New York NOW

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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Budget Update, SUNY Chancellor and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani

Amid ongoing budget negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders, the deadline for the state budget has been extended.
Advocates and lawmakers are calling for increased funding for public universities and colleges as well as tuition assistance for students. We speak with SUNY Chancellor John King about higher education funding, enrollment and plans for SUNY Downstate.
Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani joins us to discuss the "Get Congestion Pricing Right" proposal meant to improve bus reliability and expand the fare-free bus program.
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Budget Talks, Human Services Advocacy, & Developmental Disability Awareness

Budget negotiations are underway at the State Capitol. We sat down with state Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) to unpack the chamber's one-house budget proposal and priorities.
Michelle Jackson, of the Human Services Council, joins us to discuss a push to get a 3.2% cost of living adjustment for human service workers.
It's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! We sit down with Kristin Proud, the executive director of the state Council on Developmental Disabilities and Shameka Andrews, caucus chair of the Council, to understand the world of opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
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