It's safe to say that few Capital Region residents split their time between an upstate residence and a rent-controlled apartment in the five boroughs. So with just 11 days left in the legislative session, should the citizens of Albany, Niskayuna or East Greenbush be concerned about housing policy in New York City? The short answer: You bet. Read More
If you’ve spent any time at a little league baseball or soccer game, or any children's sporting event, you know the cry of "hustle up" means move faster. It’s a way adults try to keep the game moving—and remind the players of what they ought to be doing. Read More
Squirreled away in the new state budget is a provision—first proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo—that will guarantee future periodic pay raises for the governor, New York State legislators and other state government officials. But is it constitutional? Read More
There's $400 million for economic development projects, probably on Long Island, with details to come. Both the State Assembly and Senate have tens of millions to dole out to school districts and libraries, at their discretion. And at least 1,800 old earmarks for local governments and nonprofits around the state were once again given a lifeline, a total of $23 million for everything from the American Legion post in Wantagh to the Utica Zoo. Read More
With the new state budget in Democrat-dominated New York approved this week, the state's top Republican declared victory on many of his party's priorities: no tax increases, curbed spending, support for businesses and protecting state aid for suburban schools. Read More
Albany's biggest, juiciest capital pork pie — the mysterious State and Municipal Facilities Program — just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Read More
The New York State Senate spent $332,419 over a six-month period on offices vacated by two senators who had resigned, according to data posted today on SeeThroughNY.net, the Empire Center’s transparency website. Read More
It’s fitting that New York’s fiscal year starts April 1, since the annual state budget so often has elements that sound like a bad joke. Read More