Policy
Budget
Soliman faces the council
The director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget insisted he dislikes the idea of raising property taxes during an hourslong grilling before the City Council Finance Committee.
Immigration
Unions back increased funding for immigrant legal services
Advocates have pushed for $175 million as part of the state budget and two new bills to strengthen access to legal representation in immigration court.
Policy
NYC Council members to Hochul: Tax the rich (corporations)
Progressive New York City Council members are backing the state Legislature’s push to raise the city’s corporate tax rate.
Education
NYC schools chancellor: Class size mandate will be ‘very difficult’
Kamar Samuels faced his first grilling before the City Council in a preliminary budget hearing.
Policy
Hochul draws the line on updating the state’s environmental review process
The debate to modernize the state’s environmental review process could hold up a final budget deal.
Policy
Legislature closes in on immigration package deal
Lawmakers hope to reach an agreement and introduce language next week.
Energy & Environment
After weeks of public teasing, Hochul outlines proposals to roll back climate law mandates
State lawmakers say Gov. Kathy Hochul hasn’t sent over proposed changes to the law yet, but the governor sketched out her plans in an op-ed this week.
Zohran Mamdani
3 big questions about Mamdani’s new Office of Community Safety
The much-anticipated office has a leader, but a vague mandate.
Artificial Intelligence
Hochul, DiNapoli want more information on AI’s threat and benefits to the workforce
A new commission is tasked with creating policy remedies to the potential rise in automation.
Energy & Environment
Hochul says plan to amend climate law won’t lower utility rates
Gov. Kathy Hochul said her bid to change the emissions reduction deadlines are meant to prevent future rate increases, but it’s “stupid” to say it would impact current rates.
Real Estate
‘Mr. Mayor, I would choose you as an adversary any day of the week.’ Some Council members are readying for latest rental voucher fight
Advocates and some City Council members say expanding CityFHEPS housing assistance is key to preventing homelessness. Budget watchdogs warn it’s unsustainable.
Immigration
Lawmakers want Hochul to use clemency power to protect immigrants
The Clemency Justice Act would make applying for executive clemency easier and more transparent.
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Policy
State AG Letitia James pushes ban on surveillance pricing
New York already requires companies to disclose when they set prices based on people’s personal data. Now, lawmakers want to ban the practice entirely.
Policy
Planned Parenthood: Hochul’s buffer zone bill may be unconstitutional
Reproductive health centers worry the proposal to restrict protests would violate New Yorkers’ First Amendment rights.
Policy
Rather than weaken climate law, Assembly proposes $500 checks to cover higher energy bills
The Protecting Our Wallets Energy Rebate would send one-time checks to more than 5 million New Yorkers.
Budget
Mark Levine has questions about Zohran Mamdani’s math
At a preliminary budget hearing Wednesday, the comptroller will outline his two-year budget gap estimate of at least $7.3 billion, and explain why he’s skeptical about the mayor’s revenue projections.
Events
70K older New Yorkers on waitlists for basic services
Advocates spoke at an AARP panel are seeking more funding to implement the state’s Master Plan for Aging.
Policy
State legislators gear up for budget fight with one-house proposals
Both the state Senate and Assembly included tax hikes on the wealthy in their budget rebuttals, while rejecting the governor’s marquee pitch for car insurance reform.
Budget
Council: Mamdani doesn’t need to tap rainy day reserve to close FY26 budget gap
The New York City Council’s preliminary budget hearings will start Wednesday.
Policy
Gounardes wants moratorium on sale of AI chatbot-enabled kids’ toys
After passing the RAISE Act, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes is drafting regulation aimed at keeping ChatGPT out of teddy bears.
