Peanut the squirrel, a potential gun charge and DEC's decisions

And how can health care become less expensive in New York?

Good afternoon — it’s Thursday and National Rural Health Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• Peanut the squirrel’s death prompted a new directive from the DEC and the owner could face a gun charge.

• New York is being sued over the state’s ban on nonresidents obtaining pistol permits.

• Health care is expensive. Can that change? Lawmakers and stakeholders see a path.

• The Assembly has scheduled a hearing on how public higher education institutions are building climate-friendly infrastructure.

• Thursday Reads

• New Bills of Note: children’s online safety and wage theft penalties

• Bills Passed But Pending: air pollution and testing for illicit drugs

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(Mark Longo via Associated Press)

🐿️ Peanut the squirrel prompts DEC directive, owner could face gun charge

Fans of Peanut the squirrel have been outraged at the state Department of Environmental Conservation since conservation officers took the animal from his owner and euthanized him out of fear he had rabies. (He did not, a test confirmed.)

The raid, which was the result of a search warrant, prompted so many threats to the agency that its employees were told to work remotely for a few days.

But Peanut’s death also prompted a swift directive from interim DEC Commissioner Sean C. Mahar.