New York City

Policy

FEMA cuts threaten NYC’s ability to protect against future flash flooding

The state is now suing to restore $351 million in funding for projects aimed to upgrade drainage and protect public housing from flooding.

Policy

Policy

Is NYC’s housing engine finally restarting? New residential permit filings jump in second quarter

Building permits are up 43% year-over-year as the new 485-x tax break takes effect. Most projects are capped at 99 units – just below the wage trigger in the new program.

Policy

Policy

A unanimous vote on the $116 billion FY 2026 New York City budget

It’s been a pretty divisive year in city politics, but the mayor and the City Council are united in their enthusiasm for this year’s spending plan.

Budget

Opinion

Opinion: GOP’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ will savage NY’s health care system, budget and economy

The GOP bill would leave 1.5 million New Yorkers uninsured, cut hospital funding by $3 billion and blow a $13.5 billion hole in the state budget.

New York City

Policy

Adams and Adams announce $116 billion FY 26 NYC budget

The agreement includes funding for immigrant legal services, extended library hours at 10 branches, a universal child care pilot and new staff to enforce e-bike regulations.

Energy & Environment

Policy

Environmentalists are not on board with Hochul’s new nuclear plant

Green energy advocates were quick to denounce the governor’s plan to build a nuclear facility to provide zero-emission energy as a distraction from real clean solutions

New York City

Policy

What does the future hold for Hart Island?

Journalists were given a tour of the potter’s field, and upcoming plans will outline potential improvements to the island.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: NYC deserves more tenant champions serving on the City Council

REBNY and the LeFrak Organization are spending big to drown out the voices of working-class voters.

Policy

Policy

Court of Appeals upholds Kingston’s rent control policies

The decision from New York’s highest court will likely embolden other upstate cities that want to adopt rent control but have been scared off by lawsuits from landlord groups.

Policy

Policy

Zohran Mamdani’s 3 bills

The democratic socialist Assembly member has championed ambitious reforms, with limited success in getting them enacted into law.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: The path to universal child care for New Yorkers' youngest can start here

We need to make it possible for families to stay in New York City, and affordable childcare is foundational to these efforts.

Policy

Policy

Hochul promises ‘fight’ over immigration, but has little to show for it

After the arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, the governor announced funding already included in the state budget and declined to back a measure to increase legal representation for immigrants in court.

Energy & Environment

Policy

As session ends, Assembly acts on environmental legislation

The Assembly eliminated incentives for natural gas hook-ups and is expected to pass a bill to reduce plastic waste.

Immigration

Policy

Amid increased ICE raids, state Legislature fails to act on sanctuary state bill

The New York for All Act, which would prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities, didn’t even make it to a vote in the state Senate.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Heading home, here’s what lawmakers got done in the last legislative week

The state Senate and Assembly passed hundreds of bills in the final days of the legislative session. These are some of the most important.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Former Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell on track to join state parole board

During his long career in the state Legislature, O’Donnell supported expanding parole – and soon, he’ll get to decide who deserves it.

Policy

Policy

Parole and sentencing reform left out of omnibus prison reform bill

Criminal justice advocates are chafing at the exclusion of measures they say are necessary to respond to Robert Brooks’ death in a truly meaningful way.

Health Care

Policy

Religious groups urge Hochul to kill Medical Aid in Dying bill

The controversial Medical Aid in Dying legislation has finally made it through both the Assembly and the state Senate, but the governor could still veto it.