With the help of Shawn Ness and Irie Sentner
New from New York
Happening now:
- Two Syracuse University students visited their old college town.
- New York spends the most per capita on schools, and it’s not even close.
- Reaction to the overturning of the Harvey Weinstein verdict in New York.
- The Carey Gabay Scholarship is now available.
VISITS OFFERED TO THE STATE: President Joe Biden visited upstate New York this afternoon with Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Chuck Schumer to celebrate federal funding of up to $6 billion for a semiconductor factory.
But the eyes of the nation were still about 250 miles to the southeast as the chaos at Columbia University continued and spread to nearby universities, and as former President Donald Trump’s trial resumed downtown.
However, one would know nothing about the New York City turmoil in Syracuse, where it was all smiles and cheers among the state’s and the nation’s leading Democrats. The deal for Micron, first announced in late 2022, is seen as a turning point for the struggling upstate economy that has grappled with decades of job and population losses in the manufacturing sector.
“Friends, I want to thank Governor Hochul for inviting us here today and for her partnership,” a triumphant Biden said. He also mocked upstate House Republicans who had criticized the CHIPS Act but now celebrate its investments in New York. The district is a key race and Republican Rep. Brandon Williams will be one of the most vulnerable freshmen in the nation this fall.
Still, the dichotomy of the day was evident.
Biden and Hochul have criticized the anti-Semitism spewed at the university protests, but have also been criticized by Republicans for not doing more, such as sending the National Guard to quell the university riots.
Hochul said this week that he continues to talk to Columbia in particular about ending tent camps, saying the goal is “to make sure that all students on campus feel safe and secure.”
Hochul visited the university privately on Monday and Biden is not scheduled to be in town during his trip, although he will stop in Westchester for a fundraiser tonight.
This is in stark contrast to the Republicans’ handling of the Columbia situation.
Second in line for the presidency, House Speaker Mike Johnson, traveled to the university on Wednesday with other Republican House members as they called on Hochul to step up surveillance across the campus.
But the Republicans were silenced by student protesters chanting “Mike, you stink!” and continued to refuse administrators’ orders to remove their tent encampment from the university lawn.
That was also a contrast to Hochul, who posted Wednesday night on X that she was having a “beautiful day in the neighborhood” while taking a walk through Central Park, eating a soft pretzel, and taking selfies next to flowering trees.
State Sen. Jack Martins, chairman of the Senate Republican Task Force on Anti-Semitism, said the governor’s visit to Syracuse and Central Park showed she is more interested in “pictures” than keeping students safe.
“There are kids who are being told they can’t or shouldn’t go to school and should stay home, and the campus is closed for remote learning, and she’s walking through Central Park having a soft pretzel, it’s a wonderful day. . Martins said.
“Frankly, that kind of disorientation cannot be ignored. “At a time when we need leadership, once again the governor has fallen short.”
Avi Small, a spokesman for Hochul, lashed out at detractors, noting that his stroll through Central Park was just one of many posts that appeared on his X account on Wednesday.
“We are delighted that many New Yorkers are closely following the Governor’s social media accounts and encourage them to read yesterday’s posts about protecting sexual assault survivors, defending abortion rights, and investing in the justice system criminal,” he said. — Jason Beeferman
NY SPENDS MORE ON SCHOOL AID: New York remains number one, with the highest per-pupil spending rate in the country. according to the US Census Bureau..
New York City also had the highest per-pupil spending rate of the nation’s 100 largest school districts.
New York topped the list spending $29,873 per student. It was followed by the District of Columbia ($27,425), New Jersey ($25,099), Vermont ($24,608) and Connecticut ($24,453).
The announcement comes shortly after New York approved another monumental $1.3 billion increase in school aid, bringing total school aid in New York to more than $35 billion.
However, the state is reviewing its basic aid formula, which is used to divide the state’s largest school aid budget line, a move that could result in smaller increases in the future.
