Michael Gormley

Summer food program for youths begins, with more than 2,500 sites More than 20 million meals are expected to be provided under the federally funded program.

Summer food program for 400k youths statewide and more than 71k on Long Island begins this month, but as need for the free meals for lower income kids rises, so does concern over potential impact of fed funding cuts by Trump, GOP Congress. www.newsday.com/news/region-...

“Books won’t stay banned. They won’t burn. Ideas won’t go to jail. In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost.”

— A. Whitney Griswold

ICYMI: After Minnesota shooting of Dem state officials, NY insiders & lawmakers say pols in Albany, districts back home on LI, are vulnerable; Hochul, Republican & Dem lawmakers call for bolstered security in dangerous times of over-heated rhetoric. www.newsday.com/long-island/...

NYS Legislature approved a bill to outlaw use of algorithms that some landlords, management companies use to set higher rents and reduce competition that could hold rents to more affordable levels. US Justice Dept said the practice “harms millions of Americans.”

Critics say N.Y. state budget cuts off large blocks of public spending from independent review The Hochul administration defended the budget as "abiding by all applicable state laws."

ICYMI in today's Newsday: State budget adopted last month contained new measures to reduce transparency of spending, critics including Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli say. They say it's now harder for taxpayers who pay for $254B budget to see, analyze how it's spent. www.newsday.com/news/region-...

Canadians have cooled on US travel Mexico is looking like a much better option.

Canadians make up the largest proportion—nearly 28 percent—of international travelers visiting Florida. They also comprise the largest number of international visitors for the entire United States.

But that comfortable relationship may be taking a turn.

Costs rise in New York State as hospitals buy traditional private practices Legislative proposals would require comparable pricing between hospital-owned outpatient offices and independent practices.

Newsday: Health costs quietly rise in NYS as hospitals buy more private practices. One estimate found that hospitals typically charge Medicare two to four times more than an independent practice would for the same service. www.newsday.com/news/health/...

DMV warning that texts claiming to be from the DMV and threatening enforcement action for an unpaid traffic ticket are phony and part of a new phishing ploy. Best move is to delete the text and not reply to it or place the web address into a browser as ordered

Albany state legislature passes $254 billion budget Albany's state legislature approves a $254 billion budget, increasing state spending by $12.3 billion, with tax rebates and expanded child tax credits included.

It's begun: The Legislature starts passing a $254 billion budget a month late, and more than a week after Gov Hochul announced a 'general agreement' on the budget. www.newsday.com/news/region-...

Sen. Tom O’Mara in a Senate floor debate asks about the status of the overdue budget, when bills will be released, if there will be another budget “extender.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairwoman Liz Krueger: “I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.”

New York Times wins 4 Pulitzers, New Yorker 3; Washington Post wins for coverage of Trump shooting The New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes and The New Yorker three for journalism in 2024. Prizes were awarded on Monday for reporting, photography and commentary that touched on issues including th...

apnews.com/article/puli...

from Newsday's @JohnAsbury on X: Gov Hochul says the state will finally pay a $6 billion pandemic-era debt to the feds that’s been a burden on employers and has blocked an increase in unemployment insurance benefits to laid-off workers.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness month, I’m deeply concerned about cuts to mental health services that support the most vulnerable among us. We must all continue to look out for and support one another.

Albany budget process criticized for lack of transparency Albany's state budget process faces criticism for its secretive nature, and lack of transparency and accountability.

Month-late budget in NY state blamed on a traditionally secretive process that leaves out those who pay for it; here's how it's done, why it's criticized, why the public should care; and why no one seems to be trying to change it... www.newsday.com/news/region-...

It's not over. ... legislators say the closed-door state budget negotiations continue this week despite Gov Hochul's announcement Monday night of a 'general agreement.' That could mean voting on a budget that is nearly a month late could go into the weekend, or early next week.

Gov Hochul says she and legislators have agreed on a $254 billion state budget that was due April 1. The budget would increase from $244 billion in the last fiscal year. Independent analysts have warned the leaders are spending too much in volatile economic times.

