Policy
Policy
Big question marks for New York City’s hotel industry as migrant shelter era winds down
Hotels that had been financially distressed are losing a lucrative lifeline from the city.
Education
Policy
State leaders agree to school cellphone ban as rest of budget remains in limbo
Legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul have settled on a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools, a top priority for the governor and the first budget item that appears settled
Taxes
Policy
Bill to limit taxpayer funding of Cuomo’s legal fees worries public sector unions
The STOP Act would apply to all public workers, not just elected officials like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Immigration
Policy
Immigrant advocates demand local jails stop working with ICE
The Dignity Not Detention Act would ban New York jails and prisons from contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Legislature passes $1.7 billion extender as state misses budget deadline
The budget extender will fund the state through Thursday.
Policy
Policy
State budget director warns NY will have to cut services if federal funding dries up
The state’s projected $252 billion budget includes over $90 billion of federal funding – and if the Trump administration cuts that off, the state won’t be able to backfill it.
Policy
Policy
Survivor groups split over Hochul’s proposed changes to discovery laws
After a number of organizations representing survivors of sexual and domestic violence called on lawmakers to support the governor’s proposal, other survivor groups called on lawmakers to reject it.
Policy
Policy
New York has debated forced psychiatric treatment for decades
Half a century after the state tightened the criteria for involuntary commitment, Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to make it easier to hospitalize mentally ill people against their will.
New York State
Policy
State releases initial rules for cap-and-invest program
The state Department of Environmental Conservation released draft greenhouse gas reporting rules, a necessary step for the state to limit emissions and sell carbon credits.
Budget
Policy
Feds suddenly terminate funding for NY addiction recovery programs
Lawmakers and advocates are calling on the state government to backfill the federal grant funding that’s been cut.
Policy
NYC’s former census director pitches permanent city census office
City Council Member Julie Menin is planning for the next census.
Policy
Policy
NYC politicians urge state to fund child care assistance program in new letter
With a broad coalition of support, the signees are seeking an additional $900 million in the state budget.
MTA
Policy
Heastie warns state may need to raise taxes to fund MTA
The Assembly speaker said the state needs to figure out new sources of revenue to fund mass transit, especially given the uncertainty of future federal funding.
Policy
Policy
Department of Health and PPL: CDPAP transition issues are not our fault
The state is offering a 30-day grace period for those who don’t finish registering with a new state-approved payment processor by the April 1 deadline, while blaming misinformation and uncooperative fiscal intermediaries for any problems with the transition.
Policy
Policy
Advocacy groups demand state restore cut public health funds to NYC
The state pays for 36% of cities’ core health services costs – except in New York City, where it only pays for 20%.
Health Care
Policy
Lawmakers, advocates and contractors beg Hochul to delay April 1 CDPAP deadline
Tens of thousands of people could temporarily lose their home care if the transition isn’t completed in time
Technology
Policy
City & State’s 2025 Digital Summit explores AI, vulnerabilities to cyberattacks
The event featured keynote remarks from Dru Rai, the state’s chief information officer and a fireside chat with New York City Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser.
Policy
Harvey Epstein rolls out public safety plan as NYC Council primary heats up
Like his SNL portrayer John Mulaney, the Assembly member is thinking about street smarts this election cycle.
Transportation
Policy
DOT rolls out additional ‘Regional Slow Zones’
With Sammy’s Law in effect, DOT will be lowering the speed limit to 20 mph in newly announced neighborhood zones in Dumbo, City Island, Broad Channel and St. George
Immigration
Policy