Albany Agenda
Budget
Hochul and Mamdani are all smiles, despite disagreement on taxes
The girls are NOT fighting.
Health Care
Hochul says federal Medicaid probe won’t impact health care coverage
The governor isn’t concerned a federal investigation and imminent lawsuit related to the state’s Medicaid decisions will hurt its chances to receive a key waiver from the Trump administration.
Policy
Lawmakers want independent medical examiner’s office to investigate prison deaths
It’s unclear how much it would cost to create the new entity within the state Commission of Correction.
Energy & Environment
Activists dispute Hochul’s claims about cost of complying with climate law
A new report highlights potential benefits of a cap-and-invest program, including energy rebates for millions of households.
News & Politics
The specter of the outside income cap looms over state legislative retirements
Not every state lawmaker has a large salary outside the Legislature, but several who are leaving do.
Albany Agenda
Lawmakers won’t water down or delay climate law mandates, Stewart-Cousins says
Republicans blame the state’s green energy mandates for high energy costs, but state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said there are no plans to change the law.
2026 New York state elections
Molinaro launches grand return to New York politics
Marc Molinaro left his post as the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Transit Administration to run for an upstate Assembly seat.
Policy
Socialists take aim at commercial rent
Two of the democratic socialists in the state Legislature are taking up the longtime fight for commercial rent stabilization in New York City.
2026 New York state elections
Former NYPD detective running for Assembly to support Mamdani’s Albany agenda
Shamsul Haque would be the first Bangladeshi American to serve in the state Legislature.
Albany Agenda
Could there be a Winter Olympics bid in New York’s future?
While in Italy, Assembly Member Robert Carroll talked about scouting the event for a potential plan.
Albany Agenda
Caucus Weekend kicks off in Albany
Assembly Member Latrice Walker previews the annual conference, where leaders of color from around New York descend on the capital.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
State GOP formally designates Blakeman as nominee for governor
But even Republicans acknowledged that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial bid faces long odds.
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Budget
Ta-da! NYC budget gap is now down to $7 billion, Mamdani says
Two weeks and some budget magic goes a long way, the mayor revealed to state lawmakers Wednesday in Albany.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
NY Dems select candidates with few surprises, much fanfare
Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and state Attorney General Letitia James will headline the statewide ticket again.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Socialists not thrilled with Mamdani’s guv endorsement: ‘Even Zohran gets it wrong sometimes’
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is now at odds with some of his fellow DSA electeds after throwing his support behind Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection
Heard Around Town
Assembly GOP Leader Will Barclay to step down, retire at end of term
Assembly Republicans are likely to elect a new leader next week to replace the one Carl Heastie called “a good friend and partner in government.”
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Hochul’s LG pick is… still a mystery
Gov. Kathy Hochul has chosen a running mate. Just don’t ask her who it is yet.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Blakeman courts right-wing voters at state Conservative Party conference
Likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman addressed members of the third party at their annual conference in Albany.
2026 New York state elections
Assembly candidate Aber Kawas says she didn’t move into wrong district
Concerns about the DSA parachuting candidates into races sparked a false rumor that Kawas moved to Queens in order to run for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s seat but accidentally moved into a neighboring district.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Who will Hochul pick as her running mate?
Assembly Member Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Secretary of State Walter Mosley are all being vetted.
