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More than 100 NYC subway stations will get new platform barriers by the year's end, says MTA
More than 100 NYC subway stations will get new platform barriers by the year's end, says MTA

Time Out

time24-07-2025

  • Business
  • Time Out

More than 100 NYC subway stations will get new platform barriers by the year's end, says MTA

If you've noticed sleek new barriers popping up on some subway platforms, you're not imagining things—and they're about to get a whole lot more common. The MTA is barreling ahead with plans to install protective platform edge barriers at more than 100 stations by the end of 2025, part of a broader safety upgrade that includes brighter LED lighting and a sprawling security camera rollout. So far, 56 stations have received the new guardrails, and the MTA says it's on track to double that figure before the year's out. These partial-height barriers are designed to prevent riders from accidentally falling (or being pushed) onto the tracks—a concern voiced by 59-percent of recent survey respondents and a whopping 88-percent of seniors. 'We're making investments to ensure that our system not only is safe but—equally important—feels safe to riders,' said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. 'With new platform barriers, MTA's thousands of new security cameras, increased deployments from the NYPD, and 10% less crime before COVID, it's no wonder customer satisfaction has risen dramatically this year.' Governor Kathy Hochul, who first announced the initiative in her 2025 State of the State address, said safety will 'always be [her] number one priority.' In addition to the barriers, 342 stations have already been upgraded with new LED lights, with the rest scheduled by year's end. The MTA is leaning on its own in-house labor to manufacture and install the barriers—cutting costs and speeding up the rollout. Eligible stations were selected based on ridership, layout feasibility, and the presence of island platforms, with focus on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M and L lines. You can already spot barriers at spots like Wall Street, Grand Central (7), Clark Street, Astor Place, Bedford Avenue and Flushing–Main Street. Want to see if your station made the list? You can check here. Assemblymember Alex Bores called the barriers 'lifesaving tools,' noting they make people feel safer—and feeling safer encourages more riders to use the system, which in turn makes it safer overall. It's a virtuous cycle, sealed with steel and Plexiglas.

Hobbs had bipartisan wins in 2025, but fell short on some goals
Hobbs had bipartisan wins in 2025, but fell short on some goals

Axios

time14-07-2025

  • Business
  • Axios

Hobbs had bipartisan wins in 2025, but fell short on some goals

Gov. Katie Hobbs is touting some big bipartisan wins, but has unfinished business in the wake of the 2025 legislative session. The big picture: Now in her third year as governor, Hobbs sat down with Axios last week to discuss the legislative session, saying, "We got a lot of big things done." She touted achievements like funding for developmental disabilities services and a hard-fought bipartisan budget deal, as well as: Ag-to-urban: The legislation allows farmers to sell agricultural water rights to housing developers in the Phoenix area and Pinal County, opening the door for more housing in fast-growing Buckeye and Queen Creek affected by Hobbs' 2023 moratorium on groundwater certifications for new subdivisions. Hobbs said it might be the most significant groundwater legislation in Arizona since 1980. Axon: After opponents of the Taser-maker's proposed Scottsdale headquarters referred a zoning change to the ballot over planned apartment units, Hobbs signed legislation cancelling the election, ending a potential risk of the company relocating out of state. Diamondbacks: A drawn-out fight over public funding for improvements to Chase Field ended with a bipartisan agreement to provide $500 million in tax revenue generated by the Diamondbacks, and penalizing the team if it leaves before 2050. Hobbs disputed critics' characterization of the bill as a taxpayer giveaway to the team, saying it's mutually beneficial for the Diamondbacks to remain in Phoenix. Yes, but: The governor fell short on some noteworthy agenda items in her State of the State address. She called on lawmakers to expand Arizona's low-income housing tax credit, but the Legislature failed to renew it. Arizona will become the first state to abolish such a program in December. Lawmakers didn't support her proposed public-private partnership in which the state and private businesses would help pay for employee child care, though she said other changes would significantly cut the state's low-income child care waitlist. The intrigue: With her reelection looming in 2026, the Democrat took steps that could endear her to Arizona's Republican-leaning electorate. After vetoing legislation supported mostly by Republicans to restrict the Chinese government from owning land in Arizona, Hobbs pushed an alternative that passed on a bipartisan vote. Hobbs signed bipartisan legislation requiring pornography websites to verify users' ages, similar to a bill she vetoed last year. Hobbs said she heard from parents who were concerned about what their children could access online, telling Axios, "This is the right balance to protect them." What she's saying: "I'm always focused on doing what's right for Arizonans. That can sometimes look political, and there are political ramifications of every action that an elected official takes," Hobbs said. Between the lines: Hobbs broke the single-session veto record (143) she set two years ago, rejecting 174 bills. That says a lot about the Republican-controlled Legislature's propensity for sending her bills she's already vetoed, she said. "I will continue to be a backstop when legislators are trying to impose extreme ideology on Arizonans," Hobbs told Axios, citing issues like voting and access to reproductive health.

Paid Sick Leave Repealed for Millions in Missouri
Paid Sick Leave Repealed for Millions in Missouri

Newsweek

time11-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Newsweek

Paid Sick Leave Repealed for Millions in Missouri

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed the repeal of a law on Thursday that guaranteed paid sick leave to workers, just months after voters approved it. Why It Matters The move is a major victory for Missouri's largest business group and a frustrating defeat for workers' rights advocates, who had spent years—and millions of dollars—building support for the successful ballot measure that established mandatory paid sick leave for Missouri workers. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe delivers the State of the State address on January 28, 2025, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe delivers the State of the State address on January 28, 2025, in Jefferson City, Missouri. Jeff Roberson/AP Photo What To Know The change that voters approved in November, with almost 58 percent of the vote, established mandatory paid sick leave for Missouri workers and called for raising the state's minimum hourly wage to $15 in 2026. But Republicans who control the Missouri Legislature approved a bill that limited the minimum wage increase and scrapped the paid sick leave requirement. After signing the repeal, Kehoe, a Republican, described the paid sick leave law as an onerous mandate that imposed burdensome record-keeping. Richard von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs With Justice who sponsored the ballot initiative, said many parents felt forced to go to work, instead of staying home to care for a sick child, in order to pay for their rent or utilities. He said Kehoe signing the repeal is "an absolute betrayal." There is no federal law requiring paid leave, and the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid time off. However, more states are passing or considering laws that require employers to offer paid leave. As well as in Missouri, voters in Nebraska and Alaska approved paid sick leave measures in November last year. Only Alaska's has remained unchanged by state lawmakers. What People Are Saying Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, in a statement on Thursday: "Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work—families, job creators, and small business owners—by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates." Richard von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs With Justice, told the Associated Press: "The governor signing this bill is an absolute betrayal to those families, and it hurts my heart." Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a statement on Thursday: "Business owners were clear: Proposition A's paid leave and minimum wage policies were a job killer. "Missouri employers value their employees and recognize the importance of offering competitive wages and benefits, but one-size-fits-all mandates threaten growth. We thank Gov. Kehoe for signing this legislation that safeguards jobs and supports Missouri's overall economic competitiveness." What Happens Next The repeal will take effect on August 28. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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