This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Live from New York, it’s good news for the movie and TV business. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal included an expansion of the state’s already sizable film and television tax credit program. Some may call film tax credits a race to the bottom, but if approved, the expanded program stands to benefit studios like Kaufman Astoria, Broadway Stages and De Niro’s Wildflower Studios – along with other makers of film and tv.

After Hochul unveiled a proposal to lift the regional cap on charter schools in her proposed executive budget, charter school advocates in New York City have a lot to celebrate. Among them is Crystal McQueen-Taylor, executive director of StudentsFirstNY, who called the governor’s plan a “much needed win for New York City families.” While Hochul’s plan does not increase the overall cap, it could mean more charter schools in New York City. One small step for Hochul, but one giant leap for New York charter schools.

All aboard, full steam ahead, (insert other horrible transportation related puns here) it’s been a much needed good week for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Aside from misspelling famed painter Georgia O’Keeffe’s name in the new Grand Central Madison terminal, MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber has reason to celebrate. Hochul proposed a massive rescue package for the agency in her budget – one that could save it from an impending fiscal cliff.

New Yorkers have officially flipped on the mayor – more of them dislike the job he’s doing than approve. And some migrants flipped out on the mayor, choosing to sleep outside, rather than on cots in a cruise terminal. While the mayor blamed outside agitators, it’s clear he hasn’t earned the trust of all asylum-seekers. So he’s doing what many pols do when they’ve lost mainstream support: he’s starting a podcast.

It took 30 years of advocacy, but the governor still vetoed the Grieving Families Act. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal may have taken over sponsorship of the bill relatively recently, but Assembly Member Helene Weinstein has been its champion for all 29 years of the bill's existence. A broad bipartisan coalition supported the prospect of bringing the state's victims compensation laws out of the 19th century and into the 21st, but Hochul argued that lawmakers should take some more time to consider what they're doing. After all, what's a few more years after some 150?

Santos actively and willingly and of his own accord decided – on his own – to step down from his committee assignments in Congress. By himself, OK? No one, not the Nassau County Republican Party, not his constituents, not his lawyer, not the literal speaker of the House, told him to do so. Santos just wanted to take a breather, and can anyone blame him? He wants to “properly clear” his name before rejoining the committees. Which is a totally realistic thing to expect at this point.