Albany Agenda

Policy

DOCCS wanted people convicted of violent crimes to be eligible for early release

A “program bill” circulated last year would have dramatically expanded eligibility for merit time programs that allow incarcerated people to earn time off of their sentences

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.

News & Politics

Politics

Mayor Cuomo and Gov. Hochul? It would be weird.

There’s still a lot of uncertainty in the New York City mayor race, but one thing is for sure: the mayor will have less power than his or her counterpart in Albany.

News & Politics

Politics

Hochul targets Stefanik’s seat

As Rep. Elise Stefanik considers a run for governor, Gov. Kathy Hochul told Democrats she's confident they'll win Stefanik's North Country district.

Budget

Politics

Forget King Andrew. Queen Kathy has arrived.

As budget negotiations grow more contentious, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Legislature needs leadership from an “aggressive individual” like herself to pass legislation important to New Yorkers.

Education

Policy

State leaders agree to school cellphone ban as rest of budget remains in limbo

Legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul have settled on a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools, a top priority for the governor and the first budget item that appears settled

Special Reports

Politics

Hochul makes up with unions after Hector LaSalle

The governor has spent the past couple years allying herself with organized labor.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Advocates praise Hochul for backing immigration bill she doesn’t support

The governor’s diversity office is embracing the theme of “New York for All” – but that doesn’t mean the governor supports the New York for All Act.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Hochul on tariffs: ‘We’ll have to deal with it’

The governor told reporters that she was monitoring the potential economic harms of President Donald Trump’s levies.

2026 New York gubernatorial election

Politics

Who could be Hochul’s next LG?

With Antonio Delgado off the topic, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a wide range of options for her next running mate.

Politics

Politics

As Hochul weighs action, Sharpton, Jeffries and Meeks grow more critical of Adams

Rev. Al Sharpton and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries have expressed more explicit concerns about Mayor Eric Adams in the past few days.

Policy

Policy

Hochul issues rare pocket veto

The governor quietly rejected a bill that would have impacted busing for yeshiva students.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Criminal justice groups, public defenders start campaign to defend discovery law

As Gov. Kathy Hochul and district attorneys push to weaken the 2019 law, advocates have launched a new website highlighting the law’s benefits.

News & Politics

Politics

Eric Adams vows to move forward from ‘cruel episode’ as opponents say he’s Trump’s pawn

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she remains committed to working with the New York City mayor.

Housing

Politics

Hochul says housing voucher bill is still too expensive

The bill’s supporters want to include housing vouchers for homeless and low-income New Yorkers in this year’s affordability-focused state budget.

Albany Agenda

Policy

New law aims to stop red states from prosecuting NY abortion doctors

After a New York doctor was indicted in Louisiana, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will keep doctors’ names off of prescriptions for abortion medicine.

Budget

Policy

Hochul’s budget to extend millionaire’s tax, but leaves MTA funding question open

The governor is set to propose a $252 billion state budget as she pushes an affordability agenda

News & Politics

Politics

Hochul’s soft launch for reelection

The governor’s State of the State speech laid out a vision of affordability and safety that felt like it could be a stump speech.