Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced details of a final agreement on a number of major priorities for the end of the 2015-16 legislative session. Governor Cuomo said: “Today, we have reached an agreement on robust, comprehensive reforms that put the people of New York first. We are strengthening rent laws and extending them for four years in the New York City area to protect more than two million tenants.

Governor Cuomo announced major progress in signature revitalization projects at Verona Beach State Park and Green Lakes State Park. Made possible by a $13 million investment from the NY Parks 2020 initiative, the improvements include the completion of a new bathhouse and pavilions in time for the summer swim season at Verona Beach and ongoing campground upgrades and a renovation of the golf clubhouse at Green Lakes

The World’s Largest Hardware Cooperative Retains 292 Jobs and Creates 25 New Jobs in NY Empire State Development (ESD) announced that Ace Hardware Corporation, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, will expand with a new Retail Support Center in Saratoga County at 55 Northern Pines Road in Gansevoort, New York.

The center is a signature project in the Governor’s NY Parks 2020 Plan to revitalize and transform the state park system.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with 101 West 78th, LLC, Newcastle Realty Services, LLC, and Margaret Streicker Porres, that requires the developer to pay $1.2 million to New York City to compensate for the loss of five rent-stabilized apartments in an Upper West Side building, some of which were effectively deregulated through prohibited buyout agreements. The deal provides two years of rent payments to tenants who have remained in the building.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus announced on Thursday that the Department of Public Works has received a rebate for $16,500 by participating in Orange and Rockland’s Big Energy Solutions Rebate Program.

NextGen sets NYCHA on a new path to financial solvency, allowing the Authority to make significant investments in its 178,000 units, and dramatically improve quality of life for the 400,000 residents living in public housing

The New York State Senate today acted on one of its top end-of-session priorities by passing legislation to make the property tax cap permanent. The bill (S5597), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-C-I, East Northport), would prevent the planned expiration of the tax cap to continue saving taxpayers billions of dollars each year, increase investments by businesses, and create more jobs

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) introduced a new strategy to repair our nation’s infrastructure today, the Nation Building Here At Home Act of 2015. The bill aims to create a new grant program to rebuild our nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems, and water infrastructure.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Mayor Brian Kulpa announced the beginning of construction on a number of sidewalk improvements in the Village of Williamsville. More than $460,000 in federal funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, will be invested in Williamsville infrastructure enhancements.

Empire State Development today joined with Empire Brewing Company, a START-UP NY participant sponsored by SUNY Morrisville, to break ground on the Empire Farmstead Brewery – a new manufacturing and agri-tourism facility in Cazenovia, Madison County.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of a $2 million MWBE Investment Fund to provide seed financing to certified minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE). Rochester-based venture capital firm Excell Partners will manage the fund

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged his colleagues to vote against the House proposal to cut funding to a  key program that supports critical infrastructure projects across New York State. Schumer explained that the House funding bill included severe cuts to the incredibly important and popular Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced that the New York City Pension Funds have taken steps to formally consider diversity as a criterion in manager evaluation and selection, by systematically asking current and prospective money managers about the diversity of their investment professionals.

Two senior members of the House Ways & Means Committee are continuing their quest to remove a 1980’s era tax provision that discourages foreign investment in U.S. real estate.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today launched two major economic development programs – the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and Round V of the Regional Economic Development Councils – officially kicking off the 2015 competitions for $1.5 billion and up to $750 million in state economic development resources, respectfully.

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced plans for expanded Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail promotion to increase tourism in Warren, Washington, Essex and Saratoga counties and brand the region as a craft beverage destination in New York State.

The new 30,000 square foot building will be built by the Galesi Group at the company’s Niskayuna Commerce Park. Construction on the new building will begin this summer. The Niskayuna Commerce Park is home to Unilux Advanced Manufacturing, a new $20 million Army Reserve Center and more than 100 acres of shovel-ready land for growing tech firms.

On the Monday of Earth Week, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a report detailing new market research and growing investor consensus that now is the time to implement a Green Bond program in New York City.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been today met tenants at a Bronx building in the midst of major upgrades and renovations through City affordable housing preservation initiatives. Protecting and improving existing affordable housing is a major component of the Mayor’s Housing New York Plan. Last year, the City initiated preservation work at 11,185 apartments. This year, the City is expanding its toolkit to reach more New Yorkers whose homes are becoming unaffordable or distressed

Hanley Investment Group, a nationally-recognized boutique real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, announced today that Senior Vice President Jeremy McChesney negotiated the sale of four single-tenant absolute NNN 7-Eleven stores in Erie County, New York, totaling nearly $3 million. McChesney currently has two other East Coast 7-Eleven stores in escrow and two additional ones available for sale.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide $12,252 in federal funding for the Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide $13,258 in federal funding for Better Neighborhoods, Inc., located in Schenectady.

Developer Peter Moore Disregarded Martin Act Requirements While Blatantly Marketing Investments In TriBeCa Loft Building Settlement Bars Moore From the Real Estate Securities Industry For Six Months. Schneiderman: Promoters Of Real Estate Investments Need To Follow The Rules And If They Don’t, They Will Be Held Accountable.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a $160 million investment designed to grow large scale clean energy projects statewide. As part of the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy, this funding is being made available to support public-private sector partnerships in clean energy projects. Funding will be administered competitively, and proposals will improve energy affordability and reliability, while also expanding new economic development opportunities and protecting the environment.