Albany Agenda

Politics

Hochul mocks Republican South Dakota governor in LCA rebuttal

New York’s first female governor took shots at her Republican counterpart and poked fun at herself.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Hochul makes end-of-session push for social media bills

The governor used dire language to describe the impact of algorithms on kids’ mental health.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Advocates rally for MENA bill as NY session winds down

People who are Middle Eastern and North African shouldn’t be categorized as white by the state, advocates say.

Albany Agenda

Politics

BOE mails paper checks to state legislative candidates, delaying matching funds

Rather than electronically depositing funds in campaigns’ accounts, the state Board of Elections sent paper checks worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to candidates.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Lawler, fresh off his bipartisan victories, visits a redder part of his district

The popular freshman lawmaker leaned into border policy and criticizing the MTA at a recent sparsely attended town hall.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Progressives launch campaign to get upstate cities to opt in to ‘good cause’ law

The state budget’s “good cause” eviction protections only apply automatically to tenants in New York City, but other cities can choose to opt in to the regulations.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Hochul admin touts drop in gun violence in urban areas outside NYC

In many regions of the state, officials said there were significant reductions in shootings.

Albany Agenda

Politics

First $3.6 million in New York campaign matching funds headed out the door

Three dozen candidates were part of the first disbursement of public campaign cash approved last week

Albany Agenda

Politics

Will Manhattan Democratic Party boss Keith Wright start a political dynasty or trigger a rebellion?

Wright’s son is running to represent the 70th Assembly District, and the primary election could become a proxy battle for Wright’s rivals in the county party.

Albany Agenda

Personality

Jeremy Cooney lays out his new transportation vision for New York

The state Senate Transportation Committee chair will have an ally in Congress to help with funding.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Legislators and formerly incarcerated mothers rally for sentencing reform bills

State Sens. Julia Salazar and Jeremy Cooney joined advocates to push for a trio of bills that would reduce excessive prison sentences.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Heastie visits incumbents facing left-wing primary challenges

In recent weeks, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has hosted in-district events with Assembly Members Didi Barrett, Michael Benedetto and Stefani Zinerman – who are all fighting off primary challenges backed by the WFP or DSA.

2024 New York congressional battleground

Politics

AOC challenger hit with FEC complaint

The complaint alleges that Marty Dolan, who is challenging the progressive member of Congress, failed to properly report his campaign contributions and expenditures.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Zellnor Myrie may run for mayor on legislative record

The state senator has focused on criminal justice and election reforms in Albany.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Judge tosses abortion rights measure from November ballot

Democrats had been pushing the state constitutional amendment that would protect abortion rights and other civil rights

Albany Agenda

Personality

SUNY chancellor John King talks budget wins and campus protests

The head of the state’s public university system discussed the police response to pro-Palestinian protest encampments and the fate of SUNY Downstate.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Zinerman says DSA-backed challenger lives outside district

Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman’s allies have sought to portray DSA-endorsed challenger Eon Huntley as an outsider and recently hosted an anti-DSA town hall.

2024 presidential election

Politics

Here’s where the Leave It Blank campaign did best in New York City

In some Assembly districts in Brooklyn and Queens, a third of voters cast blank ballots in the Democratic presidential primary.