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

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

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

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

NY lawmakers call for tax credit reform after gnarly state audit

Turns out New York might be cool enough to make it on TV without having taxpayers foot the bill.