Budget
Policy
Mark Levine has questions about Zohran Mamdani’s math
At a preliminary budget hearing Wednesday, the comptroller will outline his two-year budget gap estimate of at least $7.3 billion, and explain why he’s skeptical about the mayor’s revenue projections.
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
Susan Sarandon lends her celebrity to ‘One Fair Wage’ campaign
The movie star is advocating for a $30 minimum wage.
Events
Policy
70K older New Yorkers on waitlists for basic services
Advocates spoke at an AARP panel are seeking more funding to implement the state’s Master Plan for Aging.
Policy
Policy
State legislators gear up for budget fight with one-house proposals
Both the state Senate and Assembly included tax hikes on the wealthy in their budget rebuttals, while rejecting the governor’s marquee pitch for car insurance reform.
Policy
Policy
Gounardes wants moratorium on sale of AI chatbot-enabled kids’ toys
After passing the RAISE Act, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes is drafting regulation aimed at keeping ChatGPT out of teddy bears.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Mike Lawler, and the Trump admin, wants to reopen Indian Point
Hochul loves nuclear power, but not the shuttered Hudson Valley power plant.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Hochul remains firm on immigrant protections after meeting with Trump’s border czar
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Trump’s border czar Tom Homan met in Albany following the death of a nearly blind Burmese refugee in Buffalo.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Dean Fuleihan is feeling good about closing the city’s budget gap with state help
New York City’s first deputy mayor conceded this has all been confusing.
Policy
Policy
After years of missed transport targets, the NYC DOT says it’s reworking bus lane goals
New Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said the Mamdani administration would focus on bus speeds and safety, not just more bus lane miles.
Policy
Policy
Lawmakers want independent medical examiner’s office to investigate prison deaths
It’s unclear how much it would cost to create the new entity within the state Commission of Correction.
Education
NYN Media
Opinion: On the road to student loan forgiveness, New Yorkers need assistance
New York City should step up in response to the Trump administration.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Activists dispute Hochul’s claims about cost of complying with climate law
A new report highlights potential benefits of a cap-and-invest program, including energy rebates for millions of households.
Policy
Policy
Clergy oppose Hochul’s car insurance reforms
Over a dozen clergy members signed onto a letter urging legislative leaders to reject the governor’s proposals they say would harm members of their parishes.
Policy
Policy
Could the Sunnyside Yard project, once rejected by AOC and local elected officials, be revived?
Mayor Zohran Mamdani pitched the massive project to President Donald Trump this week, and he said he got a positive reception. Back in Queens, however, the reactions were mixed.
Policy
Policy
Ex-cops and business leaders oppose Hochul’s 75% tax on nicotine pouches
The pushback comes as state lawmakers consider what proposals to include in the state Senate and Assembly’s one-house budgets.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Climate law mandates could cost New Yorkers $4,000 in higher energy bills, state analysis shows
The New York State Energy and Development Authority sent a memo to Gov. Kathy Hochul warning about the costs of complying with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Policy
Politics
Thousands, but few electeds, descend on state Capitol to pressure Hochul to tax the rich
Over 1,500 people marched in Albany, calling on state leaders to raise income taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations.
Policy
Policy
Hochul budget director hints at rolling back state’s climate law
Blake Washington, the governor’s top budget adviser, called the current energy transition benchmarks “own goals” as they place financial burdens on New Yorkers
Policy
Policy
State Senate’s bid-rigging probe prompts constitutional amendment
Lawmakers want to empower the state Legislature following an investigation into Gov. Kathy Hochul’s changes to a $9 billion Medicaid home care program.
Albany Agenda
Policy