New York NOW

Watch 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.

• Newly minted Democratic Campaign Committee Chair State Sen. Shelley Mayer (D - S.D. 37)  joins us to discuss the goals of the committee, competitive races...

New York State Lawmakers and Child Abuse Advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign Kyra's Law. The bill's sponsor, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi (D-Child and Families Committee Chair)  joins us to unpack the bill and how the state can expand support for victims. David Lombardo, of the WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO'S Nick Reisman have an in-depth roundtable discussion on the potential impact of the incomin...

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara Guinn unpacks the issue of EBT benefit fraud, the rollout of chip based benefit cards and funding for the office. We dive into the challenges of the legal cannabis industry and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management - including lack of regulation and the enforcement of licenses. New York lawmakers have passed legislation to help crack down o...

Gov. Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James announce the standards for the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Assembly Member Phil Steck (D - 110th A.D., Colonie) unpacks legislation requiring social media companies to comply with law enforcement warrants within 72 hours. Rory Christian, Chair and CEO of the New York State Public Service Commission, details the changes to reporting standards for t...

It's been one year since New York unveiled the Master Plan for Aging - a comprehensive roadmap for the state's efforts in supporting elder adults. Sebrina Barrett, President and CEO of LeadingAge New York, joins us to discuss the impact of the plan and state progress so far. State lawmakers and health advocates are hoping Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign legislation to improve health data privacy in the state by expanding the definition...

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order placing a one-year moratorium on A.I. data centers -- making New York the first state in the nation to place a restriction on the growing A.I. industry. SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. joins us to discuss the one year anniversary of SUNY Reconnect, the expansion of the program and the state funds needed to support the university system. Kelli Owens, executive director of the New York Sta...

New York Democratic Insurgents, backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had historic wins on primary night. We dive into the results from the competitive congressional primary races with Jon Campbell, of WNYC & Gothamist, and Jason Beeferman of POLITICO. State lawmakers are trying to get increased support for pet owners across the state. We dive into the several bills passed this session to provide a tax credit, help to s...

This year's state budget established controversial changes to the state's approach to climate. We spoke with the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick (D - 66th A.D., Lower Manhattan) about the changes to the climate law as well as her identity as the first open member of the LGBTQ+ community to serve in the legislature as she prepares to retire. The Capitol Pressroom's David Lombardo spoke with the Ti...

The 2026 Legislative Session has officially wrapped! New York State Lawmakers passed more than 700 bills this year, many of which will head to the governor's desk soon. We sit down with WXXI's Samuel King and Newsday's Keshia Clukey to unpack some of the big bills awaiting the governor's review, including bills to redistrict congressional election maps and put a moratorium on data centers. State Assembly Member Carri...

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.

• It was a very busy last week of the 2026 Legislative Session! New York State Lawmakers introduced and passed a measure to allow for mid-decade redistricting following the April U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
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New York state finally has a FY'27 Budget! New York state lawmakers spent the last week voting - and debating - the remaining budget bills for the governor's signature. We dive into the elements of the budget bills with Rebecca Lewis, of City and State New York. State lawmakers and mental health advocates are trying to get Daniel's Law passed before the end of the legislative session. This year's state budget allocated funds for me...

New York State's budget is now officially six weeks late. We bring updates on where negotiations stand as of this week. Criminal Justice Advocates and State Lawmakers are trying to shore up support for a bill that would end qualified immunity for officers. We unpack the bill's impact from supporters and critics. State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (D - Bronx & Westchester) joins us to discuss a legislative push to establish an alcoho...

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a "general agreement" for the state's FY27 budget. However, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters there was no deal. We dive into the latest developments on negotiations and where things stand with the remaining budget bills with Newsday's Keshia Clukey and Alex Gault, of NNY360 & The Watertown Daily Times. Assembly Member Landon Dais (D - The Bronx) joins us to discuss the push to establ...

Longtime New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is facing primary challengers for the first time in almost two decades, David Lombardo, of WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, and Dan Clark, of the Times Union, dive into the dynamics of the race and position of the candidates. State lawmakers and hunger advocates have been pushing for the Fresh Communities Act - a bill meant to improve access to fresh produce for grocery stores in unders...

With the state budget still delayed, Gov. Kathy Hochul's controversial auto insurance proposal is one of the major sticking points in negotiations. Streetsblog NYC's Austin Jefferson joins us to discuss the governor's proposal, the lobbying efforts both for & against it, and how negotiations are developing. Last year's state budget included $25 million for abortion provider services across the state. Now, one year later, provid...

In the latest budget development, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a property tax on New York City homes worth more than $5 million that serve as a secondary properties for out of town owners. David Lombardo, of WCNY's the Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO's Marie French dive into the ongoing conversations around energy, gas emissions and the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act at the state capitol. Longtime As...

New York state lawmakers were at the capitol briefly this week for an unscheduled session day to pass a second extender for the state budget. State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris spoke with us about his decision to leave the state legislature and his legacy in the upper chamber. Minority and Women Owned Businesses (MWBEs) across the state are sounding the alarm over the loss of federal funding under President Donald...