New York State

Policy

What’s going on with marijuana legalization?

Full legalization of recreational marijuana this year may go up in smoke, but the state could still pass some blunted reforms in the meantime, as bills to decriminalize smoking in public and expanding the medical marijuana program were just introduced.

New York State

Policy

Why everyone wants to slam the brakes on this gig workers bill

State Sen. Diane Savino and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo introduced a bill on Friday that would allow gig economy workers and other independent contractors to unionize and collectively bargain with their employers.

New York State

Politics

Why the state Legislature will never adjourn

The New York state Legislature is often called a “part-time” legislature, but experts say that designation is a product of tradition rather than law.

New York City

Opinion

Housing can’t be totally solved by the federal government

Some of the Democratic presidential candidates believe the housing crisis can be solved through federal action. Here’s what they get right, get wrong and can’t do, according to retired New York City planner and current NYU visiting scholar Eric Kober.

New York State

Opinion

Why gestational surrogacy should be legalized and unionized

The New York state Senate passed a bill to legalize paid gestational surrogacy, but the fate of the bill remains uncertain in the Assembly.

New York State

Policy

What you need to know about the Legislature’s e-bike agreement

The debate over legalizing electric bikes and scooters on New York streets may soon come to a close. With a vote on the amended bill expected to come Wednesday, here are the most important provisions and the bill’s prospects for passing.

New York State

Policy

NY lawmakers near deal on climate change

The state Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are on the brink of finalizing a deal on landmark climate change legislation that aims to effectively eliminate climate change pollution statewide by 2050. Here’s how the updated bill compares to the original version.

New York State

Opinion

The battle for the Democratic Party, in Albany and Queens

Activists are targeting Assembly Democrats and hoping for a district attorney upset.

New York City

Policy

Saini leaves DoITT amidst controversy

Samir Saini stepped down as head of New York City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications on Friday.

New York City

Personality

It's Melinda Katz's race to lose

That simple fact is: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz is the front-runner in the Democratic primary election for Queens district attorney on June 25.

New York State

Politics

Revitalizing rent regs and ending vaccine exemptions

John Stewart spoke on behalf of 9/11 first responders, rent regulations were revitalized, an end has come to religious vaccine exemptions, the Uber cap has been extended — and more in this week's headlines.

New York City

Politics

De Blasio and City Council reach agreement on $92.8 billion budget

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson reached an informal deal on the city’s $92.8 billion operating budget Friday afternoon, two weeks ahead of the deadline. Here’s what it’s in and what’s out.

New York State

Policy

Will New York halt for 5G health concerns?

New York is supposedly in a race with other localities to deploy next-generation 5G wireless networks, but activists raising concerns about potential health effects of cellphone and wireless radiation – and they are gaining some political traction.