New York State

Politics

The budget crunch and Serrano to retire

Rep. Jose E. Serrano announced that he will not seek re-election in 2020, New York will be adopting a state-wide ban on plastic bags, NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray dismissed her ThriveNYC "haters," and more of this week’s most important political news stories.

New York State

Policy

Transferring to a real estate transfer tax

Details about the proposed new transfer tax are scarce, but lawmakers have said it will apply to the sale of real estate that is valued at $5 million or more on top of the existing transfer tax.

New York State

Politics

3 horrifying harassment cases the courts did nothing about

Three examples of real cases in which judges ruled certain modes of conduct could not be considered harassment in New York.

New York State

Politics

New York law lets sexual harassers off the hook

Despite attempts to curtail harassment in the work place proving that you work in a hostile work environment can be difficult and as a result lets a lot of sexual harassers off the hook. But young lawmakers like state Senator Alessandra Biaggi are trying to change that.

New York State

Policy

Putting #MeToo into policy

State lawmakers like state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi are trying to pass multiple bills that will hopefully address and curb sexual harassment in New York.

Donald Trump

Policy

Trump’s potential New York legal woes

The president is the subject of several investigations in the Empire State

New York City

Politics

Speed cameras zoom ahead, marijuana on hold, SHSAT scrutinized

This week New York City approved the installation of more speed cameras around schools, marijuana legalization was officially removed from the budget, questions were raised about New York's Specialized High School Test, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

New York City

Politics

What you need to know about the NYC Charter Revision Commission

Another charter revision commission was created by the New York City Council this year and Council Speaker Corey Johnson said last year that this commission would overhaul the charter — so we took a look on what we might be able to expect from the new city charter.

New York State

Policy

The public health puzzle of legal pot

Some doctors and public health professionals want to stall the full legalization of recreational marijuana due to a variety of concerns, one being that scientists have not been able to study the harms and benefits of marijuana as thoroughly as other drugs on the market.

New York State

Politics

City-run subways, conflict in the Capitol and Bloomberg not running

There was some confusion over who's actually the current public advocate, Corey Johnson delivered a transit-oriented State of the City address, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he would not be running for president in 2020, and so much more happened this week.

New York State

Policy

New York is closer to “universal rent control” than you think

State Sen. Julia Salazar has sponsored a bill that would regulate additional apartments, part of which states landlords cannot evict tenants if those tenants cannot afford a rent increase that is “unconscionable,” defining this as greater than 1.5 times the percentage change in the area consumer price index.

Politics

Who will be the next Queens Democratic party boss?

Former Rep. Joseph Crowley stepped down from his role as chairman of the Queens Democratic Party last month, and now the county party will need to crown a new "King of Queens."

New York City

Politics

New York City’s 10 biggest lobbying spenders

New York City's 10 biggest lobbying spenders: who spent the most on outside lobbying firms.

New York State

Politics

A new public advocate, MTA fare hike and Michael Cohen testimony

Citi Bike announced it will expand its fleet of bicycles to 4,000, Jumaane Williams won New York City's public advocate race, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio became unlikely allies again, MTA announced a tax hike, Michael Cohen testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, and so much more in this week's headlines.

New York City

Politics

A June public advocate primary unlikely to see same candidates

Jumaane Williams’ win was too broad to suggest potential paths to victory for other Democrats

New York City

Personality

Why Amanda Farias is challenging Rubén Díaz Sr.

Councilman Rubén Díaz Sr.’s recent anti-gay remarks prompted Amanda Farias to announce another bid for his seat.

Andrew Cuomo

Personality

The most unlikely allies in New York politics

Hakeem Jeffries and the Koch brothers. E.J. McMahon and Julia Salazar. John Flanagan and Carl Heastie. These are just a few of the strange bedfellows Albany has made.

New York City

Politics

What does the New York City public advocate actually do?

The Public Advocate's office will be filled once again, here’s what Letitia James successor can expect.

New York City

Politics

NYCHA’s new monitor, Crowley’s abdication and the public advocate showdown

NYCHA gets a new monitor, Joseph Crowley gets a new job and the public advocate candidates have a new showdown in This Week's Headlines.

Andrew Cuomo

Politics

Why Cuomo is so furious at Long Island Senate Dems

Gov. Andrew Cuomo feels Long Island state Senate Democrats said nothing on behalf of the Amazon deal until it was too late.