Topics New York State
New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli Warns Private Equity Against Union Busting

Letters show how the state’s pension funds are enforcing new labor standards for private equity.

Julia Rock   ·   June 23, 2025
Cuomo Tried to Stop a $550 Million Debt Scam. It Didn’t Go as Planned.

As Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo put fraudulent debt collection firms on notice. He may have strengthened their hand.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 22, 2025
How the Clock Ran Out on One of Albany’s Biggest Environmental Bills

Wrangling over a major bill to cut packaging waste continued until the final hours of the legislative session, assemblymembers said.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   June 19, 2025
She Says She Was Sexually Abused in New York Prisons. Now She’s Fighting the State From Her Hospital Bed

Sierra Johnson is one of nearly 1,600 women who filed claims under the Adult Survivors Act alleging sexual abuse in state prisons.

Jessy Edwards   ·   June 19, 2025
New York Owes $20 Billion in Lost Cash. An Upstart Challenger Says He’ll Give It All Back.

Drew Warshaw is taking on Comptroller Tom DiNapoli with a pledge to repay the entire pot of unclaimed funds as soon as ‘humanly possible.’

Chris Bragg   ·   June 18, 2025
Albany Capitol superimposed over 100 dollar bill money printer
Here’s How to Check If You’re Owed Money in New York

New York is sitting on a $20 billion pot of unclaimed money, and some of it might be yours. Here’s how to see if you’re on the list.

Chris Bragg   ·   June 18, 2025
Photo collage of a transparent yellow SNAP card over the black and white produce section of a grocery store.
Could A Lawsuit Finally Spur New York into Action on Food Stamp Theft?

The state has left defrauded food stamp recipients to fend for themselves. Internal agency emails point to a long-simmering effort riddled with delays.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 17, 2025
State Legislative Leaders Pass Last-Minute Prison Oversight Package

The bill package will now head to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk, and she could either sign, veto, or scale it back through amendments to the legislation.

Chris Gelardi   ·   June 13, 2025
5 Key Takeaways From Our Investigation Into Health Insurer Leading Edge Administrators

The little-known company recently won a huge taxpayer-funded contract. It has a record of not paying doctors and leaving patients on the hook for the bills.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 13, 2025
Lobbyists ‘Deploy’ to Stop Sovereign Debt Reform Bill

Four lobbying groups representing Wall Street firms are trying to block the bill from passing in the final days of the legislative session.

Julia Rock and Chris Bragg   ·   June 12, 2025
This ‘Best-Kept Secret’ in Health Care Can Shave Down Your Medical Debt

Nonprofit hospitals are required to help those struggling with medical debt, but critics say their policies are poorly advertised and underutilized.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 12, 2025
A warped image of the New York State DCJS logo.
New York Police Agencies Train Officers on a Discredited Medical Condition. Legislators Are Trying to Ban It.

Documents show that six county sheriffs’ offices and two state agencies have recently included excited delirium in their training.

Chris Gelardi   ·   June 11, 2025
Need Help Paying Medical Bills? Here’s How Charity Care Works in New York.

Learn the income thresholds, deadlines, and free support services that help New Yorkers shave down or sometimes completely erase medical debt.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   June 11, 2025
New York Focus Honored for Coverage of Prison System

The Legislative Correspondents Alumni Association recognized Chris Gelardi with its award for the year’s best state government reporting — the second year in a row that Focus has earned the honor.

New York Focus   ·   June 10, 2025
State Assemblymember Claire Valdez speaks at a rally in front of people holding a banner that reads "NY Renews."
Hochul Paused Carbon Pricing to Get More Feedback — But Hasn’t Asked for Any

State officials said they needed more time for “stakeholder engagement” on cap and invest. But groups involved with the program have gotten crickets.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   June 6, 2025
A Powerful Bronx Politician Dines on Developers’ Double Donations

An expert calls the six-figure haul “extraordinary” for an unpaid party seat whose powers are picking judges, poll workers, and party officers.

Chris Bragg   ·   June 5, 2025
National flags against the NY state capitol.
Amid Global Debt Crisis, Albany Advances Bill to Rein In Hedge Funds Suing Poor Countries

Half of sovereign bonds are issued under New York state law, giving Albany lawmakers the power to shape how countries around the world face off with creditors.

Julia Rock and Colin Kinniburgh   ·   June 4, 2025
Illustration of Alex Bores speaking at a press conference.
Why New York Judges Are Fighting a Major Plan to Fix Court Backlogs

As courts buckle under hundreds of thousands of unresolved cases, a quiet fight is erupting in Albany over how — and where — to add more judges.

Chris Bragg   ·   May 30, 2025
Small Towns, Big Stakes: How Medicaid Cuts Threaten Health Care in the Adirondacks

From nursing homes to Planned Parenthood clinics, rural health care in Upstate New York could collapse under proposed Republican budget changes.

Clara Hemphill   ·   May 29, 2025
Senator Monica Martinez (left) and Assemblymember Chantel Jackson (right) in an illustration showing legislative text and logos in the background
As Albany Debates Plastics Crackdown, Industry Pushes Softer Alternative

The chemical industry is pushing to replace a sweeping plastics bill with a more business-friendly alternative.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   May 29, 2025