PUBLISHED 6:02 AM ET Mar. 11, 2021 PUBLISHED 6:02 AM EST Mar. 11, 2021
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A coalition of dozens of health and community organizations in New York backed a push for a $1-per-pack increase in the state s cigarette tax.
The groups this month released a letter to top state lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled state Senate and Assembly calling for the tax increase as a public health benefit, as well as a way of raising revenue. Despite the well-documented benefits of tobacco tax increases, New York has not increased most tobacco taxes in over a decade, the groups wrote in the letter. Tobacco tax increases are a win-win-win; they improve public health, reduce healthcare costs, and generate revenue. As such, we respectfully request a cigarette tax increase of at least $1.00 per pack and the establishment of tax parity with other tobacco products be included in your one house budget proposal and the state’s final budg
PUBLISHED 10:53 PM ET Mar. 10, 2021 PUBLISHED 10:53 PM EST Mar. 10, 2021
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There are now reportedly six sexual harassment allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo and the number of lawmakers calling on Cuomo to resign continues to grow.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins over the weekend issued a powerful statement, saying that it was time for the governor to step aside for the good of New York.
But three days have passed since this statement was made and Cuomo has made it clear he will not leave.
Activists for VOCAL New York said they believe enough is enough.
“Personally and politically, he has been known as a bully and this is something that has to stop,” Lukee Forbes said outside the governor’s mansion.