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Brad Racino

@bradracino.bsky.social
601 followers 35 following 131 posts

Editor-in-Chief at Floodlight; Board Member, NY Coalition for Open Government Past: ME/Publisher/Reporter/Director: NY Focus, NY Cannabis Insider, Syracuse.com, inewsource www.bradracino.com

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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
When NJ fined DataOne last week, they didn't say how much pollution the site put out while evading regulators over the past year. So we figured it out. Spoiler: It's a lot. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
US datacenter discharged large amounts of pollution for almost a year with no permits
Records show Vineland facility in New Jersey emitted health-harming pollution before regulators stepped in
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Last month, we flew our thermal drone over NJ's largest data center and found it operating a fleet of unpermitted generators. Now, on the heels of that investigation, state regulators have issued that facility their largest-ever fine against a data center. floodlightnews.org/new-jersey-d...
floodlightnews.org
New Jersey says DataOne’s 62 generators are illegal. It’s letting them run for 45 more days.
The state's $1 million fine comes less than a month after Floodlight’s visual investigation publicly exposed the Vineland site’s generator fleet for the first time
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Louisiana Illuminator @lailluminator.com · 09/09/2026
How a Louisiana law is paving the way for other states to weaken community-based efforts to monitor air quality near industrial sites ... from @amesalex.bsky.social and @bradracino.bsky.social with @floodlightnews.org
lailluminator.com
America’s air monitors are disappearing, along with the power to expose polluters • Louisiana Illuminator
Since 2024, lawmakers in Louisiana, Ohio and Kentucky have passed strikingly similar bills — backed by chemical or manufacturing trade groups — that curb the use of community-collected data in enforce...
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
As America's public air monitoring network declines, it's getting harder and harder to know what you're breathing. And now, the chemical industry is moving to restrict one of the only options citizens have left for holding air polluters accountable. floodlightnews.org/toxic-air-mo...
floodlightnews.org
America’s air monitors are disappearing. So is your power to expose polluters.
Across several states, a quiet chemical industry campaign is making it harder to hold polluters accountable.
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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"The largest planned AI data center in New Jersey is accused of violating federal law... "Located roughly a mile from two schools... "Running dozens of tractor-trailer-size gas-powered generators... "None have permits... floodlightnews.org/new-jersey-d...
floodlightnews.org
One of East Coast’s largest data centers accused of ‘violating federal law'
Thermal drone footage shows DataOne — the Microsoft-backed AI data center in Vineland — is powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generators
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
We're making a habit of catching these guys ... www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
One of east coast’s largest datacenters accused of ‘violating federal law’
Thermal drone footage shows a Microsoft-backed AI datacenter powering its operations with dozens of unpermitted generators
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
In our first collaboration with Wired, reporter Evan Simon dives into how a regulatory loophole — commonly used by dry cleaners and autobody shops — is being used to build out AI data centers across Texas with no public notice or environmental reviews.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We teamed up with @pbs.org to investigate what’s really happening at OpenAI’s Stargate facility — one of Texas' largest operational data centers — and to show how the AI boom is already impacting the people who live in its backyard. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p42...
youtube.com
We Saw What AI Data Centers Don't Want You to See
YouTube video by PBS Terra
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Who remembers good ol-fashioned land investigations? We found Senator Jay Morris used his political position to advance Hyperion while buying and selling the land around it. These land deals haven’t been disclosed until today. In partnership with @lailluminator.com & @veritenews.org
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Deep research, data analyses, extensive interviews, a trip to Montana and drone flights over an exclusive billionaire enclave resulted in @floodlightnews.org's comprehensive look into how America's public lands are being transformed at an unprecedented scale. floodlightnews.org/trump-offici...
floodlightnews.org
Trump officials, billionaires and the quiet reshaping of America's public lands
A controversial land swap orchestrated by the megarich could be “a harbinger of what’s to come” for public lands under Trump.
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Floodlight @floodlightnews.org · 06/03/2026
Inside the reporting: Using a thermal drone to investigate xAI’s power plant 🗞️
floodlightnews.org
Inside the reporting: Using a thermal drone to investigate xAI’s power plant
A Q&A with reporter Evan Simon on how this first-of-its-kind investigation came together.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
xAI is continuing to fuel its data centers with unpermitted gas turbines, and in this mini-doc, Investigative Producer Evan Simon breaks down Floodlight's recent investigation and what the findings could mean for America's AI buildout. youtu.be/KitUtjFllbg?...
youtu.be
We Caught Elon Musk's AI Company Flouting EPA Rules Using a Thermal Drone
YouTube video by Floodlight News
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
You take a thermal drone down to Mississippi and ... floodlightnews.org/thermal-dron...
floodlightnews.org
'A different set of rules': Thermal drone footage shows Musk's AI power plant flouting clean air regulations
Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship data centers.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A huge lift from @amesalex.bsky.social results in a stellar snapshot of what's coming to communities along Louisiana's infamous Cancer Alley. “I don't look at this as red and blue and the left and the right ... We need to start looking at humanity.”
