New York’s Excluded Workers Fund is Running Out of Cash
Tens of thousands of undocumented workers could be left out. Advocates are pushing to add more funds.

Update: On October 8th, two days after this article was originally published, the New York State Department of Labor stopped accepting new applications for the Excluded Workers Fund.


This article has been updated to clarify proponents’ estimates of how much expanding the fund to cover all eligible applicants could cost.

The rulings shed light on the leanings of Caitlin Halligan, the court’s newest judge and frequent tie-breaker.
While the United States Supreme Court seeks to restrict the government’s ability to regulate, the New York Court of Appeals is broadening it.
While Hochul considers a bill to pressure state contractors to stop deforestation, the massive food supplier is voicing concerns to her administration.
County and municipal economic development agencies play a key role in New York’s wind and solar buildout — but some say it’s not their job.
A growing local faction is demanding that the IDA be dissolved.
A major wind and solar developer is defecting from industry ranks, arguing the state shouldn’t bail out struggling projects.
Under Roberta Reardon, the agency has recovered less and less of workers’ stolen wages. Meanwhile, staff resign, and replacements lag.
Some counties pay social services workers so little, the people who administer benefits end up applying themselves.
In December, the governor vetoed legislation requiring freight trains to be staffed with at least two crew members. Rail workers say it’s a bare minimum for safety.