New York NOW

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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NYS Approach to Women's Issues, Missing BIPOC women & Children, Expanded Doula Access

On This Week's Edition of New York NOW:
It's Women's History Month so we'll be diving into the state's approach to women's issues with Elise Kline, of WENY NEWS.
We'll unpack a task force that will be created in the months ahead to examine the rates of missing BIPOC women and children and issue policy recommendations.
State Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) joins us to discuss the expansion of doula access and maternal health care in New York.
Explore more: https://nynow.wmht.org/blogs/full-episodes/full-episode-nys-approach-to-womens-issues-missing-bipoc-women-children-state-sen-samra-brouk/

New Congressional Maps and Higher Education Funding

After Democrats struck down the independent redistricting commission's congressional map, the chambers passed their own version, which was signed into law by the governor. You can find more information about your congressional district here.
We unpack the new congressional districts and how it all unfolded with Bill Mahoney, of POLITICO, and David Lombardo, of The Capitol Pressroom.
State lawmakers are looking for ways to increase funding for public universities and expand the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in this year's budget. Producer Catherine Rafferty spoke with education stakeholders about those efforts.
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Day in the Life of the Legislative Correspondents Association & The Career of Jim Peppler

In the latest Siena College Research Institute, Gov. Kathy Hochul saw a slight decrease in favorability while voters named cost of living as their top concern.
A look behind the curtain at the daily lives of reporters in New York's Legislative Correspondents Association at the state Capitol - which is the longest-running press corps in the United States, focused on covering the politics and policy issues of New York.
As a participant in the PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices, producer Theo Moore collaborated with New York NOW for an in-depth documentary on the career of iconic photojournalist Jim Peppler.
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Birth Control Access, Housing in Exec Budget, Legislative Health Priorities

New York has continued to expand access to abortion care, but what about birth control? We speak with Jenna Bimbi, the Founder and Co-Executive Director of the New York Birth Access Project, about a campaign to make birth control accessible at state schools. Housing remains an top issue, after the governor and Legislature failed to come to an agreement on a plan last year. We unpack the governor's approach to housing in the FY '25 Executive Budget and the response from lawmakers. Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin joins us to discuss health legislative priorities including the Medicaid spending, New York Health Act and the Medicaid in Dying bill.

NY's Education Dilemma: Budget Battles & Racial Justice

Explore the intricacies of New York's education budget proposal, scrutinizing funding allocations and the ensuing debates. From Governor Hochul's ambitious plans to the Legislature's expected interventions, understand the stakes for public schools across the state.
Plus, journey into the Adirondacks with author Amy Godine as she reveals the hidden history of black pioneers and their pursuit of racial justice. Uncover the intersection of education and social justice in the Empire State, navigating through policy intricacies and historical revelations.
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Expanding NYS Definition of Rape, Exec Budget Health Hearing, Continual Healthcare Coverage for Children

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Rape is Rape Act into law - expanding the state's definition of rape. We unpack the impact and history of the legislation with Maysoon Khan, of the Associated Press, and Ashley Hupfl, of the Daily Gazette.
We dive into the testimony on the state's Medicaid spending at the Health Executive Budget Public Hearing.
Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojás joins us to discuss her bill that would grant continual healthcare coverage to children under the age of six enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
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New York's State Budget, Running for Office & Opioid Solutions

This week would have marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The Democratic-led state Senate passed a legislation aimed at strengthening reproductive rights.
We examine the governor's proposals to fund the housing and migrant crisis in the FY'25 executive budget proposal.
We unpack the process of running and the importance of competitive elections - in NY&Running for Office.
As part of WMHT Opioids in NY Series, we dive into the peer recovery work to help treat opioid addiction at New Choices.
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2024 State of the State, NY& Organizing, Opioids in NY

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her 2024 State of the State Address with her vision and framework for the year ahead.
State lawmakers are looking ahead to the release of the executive budget next week for more details on the governor's proposals in the executive budget. Raga Justin, of the Times Union, joins us to discuss.
Our NY& series unpacks the work that goes into organizing for a political cause.
We learn how the Schenectady Cares Program is being used to provide drug treatment services to people battling opioid addiction - as part of WMHT's Opioids in NY series.
Explore More: nynow.org