Policy

Policy

Turo car-share app pushes bill to reduce insurance requirements

State Sen. James Skoufis and Assembly Member David Weprin are sponsoring a bill that would treat car-share apps the same as rental car companies.

Technology

Policy

‘Little tech’ lobby starts campaign against AI regulation bills

The American Innovators Network is warning about unintended consequences of the RAISE Act and other legislation regulating AI companies.

Immigration

Policy

Can NY stop ICE from arresting immigrants at federal courthouses?

Existing state law only limits arrests at state courthouses, and it’s not clear the state Legislature has the power to stop arrests in federal buildings.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Faith leaders urge Assembly to pass packaging reduction bill

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act just passed the state Senate but faces intense opposition from the plastics industry and some business leaders.

Energy & Environment

Policy

Will NY stop blocking natural gas pipeline following Trump approval of offshore wind farm?

The state Department of Environmental Conservation previously denied a clean water permit for the Constitution pipeline, but it could choose to take no action if the pipeline reapplies for the permit.

Policy

Policy

Unable to ban Zyn pouches, lawmakers target Zyn rewards instead

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal compared the Zyn rewards system to loyalty programs for cigarette brands.

Housing

Policy

NY’s top court hears arguments on upstate rent control

The outcome of the case could determine whether cities like Kingston and Poughkeepsie can follow New York City’s lead and adopt rent stabilization measures.

Policy

Policy

Unions back not one, but two sentencing reform measures

After previously supporting the Earned Time Act, several unions are calling on state leaders to also pass the Second Look Act before the end of the legislative session

Campaigns & Elections

Policy

Shaping the future of New York’s state’s voter registration

City & State’s upcoming 2025 Democracy in New York: Defending and Securing Voting Rights Forum features a presentation by Professor John Mollenkopf of CUNY’s Graduate Center and three panel discussions.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Which bills could pass now that the budget is done?

Elder Parole, the NY HEAT Act and Medical Aid in Dying are some of the controversial pieces of legislation that the Legislature is expected to consider before session ends in June.

Budget

Policy

The most important things included in the state budget

The $254 billion state budget includes changes to the discovery law and involuntary commitment standards as well as new affordability measures and a criminal charge related to wearing masks.

Events

Policy

State levels playing field for home buyers, creates pathways for affordable housing

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner Ruth Anne Visnauskas discussed efforts underway to help New Yorkers at City & State’s 2025 Affordable Housing Summit.

Budget

Policy

New York finally settles Foundation Aid debate (for now)

The final budget includes tweaks to Foundation Aid, the byzantine formula that the state uses to allocate education funding to school districts.

Policy

Policy

Lawmakers succeed in watering down Hochul’s proposed discovery changes

The governor still got legislative leaders to agree to rollbacks to the 2019 reforms, but it wasn’t exactly what she had proposed.

Policy

Policy

Four-year pilot program for housing vouchers included in final state budget

The governor and Legislature had previously agreed to a two-year pilot for the Housing Access Voucher Program, but the final budget includes a four-year pilot program.

Policy

Policy

Plastic packaging reduction bill once again a post-budget priority

Environmental advocates are hoping to get the legislation meant to reduce single-use plastics over the finish line after almost accomplishing it last year.

Policy

Policy

It’s finally happening! The Legislature has started printing budget bills

The first three budget bills were released late Tuesday night, over a month after the state budget was due.

LGBTQ+

Policy

Senate committee advances GOP anti-trans bill

Three Democrats joined with Republicans to advance a bill that would allow schools to ban trans girls from participating in women’s sports, though the bill is unlikely to pass the full Senate.

Policy

Policy

Hochul to get expanded authority to make midyear budget cuts

With financial turmoil on the horizon promising a recession, legislators have agreed to allow the governor to recommend cuts they would still need to approve.