The Indian Panorama

Tag: Albany

  • Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

    Governor Hochul announces new law to clarify disclosure of credit card surcharges goes into effect Sunday, February 11

     

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new consumer protection law that will go into effect on February 11, 2024. This new law will amend and clarify New York’s existing credit card surcharge law. The NYS Division of Consumer Protection assists aggrieved consumers in the marketplace and the New York State Attorney General and local governments have the authority to enforce the credit card surcharge law. The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection recommends that interested localities review DCP’s Credit Card Surcharge Legal Update Letter for more information.

    “New Yorkers should never have to deal with hidden credit card costs, and this law will ensure individuals can trust that their purchases will not result in surprise surcharges,” Governor Hochul said. “Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly.”

    The law, signed by Governor Hochul on December 13, 2023, provides greater transparency and protections for consumers by:

    Limiting credit card surcharges to the amount charged to the business by the credit card company; and

    Requiring businesses to post before checkout:

    the total price of an item or service inclusive of the credit card surcharge; or

    a two-tiered pricing option, which requires the credit card price to be posted alongside the cash price.

    New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “New Yorkers using credit cards have a right to know the total cost of the purchase, inclusive of any surcharge, before they reach the register. This new law signed by Governor Hochul will offer clarity and provide transparency to both the consumer and business owners about the surcharges when using a credit card.”

    State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “Transparency in pricing is critical so people can make informed decisions when spending their hard-earned money. Requiring businesses to disclose credit card surcharges helps consumers better understand the total cost. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for signing this bill into law to protect consumers.”

    Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “This new law protects New Yorkers from hidden surcharges by requiring sellers to clearly post the price of a credit card surcharge. Credit card surcharges now have to be disclosed clearly so that customers are fully aware of them upfront and not just when they go to pay. This is about transparency, fairness and preventing consumers from being misled when making purchases using credits cards. I thank Governor Hochul for helping protect New Yorkers.”

    The following practices and examples comply with the law’s credit card surcharge notice requirements. See the Department’s Credit Card Surcharge Guidance Document and educational video for additional examples:

    DO:

    The business lists the higher credit card price next to a lower cash price.

    The business lists the credit card price for items and services, then lets customers know they will receive a discount for using cash. The business changes all prices to the credit card price.

    DON’T:

    The business posts a sign on the door and at the register stating an additional 3.9 percent surcharge will apply for credit card purchases.

    “This business has a 4 percent cash discount incentive built into all pricing. Any purchases made with a credit or debit card will not receive the cash discount and an adjustment in cost will be displayed on your receipt.”

    A convenience fee, service fee, administration fee, non-cash adjustment, technology fee, processing fee, etc., is charged to credit card users and added as a separate line item on a customer receipt.

    The price tag of an item shows “$10.00, + 4 percent if paying with a credit card.”

    NOTE: This law does not apply to debit cards.

    The Division of Consumer Protection provides educational assistance to consumers in how to protect themselves from unfair practices while also offering resources to the business community to help them comply with the law and prevent fraudulent and deceptive practices. After February 11, 2024, the law will permit local governments to join in the enforcement of this law, providing consumers with additional resources for compliance and providing local governments with broader opportunities to promote consumer protections for their citizens. If there are any issues related to credit card pricing at the register, DCP encourages consumers to:

    File a complaint with DCP to receive a refund of any excess fees paid to a merchant in New York State, or

    File a complaint with the Attorney General or participating local governments for enforcement of a merchant you believe violated the law.

    About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

    For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

     

  • New COVID-19 vaccine available in New York starting September 15 : Hochul

    New COVID-19 vaccine available in New York starting September 15 : Hochul

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): The newest COVID-19 vaccine will be made available in New York starting Friday, September 15, as the state sees a slight increase in case numbers and hospitalizations now three-and-and-half years after the pandemic began, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday, September 13.
    “I know everyone wants to be done with COVID, but COVID is not done with us,” Hochul said at a briefing in New York City. Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday endorsed the new shots for everyone 6 months of age and older. These newest shots replace combination vaccines that mixed protection against the original coronavirus strain and even older omicron variants. Like earlier versions, they’re expected to be most protective against severe illness, hospitalization and death, rather than mild infection.

    “It is literally a new vaccine. It is not a booster shot. It is not an enhancer. It is a new vaccine designed to attack the new variants,” Hochul said. The new vaccine will be available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies and other health care providers on Friday. “I’m calling on New Yorkers once again as we have many many times to take the right precautions and we can handle this. There’s no need to be careless. We have the tools we need,” Hochul said.

    The governor said she is also reinforcing that nursing homes are required to make the new vaccine available for their residents and are responsible for stockpiling COVID-19 test kits, masks and PPE.

    “The whole idea of dealing with this is to be pre-emptive,” Hochul said.

    The state last week said it is also making rapid test kits and masks available to school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) if they request them as the new academic year gets underway.

    “It’s our job to make sure that every school district has what they need to continue safe in-person learning,” she said. “In-person learning because we’re still dealing with the fallout of what happened when children were disconnected from their normal environment, the effect it had on them emotionally, the effect it had on them academically, and they’re still far behind.” As of now, New York is seeing a seven-day average of 14 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, higher than it was over the summer but still well below peak levels in the winters of 2021 and 2022. “This is not the bad old days. At all. We don’t anticipate getting there. But shame on us if we don’t see the warnings,” Hochul said. The governor said the current numbers do not “raise the red flag” for any potential return to certain pandemic-era restrictions at this time.

