New York Governor Kathy Hochul Proposes Weakening State Climate Law New York’s governor has a complicated relationship with the climate. On the one hand, she wants to build more carbon-free nuclear power, and she (eventually) backed New York City’s congestion pricing. On the other, she just put out a proposal to upend the state’s landmark climate law. The proposal, which has drawn criticism from environmental advocates, aims to roll back key provisions of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), a 2019 law that set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Under the CLCPA, New York committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and cutting emissions by 85% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The governor’s plan would weaken these targets, replacing them with less stringent goals that critics argue fail to address the urgency of the climate crisis. Hochul’s proposal includes delaying the phase-out of fossil fuel infrastructure and reducing the state’s reliance on renewable energy mandates. It also proposes to exempt certain industries, such as manufacturing and transportation, from stricter emissions regulations. Environmental groups have condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of New York’s climate commitments and a setback for clean energy progress. The governor’s stance reflects a broader tension between economic development and environmental protection. While she has supported initiatives like expanding nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source, her proposal to weaken the CLCPA has raised concerns about prioritizing short-term economic interests over long-term climate goals.#kathy_hochul #new_york_governor #climate_leadership_and_community_protection_act #clcpa #environmental_advocates
Cessna Makes Emergency Hudson River Landing, Two Survivors Reported A Cessna 172 Skyhawk made an emergency water landing in the Hudson River on March 2, 2026, after losing engine power during a training flight. The aircraft, with tail number N1560E, crashed near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge in Orange County, New York, at 8:02 p.m. EST. Both occupants, a 31-year-old flight instructor named Liam D’Arcy and his 17-year-old student pilot, were rescued with only minor injuries. Authorities described the incident as another remarkable survival story on the Hudson River. D’Arcy, who was conducting a supervised night training flight from a Long Island flight school, declared a Mayday call after the engine failed while east of Stewart International Airport. With no option to land safely on land, he made the critical decision to attempt a water landing. The Cessna struck the icy waters of the Hudson, but both occupants managed to escape the wreckage and swim toward shore. Despite the freezing temperatures, they reached safety and were quickly assisted by first responders, including the Coast Guard and local rescue teams. The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” when Captain Chesley Sullenberger successfully ditched US Airways Flight 1549 in the river, saving 155 passengers. While the scale of the two incidents differs, experts have praised D’Arcy’s calm under pressure and his quick decision-making. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the event “another miracle on the Hudson,” emphasizing the river’s role as a site of survival rather than disaster. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the engine failure. The recovered Cessna will undergo a mechanical inspection.#kathy_hochul #liam_darcy #hudson_river #cessna_172_skyhawk #newburghbeacon_bridge
Hochul Moves to Delay and Alter Climate Law, Citing Energy Prices New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed delaying and modifying the implementation of the state’s 2019 climate law, which mandates gradual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by specific deadlines. The plan, currently under consideration during legislative budget talks, would push back the enforcement regulations—already delayed by two years—to 2030 and adjust how certain emissions are measured. In an editorial published in The Empire Report, a state politics news site, Hochul argued that the law requires “common-sense adjustments” due to significant changes since its enactment. She emphasized the need for more time to address challenges, citing factors such as pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, inflation, tariffs, and the Trump administration’s opposition to offshore wind and solar projects. Hochul also linked the ongoing energy affordability crisis to rising oil and gas prices, which she attributed to Trump’s policies toward Iran. The proposal has been anticipated by lawmakers in Albany, though it comes late in the budget negotiation process. While Hochul holds considerable influence to advance her agenda, legislative approval of the final budget—expected to include changes to the climate law—remains necessary. Speaking at a Politico-sponsored event earlier this month, Hochul stressed the urgency of addressing economic hardship for New Yorkers. “I cannot deal in hypotheticals and aspirations when I have to govern a state where my people are suffering,” she said, highlighting her focus on alleviating immediate financial strain. The adjustments to the climate law reflect broader tensions between environmental goals and economic pressures, as well as the impact of national policies on state-level initiatives.#new_york #kathy_hochul #the_empire_report #politico_sponsored_event #climate_law
