The Corporate Lawyer Moonlighting as a New York Assemblymember

Keith Brown makes $142,000 representing his Long Island district — and about half a million representing corporate real estate interests.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   February 21, 2023

Hochul and Senate Clash on Public Power, With Utility Workers on Sidelines

The New York Power Authority manages resources built half a century ago. But a plan to make it the vanguard of clean energy could be hamstrung by labor-environmentalist divisions.

Lee Harris   ·   February 16, 2023

Hector LaSalle’s Chief Judge Shot Ends With Historic Rejection by State Senate

The surprise vote was a stinging rebuke to Governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed aggressively for LaSalle’s confirmation.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 15, 2023

Landfill Fight Tests New Yorkers’ Right to a Healthy Environment

A case challenging High Acres landfill leaves the fate of the so-called “green amendment” with New York’s courts.

Emily Pontecorvo   ·   February 15, 2023

Can Anyone Make New York Prisons Follow Solitary Confinement Law?

A recent hearing was legislators’ chance to have acting prison commissioner Anthony Annucci explain himself. They didn’t make him.

Chris Gelardi   ·   February 13, 2023

Hochul Ditched Promise of Health Insurance for Undocumented People. She Could Cost New York $500 Million.

The move will leave tens of thousands of undocumented New Yorkers uninsured.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 9, 2023

Kathy Hochul Bets Half a Billion on Horse Racing. Will the Industry Pay Her Back?

New York’s biggest racetracks have been declining for decades. They’ll likely need more state subsidies to cover their debts.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 7, 2023

How Hochul Plans to Build Hundreds of Thousands of Homes Near Train Stations

The governor’s proposal for “transit-oriented development” has so far gotten a mixed reception from suburban legislators, who killed a similar plan last year.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 2, 2023

Hochul’s New Bail Reform Plan Would Reverse Decades-Old Protections

Long before 2019, New York law mandated that judges setting bail consider only a person’s likelihood of returning to court. Hochul’s proposal would strip that limit.

Chris Gelardi   ·   February 1, 2023

What Kathy Hochul’s Budget Tells Us About New York’s Cap-and-Invest Plan

And what it doesn’t.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   February 1, 2023

‘Hot Spot’ Cops Killed Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Hochul Wants More in New York.

The controversial units have been responsible for high-profile killings and civil rights abuses in cities nationwide. Hochul doubled their state grant funding in New York — and wants to double it again.

Chris Gelardi   ·   January 30, 2023

NYCHA’s Rehab Push Brought Jobs — Just Not for Its Residents

Under federal law, the public housing agency is required to hire low-income tenants. Records show it has often missed the mark.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   January 25, 2023

Hochul Wants More Police Surveillance. Legislators Want Boundaries.

Legislators are taking aim at a host of police surveillance tools, from undercover social media accounts to facial recognition to aerial drones.

Chris Gelardi   ·   January 24, 2023

The Wall Street Bet Behind Ithaca’s Green New Deal

Big banks and venture capital firms have flirted with the residential energy market for years. Ithaca is giving these lenders a shot with theirs.

Lee Harris   ·   January 23, 2023

Hector LaSalle Faces Senate Judiciary Hearing: Live Updates

Governor Kathy Hochul’s embattled pick faces steep odds in the legislature — if Senate leaders choose to bring his nomination to a floor vote. Follow along for updates on his Judiciary Committee hearing.

Sam Mellins   ·   January 18, 2023

Senate Committee Rejects Hector LaSalle for Chief Judge

The judiciary committee voted Kathy Hochul’s nominee down 10 to nine. Senate Democrats say his candidacy is dead, but Hochul says the full Senate needs to vote.

Sam Mellins   ·   January 18, 2023

The State Police Are Watching Your Social Media

The New York State Police bought social media monitoring programs that have violated platforms’ policies and been used to surveil Black Lives Matter protesters.

Chris Gelardi   ·   January 13, 2023

Kathy Hochul Calls for ‘Cap and Invest’ to Slash Emissions

The idea is winning over skeptics. Will the harmony last when it’s time to hammer out the details?

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   January 11, 2023

As Hochul Makes New Promises in State of the State, Last Year’s Parole Pledge Is Still Waiting

This time last year, Hochul promised to fully staff the parole board. But vacancies have only grown — and went unmentioned in this year’s agenda.

Chris Gelardi and Sam Mellins   ·   January 10, 2023

‘Highly Unlikely’ Hector LaSalle Gets a Floor Vote, Say Senate Democrats

Governor Kathy Hochul maintains that her chief judge nominee will go through a Senate hearing and vote. The Senate Democrats’ spokesperson disagrees.

Sam Mellins   ·   January 6, 2023