Author Archive

Rebecca C. Lewis

is the senior state politics reporter at City & State New York.

Politics

Politics

1199 fills 17K-seat arena for budget rally in Albany

Health care workers called for higher reimbursement rates and funding for safety net hospitals – while rapping with hip hop legends.

New York State

Politics

Brian Benjamin argues to keep the dropped corruption charges dropped

Lawyers for the former lieutenant governor filed a new brief on Friday making the case that democracy itself hangs in the balance.

Politics

Politics

‘There’s total paralysis.’ With NY’s chief judge vacancy, courts are stagnant

Until the Court of Appeals gets a permanent chief judge, many initiatives remain on ice, and the judicial branch is in a “holding pattern.”

Policy

Policy

The Legislature doesn’t want to force suburbs to build more housing. Advocates are calling them on it.

Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed aggressive building targets all over the state. Lawmakers roundly rejected her enforcement plans.

New York State

Policy

Legislature takes a knife to Hochul’s agenda in budget proposals

The state Senate and Assembly’s one-house budgets threaten to undermine Hochul’s plans for bail reform and housing.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Labor makes another push for Clean Slate

Unions sent a letter to state leaders supporting the legislation to seal criminal records after a certain time period.

Policy

Policy

Senate budget proposal includes full Build Public Renewables Act

Gov. Hochul’s executive included a watered-down version of the bill, but the Senate is insisting on the full legislation.

Policy

Policy

As local laws fall, leaders call for statewide ‘good cause’ eviction legislation

In a letter to state leaders shared exclusively with City & State, dozens of local leaders pushed for the tenant protections.

Health Care

Policy

NY Senate considers doula support to improve birth outcomes

The professional birth care providers testified about how they can be empowered to help more women in New York.

Politics

Politics

How different will the new NY chief judge shortlist be from the last one?

In the saga of choosing a leader of the state’s court system, the Commission on Judicial Nomination will have to again send finalists to the governor. The question is whether they will shake things up.

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Policy

Policy

New York is cashing in on mobile sports betting

The industry has already surpassed tax revenue projections as state lawmakers debate lowering the tax rate.

Policy

Policy

Will Hochul expand safety net programs for undocumented people?

Advocates are calling on the governor to provide unemployment and health insurance.

Housing

Policy

Landlords seek a new $2 billion fund to cover COVID back rent

With money for the current rental assistance dried up, affordable housing operators say state aid can help them pay their bills and keep tenants housed

Campaigns & Elections

Policy

Could public campaign finance unlaunch in New York?

As behind-the-scenes budget conversations continue, rumor has it the campaign reform might be in danger of being reversed.

Politics

Politics

Failed LaSalle nomination leaves Hochul’s relationship with labor in a state of confusion

Union leaders, including some who were left feeling jilted by the governor’s executive budget, are still willing to give her more time to win their favor.

MTA

Politics

Bronx to state leaders: Fix the MTA

As borough officials rallied in support of free buses, MTA officials warned of the agency’s dire fiscal circumstances

Heard Around Town

Policy

Labor leaders call on Legislature to make green energy union friendly

Gov. Kathy Hochul excluded labor standards in her climate proposals. Unions want to change that.

Policy

Policy

Rent protections stand out in state Legislative session

Tenant advocates are confident that “good cause” eviction protections will get approved as part of a broad housing package.