Heard Around Town
Politics
Zohran and Kal go to a coffee shop
Actor and former Obama staffer Kal Penn supports his good friend, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, but he is highly critical of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Hochul says subway crime ‘not statistically significant, but psychologically significant’
The governor's supporters say the specter of National Guard troops checking bags will make New Yorkers feel safer, but activists say it’s just a militarized version of stop-and-frisk.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Legislation seeks to ban fast food surge pricing
A bill introduced by Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara came as Wendy’s announced it was launching a “dynamic pricing” plan
News & Politics
Politics
WFP endorses Jonathan Soto in 82nd Assembly District
Soto, who also has the support of DSA, is challenging Assembly Education Chair Michael Benedetto.
Albany Agenda
Policy
New York’s legislative moms come out against school district funding cuts
The “Mom Squad” is appealing to Gov. Kathy Hochul as a fellow mom.
Albany Agenda
Policy
NY Legislature seems poised to push back on Hochul’s school funding proposal
The governor wants to move money around based on enrollment, but legislative leaders seem skeptical of that idea.
Albany Agenda
Personality
A wave of retirements hits the New York Legislature
A dozen lawmakers have already announced they’re heading for the exits. Some say they’ve had enough of the Albany grind.
Policy
Policy
Parents concerned about addictive social media have the ear of Tish James
The New York attorney general is turning her attention to Big Tech – pushing legislation to give her office the power to crack down on algorithms targeting kids.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Upstate New York Senate ‘primary’ is over before it even starts
A local Democratic Party official was waiting in the wings just in case state Sen. James Skoufis decided to run for higher office.
Albany Agenda
Politics
New York officially creates state body to study reparations
The State’s Commission to Study Reparations And Racial Justice will deliver a report with its findings to the governor and state Legislature next year.
Albany Agenda
Politics
NY Dems toss bipartisan congressional map
The state Senate and Assembly both rejected the proposed lines – which Democrats previously sued for.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Twilight zone: Hochul calls for border security, chides Republicans for blocking it
The Democratic governor said she misses former GOP House Speaker John Boehner.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Tenant advocates warn against watering down ‘good cause’ law
A coalition of upstate tenants, labor unions and community organizations are telling legislative leaders that “good cause” eviction must apply statewide.
Albany Agenda
Policy
REBNY report: New construction applications are down significantly
The developer group found that new housing projects have dropped off since a state tax break expired.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Hochul wants to protect Taylor Swift and drink at home
The governor’s 30-day budget amendments were somewhat minimal, targeting harmful AI and continuing to permit to-go cocktails. She also restored a fund for legal representation for low-income people.
Albany Agenda
Personality
Grace Meng says Suozzi didn’t take Asian voters for granted
From multilingual campaign lit to weekly meet-and-greets, the Suozzi campaign made outreach to Asian voters a top priority – and Meng hopes other Democrats will follow suit.
Albany Agenda
Policy
New York local news outlets create lobbying coalition to save the industry
The group plans to support bills that subsidize journalism efforts.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Absolutely everyone is claiming responsibility for Tom Suozzi’s victory
Labor unions, the governor, progressives and national political action committees are all saying they were instrumental in flipping the seat.
Albany Agenda
Personality
Maria Torres-Springer on why she’s ‘extremely grateful’ to Kathy Hochul
The New York City deputy mayor for housing said the governor has included all the city’s priorities in her budget proposal. The next hurdle is convincing lawmakers.
Albany Agenda
Policy