New York NOW

Longtime New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is facing primary challengers for the first time in almost two decades, David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and Dan Clark, of the Times Union, dive into the dynamics of the race and position of the candidates. State lawmakers and hunger advocates have been pushing for the Fresh Communities Act - a bill meant to improve access to fresh p...

With the state budget still delayed, Gov. Kathy Hochul's controversial auto insurance proposal is one of the major sticking points in negotiations. Streetsblog NYC's Austin Jefferson joins us to discuss the governor's proposal, the lobbying efforts both for & against it, and how negotiations are developing. Last year's state budget included $25 million for abortion provider services across the...

In the latest budget development, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a property tax on New York City homes worth more than $5 million that serve as a secondary properties for out of town owners. David Lombardo, of WCNY's the Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO's Marie French dive into the ongoing conversations around energy, gas emissions and the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Ac...

New York state lawmakers were at the capitol briefly this week for an unscheduled session day to pass a second extender for the state budget. State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris spoke with us about his decision to leave the state legislature and his legacy in the upper chamber. Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBEs) across the state are sounding the alarm over the loss of fed...

New York executive and legislative leaders blow past April 1st budget deadline. Negotiations are still underway for the state's budget and the governor has signed an extender (possible one of many) to push the deadline. We dive into one of the most pertinent issues for the budget: increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and why state lawmakers as well as advocates are pushing for the policy this ye...

It's budget season at the state capitol! While an on-time state budget seems unlikely, negotiations between state leaders are underway. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins us to discuss the upper chamber's one-house budget resolution, increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and democratic priorities ahead.  A few weeks ago, State Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh (D-Lower Ma...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rollbacks to drinking water standards for PFAS Chemicals. We dive into state lawmakers' proposals to strengthen regulations in New York and the push for increased clean water funding. The State Senate Women's Issues Committee Chair Lea Webb (D-Binghamton) unpacks legislative priorities around maternal mortality and reproductive access.   EXPLOR...

The state Legislature unveiled its one-house budget resolutions in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul's FY'27 executive budget proposal. We dive into the legislature's priorities with Kate Lisa, of City and State New York, and Samuel King, of WXXI and the NYPNN. State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) unpacks funding for healthcare priorities in this years budget, the CDPAP transit...

For years, environmental advocates and lawmakers have been pushing for a measure that would aim to reduce plastic waste in the state called the packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act. We dive into the latest updates with the bill and the support around it. SUNY Chancellor John B. King joins us to discuss higher education state funding. The SUNY Board of Trustees estimates about $10 b...

Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a 1.7% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase for non profits supporting the human services sector. Advocates say the rising cost of inflation requires at least a 2.7% COLA increase. Bill Gettman, CEO of Northern Rivers Family of Services, unpacks the issue with us. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - Capital Region) joins us to discuss the latest with the $400 million in fu...

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on  your local PBS member station , or watch  on YouTube ,  Facebook , or using the  free PBS app  anytime after Friday. A  podcast version  is available wherever you normally get podcasts. One in four adults in New York are experiencing food insecurity. With the threat of federal funding cuts to food assistance programs, the governor and state legisla...

New York Republicans have nominated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to challenge democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in November. We sit down with Assembly Member Charles Lavine (D - 13th Assembly District, Long Island) to discuss a bill that would grant the state legislature equal power to the executive chamber during the state budget process. Immigration is a prime issue for the govern...

Gov. Kathy Hochul officially announced her running mate in her reelection bid for governor: former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (D - Central Brooklyn) discussed his legislative priorities for the year - from protecting New Yorkers homeowners to faith-based housing and securing funding for SUNY Downstate. New York State Office of Addiction Services a...

On this week's edition -- After a major winter storm briefly delayed the start of session this week, public hearings for the FY'27 Executive Budget Proposal officially began at the capitol. New York State Budget Director Blake Washington joins us to discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's FY'27 Executive Budget Proposal and the impact of federal funding. We dive into the priorities of newly elected New York C...

Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her FY '27 executive budget proposal this week. We dive into the big takeaways from the announcement - from funding for universal childcare to the financial health of the state. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D - Brooklyn) breaks down the legislature's priorities around artificial intelligence and protecting kids online.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her 2026 State of the State Address with a focus on affordability for New Yorkers. We dive into the reaction and rebuttals to the governor's address from lawmakers and political stakeholders. POLITICO's Jason Beeferman and Newsday's Keshia Clukey join us to provide political analysis on the major aspects of the address.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Governor Kathy Hochul delivers her 2026 State of the State address, outlining priorities in affordability, child care, public safety, housing, energy, and education. New York Now offers live coverage and expert analysis of political strategy, policy proposals, and what lawmakers and voters can expect next.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

This episode reviews the start of New York's new legislative session, where leaders addressed federal funding cuts and affordability challenges. Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled proposals to protect students online, curb 3D-printed and illegal firearms, and advance universal child care. The show also marks the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack, featuring State Senator John Liu discussing his...

It's been quite the eventful year in New York politics - from a competitive mayoral race in New York City to controversial policy items and a late state budget debated at the state Capitol. We'll dive into the headlines that drove the year with POLITICO'S Katelyn Cordero, Bloomberg's Raga Justin and Jimmy Vielkind, of WNYC, Gothamist and the New York Public News Network.   Explore More: nynow.org

Angie Pender-Fox, associate executive director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District, joins us to discuss federal challenges around SNAP benefits and what food insecurity looks like in the state. We dive into the state's winter holiday traditions — from holiday carriage rides and ice skating to musical performances and the world-famous Rockefeller Christmas tree.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on  your local PBS member station , or watch  on YouTube ,  Facebook , or using the  free PBS app  anytime after Friday. A  podcast version  is available wherever you normally get podcasts. With the looming December 31st deadline, Gov. Kathy Hochul has just a few weeks to make a decision on several controversial bills that passed in the state Legislatu...

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to discuss the second class of Empire Service Corps., student retention rates, and federal & state funding. New York was one of the first state to make Thanksgiving a holiday. We dive into the all of the historic thanksgiving facts about the state  - from state proclamations to celebrations at the state museum.   Explore More: nynow.org

We sit down with the NYS Department of Health Commissioner James McDonald to discuss the state's hospice and palliative care system and why utilization is so low. POLITICO's Nick Reisman joins us to discuss the results of the NYC mayoral race.    Learn More: nynow.org

The chief medical officer of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, Dr. June Chin, joins us to unpack the state's approach to medical cannabis and industry growth. An update on the latest news around New York state's election and campaign laws ahead of election day.   Explore More: nynow.org

New York State is celebrating the Erie Canal's bicentennial anniversary. We discuss the history and legacy of the Erie Canal with Rebecca Hughes and Jackie Schillinger of the NYS Canal Corporation. To commemorate the anniversary, the Buffalo Maritime Center has constructed a full-sized replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief to travel on the canal.  We take a trip to one of the tour stops in W...