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Power Industry Quietly Pushes New York to Endorse Non-Renewable Energy

The power industry is pushing a pair of little-noticed proposals that could shift the course of the state’s climate action.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   March 15, 2022
Legislature Likely to Propose Health Coverage But Not Cash Relief for Undocumented New Yorkers, Sources Say

Both chambers are set to release budget proposals that will represent a mixed bag for New York’s undocumented population.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 11, 2022
State Board of Elections Begins Enforcing Campaign Finance Disclosure Laws

The move comes after New York Focus reported on widespread violations of campaign finance law and the Board’s lack of enforcement.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 11, 2022
Parole Reform Squabble Has Left Hundreds Sitting in New York Jails

New York’s prison agency is interpreting key provisions of a landmark parole reform law to keep more people locked up. A lead sponsor of the legislation calls it “appalling.”

Chris Gelardi   ·   March 10, 2022
Senate Holds First-Ever Hearing On Rape in Prison and Jails

Incarcerated survivors face a broken system for reporting abuse, frequent retaliation, and little accountability for staff perpetrators.

Victoria Law   ·   March 9, 2022
Hochul Campaign Donors Blow Past Corporate Contribution Limits

Circumventing a law designed to close the so-called LLC loophole, donors to campaigns across the state are using multiple companies to give far over the $5,000 cap.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 2, 2022
Two Years Into Pandemic, Basic Critiques of Prison Covid Policies Remain Unaddressed

The prison agency has done little to update policies on transparency, masks, social distancing, or vaccination.

Lyra Walsh Fuchs   ·   March 1, 2022
Rural Counties See Dramatic Declines in Family Lawyers, Costing Poor Parents their Kids

In six of eight rural counties, panels of children’s attorneys have lost more than half their lawyers over the past decade.

Tracy Tullis   ·   February 28, 2022
More Than Three Thousand Campaigns Violated Campaign Finance Law. The State Board of Elections Brought Enforcement Actions Against Zero.

Since taking office last July, enforcement counsel Michael Johnson has not taken action against any campaigns that failed to file required campaign finance reports.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 25, 2022
Hochul Proposes Bringing Back Private Prison Labor

Banned for a century, contract labor could return to New York’s prisons.

Lauren Gill   ·   February 23, 2022
State Expansion of Remote Mental Health Care Provides Lifeline for Low-Income New Yorkers

In the first year of the pandemic, four out of five appointments at state-licensed clinics were held virtually—allowing providers to tackle long-standing barriers.

Ethan Geringer-Sameth   ·   February 23, 2022
Despite Ethics Rules, Top Prosecutor Against Bail Reform Has Close Ties to GOP

Orange County DA David Hoovler has repeatedly spoken at Republican Party political events — in apparent violation of the ethics rules of the prosecutors’ association he led.

Rory Fleming   ·   February 18, 2022
Soaring ConEd Bills Add Fuel to Push for Public Power

ConEd customers have seen their electricity bills double or even triple over the past month, and the company just reported over a billion dollars in annual income. Activists say a publicly-owned utility would deliver more affordable power.

Andy Hirschfeld   ·   February 17, 2022
Why Isn’t New York Enforcing Its Nurse Staffing Law?

The state health department has delayed implementing a landmark staffing law, as nurses say they’re overwhelmed and hospitals point to a workforce shortage.

Maxwell Parrott   ·   February 15, 2022
Hochul Leads Pack of Candidates Who Fail to Disclose Sources of Corporate Cash

A 2019 reform following corruption scandals was supposed to cap political donations and unveil the people behind companies giving cash. Records show it hasn’t.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 9, 2022
Zombie Commissioners and Antiquated Structure Pose Hurdles for Parole Reform

Governor Kathy Hochul says she will finally fill vacancies on the state’s parole board, opening the potential to shift from presumptive detention.

Nick Pinto   ·   February 8, 2022
Hochul’s Proposed 421-A Replacement Is In For a Fight, Key Lawmakers Signal

“By April 1, it will be out or modified. It will not be this program,” one legislator predicted.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   February 7, 2022
“They Didn’t Test Anybody”: Jails Across New York Administer Alarmingly Few Tests During Omicron Surge

During the first eight weeks of omicron, only one jail system administered enough tests to screen every incarcerated person even once, a New York Focus analysis found. Most didn’t come close to that rate.

Chris Gelardi   ·   February 2, 2022
The construction industry is booming. Are workers seeing the benefits?

The city’s Department of Housing Preservation & Development continues to work with construction companies that have been found liable for wage theft.

Molly Boigon   ·   January 31, 2022
New York’s Landmark Water Testing Law Hinges on State Health Department

The law leaves key decisions to an agency with a history of dragging its feet on implementing water quality legislation.

Peter Mantius   ·   January 27, 2022