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Today’s Lead: Cuomo Says He Will Sign DREAM Act if it Passes


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For the first time, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he would sign an act that would provide tuition funding for the children of undocumented immigrants if the bill passes both houses of the legislature. Cuomo previously touted his support for the federal DREAM ACT but never answered where he stood on the state bill. Some believe Cuomo made the statement to repair his rocky relationship with the minority community. But some legislators say they have been courting the administration on the act for months and have met with them several times. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio hasrecently lent his support to the bill and touted the financial benefits it could have for the state. It is unclear if Senate Republicans will allow the bill to come to a vote and if there are enough Democratic votes for it to pass. Sen. George Latimer, R-Rye, has said he would vote for the bill. 

 


Other Stories We're Following

Ad Campaign Seeks to Increase Chances of Cuomo’s Campaign Finance Plan (NY Times)

NYU Hospital’s Political Fund-Raising Questioned (NY Times)

Astorino to Announce Bid For Governor (NY Post)

Experts, Studies Clash on Benefits of Mayor’s Pre-K Plan (Daily News)

Mayor Weathers Missteps (Wall Street Journal)

Schools Chancellor Meets With Charter School Leaders (Wall Street Journal)

Klein Targeted By Senate Democrats (Crain's)

Mayor Calls Out Verizon on Broadband Agreement (Crain's)

De Blasio Boosts State’s DREAM Act (Albany Times Union)

De Blasio Refuses to Take “Speedgate” Questions (Politicker)

Despite Millions in Funds, Program Fails to Repair Any Sandy-Damaged Homes (DNAinfo)

 

Today's Lead: Suit Against NYPD's Muslim Spying In Jersey Tossed


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A federal judge in Newark ruled yesterday that the NYPD didn't discriminate against Muslims by spying on mosques and businesses in New Jersey. A class action lawsuit had argued that the surveillance programs were unconstitutional because they focused on religion, national origin, and race. But U.S. District Judge William Martini said the police were looking for Muslim terrorists, so surveying Muslim communities was necessary and not discriminatory. The plaintiffs had also argued that the spying had caused them harm, such as diminished religious expression and lost job opportunities. But the judge said the injuries were hypothetical and that any harm was caused by The Associated Press for exposing the surveillance, not the spying itself.


Other Stories We're Following

De Blasio’s Caravan Caught Speeding, Blowing Stop Signs (CBS News)

Settlement Reached On Long Island College Hospital's Future (DNAinfo)

State Panel Freezes ConEd Electric, Gas Rates (Wall Street Journal)

Mayor Removing Over 400 Kids From Two Shelters (NY Times)

Cuomo Makes Conservative Argument For College In Prison (Capital)

Politician Asks For State Help If de Blasio Thwarts Charter Expansion (NY Post)

City's Head Of Sandy Reconstruction Steps Down (Crain's)

De Blasio Hires Sandy Point Person, Title To Be Determined (Capital)

Biometric Scanners Poised For Big Growth In Building Security (Daily News)

Businesses Get Grace Period In Sick-Pay Bill (Crain's)

MTA Backs Off Plan To Remove Homeless From Subways (DNAinfo)

NYC Ranks 6th In Income Inequality Nationally (WNYC)

14-Year Term For Leader in Bronx Anti-Gay Attack (NY Times)

Today's Lead: State To Curtail Solitary Confinement


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As a result of a class action lawsuit, the state agreed yesterday to curtail the use of solitary confinement. New York's prison system will become the largest in the nation to ban the use of solitary confinement to punish minors; it will prohibit the use of confinement as punishment for pregnant inmates; and the punishment will be limited to 30 days for the developmentally disabled. The agreement also imposes sentencing guidelines and maximum lengths for different infractions for all prisoners. On average, about 3,800 prisoners are in solitary confinement every day for 22 or more hours for violating prison rules.

Other Stories We're Following

City Comptroller Sounds Alarm Over Labor Contracts (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio: ‘Height And Density’ Key To Affordable Housing (Daily News)

If Cuomo Wins Pre-K Battle, Will He Deliver? (Capital)

De Blasio Pitches Pre-K Tax Hike To Real Estate Executives (Crain's)

Pickpockets Look Forward To Lunar New Year (NY Times)

West Side Highway Reopens After Falling Ice From WTC (DNAinfo)

Dominican Voting Bloc Creates Battlegrounds In Harlem (Daily News)

Mayor Pushes Verizon To Discount FiOS For Poor (Crain's)



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