After years of studies and planning, New York finally appears poised to move ahead with its biggest effort to fund the state’s green transition. Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to unveil the program, dubbed “cap and invest,” next week as part of her 2025 agenda, and it could take effect as soon as the end of this year.

So what is it?

The Reporters’ Notebook features bite-sized stories and updates from New York Focus reporters on the topics they cover. It’s our way of keeping readers updated about the subjects they care about between the time it takes to publish our longer, more in-depth articles.

Our first installment features updates about an increase in New York's greenhouse gas emissions, violence within the state's prison system, and a breakup of two nonprofits over cannabis in NYC.

Here are the major findings from a months-long investigation into what allegedly takes place inside the Queens Supreme Courthouse.