Power & Politics: One-on-one with outgoing Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

President Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval

Government funding bill clears Congress and heads to President Biden, averting a shutdown

Connecticut tow truck drivers call off potentially crippling holiday strike

Annual Angel Project Luncheon celebrates grandparents' sacrifices

Rep. Himes sounds the alarm about looming government shutdown

newyork

News 12 Staff

RTLIPowerPolitics12222024BBlock_2024-12-22-14-10-09

Welcome back to this special edition of Power and Politics, our 2024 year in review. New York and Long Island has made its way into the national headlines. State lawmakers introduced different pieces of legislation and plans that could impact local communities on a day to day basis. We begin with a state education plan that received a whole lot of heat from local parents and school. Districts the state regionalization plan, the state education department says the plan allows districts to share resources and promote success for all students, but districts like Syosset and Jericho argued that it weakened local control. One of the lawmakers who was out front in his opposition to this plan was Republican state senator Jack Martens. Right on the horizon, uh, the Regents, uh, announced their regionalization plan that impact every one of our school districts on Long Island. Coincidentally they did it at the end of September. It's going to have to be implemented or by by uh beginning of December. Coincidence during a presidential election before we get back to the legislature in January, I think it's quite intentional. It's flown under the radar. It's under the radar, but it's gonna impact every one of our schools, forcing our schools to share resources with adjoining school districts as decided by people who are not elected, completely undermining our our local school boards and as you know, Rich, you know our. Our communities on Long Island are largely defined by our school districts. We're proud of them. We have some of the greatest school districts in the country. If, if New York State wants to come in and manipulate our school districts and hurt our kids, we're gonna fight. Now the state ultimately changed course and it's allowing districts to opt out of the regionalization effort. At the time, Democrat State Assemblyman Chuck Levine came on the show and said Republicans were distorting the issue for political gain. The Glen Cove Assemblyman was also one of the few Long Island lawmakers who was willing to come on this show and defend Governor Hokle's decision to move forward with congestion pricing. Let's talk congestion pricing. Governor Hochle looking to bring it back here, um, before the election. She put a pause on it after the election. Here it comes. She may disagree with the way I've just placed that, but that is the reality timeline wise. What do you make of it? I know the governor quite well, and I think she would completely agree with what you just said. That was a good account of the history here. I think it was wise not to pursue it at the rates that had been recommended before the election. Let's face it, Manhattan is. Still undergoing a tremendous amount of fiscal stress. Major buildings are selling today at 20 and 25% of what they sold for 5 and 6 years ago. It was wise to put that on hold for the time being, but at the same time we know that we have to do something to be able to improve traffic in our central Manhattan. Locations and we have to do something to control greenhouse gas emissions which are a true threat and it's November and some people have had to put their air conditioning on this month because it's been so warm. What's going on is obvious and we either try to protect people from this environmental crisis, or we do not. Another bill that became law here on Long Island, Nassau County's mask ban, which makes it illegal to wear a face mask for certain reasons. The first of its kind ban does provide some exceptions, including for medical or religious reasons. Some local and religious leaders worried that it will target people of color, but county executive Bruce Lakeman argues the law is aimed at keeping the public safe. The lead sponsor of that bill, Nassau legislator Mossy Pillip, explained why she proposed the ban. The Mass Transparency Act, I, you know, I came up with this legislation because of everything that's happening in the last 10 months. I think we saw around the country, especially in New York, in our state, um. People using masks and hiding their faces and intimidating and hurting our residents, our Jewish people, and we have been seeing that for a long, long time. It was about time to really to eliminate this. If you want to rally, if you wanna share your concern, voice your voice, absolutely do that, but you will do that while you're respecting the law, while you are uncovering your face. Now. This bill is very clear. It's not about taking away the right of the people to mask. If you have a health reason, health concern to put a mask, absolutely you should do that. If you have a religion or cultural purpose to use masks, absolutely you have the rightness. This is especially for people who are trying to abuse the law and hiding their faces behind the mask and intimidating and physically harassing our residents. And that bill will be staying in place. Earlier this year, two Long Islanders filed a lawsuit claiming it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, but a judge said their argument failed to show how they could be harmed by the law. The ruling also stated the suit didn't prove how the law could be misapplied by law enforcement. Long Islanders sadly no stranger to storm damage, but the storms this year created a tough road literally ahead for residents and local business owners. Just this month, the steel arrived to continue repairs on Mill Creek Road. It's all part of phase two of the reconstruction process and head of the. Harbor, as we've reported, the road collapsed there during that historic storm in August when more than 10 inches of rain came down in parts of Suffolk. I spoke to Republican state senator Mario Materra who zeroed in on getting federal and state relief to those hard hit areas and offered this advice Buy your home, which is the most important investment. You sit there with your insurance agents and your insurance agents sit down with you and they say, OK, you're not in a flood zone, so you don't need flood insurance and not for anything too we are having a hard time right now just putting food on our table. What's going on to add extras? Well, now you, I recommend everybody to go get that FEMA insurance policy because we have no idea what's gonna happen. But you know, moving forward because people just are devastated right now and we gotta make sure, you know, this is getting more and more and more so I recommend everybody to go and look at a FEMA insurance policy for flood insurance. All right, still to come on Power and Politics, it's been a whirlwind of a year, but what can we expect in 2025? We're looking ahead to the key dates and the elections and the changes that need to be on your radar when it comes to your commute. Stay with us.

