New York NOW

Congestion Pricing Update, MENA Data Bill, NY & Land

We'll unpack the governor's announcement essentially pulling the plug on congestion pricing plan for New York City. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (D-Queens County) discusses the importance of disaggregating data for Middle Eastern and Northern African New Yorkers and the path forward to getting her bill over the finish line. Now more than ever, forest management is vitally important in helping the state reaches it's climate goals. Producer Dana Wright shares a deep dive as part of WMHT's NY& Climate series. As part of WMHT series focusing on Aging New Yorkers, we dive into the work of the Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) to ensure seniors over the age of 60 maintain their quality of life and stay connected.
 
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Expanding Renewable Energy, Impact of Court Rulings in NYS

Recent court rulings in New York state may threaten the legitimacy of the state's ethics watchdog and an equal rights ballot referendum. Bill Mahoney, of POLITICO, joins us to discuss the impact of these court cases. Doreen Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, joins us to discuss the challenge of expanding renewable energy across the state and the possibility of using nuclear power.
 
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State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, Increased Worker Protections

With just a few days before the end of session, Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers are pushing to get two social media child privacy bills over the finish line. The state Senate Transportation Committee officially has a new chair. State Sen. Jeremy Cooney joins us to discuss his vision for the committee and the legacy he's hoping to have. While FY25 state budget allocated funding for combating retail theft and protecting retail workers, but labor advocates and lawmakers argue that may not be enough. As part of WMHT series focusing on Aging New Yorkers, we dive into the work an organization is doing to support aging New Yorkers with home delivered meals.
 
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Fighting Housing and Food Insecurity in NY

In this episode of "New York Now," we delve into the state's housing crisis with Senator Brian Kavanagh, who shares insights on the latest budget plan to boost affordable housing.
Additionally, Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director of the Food Pantries of the Capitol District, addresses the growing issue of food insecurity and the challenges food pantries face due to stagnant funding.
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OMH Commissioner, Maternal Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We catch up with the New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan about funding in the state budget and youth mental health priorities. Democratic Lawmakers have been prioritizing the maternal and mental health of mothers. We caught up with State Senate Mental Health Chair Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) about doula care access and supporting the mental health of expectant mothers.
 
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Citizens Budget Commission, Electric School Buses

On This Week's Edition
Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts.
On This Latest Edition of New York NOW:
The state budget included savings to the Medicaid program as well as cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) program. Patrick Orecki, of the Citizens Budget Commission, joins us to unpack the reality of funding Medicaid as well as healthcare priorities this year.
Adam Ruder, of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, talks the implementation of electric school buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, there have been protests at college campuses across the country - includingat Columbia University, Fordham University and CUNY.
 

Final State Budget, Assembly Member Brian Cunningham

The final FY25 state budget has been passed. Reporters Zach Williams, of Bloomberg Law, Vaughn Golden, of the New York Post, and Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, join us to unpack the budget process this year and the highlights. While there was major opposition to plans to close SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the final budget included funding to help the hospital stay open for at least another year. Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (D-Crown Heights) joins us to discuss the funding as well as his legislative priorities through the rest of the year.
 
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Budget Progress, DEC Commissioner, Air Pollution

It was a busy week at the state Capitol with budget progress. The governor announced a conceptual state budget agreement and lawmakers voted on the first few budget bills. During his last days as DEC Commissioner, Basil Seggos about his tenure and legacy at the state department. Producer Dana Wright spoke with the DEC and environmental experts to understand the impact of air pollution and what's being done about it as part of the NY& Climate series. In the late 1970s, it was discovered a Niagara Falls neighborhood was build atop toxic chemicals. We unpack the tragedy highlighted in the documentary, A Love Canal Tragedy.
 
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Rare Look Behind the Scenes at NY Capitol

A look behind the curtain at the daily lives of reporters in New York's Legislative Correspondents Association at the state Capitol - the longest-running press corps in the United States, focused on covering the politics and policy issues of New York.
We sit down with Isabelle Dolores "Dee" Wedemeyer, one of the first women to be admitted into the LCA, to discuss her career and work in the LCA.
Have you been to the New York State Capitol? Not like this. WMHT's Will Pedigo takes us inside the historic building.
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Republican Housing Proposal, NY Heat Act and Immigration Funding

The governor and legislative leaders are still in negotiations on the state budget, including a potential agreement to address the state's housing crisis. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have put together a housing proposal of their own.
Assembly Member Patricia Fahy joins us to discuss the path forward for the New York Heat Act - a bill meant to ensure gas companies honor the state's climate goals.
We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss funding for Immigration Services and the migrant crisis.
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