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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell
@joncampbellny.bsky.social
3.3K followers 300 following 200 posts
Reporter, WNYC / Gothamist. Covering Gov. Kathy Hochul and all things NY state government/politics. [email protected]
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Nov 22
Hi! I put together a fledgling starter pack of lawmakers, reporters and other denizens of the New York State Capitol in Albany.

What other accounts should be on this list? Send 'em my way. Particularly interested in adding lawmakers, reporters and other Albany officials.

go.bsky.app/82vouic
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 6d
Those up-to-$400 checks coming from NY state? You'll have to pay federal tax on them.

"(T)he federal tax liability could have been avoided if the rebate program were structured differently."

From Jimmy Vielkind: gothamist.com/news/you-sho...
You should report Gov. Hochul’s ‘inflation refund’ checks on your taxes
The program will send hundreds of millions of dollars to the administration of President Donald Trump.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 9d
NY AG Letitia James won't tap a $10M state fund (which Hochul and lawmakers approved in the budget) to pay her legal fees.

Instead, she's turning to the Democratic Attorneys General Association, which has set up a legal defense fund.

From Jimmy Vielkind:

gothamist.com/news/ny-ag-j...
NY AG James turns to legal defense fund amid scrutiny from Trump DOJ
The Democratic Attorneys General Association announced it was setting up a fund that James and other officials could tap.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 12d
NY is sending checks of up to $400 to more than 8 million tax filers starting today. Checks will hit mailboxes in batches starting next week (and through November.)

gothamist.com/news/inflati...
'Inflation refund' checks coming to New Yorkers' mailboxes as soon as next week
The checks range from $150 to $400 and will be sent to more than 8 million New Yorkers.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 13d
The fate of the Manhattan casino proposals may have been sealed three years ago and 150 miles north.

(Sign up for our weekly Politics Brief newsletter here: campaigns.gothamist.com/c/ht6tqwsrzikj…)gothamist.com/news/as-manh...it
As Manhattan casino projects fold, a New York lawmaker takes credit
The fate of three Manhattan casino proposals may have been sealed three years ago, 150 miles to the north.
gothamist.com
joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 23d
Upload a selfie to verify your age for TikTok, Instagram, etc.?

That's a possible outcome of AG Letitia James' new proposed rules for the SAFE for Kids Act, which limits social-media companies from showing kids and teens addictive feeds. gothamist.com/news/tiktok-...
TikTok, Instagram may request selfie to verify age under proposed NY rules
Attorney General Letitia James’ office proposed rules to implement a state law restricting how social media platforms present content to kids and teens.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 28d
Babe, wake up: The new Ulster County "I voted" sticker (IYKYK) just dropped ... and it's a good one.

Shoutout to sixth-grader Ryker Darmanin for the winning design.

www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · 28d
"A top federal prosecutor had a message for upstate New York businesses days after immigration agents detained dozens of people at a food processing plant: There’s more to come."

From my colleague Jimmy Vielkind:
gothamist.com/news/feds-ny...
Feds' NY raid nets 57 immigration arrests: 'Expect to see' more, official says
The raid last week is being touted by the government as the largest in New York state.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Sep 8
Yes it's another story about Frankie Focus, the new NY state phone ban mascot.

A casting call shows Gov. Hochul's admin is hiring performers to don the Frankie costume, at $300 a pop.

Gov's office says it's using volunteers more than paid talent. gothamist.com/news/how-ny-...
How NY hired its 'chaotic' new phone ban mascot, Frankie Focus
A talent agency posted a casting call to become the state’s new neon-green, shaggy-haired mascot that pays $300 per event.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Sep 8
Gov. Hochul, who wields major control over the MTA, could have to choose between the authority’s push for change and the influential union that could help her as she seeks reelection next year.

gothamist.com/news/no-huma...
No human staff on MTA trains? Bill on Hochul’s desk would halt that vision in its tracks
Gov. Kathy Hochul is suddenly thrown into a six-decade-long NYC transit battle
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Sep 5
“New York will give pharmacists cover to dispense COVID-19 vaccines this fall in the wake of uncertainty over federal immunization policy, a state official said.”

