New York NOW

Single-Payer Hearings Start in Albany

This week, examine the first hearing for the New York Health Act, legislation that would create a state-run, single-payer health care system. Also, the Business Council ruffled some feathers with Republicans for supporting a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a standard driver's license. Finally, will Andrew Cuomo really run for a fourth term? He says that's the plan.
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Trump's Tax Returns, New GOP Leadership

The legislature was once again in the national spotlight this week as the State Assembly followed the State Senate's lead and passed legislation that would enable Congress to access President Donald Trump's tax returns. Just as all of this was happening, there was a ceremonial changing of the guard in the New York Republican Party as Nick Langworthy took over for longtime leader Ed Cox.
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Assemblywoman Cruz on Licensing Undocumented Immigrants

The question over whether to let undocumented immigrants get a driver's license has been debated for over a decade in Albany.  You might remember the topic caused a bump in the 2008 presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton.  Now in 2019, after the issue was mostly on the back burner because of a Republican majority in the Senate, it's again at the forefront. 
This week we sit down with freshman Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz.  She was the first DREAMer ever elected to the chamber and says there are no more excuses for not getting this passed in Albany with a Democrats controlling the legislature.
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Senate Democrats "Stand Up" to President Trump

The New York State Senate was front and center in Albany this week and nationwide, drawing significant attention for two bills they passed to "stand up" to President Donald Trump. The pieces of legislation allow New York officials to release tax returns in cooperation with congressional investigations and state prosecutors to bring charges against people who have received presidential pardons.
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Limo Industry Accountability and Oversight

Several mothers and fathers told their emotional stories while urging the three legislators at the Senate transportation hearing to pass laws that will help prevent these tragedies. Two specific incidents were the focus of their testimony: The 2015 Long Island limo crash that killed four young women and last year's incident in Schoharie County that took the lives of 20 people.
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Harry Rosenfeld: The Battling Editor

This week's program features two interviews.
First up, Times Union Managing Editor Casey Seiler interviews Harry Rosenfeld, his paper's editor-at-large, about his new book "Battling Editor: The Albany Years."  The veteran journalist came to the capital city after a famous stint at the Washington Post where he served as the city's local news editor during the Watergate scandal. 
Also, our Karen DeWitt is joined by NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene DiBrango.  The powerful teachers union has been vocal in its criticism against the state tests given to children in Grades 3-8. For more New York NOW, visit nynow.org.

MERIT Scholarship Expanded After GOP Pushback

Governor Cuomo responded to pushback from the Assembly GOP and even Donald Trump by expanding the MERIT Scholarship, which provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of military members who have died or become severely disabled while in a combat zone.
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DiNapoli on New York's Fiscal Health

Longtime New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli gives an initial analysis of the budget, discusses his oversight powers going forward, and addresses the commission on public campaign financing that was recently agreed to by the governor and legislature.
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2019 Budget Analysis

While it technically wasn't on-time, Governor Cuomo and legislators passed a timely budget Monday morning, seven and a half hours after the deadline. Get a break down the $175 billion dollar spending plan in the headlines and analysis from the Reporters Roundtable.

Budget Deadline is Here

As of Friday, it looks like lawmakers and the governor are close to getting an on-time or "timely" budget. The deadline is April 1 but progress has been made to the point where some budget bills were being printed Thursday night. This would make a Sunday vote within reach on many items. On the show this week take a look at the issues that have been at the center of the 2019-20 spending plan debate.
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