NYS Legislature in Session Tomorrow, June 8th The NYS Senate is expected to gavel into remote session tomorrow, June 8th at 4:00 p.m.  The Assembly is expected to gavel in tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.  We expect session to address elements of the “Say Their Name” Reform Agenda, including 50-a police disciplinary records, banning the use of chokeholds by law enforcement officers, and codifying the NYS Attorney General as special prosecutor for matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law [...]

Places of Worship Approved for Conditional Reopening in Phase 2 Governor Cuomo today announced that places of worship will be permitted to reopen with 25 percent occupancy with all social distancing protocols in place during Phase 2 of New York State’s reopening process. Places of worship in the seven regions that have already entered Phase 2 – the Capital Region, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier, and Western New York – can reopen beginning tomorrow, [...]

“Say Their Name” Reform Agenda In response to the climate in New York State and the nation following the death of George Floyd, Governor Cuomo today announced the “Say Their Name” Reform Agenda.  This agenda includes: Allowing for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by reforming 50-a of the Civil Rights Law;Banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers;Prohibiting false race-based 911 reports and making them a crime; andDesignating the NYS Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused [...]

Region Reopening Progress Currently the regions in Phase Two of the reopening process are the Finger Lakes (including Rochester), Mohawk Valley (including Utica), Central New York (including Syracuse), Southern Tier and North Country. Governor Cuomo announced today that the Western Region (including Buffalo) is expected to join them in Phase Two tomorrow, with the Capital Region to join Phase Two on Wednesday. Protests The Governor, acknowledging the protests around the State over the weekend, commended the State Police on their work [...]

Death Benefits for Families of COVID-19 Frontline Workers Governor Cuomo today signed into law legislation (S.8427/A.10528) providing death benefits to the families of State and local government employees who lost their lives fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on the front lines in New York State. Preparations for New York City Phase 1 Reopening on June 8th The Governor today reiterated that New York City is on track to begin Phase 1 of the State’s reopening process on June 8th.   In preparation for [...]

Five Regions Now Entering Phase 2 of Economic Reopening Governor Cuomo today announced that five upstate regions – the North Country, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier – have satisfied the required statistical benchmarks to begin Phase 2 of New York State’s reopening process.  Phase 2 guidelines can be found here.  Non-essential businesses that now can reopen in these regions include: Office-Based Jobs: including professional services, administrative support, and information technologyReal Estate Services: including building and [...]

New Executive Order Governor Cuomo announced that a new Executive Order will be signed and published today that would allow all private business owners to require masks be worn while on their businesses premise. Additionally, the Governor introduced to the dais comedian Chris Rock and actress Rosie Perez and announced a new State advertising campaign with their assistance to help communicate the importance of wearing masks and using proper PPE as part of the people of New York City’s social responsibility.  The [...]

Push for Infrastructure Projects Governed Cuomo met with President Trump earlier today in Washington D.C. for the purpose of discussing ways to supercharge the State’s economy during the reopening process through investments in large scale infrastructure projects. The Governor focused on three projects: the Gateway Tunnel in NYC that would transport commuter and freight under the Hudson River, the Second Avenue Subway, and the AirTrain LaGuardia project that would create a direct rail system from LaGuardia Airport into Manhattan. The Governor said he [...]

Mid-Hudson Region Reopening Today; Long Island on Track to Reopen Tomorrow Governor Cuomo announced that the Mid-Hudson region has met the required reopening criteria and today will begin Phase 1 of New York State’s reopening process.  Long Island remains on track to begin Phase 1 tomorrow, May 27.  Fast-Tracking Construction Projects The Governor today announced that to support economic recovery, the State will fast-track the construction of the new Empire Station at Penn Station and the new LaGuardia Airport.  Additionally, the [...]