Author Archive

Shantel Destra

is an associate state politics reporter at City & State New York.

Housing

Policy

Hochul announces agreement to build housing units at World Trade Center site

Coming off of a legislative session with little movement on her signature issue, the governor has announced another housing development in New York City.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Ritchie Torres once again pushing consequences for Santos

After facing an ethics complaint and calls for expulsion, the embattled lawmaker is now facing possible censorship.

Criminal Justice

Politics

What needs to change at Rikers? Everything.

We asked more than a dozen criminal justice experts. They urged staying the course on borough-based jails – and many called for a federal takeover of Rikers in the meantime.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

New York congressional candidates amass robust war chests

The latest July federal campaign disclosures from the Empire State’s most competitive races.

Housing

Policy

‘We will wait no longer’: Hochul announces housing executive orders

Months after the governor and legislative leaders failed to come to an agreement on housing, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced several housing proposals – and received backlash from some labor entities.

New York State

Politics

Sue! New Jersey’s undefeated Supreme Court record against New York

The nation’s highest court in two centuries has ruled in favor of the Garden State in at least 6 cases against its neighbor, and there could be one more with congestion pricing

Heard Around Town

Policy

A big change in the plans to renovate Penn Station

The new plan to renovate the Manhattan train hub will no longer include funding from surrounding office towers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.

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Abortion

Policy

Hochul marks one-year anniversary of Dobbs by signing law for telehealth abortions across state lines

The governor signed a bill that will protect New York health care providers administering abortion medication to patients living in other states – insisting New York is on solid legal footing to do so.

Rikers Island

Policy

Elected officials sound the alarm on proposed city budget cuts to Rikers

Amid proposed cuts to jail-based programming, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says the Eric Adams administration is at a crossroads

Heard Around Town

Policy

How should Congress join the AI revolution? Chuck Schumer has thoughts

The majority leader unveiled a plan to address the emerging technology – and it’s emerging threats.

Policy

Policy

Coverage for All hangs in the balance as Assembly returns to Albany

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas said she worked with the governor to amend the bill but now Hochul is “moving the goalpost.”

Politics

Politics

Who’s looking at Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal’s seat?

The Orthodox Jewish Assembly Member from Queens is resigning for a job in philanthropy.

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.

Campaign Confidential

Policy

How legislators changed election law, from busier ballots to early payouts

Lawmakers made a ton of changes in the final days of the legislative session – and now some local elections might be moved.

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

Legislative session not over until the Assembly says so

Assembly lawmakers are expected to return soon to consider a slew of prominent bills, including Sammy’s Law, a bill challenging wrongful convictions and a gaming deal with the Seneca Nation.