Budget

Policy

Cuomo, Legislature agree on $212B state budget

State lawmakers scored major victories on taxes, education funding and aid for undocumented immigrants.

New York State

Politics

The messy, last-minute changes to the ‘excluded workers’ fund

Charged state budget talks about aid for undocumented immigrants has revealed fractures among Democratic lawmakers.

New York State

Politics

Progressive lawmakers take the War Room overnight

A half dozen left-leaning legislators stayed overnight outside the governor’s Capitol office to push for their budget priorities.

Opinion

Opinion

Don’t force unvaccinated people into court

New York has prematurely brought back in-person proceedings for minor misdemeanors.

New York State

Policy

In pot deal with Cuomo, the Legislature has the power

Between Democratic supermajorities and mounting crises, the governor seems to have caved on some major sticking points on legal weed.

New York State

Politics

What is New York’s vaccine passport app?

A new app will allow New Yorkers to carry proof of their vaccine status or a negative coronavirus test. There are privacy concerns about the first such "vaccine passport" app in the country.

Education

Policy

Legislators want to fully fund school aid

The upcoming state budget gives state liberals a chance to win a yearslong fiscal fight with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Labor

Policy

Advocates worry about barriers to excluded workers fund

Pay stubs and bank statements could prevent undocumented workers from receiving retroactive pandemic relief.

Opinion

Opinion

Editor’s note: Peoples-Stokes, a reluctant leader

How Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the first woman and first African American to serve as Assembly majority leader in New York state, rose to power on helping others.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Crystal Peoples-Stokes is on the precipice of her biggest achievement

How the first woman, and first African American, to serve as Assembly majority leader fought for equitable marijuana legalization.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

What a top labor leader is looking for nowadays

Gary LaBarbera wants a prevailing wage on green projects, legislation against wage theft and “due process” for Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Housing

Policy

Rent hardship declarations spike

The number of renters suffering hardships due to COVID-19 and seeking moratoriums on their rent through May 1, has more than tripled.

Labor

Policy

Hunger strike draws attention to workers excluded from COVID-19 relief

Hundreds of thousands have gone without unemployment benefits. Pressure is on the Legislature as the state budget deadline looms.

Opinion

Opinion

Expand family court capacity

Already-overburdened courts could see a tsunami of post-pandemic divorces. New York needs to prepare.

Budget

Policy

8 contentious issues in state budget negotiations

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders are aiming to make a deal by April 1 despite unprecedented challenges.

Opinion

Opinion

On Equal Pay Day, women should get what they deserve

Women have suffered disproportionate economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York State

Politics

What it would take for Cuomo to resign

The governor is pretty dug in, but certain conditions could make him change course.