New York Focus

06/01/2026

We’ve broken down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made this year on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

Read our full budget coverage here:

Investigating the Bronx political machine

06/01/2026

NEW: Fresh off opening New York City’s first full-scale casino, the owner of Resorts World is already locked in a dispute with the state about how much money the company owes.

Resorts World is floating legislation to avert more than $500 million in payments to the horseracing industry.

05/31/2026

After a New York Focus investigation, a Bronx charity distributed nearly $400,000 to survivors of a deadly 2022 fire.

After a New York Focus investigation, a Bronx charity distributed nearly $400,000 to survivors of a deadly 2022 fire.

05/29/2026

The big story of this year’s budget was the face-off between Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who made “tax the rich” a rallying cry of his campaign. Hochul was adamant that she would not raise taxes on the wealthy.

In the end, they split the baby.

Our searchable database breaks down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

05/29/2026

NEW: It’s two months late, but it’s finally here: New York state’s $269 billion budget.

Our searchable database breaks down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

Our searchable database breaks down the most consequential decisions Albany politicians made on climate, immigration, housing, schools, taxes, and more.

05/28/2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wanted a multibillion-dollar bailout from Albany this year, and he got one — but rather than a suite of big tax hikes, the final deal includes a mishmash of cost shifts, delayed pension payments and one notable new tax on pricey second homes.

Some of the city’s new aid will be canceled out by pension boosts.

05/28/2026

NEW: This year’s final New York state budget includes a pot of money meant for “stabilizing the correctional system,” an effort to address the ongoing fallout from a three-week corrections officer strike last year.

The amount is hefty: $535 million on top of the prison agency’s roughly $4 billion annual budget.

It’s unclear whether the Correctional Association of New York will have to scale back its nascent reform initiatives.

05/28/2026

Nearly two months past deadline, New York lawmakers passed the 2026 state budget.

New York Focus reporters are breaking it all down: the rollbacks of the state's climate law, the historic child care investment, and a failure to avert huge losses in health care coverage.

05/28/2026

NEW: Governor Kathy Hochul’s final budget agreement with the state legislature makes a landmark investment in child care — but advocates worry gaps in support could prevent low-income New Yorkers from benefiting.

Advocates welcomed the additional funding but said it falls short of need and doesn't do enough to support workers.