Albany Agenda
Energy & Environment
Hochul’s non-compromise on climate rollbacks
Gov. Kathy Hochul gave little ground in her latest meeting with legislative leaders. Members aren’t biting.
Budget
Lawmakers pass fifth extender as budget talks lag
Leaders continue to slowly plod through policy items holding up the late spending plan.
Albany Agenda
Lawmakers and activists say Westchester prison for women is in crisis
Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the only maximum security prison for women in the state, has had two suspected suicides by inmates since the start of the year.
Budget
Immigration budget deal within reach as lawmakers pass fourth extender
Budget negotiations are in full swing with no end in sight as the Legislature circles a deal to bar local police from working with ICE.
Budget
Hochul wants to tax the rich … if they don’t live in NYC
Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced an entirely new tax proposal on ritzy second homes in New York City – two weeks after the state budget was due.
Budget
Hochul blames activists’ lawsuit for climate budget standstill
The governor is set on amending the 2019 Climate Act in wake of a lawsuit filed by environmental activists, and says the need for change is their fault.
Budget
Tensions rise in slow budget talks as lawmakers poised to pass third extender
Lawmakers are staying in Albany this week with little movement on the final spending plan.
Criminal Justice
Robert Brooks’ father pushes for new office to probe prison deaths as counties push back
County coroners are fighting to retain jurisdiction over prison fatalities.
Interviews & Profiles
WFP head Jasmine Gripper talks state budget priorities
An interview with the state director of the progressive third party.
News & Politics
Buffalo Common Council Member Leah Halton-Pope likely to replace Assembly Member Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Peoples-Stokes, the No. 2 Democrat in the Assembly, will announce her retirement on Wednesday, paving the way for a hand-picked successor.
Budget
Business as usual: Lawmakers pass second one-week budget extender
Lawmakers popped back to Albany for a few hours to pass a bill to fund state government for another week as talks drag on.
Personality
5 things to know about Lee Zeldin as he tops Trump’s list for AG
It’s unclear if the 2022 New York gubernatorial candidate and current EPA administrator will be picked to be the nation’s top prosecutor, but just in case …
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Health Care
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.
Health Care
Helen Keller’s family members irate over changes to communication bill of rights proposal
The proposed changes to the bill have also caused a rift between the chairs of the Assembly and Senate committees on disabilities.
Immigration
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
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
Immigration
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.
Policy
Legislature closes in on immigration package deal
Lawmakers hope to reach an agreement and introduce language next week.
Energy & Environment
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
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.
