Author Archive
Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
The biggest issues left out of the state budget
The NY HEAT Act could still be passed before the end of session, though higher taxes on the wealthy are likely dead.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
All the details of Albany’s final housing deal
‘Good cause’ eviction protections, a replacement for 421-a and tweaks to rent-stabilization all made it into this year’s state budget.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
New York State
Politics
Gov. Kathy Hochul hits new polling lows
A new Siena College poll shows New Yorkers aren’t happy with the governor, or congestion pricing.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
What’s in and out of the state budget
The state Legislature finished approving the state’s $237 billion state budget on Saturday.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis and Austin C. Jefferson
New York State
Politics
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: There’s light at the end of the budget tunnel
He offered a few new potential housing nuggets while expressing optimism that the final budget will come soon.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
Reactions to Hochul’s preliminary budget deal
If no one’s happy, that’s compromise!
- By Rebecca C. Lewis and Austin C. Jefferson
New York State
Politics
Hochul announces the framework of a budget deal
The spending plan isn’t done, but the governor took a victory lap after getting closer to an agreement with legislative leaders.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis and Austin C. Jefferson
Albany Agenda
Policy
Tenant advocates alarmed about latest budget negotiations
Housing Justice for All published a fact sheet comparing the current version of “good cause” eviction to what was originally proposed.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Policy
Policy
Here are the details of Albany's potential three-way housing deal
The proposed deal includes a weakened version of “good cause” eviction, an increase to individual apartment improvement caps and a new version of the 421-a tax break. But everyone seems to hate it.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Kathy Hochul
Politics
A peek at Hochul’s 2023 tax returns
The governor made her documents public on Friday.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Heard Around Town
Policy
NY Legislature approves fourth budget extender
The state Senate approved an April 15 extension Thursday, and the Assembly is expected to do so on Friday.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
MagazineShow All
Heard Around Town
Politics
Progressive NYC elected officials to Albany: No rent law rollbacks
City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and 19 City Council members said they “oppose any measures to weaken New York’s rent stabilization system.”
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
No major earthquake damage reported in New York City
In a briefing alongside various agency heads, Mayor Eric Adams said New Yorkers should go about their business, but further assessments of infrastructure is ongoing.
- By Mia Hollie, Sahalie Donaldson and Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
Gov. Kathy Hochul killed these bills last year – and they’re back from the dead
The governor may have struck them down with vetoes, but state lawmakers are trying again.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
New York State
Policy
Hochul: Major Foundation Aid changes off the table for now in Albany
The governor said that by this time next year, the state will have a new formula to give schools enough time to prepare.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Health Care
Policy
Bipartisan group calls on Hochul to declare opioid epidemic a public health emergency
More than 50 state lawmakers signed on to a letter sent to the governor urging her to make the declaration.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
‘Leave It Blank’ campaign gets 12% of the vote in NY Democratic presidential primary
In New York City, about 15% of Democratic primary voters did not vote for any of the three candidates on the ballot.
- By Peter Sterne and Rebecca C. Lewis
Politics
Politics
NY League of Conservation Voters drops 2024 endorsement slate
Like human caused climate change, this group of 85 endorsees is pretty predictable.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
Laborers union asks legislature to include $40 minimum wage in 421-a replacement
The Mason Tenders District Council has already agreed to a wage deal with REBNY and now wants legislators to codify it into law.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Policy
Housing deal may include provision to let landlords increase rents on vacant rent-stabilized apartments
The Assembly speaker confirmed that bringing back rent increases to offset the costs of renovating rent-stabilized apartments is on the budget negotiating table.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis