Energy & Environment

Opinion

Opinion: Our private energy system is failing. The public can save it.

New York must move off fossil fuels as soon as possible – and the only way to meet this goal is to plan our energy system around the needs of the public, not profiteers.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: Striking at the second homers

With the pied-à-terre tax, democratic socialism begins its turn in the spotlight.

Budget

Policy

Heastie doesn’t hate the budget player, but hates the budget game

The Assembly speaker said the current process is too tilted in favor of the governor and supports a change in theory – if not in practice.

Budget

Policy

Upstate Dems push for pied-à-terre tax outside NYC

State lawmakers outside the city want in on a proposed tax for luxury second homes.

Energy & Environment

Policy

Hochul’s non-compromise on climate rollbacks

Gov. Kathy Hochul gave little ground in her latest meeting with legislative leaders. Members aren’t biting.

Budget

Policy

Lawmakers pass fifth extender as budget talks lag

Leaders continue to slowly plod through policy items holding up the late spending plan.

Policy

Policy

What happened to New York’s climate goals?

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new play to roll back parts of the climate law is only the latest chapter in the state’s nonlinear path toward climate victories.

Immigration

Policy

Reyes: Hochul’s immigration proposal appeals to the GOP

The annual Somos conference is in Albany this weekend as state leaders attempt to settle a longstanding dispute on legislation to counter ICE.

Budget

Policy

Immigration budget deal within reach as lawmakers pass fourth extender

Budget negotiations are in full swing with no end in sight as the Legislature circles a deal to bar local police from working with ICE.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: New York should not force sick workers into poverty

Thanks to a 40-year-old law, workers who receive temporary disability benefits are limited to $170/week, well under minimum wage.

New York City Council

Politics

Julie Menin touts fiscal responsibility while backing some very pricey bills

The council speaker hasn’t figured out how to pay for expanded rental voucher eligibility or teacher’s aide bonuses, as she criticized the mayor’s budget proposal.

Budget

Policy

Hochul wants to tax the rich … if they don’t live in NYC

Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced an entirely new tax proposal on ritzy second homes in New York City – two weeks after the state budget was due.

Budget

Policy

Hochul blames activists’ lawsuit for climate budget standstill

The governor is set on amending the 2019 Climate Act in wake of a lawsuit filed by environmental activists, and says the need for change is their fault.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: Building a stronger New York starts with a fairer tax system

If we increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, we can build a state that working-class people can actually afford.

New York State

Policy

Bipartisan push grows to backfill federal cuts to food stamps in state budget

Lawmakers and organizations are concerned climate issues and other policy stalemates are hogging up the budget limelight.