Albany Agenda

Policy

Assembly is silent on expanding state cannabis agency enforcement power

The state Senate and the governor both want to expand enforcement powers of the state Office of Cannabis Management.

Policy

Policy

What will New York’s next real estate developer tax break look like?

The replacement for 421-a could come down to negotiations between REBNY and organized labor.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Unsatisfied with the mayor’s, NYC Council to launch its own agency report cards

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is set to announce the initiative in her State of the City address on Wednesday afternoon.

New York City

Policy

Ghostbusters: Hochul and Adams take on fake or obscured license plates

Cracking down on so-called ghost cars will be a joint effort to recoup bridge and tunnel toll money.

Policy

Policy

New York Legislature releases budget rebuttals

Here’s a rundown of where the state Senate, Assembly and governor stand on major budget issues.

Housing

Policy

City program to incentivize upgrades to rent stabilized apartments has just one applicant

The pilot program is just one way the city is trying to help get vacant units back on the market, city officials said at a City Council hearing on housing vacancies.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Legislation seeks to ban fast food surge pricing

A bill introduced by Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara came as Wendy’s announced it was launching a “dynamic pricing” plan

Immigration

Policy

Over 37,000 migrants applied for asylum and work authorization through city help centers

While New York City has increased legal assistance for asylum-seekers after opening a help center devoted to helping migrants apply for asylum and work authorization, the City Council expressed concerns Tuesday about a lack of funding included in the 2025 fiscal preliminary budget.

Albany Agenda

Policy

NY Legislature seems poised to push back on Hochul’s school funding proposal

The governor wants to move money around based on enrollment, but legislative leaders seem skeptical of that idea.

Budget

Policy

As budget season gets underway, council presses administration for collaboration

City Comptroller Brad Lander accused the mayor of announcing deep budget cuts so that he could later magnanimously reverse them.

Labor

Policy

State lawmakers look to improve pensions to attract public sector workers

Complaints are rampant about the Tier 6 pension level, which some believe make working for the state less appealing.

Policy

Policy

Parents concerned about addictive social media have the ear of Tish James

The New York attorney general is turning her attention to Big Tech – pushing legislation to give her office the power to crack down on algorithms targeting kids.

New York City

Policy

NYC Education Department taken to task over class size law

The City Council wants to see working group recommendations implemented to help student outcomes.

New York City Council

Policy

The NYC Council is suing Eric Adams. Here’s what you need to know.

The City Council’s lawsuit against the mayor makes an aggressive argument for the separation of powers.

New York City Council

Policy

City Council approves crackdown on lithium-ion batteries

A string of deadly fires over the past year have been caused by the batteries in New York City.

Policy

Policy

Out with the new, in with the old: Eric Adams wants to go back to laxer sanctuary protections

In his most forceful comments on the issue to date, the New York City mayor wants to collaborate with federal immigration authorities when a migrant is merely suspected of committing a crime.

NYPD

Policy

In a new seat of power, Yusef Salaam questions NYPD on wrongful convictions.

Salaam said that his new council office has heard from hundreds of individuals who said that they are in prison for a crime that they didn’t commit.