Public News Service

New York City's budget allocates $514 million in city and recurring state funds for supporting education programs. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Advocates: NYC budget makes great strides, but more is needed

New York City advocates are excited yet concerned about the 2025 budget. In recent weeks, funding was restored to certain education programs such as …

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 9.2 million lead pipes are currently used across the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

New maps show progress on NY lead service line replacement

New maps show the extent of New York State's lead pipe replacement program. They demonstrate progress in replacing lead service lines, although the …

Despite certain barriers to care, New York ranks high on Mental Health America's 2023 Access to Care Report. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

NY budget requires insurers to pay rates as high as Medicaid

New York's 2025 budget improves access to mental-health services. Budget legislation stipulates commercial insurers have to pay rates similar to …

A Marist Poll found 31% of rural New Yorkers want increased state funding for developing new homes. (Adobe Stock)

NYS budget bolsters rural housing preservation programs

New York's 2025 budget takes proactive steps to address rural housing. In the budget, $10 million was allocated for improvements to rural housing …

Estimates find 3.4 million New York renters are left out of the state's new

Advocates: NY budget erodes tenant, housing protections

New York State housing advocates say they are furious about the so-called "good cause eviction bill" in the new state budget. It grants tenant …

New York has benefited from the Inflation Reduction Act's Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program which supports transportation projects, and planning to protect against climate impacts. (Adobe Stock)

NY, PA towns benefit from Inflation Reduction Act grants

New York towns are reaping many benefits since the Inflation Reduction Act was passed. Along with funds for larger clean energy projects, the state …

The New York HEAT Act could cut utility bills nearly in half for 1 in 4 energy-burdened New Yorkers. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates want NY HEAT Act in the final budget

The New York HEAT Act might not make the final budget. The bill reduces the state's reliance on natural gas and cuts ratepayer costs by eliminating …

Un estudio de KFF encontr� que entre 2004 y 2021, los honorarios de las instalaciones crecieron un 531 %, cuatro veces la tasa de los honorarios profesionales (132 %) por los servicios de gesti�n y evaluaci�n del departamento de emergencias. (Adobe Stock)

Estados Unidos podría aprender de la ley de divulgación de tarifas de instalaciones de NY

Mientras que las agencias federales toman medidas enérgicas contra las "tarifas basura", los expertos creen que pueden aprender un par de cosas …

New York aims to create 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035. By contrast, New Jersey is looking to create 11,000 megawatts by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

Offshore wind does more than aid NY, NJ clean energy futures

Despite different outcomes - New York's first offshore wind farm came online and New Jersey had one canceled - both states are benefiting from offshor…

In the last 40 years, New York has endured at least 85 'billion-dollar disasters'. The most costly was Superstorm Sandy, with around $43 billion in damage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY bill can help climate-burdened communities

A new report shows the costs different regions of New York face from climate change. It says taxpayers were on the hook for more than $2 billion - …

A University of Chicago- Harris/AP-NORC poll finds two-thirds of Americans believe they pay too much in taxes with little benefit. However, a new tool from the IRS can help them reap the benefits they might be missing. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IRS Direct File Tool maximizes NYers tax returns

A new report finds New Yorkers are getting the most out of their tax filings, thanks to a new resource. The Internal Revenue Service's free…

A 2022 report finds failing to speed up transmission beyond the current pace will increase 2030 U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions by 800 million tons per year. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill could speed up electric transmission installation

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

New York has the fourth-largest backlog of immigration cases in the U.S. It comes behind Florida (488,223 cases), Texas (387,792 cases) and California (355,459 cases). (Adobe Stock)

NY advocates want immigrant legal services bill passed

Legislation in Albany would create the first right to counsel for people in immigration court. The Access to Representation Act would provide …

States such as Colorado, Minnesota and Washington have improved access to health care for immigrants. The programs are seeing great results in reducing disparities the migrant population faces in accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)

NY Legislature includes ‘coverage for all’ in Senate, House budgets

Both chambers of the New York state Legislature have included coverage for all legislation in their respective budgets. The bills would update the …

Along with making the operation of Long Island's power grid more efficient, a bill before the Legislature would enshrine the protection of wages, benefits and collective-bargaining agreements for around 1,500 Local 1049 union members. (Adobe Stock)

NYS bill makes Long Island power grid publicly controlled

New York's state lawmakers are considering a measure that would shake up the way Long Island's power grid operates. The Long Island Power Authority …

An Institute for Women's Policy Research report finds the profession with the largest wage gap is financial manager, with women earning 71% of what men earn. The profession with the smallest gap is cashier, with women earning 98% of what men do. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Wage gap declines, but won’t close for 30 years

Today is Equal Pay Day, and a new report finds the wage gap between men and women is closing. The Institute for Women's Policy Research data show …

An AARP New York report finds almost 80% of New York City's 300 nursing homes, assisted-living and adult-care facilities didn't receive a single visit from the state's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program during three months in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

