Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation prohibiting consumer reporting agencies and lenders from using the credit scores of people in a consumer's social network to determine that individual's credit worthiness.

New York is seeking to secure $2 billion in restitution from opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacy benefit managers that the state Department of Financial Services determined has been overcharged — as a result of misinformation — over the last decade.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced three more proposals he will include in his 2020 legislative agenda — a plan to lower prescription drug costs, net neutrality protections, and a bill to protect consumers from abusive debt collectors.

New York state rent regulation laws are set to expire in two months and affordable housing advocates are preparing to do battle with the influential real New York estate lobby in an effort to strengthen and expand tenant rights as lawmakers review and consider reforms to the legislation. In an effort to elicit feedback from tenants, stakeholders and regulatory agencies, the Assembly Housing Committee has scheduled two public hearings early next month.

Two new pay equity laws go into effect today, Tuesday, Oct. 8 — prohibiting “unequal pay on the basis of a protected class for all substantially similar work” and banning prospective employers from asking job applicants about their salary history.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released the annual “Pennies for Charity: Where Your Money Goes; Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, which found that nearly one-third of charitable donations ended up in the pockets of professional fundraisers. This report looks at fundraising trends such as the rise of online giving, as well as the percentage of funds raised that went to charities.

New York state expects to spend an average of $13.4 billion in each of the next five years on capital projects, but the state comptroller says it would benefit from a more comprehensive assessment of its capital assets and needs.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced an agreement with National Grid to immediately lift the current moratorium on gas service in Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn, 13 days after the governor issued a letter giving the utility giant 14 days to come up with a plan to restore service or face losing it license to operate in downstate New York.

The state Assembly has released the chamber’s Economic and Revenue Report for 2020, produced by the Committee on Ways and Means. The report forecasts continued growth in the state and national economies in 2020, but federal policy, an erratic market, rising federal deficits, trade conflicts and continuing political tension are all unknowns that contribute to significant risks.

A new law proposed by Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-Manhattan, would establish a universal right to legal counsel in federal immigration court proceedings for income-eligible New York residents and other immigrants whose court proceedings are determined to have a relevant connection with New York state.