From Jimmy Vielkind:
gothamist.com/news/hochul-...
Hochul to let pharmacists prescribe COVID vaccines amid federal policy shift
An executive order comes as access tightens and lawmakers eye state-level solutions.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Sep 4
I couldn't resist.

gothamist.com/news/meet-fr...
Meet Frankie Focus, Gov. Hochul’s freaky phone ban mascot
The shaggy monster is touting New York state’s new school smartphone ban.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Sep 4
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Reposted by Jon Campbell
thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social
The Brian Lehrer Show @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social · Sep 3
ICYMI, @elizabethkim.bsky.social &
@joncampbellny.bsky.social on the NYC mayor's race and Rep. Nadler's decision not to run again:

www.wnyc.org/story/city-p...
City Politics: Nadler's Retirement; Hochul and Trump; Charter Schools in the Mayoral Campaign | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC
More on the news that longtime Manhattan Congressman Jerry Nadler will retire next year, paving the way for generational change for the coveted seat plus more city political news.
www.wnyc.org
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 24
DeWitt Clinton surely dreamed of the day the New York Lottery would hold a giant raffle to commemorate 200 years of the Erie Canal.
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 19
Greetings from Albany’s greatest eyesore — the Central Warehouse — where Gov. Hochul is on hand for the start of demolition.

Sure looks like we’re going to see that wrecking ball go into the wall in a second.
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 18
A look at the differences in the ways Gov. Hochul and Leader Jeffries speak about Zohran Mamdani, their party's nominee for NYC mayor.

From my colleague Jimmy Vielkind:

gothamist.com/news/rep-jef...
Rep. Jeffries and Gov. Hochul's differing views on Mamdani highlight Democratic divide
The difference in rhetoric reflects each official’s political calculus, political operatives and analysts said.
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 18
And if reading's more your style, here's our Peanut the Squirrel deep dive on Gothamist: gothamist.com/news/the-pea...
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 18
ICYMI: We did a deep dive on the Peanut the Squirrel saga and its ongoing ramifications, where the DEC is still feeling the effects of a viral mob that took up the cause.

I hope it's worth a half hour of your time. Listen here: www.wnyc.org/story/a-squi...
A Squirrel Named Peanut, a Viral Backlash, and the Culture War That Followed | NYC NOW | WNYC
A beloved squirrel named Peanut, a raid by New York environmental officers, and a maelstrom of online outrage. What began as a wildlife seizure turned into a viral flashpoint in the c...
www.wnyc.org
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Reposted by Jon Campbell
thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social
The Brian Lehrer Show @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social · Aug 18
Today:
- @usatoday.com's Susan Page with Monday Morning Politics,
- @joncampbellny.bsky.social with the latest from Albany
- @williamdcohan.bsky.social on Trump's influence on big business

Live at 10 on 93.9 FM, AM820 or @wnyc.org
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 16
The way it was explained to me: You need to get a look at the brain tissue to test for rabies, so a blood sample wouldn’t do.
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 16
Thank you for reading!
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 16
Listen to Peanut the squirrel’s story — as well as some of the threatening voicemails that followed — in this special episode of NYC Now, from @wnyc.org.

www.wnyc.org/story/a-squi...
A Squirrel Named Peanut, a Viral Backlash, and the Culture War That Followed | NYC NOW | WNYC
A beloved squirrel named Peanut, a raid by New York environmental officers, and a maelstrom of online outrage. What began as a wildlife seizure turned into a viral flashpoint in the c...
www.wnyc.org
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 16
We got our hands on hundreds of state records, including voicemails — many of them violent and threatening — left for NY environmental enforcers after they seized Peanut the squirrel.

They help tell the story of how an internet culture war has had a lasting effect on your gov’t.
gothamist.com
Gothamist @gothamist.com · Aug 16
The Peanut effect: How one dead squirrel upended New York wildlife enforcement https://gothamist.com/news/the-peanut-effect-how-one-dead-squirrel-upended-new-york-wildlife-enforcement
The Peanut effect: How one dead squirrel upended New York wildlife enforcement
A wildlife biologist said Peanut bit her at Longo’s home, leading officials to conclude the squirrel had to be euthanized to test for rabies. The state’s decision to euthanize a celebrity squirrel became an issue during the presidential campaign, disrupting lives around the country. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 16
Look how slick this dude is. Didn’t miss a beat.
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joncampbellny.bsky.social
Jon Campbell @joncampbellny.bsky.social · Aug 15
Some left-leaning NY lawmakers (and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado) say Gov. Hochul shouldn't send out checks to residents later this year, given federal cuts.

Hochul says they're "tone deaf."

From my colleague Jimmy Vielkind: gothamist.com/news/with-de...
With deficits looming, should New York cancel its rebate checks?
Progressive state lawmakers said the $2 billion in rebates are fiscally irresponsible due to President Trump’s funding cuts.
gothamist.com
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