Latest news with #NewYorkStateSenate
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With gas, electric bills surging, NY pushes regulatory agency to get tough on utilities
The New York State Senate, responding to double-digit rate hike demands from gas and electric utilities, recently approved measures targeting the state agency that signs off on utility requests. One would add an eighth slot to New York's Public Service Commission board for a consumer advocate. And another would ban former utility employees from joining the commission for at least two years after leaving their employment. They're among a package of eight member bills Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins shepherded through the state Senate in recent weeks. 'This package flips the script — putting people over profits,' Stewart-Cousins said. 'Utilities are a lifeline, not a luxury. For too long, New Yorkers have been treated as cash cows by companies that answer to shareholders, not the people.' The Assembly is expected to consider the package ahead of the summer recess. At the end of February, about 1.2 million gas and electric customers were behind at least two months on their bills, a total of $1.8 billion in arrears. Consumer advocates have called it an energy affordability crisis. Gov. Kathy Hochul has responded by, among other things, urging the commission to reject a double-digit rate increase from Con Edison, the state's largest utility. Bills: Hudson Valley customers: What's contributing to your high gas, electric bills? 'Far too many New Yorkers feel like they are in the dark when it comes to their utility bills,' said Laurie Wheelock, the executive director of the Public Utility Law Project, which advocates for customers. 'The Senate's utility affordability package advances many reforms that promote transparency, empower ratepayers, and improve oversight of utility practices.' Other measures passed in recent weeks would: Force utilities to give consumers refunds if the utility has exceeded their agreed-upon profit limits. Alert families to surging bills by telling them when usage is exceeding their threshold. Have the PSC consider non-economic damages like stress caused by a power outage when determining fines for utilities accused of misconduct. Extend to 14 months the review period for rate hikes, allowing more time for challenges. ConEd, whose territory includes Westchester County and New York City, is seeking increases of $14 for residential electric customers and around $46 for gas customers, which would kick in next year. Pipes: Leaky gas pipes cost NY utilities billions a year. How it trickles down to your gas bill Utilities across the state say they need the extra revenue to replace outdated infrastructure and for climate-related upgrades to guard against high-intensity storms that are occurring greater frequency. Thomas C. Zambito covers energy, transportation and economic growth for the USA Today Network's New York State team. He's won dozens of state and national writing awards from the Associated Press, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Deadline Club and others during a decades-long career that's included stops at the New York Daily News, The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record of Hackensack. He can be reached at tzambito@ This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How NY is pushing state regulatory group to get tough on utilities
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New York Senate Passes Bill to Allow Terminally Ill Residents to Choose Medical Aid in Dying
The New York State Senate has passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow someone who is terminally ill to choose to end their life Those eligible must be diagnosed with a terminal illness that's medically determined to "produce death within six months" The bill now goes to Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature but it's unclear if she will sign itThe New York State Senate has passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which allows those who are terminally ill to choose to end their life. The bill now goes to Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature. If the bill passes, it would make New York the twelfth state to allow terminally ill people to choose medical aid in dying. 'It isn't about ending a person's life, but shortening their death,' State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, one of the bill's sponsors, told The New York Times. The bill defines those eligible as being mentally competent and having a 'terminal illness' that 'has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months.' Those who are eligible for medical aid in dying can request, in writing, a lethal dose of medication that they would self-administer. The request must be witnessed by two people who are not blood relatives, or who would 'be entitled to any portion of the estate of the patient upon death.' 'This is about personal autonomy,' Hoylman-Sigal told the NYT. 'This is about liberty. This is about exercising one's own freedom to control one's own body.' Opponents like state Sen. George Borrello have referred to the bill as 'state-authorized suicide' to CBS News. As Gothamist reports, it's unclear whether or not Hochul will sign the bill into law; a spokesperson for the governor has said she will review the legislation. In a statement on the passing the bill, Hoylman-Sigal said 70% of the state's residents approve the legislation, which will "finally give New Yorkers access to this compassionate and dignified end of life care option.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
