Energy & Environment
Policy
Will NY stop blocking natural gas pipeline following Trump approval of offshore wind farm?
The state Department of Environmental Conservation previously denied a clean water permit for the Constitution pipeline, but it could choose to take no action if the pipeline reapplies for the permit.
Policy
Policy
Unable to ban Zyn pouches, lawmakers target Zyn rewards instead
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal compared the Zyn rewards system to loyalty programs for cigarette brands.
Housing
Policy
NY’s top court hears arguments on upstate rent control
The outcome of the case could determine whether cities like Kingston and Poughkeepsie can follow New York City’s lead and adopt rent stabilization measures.
New York State
Policy
Lawmakers press state prisons commissioner at hearing
The commissioner asked legislators for greater power to discipline problem corrections officers.
Albany Agenda
Politics
Employers of domestic workers push for legislation to protect immigrants
In addition to spreading fear in immigrant communities, the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans could hurt the state’s economy.
2025 New York City Mayoral Election
Personality
‘The Trump candidate is Eric Adams’: Curtis Sliwa sizes up the mayoral race
A candid chat with the Republican mayoral candidate
Albany Agenda
Policy
Which bills could pass now that the budget is done?
Elder Parole, the NY HEAT Act and Medical Aid in Dying are some of the controversial pieces of legislation that the Legislature is expected to consider before session ends in June.
Budget
Politics
Fierce debate over standards for religious schools prompted last-minute budget delays
The state Senate and Assembly were split over whether to relax educational standards for yeshivas and other private schools.
Budget
Policy
New York finally settles Foundation Aid debate (for now)
The final budget includes tweaks to Foundation Aid, the byzantine formula that the state uses to allocate education funding to school districts.
Policy
Policy
Four-year pilot program for housing vouchers included in final state budget
The governor and Legislature had previously agreed to a two-year pilot for the Housing Access Voucher Program, but the final budget includes a four-year pilot program.
Policy
Policy
It’s finally happening! The Legislature has started printing budget bills
The first three budget bills were released late Tuesday night, over a month after the state budget was due.
News & Politics
Politics
How will Canada’s new prime minister affect New York?
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has a mandate to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on our northern neighbor – and New York could be caught in the middle.
Budget
Politics
Will the state budget deliver on Hochul’s affordability promises?
Many of the governor’s marquee affordability proposals look likely to make it into the final version of the budget, which could help Hochul as she runs for reelection.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Proposed law would let City Council remove NYC mayor
Currently, the governor has the power to remove the mayor, but the City Council does not.
Education
Policy
School districts fret over potential changes to Foundation Aid in state budget
It’s still unclear how the state budget will tweak the Foundation Aid formula for school funding, which is a problem for school districts that are currently drawing up their own budgets.
Budget
Policy
$50 million for housing vouchers is better than nothing
Supporters of the Housing Access Voucher Program are glad to see it finally included in the budget, though they wish Gov. Kathy Hochul had committed more funding to it.
Policy
Policy
Gov. Kathy Hochul announces $254 billion state budget deal
The conceptual deal includes changes to the state’s discovery laws, a ban on phones in schools, a new criminal charge for committing a crime while wearing a mask and new funding for the MTA.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Politics
Stefanik dominates Lawler and Blakeman in new poll
Nearly half of GOP primary voters favor Rep. Elise Stefanik, while Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman can’t break single digits.
News & Politics
Politics
Inside the split between Kathy Hochul and Antonio Delgado
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado finally had enough of being on Team Hochul.
News & Politics
Politics