Personality

Personality

Byron Brown highlights need for predictable state funding

In a Q&A, the Buffalo mayor talked about his budget testimony and his political future.

Education

Policy

SUNY and CUNY leaders tell lawmakers they need more state aid

SUNY chancellor John King assured legislators that there are no plans to close down any public universities, though staffing levels may be cut.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Hochul touts her housing carrots for NY municipalities

The governor said there is increased interest in state grants to build housing.

Upstate

Policy

Upstate mayors highlight flat payments to cities on ‘Tin Cup Day’

They asked for Aid and Incentives for Municipalities to be indexed to inflation so that they can continue to revitalize their cities.

Policy

Policy

Lawmakers propose creation of state authority to finance and build affordable housing

State Sen. Cordell Cleare and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher are sponsoring a bill to create the Social Housing Development Authority, which would build housing directly instead of relying on private developers.

Albany Agenda

Politics

As expected, the Bowman-Latimer primary is pricey

Together, the two Democrats raised more than $2 million in the most recent fundraising cycle – to defeat one another.

Education

Policy

David Banks may not have made much progress on mayoral control in Albany

During his testimony at an education budget hearing, it didn’t seem like the New York City schools chancellor’s message was getting through.

MTA

Policy

DiNapoli: MTA needs $43B for repairs and upgrades

The costs estimates were detailed in a new report released by the state comptroller detailing the agency’s needs assessments over the next 20 years, starting in 2025.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Hochul’s proposal to close 5 more NY prisons rankles state GOP

The prison population has halved since 1999, and staffing is in freefall. But Republicans say the prisons should get more resources, not less.

Policy

Policy

Hochul signs Rape is Rape Act

The law expands the definition of rape in New York to include non-penetrative forced sexual contact.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Across the political spectrum, lawmakers are peeved about Hochul’s plan for education funding

Republican state senators joined the chorus of teachers and their Democratic colleagues to condemn the proposal Monday.

Criminal Justice

Policy

Lawmakers debate bail reform and gun violence at public safety hearing

State legislators asked state law enforcement leaders about the impact of bail reform and how to keep guns out of children’s hands.

MTA

Policy

MTA head 'really burned' by New Jersey over congestion pricing lawsuit, calls NJ Transit 'crummy service'

Janno Lieber unleashed his frustrations with the Garden State while some New York lawmakers made their own complaints about his agency during a joint budget hearing on transportation.

Policy

Policy

Hochul wants to build housing on SUNY campuses. How will that work?

State university faculty and administrators are cautiously optimistic about the governor’s proposal to build housing on state-owned land.

Albany Agenda

Politics

Josh Riley reports hefty fundraising haul against Marc Molinaro

The Democrat is touting small donations as he tries for the second time to defeat the popular Dutchess County Republican.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

‘Now I’m part of the statistic’ Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas talks pedestrian safety

The Queens progressive was hit by a car on Jan. 4, and she said she’s more determined now to pursue street safety legislation.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Takeaways from Hochul’s 2024 State of the State agenda

As the state faces major immigration and housing challenges, the governor launched an agenda aimed at ruffling the fewest feathers possible in a major election year.

News & Politics

Politics

Rep. Pat Ryan faces repeated pro-ceasefire protests

Ryan faces a tough reelection fight in November, but his stance on Israel is alienating a small but vocal group of progressive supporters. The tension came to a head last week when protesters tried to enter his district office.