Albany Agenda
Policy
Housing activists balk at watered down ‘good cause’ eviction proposal
Gov. Kathy Hochul could agree to a deal that differs significantly from the original bill.
New York City
Policy
Why e-bike batteries are becoming the most dangerous object in New York
A boom in riders and a flood of uncertified batteries has sparked deadly fires in apartments and buildings across the city.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Gov. Kathy Hochul killed these bills last year – and they’re back from the dead
The governor may have struck them down with vetoes, but state lawmakers are trying again.
New York State
Policy
Hochul: Major Foundation Aid changes off the table for now in Albany
The governor said that by this time next year, the state will have a new formula to give schools enough time to prepare.
Health Care
Policy
Bipartisan group calls on Hochul to declare opioid epidemic a public health emergency
More than 50 state lawmakers signed on to a letter sent to the governor urging her to make the declaration.
New York City
Policy
Funding set to expire for coordinators who help NYC’s homeless children
Having shelter-based assistance has aided families as they navigate the city’s school system.
Policy
Policy
Company behind gun detection tech previewed in subway faces multiple lawsuits and federal investigations
Evolv, whose weapons detection scanners were recently demonstrated by Mayor Eric Adams, is being investigated by the SEC and the FTC for allegedly making misleading statements about what its technology can do.
Budget
Policy
City has funds to reverse library, education cuts and more, Council says
The City Council’s official response to Mayor Eric Adams’ preliminary budget proposal found an additional $6.1 billion they say can be used to reverse cuts and pad reserves.
Education
Policy
Even before Hochul proposed cuts, many NY school districts were struggling
COVID-19-related federal aid is running out, and tax revenues were also impacted by the pandemic.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Andrea Stewart-Cousins: Lawmakers still waiting on labor-developer deal on housing
The state Senate majority leader said the New York budget won’t be done by April 1.
Taxes
Policy
MTA gives final approval to congestion pricing plan
Though several lawsuits against the plan are still pending, the MTA board took a major step in approving details of the road tolling program on Wednesday.
Immigration
Policy
Where are asylum-seekers living in New York City?
The city’s sprawling emergency shelter system for asylum-seekers includes higher concentrations in parts of Manhattan and Queens.
Albany Agenda
Policy
NY lawmakers focused on environmental legislation this week
From Hudson River clean-up to natural gas hook-ups, lawmakers took action on protecting the state’s natural resources.
NYPD
Policy
Council leaders insist they are ‘not anti-NYPD’ as they push for transparency at police budget hearing
Council members questioned police brass on overtime, social media PR and more.
New York City
Policy
City Council passes class size transparency bill
Compliance with lower class sizes has been a major sticking point in the push to renew mayoral control in Albany.
Policy
Policy
Expansion of hate crimes pushed by Sharpton, Dukes, groups representing marginalized communities
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Member Carl Heastie are being urged to support the Hate Crimes Modernization Act.
Education
Policy
How Hochul’s education budget proposal created chaos in one Long Island school district
Long Beach School District acted quickly to cut spending assuming the worst – that their district will no longer receive full “hold harmless” funding now or in the future.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: New Yorkers deserve subway safety, not scare tactics and empty responses
To improve public safety on the subways, we need more services for mentally ill individuals, not more National Guard troops.
Education
Policy
David Banks on pre-K, 3-K budget restoration: “I have great confidence”
The New York City schools chancellor warned of inevitable “trade-offs” as City Council members grilled officials over budget cuts.
Policy
Policy