https://vod.prod.alticeustech.com/transcode/7949c590-f00c-40d0-92d6-7896477fcd2d/7949c590-f00c-40d0-92d6-7896477fcd2d.transcribe

RTLIPowerPolitics12222024CBlock_2024-12-22-14-09-06

Welcome back. Now that we've gone through the big headlines to wrap up this busy year, it's time to look ahead. Here are some of the key dates we have our eyes on. After winning their elections, new and returning members of the House of Representatives will be sworn into office on January 3rd. That includes the four members of the Long Island delegation, Republicans, Nick Lalota and Andrew Garberino, as well as the newcomer Democrat Laura Gillan and Democrat Tom Swazi as well. I'll be in Washington when the new Congress is sworn in. Stay tuned to News 12 for those reports. And of course President-elect Donald Trump's arrival at the White House is just weeks away now. He'll officially be sworn into office later next month along with his running mate, Vice President-elect JD Vance on January 20th, and Governor Kathy Hochle will be addressing New Yorkers in her state of the state address that's happening on January 14th, and there's a lot on the line for Long Islanders. We will hear about the governor's plans for the future. Here are some of the key elections we are keeping our eyes on in 2025. Next year, a new election cycle will be. In for Nassau County Executive right now that role is held by Republican Bruce Blakeman. He's already said he's running for reelection. Also, every seat in the Nassau and Suffolk County legislatures will be up for grabs. And also in 2025, the district attorney races for Nassau and Suffolk Counties as well. The seats held right now in Nassau by Republican Ann Donnelly and Republican Ray Tierney in Suffolk, both of those two district attorneys won in 2021. Now one main thing at the top of many New Yorkers' minds, the MTA's controversial congestion pricing plan. If you don't have an easy pass, that $9 toll will increase to $13.50 as we've reported. $9 is what most drivers will be paying to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours starting January 5th. The plan was created to reduce congestion in Manhattan and raise funds for the MTA. Speaking of raising funds, we could be paying more to take the train again. A potential 4% hike is part of nearly $20 billion budget that the MTA just approved. The last hike last year was also 4%. The MTA says the fare hike is needed because 80% of its costs have gone up. That includes employees' salaries, pensions and health benefits. That 4% is going to kill me. Like it's going to hurt my pockets. It's 4% isn't too significant, and if their costs are increasing, I feel like it's reasonable. And the fare hikes would also be for the subway, buses, bridges, and tunnels. Public hearings on the hikes will happen in the coming months. If approved, the MTA says the increases will likely go into effect next summer. Finally today I want to thank you for watching this show and all of our political coverage throughout the year. As we look ahead to next year, we know it's these local races that will have such an impact on your everyday lives, and we'll be covering them all for you once again. For all of us here at Power and Politics, I'm Rich Barrabi. Happy holidays and have a great new year.

https://vod.prod.alticeustech.com/transcode/2f398dc7-0ba5-4afd-bee0-8373773a2b1a/2f398dc7-0ba5-4afd-bee0-8373773a2b1a.transcribe

On this week's Power & Politics, News 12 Long Island's Rich Barrabi takes a look back at some of the biggest political stories that made an impact in 2024, from the national level to big issues right here on Long Island.

Choose Your Region

Be the first to know

Change

Be the first to know

Power & Politics: A look back at 2024's biggest political stories

On this week's Power & Politics, News 12 Long Island's Rich Barrabi takes a look back at some of the biggest political stories that made an impact in 2024, from the national level to big issues right here on Long Island.

More Stories

Power & Politics: One-on-one with outgoing Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

President Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval

Government funding bill clears Congress and heads to President Biden, averting a shutdown

Connecticut tow truck drivers call off potentially crippling holiday strike

Annual Angel Project Luncheon celebrates grandparents' sacrifices

Rep. Himes sounds the alarm about looming government shutdown

Power & Politics: One-on-one with outgoing Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

President Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval

Government funding bill clears Congress and heads to President Biden, averting a shutdown

Connecticut tow truck drivers call off potentially crippling holiday strike

Annual Angel Project Luncheon celebrates grandparents' sacrifices

Rep. Himes sounds the alarm about looming government shutdown

More from News 12

Power & Politics: One-on-one with outgoing Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - Dec. 19, 2024

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona reflects on tenure and future

Power & Politics: 1:1 with Rep. Andrew Garbarino; Gov. Hochul’s approval numbers

Power & Politics: The future of state funding for public schools and the results of the latest Siena College Poll

Power & Politics: Combating ghost guns; 1:1 with oversight committee co-chair State Rep. Lucy Dathan