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Noah Shachtman @noahshachtman.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Big, important story on how New York has turned a blind eye to illicit drugs in harness racing. nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...
nysfocus.com
FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses
The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.
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Your Internet Friend Tom Tomorrow @tomtomorrow.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
I just did this and found some uncertain amount of money due me, fwiw
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sammellins.bsky.social @sammellins.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
I've been reporting on New York's troubled home care program for months. On Thursday, lawmakers are holding a hearing to understand its recent turmoil. Here are 5 questions I'd like answers to: nysfocus.com/2025/08/19/n...
nysfocus.com
New York Lawmakers Are Scrutinizing Home Care. We’ve Got Questions.
With a hearing on New York’s troubled home care program set for Thursday, here are five questions we’d like answered.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
The NYC mayor claimed during a press conference in late July that he built more affordable housing than Bloomberg and de Blasio combined. Is that true? --Part of our ongoing partnership with @gigafactproject.bsky.social nysfocus.com/2025/08/19/e...
nysfocus.com
Has Mayor Eric Adams Built More Affordable Housing Than Bloomberg and…
The New York City mayor made the claim during a press conference in late July.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
We broke a pretty big story yesterday about a clandestine surveillance network set up at NYC public housing developments. Here's what we still don't know. nysfocus.com/2025/08/12/u...
nysfocus.com
Five Unanswered Questions About Eric Adams’s Expanded Surveillance at…
Big Apple Connect, the mayor’s flagship free internet service for public housing residents, is quietly being used to expand the NYPD’s real-time, remote…
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Reposted by Brad Racino
New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 11/08/2025
NEW: Eric Adams’s free internet program for NYCHA is also linking public housing cameras directly to the NYPD’s surveillance hub — without telling residents.
nysfocus.com
Adams Quietly Uses Free Internet at NYCHA to Expand Police…
The Adams administration is using its flagship broadband program to give police real-time access to NYCHA camera feeds — without telling anyone.
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New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 29/07/2025
CLAIM: We've partnered with Gigafact to produce weekly “fact briefs” verifying or debunking claims relevant to New Yorkers. VERDICT: True. SOURCE: nysfocus.com/2025/07/29/n...
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
Before NY can start work on its next #nuclear plant, its power authority will need to pick what kind of reactor tech to pursue, find a site, select contractors, and potentially bring in a private co-financing partner. --New from ‪@alexckaufman.bsky.social‬ nysfocus.com/2025/07/26/n...
nysfocus.com
Kathy Hochul’s Nuclear Vision Faces Big Questions and Bottlenecks
Building nuclear will test whether New York state is still capable of constructing megaprojects as it has done in the past.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
The last special session took place in 2022 ... when lawmakers convened to give themselves raises. The current crisis, apparently, isn't as important. nysfocus.com/2025/07/24/n...
nysfocus.com
Why Won’t New York Lawmakers Call a Special Session to Address…
Fiscal advocates warn the governor and state lawmakers against punting a difficult discussion on how to deal with imminent cuts.
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sammellins.bsky.social @sammellins.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
New for @nysfocus: Two companies managing NY's home health program could pocket millions 💰💰💰 meant for low-wage care aides every year. That's because they're offering "benefits" that many workers can't actually use, but are forced to pay for. nysfocus.com/2025/07/21/n...
nysfocus.com
New York’s Health Companies Could Pocket Millions Meant for Low-Wage…
Offering hard-to-use benefits instead of cash could help two state-funded companies dodge a 2011 law meant to boost care workers’ pay.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
I'm genuinely curious who vets public appearances by elected officials. And what does that process look like? Do pols just say yes, or do some of them do their own vetting after being booked for something? Anyone know? nysfocus.com/2025/07/10/e...
nysfocus.com
Eric Adams Withdraws From Event Honoring Anti-Muslim Activist
He was slated to be the guest of honor at an event featuring a Hindu nationalist activist who has called for violence and boycotts against Muslims.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
"Developers now have less than a year to start digging if they want the subsidies. The impending deadline is lighting a fire under the industry — and, developers hope, under New York’s leaders, too." An in-depth look from @colinreports.bsky.social on the race to build. nysfocus.com/2025/07/11/t...
nysfocus.com
The Race to Build Solar and Wind Before Trump's Tax Credit Deadline
Trump’s megabill gives wind and solar companies one year to put as many shovels in the ground as possible. They want New York officials to help.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
Super solid reporting week from @nysfocus covering the gamut: NYC mayoral election, how Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" will affect New Yorkers, prison system updates, homeless hotels, and more. Take a look .... 🧵
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
“It’s completely devastating,” said Rob Feuer, owner of Geothermal Works in New Rochelle. “It’s like you turned off a faucet.” nysfocus.com/2025/07/03/c...
