New York NOW

New York's Budget Crisis: What's Wrong and What's Next

Catch this week's show on your local PBS station, or watch on YouTube or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday.
On this week's edition of New York NOW: New York is projecting a budget deficit of $14 billion through next April, and $30 billion over the next two years. And that's not counting the fiscal crises in New York City and the state's other local governments.
First, we'll tell you about a series of proposals to bridge the state's budget gap, including new taxes and why some want to avoid them. That story features voices from both sides of the aisle, and analysts weigh in on their proposals.
Then, New York's counties and local governments are also struggling with their finances, and they were already having trouble before the COVID-19 crisis. Stephen Acquario from the New York State Association of Counties and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, who leads the New York County Executives Association, have details.For more news and public affairs, visit us online.

Rochester Unrest, Opioid Crisis, Race for Senate, Workforce Development

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Civil unrest continues in Rochester over the death of Daniel Prude. Jon Campbell from the USA Today Network has been following the situation closely and joins us with details and analysis.
New York's opioid crisis hit a rebound during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a spike in the number of overdose deaths. Senate Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Chair Pete Harckham joins us to discuss that, and a few top issues in his upcoming election.
Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran for governor in 2014, is challenging Harckham for his seat in the Senate. We'll discuss his message to voters.
And rebuilding New York's economy is going to take a strong workforce. That's going to cost money, but supporters say it would be well worth the investment. Melinda Mack from NYATEP, a statewide workforce development group, explains.For more news and public affairs, visit New York NOW online.

Schools Reopen, Colleges Cope, Budget Crisis, Unrest in Rochester

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Many of the state's schools welcome students back for the first time since March. Others stay remote. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, the top-ranking Republican on the Assembly Education Committee, joins us to discuss the start of the school year.
Colleges and universities have been open now for a few weeks. We'll check in on what's happening at the state's private and independent colleges with Mary Beth Labate from the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities.
Civil unrest continues in Rochester over the death of Daniel Prude, and Cuomo continues to warn of the state's budget crisis. Jimmy Vielkind from the Wall Street Jounal and Amanda Fries from the Albany Times Union are in studio with analysis.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

SUNY Scramble, GOP Chair Langworthy, 'Cancel Rent', Zohran Mamdani

On this week's edition of New York NOW: State Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy joins us to discuss his party's strategy for winning key swing districts this year, including some that could win them control of the State Senate.
More than 300 cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed at a SUNY school in upstate New York, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo rails against President Trump over proposed funding cuts. Marina Villeneuve from the Associated Press is here to discuss.
Zohran Mamdani is one of a handful of democratic socialists who will join the state Legislature next year. He joins us to talk about his plans for when he takes office in January.
And it's the start of the month, so the rent is due. Democrats want to 'cancel rent' but some say that could do more harm that good. Vito Signorile from the Rent Stabilization Association explains their perspective.
 
Learn more: nynow.org

New York & the RNC, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Reopening Schools

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Republicans rally behind President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo rails against the CDC.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio and Joseph Spector from the USA Today Network join us in studio to discuss that and more.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul joins Karen to discuss New York's impending child care crisis as parents head back to work, and kids head back to school. Plus, her thoughts on this year's elections.
And schools will reopen in New York in the coming weeks, but are they ready? We'll speak with Kyle Belokopitsky from the NYS PTA.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

The DNC, Jamaal Bowman, Assm. Ed Ra, Census Scramble

On this week's edition of New York NOW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at the Democratic National Convention and announces a new book, while lawmakers push for a new probe into COVID-19 and nursing homes. Bernadette Hogan from the New York Post joins us to discuss.
Jamaal Bowman sent shockwaves through the Democratic party when he defeated three-decade Rep. Eliot Engel in a primary this year. He joins us to discuss his win, the future of the party, and more.
Assemblyman Edward Ra, R-Nassau, is the top tanking Republican involved in budget negotiations in the Assembly. He's with us to talk about New York's fiscal crisis, and what the state can do.
And more than a third of households in New York still haven't filled out this year's census. Jeff Behler, the New York regional director of the U.S. Census Bureau, has analysis.
Learn more at nynow.org

COVID-19 Hearings, Sen. Sue Serino, NYSUT, Schuyler Statue

On this week's edition of New York NOW: the state Legislature continues its series of hearings on the state's handling of COVID-19.
Karen DeWitt from New York State Public Radio joins us to discuss this week's hearings on nursing homes and the state's election, and more.
Sen. Sue Serino, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Aging Committee, joins us to discuss the pair of hearings on nursing homes, and what she wants to see done moving forward.
Andy Pallotta, president of New York State United Teachers, or NYSUT, joins us to talk about the state's decision to reopen schools in a few weeks, how teachers are preparing, and what questions remain.
And a national conversation about the removal of controversial historical monuments arrives in the capital of New York. Nicole Van Slyke tells the story of the statue of Philip Schuyler, now to be removed from in front of Albany City Hall.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

NY vs. NRA, Sen. Luis Sepulveda, SUNY Status

On this week's edition of New York NOW: New York Attorney General Letitia James files a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the National Rifle Association. We'll have details with Jon Campbell from the USA Today Network.
Sen. Luis Sepulveda, D-Bronx, joins us to discuss the handling of COVID-19 in the state's prison system, and legislation he sponsored to limit legal protections for health care facilities.
SUNY campuses and universities are bringing students back to campus this month. Fred Kowal from United University Professions says more needs to be done to protect students and staff from the virus.
Eddie Taveras, New York immigration director at FWD.US, speaks with us about the immigrant experience during COVID-19, and the status of the census count.

COVID-19 Hearings, Cuomo vs. Congress, LUMA Reimagined

On this week's edition of New York NOW: the state Legislature begins its hearing on the state's handling of the COVID-19 crisis, while Gov. Cuomo renews his fight against Congress for more funding.
 
Next week, lawmakers will hold a hearing on the state's handling of nursing homes during the pandemic. Senate Health Chair Gustavo Rivera joins us to preview the event.
 
Lawmakers will also hold a hearing on how the virus impacted this year's primary elections. They also passed a series of voting reforms last week. Senate Elections Chair Zellnor Myrie has details.
 
An internationally recognized event in Binghamton was canceled this year, causing a significant economic loss to the city. But the festival's founders are producing a back-up plan that's never been done.
 
Plus, Jesse McKinley from the New York Times joins us with this week's news.
 
Learn More at nynow.org

Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Legislature Returns, Women and the Vote

On this week's edition of New York NOW: the state Legislature was back in Albany for a rare July session, while Gov. Andrew Cuomo took a trip to Georgia.
 
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins Karen DeWitt to recap the week, and discuss what’s ahead for state lawmakers, including hearings on the COVID-19 crisis.
 
It was only 100 years ago that women won the right to vote in the U.S., and a lot has happened since. We'll have the last part of a three-part series on women's suffrage in New York.
 
Plus, the state’s canal system is open for the summer and partnering with local businesses across upstate New York to offer free, safe day trip activities. We’ll have details.
 
Learn more: nynow.org