyes sponsors the bill and joins us to discuss that and the situation at nursing homes.
And funding cuts from the state could spell disaster for mental health, substance use, and other services provided by county officials. Kelly Hansen from the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors explains.
 
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Nursing Homes Probe, NY's Environmental Goals, State of Schools

On this week's edition of New York NOW: New York Attorney General Letitia James releases a scathing report on COVID-19 deaths at New York's nursing homes, saying the state is reporting an undercount.
And Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifts COVID-19 restrictions in several areas of the state, saying the data supports it, and the vaccine rollout continues.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Darrell Camp from TALK1300 are in studio with details and analysis this week.
Lawmakers kicked off public hearings on the state budget this week, including one focused on the state's environmental spending and priorities and another on education.
Julie Tighe from the New York League of Conservation Voters and Peter Iwanowicz from Environmental Advocates New York join us with details and analysis on what Cuomo's proposing, and how the state's fiscal crisis could play a role.
Schools in New York are having trouble planning their budgets, given the uncertainty in New York's finances. Bob Schneider from the New York State School Boards Association joins us with an update.
 
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Cuomo's Budget Plan, Small Biz Struggles, Tax the Rich

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his plan for closing the state's $15 billion budget gap, and it comes as a pair of strategies.
Keshia Clukey from Bloomberg and Jon Campbell from the USA Today Network join us with details and analysis on Cuomo's budget plan.
Sen. Mike Martucci joins us to discuss how New York could be helping struggling small businesses, and other top issues facing the state Legislature.
Sen. Jabari Brisport is one of several Democrats who want New York to increase taxes, and other costs, for the wealthy in a bid to raise revenue for the state. He says Cuomo's wrong about the idea.
 
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Unpacking Cuomo's State of the State, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivers his 10th State of the State Address, which turned out to be four speeches over four days. We'll have details.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Jimmy Vielkind from the Wall Street Journal joins us with analysis of Cuomo's remarks and the news of the week.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joins us with reaction to Cuomo's remarks, and an update on top issues facing the state Legislature this year.

Lawmakers Return to Albany, Assembly GOP Leader Will Barclay, NY's Justice System

On this week's edition of New York NOW: The state Legislature returns to Albany for the start of this year's legislative session. We'll have details and analysis.
Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay joins us with reaction to this week's events in Washington, D.C., his thoughts on the state's budget deficit, and more.
Kate Lisa from Johnson Newspaper Corp. and Anna Gronewold from POLITICO New York have the latest on the slow rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and a preview of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address Monday.
Tom Stebbins from the Lawsuit Reform Alliance tells us why New York City is being labeled a "Judicial Hellhole" and provides analysis on the state's justice system.
 
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What's Ahead for NY in 2021? COVID-19, NY's Deficit, & More

On this week's edition of New York NOW: What's ahead for New York in 2021? The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, and the state's budget deficit is expected to be the controlling factor of all decisions for the foreseeable future.
We're joined this week by two panels of the state's top political insiders:
- Steve Greenberg is the former press secretary for two assembly speakers and former State Comptroller Carl McCall. He now runs Greenberg Public Relations.
- Bob Bellafiore was the first press secretary to Gov. George Pataki. He's a founder of Stanhope Partners.
- Liz Benjamin was the long-time host of Capital Tonight. She's now a managing director at Marathon Strategies.
- Morgan Hook is a managing director at SKDK. He previously did communications for SUNY and former Gov. David Paterson.
We'll also share some stories from people around the Capital Region as part of American Portrait on PBS. #NewYorkNOW #AmericanPortrait

Potential Special Session, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NY's Opioid Crisis

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins us to discuss the state's budget deficit and priorities facing Democrats in the Senate heading into next year's legislative session.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says state lawmakers in New York are considering a return to Albany in the next two weeks to enact new taxes on the rich.
Amanda Fries from the Albany Times Union and Bernadette Hogan from the New York Post joins us to discuss that and new allegations of sexual harassment made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Plus, the state's opioid epidemic has gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. We'll tell you how lawmakers and advocates want the state to respond.
 
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Marijuana Legalization Debate & NY's Climate Change Shift

On this week's edition of New York NOW: marijuana could be legalized next year in New York and the chances of that happening are higher than ever. We take a deep dive into the debate on the issue and speak with they key players.
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt joins us to discuss his party's strategy for making their voice heard in the minority next year, and shares his thoughts on what happened in this year's elections.
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli rolled out a new plan to transition the state's massive public pension fund to a net zero carbon strategy by 2040 - the most ambitious plan in the country. POLITICO's Marie French has details.
And the COVID-19 vaccine is coming to New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state is ready.
 
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COVID-19 Surge Continues, Vaccines Coming to NY

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York will receive its first round of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks while the state continues to experience a rise in the virus.
Casey Seiler from the Albany Times Union hosts this week's edition. He's joined by Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Jon Campbell from the USA Today Network.
We'll discuss the latest COVID-19 trends in the state, New York's plans for distributing a vaccine, and the rest of the week's news.
 
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Post-Thanksgiving Spike, Sen. Deputy Leader Gianaris, Stock Transfer Tax

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is predicting a surge of COVID-19 after the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll discuss the latest numbers and what they mean with Anna Gronewold from POLITICO New York.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, D-Queens, joins us to talk about what's ahead for next year's legislative session after Democrats retained control over the entire state Legislature in this year's elections.
New York has a $14 billion budget hole to fill, and some want to do it by taxing stock transactions. Fred Kowal from United University Professions joins us to discuss the Stock Transfer Tax.
And is there an appetite for lawmakers who seek to find common ground with others? Erik Olsen from the Common Ground Committee has the answer.
 
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