New York NOW

Inside the Push to End Qualified Immunity in NY

New York State's budget is now officially six weeks late. We bring updates on where negotiations stand as of this week. Criminal Justice Advocates and State Lawmakers are trying to shore up support for a bill that would end qualified immunity for officers. We unpack the bill's impact from supporters and critics. State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (D - Bronx & Westchester) joins us to discuss a legislative push to establish an alcohol tax to support drug treatment services in the state. The Legislative Correspondent's Association is gearing up for its annual "LCA Show" on May 19th at 8pm in the Convention Center.
 
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“We Have a Deal”… Or Do We? Inside NY’s Budget Dispute

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a "general agreement" for the state's FY27 budget. However, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters there was no deal. We dive into the latest developments on negotiations and where things stand with the remaining budget bills with Newsday's Keshia Clukey and Alex Gault, of NNY360 & The Watertown Daily Times. Assembly Member Landon Dais (D - The Bronx) joins us to discuss the push to establish a New York Census office ahead of the 2030 census and a bill that would move presidential primary elections to Super Tuesday.
 
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NYS Comptroller's Race + Fresh Communities Act

Longtime New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is facing primary challengers for the first time in almost two decades, David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and Dan Clark, of the Times Union, dive into the dynamics of the race and position of the candidates. State lawmakers and hunger advocates have been pushing for the Fresh Communities Act - a bill meant to improve access to fresh produce for grocery stores in underserved communities. We dive into the renewed support for the bill at the Capitol after a veto by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
 
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Will Hochul’s Plan Cut Car Insurance — Or Help Insurers?

With the state budget still delayed, Gov. Kathy Hochul's controversial auto insurance proposal is one of the major sticking points in negotiations. Streetsblog NYC's Austin Jefferson joins us to discuss the governor's proposal, the lobbying efforts both for & against it, and how negotiations are developing. Last year's state budget included $25 million for abortion provider services across the state. Now, one year later, providers say they have not received those funds. We dive into the issues with distribution and the state's role in the delay. We share a segment from WMHT's Aging Together in NY content focused on the importance of determining end of life care for aging adults.
 
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Climate Law Goals + Republican's Complex Position in Albany

In the latest budget development, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a property tax on New York City homes worth more than $5 million that serve as a secondary properties for out of town owners. David Lombardo, of WCNY's the Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO's Marie French dive into the ongoing conversations around energy, gas emissions and the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act at the state capitol. Longtime Assembly Member and Former Republican Minority Leader Will Barclay unpacks his tenure in politics and the complex political positioning of Republicans in the Legislature.
 
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After 30 Years in Albany, Senator Gianaris Says It’s Time

New York state lawmakers were at the capitol briefly this week for an unscheduled session day to pass a second extender for the state budget. State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris spoke with us about his decision to leave the state legislature and his legacy in the upper chamber. Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBEs) across the state are sounding the alarm over the loss of federal funding under President Donald Trump's administration. We dive into what New York lawmakers are proposing to help support these businesses.
 
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New York's Budget Battle and a Historic First in Albany

New York executive and legislative leaders blow past April 1st budget deadline. Negotiations are still underway for the state's budget and the governor has signed an extender (possible one of many) to push the deadline. We dive into one of the most pertinent issues for the budget: increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and why state lawmakers as well as advocates are pushing for the policy this year. Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs joins us to discuss her vision to move New York's Capital city forward and the city's funding requests for the state budget.
 
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New York State Budget Negotiations Underway

It's budget season at the state capitol! While an on-time state budget seems unlikely, negotiations between state leaders are underway. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins us to discuss the upper chamber's one-house budget resolution, increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and democratic priorities ahead.  A few weeks ago, State Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh (D-Lower Manhattan) announced his decision not to run for re-election. The senator unpacks his tenure leading the upper chamber's housing and election reform initiatives.
 
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PFAS Regulations and Clean Water Funding; State Sen. Lea Webb Unpacks Women's Issues

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rollbacks to drinking water standards for PFAS Chemicals. We dive into state lawmakers' proposals to strengthen regulations in New York and the push for increased clean water funding. The State Senate Women's Issues Committee Chair Lea Webb (D-Binghamton) unpacks legislative priorities around maternal mortality and reproductive access.
 
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Legislature's One-House Budgets + Health Care State Budget Funding

The state Legislature unveiled its one-house budget resolutions in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul's FY'27 executive budget proposal. We dive into the legislature's priorities with Kate Lisa, of City and State New York, and Samuel King, of WXXI and the NYPNN. State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) unpacks funding for healthcare priorities in this years budget, the CDPAP transition and the energy around the New York Health Act.
 
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