New York State

Politics

What Democrats got done in Albany by the end of session

Lawmakers have reached deals in recent days on some high-profile issues like sexual harassment reforms but it remains to be seen whether Democrats will be able to achieve all their legislative priorities before they adjourn for the year this week. Here’s a rundown of the state of play on the top issues.

New York State

Policy

What’s going on with marijuana legalization?

Full legalization of recreational marijuana this year may go up in smoke, but the state could still pass some blunted reforms in the meantime, as bills to decriminalize smoking in public and expanding the medical marijuana program were just introduced.

New York State

Politics

Poll: What last-minute state legislation will advance?

With only one week left until the scheduled end of the session in Albany, we're wondering what last-minute state legislation will advance.

New York State

Opinion

Pot legalization opponents exaggerate dangers

In response to the push for legalization in New York, marijuana opponents are making some “wildly overstated” claims of the drug’s supposed dangers – and some claims that are more reasonable.

New York State

Politics

De Blasio’s donors sit on the fence and paid vacation gets a boost

Marijuana bill amended, de Blasio’s donors sit on the fence and paid vacation gets a boost, and more in this week's political news roundup.

New York State

Policy

Why civil rights advocates say decriminalization of marijuana isn’t enough

Some opponents of marijuana legalization argue that the concerns of criminal justice reform advocates would be resolved by decriminalization, but the civil rights community disagrees, arguing enforcement would still disproportionately affect minority communities.

New York State

Policy

Marijuana’s stumbling blocks

Why, when marijuana is supported by most New Yorkers and large majorities of constituents and Democrats have unified control of the state government, can’t they pass pass marijuana legalization? It comes down to where that support is located.

New York State

Policy

Closing the window on recreational marijuana

Time is ticking until the sessions end and it's still unclear whether or not legalized recreational marijuana use will be included into the state budget.

New York State

Opinion

What New York can learn from Mexico about marijuana legalization

New York could learn a lot from the history of recreational marijuana legalization in Mexico; legalization advocates should make the affirmative case for legal access to marijuana and how that will enhance the lives of New Yorkers, writes journalist Lindsay Beyerstein.

Cannabis

Policy

Recreational marijuana FAQ

What we know – and what we don’t – about legalizing marijuana in New York.

New York State

Politics

Predicting the fate of Cuomo’s post-budget priorities

Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted on including several key measures in the state budget, including congestion pricing, criminal justice reforms and making the 2 percent property tax cap permanent, so in our latest “Ask the Experts” feature, we turn to experts and insiders to see what they think will happen next – and why.

New York State

Politics

Poll: Which hot-button issues will advance in Albany?

Which issues will Albany advance? Pushing on prevailing wages, marijuana or charter schools.

New York City

Politics

Measles outbreak, another Y2K and Trump’s tax returns

Two decades after Y2K, New York City is contending with a similar computer glitch, Democrats hard to get at president Donald Trump's tax returns, measles outbreaks are plaguing New York and more from this week's headlines.

New York State

Policy

Will recreational pot freeze out people of color – again?

Minority businesses were neglected in the rollout of medical marijuana, will recreational pot freeze them out again?.

New York City

Policy

New York politicians’ biggest flip-flops

How New York politicians ‘evolved’ on pot, guns, immigrants, LGBT rights and homelessness.

New York State

Politics

Cuomo’s 2019 budget address, by the numbers

Breaking down Andrew Cuomo's 2019 budget address by what he wants to spend on education, health care, subways and more.

Technology

Policy

The state Legislature is waking up to the importance of tech

State Sen. Diane Savino and Assemblyman Clyde Vanel plan to lead their colleagues in carefully regulating disruptive technologies.

New York City

Politics

Underwood finishes up, Glen steps down and the weed bandwagon rolls on

Andrew Cuomo and Bill de Blasio jump on the weed bandwagon, Barbara Underwood finishes her tenure on a high, and Alicia Glen steps down in this week's headlines.