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            Wild river areas in the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve like the one encompassing the breathtaking Hudson River Gorge are entitled to special protection under the New York Constitution’s Forever Wild clause and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act. When the State acquires new land in the Park and designates it as a wild river area, it is required to eliminate any prior nonconforming uses of the land and prohibit all motor vehicle [...]

BACKGROUNDPursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, on September 26, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order (the Order) that preempts certain state and local regulatory authority claiming that existing local regulations hinder the deployment of 5G infrastructure.  The Order was published in the Federal Register on October 15, 2018 and becomes effective on January 14, 2019.  Local rules concerning aesthetic concerns [...]

With election day coming up, many are wondering whether or not immigrants have voting rights in the United States. The answer isn’t quite so black and white. Depending on immigration status, individuals may be prohibited from voting in local, state, and federal elections. Native United States CitizensA native citizen of the United States is one that was born in the United States, and/or has citizenship through their parents. Native citizens who are 18 years of age or older are [...]

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna Associate Myles B. Fischer was recently featured in the Albany Business Review’s Table of Experts. The five experts featured in the “End of Year Financial Planning” discussed new tax rules and financial planning challenges and opportunities. You can read the full discussion here: Download TOE End of Year Financial Planning.pdf. 

New York municipalities beware.  On September 4, 2018, in response to complaints from the telecommunications industry that local rules and regulations are a burden to the deployment of their facilities, the FCC announced that it will vote on September 25, 2018 on an Order that will speed deployment of new 5G network technologies across the country that will have an immediate impact on New York State municipalities.  Approval of the Order appears to be a foregone conclusion.  See [...]