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.

2023 session wrap-up

Politics

State lawmakers poised to close out the session without a housing plan

Legislative leaders said they came to a two-way agreement on housing while casting blame on Gov. Kathy Hochul.

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.

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.

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.

New York State

Policy

Local elected officials from around the state call for immigrant protections from feds

New York Immigrant rights advocates and lawmakers have not given up hope on passing a bill meant to protect undocumented residents from having their immigration status reported – even as the legislative clock winds down.

Criminal Justice

Policy

Latrice Walker and public defenders pledge to fight excessive bail despite latest rollbacks to bail reform

Bail reform or no bail reform, judges are still bound by the Eighth Amendment prohibition on excessive bail, the Assembly member said.

Kathy Hochul

Personality

Hochul gets the last laugh in press show rebuttal: ‘Is that guy from Colorado still telling me what to say?’

The governor got some good-natured ribbing for her multiple trials and tribulations over the past legislative session.

Criminal Justice

Policy

Parole bills advance in NY Legislature

The bills would make it easier for incarcerated people to be considered for release.

Policy

Policy

Hochul and Adams on migrants: ‘We have one message, let them work’

The governor and mayor are calling for expedited work authorization for asylum-seekers which they say will also help industries across the state.

Policy

Policy

State comptroller says MTA should be able to manage debt with state funding

A new report by Thomas DiNapoli found the financially-strained agency should be able to get on track with state funding and a higher payroll mobility tax in the budget.

Criminal Justice

Policy

NYC comptroller says old criminal convictions cost city residents nearly $2.4 billion in annual wages

The Legislature only has a few more days left to pass the Clean Slate Act, which would seal old criminal convictions.

Campaign Confidential

Politics

The Democrats positioning for a special election in George Santos’ district

Jay Jacobs may hold the power, as candidates like Robert Zimmerman, Anna Kaplan and maybe Tom Suozzi jockey for support.

Politics

Politics

Hochul struggling with favorability among independents, seeing progress with suburbanites

A recent Siena College Research Institute poll showed Gov. Kathy Hochul with her lowest favorability yet, but suburban voters are liking her more than they did in March when she was trying to force them to build housing.

Affordable Housing Special Report

Policy

Hochul wants to pass a housing package on her own terms

Rather than accepting a compromise, the governor would rather push for a better deal next year.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Latrice Walker: ‘Agitate, advocate, legislate – and if that doesn't work – litigate’

After going on a three-week hunger strike to protest further bail reform rollbacks, the New York Assembly member said she plans to bring the fight to court.

Criminal Justice

Policy

Contrary to Hochul’s stated plan, bail reform rollbacks apply to low level offenses

The state budget includes removing the “least restrictive” standard for all offenses – not just bail-eligible offenses.

Budget

Policy

What made it into the 2024 New York budget?

From public safety to housing – here’s a guide on where the biggest policy issues stand in the agreement.