Sally Robinson, VP for Issues and Advocacy, Sally.s.robinson@gmail.com Erica Smitka, Deputy Director, Erica@lwvny.org League Lawsuits to Consolidate State Primaries As a result of the Court of Appeals landmark decision invalidating Congressional and state Senate maps drawn by the legislature, the legislative lines for Congress and state Senate were drawn by a special master appointed by...Continue Reading
After many years of advocacy, the Legislature passed two safe staffing bills for nursing homes and hospitals to ensure both patients and healthcare workers are protected requiring them to meet minimum staffing levels of nurses and other health care staff. Under the new laws, the state health commissioner will establish minimum staffing levels for nursing...Continue Reading
On May 12th, the League held a remote advocacy training on our post-budget legislative priorities. The training included an expert overview of the NY Health Act from our State Health Committee and Issues Specialists Madeline Zevon, Judy Esterquest, and Kathy Stein, and an overview of Medical Aid in Dying and Salary Parity issues from Barb...Continue Reading
In May we were thrilled that the Governor finally signed into law legislation to allow any person on parole to have their right to vote restored automatically upon release. The law states that all individuals will be notified both verbally and in writing that their voting rights will be restored, and that the person will...Continue Reading
In May, the Assembly passed two constitutional amendments to allow for no-excuse absentee voting and to remove the constitutionally mandated 10-day voter registration deadline. These amendments have already been passed by the Senate and will now appear as a ballot referendum in November. The League has long supported these amendments and will be urging voters...Continue Reading
The League of Women Voters is partnering with the League of Conservation Voters on a petition to expedite the implementation of clean zero-emission electric school buses in New York State. Almost all of New York State’s school buses currently run on dirty diesel fuel, which causes pollution that negatively impacts children’s health and causes climate...Continue Reading
This week the Senate took up legislation requiring boards of elections to count affidavit ballots of eligible voters if a voter appears at a polling place that is in the voter’s correct county but incorrect election district. Currently voters who show up to the wrong poll site are told to vote by affidavit ballot. Although these voters...Continue Reading
After Biggest Bid-Rigging Scandal in State History, Governor and Legislature Must Act on Clean Contracting in 2019 Despite the conviction of top aides and campaign contributors to the Governor for rigging more than $1B in state economic contracts, Governor Cuomo and the legislature have enacted no substantial Clean Contracting reforms. In May, an overwhelming bipartisan...Continue Reading
