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Inside New York’s Grueling Parole Application Process

As legislators consider reforms to New York’s parole system, former prison officials and incarcerated people describe the barriers to parole release.

Asher Stockler   ·   June 7, 2021
Progressives Mobilize to Block Cuomo’s Tough-on-Crime Pick For Highest NY Court

Madeline Singas, a close Cuomo ally, has been a prominent opponent of criminal justice reforms and has taken a punitive approach as Nassau County DA, defenders say.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 4, 2021
Anticipating Pushback From Finance, Enviros Move to Regulate Energy-Intensive Crypto Mining

Founded by a major Cuomo donor, Renaissance Technologies is set to become a stakeholder in upstate mining operation that touched off backlash against Bitcoin.

Peter Mantius   ·   June 1, 2021
How New York State Let Covid-19 Run Rampant in Prisons

The state failed to protect people in prison from the virus, then obscured the full scope of the crisis.

Akash Mehta   ·   May 26, 2021
Inside the chemical lobby’s unusual campaign to protect the fire retardant business

Chemical industry lobbyists are aggressively fighting a bill that would ban the use of toxic flame retardants—including by placing stories in local news outlets with quotes from a tenant organizer who says she didn’t speak to them.

Lee Harris   ·   May 22, 2021
The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act Gets A Slow Start

Two years after New York enacted a high-profile law to reduce prison sentences for domestic violence survivors, few survivors have seen much benefit.

Tamara Kamis and Emma Rose   ·   May 7, 2021
Two years after passing a landmark climate law, New York has no plan to fund it

Governor Cuomo just approved the largest budget in New York history — and it has virtually no new funding to help meet the goals in New York’s landmark climate law.

Lee Harris   ·   April 30, 2021
Why Is New York Still Taxing Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployed New Yorkers are receiving surprise tax bills. Republican legislators joined with progressive Democrats to move to waive taxes on benefits, following the lead of most other states and the federal government.

Daniel Moritz-Rabson   ·   April 29, 2021
Gas plant in Newburgh tests limits of NY’s landmark climate law

Can New York meet its emissions goals if it green-lights more fossil fuel infrastructure? A proposal to rebuild a fracked-gas plant will set the precedent.

Lee Harris   ·   April 22, 2021
A New Threat to New York’s Clean Energy Goals: Bitcoin Mining

A Finger Lakes power plant plans to ramp up energy-intensive Bitcoin mining. If the state allows it to proceed, environmentalists warn dozens of fossil-fueled plants could follow.

Peter Mantius   ·   April 13, 2021
What Made It Into the Budget — And What Was Left Out

The major provisions of New York’s 2021 budget.

Akash Mehta, Sam Mellins and Lee Harris   ·   April 7, 2021
Homelessness Priorities Won’t Make the State Budget, Lawmakers and Advocates Say

“A year from now, this money will still be in the hands of Governor Cuomo, unused - and that’s exactly what he wants.”

Akash Mehta   ·   April 3, 2021
“A byzantine and high-bar system”: Governor pushes to saddle undocumented workers fund with documentation requirements

State lawmakers and workers’ rights advocates warned that burdensome proof-of-employment requirements may mean the funds go unspent.

Lee Harris   ·   April 2, 2021
Will New York’s Rent Relief Program Address The Problems that Hobbled The Last One?

Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing to impose stringent requirements, according to lawmakers and tenant advocates, that could delay and decrease aid.

Akash Mehta   ·   April 2, 2021
Where are the Safe Injection Facilities Cuomo Promised for New York?

He committed three years ago to supporting safe injection sites for drug users — then reversed course, activists say. Now, they see a new chance to pressure the embattled governor.

Lee Harris   ·   March 30, 2021
Legislature Seeks to End “Arbitrary Limit” on Medicaid Spending

A 2011 rule prevents New York from adequately funding Medicaid, advocates say. This year’s budget could see it repealed.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 29, 2021
Will Rental Vouchers to Prevent Homelessness Make the State Budget?

The legislature is pushing for a statewide rental assistance program that advocates say would be one the largest efforts to combat homelessness in recent memory.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   March 29, 2021
New York’s biggest climate problem—and opportunity

Buildings may be New York’s top source of emissions. The state should follow the city’s lead in cleaning them up.

Pete Sikora   ·   March 27, 2021
In an Upstate Jail, Incarcerated People Struggle to Access Promised Addiction Treatment

In 2019, Broome County promised an addiction treatment program in its jail. Two years later, the program is a “farce,” one advocate said.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 26, 2021
Records Reveal New York’s Growing Mountain of Water Debt

Advocates are pushing the legislature to extend and strengthen a moratorium on water shutoffs set to expire at the end of the month.

Julia Rock   ·   March 17, 2021
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