New York State had funded a successful grant program for spinal cord injury research that was funded by surcharges on speeding tickets until Gov. David Paterson diverted the cash from the tickets into the state's general fund.
As I wrote earlier this year the program has lead to some major breakthroughs in the field, lured prominent researchers to the state and created good jobs.
This year's state budget takes a step towards restoring funding to the program by allocating $2 million out of the usual $8.5 million that used to go to the program.
Terry O'Neill who has championed the program since its inception sent the following letter to Speaker Sheldon Silver thanking him for restoring the funding.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to toughen New York's gun laws and according to The Times Union Cuomo wants to do it as soon as next week. A source told the times union that a gubernatorial aide presented Senate Republicans with a draft of proposed gun legislation on Wednesday but Republicans turned it down. Republicans deny turning down any legislation. A myriad of Assemblyman have confirmed they were asked to stay in Albany on Wednesday in case a special session came to fruition this week but now all eyes or on Dec. 28. Cuomo has said he will address the issue of gun violence in his Jan. 9 State of the State Address but with the action in Albany it seems like something could happen much sooner. Cuomo has said he wants to eliminate loopholes in the state's assault weapons ban. Meanwhile, the Times Union reports that the same venue Cuomo will give his State of the State address in next year will also scheduled to host a gun show two weeks after the speech.