New York State

Budget

New York finally settles Foundation Aid debate (for now)

The final budget includes tweaks to Foundation Aid, the byzantine formula that the state uses to allocate education funding to school districts.

Policy

Lawmakers succeed in watering down Hochul’s proposed discovery changes

The governor still got legislative leaders to agree to rollbacks to the 2019 reforms, but it wasn’t exactly what she had proposed.

Policy

Four-year pilot program for housing vouchers included in final state budget

The governor and Legislature had previously agreed to a two-year pilot for the Housing Access Voucher Program, but the final budget includes a four-year pilot program.

Policy

Plastic packaging reduction bill once again a post-budget priority

Environmental advocates are hoping to get the legislation meant to reduce single-use plastics over the finish line after almost accomplishing it last year.

Policy

It’s finally happening! The Legislature has started printing budget bills

The first three budget bills were released late Tuesday night, over a month after the state budget was due.

News & Politics

How will Canada’s new prime minister affect New York?

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has a mandate to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on our northern neighbor – and New York could be caught in the middle.

LGBTQ+

Senate committee advances GOP anti-trans bill

Three Democrats joined with Republicans to advance a bill that would allow schools to ban trans girls from participating in women’s sports, though the bill is unlikely to pass the full Senate.

Policy

Hochul to get expanded authority to make midyear budget cuts

With financial turmoil on the horizon promising a recession, legislators have agreed to allow the governor to recommend cuts they would still need to approve.

Budget

Will the state budget deliver on Hochul’s affordability promises?

Many of the governor’s marquee affordability proposals look likely to make it into the final version of the budget, which could help Hochul as she runs for reelection.

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Events

Shaping the future of New York’s state’s affordable housing

City & State’s upcoming 2025 Affordable Housing Forum features keynote speaker RuthAnne Visnauskas of New York State Homes and Community Renewal and three panel discussions.

Budget

It's official: This year's budget is the latest in 15 years

Gov. Kathy Hochul is presiding over the most tardy budget since 2010 – breaking the previous record she set in 2023.

Policy

Hochul wants condos in exchange for HAVP

The governor agreed to a two-year pilot for a popular rental voucher program, but not without getting something in return.

Albany Agenda

Proposed law would let City Council remove NYC mayor

Currently, the governor has the power to remove the mayor, but the City Council does not.

Opinion

Opinion: New York For All promotes public safety and protects families

As a state that prides itself on diversity and justice, New York must live up to its values by enacting fundamental protections for immigrant communities.

Education

School districts fret over potential changes to Foundation Aid in state budget

It’s still unclear how the state budget will tweak the Foundation Aid formula for school funding, which is a problem for school districts that are currently drawing up their own budgets.