Budget
Policy
Hochul and fiscal watchdogs warn of larger-than-expected state budget deficits
The state’s spending is on track to outpace its revenue by more than $10 billion, leading conservatives to call for decreased spending and progressives to call for more taxes on the wealthy.
Policy
Policy
The Legislature actually passed some (minor) housing bills
Big ideas like “good cause” eviction and the 421-a replacement never made it to the floor, but less controversial housing policies squeaked through.
Politics
Politics
Republicans spent over an hour debating…coyotes
Assembly lawmakers engaged in a lengthy discussion over the merits of wildlife-killing contests on what could be their last day in Albany.
Politics
Politics
Meet the next generation of LGBTQ+ rights activists in New York
Seven years after the Empire State Pride Agenda called it quits, Elisa Crespo and the New Pride Agenda are fighting to protect LGBTQ+ rights in the state.
Politics
Updated
Politics
Here are some former New York lawmakers who ditched their constituents for private sector jobs
It’s not terribly uncommon for elected officials to leave office early when a cushy opportunity presents itself.
Politics
Politics
Driscoll down, but not out
The state Senate won’t give Hochul’s NYPA CEO nominee a vote, but he’ll stay on in an interim capacity
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
With new bill, Clean Slate looks closer than ever to becoming law
State leaders say they’ve reached a three-way deal on sealing people’s criminal records after a multi-year period.
2023 session wrap-up
Policy
Housing Committee chair: ‘Dire need’ for housing legislation before end of session
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal indicated that the Legislature is working toward consensus on laws that protect tenants and encourage development before the end of session this week.
News & Politics
Politics
Driscoll again faces criticism as confirmation vote approaches
The interim New York Power Authority chief is a former lobbyist with a mixed political history, irking climate advocates.
Criminal Justice
Policy
This year’s Clean Slate debate is a familiar one
New York lawmakers have long argued over whose records should be sealed, from whom they should be kept and how long after they served prison time.
Policy
Policy
‘I would certainly want that (option) for myself.’ Lawmakers open up about physician-assisted death
Legislation to allow terminally ill patients to choose when to die faces slim chances of passing this session, but more New York lawmakers are showing support.
Policy
Policy
Progressive Jews back controversial bill to block charities from funding Israeli settlements
Outside a handful of socialists, the bill has no support in the state Senate or Assembly.
Politics
Politics
Suburban Democrats lost. Now they wield all the power.
Whether carving themselves out of a tax to fund the MTA or killing the governor’s marquee proposal, it’s a great time to be repping the suburbs.
Politics
Politics
Lawmakers consider a bevy of appointments in waning days of session – including two former Assembly members
We’ll let you decide which ones are sinecures.
Criminal Justice
Policy
Parole bills advance in NY Legislature
The bills would make it easier for incarcerated people to be considered for release.
Policy
Policy
Socialist legislators back bill to block New York charities from funding Israeli settlements
Many Democrats condemned the legislation, and leaders of both the state Senate and Assembly promised that it would never receive a vote.
Politics
Politics
NY Senate leader vague about plans for end of session, but ‘good cause’ eviction as written is out
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins didn’t have many details about the agenda for the remaining weeks aside from excluding the tenant protections.
Politics
Politics
Hochul struggling with favorability among independents, seeing progress with suburbanites
A recent Siena College Research Institute poll showed Gov. Kathy Hochul with her lowest favorability yet, but suburban voters are liking her more than they did in March when she was trying to force them to build housing.
Policy
Policy
White House still mum on Hochul’s most recent plea for migrant assistance
As county leaders ring the alarm bells about the migrant crisis, the governor said the president has not yet responded to a letter she sent on Friday.
Nonprofits
NYN Media