Topics Budget
Mamdani and Hochul at a rally together
Mamdani World Readies for Next Year’s Tax-the-Rich Push

City budget gaps and an ambitious affordability agenda may require pressing Albany again for taxes and aid.

Nick Garber   ·   June 17, 2026
The Haggle — a New York Focus breakdown of the state budget
The Haggle

In May, state lawmakers passed a $269 billion budget after haggling for months over thousands of line items and policies affecting New Yorkers.

New York Focus   ·   June 9, 2026
Rows of empty seats watch a horse racing track with a lone harness racer and horse.
Hochul Moves to Protect Horseracing From Casino’s Tax Fight

State leaders are expected to pass a bill that avoids resolving how much Resorts World New York City needs to pay.

Nick Garber   ·   June 3, 2026
Photo of a casino floor with rows of brightly lit video lottery terminals and a single player sitting to the left in front of a terminal.
New York’s Brand-New Casino Is in a $500M+ Fight With the State

Resorts World is floating legislation to avert more than $500 million in payments to the horseracing industry.

Nick Garber   ·   June 1, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul over a yellow-tinted photo of many tall stacks of paper superimposed onto the New York state Capitol.
What’s in the 2026 State Budget? Here’s What To Know.

Our searchable database breaks down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

New York Focus   ·   May 29, 2026
Gove Kathy Hochul at a podium
State Budget Gives Prisons Half-Billion-Dollar Boost While Threatening Oversight Programs

It’s unclear whether the Correctional Association of New York will have to scale back its nascent reform initiatives.

Chris Gelardi   ·   May 28, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in the foreground, with a yellow-tinted photo of a school bus in the background.
NY Budget Brings Historic Child Care Investments — But Not for Its Workforce

Advocates welcomed the additional funding but said it falls short of need and doesn’t do enough to support workers.

Melissa Manno   ·   May 28, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted card explaining New York State of Health's Essential Plan.
No Solution to Health Coverage Cliff in Delayed State Budget

Despite last-ditch efforts by a coalition of lawmakers, the state failed to avert a health coverage cliff coming this summer.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   May 28, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted photo of four smokestacks.
State Budget Thrashes Landmark Climate Law

Governor Kathy Hochul was successful in her bid to upend the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act after legislators caved to finalize an overall budget deal.

Amudalat Ajasa and Nick Garber   ·   May 27, 2026
Photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted photo of New York City.
Mamdani Gets a New York City Bailout, but Not the One He Wanted

Some of the city’s new aid will be canceled out by pension boosts.

Nick Garber   ·   May 27, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in front of a yellow-tinted photo of three new apartment buildings under construction.
New York State Budget Set to Remove Major Barrier to New Housing

A law designed to protect the environment will be partially rolled back to pave the way for much-needed homes.

Sam Mellins   ·   May 27, 2026
A photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul in the foreground, over a yellow-tinted photo of an Oswego Sheriff's car in the background.
Albany Reins in Police Collaboration With ICE but Doesn’t Ban Informal Cooperation

The legislation comes after months of haggling over how best to protect New Yorkers from President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Isabelle Taft   ·   May 22, 2026
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in profile, looks at Governor Kathy Hochul, who looks outwards. The two stand close to each other behind a podium.
Mamdani Declares Victory As Hochul Helps City Close Budget Gap

New York City’s $125 billion executive budget hinges on taxes and cuts whose details are still being worked out in Albany.

Nick Garber   ·   May 12, 2026
Photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Behind them, a huge clock nears midnight, and stacks of papers loom.
Critics Say Messy Budget ‘Deal’ Highlights Bigger Woes

Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that a deal had been reached led to a flurry of recriminations from lawmakers.

Sam Mellins, Nick Garber and Amudalat Ajasa   ·   May 7, 2026
Senator James Skoufis sits at a large, dark desk illuminated by the soft glow of a lamp, speaking on the phone and looking away from the camera. Plaques and awards adorn the wall and desk.
The Young Populist Trying to Redefine the New York Democratic Party — and We Don’t Mean Mamdani

State Senator James Skoufis represents a redder district than almost any other Democrat in Albany.

Julia Rock   ·   May 4, 2026
Immigration Talks Hit Impasse After Hochul’s Latest Proposal

Hochul’s counter would limit informal collusion with ICE only in civil matters.

Liv Veazey and Isabelle Taft   ·   April 29, 2026
The State Budget Is Late. Now Mamdani’s Might Be, Too

The mayor may delay his executive budget proposal while he awaits billions of dollars in potential Albany aid.

Nick Garber   ·   April 25, 2026
Hochul Pushes Mamdani to Slow Spending in Exchange for Aid

The governor has asked for cost-cutting plans on pricey housing vouchers and public school programs, sources say.

Nick Garber   ·   April 16, 2026
How the New York State Budget Works

We answer your questions on the state’s notoriously opaque budget process.

Sam Mellins   ·   April 15, 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.

Chris Bragg   ·   April 15, 2026
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