  • MICHELLE WANG HONORED AS WOMAN OF DISTINCTION AT THE NY STATE CAPITOL

    MICHELLE WANG HONORED AS WOMAN OF DISTINCTION AT THE NY STATE CAPITOL

    Longtime AAPI community leader recognized

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): Michelle Wang was honored as a Woman of Distinction last night at the State Capitol. Michelle is President of the New York Chapter of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) and a longtime community leader in New York City’s AAPI community, serving in leadership positions on multiple community organizations and volunteering her time to promote AAPI leadership and increase civic engagement. State Senator John Liu presented her with a plaque in recognition of her service and commitment to the community in a ceremony presided over by Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins.

    State Senator John Liu stated, “Michelle Wang has dedicated many years to the civic engagement and empowerment of the Asian American community. From serving on the New York State Electoral College during the 2020 presidential election to her outstanding work in creating educational and career opportunities for AAPI youth, Michelle is always the first in line to be on the front lines. For her inspiring commitment to our community, we offer our sincere gratitude and proudly name her a Woman of Distinction.”

    Michelle Wang stated, “I am so honored for this recognition to be named among the state of New York’s Women of Distinction. I have always strived to do everything in my power to strengthen and uplift our community, and this reward serves as an acknowledgement of both the importance of that work and of why it is imperative that our AAPI community continue to get involved. There is always more work to be done, and with this recognition, I commit to working even harder to increase representation and participation so that together we can build a better world that is representative of all voices and communities.” Michelle Wang arrived in New York from Shanghai in 1988, at age 22, to pursue a Master’s degree. In 1993, she and her husband started a small business, and have maintained a real estate management firm for over two decades.

    In 2013, Ms. Wang joined Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), a reputable non-profit organization with 40-plus chapters nationwide. In addition to serving on the national governing board that oversees the organization’s operation, Ms. Wang serves as President of APAPA’s New York Chapter and Chair of APAPA’s Northeast Region. At APAPA, she works with people to create educational and career opportunities for the AAPI community and fight against discriminatory practices and policies. In addition, Ms. Wang has been proud to serve on the advisory board of the New York Women’s Suffrage Commission since 2016.

    Since serving as a chaperone for her son’s kindergarten classroom, Ms. Wang has devoted a significant part of her time to volunteer activities. She coordinated the Huang Pu Veterans Association’s annual event and led the Huang Pu veterans in the New York City Veterans Day Parade for years. Ms. Wang is a dedicated supporter and advocate in her community. She has been a Board Director of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York since 2013, and a Board Director of the Junior Chamber since 2015. Working together at the Chamber, Ms. Wang has assisted many small business entities with various inquiries and hosted numerous events that served the community. Ms. Wang has managed FCBA’s Flushing Lunar New Year Parade’s stage setup since 2018. She currently serves as the Secretary of GNYTEAA, a non-profit association that has provided emergency services since 2017. Ms. Wang has been honored by Scott Stringer, the 44th New York City Comptroller, for her community service. She has also received numerous citations from various elected officials for her volunteer work, and proudly served as one of 29 electors for the New York State Electoral College in the 2020 Presidential Election. Ms. Wang is grateful for her family’s endless support, and loves her chihuahuas, Tink and Bella.

  • New York Governor Hochul signs legislation to help with state nursing shortage

    New York Governor Hochul signs legislation to help with state nursing shortage

    New York is projected to face a shortage of almost 40,000 nurses by the year 2030

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Monday, May 15 to strengthen New York’s health care workforce. The legislation will help address the state’s nursing shortage, and allow nursing programs to provide up to one third of a student’s clinical work in a high-tech simulation environment. This comes as the 2024 budget includes $967 million for the Wadsworth Laboratories in Albany. New York is projected to face a shortage of almost 40,000 nurses by the year 2030, Hochul said.

  • New York State Lawmakers Open Impeachment Inquiry into Gov. Cuomo

    New York State Lawmakers Open Impeachment Inquiry into Gov. Cuomo

    ALBANY, NY (TIP): New York State lawmakers on Thursday, March 11, opened an impeachment inquiry into Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the surest sign yet that the governor was seeing his party turn against him amid growing scrutiny of a recent series of sexual harassment accusations, a New York times report says.

    After a three-hour emergency meeting, the State Assembly announced that it would give its judiciary committee broad jurisdiction to investigate allegations of misconduct against Mr. Cuomo, including the sexual harassment claims and his administration’s handling of virus-related deaths of nursing home patients. The decision set the stage for what could be the state’s first impeachment effort in more than a century.

    “The reports of accusations concerning the governor are serious,” the Assembly speaker, Carl E. Heastie, a Democrat, said in a statement, adding that the “impeachment investigation” will encompass interviewing witnesses, subpoenaing documents and evaluating evidence.

    The announcement came on the same day that 59 Democrats in the State Legislature — about 40 percent of the party’s members in the Assembly and the Senate — signed on to a statement demanding that Mr. Cuomo immediately resign in the wake of allegations from women, including current and former aides, who have accused him of harassment or inappropriate behavior.

    Hours later, the police in Albany, N.Y., confirmed that they had been notified of one such accusation by the New York State Police, an incident at the Executive Mansion that was characterized as something that might have risen “to the level of a crime.” The move followed the publication of an article in The Times Union of Albany on Wednesday that detailed claims leveled by an unidentified aide to the governor, who accused Mr. Cuomo of groping her at the governor’s mansion, where he lives, late last year.