Power & Politics: Another state budget extension, the latest impact of legal cannabis, post-pandemic affordability
This week's guest is Oyster Bay Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz.
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NO DEAL
New York State lawmakers are expected to vote on another state budget extension.
Long Island representatives say that key points of their budget proposal include climate and energy proposals, as well as immigration. They say that they are also working on a proposal that can ease taxpayer costs.
Budget discussions continue as some local lawmakers plan their exit.
Longtime Nassau County State Sen. Jack Martins is not seeking re-election and the GOP wants to replace his spot on the ballot with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz.
News 12 spoke with the assemblyman this week.
CANNABIS CONCERNS
Suffolk County officials say that more people are driving while impaired by cannabis.
Police arrested over 1,500 people last year for driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs.
Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is moving to reclassify medical marijuana.
The federal Drug Enforcement Agency would need to hold hearings with a judge before any changes take effect.
In Suffolk County, lawmakers rescheduled a vote to ban kratom in the county because public comment lasted too long in last week's meeting.
POST-PANDEMIC AFFORDABILITY
A new report is digging into the affordability crisis.
The report, created by the Common Sense Institute, says that New York State ranks 48th in affordability.
Local analysts say that the costs of housing and childcare are using a larger portion of New Yorkers' paychecks than pre-COVID.
