News & Politics
Politics
It’s (finally) budget time
Lawmakers finished passing the state budget on Thursday night, over a month after it was due.
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.
Policy
Policy
Lawmakers succeed in watering down Hochul’s proposed discovery changes
The governor still got legislative leaders to agree to rollbacks to the 2019 reforms, but it wasn’t exactly what she had proposed.
Policy
Policy
Four-year pilot program for housing vouchers included in final state budget
The governor and Legislature had previously agreed to a two-year pilot for the Housing Access Voucher Program, but the final budget includes a four-year pilot program.
Policy
Policy
Plastic packaging reduction bill once again a post-budget priority
Environmental advocates are hoping to get the legislation meant to reduce single-use plastics over the finish line after almost accomplishing it last year.
Policy
Policy
It’s finally happening! The Legislature has started printing budget bills
The first three budget bills were released late Tuesday night, over a month after the state budget was due.
Policy
Policy
Hochul to get expanded authority to make midyear budget cuts
With financial turmoil on the horizon promising a recession, legislators have agreed to allow the governor to recommend cuts they would still need to approve.
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.
Budget
Policy
Eric Adams’ ‘best budget ever’ by the numbers
The mayor released his $115 billion budget proposal with much pomp.
Policy
Policy
Hochul wants condos in exchange for HAVP
The governor agreed to a two-year pilot for a popular rental voucher program, but not without getting something in return.
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