Policy
Transportation
No, WE want free buses
The City Council is pushing to expand the Fair Fares program for low-income New Yorkers through automatic access and by covering all transit costs. The Mamdani administration is not enthused.
Policy
Lawmakers, local electeds make final budget plea for more housing vouchers
Municipalities and local governments say more is needed to combat increased homelessness, but housing has not been a main focus of this year’s budget negotiations.
Opinion
Opinion: Economic development + economic justice = economic diversity
Increasing economic diversity is a strategy for both growth and justice.
Opinion
Opinion: The Climate Law puts dollars into Black and Latino communities
Strong leadership should protect it, not gut it.
Child care
Childcare providers and lawmakers want $500M to eliminate waitlists
Providers say Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to achieve universal childcare is promising, but millions more are needed to support the workforce to make it a reality.
Opinion
Opinion: To help the outer boroughs, keep World Cup tourists in hotels
Airbnb’s proposal to roll back the city’s regulations on short-term rentals during the World Cup would siphon visitors away from struggling outer borough hotels.
Policy
A limit on informal ICE collusion is nixed from budget talks
Lawmakers and the governor had been at odds over informal local cooperation with immigration agents in civil and criminal matters
Upstate
Upstate mayors want youth justice funds faster
The mayors of Albany, Syracuse and Rochester are calling on state lawmakers to allow some Raise the Age money to go directly to community organizations.
Energy & Environment
Opinion: Our private energy system is failing. The public can save it.
New York must move off fossil fuels as soon as possible – and the only way to meet this goal is to plan our energy system around the needs of the public, not profiteers.
Housing
Progressive NYC Council Members call for action on deed theft
After Council Member Chi Ossé was arrested protesting last week, his colleagues are joining his call to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Policy
Council considers options after Mamdani vetoes buffer zone bill
The bill initially passed the City Council with 30 votes but 34 votes are needed to override the mayor’s veto.
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Heard Around Town
And just like that, Eric Adams’ last PMMR is out
The Preliminary Mayor’s Management Report evaluates city agency performance.
Budget
Heastie doesn’t hate the budget player, but hates the budget game
The Assembly speaker said the current process is too tilted in favor of the governor and supports a change in theory – if not in practice.
Energy & Environment
Hochul’s non-compromise on climate rollbacks
Gov. Kathy Hochul gave little ground in her latest meeting with legislative leaders. Members aren’t biting.
Policy
Report: Gig work has become a full-time, closely monitored gig
A new report by the Community Service Society is calling for state-level protections for gig workers from algorithmic management.
Budget
Lawmakers pass fifth extender as budget talks lag
Leaders continue to slowly plod through policy items holding up the late spending plan.
NYN Media
Report: New York fails to meet federal outcomes for child protective services
From delays in permanency hearings to weaknesses in staff and provider training, The New York State Citizen Review Panel underlines the bleak state of foster care.
Policy
What happened to New York’s climate goals?
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s new play to roll back parts of the climate law is only the latest chapter in the state’s nonlinear path toward climate victories.
Albany Agenda
Lawmakers and activists say Westchester prison for women is in crisis
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the only maximum security prison for women in the state, has had two suspected suicides by inmates since the start of the year.
