WINNERS & LOSERS … 6

EDITOR’S NOTE

RALPH R. ORTEGA

Editor-in-chief THE ESCALATING SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACCUSATIONS made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo this past week have put into question how much longer he will be able to survive as governor.

There have been many calls for his resignation, even after an almost tearful Cuomo said on March 3 that he was sorry for making anyone feel uncomfortable. Former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett’s complaint of inappropriate conversations with the governor came a week after Lindsey Boylan made her own separate claims, accusing Cuomo of sexual harassment and assault when she worked for Empire State Development. Add to that Cuomo’s alleged unwanted advances towards a female guest at an aide’s wedding. An image of him holding her face while she had an uncomfortable expression left almost anyone to make their own damning conclusions.

While Cuomo awaits the results of state Attorney General Letitia James’ independent investigation into the accusations, City & State’s Zach Williams takes a look in this week’s issue at the culture of inappropriate comments, workplace bullying and sexual harassment that appears to be commonplace in Albany.

Journalists who cover the state Capitol hear from legislative aides who have either experienced harassment firsthand or witnessed or heard rumors of it by elected officials or others, but are afraid to come forward. That may be changing now. The other shoe may finally have dropped on those in state government who’ve encouraged, or tolerated, this inappropriate behavior.

New York City schools Chancellor Richard Carranza was asked to do the impossible: keep kids educated during a global pandemic.

CONTENTS

FIRST READ … 4

The week that was

ADVISORY BOARD … 8

City & State names its 13-member panel

ALBANY’S MESS … 12

Cuomo allegations pull back the veil on the Capitol’s toxic culture

TIPPING POINT … 15

Female state lawmakers lead the fight against harassment

RICHARD CARRANZA … 18 The outgoing NYC schools chancellor’s legacy

LABOR RISING STARS … 24

The 40 Under 40 list