Energy & Environment
Policy
Which state lawmakers ranked the best on the environment?
A nonpartisan advocacy group graded legislators based on more than a dozen votes.
Transportation
Policy
NYC and taxi drivers have very different ideas for how to tackle medallion debt
The city is sticking with its grant program despite scathing criticism from taxi drivers who say it’s not nearly enough to give them relief.
Criminal Justice
Policy
What does criminal justice reform look like to Kathy Hochul?
The governor has reservations about “defund the police” that her No. 2, Brian Benjamin, doesn’t seem to share.
Policy
Policy
MTA to start enforcing $50 mask fines
The penalty was put in place last year, but officials now say they plan to ramp up enforcement.
Policy
Policy
Redistricting is on the ballot again in November. Here’s what voters will be considering.
A ballot amendment would change the state constitution and tweak the redistricting process.
Policy
Policy
Hundreds of bills await Hochul’s signature. Here are 10 that will help define her leadership early on.
Which bills the new governor approves – and which she vetoes – will tell us how serious she is about climate change, government transparency and more.
Policy
Policy
The Buffalo Bills owners want a new stadium, and taxpayers might help them pay for it
The NFL team is a Western New York treasure, and critics say the owners are exploiting that to help pay for the $1.4 billion project.
Labor
Policy
The worker shortages plaguing the public sector
There are a variety of reasons New York is struggling to maintain essential services.
New York State
Policy
Takeaways from New York’s (competing!) redistricting draft maps
Failing to find common ground, the Independent Redistricting Commission released different plans along partisan lines.
Housing
Policy
How do you make underground apartments safer? Many legislators and housing advocates say legalize them.
Though recent events have thrust the issue to the forefront, advocates have been working on the issue of expanding cellar and basement housing units for decades.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Cornell’s ag program solves farmers’ toughest problems
The leading research institution also helps with workforce development and technological issues.
New York State
Policy
Industrial hemp promises sustainable solutions for New York, but will anyone buy in?
The industry in its “innovation stage” is eyeing Gov. Kathy Hochul for support.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Will Kathy Hochul support a carbon tax?
Getting behind an effort that fell short last session could change the climate game in New York.
Policy
Policy
Hochul promised a ‘new era of transparency.’ Here’s what that would really take.
Under Cuomo, obtaining public records was often extremely difficult. Transparency advocates have a lot of ideas for reforming the process.
Technology
Policy
How New York is subsidizing Amazon
Local agencies across the state lure the retail giant to town using generous tax incentives.
Energy & Environment
Policy
How New York can prepare for flooding
A summer of extreme weather continued this week, as Hurricane Ida blew through the state, leading to at least 9 deaths in New York City.
Education
Policy
NYC schools and health officials push in-person learning, despite calls for remote option
Here are the key points for why kids are still returning to class, despite concerns members of the New York City Council had during an education committee hearing Wednesday.
New York State
Policy
Hochul’s pot picks get the thumbs up
Former Assembly Member Tremaine Wright and cannabis advocate Christoper Alexander will oversee the new state program
Housing
Policy
State lawmakers reach a deal to extend the eviction moratorium
Landlords and tenants both have reasons to like the proposed changes to a state housing relief program.
Transportation
Policy