NY state budget expected to be late
NY state budget expected to be late

Several state lawmakers said Thursday the New York state budget is going to be late leaving the possibility of a deadline of extension up in the air. 

A push for transparency budget legislation
A push for transparency budget legislation

Just three days away from the state budget plan deadline, some lawmakers push for a constitutional amendment that would halt legislative proceedings between midnight and 8 a.m. 

NY lawmakers respond to Nashville school shooting
NY lawmakers respond to Nashville school shooting

Some state lawmakers said while New York has some of the strongest gun control laws in the nation, federal action is lacking. They said guns travel into New York from other states and stronger federal legislation would help combat this issue. 

A new list of chief judge nominees for NY Court of Appeals
A new list of chief judge nominees for NY Court of Appeals

Following Gov. Kathy Hochul's chief judge nomination for New York's Court of Appeals, Hector LaSalle, who was rejected by the state Senate in December, the New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination released a new list of nominees. 

NY lawmakers are concerned about 'sticker stores'
NY lawmakers are concerned about 'sticker stores'

Some state lawmakers are concerned about other marijuana operations known as "sticker stores," where retailers sell items like stickers at a high price and "gift" marijuana products with the purchase. 

NY Lawmakers to expand abortion education
NY Lawmakers to expand abortion education

This session the Senate and the Assembly introduced a bill to establish a grant program for medical interns and residents to receive training on abortion and other related reproductive health services. 

Gov. Hochul continues to emphasize her bail reform proposals
Gov. Hochul continues to emphasize her bail reform proposals

With the final budget plan deadline around the corner, bail reform remains a hot topic of debate in budget negotiations. 

Thousands of advocates rally in Albany asking legislators to put more money into healthcare
Thousands of advocates rally in Albany asking legislators to put more money into healthcare

Thousands of healthcare advocates rally in Albany urging the governor and lawmakers to put more funding in this year's budget for healthcare.

Advocates call on lawmakers to pass Clean Slate Act
Advocates call on lawmakers to pass Clean Slate Act

Monday, advocates traveled to Albany to rally for a bill called the Clean Slate Act that would allow for automatic sealing of some convictions. 

NY one-house budget resolutions to include Gov. Hochul's cigarette tax increase
NY one-house budget resolutions to include Gov. Hochul's cigarette tax increase

This week in their one-house budget resolutions, New York legislators did not fully advance the governor's proposal to expand the state's ban on the sale of flavored vaping products and tobacco to include menthol. 

NY one-house budget resolutions repeal Medicaid carve out
NY one-house budget resolutions repeal Medicaid carve out

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget plan proposes a transition from Medicaid managed care plans to NYRx, a fee-for-service Medicaid program. But this week lawmakers repealed this transition in their one-house budget resolutions. 

NY Legislature delivers one-house budget resolutions
NY Legislature delivers one-house budget resolutions

This week the Senate and the Assembly release their one-house budget resolutions, not including the governor's proposal that would eliminate the least restrictive standard for judges to set bail. 

Nor'easter storm impact on Albany
Nor'easter storm impact on Albany

Capital region hit with six inches of snow from Nor'easter storm.

Mental health advocates push for more funding in NY budget for cost-of-living adjustment
Mental health advocates push for more funding in NY budget for cost-of-living adjustment

Monday, mental health advocates traveled to Albany to plead for an 8.5 percent increase to the cost-of-living adjustment in the state budget to bolster the mental health workforce. 

A budget amendment seeks to exempt farms from phase out of fossil fuel equipment
A budget amendment seeks to exempt farms from phase out of fossil fuel equipment

Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget recently reached the 30 day mark--her time to make amendments. One of her budget amendments includes an exemption for farms using fossil fuel equipment. 

Brain injury advocates call on lawmakers to fund continuum of care plan
Brain injury advocates call on lawmakers to fund continuum of care plan

Advocates are calling on lawmakers to fund continuum of care for brain injury survivors. Some advocates said survivors need this funding to expand information and resources. 

Transportation advocates push for more funding in state budget
Transportation advocates push for more funding in state budget

Gov. Kathy Hochul's state budget proposes maintaining funding for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) at $577.8 million. Some lawmakers said it's not enough. 

Senate passes bill to expand doula services
Senate passes bill to expand doula services

The state Senate recently passed a bill intending to expand access to doula services.

Advocates push for compromise on Medicaid pharmacy carveout
Advocates push for compromise on Medicaid pharmacy carveout

Monday, advocates traveled to Albany urging the governor and legislators to stop the carve-out of pharmacy benefits from NYRx, a Medicaid program. 

Senate passes bill this week to address equity in maternal health services
Senate passes bill this week to address equity in maternal health services

At a time when maternal mortality rates remain high, this week the Senate passed a bill to enhance the scope of health equity assessments to now include reproductive and maternal health services. 

Proposed legislation to extend support to gun violence victims and their families
Proposed legislation to extend support to gun violence victims and their families

A package of legislation in Albany would extend support and protections for families of crime victims.

Gov. Hochul emphasizes New York Housing Compact ahead of budget negotiations
Gov. Hochul emphasizes New York Housing Compact ahead of budget negotiations

While the legislature conducted one of the last budget hearings on housing Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul highlights the urgency of the New York Housing Compact--a plan included in her budget to address New York's housing crisis. 

Advocates rally at the capitol for the menthol ban
Advocates rally at the capitol for the menthol ban

Gov. Hochul's budget proposes legislation to expand on the state's ban of the sale of flavored vaping products and tobacco by now including menthol. 

Republican lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul's clean energy policies
Republican lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul's clean energy policies

In her state of the state address in January, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a plan to end the sale of any new fossil-fuel-powered heating equipment by 2030. Today, some Republican lawmakers and energy stakeholders express their opposition.

A breakdown of Gov. Hochul's rural housing budget plan
A breakdown of Gov. Hochul's rural housing budget plan

With rising costs of inflation impacting housing development, Gov. Hochul proposes $1.2 million for neighborhood and rural preservation programs in the Southern Tier. 

Some lawmakers and veterans want more funding for the Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services program
Some lawmakers and veterans want more funding for the Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services program

Gov. Hochul proposes $7.7 million in her budget for the Dwyer Veteran Peer-to-Peer Services program. Some lawmakers and veterans feel this is not enough

A breakdown of Gov. Hochul's budget plans for clean water
A breakdown of Gov. Hochul's budget plans for clean water

In her $227 billion budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes $500 million in additional funding for clean water infrastructure. But some experts said it's not enough to address New York's clean water crisis. 

Some lawmakers urge Gov. Hochul to increase the cost-of-living adjustment to 8.5%
Some lawmakers urge Gov. Hochul to increase the cost-of-living adjustment to 8.5%

ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- Erin Moran has struggled with her mental health for most of her life. She said when she was 26, she hit a crisis point. For the next three and a half years she went to the emergency room 14 times and had 16 psychiatric hospitalizations

Lawmakers emphasize cost-of-living adjustment in mental health budget hearing
Lawmakers emphasize cost-of-living adjustment in mental health budget hearing

In the ninth of thirteen budget hearings, lawmakers highlighted a variety of issues in mental health including wraparound services and the opioid settlement fund but the focal point was the cost-of-living adjustment. 

Senate sends Chief Judge nominee to the floor
Senate sends Chief Judge nominee to the floor

A few weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary Committee threw out Gov. Kathy Hochul's nomination for the state's Court of Appeals sending many lawmakers into upset. Wednesday, the Senate decided to move forward with a floor vote for nominee Hector LaSalle.