New York State

2026 New York gubernatorial election

Hochul said what??? Blakeman AI video may have violated election law

A 2024 law updated provisions around deceptive political communication to include AI-generated material and require it include a disclaimer.

GOP

GOP candidates have their strategy for November: ‘Stop Zohran Mamdani.’

Attacking the mayor will literally be on the ballot in some races, as Republicans petition for a new ballot line.

Heard Around Town

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Labor

Actually, the LIRR strike may not be that bad for Hochul politically

Even before the strike, the governor lost on Long Island in her last election, and the state’s largest transit union has already indicated it would abandon her.

2026 congressional midterm elections

Dems running to unseat Lawler have been ordered: Don't run on Trump

Beth Davidson, Cait Conley and Effie Philllps-Staley are each making their case in New York’s most competitive congressional district.

Opinion

Opinion: The light that shines behind the prison walls

Without external scrutiny, the state prison system will return to a state of opacity where inefficiency and neglect go unnoticed until it is too late, and too expensive, to fix.

Labor

Claire Valdez campaign staff unionizes – the first in NY this year

The socialist Assembly member, who’s been looking to boost her pro-labor credentials, reached a contract with the workers.

Albany Agenda

Room for shrooms? Medical psilocybin access eyed for after-budget rush

With the budget still not done, it’s unclear what nonfiscal bills state lawmakers will adopt before they leave Albany for the year.

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Budget

Can the state keep 450K Essential Plan enrollees insured after July? It’s not looking great.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said the situation is “heartbreaking,” but expressed doubt about whether the state has the money right now.

Energy & Environment

With CLCPA rollbacks imminent, lawmakers continue push for packaging bill

Sponsors recently introduced new concessions to the legislation, but opponents still aren’t on board.

Opinion

Opinion: Big Pharma is lying about 340B, and New Yorkers are the ones who will pay

The 340B Prescription Drug Anti-Discrimination Act protects one of the few tools we have that helps keep healthcare accessible and affordable in New York, at no cost to taxpayers.

Budget

Legislative leaders still don’t have pied-à-terre details days after Hochul announces budget ‘deal’

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said details about state aid for New York City are scarce, but lawmakers will vote for the budget anyway.

New York City

Ask the experts: Predicting the next 20 years in New York politics

Do Republicans have a chance to win statewide and which members of Congress will have staying power?

Budget

Hochul stands firm on her policy-first approach to budget negotiations

The governor suggested that average New Yorkers are more “excited” about her policy proposals rather than specific funds for school aid.