A Law Hasn’t Fixed Solitary Confinement in New York. Can a Lawsuit?

A new legal challenge takes aim at the New York prison department for locking hundreds of people up in solitary over offenses that should be exempt.

Chris Gelardi   ·   April 7, 2023

New York City Pensions to Divest Future Private Equity Holdings From Fossil Fuels

Comptroller Brad Lander is scrutinizing the climate impacts of private equity investments — an area his counterpart in Albany has yet to address.

Lilah Burke   ·   April 6, 2023

Judge Who Censored The New York Times on Behalf of Project Veritas Seeks New Term as a Democrat

As Westchester Democrats weigh whether to endorse the former Republican, the party chair calls his critics a “lynch mob.”

Sam Mellins   ·   April 5, 2023

Hochul Throws Climate ‘Grenade’ Into Budget Talks

Last-minute legislation would transform New York’s climate law, allowing significantly higher emissions over the next decade.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   April 4, 2023

Hochul Has a New Bail Proposal. It’s a Lot Like Her Old One.

With budget talks at a stalemate, Hochul offered the legislature new draft language on bail. It would accomplish largely the same result as her previous plan: a dramatic expansion in judges’ ability to set bail.

Chris Gelardi   ·   March 31, 2023

Hochul Quietly Bets on Police to Battle Fentanyl

The governor buried policies in her budget proposal that would give police and prosecutors more leverage over people with opioid addictions.

Spencer Norris   ·   March 30, 2023

Whatever Happened to New York’s School Facial Recognition Ban?

In 2020, New York became the first state to ban biometric technology from schools. But administrators are still seeking “face analytics” tools and other gray-area tech — with scant guidance from the state.

Rebecca Heilweil   ·   March 28, 2023

Inside the Fossil Fuel Industry’s ‘Existential’ Battle Against New York’s Climate Plan

Deceptive Facebook ads, hundreds of thousands of mailers to customers, six-figure lobbying campaigns — here’s how fossil fuel companies are fighting to keep electrification at bay.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   March 27, 2023

New Chief Judge Shortlist Features Previously Excluded Liberal Judges

Hochul has a month to nominate one of the seven candidates to be New York’s next chief judge, after the state Senate rejected her first pick last month.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 24, 2023

Albany to Suburbs: We’ll Pay You to Build Housing. Suburbs to Albany: No Thanks

Mayors said they aren’t interested in state grants to expand housing. “You can’t dig a hole in the ground for that kind of money,” one told New York Focus.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 23, 2023

Lawmakers Aren’t Sure Their Own Plan to Build More Housing Will Work

The legislature signed on to Hochul’s goal of 800,000 new homes. But they aren’t confident their plan can get there.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 20, 2023

Here’s Your Guide to the 2023 State Budget Fight

We added up the governor and the legislature’s joint priorities and broke down their major divisions. The splits will define the year’s big legislative battles.

New York Focus   ·   March 16, 2023

Fossil Fuel Companies Enlist Customers to Fight New York’s Climate Law

National Fuel urged customers to oppose a gas appliance ban. It’s just one strategy in the fossil fuel industry’s mounting offensive against climate action.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   March 7, 2023

Prison Department Writes Its Way Out of Following Solitary Confinement Law — Again

After months of ignoring reforms, the corrections department published new rules. They look a lot like the old rules.

Chris Gelardi   ·   March 6, 2023

Can Half a Billion Dollars Save New York Horse Racing? We Spoke With the Man Who Says Yes.

A conversation with consultant Shuprotim Bhaumik, whose firm wrote a study arguing that New York state can revitalize the failing horse racing industry by funding a $455 million track renovation.

Sam Mellins   ·   March 1, 2023

Meet the Top Private Earners Among New York Lawmakers

A handful of state legislators made far more from second jobs than they did representing their constituents, a New York Focus analysis found. Find your rep in our database.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   March 1, 2023

Hochul Calls for Rail Safety Regulations — After Vetoing Keystone Rail Safety Bill

In December, the governor vetoed legislation requiring freight trains to be staffed with at least two crew members. Rail workers say it’s a bare minimum for safety.

Julia Rock   ·   February 28, 2023

Hochul’s Budget Pads Prosecution Funding Without Match for Public Defense

The governor proposed an outsized boost worth tens of millions for prosecutors — drawing comparisons to New York’s history of public defense neglect.

Chris Gelardi   ·   February 27, 2023

For Scandal-Plagued For-Profit Colleges, No State Is More Welcoming Than New York

As ASA College prepares to shut its doors after years of controversy, New York continues to shell out tuition subsidies to for-profit colleges — at rates higher than any other state.

Lilah Burke   ·   February 23, 2023

Hochul Projects Horse Racing Renaissance, Declines to Share Evidence

Hochul says it “goes without saying” that a taxpayer-funded track renovation will bring jobs and boost attendance. Her proof: an industry-commissioned study that she refuses to release.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 22, 2023