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.
Policy
Policy
Gov. Kathy Hochul announces $254 billion state budget deal
The conceptual deal includes changes to the state’s discovery laws, a ban on phones in schools, a new criminal charge for committing a crime while wearing a mask and new funding for the MTA.
Policy
Policy
Eric Adams to prioritize supportive housing in upcoming NYC budget
The mayor will commit to building thousands of congregate units where tenants can access services including mental health care.
News & Politics
Politics
Forget the budget, get ready for Trump Station
Gov. Hochul didn’t shoot down the prospect of renaming Penn Station after the president while providing an update on the nearly month-late budget.
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.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Lawmakers prep for virtual budget conference all weekend
Legislative leaders say that a final budget deal is within reach.
Budget
Policy
Housing vouchers are back from the dead in budget talks
After years of rejection by the governor, state leaders are discussing a potential deal to approve the Housing Access Voucher Program.
Budget
Policy
Could a stock transfer tax help NYC weather the Trump administration?
Two lawmakers say restoring a five-cent tax on stock trades could help compensate for potential cuts in federal funding.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: NYC must adequately fund its parks in the city budget
The City Council is calling for $65.7 million to be added to the Parks Department’s budget.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: It’s time to bring solar within reach and power New York’s future
Updating the state’s solar tax credit will make clean energy more accessible and affordable for low-income New Yorkers.
Budget
Politics
Despite what Hochul says, New Yorkers do care the budget is late
But a new poll from Siena College also shows that voters are fine with the governor delaying the spending plan over her policy priorities.
Budget
Personality
Poll: City & State readers see a late April or early May state budget
Some optimists thought the budget would be done by now, while others think it’ll stretch deep into the summer.
Albany Agenda
Policy
The discovery debate is almost done. What’s next for the budget?
Changes to the state’s involuntary commitment laws, a potential mask ban and a tax hike to fund the MTA are all on the table.
Criminal Justice
Policy
DAs say judge confusion is to blame for some discovery dismissals
Staten Island DA Michael McMahon said that judges are dismissing cases even after prosecutors show good faith and due diligence, in violation of case law.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: New York needs the Housing Access Voucher Program
Without HAVP, thousands of New Yorkers who could otherwise be living in safe, stable and affordable housing will continue to call our streets and shelters home.
Budget
Breaking News
Policy
Legislative leaders reach deal with DAs on discovery
The debate over when cases should be dismissed if prosecutors fail to turn over evidence held up the state budget for weeks.
Albany Agenda
Politics
State budget unlikely to be finished before end of month
Will April policy debates bring a May budget deal?
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: Discovery reform works. Don’t let prosecutors gut it.
The supposed “crisis” surrounding discovery is a uniquely downstate issue, and it is extremely reckless to alter the law for the entire state simply because certain prosecutors say they are struggling with compliance
Budget
Politics