Full Senate must vote on judicial nominees, judge rules

Full Senate must vote on judicial nominees, judge rules

The State Senate Judiciary Committee's initial rejection of chief judge nominee Hector LaSalle was unconstitutional and all future Court of Appeals nominees must receive a full Senate floor vote, a Suffolk County judge ruled on Tuesday.

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Grasso secures endorsement from former NYPD commish Bill Bratton

 Grasso secures endorsement from former NYPD commish Bill Bratton

George Grasso, a candidate for Queens district attorney and former administrative judge in Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term, is touting the endorsement of former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, who he worked alongside in the department.

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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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Gov’s charter school plan draws ire from Queens pols

Gov’s charter school plan draws ire from Queens pols

“I don't begrudge any organizations or anybody from setting up their private schools, my concern is when those private schools want public dollars, and that's exactly what's happening here,” Queens State Senator John Liu said of Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to increase the number of charter schools in New York.

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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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Former top judge says Senate violated constitution by rejecting LaSalle

Former top judge says Senate violated constitution by rejecting LaSalle

A former chief judge of the Court of Appeals – and a noted supporter of Hector LaSalle, the recently rejected nominee for chief judge – says the governor has a solid case to bring should she decide to sue the State Senate for failing to bring LaSalle’s nomination to the floor of the legislature.

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Queens DA race begins take shape

Queens DA race begins take shape

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is facing a challenge from George Grasso, the former top judge in Queens’ Criminal Court. The two used to work out of the same building, and collaborated on a number of court initiatives. Take a peak into the early days of the campaigns – and their finances – here.

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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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Hochul praises LaSalle as opposition continues to grow

Hochul praises LaSalle as opposition continues to grow

Governor Kathy Hochul stood by her controversial pick for chief judge, Hector LaSalle, on Friday as doubts continued to be cast on his ability to be confirmed by a State Senate growing increasingly displeased with his nomination.

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