NYS budget missing key funding for seniors, older adults

Senior and older-adult groups are frustrated by cuts to services in New York's budget proposal. This includes cuts to home-care programs and the Long-…

Some 200 miles of the Hudson River are considered a Superfund site due to the high amount of contamination, but only 40 miles of the Upper Hudson are General Electric's responsibility. (Adobe Stock)

NY lawmakers demand EPA dredge Hudson River again

New York lawmakers are calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to keep dredging the Hudson River. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent a …

A Regional Plan Association report found across the country, rural communities could lose 100,000 affordable homes in the next decade once USDA Section 515 loans are paid off. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY affordable housing needs funding

A new report outlined the need to preserve rural New York's affordable rental housing. The report from the Regional Plan Association report showed …

Rewiring America's Pace of Progress report found the U.S. was on track with sales of energy-efficient systems in the early 2020s but has since slowed progress, jeopardizing its ability to reach a national 2050 decarbonization goal. (Adobe Stock)

Online tool tracks NY communities’ renewable energy progress

A new online tool is tracking New York's progress in decarbonization. The Local Pace of Progress tool examines city, county, and state data to …

The Pew Research Center reported 41% of Black workers it surveyed experienced discrimination or were treated unfairly by an employer in hiring, pay, or promotions due to their race or ethnicity. (Adobe Stock)

Black restaurant workers in NY want racial wage gap closed

As Black History Month begins, people are looking at how to close New York's racial wage gap. Between 2010 and 2020, the state's wage gap shrank by …

Data from the Pew Charitable Trusts showed higher rates of homelessness in New York can be found in areas with the highest rents. (Adobe Stock)

NY advocates call out state for mishandling the housing crisis

New York housing advocates feel the state is not taking the affordable housing crisis seriously. The recent budget proposal and State of the State …

A University of Washington report showed more than 2 million New York households struggle to get by on their earnings alone. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill establishes tax credit to help struggling families

A proposed bill would help New York families struggling with the high cost of living. The Working Families Tax Credit bill combines the Empire State …

A Marist Poll found 71% of rural New Yorkers think the state is not providing enough resources to address the lack of affordable housing. (Adobe Stock)

NYS budget proposal doesn’t address rural housing needs

Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2025 budget proposal is missing key funding priorities for rural housing, according to a coalition advocating for the issue…

Gov. Kathy Hochul's 'Back to Basics' plan proposed $10 million in state investments to train 20,000 teachers in Science of Reading best practices. (Adobe Stock)

Gov. Hochul’s State of State proposals need funding to become reality

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State initiatives are ambitious for the state's future. The focus now is on how to make them a reality…

Since its launch, the EPA's Clean Bus Program has awarded more than $1.8 billion in grants to 652 school districts across the U.S. The money will help replace 5,103 diesel buses. (Adobe Stock)

Grants awarded to buy NY electric school buses

Federal funds have been awarded to New York applicants transitioning to electric school buses. The $69 million grant is part of the Environmental …

A report from the New York Attorney General's office found white New Yorkers are 50% more likely than Black or Latino households to own their own home. They're also 25% more likely than Asian households to own their own home. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Lenders don't serve NYC Black, Brown communities equitably

An analysis of big banks in New York City contended they are perpetuating lending disparities. The New Economy Project report showed banks are not …

Minority business owners were 42.4% more likely than white business owners to owe back rent. Additionally, they were 21.8% more likely to have faced some kind of landlord harassment. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Minority-owned businesses have slower post-pandemic recovery

A new report showed New York City small businesses in communities of color are recovering more slowly post-pandemic. The Association for …

Backers of offshore wind tout good jobs, fossil fuel independence

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wants the state's Board of Public Utilities to initiate more bids for offshore wind projects in the New Year. The move …

Extremes of hot and cold weather have taken their toll on a concrete barrier along Binghamton's Riverwalk. Concrete crumbles between the stones of the wall in upstate New York. (Chet Wiker/Adobe Stock)

Will big oil companies cover climate change costs in NY?

Some state and local lawmakers are on a long list calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to require big oil companies to help offset the costs of …

Recent investments in renewable energy projects will generate around 6.5 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 2 million New York homes. (Adobe Stock)

NY elected official veterans praise IRA clean energy investments

New York elected officials who are veterans are rallying around the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy investments. The massive federal spending …

Aside from costing rural areas economic opportunities, a housing shortage is also creating population declines. A Rural Housing Coalition of New York report found rural counties saw 50,000 people leave in the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

NY housing organization seeks solutions to rural housing issues

Rural New York organizations are working to tackle issues with rural housing. Rural counties throughout the state are suffering from aging housing …

New York's Legislature passed bills to ensure people in both the Energy Affordability and HEAP programs can have their information used to see if who needs a low-income benefit. Another bill required service companies to get customers content before any material prices increase. (Adobe Stock)

National Grid proposes rate increase for downstate NY

National Grid is proposing rate hikes for three New York City boroughs and Long Island. In Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, the utility company …

