A photo of Chris Bragg.
Authors
Chris Bragg

Chris Bragg is the Albany bureau chief at New York Focus. He has done investigative reporting on New York government and politics since 2009, most recently at The Buffalo News and Albany Times Union.

A photo of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie walking towards the camera while looking off to the side.
Plastics Bill Died in Assembly After Blitz By Lobbyists With Ties to Heastie

A lobbyist who has been romantically linked to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie led a rally opposing the legislation a week before the speaker declined to bring it to a vote.

June 11, 2026
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman
Super PAC Forms to Boost Bruce Blakeman, Hochul’s Republican Challenger

Millions in outside spending was a boon to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2022 opponent, Lee Zeldin, and influenced down-ballot races.

June 8, 2026
A black and white photo of the New York state Capitol Buildling over a yellow-tinted background.
Bill Stalled in Assembly Could Determine Fate of Hundreds of Sexual Assault Cases

The legislation would make it easier for currently and formerly incarcerated people and child victims to sue the state over allegations of past abuse.

June 5, 2026
A diptych of two photos: a DoorDash delivery worker and a photo of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
DoorDash Starts Super PAC to Repel Progressive Challengers to Assembly Incumbents

Also: Michael Bloomberg gives $1.5 million to a pro-charter school group.

May 14, 2026
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli speaks at a podium, gesticulating with his hands.
Pension Fund Litigators Donated Heavily to New York Comptroller’s Campaign

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Democratic primary opponents say they’d refuse law firm donations if elected.

May 8, 2026
Hochul Avoids Campaign Matching Funds — and a Fundraiser Disclosure Rule

Also: A super PAC targets Democratic Socialists.

April 28, 2026
Senator Jamaal Bailey
Five Takeaways From Our Reporting on the Bronx Democratic Party

The Bronx Democratic Party is gaining power. So is a consulting firm tied to its chair.

April 15, 2026
As the Bronx Democratic Party’s Clout Grows, So Does Its Bottom Line

The party collected record-breaking gifts from Airbnb and Uber, while party operatives lobbied Bronx lawmakers.

April 13, 2026
Photo Steven Fulop
Business Group Fighting Tax Hikes Shields Information About Funders

Using an exemption to a 2012 law, the Partnership for New York City has revealed the names of donors to its political arm, but not the amount each gave.

April 1, 2026
Legislators Push for Stronger Safety Net but Stop Short of Restoring Benefits

Senate and Assembly budget proposals would leave New Yorkers at risk of losing their benefits from federal cuts.

March 11, 2026
How a Fee To Fight Insurance Fraud Became a Cash Cow for Police

Critics say the $10 annual fees state drivers pay to fight car insurance theft and fraud aren’t being used as intended.

March 11, 2026
How New York’s Court System Intertwines With Party Politics

A foreclosure case in Brooklyn highlights ties between the courts and political party clubhouses.

February 6, 2026
For Sale: Brooklyn Five-Bedroom. Price: $100

New York Focus identified more than a thousand cases where a disputed interest formula increased a home’s bidding price at auction, allowing a bank to obtain it for a pittance.

February 5, 2026
Photo of uber lit up in windshield
Uber Pours $3M Into New Election Spending Group Poised to Back Hochul

The move came weeks after Hochul proposed measures to lower the cost of auto insurance.

February 3, 2026
Times Square at night
Broadway Bigwigs Donated Heavily to Hochul Before Proposed Tax Credit Expansion

The governor’s campaign got an influx of donations from theater producers as its trade group lobbied her office to “enhance” the credit.

January 22, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul in a meeting
As She Raises Millions, Hochul Isn’t Saying Who She’s Meeting With

The governor’s meeting logs are 15 months out of date, and she won’t release her calendar.

January 20, 2026
Hochul Stands by Her Plan to Avoid Tax Hikes: State of the State 2026

A boom year on Wall Street may help offset federal cuts — for now.

January 14, 2026
Photo collage of a desk with a notepad and voice recorder in a newsroom.
Hochul Pushes to Narrow Domestic Violence ‘Coerced Debt’ Bill

Eleventh-hour negotiations could decide the fate of legislation to make it easier for survivors to cancel debt caused by their abuse.

December 19, 2025
Hochul May Veto Bill to Protect LLC Transparency Act from Trump

The governor is poised to veto a bill to insulate a business transparency law from federal shifts, according to the bill’s sponsor.

December 17, 2025
State Senator Vows to Tackle Foreclosure ‘Injustice’ After NY Focus-Gothamist Investigation

In response to reporting by New York Focus and Gothamist, State Senator Zellnor Myrie has introduced a bill to standardize debt calculations.

December 4, 2025
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