New York News & Current Events | Public News Service

In New York, the Inflation Reduction Act has helped grow manufacturing and jobs for numerous forms of clean energy. But the White House predicts a default would raise interest rates and lead to higher prices for these projects. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

U.S. Debt Default Would Impact NY Clean-Energy Investments

The looming U.S. debt default could affect a host of programs across the country - and in New York, the list includes clean-energy investments…

The Education Data Initiative reports fewer than half of borrowers, 43.8 million, have federal student loan debt. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. House Votes to Rescind Student Debt-Relief Program

A new report outlined the importance of student debt relief to workers in New York and across the country. An American Federation of Teachers …

According to U.S. Census data, 30% of all New Yorkers speak a primary language other than English at home. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bill Aims to Grow Outreach via Community Media

New York lawmakers are considering a bill to broaden statewide outreach through local media. The Local Community and Ethnic Media Commitment Act …

A report from the Healthcare Association of New York State finds almost half of New York's hospitals reduced or eliminated services to mitigate staffing challenges, all while making sure critical services remain available. (Adobe Stock)

NY Budget Creates Wins, Losses for Hospitals in State

New York State's new 2024 budget provides some needed relief to hospitals. Along with a Medicaid rate increase, the budget includes $1.4 billion …

New York State's 2024 budget provides more than $1 billion in funding for residential units and intensive services to people with serious mental illnesses at the highest risk of homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Mental Health Budget Boosts Continuum of Care

Provisions in New York state's 2024 budget will have resounding impacts across the state. Along with $60 million to improve youth mental health …

In 2022, for the first time, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended doctors screen children age 8 and older for anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

NY Works to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis

With the Covid-19 public health emergency over, New York and the U.S. are dealing with a youth mental health crisis. According to Mental Health …

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's 2022 Women's Health Survey, 21% of women, including 38% of uninsured women, said it is difficult to find a doctor who can explain things so they are easy to understand. (Adobe Stock)

NY Works to Improve Women’s Health

This week is National Women's Health Week, and New York is taking steps to improve women's health. The New York state Legislature has passed …

A 2021 Marist poll finds a majority of registered New Yorkers voters across the state support medical aid in dying. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Legislature Reviews Medical Aid in Dying Bill

New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to approve medical aid in dying, which would apply to people suffering from a terminal illness who …

In 2022, the Living Schoolyards Act was introduced in Congress, which would direct federal resources toward greening school grounds like those above. However, the bill failed to advance out of committee. (Adobe Stock)

Green Playgrounds Help NY Achieve Climate Goals

By Marianne Dhenin for Next City.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

According to New York City's budget proposal, state and federal funding will need to help the city handle the influx of asylum seekers it's expected to face in the next year. In 2023, federal and state funding for this amounted to $1.6 Billion dollars.(Adobe Stock)

NYC Immigrant Rights Groups Seek Better Budget Provisions

Immigrant's rights advocates are displeased with the provisions for New York City's budget. According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams budget …

A federal appeals court in April tossed out a ban by the City of Berkeley, California, on gas hookups in new buildings. It followed a lawsuit paid for by one of the nation's largest gas utilities. (Adobe Stock)

NY Bans Use of Natural Gas, Fossil Fuels in New Buildings

The state of New York has passed a first-in-the-nation law banning the use of natural gas and other fossil fuel-powered systems in new buildings…

If every Black adult with a high school diploma or GED diploma earned as much as the average Black college graduate, the collective additional earnings would equal around $222 billion. The figure is larger than the total economies of 19 different states and the District of Columbia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Black Students in NY, US Not Enrolling in College

The number of Black students enrolling in colleges and universities is declining, and New York is no exception. The Lumina Foundation's Level Up …

According to the EPA, a supplemental proposal called the Super Emitter Reduction Program aims to reduce methane emissions from a bevy of sources by 87%, compared with 2005 levels. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature Considers Bill to Align Climate, Public Utility Laws

New York State's Legislature is reviewing a bill to align the state's public utility law with its climate goals. The New York HEAT Act aims to get …

Across the nation, 54.7% of adults (28 millon people) with a mental illness don't receive treatment. (Adobe Stock)

NY Group Hosts Wellness Fair for Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, a New York organization is celebrating by helping people learn about mental health. The Center for the …

Some 55% of educators across the United States are thinking about leaving or retiring from their jobs sooner than they'd planned. Many cite stress and burnout, according to a 2022 National Education Association survey. (Adobe Stock)

GOP Lawmakers Question Teachers' Union Choices in Pandemic

GOP lawmakers are re-evaluating policies about how and why schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics of the effort say it's a back-handed …

According to a 2022 report from NYSERDA, job increases in the clean energy sector made up 2% of total economy wide employment increases in New York. (Adobe Stock)

Green Economy Jobs Boom Across NY, US

By Michelle Ma for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, both D-N.Y., sent a letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission saying Holtec International's sudden announcement shocked the community. They noted it would increase public opposition and distrust in the company.

