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john flanagan
Cuomo takes credit for LIRR Third Track — as Hochul avoids saying disgraced governor's name
“It was a long and difficult fight, but it was the right one that will benefit current and future generations of Long Islanders.”
State Senate Republicans quitting in droves as NY eyes eternal one-party rule
Will the last Republican left in New York’s state Senate please turn out the lights? It’s not quite that bad ... yet. But the Senate GOP leader, John Flanagan, this...
NY State Senate's top Republican shocks with retirement announcement
ALBANY — The top Republican in the state Senate, John Flanagan, announced Wednesday he won’t seek re-election this fall, stunning his colleagues. "The opportunity to serve the public for virtually...
State bill would protect DMV clerks who refuse licenses to illegal immigrants
ALBANY — The state Senate’s top Republican has introduced a bill that would protect Department of Motor Vehicles employees from legal retribution, should they refuse licenses to undocumented immigrants. The...
Top GOP senator accuses Dem of bending to Airbnb after donations
ALBANY— The top Republican in the state Senate is calling for an investigation of Democratic Sen. James Skoufis for alleged pay-to-play politics -- which could get complicated since Skoufis chairs...
State lawmakers close to finalizing budget complete with new, costly taxes
State lawmakers early Monday were poised to approve a $175.5 billion budget that would hit New Yorkers with new taxes and fees on everything from luxury homes to paper bags —...
NY GOP leader: High living costs should be 'wake up' call for Democrats
ALBANY — State Senate GOP leader John Flanagan said Thursday that a poll showing 41 percent of New York City residents might be forced to flee because of high costs...
State Senate GOP leader to miss start of session for rehab
State Senate Republican leader John Flanagan announced Friday he will miss the beginning of the legislative session to complete a rehab program to battle alcoholism -- the second time in...
Assembly Speaker Heastie says Cuomo lied about salary commission
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie accused Gov. Cuomo of lying about Albany’s salary commission, claiming they had a deal that it would only examine raises for legislators and top state officials...
This suit could — and should — stop the Legislature’s obscene pay hike
Here’s a bump in the road for the scheme to make New York’s legislators the highest-paid in the nation: The Albany-based Government Justice Center is filing suit to have the...
GOP state Senate leader: 'I'm scared to death' of Dem control
State Senate Republican leader John Flanagan on Friday predicted gloom and doom next year with the Democrats in control of state government – claiming they will push to raise taxes, crack...
GOP state Senate leader calls teachers' unions 'forces of evil'
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan on Monday called the state teachers’ union part of the “forces of evil” spending millions of dollars to try to bring one-party Democratic rule...
GOP state Senate Majority Leader says Dems want to stop charter school growth
Republican state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan says the golden era for charter schools could come to a grinding halt if union-friendly Democrats control all branches of New York government...
Albany must stop treating speed cameras like a political game
With barely weeks to renew the city’s school-zone speed-cam authority before schools reopen Sept. 5, all the politicians are still playing Kabuki theater. The latest: City Hall’s announcement that the...
New York's leaders need to grow up and OK the school-zone speed cams
If you suspect that New York’s leaders behave like a bunch of feuding teens, we’ve got some proof for you. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan indicated Friday that he’s willing...
State Senate leader backs plan to restore speed cameras in school zones
The leader of the state Senate, Republican lawmaker John Flanagan, said Friday he would back a plan to restore speed cameras in New York City school zones. The surprise announcement...
State Senate majority leader thinks millionaires' tax is 'idiotic'
State Sen. Majority Leader John Flanagan on Friday described as "idiotic" a millionaires' tax proposed by Mayor de Blasio and Cynthia Nixon to help fund the MTA. “A millionaires' tax...
The state Senate stalemate drags on
ALBANY -- The state Senate abruptly adjourned for the second day in a row Thursday in a tense stalemate between Republicans and Democrats. “They’re effectively paralyzed,” said one lawmaker. "They...
Flanagan wants to keep Barbara Underwood as acting state AG
State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan on Monday all but endorsed keeping Barbara Underwood as acting state attorney general for the rest of the year. Underwood assumed the post after...