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The New York State Assembly Chamber. Photo: Wadester16 / Flickr | Illustration: New York Focus
Much of Albany’s lawmaking process is controlled by a platoon of mostly young, low-paid employees who craft policy ideas into potential laws. And they’re turning over in droves.
By Sam Mellins

As negotiations over the state budget reach a fever pitch in March, a visitor to the New York State Assembly offices might see something surprising: cots and sleeping bags.

They’re evidence of a work culture that former Assembly employees say is punishing, all-consuming, and low-paying.

“My kids would call me crying and say, ‘When are we going to see you?’” one former Assembly staffer said. (New York Focus granted this staffer and others quoted in this story anonymity to avoid retaliation from their current employers.)

 
New York Focus traveled to Rochester, Albany, Potsdam and Syracuse to gather information from local communities about the local news landscape of New York. Photos: Marke Anderson, Courtney Staton, Charlie Teich and Mike Greenlar | Collage: New York Focus
New York Focus traveled across the state to meet with communities about their local news needs.
By Alex Arriaga and Kate Harloe

With generous support from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, we set out to answer this question. Between the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024, New York Focus traveled to cities like Rochester, Albany, Potsdam, and Syracuse to gather information from local communities and media partners to understand the local news landscape of New York. Read our full report.

Mei Zhen Xiao worked nonstop for a few days each week caring for an elderly woman. After countless 24-hour shifts, she collapsed.

Focus reporter Julia Rock joined Radio Catskill to talk about why Xiao and other New York home care workers are suing insurance companies.

 

Recent Stories

 
 
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro diverted highway funding to public transit. Hochul has so far declined to take that move. Images: Offices of Governors Kathy Hochul, Josh Shapiro | Illustration: New York Focus
New York has a little-noticed tool to shift billions of highway dollars to climate-friendly public transit projects. The governor doesn’t seem interested.
By Sam Mellins

The federal government sends states billions of dollars each year to improve and maintain their transportation systems. By default, 80 percent of that money is allocated to highways and 20 percent to mass transit. But that’s not set in stone: Governors can choose to shift up to half of their state’s highway funding to transit instead, a move known as “flexing” the funds. Transit advocates and climate groups have urged governors to make wider use of this power to boost mass transit and reduce the environmentally harmful effects of highway expansion and car use.

 
The Court of Appeals, New York’s top court, meets just down the street from the state Capitol in Albany. Photo: wadester16 / Flickr | Illustration: NY Focus
The state’s top court has the final word on interpreting New York law and has seen dramatic changes in recent years.
By Sam Mellins

New York’s top court, somewhat confusingly known as the Court of Appeals, meets just down the street from the state Capitol in Albany. From its stately Greek Revival building, the court issues rulings that are the final word on state law and the state constitution.

Here’s a short introduction to how the court works and who’s on it.

 

Copyright © New York Focus 2024, All rights reserved.
Staying Focused is compiled and written by Alex Arriaga
Contact Alex at alex@nysfocus.com

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