Heard Around Town
Personality
Hochul rebuttal pokes fun at LCA, declares 2025 show ‘still sucks’
The governor also went after critics and rivals in her remarks at the event.
Policy
Policy
Unable to ban Zyn pouches, lawmakers target Zyn rewards instead
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal compared the Zyn rewards system to loyalty programs for cigarette brands.
Campaigns & Elections
Politics
GOP looks to flip a southern Brooklyn Senate seat
The special election to replace Simcha Felder, a former state senator now serving in the New York City Council, pits two Jewish community leaders against each other.
Personality
Personality
Marina Marcou-O’Malley wins City & State 2025 budget poll
The co-executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education correctly predicted the budget would be finished on the night of May 8.
Housing
Policy
NY’s top court hears arguments on upstate rent control
The outcome of the case could determine whether cities like Kingston and Poughkeepsie can follow New York City’s lead and adopt rent stabilization measures.
Health Care
Politics
Poll finds majority support for Medical Aid in Dying Act
Although the Catholic Church opposes the bill, the new poll found that 65% of Catholic New Yorkers believe terminally ill patients should be able to end their lives with a doctor’s help.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Employers of domestic workers push for legislation to protect immigrants
In addition to spreading fear in immigrant communities, the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans could hurt the state’s economy.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Which bills could pass now that the budget is done?
Elder Parole, the NY HEAT Act and Medical Aid in Dying are some of the controversial pieces of legislation that the Legislature is expected to consider before session ends in June.
Budget
Policy
The state budget passed at last: What’s in it for NYC?
Mayor Eric Adams’ priorities were funded for the most part.
Budget
Policy
The most important things included in the state budget
The $254 billion state budget includes changes to the discovery law and involuntary commitment standards as well as new affordability measures and a criminal charge related to wearing masks.
Budget
Policy
New York finally settles Foundation Aid debate (for now)
The final budget includes tweaks to Foundation Aid, the byzantine formula that the state uses to allocate education funding to school districts.
LGBTQ+
Policy
Senate committee advances GOP anti-trans bill
Three Democrats joined with Republicans to advance a bill that would allow schools to ban trans girls from participating in women’s sports, though the bill is unlikely to pass the full Senate.
Budget
Politics
Will the state budget deliver on Hochul’s affordability promises?
Many of the governor’s marquee affordability proposals look likely to make it into the final version of the budget, which could help Hochul as she runs for reelection.
Budget
Policy
It's official: This year's budget is the latest in 15 years
Gov. Kathy Hochul is presiding over the most tardy budget since 2010 – breaking the previous record she set in 2023.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Proposed law would let City Council remove NYC mayor
Currently, the governor has the power to remove the mayor, but the City Council does not.
Education
Policy
School districts fret over potential changes to Foundation Aid in state budget
It’s still unclear how the state budget will tweak the Foundation Aid formula for school funding, which is a problem for school districts that are currently drawing up their own budgets.
Budget
Policy
$50 million for housing vouchers is better than nothing
Supporters of the Housing Access Voucher Program are glad to see it finally included in the budget, though they wish Gov. Kathy Hochul had committed more funding to it.
Immigration
Policy
After Wisconsin judge arrest, NY lawmakers look to strengthen immigrant protections in courthouses
ICE is largely prevented from making arrests in and around courthouses in the state, but officials want to shore up the Protect Our Courts Act in light of recent news.
Budget
Policy
Finances are an afterthought as state leaders approach a budget deal
Despite federal cuts and a recession looming, talk of the actual state spending plan has taken a backseat to nonfiscal policy negotiations.
Budget
Policy