nysfocus.com
How Congress is Reversing New York’s Progress on Clean Energy
Already, the state’s green energy businesses are feeling the impact of the pending Congressional spending bill that includes phasing out Inflation…
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
We spoke with New Yorkers across the state to learn more about how Trump's Medicaid & SNAP cuts could affect them. “I’ve never seen the government move so fast about anything." nysfocus.com/2025/07/03/t...
nysfocus.com
How Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Impact Disabled and Hungry…
New Yorkers across the state describe how sweeping federal cuts to Medicaid and food assistance could derail their lives.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
The one Cuomo story I can almost guarantee you've never heard about. This one came from @sammellins.bsky.social' research into "sewer service" — or fraudulent process serving — in New York. nysfocus.com/2025/06/22/a...
nysfocus.com
Cuomo Tried to Stop a $550 Million Debt Scam. It Didn't Go as Planned.
As Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo put fraudulent debt collection firms on notice. He may have strengthened their hand.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
If this bill suddenly became due, @chrisbragg1.bsky.social reports, it could blow a massive hole in the New York state budget. nysfocus.com/2025/06/18/w...
nysfocus.com
New York Owes $20 Billion in Lost Cash. An Upstart Challenger Says…
Drew Warshaw is taking on Comptroller Tom DiNapoli with a pledge to repay the entire pot of unclaimed funds as soon as 'humanly possible.'
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
No time to read @sammellins.bsky.social's investigation into Leading Edge, the company now providing health insurance coverage to hundreds of thousands of NY's home care workers? We got you. nysfocus.com/2025/06/13/5...
nysfocus.com
5 Key Takeaways From Our Investigation Into Health Insurer Leading…
The little-known company recently won a huge taxpayer-funded contract. It has a record of not paying doctors and leaving patients on the hook for the…
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Reposted by Brad Racino
New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 12/06/2025
To keep their tax-exempt status, nonprofit hospitals must provide free or discounted health care to patients who fall under certain income limits. The catch? Figuring out charity care exists in the first place. New from @jiejennyzou.bsky.social nysfocus.com/2025/06/12/n...
nysfocus.com
This ‘Best-Kept Secret’ in Health Care Can Shave Down Your Medical…
Nonprofit hospitals are required to help those struggling with medical debt, but critics say their policies are poorly advertised and underutilized.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
An important and infuriating read — and a damn fine investigation. This is the company that is now providing health insurance to hundreds of thousands of New York's home care workers, who care for the state's elderly and disabled. Please give it a read and share. nysfocus.com/2025/06/12/l...
nysfocus.com
The Insurance Scheme That Could Leave New Yorkers With Massive Debt
A company with a history of lawsuits and unpaid claims is now managing health insurance for thousands of New Yorkers on the taxpayers’ dime.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
New York's state agencies are training law enforcement officers on a debunked medical condition — and one that's proven to be a catalyst for police violence — according to documents obtained by @chrisgelardi.bsky.social. nysfocus.com/2025/06/11/e...
nysfocus.com
New York Police Agencies Train Officers on a Discredited Medical…
Documents show that six county sheriffs’ offices and two state agencies have recently included excited delirium in their training.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Lawyers have a term for when process servers lie about delivering papers to defendants: sewer service. @juliarock.bsky.social & @sammellins.bsky.social spent months diving into the scope of the problem in NYC. nysfocus.com/2025/06/10/n...
nysfocus.com
Have You Been Sued for Credit Card Debt? Your Fake Relative Might…
Collectors claim they serve people who don't exist, yet regulators rarely bar repeat offenders from the industry.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Bronx Councilmember Rafael Salamanca has raised $244,000 for an obscure, unpaid party position — and reported spending even more on everything from pricey dinners to his wife’s work as a campaign treasurer. nysfocus.com/2025/06/05/r...
nysfocus.com
A Powerful Bronx Politician Dines on Developers’ Double Donations
An expert calls the six-figure haul “extraordinary” for an unpaid party seat whose powers are picking judges, poll workers, and party officers.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
"Funds have adopted strategies of buying distressed sovereign debt and then aggressively suing for repayment when countries default, often in New York courts." ---This story will make you smarter. nysfocus.com/2025/06/04/n...
nysfocus.com
Amid Global Debt Crisis, Albany Advances Bill to Rein In Hedge Funds…
Half of sovereign bonds are issued under New York law, giving Albany the power to shape how countries face off with creditors.
