Budget
Politics
Legislative leaders still don’t have pied-à-terre details days after Hochul announces budget ‘deal’
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said details about state aid for New York City are scarce, but lawmakers will vote for the budget anyway.
Budget
Politics
Hochul stands firm on her policy-first approach to budget negotiations
The governor suggested that average New Yorkers are more “excited” about her policy proposals rather than specific funds for school aid.
Campaigns & Elections
Policy
New state bill seeks to protect mail-in votes received late
An upcoming decision from SCOTUS could overturn a state law that allows mail-in ballots be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day but received days later.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Budget deal or no budget deal? Depends who you ask.
Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a “general agreement” with lawmakers on the state budget – but Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that was “premature.”
News & Politics
Politics
In Albany, Democrats get serious about redistricting – without admitting they’ll gerrymander
Rep. Joe Morelle and state leaders want to respond to partisan Republican redistricting in kind, but insist it will all be above board.
Child care
Policy
Childcare providers and lawmakers want $500M to eliminate waitlists
Providers say Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to achieve universal childcare is promising, but millions more are needed to support the workforce to make it a reality.
Policy
Policy
A limit on informal ICE collusion is nixed from budget talks
Lawmakers and the governor had been at odds over informal local cooperation with immigration agents in civil and criminal matters
Budget
Politics
Mamdani and Menin join forces to call for Hochul to send more $$$ to NYC
And Gov. Kathy Hochul is not having it.
Campaigns & Elections
Politics
Dems kick off statewide anti-Blakeman tour
Democrats are spending millions to push back on Blakeman’s record as he’s made gains in recent polls.
Budget
Policy
Heastie doesn’t hate the budget player, but hates the budget game
The Assembly speaker said the current process is too tilted in favor of the governor and supports a change in theory – if not in practice.
Budget
Policy
Upstate Dems push for pied-à-terre tax outside NYC
State lawmakers outside the city want in on a proposed tax for luxury second homes.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Hochul’s non-compromise on climate rollbacks
Gov. Kathy Hochul gave little ground in her latest meeting with legislative leaders. Members aren’t biting.
Budget
Policy
Lawmakers pass fifth extender as budget talks lag
Leaders continue to slowly plod through policy items holding up the late spending plan.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Lawmakers and activists say Westchester prison for women is in crisis
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the only maximum security prison for women in the state, has had two suspected suicides by inmates since the start of the year.
Budget
Policy
Immigration budget deal within reach as lawmakers pass fourth extender
Budget negotiations are in full swing with no end in sight as the Legislature circles a deal to bar local police from working with ICE.
Budget
Policy
Hochul wants to tax the rich … if they don’t live in NYC
Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced an entirely new tax proposal on ritzy second homes in New York City – two weeks after the state budget was due.
Budget
Policy
Hochul blames activists’ lawsuit for climate budget standstill
The governor is set on amending the 2019 Climate Act in wake of a lawsuit filed by environmental activists, and says the need for change is their fault.
Budget
Policy
Tensions rise in slow budget talks as lawmakers poised to pass third extender
Lawmakers are staying in Albany this week with little movement on the final spending plan.
Criminal Justice
Policy
Robert Brooks’ father pushes for new office to probe prison deaths as counties push back
County coroners are fighting to retain jurisdiction over prison fatalities.
Interviews & Profiles
Personality