Immigration
Policy
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
Policy
Legislature closes in on immigration package deal
Lawmakers hope to reach an agreement and introduce language next week.
Energy & Environment
Policy
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.
Artificial Intelligence
Policy
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
Policy
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.
Immigration
Policy
Lawmakers want Hochul to use clemency power to protect immigrants
The Clemency Justice Act would make applying for executive clemency easier and more transparent.
Policy
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.
Polls
Personality
Guess when Albany will pass the budget and win a City & State blanket
Think the state budget will be late again? Enter City & State’s 2026 budget poll and you could cozy up with your favorite magazine.
Policy
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.
Energy & Environment
Politics
Some Republicans critical of NY climate law previously voted for it
Now-Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra and now-Rep. Nicole Malliotakis both backed the law in 2019.
News & Politics
Politics
Republicans file misconduct complaint against Chief Judge Rowan Wilson
Wilson said strict sentencing laws were “stupid” and voters should not reelect bad judges, which Republicans see as evidence he cannot be impartial.
Policy
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.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Hochul remains firm on immigrant protections after meeting with Trump’s border czar
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Trump’s border czar Tom Homan met in Albany following the death of a nearly blind Burmese refugee in Buffalo.
Budget
Politics
Hochul and Mamdani are all smiles, despite disagreement on taxes
The girls are NOT fighting.
Health Care
Politics
Hochul says federal Medicaid probe won’t impact health care coverage
The governor isn’t concerned a federal investigation and imminent lawsuit related to the state’s Medicaid decisions will hurt its chances to receive a key waiver from the Trump administration.
Policy
Policy
Lawmakers want independent medical examiner’s office to investigate prison deaths
It’s unclear how much it would cost to create the new entity within the state Commission of Correction.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Activists dispute Hochul’s claims about cost of complying with climate law
A new report highlights potential benefits of a cap-and-invest program, including energy rebates for millions of households.
News & Politics
Politics
The specter of the outside income cap looms over state legislative retirements
Not every state lawmaker has a large salary outside the Legislature, but several who are leaving do.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Lawmakers won’t water down or delay climate law mandates, Stewart-Cousins says
Republicans blame the state’s green energy mandates for high energy costs, but state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said there are no plans to change the law.
2026 New York state elections
Politics