Kathy Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul announced several steps to curb the growing number of extreme acts of violence motivated by racial hatred.

Hochul told reporters that she wants to expand the state’s existing ban on some assault weapons to include what are called AOWs, or any other weapon. She said some of these guns are functionally assault weapons.

The governor said the funds will subsidize travel, lodging and other expenses associated with the procedure, to be used for people who live in states where abortion would be banned, if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe.

The New York governor is up to date on her vaccinations and is asymptomatic.

“We are so sick of this assault on women’s rights,” said Hochul. “My god, this is the birthplace of the women’s rights movement.”

The governor’s choice of a new second in command comes three weeks after former lieutenant governor Brian Benjamin was indicted on federal corruption charges and resigned from office.

The New York state Legislature approved a bill requested by Governor Kathy Hochul to allow Benjamin to remove his name from the Democratic primary ballot.

In 2019, New York codified into state law the rights granted in Roe v. Wade, so abortion rights in the state would be unaffected by the draft opinion, were it to be issued as a final decision.

Nearly 60% of New Yorkers think the state’s bail laws have made crime worse and only a third think the most recent changes will decrease crime.

A new poll finds that voter confidence in the ability of Governor Kathy Hochul to do her job is continuing to slip. The news comes as the state legislature returns to the Capitol for the final six weeks of the legislative session.