Kate Lisa reports for New York State of Politics that as school reopens this year New York faces a 15 percent statewide shortage of school bus drivers. David Christopher, executive director of the state Association for Pupil Transportation, said, "The situation is dire.... We just did a poll, and 80 percent of our members said they're short of drivers and we need to recruit more." The Legislature recently addressed the issue, passing legislation to allow New Yorkers 18 to 20 years old with a driver's license to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License if they complete the state's new training program for young adults. Assemblyperson Bill Magnarelli said, "Everybody is trying to do whatever they can to get more people with the CDL license — that's No. 1.... It's something that is a priority for lawmakers.... We want to make sure that all the children are safe and that they get to school because that's where we want them." Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.