Phase 3 Reopening Five regions in New York State today began Phase 3 of the New York Forward reopening process – the North Country, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, and the Southern Tier.  These regions are eligible for restaurants/food service in both indoor and outdoor settings while still adhering to the appropriate industry guidance. In addition, businesses that fall within the “Personal Care” industry such as nail salons and massage parlors will be able to open while following their [...]

Reopening Today Governor Cuomo announced that five regions are eligible to move on to Phase 3 of the New York Forward reopening process tomorrow: North CountyFinger LakesCentral NYMohawk ValleySouthern Tier These regions moving on to Phase 3 will now be eligible for restaurants/food service in both indoor and outdoor settings while still adhering to the appropriate industry guidance. In addition to this, businesses that fall within the “Personal Care” industry such as nail salons and massage parlors will also be able [...]

The New LaGuardia Airport Terminal Today Governor Cuomo held his daily press conference in the freshly opened Terminal B Arrival and Departures Hall of LaGuardia Airport. The full project was started in 2015 and with this morning’s opening of the 840,000 square foot terminal, it more than doubled the size or its predecessor. During construction the airport created 14,000 jobs both directly and indirectly and when fully operational and staffed it will employee over 1,500 people. The Terminal will be home [...]

Legislative Police Reform Plan Today New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie held a press conference in Albany and announced the Assembly’s plan to pass a legislative package this week that would “Protect New Yorkers, improve police and community relations, and bring transparency and accountability to the criminal justice system” Governor Cuomo indicated today during his daily press conference that the legislative package that the Assembly has announced was put together in conjunction with the Senate as well as his own [...]

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 [...]