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Amid Democratic Outcry Over LaSalle, Hochul Turned to Republicans
The governor’s team coordinated meetings between her failed chief judge nominee and Senate Republicans in the days before a key committee vote, emails show.
June 2, 2023
Hochul Inches Toward Health Insurance for Undocumented Immigrants
While the governor awaits guidance from the federal government, thousands of undocumented New Yorkers can’t afford to go to the doctor.
May 19, 2023
Half a Billion in the Bank — And Next to No One in the Stands
At Belmont Park’s opening day, local brass celebrated a windfall of state cash. Hardly any fans showed up.
May 8, 2023
New York’s Minimum Wage Hike Has a Big Catch
New York tied its minimum wage to inflation — but exceptions in Governor Hochul’s plan will likely cancel wage increases in many years.
May 5, 2023
Housing Nixed in Latest Budget Talks
“It’s done. It’s not happening,” an Assembly source told New York Focus. Lawmakers are poised to reject measures to boost housing supply and protect renters.
April 20, 2023
A New Liberal Era for New York’s Highest Court?
The confirmations of Rowan Wilson and Caitlin Halligan may reverse the Court of Appeals’ rightward trend.
April 19, 2023
The State Assembly Is Foreclosing Hochul’s Housing Supply Plan
Democratic Assembly leaders refused to entertain the governor’s primary tactic to achieve housing growth and affordability.
April 18, 2023
Hochul Nominates Liberal Rowan Wilson for Chief Judge
As the governor negotiates the state budget with a legislature that rejected her last chief judge pick, she has selected a sitting liberal to lead the Court of Appeals.
April 10, 2023
Judge Who Censored The New York Times on Behalf of Project Veritas Seeks New Term as a Democrat
As Westchester Democrats weigh whether to endorse the former Republican, the party chair calls his critics a “lynch mob.”
April 5, 2023
New Chief Judge Shortlist Features Previously Excluded Liberal Judges
Hochul has a month to nominate one of the seven candidates to be New York’s next chief judge, after the state Senate rejected her first pick last month.
March 24, 2023
Albany to Suburbs: We’ll Pay You to Build Housing. Suburbs to Albany: No Thanks
Mayors said they aren’t interested in state grants to expand housing. “You can’t dig a hole in the ground for that kind of money,” one told New York Focus.
March 23, 2023
Lawmakers Aren’t Sure Their Own Plan to Build More Housing Will Work
The legislature signed on to Hochul’s goal of 800,000 new homes. But they aren’t confident their plan can get there.
March 20, 2023
The New Belmont Park Could Become the Country’s Deadliest Track for Horses
Dozens of horses die at the Long Island track each year. Governor Hochul — and now the state legislature — want to give it a state-funded renovation.
March 14, 2023
Can Half a Billion Dollars Save New York Horse Racing? We Spoke With the Man Who Says Yes.
A conversation with consultant Shuprotim Bhaumik, whose firm wrote a study arguing that New York state can revitalize the failing horse racing industry by funding a $455 million track renovation.
March 1, 2023
Hochul Projects Horse Racing Renaissance, Declines to Share Evidence
Hochul says it “goes without saying” that a taxpayer-funded track renovation will bring jobs and boost attendance. Her proof: an industry-commissioned study that she refuses to release.
February 22, 2023
Hector LaSalle’s Chief Judge Shot Ends With Historic Rejection by State Senate
The surprise vote was a stinging rebuke to Governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed aggressively for LaSalle’s confirmation.
February 15, 2023
Hochul Ditched Promise of Health Insurance for Undocumented People. She Could Cost New York $500 Million.
The move will leave tens of thousands of undocumented New Yorkers uninsured.
February 9, 2023
Kathy Hochul Bets Half a Billion on Horse Racing. Will the Industry Pay Her Back?
New York’s biggest racetracks have been declining for decades. They’ll likely need more state subsidies to cover their debts.
February 7, 2023
How Hochul Plans to Build Hundreds of Thousands of Homes Near Train Stations
The governor’s proposal for “transit-oriented development” has so far gotten a mixed reception from suburban legislators, who killed a similar plan last year.
February 2, 2023
Hector LaSalle Faces Senate Judiciary Hearing: Live Updates
Governor Kathy Hochul’s embattled pick faces steep odds in the legislature — if Senate leaders choose to bring his nomination to a floor vote. Follow along for updates on his Judiciary Committee hearing.
January 18, 2023