Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Cuomo’s “disingenuous” estimate of NYC's surplus
Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked New York City to pony up more money for the subways in a speech on Thursday – but the de Blasio administration shot down the budget numbers he used as evidence as “completely disingenuous.”
Labor
Policy
What the Assembly wants to do for public-sector unions
An interview with Peter Abbate Jr., chairman of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees.
Budget
Policy
5 big insurance issues in New York
New York faces a number of other insurance issues – some of which were addressed as part of the budget talks, and some that weren’t. Here are five key legislative and regulatory issues affecting the state’s insurance industry.
New York State
Policy
Want to pay a little more for green energy? It’s not so simple
Many ESCOs pitch their services to potential customers as a way of going green. The details vary, but the idea is always to direct your money toward cleaner or renewable energy, such as wind and solar.
Budget
Policy
State budget includes health care fund after $2.8 million lobbying push
Following months of threats by the Trump administration to slash federal health care spending, New York state’s 2018-19 budget responded by creating a new health care shortfall fund – and a major lobbying push likely played a role.
Policy
How an obscure nonprofit became one of NYC's largest contractors
Queens-based nonprofit Childrens Community Services was a quarter-million dollars in the red in 2014, according to IRS records. But by the summer of 2017, record homelessness had propelled the organization to securing what is now the eighth largest year-to-date spending of any city contract, according to Checkbook NYC.
New York State
Policy
New York’s pension funds still invest in guns, tobacco and oil
New York’s pension funds still invest in guns, tobacco and oil because divesting from controversial companies or industries is not so simple – even after high-profile incidents, such as the Florida school shooting in February that left 17 dead, increase the political pressure to do so.
Labor
Policy
Bob Linn is watching the U.S. Supreme Court
Labor Commissioner Bob Linn spoke to City & State about tussling with the police union, negotiating with NYCHA workers and why he’s watching the U.S. Supreme Court.
Labor
Policy
Labor is under threat. A new bus managers union shows how to fight back.
A new MTA bus managers union could be a model for growth as the labor movement faces an uncertain landscape.
Nonprofits
Policy
How the 2018-19 state budget affects the nonprofit sector
New York nonprofits scored some funding wins in the final state budget for the upcoming year, but the victory was not shared across the board.
Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Updated: 6 questions about the Gateway Program, answered
The Gateway Program is the Lucy’s football of regional politics – long-promised and long-awaited, but always just out of reach. Here are six questions and answers about the project.
Policy
Nonprofit leaders appreciate governor's race shakeup
Nonprofit leaders say they are open to supporting Cynthia Nixon's primary challenge against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
MTA
Policy
New York wants to double-dip from ride-hail companies
A “phase one” for congestion pricing in Manhattan isn’t the only state budget proposal affecting ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft. An Assembly measure would add a new $1 tax on such rides in upstate and Long Island – and business groups aren’t pleased.
Policy
New York's MWBE program facing staunch opposition in the Senate
The state law, known as Article 15-A, is facing threats, including a lawsuit brought by the construction industry, and now staunch opposition in the state Senate.
Policy
MTA
'Doing nothing is not an option'
ABNY hosts a panel to debate the merits of congestion pricing.
Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Cuomo’s ‘half-baked’ health care revenue proposals
Budget analysts and industry advocates are puzzled by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposals to raise revenue for the state by drawing $1 billion from the corporate veins of the state’s health care industry. They call the raft of taxes and fees unreliable resources and poor policy. Lawmakers, likewise, have scrubbed elements of those proposals from their budget plans.
New York City
Policy
Could the long-stalled state DREAM Act finally advance this year?
As the national debate rages about the DREAM Act, the New York state version is back in the spotlight as well. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included it as an education priority in his executive budget, and the Assembly has included the bill in its budget resolution as well, although state Senate Republicans remain opposed.
Bill de Blasio
Policy
UPK was a big success. 3K for All won't be so easy.
De Blasio’s universal pre-K program has been his biggest success. Expanding it to 3-year-olds won’t be so easy.
New York State
Policy