NYers Seek to Prevent Radioactive Wastewater Dumping

New York lawmakers and environmentalists are working to prevent radioactive wastewater from being dumped into the Hudson River. As part of the …

In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $500 million investment in offshore wind to provide cleaner energy, part of a goal to have 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind developed by 2035. (Adobe Stock)

NY/NJ Elected Officials Celebrate Offshore Wind During Earth Month

Throughout Earth Month, elected officials across the U.S. are celebrating renewable energy projects. In New York, several wind, solar and …

Along with a goal to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030, New York State is also aiming to have 100% zero emission electricity by 2040, a 40% reduction in statewide greenhouse-gas emissions from 1990 by 2030 which will be upped to 85% in 2040, and net-zero emissions by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

NY Renewable-Energy Projects Coming to Fruition

During Earth Week, several projects in New York to boost energy efficiency have been completed. These projects, which consist of wind, solar and …

In 2022, the monthly income limits for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program was $1,697 for individuals and $2,288 for couples. For the Qualifying Individual Program, the limits were $2,280 for individuals and $3,077 for couples. Now there is no limit for couples and individuals on either of these programs. (Adobe Stock)

NY Expands Access to Medicare Savings Programs

More New York seniors will be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs starting this year. New guidelines increase the amount of income seniors can …

According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, New Yorkers would have to make almost $80,000 a year to afford a fair-market two-bedroom rental. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Consider Solutions to NY’s Affordable-Housing Crisis

From Buffalo to Montauk, New York State is in the midst of an affordable-housing crisis. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach …

A report from the National Association of Community Health Centers found without the centers, more than 15 million people in the U.S. would not have regular access to a primary care provider. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Community Health Centers Close NY Coverage Gaps

A new report found Community Health Centers in New York are closing gaps left in many communities by a nationwide shortage of primary-care physicians…

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transportation contributes 27% of greenhouse-gas emissions across the nation. (e.v Energy)

New NY Program Provides Incentives for EV Charging

Orange and Rockland counties in New York are instituting a cash-incentive program for electric-vehicle owners. The SmartCharge New York program …

In New York and several other states, a person's inability to pay does not exempt them from owing certain court fees and surcharges, according to a report by the Fines and Fees Justice Center. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Bill Would End ‘Predatory’ Court Fees

The New York State Legislature is considering a bill to end court fees many consider predatory. Senate Bill 313 takes aim at numerous fines…

A Quinnipiac Poll finds a majority of Democrats and Independent voters, 88% and 55% respectively, feel criminal charges should disqualify former President Donald Trump from running for reelection. (Wikimedia Commons)

Attorney: Trump Charges Won’t Be Hard to Prove

Former President Donald Trump's indictment in New York last week is dividing both lawyers and voters. The latest poll numbers find Republican and …

A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs finds 2020 saw the lowest number of suicides among U.S. military veterans since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Group Calls for More Funding to Veterans' Program

A group of New York state social workers wants more funding for a veterans' mental-health program. The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative …

A report from the New York State Public Employees Federation found social workers leave their job over pay inequity, burnout, unsafe or toxic work conditions, and lack of a work-life balance. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Public Social Workers Enduring High Stress, Low Pay

The New York State Public Employees Federation is launching a campaign to improve publicly employed social workers' conditions. The "Respect Us…

A 2022 report from the New York State Citizen Review Panel outlined several overhauls needed to make Child Protective Services a better functioning agency. Some recommendations include reducing unnecessary investigations of children and families, and reducing harmful practices during investigations. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

NY Bill Requires Court Order for CPS Investigations

A bill in the New York state Legislature would implement new standards for Child Protective Services. The bill requires CPS workers to get a court …

A report from Ernst & Young finds cost savings and efficiency are the top motivators for 61% of companies embarking on supply-chain sustainability. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature Considers Supply-Chain Transparency Bills

New York State's Legislature is considering several bills to get the state to utilize ethical and sustainable supply chains. One piece of …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, instability in a child's life because of a parent in prison can lead to

Report: Keep Incarcerated Parents and Kids Close

A recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative calls for better state laws to keep incarcerated parents close to their kids. It finds 12 states …

A report from AARP New York finds older New Yorkers living in rural areas are struggling to age in place because of how expensive modifications to homes would be. While they can utilize New York's Access to Home for Medicaid Recipients program, it only gets enough funding to handle $1 million in improvements, but has received requests totaling $12 million. (Andre Carrotflower/Wikimedia Commons)

NY Mayor Eager to Address Numerous Issues After Conference

A New York state mayor is eager to implement new initiatives he observed during the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference. …

The proposed National Medal of Honor Museum will also include a Leadership Institute to allow Americans to reflect on the Medal's values and the impact of all U.S. military servicemembers. (Hannah Foslien/Wikimedia Commons)

Monument, Museum for Medal of Honor Move Forward

March marks 160 years since the creation of the Medal of Honor by President Abraham Lincoln. Numerous Medal of Honor awardees have been in Washington…