The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities found New York could see a $73,239,000 reduction in fruit and vegetable benefits for people in the WIC program. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed WIC cuts could prove detrimental to NY families

Congress' proposed cuts to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children will have significant effects on New York …

A 2023 U.S. Department of Energy report finds that in 2022, the energy workforce added around 300,000 jobs to the energy-efficiency workforce, an almost 4% increase from 2021. (Adobe Stock)

State of NY makes massive investment in renewable-energy projects

New York has made a massive investment in renewable energy. The state is committing $300 million to create the nation's first offshore wind blade and …

Ocean Wind was going to produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes in New Jersey. (Adobe Stock)

Highly anticipated NJ offshore wind project canceled

Just as New York is making a huge investment in offshore wind, New Jersey's largest offshore wind farm project has been canceled. Project owner …

Port Richmond, Staten Island has the highest number of lead/possibly lead service lines (60.67%) in New York City. Conversely, Fresh Meadows in Queens had the lowest rate (20.56%). This comes in spite of the city banning lead-pipe installations in 1961 and use of lead solder in 1987. (Adobe Stock)

NY bill provides insight on location of lead pipes

New York environmental groups want Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill making it easier to know where lead pipes are located. The Lead Pipe Right to …

The New York City Comptroller's Office reported the number of migrants not living in New York City but still in its care has grown from 276 in May to 2,127 in September. (Adobe Stock)

NYC community health centers focus on migrant health

A network of New York City community health centers is in the crossfire of the city's migrant crisis. Ryan Health is a system of primary health …

New York State has invested more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects throughout New York State. (Adobe Stock)

NY groups demand Gov. Hochul stop utility rate hike

AARP New York is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject a proposed utility rate hike. New York State Electric and Gas, and Rochester Gas and …

House Republicans continuing resolution proposes cutting 110,000 slots in the Head Start program, and waitlisting over 2 million women, infants, and children for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The Senate has already passed a bill which awaits action in the House. (Adobe Stock)

New Yorkers worry about effects of government shutdown

New Yorkers are preparing for an impending government shutdown. State officials are worried about how it could impact the work state agencies have …

The New York City Mayor has declared a State of Emergency due to the 113,000 migrants who've arrived since spring of 2022. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Report questions NYC Mayor's proposed budget cuts, costs of migrant influx

A new report questions New York City Mayor Eric Adams' latest budget proposal for dealing with the city's influx of over 110,000 migrants. The cost …

According to KFF, Community Health Centers served a record number of patients in 2021, representing a 1% increase from just before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Community Health Centers: Red lights flashing for staying funded

Congress is bracing for a possible government shutdown as progress stalls in approving new federal spending plans before a Sept. 30 deadline…

In 2021, New York received $626,590,038 in federal funding for the Head Start program. (Adobe Stock)

NY Children Face Severe Impacts of Proposed Head Start Cuts

Congress is divided on how to fund the Head Start program in its upcoming appropriations bill. While the Senate is keen on investing more money for …

The Inflation Reduction Act invests around $34 billion in New York for large-scale clean energy generation and storage between 2022 and 2023. (Adobe Stock)

NY's Elected Officials Celebrate Anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act

It's been one year since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The sweeping climate legislation has had vast …

Un proyecto de ley propuesto exige un recorte del 80 % ($14 700 millones) a las subvenciones del T�tulo 1 para los estados con escuelas donde los ni�os de familias de bajos ingresos representan el 40 % de la inscripci�n. Dado que no se han gastado $31 mil millones en fondos para la pandemia, no se proporcionar�n m�s inversiones hasta que se gasten de manera responsable. (Adobe Stock)

Nueva campaña tiene como objetivo reforzar educación pública en Nueva York

Una nueva campaña tiene como objetivo reforzar la educación pública y el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. La campaña Soluciones …

A proposed bill calls for an 80% ($14.7 Billion) cut to Title 1 grants for states with schools where children from low-income families comprise 40% of enrollment. Since $31 billion in pandemic funds hasn't been spent, further investments aren't being provided until they're spent responsibly. (Adobe Stock)

New Campaign Aims to Bolster Public Education in NY, US

A new campaign aims to bolster public education and student learning. The American Federation of Teachers' Real Solutions for Kids and Communities …

As of 2023, there are more than 450,000 Israeli settlements along the West Bank of Palestine, comprising 14% of the area's population. (Trocaire/Wikimedia Commons)

NY Bill Aims to End Support for Pro-Israeli Settlement Groups

A proposed New York bill aims to end state funding for so-called charities supporting Israeli settlements. The "Not On Our Dime Act" aims to end …

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' draft budget finds the city could be caring for 70,000 asylum seekers by June 2024, costing the city around $4.3 billion. (Adobe Stock)

NYC Immigrant Students Increase Despite Lacking Resources

A report finds New York City is shrinking support for its growing immigrant student population. Since July 2022, more than 18,000 new students…

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PNS Daily Newscast - May 8, 2024

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NY: Budget Policy & Priorities