Policy
Policy
Lawmakers turn up heat on cannabis regulators at hearing
State senators grilled Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander and other officials on the lack of enforcement against illegal pot shops.
Policy
Policy
Hochul announces opioid settlement fund allocation, still no money for supervised injection sites
The governor touted addiction services that will be supported with money from settlements with Big Pharma.
Courts
Policy
New York’s progressive chief judge joins with conservatives to expand DNA searches by law enforcement
In a 4-3 decision, Chief Judge Rowan Wilson ruled that the Commission on Forensic Science has the authority to allow law enforcement to search DNA databases to find partial DNA matches from relatives of potential suspects.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Report highlights work of women-majority NYC Council
The New Majority NYC is touting legislation addressing domestic violence and abortion among other initiatives.
Policy
Policy
City Council hearing features fiery discussion of migrant shelters
A lack of fire alarms and fire suppression systems has prevented some shelters from housing asylum-seekers, frustrating City Hall and council members.
New York City
Policy
Congestion pricing sensors excluded from Lincoln Tunnel property, draws outcry from electeds
Officials representing Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen alleged gantries used for the upcoming toll program were deliberately kept off land owned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
Policy
Poll: Majority of New Yorkers support aid to Israel
Most Democrats and a vast majority of New York Jews said the U.S. should share economic and military aid with Israel, while half of those polled said a large-scale invasion would be unwise.
Policy
Policy
Adams admin questioned on “perplexing” migrant costs
City Council members honed in on ballooning “per diem” costs of sheltering asylum-seekers in New York City at an oversight hearing Monday.
Policy
Policy
3 NY lawmakers ask: Could there be unity around getting stranded New Yorkers out of Israel and Palestinian territories?
Proposed legislation would cover travel costs for New Yorkers stuck in both Israel and Palestine territories to return home.
Technology
Policy
Ending the deepfake threat to elections before it starts
Officials try to get ahead of misinformation created by AI before the 2024 elections.
Technology
Policy
How governments are approaching the regulation and use of AI
While the new tech may seem like science fiction, it’s already being employed by local and state governments in New York and elsewhere.
Technology
Policy
Experts to lawmakers: AI threatens low wage work in New York
The Assembly held a hearing on AI in the workplace, and concerns abounded.
Health Care
Policy
City & State event focuses on transparency to combat predatory hospital pricing
Lawmakers and industry professionals gathered at the 32BJ Health Fund’s headquarters in Manhattan for discussions on how to bring costs down for hospitalized New Yorkers.
Policy
Policy
AG sues crypto firms Gemini and Genesis for fraud
Attorney General Letitia James accused the two cryptocurrency firms of defrauding more than 230,000 investors out of more than $1 billion.
Immigration
Policy
NYC shelter limits could complicate asylum application process
New York City Council members raised concerns that shelter stay limits will make it more difficult for asylum-seekers to receive crucial notices from the federal government.
Health Care
Policy
Filling in the gaps left by federal child care funding running out
State Sen. Jabari Brisport has reupped his Universal Child Care Act for next year.
New York City
Policy
New York City unveils AI action plan
The first of its kind for a major U.S. city, the strategy sets a framework for the responsible roll out of artificial intelligence by agencies.
New York State
Policy
González-Rojas reintroduces legislation to eliminate social worker testing requirement
The difficult clinical exam has been considered a barrier for people of color from working in their communities
Technology
Policy
Dispelling technology fears as New York City move towards automation
While leaders and tech industry professionals push for digitization, the MTA seeks to rebuild credibility.
Policy
Policy