Policy

Policy

No, New York wasn’t the anti-slavery hero you thought it was

In light of the state Legislature passing a bill to create a reparations commission, a look back at history shows that the state has a lot of wrongs to make right for Black New Yorkers.

NYPD

Policy

Under Adams and Sewell, advocates allege rollback in police accountability

The city’s police watchdog said that Sewell has disagreed with or declined to pursue their recommended discipline for substantiated complaints of misconduct in most cases.

New York City

Policy

City Council considers bills to alleviate the harms of slavery

From the removal of artwork to reparations, this legislative package also addresses the lingering impacts of systemic racism.

Campaign Confidential

Policy

How legislators changed election law, from busier ballots to early payouts

Lawmakers made a ton of changes in the final days of the legislative session – and now some local elections might be moved.

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

Legislative session not over until the Assembly says so

Assembly lawmakers are expected to return soon to consider a slew of prominent bills, including Sammy’s Law, a bill challenging wrongful convictions and a gaming deal with the Seneca Nation.

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

State lawmakers debate late into the night at session end

The legislature passed a series of bills Thursday night, from a bill to form a commission to study reparations in the state to a bill to seal criminal records after a certain amount of time.

Homelessness

Policy

Homeless persons among most vulnerable as air quality remains unhealthy

As many New Yorkers remain on city streets exposed to potential health risks, advocates and city outreach teams have fanned out across the city, administering aid and encouraging people to come indoors.

Policy

Policy

NYC DAs tell Legislature to address deed theft before session end

Homeowners across the state have been impacted by deed theft. State Attorney General Letitia James and state lawmakers have crafted two bills to address the issue head-on.

Kathy Hochul

Policy

Hochul remains tight-lipped on her plans for the revised Grieving Families Act

Just five months ago, the governor vetoed the popular bill to update the state’s wrongful death laws. Lawmakers have passed a new version they say addresses the governor’s concerns.

Immigration

Policy

Survey: Some asylum-seeker parents haven’t been able to get their children enrolled in NYC schools

The study by Make the Road New York and Hester Street also found migrants faced hurdles finding lawyers and getting transportation, among other needs

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

Things to look out for as legislative session closes out

From sealing criminal records to parole and campaign finance law, state lawmakers have several legislative issues to tackle before heading to their districts for the rest of the year.

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

With new bill, Clean Slate looks closer than ever to becoming law

State leaders say they’ve reached a three-way deal on sealing people’s criminal records after a multi-year period.

Disability

Policy

Nearly 10,000 NYC preschoolers with disabilities aren’t getting legally required city services

A new report from nonprofit Advocates for Children of New York highlights how the city is failing to provide services like speech therapy that it’s supposed to.

Criminal Justice

Policy

Rap Music on Trial bill would stop prosecutors from citing irrelevant lyrics in court

The bill addresses the increasingly common practice of prosecutors using defendants’ rap songs to harm their character.

2023 session wrap-up

Policy

40 government reform groups decry proposed tweaks to NY campaign finance law

In a letter to legislative leaders, the watchdogs said the changes undermine the much celebrated campaign finance reforms passed in 2019.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Business leaders push for Link5G deployment

Those supertall 5G towers have defenders in New York City’s business community.