Cuomo to reappoint MTA Chairman for next six years

Just months after speculations of a new MTA chairman and CEO, Governor Andrew Cuomo has given a go ahead to the last MTA chairman to run for another term. Mr. Thomas Prendergast took control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 2013, after previous Chairman Jay Walder and Joe Lhota resigned from the position in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Above: Governor Cuomo and MTA Chairman Prendergast

 Cuomo announced at a breakfast forum that he will nominate Thomas Prendergast to serve as chairman for the next six years. Cuomo said during this forum "Prendergast has done a phenomenal job...I've seen him take command in true crisis, which gives you sense of the character and the leadership of the person." Prendergast might be set for a long six years term after previously completing two years of a turbulent six year term marked by change of chairmen.

“My mission at hand is to make sure I get a capital program and make sure that we meet the challenges that we’re seeing,” he said. “You’re seeing the ridership growth on the system and the challenges it’s presenting for us.”

Mr. Prendergast is wildly popular as he has acquired multiple transit executive positions over the course of his career. He was president of the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) in the 1990s and president of NYC transit from 2009 to 2013, as well as other positions in New York, Chicago, Vancouver, and Washington.

Quick Trip to Cuba for Cuomo

Earlier this week Governor Cuomo took a trip to Cuba to discuss possible business transactions and possible trades with the Cuban government. Along the trip accompanying governor Cuomo, was about 20 business owners, trying to take advantage of the easing relations recently agreed on between Cuba and the United States. The governor’s trip includes multiple meetings with Cuban officials as well as businesses to hopefully expand New York companies with Cuba.

In December President Obama announced plans to ease diplomatic relations with Cuba. As of last week he intended to remove Cuba from the governments list of nations that sponsor terrorism. With this new and uprising news, many big time companies such as Netflix and Amazon plan to announce business opportunities with Cuba, along with many American Banks.

Governor Cuomo was the first governor to travel to Cuba since president Obama’s statement. Cuomo met with many Cuban officials one including Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel. Both discussed the United States trade embargo and human rights in Cuba.

“There is no doubt change is in the air and this is an exciting time in Cuba,” Cuomo stated before his flight back to New York. On Tuesday after returning to New York, Cuomo’s Administration announced that two New York companies made deals on his trade mission.

The Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo signed an agreement with the center of Molecular Immunology on Havana to develop a vaccine for lung cancer. The second company to sign a agreement with Cuba was Infor, a Manhattan software company.

Eric Schneiderman Not Tantalized by Indoor Tanning

Schneiderman's office reported that it has recently filed lawsuits against two indoor tanning salons. These two tanning salons are being sued on the charge that they have falsely advertised the risks of tanning and the effects it produces. Total Tan Inc. and Portofino Spas LLC. are being sued by the Attorney General's office on state law violations for misleading testimonies and claims. Both companies are said to have advertised tanning as a way to increase vitamin D, reduce risk of cancer, reduce risk of heart disease and by also using false testimonies of other individuals.

Above: Attorney general Eric Schneiderman

“Make no mistake about it: There is nothing safe about indoor tanning,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “The use of ultra-violet devices increases exposure to cancer-causing radiation and puts millions of Americans in serious danger – young adults, in particular. Irresponsible businesses that seek to rake in profits by misleading the public about the safety of their services will be held accountable by my office. Advertising and marketing cannot be used as a tool to confuse and endanger New York consumers.”

 In return, owners of tanning salons have fired back at Schneiderman's lawsuit saying they will not be belittled by the AG, who tries to impose his own perspectives on the views of other businesses. Total Tan Inc. is a small family-owned business with 26 salons across upstate New York, and Portofino Spas LLC with five salons in Manhattan.

Total Tan Inc. has denied allegations from the AG's office by hiring lawyers who cited that they have not violated state laws. The small family-owned business also released statements claiming that the AG's led investigator is the wife of a former company executive fired by Total Tan Inc. Portofino's has not made comments since the lawsuit was filed at the state supreme court in New York City.

How do you Earth Day?

New York State contains some of the most beautiful outdoor scenery in the w^th and will continue through April 25^th.  Promoting the natural resources that this state has to offer and educating the public on how to preserve these resources are the two main functions of the week.

orld and Governor Cuomo is proud to remind New Yorkers about it. Earth week was announced on Monday April 19

The Department of Environmental Protection is offering many events across the state ranging from hikes, tree planting, and classes on a sustainable environment. These events are created to help celebrate keeping our parks clean for many years to come. Ensuring the conservation for future generations is a priority of the Department of Conservation. In a technology driven age, it is imperative to remember the significance of a vigorous, maintainable environment. Click here for a list of the week of activities.

Due to continued support from Governor Cuomo, the New York State parks are at their cleanest levels since the year 2000. Cuomo has also adopted many plans for the future that would continue to increase tourism to the parks, which has also been at record levels. To learn what you can do to make the parks a better place, click here.  

GOP Claims to Remain Focused

Amidst rumors circling the Senate Majority Dean Skelos, the GOP are set to be focused for the next legislative session that began on Tuesday of this week. Senate republicans are going to stand firm in support of Skelos through this process. According to rank and file members of the caucus, when the republicans conferenced on Tuesday it was only to discuss the policies that they wanted to address during the next two months of the legislative session. Issues such as rent control, common core and thousands of parents pushing for an "opt-out" option for their kids taking standardized tests have come to the doorstep of the legislature. The senate will have to be focused on policy and not outside distractions. 

Source: Nathaniel Brooks for the New York Times.

So far only two lawmakers have confirmed the issuing of subpoenas and source has claimed that 8 out of 9 republicans serving in the senate from Long Island have also been subpoenaed. These allegations of corruption on yet another leader of the legislature have put more doubts doubts in the publics eye towards New York's public officials. Even with the passage of ethics reform with the budget, according to Siena College 73% of upstate voter feel as though it will have very little impact on corruption. Also 90% of upstate voters see corruption as "very serious" or "somewhat serious" with 77% of upstate voters saying that the ethics reform did not go far enough. 

As if that wasn't enough Carl Heastie has made an official statement saying he did not benefit from the embezzlement that was charged against his late mother. 

These scandals, and other like it will take away from the legislatures ability to perform its critical roles of oversight, legislation, representation, and education as they might be caught up in a more judicial role this session. 

Governor Cuomo Reveals Earth Week Agendas

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his commitments to promote Environmental protection and promotion this week of April 19-25 (Earth week). The governor emphasized his aim to promote cleaner and healthier communities, as well as protection of New York's Natural resources. The Governor will also be collaborating with the Department of Environmental Conversation and Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to organized dozens of statewide events for the week.

 “New Yorkers are blessed with some of the most beautiful and most scenic outdoor locations in the world, and Earth Week is a reminder that each of us has a role in protecting and preserving New York’s environment and natural resources for future generations," Governor Cuomo said. "Alongside the new reality of severe weather, it is more important than ever before to protect and make more resilient these parks and sites. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to these endeavors and encourage all New Yorkers to do their part to look after our environment."

The Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens also mentioned that Families should go out to events organized for Earth week across the state. Events such as hiking, natural wildlife observation, tree planting, and a number of other Earth week related events will be available for people to participate. These organizations are aspired to educate New Yorkers of the importance of sustaining the environment.

 

Governor Cuomo has stated that there are important accomplishments that have been made from the protection and maintenance of the environment. The governor will aim at continuing the pace toward achieving better environmental initiatives.
Click here to see a full list of family events organized and more information for Earth week.
To see the key environmental accomplishments of Governor Cuomo click here.