Budget
Policy
The astroturf war in New York over car insurance reform
The fight over the incredibly technical topic is pitting two powerhouse industry lobbies against one another.
Health Care
Policy
Lawmakers, state officials scramble to help 450,000 New Yorkers set to lose health insurance
New Yorkers making between 200% and 250% of the federal poverty line on the Essential Plan will lose their health benefits on July 1 unless state leaders act.
News & Politics
Politics
Blakeman denied public matching funds in decision criticized as partisan
The Democrat-majority state Public Campaign Finance Board voted not to permit the likely Republican nominee for governor to receive millions in matching funds
News & Politics
Politics
Hochul leads Blakeman by just 13 points in latest Siena poll
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s lead over her likely GOP opponent has shrunk by half over the past two months.
Immigration
Policy
Report finds immigrant legal services under stress in New York
Immigrant rights advocates want state leaders to approve landmark new funding and legislation to improve access to attorneys for immigrants amid a hostile federal government
Energy & Environment
Policy
Lawmakers may be open to delaying climate law deadlines to avoid something worse
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to change the state’s emissions accounting methods struck a nerve with legislators that could provide room for compromise to keep it the same
News & Politics
Politics
Internal GOP poll shows Blakeman just 9 points behind Hochul
The poll of likely voters has renewed Republicans’ hopes of retaking the governor’s mansion.
Immigration
Policy
Unions back increased funding for immigrant legal services
Advocates have pushed for $175 million as part of the state budget and two new bills to strengthen access to legal representation in immigration court.
Energy & Environment
Policy
After weeks of public teasing, Hochul outlines proposals to roll back climate law mandates
State lawmakers say Gov. Kathy Hochul hasn’t sent over proposed changes to the law yet, but the governor sketched out her plans in an op-ed this week.
Artificial Intelligence
Policy
Hochul, DiNapoli want more information on AI’s threat and benefits to the workforce
A new commission is tasked with creating policy remedies to the potential rise in automation.
Energy & Environment
Policy
Hochul says plan to amend climate law won’t lower utility rates
Gov. Kathy Hochul said her bid to change the emissions reduction deadlines are meant to prevent future rate increases, but it’s “stupid” to say it would impact current rates.
Immigration
Policy
Lawmakers want Hochul to use clemency power to protect immigrants
The Clemency Justice Act would make applying for executive clemency easier and more transparent.
Policy
Policy
State AG Letitia James pushes ban on surveillance pricing
New York already requires companies to disclose when they set prices based on people’s personal data. Now, lawmakers want to ban the practice entirely.
Energy & Environment
Politics
Some Republicans critical of NY climate law previously voted for it
Now-Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra and now-Rep. Nicole Malliotakis both backed the law in 2019.
News & Politics
Politics
Republicans file misconduct complaint against Chief Judge Rowan Wilson
Wilson said strict sentencing laws were “stupid” and voters should not reelect bad judges, which Republicans see as evidence he cannot be impartial.
Policy
Policy
State legislators gear up for budget fight with one-house proposals
Both the state Senate and Assembly included tax hikes on the wealthy in their budget rebuttals, while rejecting the governor’s marquee pitch for car insurance reform.
Policy
Policy
Gounardes wants moratorium on sale of AI chatbot-enabled kids’ toys
After passing the RAISE Act, state Sen. Andrew Gounardes is drafting regulation aimed at keeping ChatGPT out of teddy bears.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Goyle gets national South Asian support for comptroller bid
Rep. Pramila Jayapal is the latest to endorse, but NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani hasn’t weighed in on the race yet.
Budget
Politics
Hochul and Mamdani are all smiles, despite disagreement on taxes
The girls are NOT fighting.
Health Care
Politics