Off Topic/On Politics

This week, the Adams administration asked a state court to revisit a landmark 1981 agreement that requires the city to provide shelter for homeless New Yorkers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Bobby Cuza and Courtney Gross looked at the latest development in the shelter crisis while also discussing what other options the city may have at this point. 

After that, the MTA is proposing its first base subway fare hike sinc...

One year into the migrant crisis and New York City still doesn't have a real solution for the problem. This week, Mayor Eric Adams proposed a plan to house migrants in public school gyms which was met with protests from some parents across the city. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been criticized for not yet having a statewide approach to deal with the crisis, met with New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and other members of the ...

This week, Mayor Eric Adams issued an executive order suspending parts of the city’s longstanding right-to-shelter law ahead of an anticipated surge in migrants. It comes as Title 42, an order that allowed the government to curb migration to protect public health during the pandemic, is expiring. 

NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross take a look at this change, and why Adams felt the nee...

This week, a 30-year-old man named Jordan Neely was killed after being placed in a chokehold by a 24-year-old man on an F train. His death has been ruled a homicide, and video of the encounter has drawn strong reactions from both New Yorkers and elected officials. 

NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross look at the incident, as well as the initial responses from both Mayor Eric Adams and G...

Nearly one month after its due date, state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul have agreed on a $229 billion state budget that includes changes to a controversial bail law, an increase in direct aid to schools by billions of dollars and personal income tax rates remaining unchanged. Additionally, Hochul’s ambitious housing plan appears to have been largely scrapped. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross w...

The New York state budget is now three weeks late and is showing no real signs of completion. NY1's Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weigh in on Gov. Kathy Hochul's ambitious housing plan and why it's receiving pushback from legislators. They also discussed how much of the opposition is coming from suburban counties rather than the city, and why the plan may not be winning her the support of progressiv...

As budget negotiations continue in Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul shifted focus this week and announced a new nominee for chief judge of the New York state Court of Appeals. Unlike Hochul’s failed first pick of Hector LaSalle, the nomination of Rowan Wilson was met with enthusiasm and support by lawmakers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross talked about how Wilson was received in Albany, and how a possible confirmat...

With a crush of media and dozens of protesters present, former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities at a courthouse in lower Manhattan. After pleading not guilty to 34 felony charges, he quickly flew back to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where he greeted his loyal supporters with a lengthy speech professing his innocence. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on Trump’s 24-hour whirlwin...

With the state budget deadline approaching, it appears that there is little chance of the budget being delivered on time. Two of the most pressing issues are bail reform and affordable housing, particularly the plan allowing the state to prioritize housing projects even if they do not meet local approval. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez, and Courtney Gross weighed in on what’s necessary to finalize the budget, and...

As Gov. Kathy Hochul hurries to get the state budget ready by April 1, she’s receiving help from an unlikely source: Michael Bloomberg. The former New York City mayor’s support is in the form of paid television ads, which outline the governor’s agenda, including no new taxes on the wealthy and changing bail reform. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on Bloomberg’s $5 million contribution...

From pushing parking permits to talking up tax hikes, lawmakers are in Albany readying their state budget proposals ahead of what may be some tense negotiations with the governor before the April 1 deadline. The Senate and the Assembly each presented their statements of priorities, known as one-house budgets, hoping the budget will be hammered out soon. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in...

This week, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made her “State of the City” address, highlighting plans for job creation and workplace development. Speaker Adams is hoping to better fund 3K education, libraries, CUNY and affordable housing. She also looks to close the city’s massive jail complex on Rikers Island. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on the address and what it ...

This week, Mayor Eric Adams came under fire for praising prayer in schools and criticizing the separation of church and state. “When I walk, I walk with God. When I talk, I talk with God. When I put policies in place, I put them in with a God-like approach to them,” Adams said at a breakfast with religious leaders. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weighed in on the mayor’s remarks. 

After that, turmoil contin...

Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders are currently negotiating the massive $227 billion state budget. Taxes appear to be a major test for Hochul, as progressive lawmakers and advocates push a tax hike on the state’s richest earners. Additionally, Mayor Eric Adams is clashing with Hochul over her ask that the city pay an additional $500 million a year to help fund the MTA. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney...

It was an eventful week in Albany as Mayor Eric Adams raised some big questions about parts of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal, saying it would harm New York City financially. But while the mayor was testifying, the state Senate made the surprise move to vote on Hochul’s controversial judicial nominee, Hector LaSalle. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo weighed in on the very busy day in Alba...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers earlier this week. Almost 1,800 city workers lost their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated and they now can apply for jobs again with their former departments. This decision has been met with some criticism, with experts saying that it is necessary to have a high percentage of adults in the city vaccinated to keep pe...

Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a $227 billion state budget this week, addressing problems from New York City’s migrant crisis to devising a plan to bail out the subway system. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Emily Ngo weigh in on the budget plan and the funding for the MTA, which includes a boost from casinos. The team also talks about Hochul’s interest in lifting the cap on charter schools, which will undoubtedly be met with ...

From more composting to fighting crime, Mayor Eric Adams delivered his annual State of the City address with an unexpected guest, Gov. Kathy Hochul. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weigh in on the speech and touch on how Adams’ vision differs from his predecessors. 

After that, the governor has issued a statewide proposal to ban gas stoves in some new construction by 2025 and larger...

For the first time in New York State history, a governor's pick for chief judge has been rejected by lawmakers.

Judge Hector LaSalle was nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to lead New York’s judiciary and would have made history as the first Latino Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. But after a five hour hearing, LaSalle did not receive enough votes from the Judiciary Committee in the state Senate to advance...