New York NOW

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 and the Overdose Epidemic in New York

In this special edition of New York NOW, WXXI News’ Evan Dawson hosts a state-wide discussion on how the pandemic and the response have exacerbated the ongoing overdose epidemic.
 
To learn more about the overdose epidemic, or for access to local resources, visit wmht.org/overdoseprevention
 
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For statewide news and local insights: nynow.org

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Budget Hearings Begin, Inside the State Capitol

On this week's edition of New York NOW (2/10/2023):
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joins us with his take on this year's legislative session, Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget plan, and more.
Hearings on Hochul's budget plan began this week. We'll explain.
Have you been to the New York State Capitol? Not like this. WMHT's Will Pedigo takes us inside the historic building.
Plus, an update on former Rep. Lee Zeldin, last year's Republican nominee for governor.
Learn More: nynow.org

Hochul’s Plan for the State Budget, How Does a Bill Become Law in New York?

On this week's edition of New York NOW (2/03/2023):
Gov. Kathy Hochul released her plan this week for the state budget, which is among the most consequential items negotiated at the Capitol each year.
Patrick Orecki from the Citizens Budget Commission joins us to break down the numbers.
Capitol reporters Michael Gormley from Newsday and Elise Kline from Lilly Broadcasting join us with analysis.
Plus: How does a bill become a law in New York? Reporter Alexis Young explains.
Learn More: nynow.org

How Voters Feel About Hochul’s 2023 Priorities; Who’s the Watchdog for NY’s Judges?

On this week's edition of New York NOW (1/27/2023):
New polling shows how voters feel about some of the big ticket items in Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2023 agenda. Steve Greenberg from the Siena Research Institute joins us to explain.
What happens when judges in New York break the rules, or break the law? We'll explain with Robert Tembeckjian, administrator and counsel for New York's Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Learn More: nynow.org 

Chief Judge Nomination, Climate Plan & Clean Slate Act

On This Week's Edition of New York NOW (1/20/2023):
Gov. Kathy Hochul's nominee for New York's next chief judge gets a hearing at the State Capitol, and a rejection from the Senate.
Yancey Roy from Newsday and Josh Solomon from the Times Union join us to chat about that, and other news from the week.
New York's Climate Action Council approved a plan last month for how the state will respond to climate change and lower emissions over the next few decades. State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos and Doreen Harris, president of NYSERDA, join us to discuss.
Advocates for the Clean Slate Act kick off their efforts for this year's legislative session.
Learn more: nynow.org

Hochul’s 2023 State of the State, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Capitol Update

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her 2023 State of the State address this week. We'll have a recap.
Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt joins us with his response to Hochul's agenda for this year's legislative session.
Joe Spector from POLITICO New York and Keshia Clukey from Bloomberg Government join this week's panel with analysis.
We'll have an update on Hochul's nomination for New York's next chief judge.
Learn More: nynow.org

New Year, New Session: A Look at Albany’s Legislative Agenda

As the new legislative session gets underway in Albany, join New York NOW guest host David Lombardo and panelists Jon Campbell and Marie French for a discussion on what to expect in the coming year. From Governor Hochul's inauguration to top issues on the agenda, get the inside scoop on the latest developments in New York politics.
 
Learn More: nynow.org

New York’s Budding Cannabis Industry

On this week's edition of New York NOW:
We sat down with Damian Fagon, the Social and Equity Officer at the Office of Cannabis, to discuss the card program, initiatives, and other details that are setting New York apart from the rest of the nation.
The market infrastructure makes it more difficult for companies to monopolize the industry and the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is helping meet some of the equity and justice goals from the MRTA. We'll discuss the characteristics of the market infrastructure that makes it possible to bar these monopolies, two-tier restriction, and horizontal restriction. We will also be looking at how the two-tier market supports those initiatives and goals. 
Learn more about New York's cannabis plan, the MRTA licenses, and the Seeding Opportunity Initiative and how it's giving those from underserved populations access to the cannabis industry.
And visit Claudine Field Apothecary, farmed by KingAswad and Jasmine Burems. They discuss how their small family farm will be part of the budding industry in New York.
Learn more: nynow.org

Governor Kathy Hochul on Her First Year & What’s Ahead

We revisit our interview with Gov. Kathy Hochul from August, when she spoke with us about her first year in office, and what's ahead for her first full term.
 
Learn More: nynow.org

Hochul Hints at State of the State, NY’s New Chief Judge, Future of the NYWFP

On this week's edition of New York NOW (12/16/22):
Gov. Kathy Hochul hints at a new housing plan for her State of the State, which is now less than a month away. We'll discuss.
New York's getting a new chief judge — a position that leads the entire judicial branch of state government, and the state's highest court. Brian Ginsberg, an appellate attorney and partner at Harris Beach PLLC, joins us with insight.
The New York Working Families Party organized on the ground to deliver for progressive candidates in last month's elections. We check in on their strategy, and what's ahead with State Director Sochie Nnaemeka.
A new On The Bill looks at New York's "Bottle Bill," and what environmental advocates want done with it.
Learn more: nynow.org