New York NOW

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is facing national criticism over his administration's handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes, and the data surrounding those facilities. Gov. Cuomo updates his proposal to legalize marijuana. And libraries provide essential services for communities, but they're facing cuts.
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On this week's edition of New York NOW: The New York Post reports that the Cuomo administration had long-sought data on nursing homes for months, but didn't disclose it for political reasons. We discuss that and more with Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Bill Mahoney from POLITICO New York. Then: Republicans in the state Legislature want Democrats to hold hearings on COVID-19 in nursing homes, and they're looking for more detailed data from the Cuomo administration. Sen. Jim Tedisco joins us to explain. And Democrats are considering changes to the state's parole system this year. They say it's stacked against people of color, and want to make access to parole easier. Assemblymember Carmen De La Rosa shares her perspective.
 
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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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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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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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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.

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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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

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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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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