Queens pol introduces bill to expand reentry services for state prisoners

Queens pol introduces bill to expand reentry services for state prisoners

A bill introduced by a Queens assemblymember that would create a reentry program for New York’s prisoners to prepare them for their eventual release began making its way through the state legislature on Wednesday.

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Mayoral candidates spar over Roosevelt Avenue

Mayoral candidates spar over Roosevelt Avenue

The three remaining men vying for New York City mayor sparred over how to address crime and improve quality of life on Roosevelt Avenue on Thursday during the first of two debates in the race.

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González-Rojas launches insurgent campaign against Ramos

González-Rojas launches insurgent campaign against Ramos

A host of Queens elected officials immediately jumped to back State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas in her bid to unseat State Senator Jessica Ramos, which the lawmaker officially kicked off Monday night.

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State Legislature passes prison reforms, heads to Hochul’s desk

State Legislature passes prison reforms, heads to Hochul’s desk

The New York State Legislature passed a package of prison reforms on the last day of the legislative session, sending the bills to the governor’s desk. However, the governor has not indicated if she plans to support the package or not.

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Gov leaves out atty student loan relief from budget

Gov leaves out atty student loan relief from budget

Despite widespread support from lawmakers, district attorneys and public defenders alike, Governor Kathy Hochul did not allocate the $4 million in her recently released Executive Budget Proposal needed to enable legislation that would expand the District Attorney and Indigent Legal Service Attorney Loan Forgiveness program.

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Opinion: Legal assistance for immigrants is a moral imperative and an economic opportunity

Opinion: Legal assistance for immigrants is a moral imperative and an economic opportunity

“Hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in our state face the terrifying prospect of deportation and forced family separation, simply because they do not have access to legal representation in a complex and often unforgiving immigration system.”

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Local pols want G train restored to former Queens glory

Local pols want G train restored to former Queens glory

Several Queens and Brooklyn elected officials are calling on the MTA to consider running the G train along its former route, deeper into Queens, now that the transit authority has announced plans to do work on the line that will likely cause major service disruptions.

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Queens officials defend food vendors in Corona Plaza

Queens officials defend food vendors in Corona Plaza

A Queens locale known for its vibrancy and culture was the site of a late night city crackdown on illegal vendors last week, done with little notice to the vendors or local elected officials, who held a rally on Wednesday protesting what they said was heavy-handed enforcement from the city. 

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