Author Archive
Budget
Politics
Fierce debate over standards for religious schools prompted last-minute budget delays
The state Senate and Assembly were split over whether to relax educational standards for yeshivas and other private schools.
Budget
Policy
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
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
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
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.
Budget
Politics
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.
Albany Agenda
Policy
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.
Education
Policy
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.
Budget
Policy
$50 million for housing vouchers is better than nothing
Supporters of the Housing Access Voucher Program are glad to see it finally included in the budget, though they wish Gov. Kathy Hochul had committed more funding to it.
Policy
Policy
Gov. Kathy Hochul announces $254 billion state budget deal
The conceptual deal includes changes to the state’s discovery laws, a ban on phones in schools, a new criminal charge for committing a crime while wearing a mask and new funding for the MTA.
2026 New York gubernatorial election
Politics
Stefanik dominates Lawler and Blakeman in new poll
Nearly half of GOP primary voters favor Rep. Elise Stefanik, while Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman can’t break single digits.
MagazineShow All
News & Politics
Politics
Inside the split between Kathy Hochul and Antonio Delgado
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado finally had enough of being on Team Hochul.
News & Politics
Politics
Lawler booed at raucous Rockland County town hall
The crowd appeared less interested in listening to Rep. Mike Lawler’s answers than in expressing anger about looming cuts to Medicaid and Social Security.
Budget
Policy
Could a stock transfer tax help NYC weather the Trump administration?
Two lawmakers say restoring a five-cent tax on stock trades could help compensate for potential cuts in federal funding.
Cannabis
Policy
Upstate town sees benefits of cannabis tax revenue
Local tax revenue from sales of the once-illegal substance allowed Henritta to hire an additional sheriff’s deputy.
Albany Agenda
Politics
State budget unlikely to be finished before end of month
Will April policy debates bring a May budget deal?
Policy
Policy
Zyn ban falters amid industry backlash
Poppers of “upper deckys” and “babwes” in New York can breathe easy after proposed Zyn ban dies in committee.
Policy
Policy
Should state lawmakers be paid even when the budget is late?
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s proposed legislation highlights how contentious the budget negotiation process has become.
Budget
Policy
State Senate leader: Budget negotiations on ‘pause’
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s inclusion of last-minute policy proposals in the state budget is holding back progress, legislative leaders say.
Health Care
Politics
Mark Cuban to headline 32BJ annual conference
The influential billionaire shares 32BJ’s goal of reducing health care costs.
