New York NOW: episodes

60 recent episodes from the show's feed. Back to the show

1. Unpacking Large Policies from the 2026 Session

   Jun 12, 2026 · 27 min

   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 A

2. New York's Redistricting Efforts, State Sen. Jacob Ashby on Healthcare Issues, Unpacking Statewide Vaccine Access Amid Federal Changes + Rollbacks

   Jun 5, 2026 · 27 min

   On This Week's EditionCatch 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 Apr

3. Inside New York’s $268 Billion FY27 Budget Deal

   May 29, 2026 · 27 min

   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

4. Inside the Push to End Qualified Immunity in NY

   May 15, 2026 · 27 min

   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 legislat

5. “We Have a Deal”… Or Do We? Inside NY’s Budget Dispute

   May 8, 2026 · 27 min

   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

6. NYS Comptroller's Race + Fresh Communities Act

   May 1, 2026 · 27 min

   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 p

7. Will Hochul’s Plan Cut Car Insurance — Or Help Insurers?

   Apr 24, 2026 · 27 min

   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 sta

8. Climate Law Goals + Republican's Complex Position in Albany

   Apr 17, 2026 · 27 min

   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 Ac

9. After 30 Years in Albany, Senator Gianaris Says It’s Time

   Apr 10, 2026 · 27 min

   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 fed

10. New York's Budget Battle and a Historic First in Albany

    Apr 3, 2026 · 27 min

    New York executive and legislative leaders blow past April 1st budget deadline. Negotiations are still underway for the state's budget and the governor has signed an extender (possible one of many) to push the deadline. We dive into one of the most pertinent issues for the budget: increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and why state lawmakers as well as advocates are pushing for the policy this ye

11. New York State Budget Negotiations Underway

    Mar 27, 2026 · 27 min

    It's budget season at the state capitol! While an on-time state budget seems unlikely, negotiations between state leaders are underway. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joins us to discuss the upper chamber's one-house budget resolution, increased taxes on wealthy New Yorkers and democratic priorities ahead.  A few weeks ago, State Senate Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh (D-Lower Ma

12. PFAS Regulations and Clean Water Funding; State Sen. Lea Webb Unpacks Women's Issues

    Mar 20, 2026 · 27 min

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rollbacks to drinking water standards for PFAS Chemicals. We dive into state lawmakers' proposals to strengthen regulations in New York and the push for increased clean water funding. The State Senate Women's Issues Committee Chair Lea Webb (D-Binghamton) unpacks legislative priorities around maternal mortality and reproductive access.   EXPLOR

13. Legislature's One-House Budgets + Health Care State Budget Funding

    Mar 13, 2026 · 27 min

    The state Legislature unveiled its one-house budget resolutions in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul's FY'27 executive budget proposal. We dive into the legislature's priorities with Kate Lisa, of City and State New York, and Samuel King, of WXXI and the NYPNN. State Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) unpacks funding for healthcare priorities in this years budget, the CDPAP transit

14. Will This NY Plastic Bill Raise Your Grocery Prices?

    Mar 6, 2026 · 27 min

    For years, environmental advocates and lawmakers have been pushing for a measure that would aim to reduce plastic waste in the state called the packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act. We dive into the latest updates with the bill and the support around it. SUNY Chancellor John B. King joins us to discuss higher education state funding. The SUNY Board of Trustees estimates about $10 b

15. Albany at a Crossroads: COLA, ICE & $400M

    Feb 27, 2026 · 27 min

    Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a 1.7% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase for non profits supporting the human services sector. Advocates say the rising cost of inflation requires at least a 2.7% COLA increase. Bill Gettman, CEO of Northern Rivers Family of Services, unpacks the issue with us. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - Capital Region) joins us to discuss the latest with the $400 million in fu

16. 1 in 4 Adult New Yorkers are Food Insecure

    Feb 20, 2026 · 27 min

    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. One in four adults in New York are experiencing food insecurity. With the threat of federal funding cuts to food assistance programs, the governor and state legislature are

17. Bruce Blakeman Challenges Gov. Hochul

    Feb 13, 2026 · 27 min

    New York Republicans have nominated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to challenge democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in November. We sit down with Assembly Member Charles Lavine (D - 13th Assembly District, Long Island) to discuss a bill that would grant the state legislature equal power to the executive chamber during the state budget process. Immigration is a prime issue for the govern

18. Hochul Picks A Running Mate, Democratic Priorities and Alcohol Addiction Rates in NYS

    Feb 6, 2026 · 27 min

    Gov. Kathy Hochul officially announced her running mate in her reelection bid for governor: former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (D - Central Brooklyn) discussed his legislative priorities for the year - from protecting New Yorkers homeowners to faith-based housing and securing funding for SUNY Downstate. New York State Office of Addiction Services a

19. New York’s FY 2027 Budget at a Crossroads: Federal Funding, NYC, and What Comes Next

    Jan 30, 2026 · 27 min

    On this week's edition -- After a major winter storm briefly delayed the start of session this week, public hearings for the FY'27 Executive Budget Proposal officially began at the capitol. New York State Budget Director Blake Washington joins us to discuss Gov. Kathy Hochul's FY'27 Executive Budget Proposal and the impact of federal funding. We dive into the priorities of newly elected New York C

20. Inside New York’s $260 Billion Budget

    Jan 23, 2026 · 27 min

    Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her FY '27 executive budget proposal this week. We dive into the big takeaways from the announcement - from funding for universal childcare to the financial health of the state. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D - Brooklyn) breaks down the legislature's priorities around artificial intelligence and protecting kids online.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org