New York State

Policy

After blackout, can Cuomo kick Con Edison out?

Following Manhattan’s brief power outage over the weekend, Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared that if Con Edison “can be replaced.” Here’s what removing Con Ed from New York would entail.

New York State

Policy

Can New York hit its environmental goals?

New York state just passed its most ambitious climate targets yet, but history suggests they won’t be easy to hit.

New York City

Politics

How ranked-choice voting would change New York City campaigns

Tuesday’s partisan primaries could be the last in which In New York City voters will only have one choice for a given office. The New York City Charter Revision Commission included ranked-choice voting among its proposals. Here’s how that could transform campaigning.

New York State

Politics

New York’s LGBTQ milestones since Stonewall

New York’s LGBTQ milestones since Stonewall: a timeline of key developments over the past 50 years.

New York State

Politics

How New York almost didn’t legalize same-sex marriage

The threats. The fights. The sacrifices. The behind-the-scenes story of the landmark 2011 law.

New York State

Politics

Whirlwind last week in Albany

Rounding up the week’s political news: progressive policy making, the passing of major climate bills, big endorsements for Queens District Attorney Tiffany Cabán and more.

New York State

Policy

What’s going on with marijuana legalization?

Full legalization of recreational marijuana this year may go up in smoke, but the state could still pass some blunted reforms in the meantime, as bills to decriminalize smoking in public and expanding the medical marijuana program were just introduced.

New York State

Politics

Revitalizing rent regs and ending vaccine exemptions

John Stewart spoke on behalf of 9/11 first responders, rent regulations were revitalized, an end has come to religious vaccine exemptions, the Uber cap has been extended — and more in this week's headlines.

New York City

Politics

The Charter Revision Commission approves 17 ballot initiatives

Although 2019 is an off-year election, New York City voters will still have a lot to consider before heading to the polls. At a meeting Wednesday evening, the New York City Charter Revision Commission voted to approve 17 proposals to amend the City Charter that will go on the ballot.

Policy

Everyone supports climate change legislation, so why can’t it pass?

Even though Governor Andrew Cuomo says he wants to pass a bill to mitigate climate change, and even though both chambers of the Legislature appear to have majority support for the Climate and Community Protection Act, the bill may not pass in this session.

Real Estate

Policy

Can New York rein in big real estate?

As rent regulations come up for renewal, tenant advocates and their progressive allies in Albany are pushing for extensive reforms – and real estate is on the defensive for the first time in years.

New York State

Policy

Why civil rights advocates say decriminalization of marijuana isn’t enough

Some opponents of marijuana legalization argue that the concerns of criminal justice reform advocates would be resolved by decriminalization, but the civil rights community disagrees, arguing enforcement would still disproportionately affect minority communities.

New York State

Policy

Marijuana’s stumbling blocks

Why, when marijuana is supported by most New Yorkers and large majorities of constituents and Democrats have unified control of the state government, can’t they pass pass marijuana legalization? It comes down to where that support is located.

New York State

Policy

Health care proposals are heating up

Vaccination, the New York Health Act, and other major health-related bills lawmakers are considering as the window for passage quickly closes.

New York State

Policy

Closing the window on recreational marijuana

Time is ticking until the sessions end and it's still unclear whether or not legalized recreational marijuana use will be included into the state budget.