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.

Andrew Cuomo

Politics

Who needs Andrew Cuomo?

In recent weeks, Democratic lawmakers showed Gov. Andrew Cuomo does not dominate Albany like he used to.

New York State

Politics

Why the state Legislature will never adjourn

The New York state Legislature is often called a “part-time” legislature, but experts say that designation is a product of tradition rather than law.

New York State

Policy

NY lawmakers near deal on climate change

The state Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are on the brink of finalizing a deal on landmark climate change legislation that aims to effectively eliminate climate change pollution statewide by 2050. Here’s how the updated bill compares to the original version.

New York State

Personality

Will James Skoufis investigate Andrew Cuomo?

The Senate investigations chairman, James Skoufis, wants to play hardball against the governor.

New York City

Policy

Lawmakers strike sweeping deal on rent regulations

New York state lawmaker announced a sweeping deal on rent regulations that strengthen tenant protections in New York City and neighboring areas, make the laws permanent and expand them upstate.

New York City

Policy

What’s pushing prevailing wage into the 'Big Ugly'

Three ways lawmakers are trying to bridge their differences on a proposed expansion of the prevailing wage.

Immigration

Policy

How driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants would work

The Assembly is expected to vote this week on one of the most controversial legislative issues of the year – a proposal to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

New York State

Policy

Cuomo has delivered for MWBEs. Lawmakers want to go further.

The state Legislature is finalizing a legislative package on state contracting for minority and women-owned businesses.

New York State

Policy

The internal rift over rent regulations

Democratic lawmakers agree they are racing against time to renew New York state rent laws before they expire on June 15. If it doesn’t happen before then, rent regulations could wind up in the “Big Ugly” – and the risk is growing by the day.

New York State

Policy

Stopping sexual harassment, cleaning up Albany, taking on Trump – and more

State lawmakers are tackling a broad range of issues in Albany, including ending sexual harassment, cleaning up Albany and taking on Trump.

New York State

Policy

The under-the-radar infrastructure issues

A few infrastructure measures are on the table, including a renewed push for an economic development database, the perennial battle over the Scaffold Law and a mystery surrounding state capital spending.

New York State

Policy

Who will prevail in New York’s prevailing wage fight?

The prevailing wage bill currently on the table still lacks the support it needs to pass the Senate, according to lawmakers.

New York State

Policy

Cuomo’s charter school dilemma

The current cap on charter schools permits 460 to open statewide, but there are no remaining slots reserved for New York City. Though 99 more charters could still open statewide, charter school supporters are pushing to raise the cap this year to continue the industry’s growth downstate.

New York City

Politics

Three takeaways from the new Netflix documentary about AOC

Ever since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated then-Representative Joe Crowley, political observers have been trying to figure out how. Luckily for everyone else, there was a film crew tracking her story. Here is what “Knock Down the House” shows about the secret of her success.