New York NOW

As the legislative session come to a close in the next few weeks, lawmakers and advocates are spending the final days pushing for a slew of policy initiatives they'd like to get passed. One such bill is the Medical Aid in Dying Act. After years of rallying, advocates were happy to see it passed for the first time in the Assembly chamber a few weeks ago. But it's unclear whether or not it will make...

We sit with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to discuss a push for the 21st Century Antitrust Act which would work to increase state regulation on monopolies in the state and Senate Democrats' priorities through the end of the year. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) joins us to unpack the FY '26 state budget, controversial bills in the lower chamber and the pos...

Lawmakers vote on budget bills, finalizing the state budget 38 days after the April 1 deadline, making it the latest budget in more than a decade. State Sen. April Baskin (D—Erie County) discusses pay disparities in the state, legislative actions taken to address the issue, and how she plans on leading the fight for pay equity. We dive into the mental health crisis, policies intended to target som...

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached a general state budget agreement three weeks after the initial deadline. However, state leaders are working on a few outstanding issues, and lawmakers still need to pass budget bills before the final budget can officially be enacted. We unpack the details of the agreement with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and Austin C. Jefferson of City & State....

While the state budget is three weeks late, New York voters seem to back the many policy items that Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to be included in the budget. The governor saw positive job approval and favorability ratings for the first time in over a year. Sanford Berland, executive director of the state commission on ethics and lobbying in government, joins us to discuss the body's plans ahead a...

While the state budget is several days late, a breakthrough on discovery reform have pushed negotiations forward. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie met with five New York City DAs and settled on a deal rooted in compromise. State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Senate Labor Committee Chair) talks state budget progress and a bill meant to stop the state from having to pay federal taxes in the event of cuts from...

It's been over a week since the April 1st deadline and state budget negotiations have stalled because of discovery reform! Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to get paid when the budget is late due to policy. We're joined by Patrick Orecki, director of state studies with the Citizens Budget Commission, to unpack the calls from good government groups for more...

The April 1st budget deadline came and went this week - with leader unable to come to an agreement. We give an update on where negotiations stand. With the threat of federal funding cuts looming, we dive into their impact on budget negotiations and how New York leaders are prepping for those cuts. Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D - Assembly Health Committee Chair) - joins us for an comprehensive disc...

We sit down on with Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson (D - Monroe County) the push for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and other labor priorities in the state budget. President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle the federal education department - potentially putting funding for pell grants in limbo. We unpack the concerns around these cuts and the push to get increased funding for tuit...

The budget "mothership" has landed! State lawmakers convened for the General Budget Conference Committee meeting this week ahead of the April 1st budget deadline. Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D - East Flatbush) joins us to discuss state support for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses. The New York Public News Network is looking at the 5-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. We...

The Assembly and State Senate released their respective one-house budget proposals officially kicking off budget negotiations. We dive into lawmakers' approach to affordability this year - centered around housing, tax credits and wages. State Sen. Kevin Parker (D - Chair, Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee) joins us to discuss the push to help New Yorkers against high utility rates.  ...

Correction Officers across the state are on strike! Officers are calling for a full repeal of the HALT Act while Gov. Kathy Hochul is moving forward with legal proceedings against the officers who don't return to work. There have been increased calls for prison reform in the state following the brutal beating of an incarcerated induvial at the Marcy Correctional Facility a few weeks ago. Assembly...

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. The Federal Department of Justice Secretary Sean Duffy moved to put an end to the congestion pricing program in New York City. In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state would legally challen...

Democratic leaders were expected to move forward with a bill meant to extend state election law to provide more time for the guv to call a special election this week, but the measure was abruptly abandoned the measure before it could come to the debate floor. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins us to discuss election law, budget priorities and affordability in New York State....

This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation meant to protect New Yorker physicians prescribing abortion medication via telehealth. We sit down with State Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) to unpack the telehealth legislation and maternal health. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay joins us to discuss affordability in the state and priorities of the conference this year.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.or...

Hunger Advocates and lawmakers are excited for the inclusion of $340 million in funding for universal school meals as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's executive budget proposal. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition to unpack the legal challenges to the recent federal executive orders on immigration and the role of New York State - amid news of ICE raids and arrests this...

Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her $252 billion executive budget proposal this week with a focus on affordability. We dive unpack the highlights of the budget and reactions from stakeholders. This week, the nation saw the second inauguration of Donald Trump, who hit the ground running singing executive orders. Trump has made immigration a key policy platform. We dive into the state's approach to immig...

Governor Kathy Hochul kicks off the 2025 legislative year with her State of the State address, prioritizing affordability, housing, education, and childcare. She outlines plans for free community college, tax cuts, and expanded childcare access. State Senator Shelley Mayer discusses the Democratic push to safeguard reproductive rights as a second Trump administration prepares to take office. This...

It's a new year - and a new legislative session at the State Capitol! Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers have a long list of priorities to address this year, including affordability, healthcare, and education. Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, and our Elise Kline, unpack the governor's end-of-year action on bills. A deep dive on how the legislative session wor...

2024 was a pivotal year for New York politics. This episode unpacks the state's biggest political stories from the past year, from Governor Hochul's challenges with housing reform and budget delays to federal investigations involving NYC Mayor Eric Adams.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The rise of artificial intelligence has prompted some lawmakers to examine its potential dangers. Assembly Member Alex Bores (D-Murray Hill) joins us to unpack his bills aimed at putting labels on images that may have been manipulated through AI. Eline Kline brings us on a day trip to learn all about the winter festivities and traditions at the state capitol.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of New York State Parks with Commissioner Randy Simons and Chief Diversity Officer Yolanda Bostic Williams. Learn about the All Are Welcome campaign, historic preservation, and efforts to expand accessibility. Plus, take a look at the documentary "From Land to Legacy," detailing the rich history and impact of these parks for future generations.   EXPLORE MORE: nyn...

Climate change policy has a long history. Assembly Member Anna Kelles joins us to discuss legislative measures in Albany to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and hold industry polluters accountable. Climate experts express concerns about the state’s progress in implementing one policy in particular: the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. We investigate why the state is lagging behind i...

Learn about plans to modernize the Foundation Aid formula, address funding uncertainties tied to federal education policy, and implement statewide cell phone policies in schools. Discover NY’s plan to combat rising thefts with serial numbers and new regulations backed by law enforcement and the scrap metal industry.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Congestion Pricing is back! This week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new congestion pricing plan in New York City set to begin in January. New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang joins us to unpack the work of the office, including a report calling on the state department of correction and community supervision to modernize its record-keeping practices to comply with the HALT Act. It's been ove...