Albany Agenda
Policy
Legislature proposes spending millions to help legal cannabis industry
For the state’s legal cannabis cultivators, the Assembly and state Senate one-house budget proposals are dope.
Immigration
Trump border czar blasts sanctuary state laws in Albany visit
Homan also criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul for trying to place limits on Mayor Eric Adams’ ability to collaborate with ICE.
Albany Agenda
Assembly and state Senate release ‘one-house’ state budget proposals
The Legislature’s budget proposals differ from the governor’s executive budget proposal when it comes to discovery reform, involuntary commitment and rebate checks.
Albany Agenda
$10 million tax credit for businesses advertising in local media gets Albany rally
Supporters will meet at the statehouse to ask Gov. Hochul to fund the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally Act in this year’s budget.
Immigration
New package of immigrant rights bills introduced ahead of Albany Somos
Assembly Member Catalina Cruz is proposing new legislation to keep ICE out of schools amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
News & Politics
State leaders say they can’t do much to oppose Trump policies
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said there’s no “legislative response” to the chaos coming out of Washington.
Albany Agenda
Advocates praise Hochul for backing immigration bill she doesn’t support
The governor’s diversity office is embracing the theme of “New York for All” – but that doesn’t mean the governor supports the New York for All Act.
Albany Agenda
Hochul on tariffs: ‘We’ll have to deal with it’
The governor told reporters that she was monitoring the potential economic harms of President Donald Trump’s levies.
Criminal Justice
HALT law suspension continues under prison strike agreement
The agreement calls for the head of the state prison agency to continue waiving certain elements of the law, which limits the use of solitary confinement, for at least another 90 days.
Opinion
Opinion: It’s time to fight back against fast-food ads preying on our kids
Our bill would help protect children and other vulnerable New Yorkers from fast-food companies that want to exploit communities of color for profit.
Adams probes
Could deputy mayor resignations cost NYC a seat at the table?
Assembly Member Patrick Burke warned Mayor Eric Adams that the planned departure of four deputy mayors might hurt New York City during state budget negotiations.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Who could be Hochul’s next LG?
With Antonio Delgado off the topic, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a wide range of options for her next running mate.
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Albany Agenda
Bill proposed to fix corporate tax loophole that costs NY over $700 million each year
The MEGA Corporations Act would stop large multinational companies from dodging state taxes by recording lower profits within the United States.
Albany Agenda
Hochul meets with ‘key leaders’ as she considers removing Adams
After meeting with the governor, Rev. Al Sharpton said she will wait to see if charges against Adams are dismissed before deciding whether to remove Adams.
Housing
Albany’s next big housing fight might be over upstate rent stabilization
How hard will the real estate lobby fight to block a bill that doesn’t affect New York City?
Policy
Hochul issues rare pocket veto
The governor quietly rejected a bill that would have impacted busing for yeshiva students.
Albany Agenda
Criminal justice groups, public defenders start campaign to defend discovery law
As Gov. Kathy Hochul and district attorneys push to weaken the 2019 law, advocates have launched a new website highlighting the law’s benefits.
Albany Agenda
At Hochul’s urging, legislative leaders delay passage of special elections bill
The proposed legislation, which had been expected to pass quickly, might end up being killed in exchange for the Trump administration allowing congestion pricing to continue.
Housing
Hochul says housing voucher bill is still too expensive
The bill’s supporters want to include housing vouchers for homeless and low-income New Yorkers in this year’s affordability-focused state budget.
Immigration
Nassau County deputizes local cops to act as ICE agents
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said 10 detectives would be allowed to act as federal immigration agents under an agreement with the federal government.
