Budget
Policy
Could a stock transfer tax help NYC weather the Trump administration?
Two lawmakers say restoring a five-cent tax on stock trades could help compensate for potential cuts in federal funding.
Albany Agenda
Policy
DOCCS wanted people convicted of violent crimes to be eligible for early release
A “program bill” circulated last year would have dramatically expanded eligibility for merit time programs that allow incarcerated people to earn time off of their sentences
Cannabis
Policy
Upstate town sees benefits of cannabis tax revenue
Local tax revenue from sales of the once-illegal substance allowed Henritta to hire an additional sheriff’s deputy.
Albany Agenda
Policy
The discovery debate is almost done. What’s next for the budget?
Changes to the state’s involuntary commitment laws, a potential mask ban and a tax hike to fund the MTA are all on the table.
Criminal Justice
Policy
DAs say judge confusion is to blame for some discovery dismissals
Staten Island DA Michael McMahon said that judges are dismissing cases even after prosecutors show good faith and due diligence, in violation of case law.
Policy
Policy
Eric Adams embraces his favorite scapegoat Bill de Blasio
The two mayors touted $167 million in pre-K funding.
Eric Adams
Policy
Adams admin skips council hearing on possible Trump budget cuts
No one from any of the multiple agencies the council invited to testify showed up. Council members said they also didn’t receive written testimony from the mayor’s administration in time for the hearing.
Budget
Breaking News
Policy
Legislative leaders reach deal with DAs on discovery
The debate over when cases should be dismissed if prosecutors fail to turn over evidence held up the state budget for weeks.
Housing
Policy
Poll: 3 in 4 New Yorkers want a rent freeze
Capping the rents on rent-stabilized apartments has support across the political spectrum.
Special Reports
Policy
Does Albany need its own management report?
State government is looking to borrow from New York City’s playbook.
Special Reports
Policy
Does anyone want to be New York City’s tech mayor?
In 2021, Eric Adams ran on government modernization, but few candidates running to replace him are talking about picking up that work.
MTA
Policy
Quiet transportation upgrades are moving New Yorkers forward
How innovations in New York City are proving their value behind the scenes.
Special Reports
Policy
Lawmakers strive to protect New York’s universal broadband rollout
The state is pushing forward with its goals under the threat of Trump administration cuts.
Policy
Policy
Zyn ban falters amid industry backlash
Poppers of “upper deckys” and “babwes” in New York can breathe easy after proposed Zyn ban dies in committee.
Albany Agenda
Policy
With little public progress made, Cleare introduces her own discovery bill
As legislative leaders and district attorneys negotiate behind closed doors, state Sen. Cordell Cleare has introduced her own proposed compromise on discovery.
New York State
Policy
CDPAP transition could move forward after preliminary injunction agreement
The state Department of Health and New York Legal Assistance Group are now awaiting approval from a judge.
New York City Council
Policy
City Council leaders lambast tariffs, then lambast ‘economic whiplash’
It’s not easy crafting a budget for the nation’s largest city under President Donald Trump.
Policy
Policy
Should state lawmakers be paid even when the budget is late?
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s proposed legislation highlights how contentious the budget negotiation process has become.
Budget
Policy
State Senate leader: Budget negotiations on ‘pause’
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s inclusion of last-minute policy proposals in the state budget is holding back progress, legislative leaders say.
Albany Agenda
Policy