2023 session wrap-up
Policy
State lawmakers debate late into the night at session end
The legislature passed a series of bills Thursday night, from a bill to form a commission to study reparations in the state to a bill to seal criminal records after a certain amount of time.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: New York must say no to social media surveillance
With just three words – “Accept friend request” – covert cops can surveil your most private and unfiltered communications, putting youth of color at risk.
Policy
Policy
NYC DAs tell Legislature to address deed theft before session end
Homeowners across the state have been impacted by deed theft. State Attorney General Letitia James and state lawmakers have crafted two bills to address the issue head-on.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: New York City should move its municipal elections to even-numbered years
The shift is the easiest way to increase voting for key city offices
Heard Around Town
Policy
Liberty, Yankees games nixed and NYC libraries close early due to wildfire haze
New Yorkers were encouraged to stay home and stay inside to protect themselves from air pollution.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: Albany must step up for essential retail workers
A package of bills designed to protect and empower employees at stores throughout our community should pass before the end of this legislative session.
Kathy Hochul
Policy
Hochul remains tight-lipped on her plans for the revised Grieving Families Act
Just five months ago, the governor vetoed the popular bill to update the state’s wrongful death laws. Lawmakers have passed a new version they say addresses the governor’s concerns.
Policy
Politics
Eric Adams, NYC health officials warn of poor air quality risks
New York City health and emergency officials urged all New Yorkers– especially those with underlying medical conditions – to limit outdoor activities.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Things to look out for as legislative session closes out
From sealing criminal records to parole and campaign finance law, state lawmakers have several legislative issues to tackle before heading to their districts for the rest of the year.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
With new bill, Clean Slate looks closer than ever to becoming law
State leaders say they’ve reached a three-way deal on sealing people’s criminal records after a multi-year period.
Criminal Justice
Policy
Rap Music on Trial bill would stop prosecutors from citing irrelevant lyrics in court
The bill addresses the increasingly common practice of prosecutors using defendants’ rap songs to harm their character.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
40 government reform groups decry proposed tweaks to NY campaign finance law
In a letter to legislative leaders, the watchdogs said the changes undermine the much celebrated campaign finance reforms passed in 2019.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: Tenant protections can't wait another year
To truly stand up for working-class New Yorkers, lawmakers must pass “good cause” eviction.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Business leaders push for Link5G deployment
Those supertall 5G towers have defenders in New York City’s business community.
Immigration
Policy
Adams’ new idea: paying New Yorkers to host asylum-seekers at home
The mayor tossed out a new idea while rolling out a plan to shelter migrants in houses of worship.
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion: The real tragedy in workplace deaths? Some lives are worth more than others
New York must pass the Grieving Families Act to fix its outdated and discriminatory wrongful death law.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Housing Committee chair: ‘Dire need’ for housing legislation before end of session
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal indicated that the Legislature is working toward consensus on laws that protect tenants and encourage development before the end of session this week.
Policy
Policy
Cuomo lawyers argue ethics commission is unconstitutional
The former governor used to control the state's old ethics commission. Now he's trying to kill the new one.
New York State
Policy
Local elected officials from around the state call for immigrant protections from feds
New York Immigrant rights advocates and lawmakers have not given up hope on passing a bill meant to protect undocumented residents from having their immigration status reported – even as the legislative clock winds down.
New York City
Policy