He formula study The deadline for approval is Dec. 1, and the Legislature and governor will decide which recommendations will be included in the approved budget. — Katelyn Cordero
ANOTHER LOCAL ELECTION DEMAND: Rockland County has become the latest local government to sue the state over a new law that moves most city and county elections to even years.
“Electoral gerrymandering without representation, forcibly removing our right to self-govern and limiting the next term of the County Executive and Legislature to three years instead of the four years required by our laws, and reducing officials of cities and towns in one year is a mistake. County Executive Ed Day said in a statement.
The law, signed shortly before Christmasis now the subject of lawsuits in every corner of the state.
Onondaga County allocated funds for a case in February. Other counties that have filed or said they will file lawsuits include Oneida, Nassau and Rensselaer. —Bill Mahoney
‘THE LAW APPLIES TO EVERYONE:’ Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned today by the New York Court of Appeals, and the court ordered a new trial in the case.
Weinstein will remain in prison due to his 2022 rape conviction in California.
Standing outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump is being tried, Weinstein’s lawyer called it “a great day for America” and mentioned Trump’s case while discussing his client’s victory.
“A judge will sit in his chambers and examine the law and precedent without fear or favor and say, ‘I don’t care who the defendant is, whether it’s the former president of the United States or the most famous actor in Hollywood.’ our generation, the law applies to everyone,’” said Arthur Aidala, who represented Weinstein in the appeal case.
“The law applies to everything from a murder case to a case of falsifying business records,” he added. -Irie Sentner
‘BLOW IN THE WIND’ DECISION: Meanwhile, advocates seeking stronger labor protections in the fashion industry condemned today’s Court of Appeals ruling that overturned Weinstein’s sex crimes charges.
The Model Alliance, which has pushed for the Fashion Workers Act, said the decision to overturn Weinstein’s conviction in New York strengthens the argument for strengthening workplace protections.
“The Court of Appeals’ decision is an indictment of the criminal legal system and a gut punch to survivors like me, who were victims not only of Weinstein and his associates, but also of the lack of regulation in the fashion industry. which knowingly puts young women and girls at the mercy of serial rapists like Weinstein and Bill Cosby every day,” said Sara Ziff, founder of Model Alliance.
Weinstein was convicted in 2020 of criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape. The state’s high court found, however, that a judge erred by allowing witnesses in the case who had said Weinstein had sexually abused them, but whose cases were not part of the criminal charges. — Nick Reisman
NY WANTS MORE ART: More than 100 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations have received a share of $32 million to revitalize their facilities and furnish their creative works.
The 102 different nonprofit organizations They are spread throughout the state from New York City to Buffalo and north to St. Lawrence.
“From historic sites to new multi-use arts centers, these diverse projects will expand the accessibility and sustainability of arts and cultural organizations while growing local economies, boosting tourism and creating jobs across New York State. Hochul said in a statement.
Grants will range in sizes from $50,000 to $2 million for smaller projects and up to $10 million for larger projects that prioritize community development. — Shawn Ness
CAREY GABAY SCHOLARSHIP: Young attorneys have another opportunity to work in Hochul’s office through the Carey Gabay Scholarship. Applications for the position opened today, Hochul announced.
The two-year paid fellowship is designed for bar-admitted attorneys who are committed to public service and will receive a direct opportunity to work alongside the governor’s legal team on issues such as violence prevention, economic equality and community development.
The scholarship is named for Carey Gabay, who was shot and killed in a shooting in 2015. The position is designed to honor his legacy.
“Carey Gabay was tragically taken from us too soon, leaving a hole in the hearts of her family, her colleagues and, truly, all New Yorkers,” Hochul said in a statement.
Applications will be accepted until May 15. —Shawn Ness
—President Joe Biden and the New York Times have a little dispute. (POLITICAL)
—The White House refused House Speaker Mike Johnson’s call to send the National Guard to Columbia University. (POLITICAL)
— CUNY City College now has his own pro-Palestinian camp. (Daily News).
— Spokesman Carl Heastie is becoming a regular in Columbia County. There is a reason (POLITICO Pro)