Tag: new york
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New York voters will decide $3 billion environment and climate change projects bond measure in 2022
On April 19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed Senate Bill S2509C, which referred a $3 billion bond measure to the November 2022 ballot. The bill was part of the state budget and contained multiple other provisions. The ballot measure would issue $3.00 billion in general obligation bonds for projects related to the environment, natural resources,…
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Costa Constantinides resigns from New York City Council
Costa Constantinides resigned from the New York City Council on April 9 after announcing he would leave to take a position as CEO of the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens on March 31. Constantinides had served as the District 22 representative since 2013. His current term was set to expire on Dec. 31,…
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New York becomes third state to legalize recreational marijuana through legislative action instead of a ballot measure
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill on March 31 legalizing recreational marijuana and allowing resentencing for those convicted of certain marijuana-related charges. Both chambers of the legislature passed the bill (Assembly Bill 1248/Senate Bill 854) on March 30. New York became the 15th state to legalize recreational marijuana. In addition, South Dakota…
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New York Court of Appeals justice retires, creating midterm vacancy
On March 23, 2021, State of New York Court of Appeals Justice Paul Feinman retired from the court, citing health concerns. Justice Feinman joined the State of New York Court of Appeals in 2017. He was appointed to the court by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). Feinman was the first openly gay judge confirmed to serve…
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Special election approaches Feb. 23 in New York City Council District 31
The special general election for New York City Council District 31 is on February 23, 2021. Nine candidates are competing in the special election. The filing deadline to run passed on December 16, 2020. The special election was called when Donovan Richards left office after he was elected Queens Borough President in November. Richards served…
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New York voters to decide constitutional amendment about environmental rights in November
Voters in New York will decide a ballot measure to add a right to clean water, clean air, and a healthful environment to the New York Constitution’s Bill of Rights. The ballot measure would make New York the third state, after Pennsylvania and Montana, to adopt an environmental rights amendment. Pennsylvania and Montana both adopted…
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Anthony Brindisi (D) concedes in New York’s 22nd Congressional District election
Incumbent Anthony Brindisi (D) conceded the election to represent New York’s 22nd Congressional District on Feb. 8, 2021, to Claudia Tenney (R). His concession follows several months of legal challenges from Brindisi and Tenney over the validity of certain absentee and affidavit ballots cast in the Nov. 3, 2020, election. Brindisi announced his concession hours…
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New York voters to decide redistricting-related constitutional amendment at the 2021 general election
Voters in New York will decide at least one constitutional amendment at the election on November 2, 2021. On January 20, 2021, the State Assembly approved an amendment that would make changes to the redistricting process in New York, including for the redistricting cycle based on the 2020 U.S. Census. The state Senate approved the…
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Filing deadline approaches in New York City Council special elections
Candidates interested in running in the special elections for New York City Council Districts 11 and 15 have until January 19, 2021, to file. The general election is scheduled for March 23. The special election in District 11 was called after Andrew Cohen (D) won the November election for New York Supreme Court 12th Judicial…
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State supreme court vacancies in 2021
So far in 2021, there have been two new state supreme court vacancies in two of the 29 states where replacement justices are appointed instead of elected. The vacancies have both been caused by retirements. In Colorado, Chief Justice Nathan Coats retired on January 1, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 72. Colorado…