Author Archive
Rebecca C. Lewis
Heard Around Town
Politics
It’s time for the NY political world to pay homage to the Irish
Parades, flag-raising, Irish-themed attack ads – Happy St. Patrick’s Day New York!
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Policy
Policy
What will New York’s next real estate developer tax break look like?
The replacement for 421-a could come down to negotiations between REBNY and organized labor.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Policy
Policy
New York Legislature releases budget rebuttals
Here’s a rundown of where the state Senate, Assembly and governor stand on major budget issues.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Politics
The NY lawmakers hoping for a 2024 comeback
Voters will see familiar names on their ballots, including Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and likely Tom Abinanti.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Personality
Jeffrion Aubry, voice of the Assembly, is leaving it after 30 years
The speaker pro tempore was instrumental in repealing the Rockefeller drug laws and building a performing arts center to honor Louis Armstrong.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Politics
Hochul says subway crime ‘not statistically significant, but psychologically significant’
The governor's supporters say the specter of National Guard troops checking bags will make New Yorkers feel safer, but activists say it’s just a militarized version of stop-and-frisk.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Criminal Justice
Politics
Hochul leaves bail behind and continues tough-on-crime approach with subway deployment
The governor said she would send National Guard troops and state police to check bags in the New York City subway system.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
New York’s legislative moms come out against school district funding cuts
The “Mom Squad” is appealing to Gov. Kathy Hochul as a fellow mom.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
State Legislature proposes new congressional map
The new map would extend Rep. Tom Suozzi’s district into Suffolk County and move Co-Op City into Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s district.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Politics
NY Dems toss bipartisan congressional map
The state Senate and Assembly both rejected the proposed lines – which Democrats previously sued for.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
LGBTQ+
Policy
Does Bruce Blakeman’s ban on trans players on girls’ teams violate state law?
New York’s Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
MagazineShow All
Albany Agenda
Policy
REBNY report: New construction applications are down significantly
The developer group found that new housing projects have dropped off since a state tax break expired.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Kathy Hochul
Politics
Siena College poll: New Yorkers cool to Hochul, worry about cost of living
The governor saw a dip in favorability, with many seeing her as out of touch.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
Jay Jacobs is feeling positive after Tom Suozzi’s Long Island victory
The chair of the state and Nassau County Democratic parties has started the year with a major win after previous criticisms.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
Hochul apologizes for joke about Israel-Hamas war
The governor had suggested that if Canada ever attacked Buffalo, the U.S. would naturally respond by destroying the entire nation of Canada.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
Jeffries blasts latest redistricting proposal
The House Minority Leader criticized the new congressional map released to lawmakers this week, suggesting that it unconstitutionally benefits Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Policy
Hochul wants to protect Taylor Swift and drink at home
The governor’s 30-day budget amendments were somewhat minimal, targeting harmful AI and continuing to permit to-go cocktails. She also restored a fund for legal representation for low-income people.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
News & Politics
Politics
IRC releases new congressional maps with few changes
The state Legislature will now vote on whether to accept the new maps or reject them and draw their own.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
Albany Agenda
Personality
Grace Meng says Suozzi didn’t take Asian voters for granted
From multilingual campaign lit to weekly meet-and-greets, the Suozzi campaign made outreach to Asian voters a top priority – and Meng hopes other Democrats will follow suit.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis
New York State
Politics
Tom Suozzi’s special election win gives Democrats hope for November
However, there were several unusual factors in this race that might be hard to replicate.
- By Rebecca C. Lewis