Author Archive
Immigration
Policy
Nassau County deputizes local cops to act as ICE agents
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said 10 detectives would be allowed to act as federal immigration agents under an agreement with the federal government.
LGBTQ+
Politics
State AG says NY hospitals must continue offering gender-affirming care to minors
State Attorney General Letitia James helped win a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from denying federal funds to hospitals – at least for now.
News & Politics
Politics
Poll: Voters back Hochul’s budget proposals, still don’t like Hochul
New York voters support Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposals like universal school meals but would prefer someone else as governor, the latest Siena College poll found.
Personality
Personality
Former Gov. David Paterson is at peace with the past
In an extensive Q&A, he talks about his tenure in Albany and about karma that has come to a successor.
MTA
Policy
Trump targets MTA funding
The president’s threats to kill congestion pricing and tie transit funding to immigration enforcement could imperil the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Energy & Environment
Politics
Environmental groups launch coalition to pressure Hochul on cap-and-invest
New Yorkers for Clean Air wants Hochul to immediately publish draft rules for the cap-and-invest plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions, rather than delaying the program for another year.
Policy
Policy
One bill from last session still awaits action from Hochul
Hochul only has one more week to sign or veto the bill – a relatively technical measure related to state reimbursement for a busing program used by yeshivas – before it gets pocket vetoed.
Policy
Policy
Environmental advocates recycle campaign against plastic packaging for new session
Activists and plastics producers are back in Albany this week to continue last year’s fight over the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill.
Policy
Policy
Albany considers multiple approaches to discovery reform
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie and Assembly Member Micah Lasher introduced a bill to help prosecutors comply with the law, while Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to weaken the law’s requirements.
Policy
Policy
New York’s ‘mask ban’ wouldn’t actually ban masks
But opponents still worry that it could have a chilling effect on people who wear masks for health or safety reasons.
Interviews & Profiles
Personality
Brian Benjamin never wanted a pardon from Trump
The former lieutenant governor is finally speaking out now that federal prosecutors have dropped all charges against him.
MagazineShow All
Policy
Policy
Lina Khan asks NY to outlaw unfair business practices
The outgoing FTC chair wrote a letter to state leaders encouraging them to pass a new law banning “unfair and abusive” business practices.
Budget
Policy
Hochul’s FY 2026 budget, by the numbers
The governor proposed a record-high executive budget that includes funding for her affordability agenda
Budget
Policy
Hochul’s budget to extend millionaire’s tax, but leaves MTA funding question open
The governor is set to propose a $252 billion state budget as she pushes an affordability agenda
Energy & Environment
Politics
BPHA caucus joins chorus of supporters for 15 gigawatts of public renewables
The influential caucus sent a letter to the governor and the New York Power Authority endorsing advocates’ demand to build 15 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.
Policy
Policy
Legislators seek greater loan forgiveness for prosecutors, public defenders
A bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking for additional $4 million in the budget for a program to assist public service lawyers.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Senate Dems’ campaign arm names new director
Kaylee May will now lead the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.
NYPD
Policy
Cops will start patrolling overnight subways on Monday
Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the state will foot $77 million in NYPD overtime costs over the next three months.
News & Politics
Politics
Hochul’s soft launch for reelection
The governor’s State of the State speech laid out a vision of affordability and safety that felt like it could be a stump speech.
New York State
Policy
Breaking down Hochul’s State of the State
The governor laid out the broad strokes of her agenda for the year in her annual speech and a nearly 150-page policy book.
