Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
Legislators and transit riders alike unveiled a series of legislation in both the state Assembly and Senate that would cap the subway fare at $2.75, make the MTA free and improve subway headways. The package of eight bills will be deliberated and sponsors are hopeful it will pass in the […]
About a week ago, I wrote that I might not be writing every week. The key word there is “might.” I like writing. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t do it. I remember as a kid we had this routine. Someone would say something and we might respond, “Well, that’s life.” […]
Governor Kathy Hochul’s favorability and job approval ratings both ticked down this month, according to a new Siena poll released Monday. Hochul has a 46-43 percent favorability rating, down from 48-42 percent last month, and her job approval rating stands at 56-40 percent, compared to 56-36 percent last month. Of […]
Following Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal that could create new charter schools in New York City, a poll commissioned by the state’s largest teachers unions indicates there is little public support for the idea. The poll conducted by Hart Research Associates for the New York State United Teachers and the […]
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, state legislators joined student advocates outside the state Senate chamber to show support for a bill that would create public banks in the state of New York. “I am here with the best people money can’t buy,” said Sen. James Sanders Jr., D-Queens, who chairs […]
On Valentine’s Day, United University Professions leaders and supporters will be in Albany for a day-long lobbying effort called “Love Your SUNY.” SUNY professors, students, staff and supporters are calling for a “fully-invested” SUNY fund in the 2024 FY budget. “The Executive Budget, if enacted, would be a flat budget […]
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa testified before the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday Feb. 8, where she stressed the importance of early childhood education, advanced high school classes and vocational programs. This was the third of the New York State Legislature’s 2023 Joint Budget hearings, which focused on issues […]
On Thursday, Feb. 2 — 24 hours after unveiling her 2024 FY budget — Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, breaking down her $1 billion plan to set an adequate standard of mental health care in New York state. “This is the […]
