Albany Agenda
Politics
Hochul officially shifts into campaign mode
Gov. Kathy Hochul is out with her first reelection ad, which pits her squarely against President Donald Trump.
News & Politics
Politics
No, Hochul can’t stop Trump from taking control of the state National Guard
The governor has no legal pathway to stop Trump from federalizing the New York National Guard or countermanding orders that he gives to the state’s National Guard troops.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Torres recants his past criticism of Hochul
Rep. Ritchie Torres spent months attacking Gov. Kathy Hochul from the right as he explored a primary challenge but now admits he “underestimated the governor.”
News & Politics
Politics
Hochul to Trump: Hands off our National Guard
Gov. Hochul did not take kindly to the president’s suggestion he may take control of the New York National Guard, suggesting the state wouldn’t make it easy for him
Albany Agenda
Policy
Will Hochul’s focus on redistricting fight distract from state governance?
“I assure you, my capacity for an expansive range of topics is enormous,” the governor told reporters.
2025 New York City Mayoral Election
Politics
Hochul declines to endorse Mamdani, mispronounces his name
The governor is the de facto head of the state Democratic Party, but she’s not so sure about the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Environmentalists are not on board with Hochul’s new nuclear plant
Green energy advocates were quick to denounce the governor’s plan to build a nuclear facility to provide zero-emission energy as a distraction from real clean solutions
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Politics
Electeds race to endorse Hochul following Delgado campaign launch
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s announcement that he will challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul next year has resulted in a flood of endorsements for the incumbent.
Kathy Hochul
Politics
How Kathy Hochul learned to ditch cooperation and embrace power
The governor wanted to change the culture of Albany. It changed her instead.
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.
News & Politics
Politics
Inside the split between Kathy Hochul and Antonio Delgado
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado finally had enough of being on Team Hochul.
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