BAIL DEBATE UNABATED: People accused of selling or possessing less than eight ounces of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids would be held on bail under a measure discussed today by a group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers. The proposal is the latest effort by some legislators to amend the law that restricted when cash bail is required for many criminal charges. The bail law has been a political flashpoint in New York elections by Republicans even as some Democrats, including Hochul, who has successfully pushed for some changes. “When a bad supply is out in the community, it’s hot,” Democratic Assemblymember John McDonald (D-Cohoes) said. “If it kills one person, it can kill others. It makes perfect sense to get that bad actor off the streets.” The measure was part of a package of bills supported by lawmakers and local prosecutors to address the rise in overdose deaths. Lawmakers also want to designate Xylazine as a controlled substance and strengthen manslaughter charges for drug dealers. “This epidemic is one of the defining issues of our time, and policy makers have a moral obligation to act swiftly and prevent these senseless tragedies,” Assemblymember Steve Stern (D-Suffolk County) said. — Nick Reisman TURN ON THE TAP: Lawmakers are making a push for the state to “turn on the TAP,” or, more explicitly, expand the Tuition Assistance Program that provides a grant to low-income college students. At a press conference outside the Senate chambers, Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee chairs Toby Stavisky and Pat Fahy announced they will be looking for an increase to the income threshold — which now stands at $80,000 — to cover middle-class families. They also called for the state to increase the minimum amount an individual can be awarded from $500 to $1,000, as well as expand the amount awarded to veterans. The two were joined by several members of the Senate and Assembly who’ve introduced a wide array of bills to expand the number of individuals who are eligible to receive assistance from TAP. “Bottom line is we want us all rowing in the same direction, because it is so essential that we not just help lower income families, – which TAP was intended to help, but also middle-income families,” Fahy said. — Katelyn Cordero LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON TAX HIKES: As New York needs to address a roughly $4 billion budget deficit in the coming months, Hochul has made clear she’s not interested in any new taxes to fill the hole. But the leaders of the state Legislature aren’t ruling it out. “I like to put together my shopping list, then I want to see if we have enough money for the shopping list,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters at the Capitol. He said he’s yet to have conversations with his conference about its ideas, but said “making sure we have adequate funding for the needs of the people of New York is the most important thing for me.” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said she’s still waiting to see Hochul’s budget proposal before determining whether higher taxes would be considered. “We will be working together collaboratively to find out how to move forward,” she said. “But everything is on the table.” — Bill Mahoney
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