The Star
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
New York moves to allow terminally ill people to die on their own terms
NEW YORK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The New York State Senate approved a bill on Monday that would allow people facing terminal diagnoses to end their lives on their own terms, which the bill's proponents say would grant a measure of autonomy to New Yorkers in their final days. The bill, which passed the State Assembly earlier this year, will now head to the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, for her signature. "It is unclear whether she plans to sign it; a spokesman for her office said she would review it," reported The New York Times. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting so-called medical aid in dying. The practice is also available in several European countries and in Canada, which recently broadened its criteria to extend the option to people with incurable chronic illnesses and disabilities. According to the report, the bill in New York is written more narrowly and would apply only to people who have an incurable and irreversible illness, with six months or less to live. Proponents say that distinction is key.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
New York State Senate To Allow Terminally Ill People To End Their Lives Peacefully
The New York State Senate passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on Monday by a vote of 35-27, giving legal rights to terminally ill people to end their own lives with pharmaceutical drugs. The bill, which was approved in the State Assembly 81-67 in April, will head to Governor Kathy Hochul for final approval. Once it gets final approval and becomes a law, the Medical Aid in Dying Act will allow terminally ill adults, who are mentally capable with a prognosis of six months or less, to end their lives peacefully using a prescription. The prognosis should be confirmed by two doctors. New York will join other states, including Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, New Mexico and New Jersey, to legalise medical aid in dying if the governor signs the bill. It's also legal in the District of Columbia. "It's been a long road but thanks to the dedicated activists from groups like Compassion & Choices and Death with Dignity we have built the broadest coalition ever assembled of doctors, nurses, patients and legal advocates from across New York to support this bill," Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Senate Sponsor of Medical Aid in Dying, said in a press release. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Westchester Democrat who leads the body's Health Committee, first introduced the bill a decade ago. It was personal for her as she had watched her sister die after a battle with cancer the year before. "After more than a decade of advocacy, we are finally on the brink of giving terminally ill New Yorkers the autonomy and dignity they deserve at life's end. This legislation is about easing needless suffering and honouring deeply personal choices," Paulin said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Hartford veteran inducted into Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A New Hartford veteran was given a high honor by the New York State Senate on Wednesday, according to State Senator Joe Griffo. Griffo announced on Wednesday, May 28 that Lawrence Badger of New Hartford has been inducted into the New York State Senate's Veterans' Hall of Fame. Badger is a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam conflict. 'It is an honor to recognize Larry and all the other men and women who have been inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame this year,' Senator Griffo said in a statement. 'Larry has selflessly and courageously served his nation with distinction. He remains committed to supporting and advocating for other veterans and their families and continues to be an active, dedicated and instrumental part of several organizations that support veterans in the region. I am grateful for Larry's service and all that he has done for the veteran community in the 53rd Senate District.' Badger graduated from Proctor High School, and was a student at Mohawk Valley Community College when he enlisted in the Army. He served during Vietnam as a Paratrooper infantryman, serving in several campaigns, including two phases of the Tet Counter Offensive. Badger received the Purple Heart in 1968 after being wounded in Vietnam. When he departed Vietnam in July of 1969 as a squad leader of the 93rd MP Batallion, he had received the following awards and medals: The Purple Heart, The Combat Infantry Badge, The Army Commendation Medal with 'V' Device, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Parachute Badge, The Air Medal Citation, The Good Conduct Medal, and three Overseas Service Bars. After leaving the Army, Badger was employed at the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 2008. He works behind the scenes at several Central New York veteran-related ceremonies and other events. He is a member and ranking member of several Central New York veteran organizations, including: Vice President of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Finance Officer of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an officer in the local post of the Masonic War Veterans, a Trustee of the Yorkville Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Director of Wreaths across America in Rome. Badger is also a member of the American Legion Post in New Hartford. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
