New Penalties For Assaulting Airport, Road Workers Sought

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants higher penalties for assaulting transportation workers while they're on the job.

The Democrat announced Thursday that he'll include a provision in his state budget proposal making it a felony to assault highway workers, subway and bus workers or employees at airports. That would increase potential jail time and fines for defendants. He's also seeking to increase penalties for motorists who endanger the lives of highway workers by unsafe driving.

The changes must be approved by lawmakers. State law already sets out higher penalties for assaulting some types of transportation workers, such as bus drivers, as well as a long list of other professions including police, firefighters, sanitation workers and health care workers.

Cuomo has also proposed adding working journalists to the list.