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New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 29/05/2025
Federal cuts in health care spending — projected at $715 billion over the next 10 years — could have a devastating impact, not just on the New Yorkers who will lose insurance, but also on the rural hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics that rely on Medicaid payments. nysfocus.com/2025/05/29/m...
nysfocus.com
Small Towns, Big Stakes: How Medicaid Cuts Threaten Health Care in…
From nursing homes to Planned Parenthood clinics, rural health care in Upstate New York could collapse under proposed Republican budget changes.
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New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 28/05/2025
New York’s farm labor law was meant to transform life for agricultural workers. One apple farm shows how hard that may be. nysfocus.com/2025/05/27/n...
nysfocus.com
An Upstate Orchard Is Putting New Farmworker Protections to the Test
New York’s farm labor law was meant to transform life for agricultural workers. One apple farm shows how hard that may be.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
If you're a town supervisor, maybe ... don't do this? --new from @chrisbragg1.bsky.social nysfocus.com/2025/05/21/m...
nysfocus.com
Harrison Mayor Helped Rezone His Own Land — Then Sold It for $2.9…
Richard Dionisio participated in multiple votes related to a controversial rezoning effort without publicly disclosing his financial interest.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Want to get civic on a Saturday night? Here's a link to the video of our mayoral forum on Thursday at the Public Theater, co-hosted with @HellGateNY. Candidates @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social, @bradlander.bsky.social and @scottstringernyc.bsky.social were good sports. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Eh4...
youtube.com
New Mayor, New Media: A Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum (5/15/25)
YouTube video by Hell Gate
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
I'm such a sucker for bullet points. This new story from @jiejennyzou.bsky.social lays out the changes to expect in New York if Congressional Republicans see their plans to cut Medicaid and SNAP put into action. nysfocus.com/2025/05/17/t...
nysfocus.com
How Congress's Plan to Slash Medicaid Will Affect New York
The cuts could topple the safety net for New York’s most vulnerable and upend the state’s newly passed budget.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
After a MASSIVE lift poring over thousands of pages of the NYS budget, the team at @nysfocus.bsky.social has put together this comprehensive budget guide. It's in-depth, searchable, and easy to understand — completely the opposite of how the state presents it. nysfocus.com/2025/05/10/n...
nysfocus.com
What’s in the 2025 New York State Budget? Here’s Everything You Need…
Our searchable database breaks down what was proposed and what made it in this year's budget among key topics like education, family policy, criminal…
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New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 08/05/2025
NEW: Labor unions and business lobbyists successfully convinced Governor Kathy Hochul to pay off New York’s $6.2 billion unemployment insurance debt. Weekly unemployment benefits will increase for the first time in six years.
nysfocus.com
New York Will Boost Unemployment Benefits, Labor and Businesses…
The state will spend $8 billion to pay off its debt to the feds and increase unemployment benefits after six years. Experts say it's not enough.
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New York Focus @nysfocus.com · 07/05/2025
NEW: The days of subscription traps are over for New Yorkers. The final budget excludes a loophole that would have exempted corporate giants like Spotify and Amazon from legislation to make cancelling subscriptions easier, after New York Focus reported on the carveout in February.
nysfocus.com
State Budget Will End Subscription Traps, Making It Easier to Cancel…
The final budget excludes a loophole that would have exempted corporate giants like Spotify and Amazon, after New York Focus reported on the carveout in…
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
"In the first months of this year, the bill was Albany’s most lobbied-on outside of the budget, drawing the firepower of household name brands including Coca Cola, Target, L’Oréal, and Kraft Heinz." --New from @colinreports.bsky.social nysfocus.com/2025/05/06/n...
nysfocus.com
Chemical Industry Redoubles Campaign Against New York Waste Bill
A national trade group has nearly doubled its spending in Albany since the packaging reduction bill was introduced and taken out attack ads on Democrats…
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
"Each year, the state comptroller reviews the finances of more than 670 school districts. The office’s latest report found 22 school districts were in a state of “fiscal stress” — or financial instability. That’s up from 16 districts last year." nysfocus.com/2025/05/02/n...
nysfocus.com
New York’s School Districts Are Shrinking — But Their Financial…
New York’s comptroller has flagged 22 school districts as fiscally stressed — up sharply from last year.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
A lot of shady stuff happening with this foundation, as @sammellins.bsky.social discovered. nysfocus.com/2025/05/01/j...
nysfocus.com
Health Execs’ Charity Gave Away Millions. Don’t Ask Where it Went.
The Modim Foundation is tied to a health insurer that will begin providing coverage to thousands of New York’s home health aides.
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Brad Racino @bradracino.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
"A House plan to shave $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade could force New York to make gut-wrenching choices." --A comprehensive account of what's happening right now in the state. nysfocus.com/2025/05/01/n...
nysfocus.com
Medicaid Cutbacks Could Trigger Healthcare Crisis for Millions in New…
From preventive screenings to addiction treatment, critical care hangs in the balance for millions of New Yorkers relying on Medicaid.
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