Albany Agenda

Policy

Will Hochul’s focus on redistricting fight distract from state governance?

“I assure you, my capacity for an expansive range of topics is enormous,” the governor told reporters.

Policy

Policy

Kingston tenants owed rent refunds face obstacles when trying to collect

The city’s Rent Guidelines Board ordered that stabilized rents be lowered, but few tenants have been able to receive compensation after being overcharged.

Upstate

Personality

Exit interview: Billy Jones reflects on political polarization

“It's not the same political environment that I started out with,” the North Country Democrat said.

News & Politics

Politics

New Yorkers favor rent stabilization and social housing to solve housing crisis, new poll shows

The poll from Housing Justice for All and Data for Progress found New Yorkers would be more likely to vote for candidates who back tenant protection measures.

News & Politics

Politics

Hochul open to disbanding Independent Redistricting Commission

At a press conference with Texas Democrats, the governor said she was “tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back.”

News & Politics

Politics

Medicaid cuts may worsen state’s nursing shortage

Rural hospital networks could be hit especially hard by changes to Medicaid access and eligibility.

Policy

Policy

DOH and PPL identify fraud in previous home care program

The company said that there will be fewer opportunities for fraud following a controversial switch to a single fiscal intermediary.

Cannabis

Policy

OCM informs cannabis dispensaries they must relocate further away from schools

The state Office of Cannabis Management previously granted licenses to the dispensaries because it miscalculated how near they were to local schools.

New York State

Policy

Federal cuts leave New York with $750 million budget gap

State Budget Director Blake Washington said the state can’t tax its way out of this problem.

New York State

Politics

Ritchie Torres will not run for governor

Torres had flirted with a run against Gov. Kathy Hochul but decided against it after Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic mayoral primary.

News & Politics

Politics

Lawler holds final town halls as he considers gubernatorial run

The swing district Republican faced less hostility from the crowd at his more recent town halls, held in more GOP-friendly areas of his district.

News & Politics

Politics

Mamdani primary win showcases political power of tenants

The Tenant Bloc, launched earlier this year, backed mayoral candidates like Zohran Mamdani who called for a rent freeze. Now, it's looking ahead to 2026.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Applyrs wins landslide victory in Albany mayoral primary

Backed by both progressives and the Albany Democratic establishment, City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs beat businessman Dan Cerutti by 24 points.

News & Politics

Politics

Sean Ryan dominates Democratic mayoral primary in Buffalo

Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon could still run as an independent, but state Sen. Sean Ryan is the favorite to win in November – and candidates are lining up to replace him in the state Senate.

News & Politics

Politics

WFP’s absence felt in Rochester mayoral race

Why is the progressive third party staying out of a competitive upstate mayoral primary?

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Council president and top mayoral aide vie to become Syracuse’s next mayor

Incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh isn’t on the ballot in the Democratic primary, but the fight between his deputy Sharon Ownes and Common Council President Pro Tempore at Hogan could serve as a referendum on his mayoralty.