Data from the New Economy Project finds during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, banks across New York State exacted more than $1.6 billion in a myriad of fees from New Yorkers. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Legislation Considers Bill to Create Public Banks

The New York State Legislature is considering a bill to allow the creation of public banks. The New York Public Banking Act would authorize municipal …

According to a 2022 report from the American Library Association, 80% of parents have confidence in librarians to make good decisions about the books they make available in their collections. (Adobe Stock)

NY Libraries Grapple With Increase in Book Challenges

As National Reading Month ends soon, libraries across New York and the nation are dealing with the increasing number of book challenges. New data …

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, adopting new standards for soot can help prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths per year and 270,000 lost workdays per year. It can also yield as much as $43 billion in net health benefits in 2032. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Soot Proposal Not Enough, NY Environmentalists Say

A New York environmental group feels the Environmental Protection Agency's latest regulations on soot in the air do not go far enough. The new …

At a rally in Harlem, members of Citizen Action of New York call for a bevy of changes to public money in Albany. They want taxes raised on the wealthiest New Yorkers, to increase the state's minimum wage, and to end 'pay-for-play' by reducing state subsidies for corporations. (Citizen Action New York)

NYC Group Calls for Significant Community Investments

Community leaders in Harlem are calling on local and state elected officials to make significant community investments. As part of their 2023 …

According to a report from the Rainforest Action Network, 60 of the largest banks funneled a little over $185 Billion into 100 companies doing the most to expand fossil fuels like ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco. (Adobe Stock)

NY Environmentalists Protest Banks Invested in Fossil Fuels

New York environmentalists are protesting banks heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry as part of a national day of action today (Tuesday)…

According to 2022 data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.3% of people with a disability were employed, which has increased from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Urge Age Cap Removal on NY Medicaid Buy-In Program

New York disability-rights advocates are calling for the age cap on the state's Medicaid Buy In Program to be raised or eliminated. The program is …

Some products to come under the purview of a new bill to create transparency with companies contracting with New York State include timber, pulp, paper, palm oil, soy and livestock. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed NYS Legislation Creates Supply-Chain Transparency

New York's State Legislature is considering a bill to ensure that companies contracting with the state don't contribute to tropical deforestation…

According to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, the financial power of small donors could increase sevenfold, from 6% to 41% of all campaign funds through the Public Campaign Finance Program. (Adobe Stock)

Campaign Finance Program Facing Delays From NY Legislators

New York's Public Campaign Finance Program is facing delays from the very people who approved it - New York legislators. The program was approved by …

A new report from AARP New York finds the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program doesn't meet the program's own definition of regular ombudsman presence, since only 9% of all nursing homes received a weekly visit from an ombudsman. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY Nursing Homes Not Getting Enough Oversight

A recent report finds nursing homes across New York are going without proper oversight. AARP New York's report finds about 80% of New York City's …

According to data from the Economic Policy Institute, alongside people age 25 or older, a quarter of people who would see benefits from increasing the minimum wage over $20 are parents. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Bill Would Raise NY Minimum Wage Over $20

A bill in the New York State Legislature would increase the minimum wage to over $20 by 2026. The Raise the Wage Act would increase New York's $15 …

According to a study by the Leapfrog Group, New York hospitals ranked 39th in the U.S. for patient safety in the fall of 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY Nonprofit Hospitals Putting Profits Before Patients

A review of nonprofit hospitals in New York found they are more concerned with making money than patient care. According to a patientsrightsadvocate.…

According to the Federal Trade Commission, pay-for-delay deals cost consumers and taxpayers $3.5 billion ever year in higher drug costs.(Adobe Stock)

NY Budget Seeks to Reform Prescription Drug Prices, Transparency

New York's executive budget is calling for reforms to prescription drug prices. For starters, Governor Kathy Hochul is calling for public disclosure …

A new study from the Rural Housing Coalition of New York finds while rural counties in the state have higher levels of homeownership, vacancy rates are twice as high as urban counties. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Rural NY Struggling with Numerous Issues

A new study shows rural New York is struggling with declining populations and lacking employment. The State of Rural New York examines about a …

Holtec International is also considering dumping 1 million gallons of nuclear waste from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay. (Adobe Stock)

NY Lawmakers Want to Ban Discharging Radioactive Waste

New York lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban radioactive waste from being discharged from the Indian Point Energy Center. This comes as the …

In January 2023, the city of Troy's Public Utilities Department found elevated levels of lead in some homes and buildings around the area. Though they have found the community's water supply is free from lead, service lines or interior plumbing are possible causes for lead being found in samples. (Adobe Stock)

Residents of Troy Demand Action Against Lead Pipes

Residents of the east-central New York city of Troy and environmental advocates have devised a plan to remove lead pipes from the city's water system…

Ticonderoga's DRI grant is part of the sixth round of funding for this program. Grant winners from past years include Plattsburgh, Massena Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. (Adobe Stock)

Ticonderoga Has Big Plans for Downtown Revitalization Grant

The Town of Ticonderoga has received a Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant from the state. The $10 million grant will go toward a series of …

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