NY Senators Approve New Gun Bill, Ball Takes Shot at Cuomo

The Assembly approves a package of gun measures but will take up the legislation on Tuesday.

The New York State Senate approved a package of gun control measures Monday evening. The Assembly adjourned without a debate on the measure, promising to take it back up on Tuesday. Only a dozen senators spoke on the chamber floor to explain their votes. Greg Ball of Putnam County, one of two Republicans to speak, said the bill should have included a greater overhaul of the state’s mental health system. He warned that it is served more purpose for Governor Andrew Cuomo and would likely burden lawful gun owners. “We haven’t saved any lives tonight, except for one: the political life of a governor who wants to be president,” he said. “I voted no, and I only wish I could have done it twice.

The bill was approved by a 43-18 vote. New Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, D-Rochester, said legislators adjourned out of “concern for members” and a desire to discuss the bill further. (Times Union)

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Black, Latino NY Caucus Furious at Gov. Cuomo

The governor chose not to renew the term of the only black male on Parole Board.

New York State's Legislative Black and Latino Caucus is furious with Governor Cuomo for not renewing the term of the lone black male on the state Parole Board, according to the New York Daily News.

The Caucus is criticizing the lack of a renewal, pointing to the disparity between people of color on the board and the percentage of people of color behind bars.

Currently, 49 percent of all state inmates are black and 93 percent of them are men. The departure of Henry Lemons from the board leaves the board without a black male. There's a black female and Hispanic on the board.

“I have spoken to the governor in sharing my displeasure,” said Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, a Bronx Democrat and member of the caucus, to the New York Daily News.

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Sen. Eric Adams, a Brooklyn Democrat and a former NYPD cop, also spoke of the need for a black man on the board, to the New York Daily News: “It’s almost crucial that you have that representation."

A Cuomo official told the New York Daily News this was not about race, but a friendship.

A Cuomo administration official charged that the complaints have more to do with patronage than diversity.

“This is about protecting a contract and a friend of a lawmaker,” the official said. “No one raised this before his term was up.”