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.

Policy

Policy

Assembly passes Medical Aid in Dying Act

For the first time in either chamber, lawmakers approved legislation that would permit doctors to help terminally ill patients to end their own lives.

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.

2026 New York gubernatorial election

Politics

Stefanik dominates Lawler and Blakeman in new poll

Nearly half of GOP primary voters favor Rep. Elise Stefanik, while Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman can’t break single digits.

Immigration

Policy

After Wisconsin judge arrest, NY lawmakers look to strengthen immigrant protections in courthouses

ICE is largely prevented from making arrests in and around courthouses in the state, but officials want to shore up the Protect Our Courts Act in light of recent news.

News & Politics

Politics

Lawler booed at raucous Rockland County town hall

The crowd appeared less interested in listening to Rep. Mike Lawler’s answers than in expressing anger about looming cuts to Medicaid and Social Security.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: Empowering homeowners to repair shared spaces

A commonsense fix for community driveways

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.

Events

Policy

Drawing on personal experience to fight for equitable health care in NYC

New York City’s interim health commissioner Michelle Morse recalled her upbringing in West Philadelphia and how it has influenced her work during her keynote speech at City & State’s Health New York Summit.

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.

Policy

Policy

Report: More than 80% of NY parents support law restricting app downloads for teens

The study released by the Black Institute comes as two states already have passed legislation with such restrictions.

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: 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.

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.