This Week In Albany – Legislative Update

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — In this week's news from Albany, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a new response to hate crime and indictments were unsealed in an ongoing federal corruption case.

The Democratic governor says a new state police unit will investigate reports of hate crimes in the aftermath of the divisive presidential election. Cuomo is also calling for an expansion of the state's human rights law to cover more students. And he announced a new legal defense fund for immigrants.

Former top Cuomo aide Joe Percoco was indicted along with seven others in the federal corruption case. The men have denied the charges.

Meanwhile, the state is expanding its medical marijuana program to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify patients.