In July, Governor Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) into law. The Act sets new environmental emission standards, including major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and targets greater use of renewable energy to tackle the effects of climate change. The CLCPA targets “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim […]
Rent control, first promulgated in New York City almost a century ago, has been a consistent feature of the downstate residential real estate market for decades. However, it came as a surprise to some to see headlines appear in recent months teasing the possibility of downstate-style price controls (“rent stabilization”) on residential units making their […]
Gun ownership is a very important subject for many individuals in New York State. As most know, New York State has many regulations regarding gun ownership. One of the most important items individuals need to be aware of is the legality of transferring a firearm to beneficiaries through an estate. If the correct procedures are […]
With cyber-attacks on the rise this year, including recent ransomware attacks on a Central New York school district and library, it seems important to have a discussion about computer security. Whether you work for a multi-national corporation, in the government sector, or for a small business, awareness is the key to preventing system attacks. If […]
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Among Americans who are between the ages of ten and 34, it is the second leading cause of death. Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control indicates a gradual upward trend in the occurrence […]
Since 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated a number of major changes to the rules that regulate the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is considering adopting a number of these federal changes to the applicable state rules. Before it finalizes any […]
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been in the news recently, especially here in Central New York. Just two years ago HAB outbreaks in Skaneateles Lake, which—unfiltered—provides Syracuse’s drinking water, caused a good deal of concern about the potability of that water and even led to several days of beach closures. Other areas of the State […]
When you think about creating an initial estate plan, you likely focus entirely on the need to create a roadmap for the distribution of your estate assets in the event of your death. While that certainly will always remain an important estate planning goal, you will undoubtedly include additional goals into your estate plan over […]
In 1978 the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, thus effectively stopping the use of lead-based paint in all housing across the country. Prior to that date, lead-based paint was widely used including in housing and homes constructed prior to that date. If properly managed lead-based paint poses little, if any risk to […]
Here in Onondaga County, we are very fortunate to have curbside recycling available to us as a free service. We’ve been dutifully tossing our cans, jars, and newspapers into blue bins for years and polishing our own haloes for our contributions to keeping the Earth green. I’ve got some news for you, though, and it […]