Lt. Gov. Benjamin Resigns

This past Tuesday, Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin was arrested on charges related to campaign finance fraud. The five-count indictment alleges that while he was a State Senator, Benjamin conspired to direct $50,000 in State funds to a Harlem real estate developer’s charity. In exchange, the developer gathered thousands of dollars in illegal contributions to Benjamin’s 2020 Senate campaign and his unsuccessful 2021 bid for New York City comptroller.  According to the indictment, Benjamin is being charged with bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy.

Mask Mandates Lifted for Businesses and Schools

Due to declining trends in new COVID cases and New York State’s strong vaccination rates, Governor Hochul has lifted the school mask mandate, with Wednesday March 2nd marking the first day children are no longer required to wear masks in school. This comes shortly after the ‘Mask or Vax’ mandate for all indoor businesses was lifted on February, 10th.

Highlight’s of Hochul’s Executive Budget

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled her first Executive Budget last week, outlining a $216B spending plan that is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating the State following the peak devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Announces Booster Mandate for Healthcare Workers

 Governor Hochul announced a COVID booster mandate for health care workers. Employees will need to receive a booster shot within two weeks of being eligible for one. There will be no exemptions nor a test-out option.

U.S. Rep Tom Suozzi Joins the Race for Governor

On Monday, U.S. Rep Tom Suozzi, a Long Island and Queens Democrat, has officially announced his run for Governor.  Suozzi joins the crowded Democratic primary race as a self proclaimed centrist, hoping to attract the moderate Democrat vote.

On Friday, November 26th, Governor Hochul released an Executive Order declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York through January 15, 2022 in light of an increase in positive COVID cases and hospitalizations.

Assembly Judiciary Committee Chair Releases their independent Impeachment Investigation Report

The New York State Assembly’s report on its eight-month impeachment investigation supports many of the allegations that have surfaced about former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

New York City Leaders Voice Support for Attorney General James’ ‘HealNY’ Statewide Tour, Delivering Funds to Combat Opioid Crisis

Elected Officials and Advocates Across New York City Praise AG James’ 
Continued Efforts to Deliver Funds for Opioid Abatement to Five Boroughs

Dr. Howard Zucker, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, has submitted his resignation, following political pressure for his removal over his role in the state’s pandemic response under former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Hochul Convenes Special Legislative Session

Governor Kathy Hochul called state lawmakers back to Albany on Wednesday for a special session to address a handful of time-sensitive issues.