Senate rejects gov’s chief judge pick

Senate rejects gov’s chief judge pick

The State Senate rejected Governor Kathy Hochul’s nominee for chief judge of the Court of Appeals in a surprise vote on Wednesday, putting an end to a constitutional standoff between the Democratic governor and Democratic majority in the legislature and marking the first time in New York State history a chief judge nominee has been rejected.

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Senate leader defends LaSalle rejection following lawsuit

Senate leader defends LaSalle rejection following lawsuit

“We're entitled to make our rules,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said after a lawsuit was filed alleging that she improperly ended the chief judge nomination of Hector LaSalle. “I'm disappointed, but the reality is that I think it was pretty clear in the committee meeting the votes were not there for Judge LaSalle.”

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Lawsuit calls for full Senate vote on LaSalle

Lawsuit calls for full Senate vote on LaSalle

A lawsuit was filed on Thursday demanding that a judge order the State Senate to take a full vote on Governor Kathy Hochul’s nominee for chief judge of the Court of Appeals, three weeks after the nominee was rejected by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee in a 10-9 vote.

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'The people left behind’: Advocates renew push to pass parole reform

'The people left behind’: Advocates renew push to pass parole reform

Robert Webster, a Queens man who served over three decades in prison, was one of over 100 formerly incarcerated New Yorkers to make a trip to Albany on Wednesday to reignite the push to pass the Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole bills, both of which have received widespread support from lawmakers and advocates in the past but have yet to make it to the governor’s desk.

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Senate rejects governor's chief judge pick

Senate rejects governor's chief judge pick

Governor Kathy Hochul’s controversial nominee for New York State’s highest judicial position, Hector LaSalle, was rejected by the State Senate’s Judiciary Committee on Wednesday following an unusually drawn out hearing, potentially setting the stage for a legal battle between the state’s top executive and the legislature.

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