New York State

Politics

Full state Senate must vote on judicial nominees, judge rules, siding with GOP

Hector LaSalle was rejected twice, but that hasn’t stopped the legal dispute over his nomination

Heard Around Town

Politics

Schumer, AOC and other progressives turn out for Cabán fundraiser

A few dozen left-leaning activists and elected officials came to the event in support of the socialist New York City Council member.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

How crypto can right the failures of the traditional financial system

Rep. Ritchie Torres, who represents the South Bronx – one of the poorest areas in the country – sees the digital asset as a plus for his community.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

A look at how cryptocurrency benefits New York

John Olsen, New York state’s lead for the Blockchain Association, said it’s time to talk to policymakers about the “breadth and diversity of the industry, as opposed to just talking about bitcoin or bitcoin mining.”

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Is there still reason to hope that crypto can benefit New York?

In a Q&A, Assembly Member Clyde Vanel remains optimistic because the strong companies will survive this downturn.

Politics

Politics

Can Kathy Hochul really sue the NY Senate over Hector LaSalle?

Suffice to say the words “absurdity” and “constitutional crisis” are being thrown around. A former chief judge says the governor has a case, but others aren’t so sure.

New York State

Politics

Shelley Mayer will join state Judiciary Committee

The state senator is the second new committee member to have publicly announced that she would not vote to confirm Hector LaSalle as chief judge.

News & Politics

Politics

Latino politicians split on Hochul’s embattled chief judge pick

In a letter shared exclusively with City & State, more than 70 Latinx leaders explained their opposition to chief judge nominee Hector LaSalle.

News & Politics

Politics

Senate Judiciary chair says prospects are dim for Hochul’s chief judge pick

State Sen. Brad Hoylman’s committee is tasked with reviewing the nominee and deciding whether to advance Hector LaSalle for a floor vote.

New York State

Politics

‘It’s on life support.’ Hochul’s chief judge pick faces existential opposition

A growing number of Democrats have expressed publicly that they will vote against Hector LaSalle, possibly pressuring the governor to appeal to Republicans.

New York State

Policy

Hochul nominates LaSalle to be chief judge, angering NY Senate progressives

Several state senators have come out publicly opposing the judge saying he is too conservative.

New York State

Politics

The 3 nominees progressives won’t tolerate on New York’s highest court

A coalition of dozens of activist and advocacy groups has united to promote three candidates, oppose another three candidates and reserve judgment on a seventh.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Jim Owles tells Hochul not to pick gay conservative judge to replace DiFiore

The political club urged against picking Anthony Cannataro to replace the retired chief judge because of his track record on court decisions impacting LGBTQ New Yorkers.

News & Politics

Politics

Progressive groups tell Hochul next chief judge must not be former prosecutor

More than 100 organizations, including the Working Families Party and UAW, signed a letter urging the governor to choose someone who will reverse the Court of Appeals’ rightward drift.

Policy

Policy

Critics say New York’s new gun control law will fuel mass incarceration

When the old law was ruled unconstitutional, public defenders had hoped that the Legislature could craft a better law.

Politics

Politics

Here’s how the DSA keeps its lawmakers in line

The six – and counting – members of the Socialists in Office bloc meet weekly with DSA leaders and activists to discuss politics and figure out how Albany really works. But a recent bill to fund public housing has caused tension.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Ballot selfies are still out this election season

The New York City Board of Education is enforcing a century old law that prohibits voters from taking a picture of their ballot – even those on social media.