The U.N. General Assembly endorsed a sweeping accord to ensure safe and orderly migration Wednesday over opposition from five countries, including the United States and Hungary. Israel, the Czech Republic and Poland also voted "no" and 12 countries abstained. The compact has 23 objectives "for safe, orderly and regular migration" that seek to boost cooperation in managing legal migration and discourage illegal border crossings and addresses all aspects of migration — why people leave their home countries, how to protect them, integrate them and cooperate in returning them home safely. Opponents argue that the compact is attempting to "globalize" how migration is carried out at the expense of the sovereignty of individual countries, and is trying to make new international law. Supporters counter that the compact is non-binding and every country remains sovereign and in charge of its borders and migration policy.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that ten projects aimed at preserving state history — from Dutch colonial settlement to the Civil Rights period — have received 2019 State Historic Preservation Awards. A dozen historic locations around the state were also nominated for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, which can provide owners with grants and tax credits to support rehabilitation projects.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that nearly 300 additional electronic message boards and traffic cameras have been installed along major traffic corridors in New York state. The new highway cameras and Variable Message Signs are part of the governor's initiative “to improve communication with the traveling public, enhance safety and promote greater situational awareness among motorists and traffic system managers.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that the first of four concourses that will comprise Delta's new state-of-the-art terminal at LaGuardia Airport is on track to open this fall, representing a major milestone in the $8 billion construction of a whole new LaGuardia Airport.

A law signed at the end of the 2019 legislative session by Gov. Andrew Cuomo includes a requirement that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board approve a reorganization plan for New York City’s subway systems by the end of this month, while advocacy groups argue that there needs to be more transparency to the process.

Next summer, driver's license applicants in New York will have the option of taking the required training and instruction course online.

Scolding state lawmakers for being hypocritical, misleading and irresponsible, the commissioner of the state Department of Motor Vehicles issued a statement Thursday, defending the statewide license plate replacement program set to begin next April.

The condition of New York City subways has not much improved over the last five years, according to an analysis of MTA data by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. But it’s not as bad as it was ten years ago. Primary takeaway? Enjoy the scenery, but watch your step.

The MTA Capital Plan Review Board is scheduled to vote on the authority’s $51.5 billion Capital Plan for 2020-2014 next Wednesday, Sept. 25, but good government groups and others have concerns about the spending plan — a brief overview of which wasn’t made public until this Monday, Sept. 16.