Labor advocates in New York state are pushing to secure benefits and protection for gig-economy workers by setting a new standard for what qualifies as an ‘independent contractor.’ The proposed law uses an approach called the ‘ABC test’ to determine if a worker is an employee. At an unrelated press conference earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signaled interest in redefining workers’ status. Maria Figueroa, director of Labor and Policy Research at the Cornell University ILR School’s Worker Institute, says that beyond protecting workers’ rights, the coalition’s approach is also potentially beneficial to state’s tax revenue base.

New York State

Industrial and Labor Relations

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With at least 27 species of ticks in the eastern U.S., ticks and tick-borne diseases have become a serious public health issue. Cornell University experts are warning that in 2019 the Asian longhorned tick will track further into the U.S., humans may be struck with tick-borne infections within 15 minutes of contact, and pets will be exposed to ticks simply by running on a freshly mowed lawn. Laura Harrington, Laura Goodman, Manigandan Lejeune Virapin, and Matt Frye are available for interviews on tick-borne diseases, prevention tips for humans and animals, advice on pest management, and invading tick species.

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

Life Sciences & Veterinary Medicine

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Ariel Ortiz-Bobea, assistant professor of applied economics and management and a fellow at Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Sarah Evanega, director of the Cornell Alliance for Science and professor of plant breeding and genetics, and Daryl Nydam, professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and director of Quality Milk Production Services, comment on an upcoming IPCC report that calls for urgent food systems reforms.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future

Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

Food & Agriculture

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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In 2017, New York state maple producers made over 750,000 gallons of maple syrup, making New York the second largest maple producing state. With this year’s maple season underway, Stephen Childs, the Cornell Sugar Maple Program Director and a New York state maple specialist, says producers can look forward to a great 2018 season.

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

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Due to the ideal growing conditions in New York state, the pumpkin crop is early this year and consumers should act fast when picking says Steve Reiners, professor of horticulture at Cornell University and a New York state vegetable industry expert. Reiners shares advice on how to pick the perfect pumpkin that should last through the Halloween season if left uncarved.

Agriculture and Life Sciences

New York State

Food & Agriculture

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New York State is facing a $2 billion deficit, said Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday. Cristobal Young, a sociologist at Cornell University who studies income inequality and the effects of taxation on the rich, comments on Cuomo’s explanation that the deficit was caused by Trump’s federal tax cuts.

New York State

Economics and Business

Law and Policy

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to give his annual State of the State address and unveil his budget proposal this afternoon. Two of Cuomo’s proposals likely to be discussed are New York’s adoption of a “Green New Deal” to stamp out the state’s carbon footprint by 2040 and a plan to legalize recreational adult marijuana use in the state. Expert on labor and employment issues related to sustainability, climate protection and climate protection policy, Lara Skinner and expert on the economics of risky health behavior, John Cawley weigh in.

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As families continue their search for the perfect Christmas tree this season, three Cornell University experts who work closely with New York Christmas tree producers offer advice for picking and preserving holiday trees.

New York State

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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In the U.S. alone, the hard cider market has increased more than tenfold in the past decade and Gregory Peck, assistant professor of horticulture in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been exploring ways to increase the quality and quantity of New York-grown cider apples.

Food & Agriculture

Agriculture and Life Sciences

New York State

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As the snow continues to come down across the Northeast, two Cornell University experts, David Orr and Eugene Carroll are available for interviews on safe driving tips and the ‘unsung heroes’ who continue to keep roads safe during winter weather.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Agriculture and Life Sciences

New York State

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