Claiming a better deal: Why MTA says Hochul’s auto insurance reforms will be boon for transit riders MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and Gov. Kathy Hochul jointly promoted her proposal to lower auto insurance premiums as a benefit for New York City’s transit riders. During a news conference at the Mother Clara Hale Bus Depot in Harlem, both officials emphasized that the measure would save the MTA approximately $50 million annually by reducing personal injury insurance payouts. The announcement follows criticism of the proposal, which has been linked to support from big tech companies and concerns it could disadvantage crash victims. Hochul, running for reelection, framed the reform as a way to curb “skyrocketing” car insurance costs, attributing the rise in premiums to “jackpot payouts” to individuals she claimed are fraudulently exploiting the system. She argued that city residents, many of whom rely on public transit, should support the measure because the MTA could redirect funds saved from payouts toward improving transportation services. “They’re sometimes forced to pay really outrageous legal settlements, even when their own drivers are not at fault,” Hochul said. “And it’s costing us millions. So who loses? All the transit riders. Because the money spent on these payouts isn’t being invested in this system.” However, critics, including advocacy groups, have raised concerns that the reform would shift financial responsibility for crashes from drivers and insurers to victims. By narrowing the definition of “serious injuries” to exclude non-permanent injuries that prevent individuals from working for over 90 days, the legislation could limit compensation for crash victims.#mta #janno_lieber #kathy_hochul #mother_clara_hale_bus_depot #transportation_alternatives
Is This the Year New York’s Scaffold Law Gets Reformed? The conventional wisdom is that when a headline asks a question, the answer tends to be no. In this case, Governor Kathy Hochul did not include any legislation to reform New York’s scaffold law in her executive budget. There also appears to be limited political momentum at the state level to push for changes this year, partly due to the upcoming election cycle. However, the debate over the law remains active, particularly in the context of broader efforts to streamline housing development in the state. During a recent state budget hearing focused on housing, several housing advocacy groups, including the New York Housing Conference and the New York Association-Affordable Housing, expressed support for revising the scaffold law. Their stance is to at least exempt affordable housing projects with regulatory agreements from the law’s full liability provisions. The scaffold law currently holds owners and general contractors fully responsible for gravity-related injuries on construction sites. Critics argue that this strict liability framework drives up construction costs, while supporters maintain it is essential for worker safety. The Building Trades Employers’ Association, which represents general contractors, estimates that insurance costs related to the scaffold law account for 8 to 10 percent of total construction expenses. In contrast, states that use a comparative negligence standard—where courts determine fault and reduce liability if an employee’s negligence contributed to an accident—see insurance costs as low as 2 to 4 percent. This disparity highlights the financial burden the scaffold law places on developers, particularly in the context of affordable housing projects.#kathy_hochul #new_york_housing_conference #new_york_association_affordable_housing #building_trades_employers_association #build_more_new_york
Mayor Mamdani Slams ‘Bigotry’ from Right-Wing Radio Host Sid Rosenberg; WABC Defends Him Mayor Eric Adams condemned right-wing radio host Sid Rosenberg for using “bigoted” and “dehumanizing” language during a heated exchange, calling the remarks “painfully familiar” to Muslim New Yorkers. The criticism came after Rosenberg labeled Adams a “Jew-hating cockroach” and a “jihadist mayor” on Monday, following the mayor’s public stance against the Trump administration’s policies toward Iran and its immigration enforcement actions. Adams, who is the first Muslim mayor of New York City, denounced the rhetoric as an attempt to undermine his leadership and divert attention from pressing civic issues. Rosenberg, a prominent figure in New York’s Republican political landscape, has long faced scrutiny for his history of making racist and Islamophobic remarks. Despite this, he has maintained connections with city officials, including dining with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and featuring Council Speaker Julie Menin on his radio show. Adams highlighted the personal impact of Rosenberg’s comments, noting that they resonate deeply with Muslim residents and those of East African descent, as he himself moved to New York from Uganda at age 7. In a statement, Adams emphasized that his identity as the city’s first Muslim mayor would not be diminished by “racism” or “bigotry.” He accused Rosenberg of prioritizing “outrage” over constructive dialogue, asserting that the host’s attacks were a distraction from the city’s urgent challenges. The mayor also reiterated his commitment to serving all New Yorkers, regardless of their background, and rejected the dehumanizing rhetoric directed at him.#kathy_hochul #mayor_erik_adams #sid_roseberg #wabc #julie_menin
