Off Topic/On Politics

This week, New York City sent letters to 17,000 homeowners who may have to pay a non-primary residence tax, or pied-à-terre tax, starting next year. The tax played a role in closing the city's budget deficit earlier this year and helped Mayor Zohran Mamdani deliver on his campaign promise of taxing the rich. But some city homeowners are blasting this week's notification rollout, calling it "sloppy." NY1 in...

Last year on the campaign trail, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that as mayor, he would have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he came to New York City. This week, he told The New York Times he was in "active conversation" with the city's Law Department about whether he could direct the NYPD to arrest Netanyahu. He later walked back those comments, saying the city does not have "in...

This week, the City Council moved to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The catalyst is the death of an 18-year-old tourist who was thrown from a driverless carriage, adding to a series of recent horse-related incidents. With City Council Speaker Julie Menin backing the effort, a majority of the City Council members support phasing out horse-drawn carriages by June 2028. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and politic...

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber unveiled a new plan aimed at speeding up bus commutes by an estimated six minutes.

The "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service" initiative includes prioritized bus corridors, including major changes along Flatbush Avenue, such as center-running bus lanes and island boarding. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and po...

Tuesday's Democratic primary election demonstrated the power of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's endorsement. Every candidate backed by the mayor emerged victorious, underscoring his growing influence within New York Democratic politics. As the results become clear, NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political anchor Errol Louis break down the key races, the biggest surprises, and what the outcomes c...

This week, Spectrum News NY1 hosted a congressional debate in New York's 13th District, which includes Harlem, Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. The candidates are incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat and his much younger opponent, Darializa Avila Chevalier, who has been endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporte...

While New York is celebrating the Knicks' return to the finals for the first time in decades, controversy over canceled watch parties near Madison Square Garden has sparked a public feud. Knicks owner James Dolan criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on WFAN, saying they're party poopers and not real fans. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross joins political reporters B...

New York passed a constitutional amendment in 2014 that expressly prohibits drawing congressional maps "for the purpose of favoring or disfavoring incumbents or other particular candidates or political parties." More than a decade later, Democrats in Albany are switching course and throwing their hat in the nationwide redistricting battle. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli d...

This week Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his "Block by Block" housing initiative, a sweeping plan to build 200,000 new affordable, rent-stabilized units and preserve another 200,000 existing units over the next decade. How does the proposal differ from the housing plans rolled out by previous mayors? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down the mayor's ambitious housing ...

Several closely contested congressional races are developing across New York before next month's primaries. District 7 in Brooklyn and Queens has emerged as a focal point following Nydia Velázquez's announcement that she will retire, while District 10 in Brooklyn and Manhattan features a prominent challenge by Brad Lander against Dan Goldman. Manhattan's NY-12 is also attracting significant attention with Jerry Nadler's impending r...

This week, Mayor Mamdani unveiled his executive budget, turning a projected multibillion-dollar deficit into a balanced plan without major service cuts, a property tax hike, or tapping a rainy-day fund.

The plan relies largely on help from Albany and a $2.3 billion pension plan restructuring that would push costs from 2032 to 2037, but it still requires approval from the state, retirement funds and unions....

This morning, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced there was a "general agreement" between her office and Albany legislators on a $268 billion state budget. The spending plan includes auto insurance reforms, immigration protections, an energy rebate and more. However, state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie called the announcement "premature," saying there is no final deal in place. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political report...

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin appeared to set aside their differences to advance a new budget solution: scaling back a lucrative tax credit used by wealthy business owners to help c...

This week, Brooklyn City Council member Chi Ossé was arrested during a protest in Bedford-Stuyvesant aimed at stopping the eviction of a woman amid disputed allegations of deed theft. Video of the arrest quickly went viral, and Ossé has since raised concerns about his treatment by police during the inci...

Last weekend, during his 100-day address, Mayor Zohran Mamdani finally shared new details on one of his signature campaign promises: city-run grocery stores. The first location is expected to open next year, with additional stores planned across the city. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza, and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down how these city-run stores would operate and what it c...

One hundred days is a big milestone for any new administration — and Friday marks Zohran Mamdani's 100th day as mayor of New York City. So how is it going for him so far? How much has he accomplished in that short time period? NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, politics reporter Kelly Mena and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down the mayor's first few months in office.

Looking ahea...

This week, early tensions emerged between Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin after the Council released its response to the administration's plan to close a $5.4 billion budget shortfall. The Council says it found $6 billion in savings and efficiencies and has blasted ideas like ending free Sunday meter parking or a property tax hike.

Meanwhile, Mamdani says the city is facing a fisc...

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani made headlines with a YouTube livestream showing him eating Taco Bell and Dunkin', part of a "mukbang"-style push to spotlight enforcement actions against franchise owners accused of violating New York City labor laws, actions that could put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back into workers' pockets. At the same time, the mayor's plan to close a massive $5 billion budget ga...

This week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani took a step toward reshaping how the city handles people having mental health crises, creating an Office of Community Safety, aimed at shifting some 911 calls away from the police department. But Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch says the change will be limited, with most calls still handled by officers. Political reporters Bobby Cuza and Dan Rivoli, along with Statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan, b...