Campaign Confidential
Policy
How legislators changed election law, from busier ballots to early payouts
Lawmakers made a ton of changes in the final days of the legislative session – and now some local elections might be moved.
Energy & Environment
Policy
NYC should have 30% tree canopy coverage, City Council says
Less than a quarter of the city is currently shaded by trees.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Legislative session not over until the Assembly says so
Assembly lawmakers are expected to return soon to consider a slew of prominent bills, including Sammy’s Law, a bill challenging wrongful convictions and a gaming deal with the Seneca Nation.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
State lawmakers debate late into the night at session end
The legislature passed a series of bills Thursday night, from a bill to form a commission to study reparations in the state to a bill to seal criminal records after a certain amount of time.
Homelessness
Policy
Homeless persons among most vulnerable as air quality remains unhealthy
As many New Yorkers remain on city streets exposed to potential health risks, advocates and city outreach teams have fanned out across the city, administering aid and encouraging people to come indoors.
Policy
Policy
NYC DAs tell Legislature to address deed theft before session end
Homeowners across the state have been impacted by deed theft. State Attorney General Letitia James and state lawmakers have crafted two bills to address the issue head-on.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Liberty, Yankees games nixed and NYC libraries close early due to wildfire haze
New Yorkers were encouraged to stay home and stay inside to protect themselves from air pollution.
Kathy Hochul
Policy
Hochul remains tight-lipped on her plans for the revised Grieving Families Act
Just five months ago, the governor vetoed the popular bill to update the state’s wrongful death laws. Lawmakers have passed a new version they say addresses the governor’s concerns.
Immigration
Policy
Survey: Some asylum-seeker parents haven’t been able to get their children enrolled in NYC schools
The study by Make the Road New York and Hester Street also found migrants faced hurdles finding lawyers and getting transportation, among other needs
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Things to look out for as legislative session closes out
From sealing criminal records to parole and campaign finance law, state lawmakers have several legislative issues to tackle before heading to their districts for the rest of the year.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
With new bill, Clean Slate looks closer than ever to becoming law
State leaders say they’ve reached a three-way deal on sealing people’s criminal records after a multi-year period.
Disability
Policy
Nearly 10,000 NYC preschoolers with disabilities aren’t getting legally required city services
A new report from nonprofit Advocates for Children of New York highlights how the city is failing to provide services like speech therapy that it’s supposed to.
Criminal Justice
Policy
Rap Music on Trial bill would stop prosecutors from citing irrelevant lyrics in court
The bill addresses the increasingly common practice of prosecutors using defendants’ rap songs to harm their character.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
40 government reform groups decry proposed tweaks to NY campaign finance law
In a letter to legislative leaders, the watchdogs said the changes undermine the much celebrated campaign finance reforms passed in 2019.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Business leaders push for Link5G deployment
Those supertall 5G towers have defenders in New York City’s business community.
Immigration
Policy
Adams’ new idea: paying New Yorkers to host asylum-seekers at home
The mayor tossed out a new idea while rolling out a plan to shelter migrants in houses of worship.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Housing Committee chair: ‘Dire need’ for housing legislation before end of session
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal indicated that the Legislature is working toward consensus on laws that protect tenants and encourage development before the end of session this week.
Policy
Policy
Cuomo lawyers argue ethics commission is unconstitutional
The former governor used to control the state's old ethics commission. Now he's trying to kill the new one.
New York State
Policy
Local elected officials from around the state call for immigrant protections from feds
New York Immigrant rights advocates and lawmakers have not given up hope on passing a bill meant to protect undocumented residents from having their immigration status reported – even as the legislative clock winds down.
New York City
Policy