PUBLISHED 5:34 AM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 5:34 AM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer is backing the push to legalize adult-use cannabis in New York as the measure gains ground for potential passage in the coming days in Albany.
At the same time, Schumer raised the possibility of the bill s approval being a harbinger for easing federal marijuana policy in the future.
Schumer on Tuesday tweeted his support for the measure, which would allow for the legal sale of cannabis products and allow people to grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes. As a deal comes close to getting done, I urge our leaders in Albany to keep front and center the effort to repair the harm done by marijuana prohibition, Schumer said.
PUBLISHED 9:02 AM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 9:02 AM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Lavine announced that the Assembly has retained the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP to lead the impeachment investigation into the mounting allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“Since Thursday, Chairman Lavine led a vigorous search for a top-flight firm to assist with the investigation. I have the utmost faith that Assemblymember Lavine and our Judiciary Committee will conduct a full and fair investigation,” Speaker Heastie said. “Hiring Davis Polk will give the Committee the experience, independence, and resources needed to handle this important investigation in a thorough and expeditious manner.”
UPDATED 9:33 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 8:23 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 8:23 PM EDT Mar. 16, 2021
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The impeachment investigation into the numerous scandals facing Governor Andrew Cuomo is progressing, but some might argue not very quickly.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said it is important that this investigation continue without time constraints.
“I do think it should be done expeditiously,” Speaker Heastie said. “But to say you have to come back with a decision in a week, or two weeks, or a month, would be unfair to the process of an investigation. I don t have an answer as to how long.
State Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy criticized Democratic lawmakers, saying that they are trying to drag out the impeachment process in order to give majority leaders leverage during budget negotiations.
PUBLISHED 11:34 AM ET Mar. 17, 2021 PUBLISHED 11:34 AM EDT Mar. 17, 2021
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo received the single dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday at an event with prominent supporters of his in the Black community, and he urged New Yorkers to get whichever version of the vaccine that is made available to them.
The governor received the vaccine at a church in Harlem as the state has expanded eligibility to include more people, including public-facing non-profit workers, public-facing government workers and business service employees, flanked by Black state lawmakers, clergy, and advocates.
The event was closed to the press due to COVID restrictions, according to Cuomo s office, and featured prominent supporters lavishly praising the governor, including NAACP New York President Hazel Dukes and former Rep. Charlie Rangel.