Hochul says her "general agreement" with legislative leaders on the overdue state budget would reduce her tax rebate check idea: Instead of up to $500 for most joint filers and $300 for single filers, the checks would be $400 for joint filers and $200 for single filers.

Under the 'general agreement' between Hochul, legislative leaders school aid would rise to $38B, up from about $34B; student cell phones would be banned during school; adults 25-55 years old would get free tuition at community colleges for in-demand job training and education.

Hochul, legis leaders tentatively agree to ban use of masks in public, but only when police 1st charge a mask-wearing suspect with a greater crime, according to Assemb Speaker Heastie, Senate source. Hochul had originally proposed total mask ban to help police ID suspects.

After hour's leaders' meeting on late budget behind closed doors with Gov Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins were still holding cards close to vests. "It’s not shut down -- close, very close,” Stewart-Cousins told bewildered reporters. Budget was due April 1.

NY Leg OKs Gov Hochul’s 8th emergency spending ‘extender’ while still negotiating a state budget that was due April 1. The fiscal frustration puts local school districts in a bind. “What should we tell our school districts at this point?” asked Sen. Thomas O’Mara of Elmira.

New York voters back Hochul's policy proposals amid budget delay New York voters show support for Gov. Hochul's policy proposals, including criminal justice reforms, despite frustrations over the delayed state budget.

Siena poll: Gov Hochul has bipartisan support for her policy issues that have delayed a deal on a state budget that was due April 1, but NYers irked by another late spending plan. Legislature to pass 7th emergency spending extender today. www.newsday.com/news/region-...

Pope Francis waves to a large crowd of people, some of whom are waving Cuban flags or holding up their phones to take photos. Photo credit: Daniel Berehulak for The New York Times

Pope Francis died on Monday at 88. His papacy promoted inclusivity, embracing survivors of sexual abuse by clergy members; LGBTQ Catholics; Muslim and Orthodox clerics; and leaders of developing nations, where he believed the church’s future was rooted.

See Francis' life in photos: nyti.ms/4lEHXNZ

As REAL ID deadline nears, New Yorkers rush for licenses With the May 7 deadline looming, New Yorkers are rushing to secure REAL ID-compliant licenses, causing a surge in DMV appointment demand.

Fed REAL ID deadline nears for all air travelers who need to use their driver license for ID for even domestic flights beginning May 7; so far 6.7M NYers have gotten REAL ID license. www.newsday.com/news/region-...

Albany budget delays: Hochul's strategic approach Gov. Hochul uses the state budget as a strategy to push policy issues, leveraging her power in Albany's budget negotiations.

Why is NYS budget 3 weeks late and counting, as in most years under several governors? The reasons may not be what you think... www.newsday.com/news/region-...

Crowd shot

Crowd shot 2

Crowd shot 3

It was impossible to capture the crowd from our vantage at the center of the park, but we filled Forman Park with 4,000 beautiful people today

Trump Family’s Cash Registers Ring as Financial Meltdown Plays Out (Gift Article) The party was on at a Saudi-backed LIV Golf tournament at the president’s Doral resort in Florida and a fund-raiser at Mar-a-Lago, even as markets tumbled.

Even as the stock market crashed, President Trump was in Florida at his Doral golf resort and Mar-a-Lago club helping pump up family businesses, evidence that Trump continues to monetize the presidency. A NYT behind-the-scenes look with Theodore Schleifer and Zolan Kanno-Youngs nyti.ms/3XPqyIa

A large crowd of protesters gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo by Tim Evans/AFP — Getty Images

Demonstrators gathered across the U.S. on Saturday for a day of protest against President Trump and his policies. Read more: nyti.ms/3Ebi0oi

More than 3,000 protesters rally in Rochester to protest President Trump: See the photos Rochester-area protestors rallied April 5, as part of a national movement.

New Yorkers today came out in the rain to say #HandsOff to the billionaires trying to gut critical benefits and dismantle our democracy. 

Thank you for making your voices heard. 

www.democratandchronicle.com/picture-gall...

3.5 million people turned out yesterday. Not one Capitol building stormed, not one police officer attacked. #handsoff