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Dec. 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills into law last week that were sponsored by state Senator Michael Gianaris that aim to improve the voting system. One bill requires absentee ballots to be counted by election night, while the other requires the state to increase the number of early voting... Read more »
Dec. 9, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens officials are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to replenish and reopen the Excluded Workers Fund after the state closed applications in October upon running out of money. Officials such as State Sen. Jessica Ramos and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards are urging Hochul to inject $3 billion into... Read more »
Nov. 18, 2021 By Allie Griffin Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills sponsored by Queens legislators Tuesday that aim to protect LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Hochul signed the bills into law during transgender awareness week. The first bill, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos and known as the START Act, strengthens protections for victims of sex and... Read more »
Nov. 1, 2021 By Christian Murray People who own pit bulls, Rottweilers and other dogs deemed aggressive have often struggled to buy homeowners’ insurance or have faced higher premiums. That is about to change. A bill, sponsored by State Sen. Mike Gianaris, was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week, which bans insurance... Read more »
Oct. 5, 2021 By Allie Griffin Several Queens lawmakers want Gov. Kathy Hochul to kill the controversial LaGuardia AirTrain project altogether after she announced Monday that she has directed the Port Authority to review other options. The lawmakers want Hochul to officially slam the lid on the $2 billion plan to build a 1.5-mile rail... Read more »
Sept. 7, 2021 By Allie Griffin Community boards can continue to hold their meetings online—at least until January. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law last week that allows boards to hold public meetings and hearings virtually in lieu of the ongoing pandemic. The legislation creates an exception to the state’s Open Meetings Law,... Read more »
Aug. 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Democratic congressmembers who represent several districts in New York City are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to extend the state’s eviction moratorium that is set to expire Tuesday. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, whose district covers eastern Brooklyn and a portion of southern Queens, penned a letter to Hochul Saturday... Read more »
Dec. 19, 2024 By Barbara Russo Lennon and QNS News Team Queens commuters frustrated with inadequate bus service can look forward to improvements as the MTA plans to enhance service on several key routes next year. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the upgrades, which will impact 24 bus lines across New York City,…
Dec. 17, 2024 By Jada Camille With a new year comes new opportunities for New Yorkers making the minimum wage. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that the minimum wage will increase by 50 cents hourly in 2025, to $16.50 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, while the rest of the…
Dec. 17, 2024 By Barbara Russo-Lennon New Yorkers in the outer boroughs frustrated with poor bus service may soon breathe a small sigh of relief as dozens of buses will increase service next year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday. The governor said that the MTA, the state agency that runs the public buses…