Cannabis

Policy

Bill targeting illegal weed shops gets push as budget talks continue

The legislation would revoke the liquor, tobacco and lottery licenses of businesses caught selling cannabis under the table.

Budget

Policy

Criminal justice reform push comes as state budget negotiations drag on

Advocates join in a call for passing a package of bills that make it easier to challenge wrongful convictions and ease financial burdens on incarcerated persons and their families.

News & Politics

Policy

Housing deal may include provision to let landlords increase rents on vacant rent-stabilized apartments

The Assembly speaker confirmed that bringing back rent increases to offset the costs of renovating rent-stabilized apartments is on the budget negotiating table.

Policy

Policy

Company behind gun detection tech previewed in subway faces multiple lawsuits and federal investigations

Evolv, whose weapons detection scanners were recently demonstrated by Mayor Eric Adams, is being investigated by the SEC and the FTC for allegedly making misleading statements about what its technology can do.

Budget

Policy

City has funds to reverse library, education cuts and more, Council says

The City Council’s official response to Mayor Eric Adams’ preliminary budget proposal found an additional $6.1 billion they say can be used to reverse cuts and pad reserves.

Education

Policy

Even before Hochul proposed cuts, many school NY districts were struggling

COVID-19-related federal aid is running out, and tax revenues were also impacted by the pandemic.

Taxes

Policy

MTA gives final approval to congestion pricing plan

Though several lawsuits against the plan are still pending, the MTA board took a major step in approving details of the road tolling program on Wednesday.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Heastie: ‘There’s an understanding’ on tenant protections in NY budget

The Assembly speaker told reporters he hopes state budget negotiations will result in a deal on housing.

Immigration

Policy

Where are asylum-seekers living in New York City?

The city’s sprawling emergency shelter system for asylum-seekers includes higher concentrations in parts of Manhattan and Queens.

Albany Agenda

Policy

NY lawmakers focused on environmental legislation this week

From Hudson River clean-up to natural gas hook-ups, lawmakers took action on protecting the state’s natural resources.

New York City

Policy

City Council passes class size transparency bill

Compliance with lower class sizes has been a major sticking point in the push to renew mayoral control in Albany.

Policy

Policy

Expansion of hate crimes pushed by Sharpton, Dukes, groups representing marginalized communities

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Member Carl Heastie are being urged to support the Hate Crimes Modernization Act.

Education

Policy

How Hochul’s education budget proposal created chaos in one Long Island school district

Long Beach School District acted quickly to cut spending assuming the worst – that their district will no longer receive full “hold harmless” funding now or in the future.

Education

Policy

David Banks on pre-K, 3-K budget restoration: “I have great confidence”

The New York City schools chancellor warned of inevitable “trade-offs” as City Council members grilled officials over budget cuts.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Jumaane Williams calls for fire retardant storage cases for lithium ion batteries

The Public Advocate wants New York City to spend $1.3 million to purchase the cases to protect users from fires triggered by the batteries.

Policy

Policy

City Hall and Legal Aid Society settle right to shelter case

The temporary settlement will allow the city to limit adults’ shelter stays to 30 days.

Albany Agenda

Policy

Assembly is silent on expanding state cannabis agency enforcement power

The state Senate and the governor both want to expand enforcement powers of the state Office of Cannabis Management.

Policy

Policy

What will New York’s next real estate developer tax break look like?

The replacement for 421-a could come down to negotiations between REBNY and organized labor.