New York state

A step closer to online patient portals

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:25:15 +0000

The state is one step closer to giving patients access to their medical information online. The New York e-Health Collaborative has announced nine finalists in their competition to design an online patient portal.

Organization tries to encourage organ donation

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:17:16 +0000

New York state has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the country, at 20 percent. Donor boosters are trying to get the word out that donating an organ is something most everyone can do to save a life.

Report says state’s energy could be almost 100% renewable by 2030

Ashley Hassett — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:38:40 +0000

A recent study outlines a scenario that would see New York state’s energy infrastructure based on close to 100 percent renewable sources by the year 2030.

$25 million goes to expand broadband access in New York

Matt Richmond — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:01:07 +0000

The state's Connect NY Broadband Grant program awarded $25 million to 18 projects on Tuesday.

Is another casino for Niagara Falls a good idea?

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:21:32 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly putting together a proposal that would see a second, non-Indian operate casino open in downtown Niagara Falls. The question is whether the market could sustain another casino.

New York gets mixed grades in tobacco report

Durrie Lawrence — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:55:32 +0000

The American Lung Association has published its annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, and New York state did not fare well.

School health programs awarded $5 million

Kate O'Connell — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:42:30 +0000

The department of Health and Human Services awarded more than $5 million to school-based health centers in New York state this week. The funding is part of an $80 million dollar pot distributed to 197 centers around the nation.

Robert Freeman on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:53:46 +0000

New York State Government has long had a reputation as a secretive and guarded place. Phrases like “three men in a room” come to mind. In this edition of the Campbell Conversations, Grant Reeher speaks with the man charged to make government more open and transparent—Robert Freeman, Executive Director of the State’s Committee on Open Government.

New York wage growth behind national average

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:30:29 +0000

Personal income growth in New York state remained below the national average in 2011, a new report shows. Figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show growth in some areas of New York were almost 2 percentage points below the national average of 5.2 percent.

New Medicaid program aims to cut costs, improve care

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:59:00 +0000

New York state's attack on ballooning Medicaid costs has started with a program that offers coordinated care for certain Medicaid patients. State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson says the program called Health Homes, is aimed at the people who have the most complex Medicaid charts.

Student debt in New York state on the rise

Kate O'Connell — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:19:43 +0000

Student debt levels rose by five percent last year according to a study by the Institute for College Access and Success.

New York state cracks down on sex offenders

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:16:12 +0000

Aides to Governor Andrew Cuomo have announced new crackdowns on sex offenders that will require some convicts on parole to renew their photos every 90 days if their appearance has changed.

The Affordable Care Act: Reaction from New York politicians and healthcare professionals

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:19:54 +0000

New York’s politicians and major health care providers are largely applauding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s health care law. Meanwhile, an Albany Law School expert says Chief Justice John Roberts may have been concerned about his legacy, and that was a factor in his decision.

Federal primary day in New York state

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:45:41 +0000

There are a number of primary elections today for federal posts, including for Congress and the U.S. Senate, but turnout is expected to be very low.

Interview: Republican Michael Kicinski, candidate for 22nd Congressional district

Catherine Loper — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:39:37 +0000

Tomorrow is Congressional primary day in New York. In the newly redrawn 22nd district, which runs from the Mohawk Valley, south through Cortland to Binghamton, Republican incumbent Richard Hanna is running for re-election. He's facing a primary opponent, fellow Republican Michael Kicinski.

Cuomo offers teacher evaluation bill with no compromises

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:55:02 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo is telling the legislature to "take it or leave it" over a new bill he’s released outlining how to make teacher evaluations public.

Cuomo says he introduced legislation on the publication of teacher evaluations just before his own self-imposed deadline of midnight Monday in order to clarify his position on the issue. He says it’s up to the Assembly and Senate whether they want to pass it, exactly as is, or not.

“That’s the bill, the bill is not going to change,” said Cuomo. “They act on it or they don’t. But there’s not going to be changes and discussions at this time.”

Miner on becoming co-chair of New York's Democratic Party

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:58:57 +0000

Becoming co-chair of the Democratic Party in New York state will allow Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner to do more of what she already does. Miner is expected to be elected co-chair of the party when members meet this week.

No Child Left Behind waiver granted to New York state

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:08:33 +0000

New York state is now one of 19 states that has been granted a waiver that allows for more flexibility when it comes to the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law.

The change will let schools avoid a deadline requiring all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014.

The Federal Education Department approved the waivers for New York and eight other states earlier this week. Other states won waivers earlier this year.

Lawmakers agree to change September 11th primary date

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The state’s September primary is going to be delayed by two days, now that the legislature has agreed to move the date from Tuesday, September 11 to Thursday, September 13.

Assembly Democrats: We have the minimum wage hike votes

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:25:21 +0000

Assembly Democrats say they have the votes to approve a minimum wage hike when a bill comes to the floor today.

School Budget Series: The statewide school budget situation

Catherine Loper — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:41:10 +0000

Many school budgets across New York state have been hit hard by the recession. Tax revenues are down at the same time that costs are rising.

Governor Cuomo creates panel on education

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:20:41 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo named a blue ribbon commission to look at the problems facing education in New York, instructing them to come back with an “action plan” not a “theoretical document.”

Cuomo casts doubt on success of remaining session issues

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:24:47 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo says he has some goals for the rest of the legislative session, including reforming the campaign finance system and possibly raising the state’s minimum wage.