NY State
Local news and civic information for NY State, New York
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2026 State Legislative Session Dates Chart Released
MultiState has published a comprehensive guide tracking the legislative session dates for all 50 states in 2026. The chart includes start and end dates of sessions, bill introduction deadlines, crossover deadlines, carryover provisions, and notes on special sessions or unique state-specific deadlines. Most states begin their regular sessions in January, with specific dates ranging from January 5th to February 20th. Session lengths vary widely; for example, New Mexico's session is limited to 30 days while Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have year-round legislatures through December 31st, 2026. The guide also highlights critical deadlines such as bill introduction windows in Florida (January 13th) and California (through February 20th). Additionally, the chart details carryover provisions for multi-year legislative strategies.
Governor Hochul Launches 'Central New York Forward' Project to Address Transportation Needs
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the “Central New York (CNY) Forward” project on July 10, 2026. This initiative aims to study and address transportation needs in northern Onondaga County while preparing for anticipated economic growth in the region. The project is comprehensive and seeks to enhance infrastructure to support future development.
New York State Budget Addresses Utility Costs and ICE Cooperation
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the $268.5 billion New York state budget, which is two months late but marks a significant milestone in state governance. The budget includes measures to address high utility costs by enacting new reporting requirements for utilities seeking rate hikes, requiring companies to submit lower-cost alternatives, and allowing an independent affordability monitor if rate requests exceed 3%. Additionally, eligible households will receive rebate checks ranging from $150 to $200 this fall. Other key provisions include restrictions on ICE cooperation with local jails and the prohibition of formal agreements between local governments and ICE.
Governor Hochul Announces Budget Priorities and Policy Initiatives for New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul has outlined key policy initiatives in her 2026 State of the State address. The budget focuses on universal child care, significant economic investments without raising taxes, and enhancing school safety through smartphone restrictions. Notable achievements include a $100 billion investment by Micron Technologies to boost Central New York's semiconductor industry and inflation refund checks sent to over 8 million households in fall 2025.
NY Attorney General Sues PFAS Chemical Companies
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against chemical companies responsible for producing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), alleging pollution that has harmed public health and the environment. The suit targets major corporations like 3M and DuPont, accusing them of knowingly selling toxic products over decades. Additionally, Rep. Tim Kennedy is advocating for legislation to ease travel between New York and Canada through international bridges, while a lawsuit challenges the recount process in an Onondaga County Legislature primary race.
New York State Budget Exempts $1.5 Billion From Oversight
The recently passed New York State budget includes a provision that exempts nearly $1.5 billion in contracts from oversight by the state's fiscal watchdog, the Comptroller's office. This move allows Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration to enter into future contracts without approval from the comptroller, which typically ensures fair competition and prevents wasteful spending. The exemption covers various programs such as a golf tournament, swimming initiatives, and rural health care expansion through telehealth services. Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about this reduction in oversight, citing potential issues with transparency and accountability.
State Lawmakers Push for Governor's Approval of Housing Bills
Democratic Assemblymember Harry Bronson is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a series of housing-related bills he sponsored during the legislative session. The push comes amid ongoing discussions about housing investments following a deadly fire at the Knights Inn hotel in Endwell, which displaced many residents and highlighted the need for better temporary housing solutions. Additionally, Maurice 'Mo' Brown declared victory over incumbent Bill Magnarelli in the Democratic primary for the 129th state Assembly District after absentee ballots were counted, emphasizing his commitment to fighting for affordable housing, healthcare, and education.
New York State Legislature Returns to Address Budget Extender and Housing Investments
Lawmakers in the Democrat-led New York State Legislature returned to Albany amid a tense atmosphere as they worked on passing a $3.4 billion budget extender, which would push back the state’s spending plan deadline by two weeks. This delay comes after a deadly fire at the Knights Inn hotel in Endwell displaced many and killed six people. In response, Senator Lea Webb and Assemblywoman Donnal Lupardo highlighted housing investments included in the state budget to address such crises. Additionally, calls for State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Luis Sepulveda to resign are growing due to new court records revealing he reported a judge on one of his housing cases to court administration.
Mayor Mamdani Criticizes Budget Deal with City Council Speaker Menin
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has criticized the recently announced budget deal with City Council Speaker Julie Menin. He emphasized that balancing the city's budget through austerity measures is not a responsible fiscal approach, particularly when it places undue burden on working people. Mamdani’s stance reflects his ongoing commitment to promoting affordability and protecting the financial well-being of New York City residents.
2026 Legislative Session Dates for All U.S. States
MultiState provides a comprehensive guide tracking the legislative session dates for all 50 states in 2026 to assist government relations professionals and policy advocates. The chart includes start and end dates, bill introduction deadlines, crossover deadlines, carryover provisions, and notes on special sessions or unique state-specific deadlines. Key highlights include most states starting their sessions between January 5th and 20th, with session lengths ranging from New Mexico's brief 30-day period to year-round legislatures in Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Bill introduction deadlines vary widely, with some requiring immediate filing while others allow introductions through February. Carryover provisions are available in 23 states for multi-year legislative strategies.
New Jersey Legislature Provides Resources for Bill Search and Legislative Schedule
The New Jersey Legislature offers tools to track legislative activities and bills. Users can search for specific bills by number or subject, such as abortion, agriculture, animal welfare, banking and finance, civil rights, consumer affairs, corrections, crimes and penalties, criminal procedures, domestic relations, economic development, education, elections, energy conservation, environment, health care, housing, insurance, labor, public safety, transportation, and more. The site also provides schedules for the Senate and Assembly, including dates of legislative sessions and budget hearings. For updates on schedule changes due to emergencies like snow days, users can call a toll-free number or a direct line.
Skoufis Outlines State Budget Emphasizing Affordability and Education
New York State Senator James Skoufis provided details on the recently approved state budget as the legislative session concluded. The budget includes measures aimed at enhancing affordability, such as reforms to auto insurance rates and housing assistance programs. Additionally, it renews the Orange County IDA monitor with expanded powers to ensure tax breaks are given only to projects that meet certain criteria and can be revoked if necessary. Skoufis also highlighted the expansion of Universal Pre-K (UPK) for all four-year-olds within two years, which will eliminate lotteries for enrollment. The senator further discussed alcohol law reforms designed to provide financial relief by regulating or eliminating fees for restaurants and bars.
Governor Hochul Announces Major Investments in Housing and Sports Infrastructure
Governor Kathy Hochul announced several significant projects across New York State. In Niagara Falls, she marked the start of construction for The Nest, a $39 million mixed-use development aimed at providing affordable housing. Additionally, in Brooklyn, Bartlett Crossing, a $71.5 million project, is set to create 78 affordable apartments. Governor Hochul also celebrated the relocation of Gotham FC, the National Women’s Soccer League champion, to Etihad Park in Queens starting from 2028.
Governor Hochul Announces Budget and Policy Initiatives for 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled her budget and policy initiatives for the State of New York in 2026. The budget aims to fund universal child care without increasing taxes, making historic investments that benefit all residents. Additionally, Governor Hochul announced a statewide restriction on smartphone use during school hours from September 2025 onwards, aimed at enhancing student focus and learning environments. Other highlights include inflation refund checks sent to households across New York State in fall 2025 and the relocation of Gotham FC, the National Women’s Soccer League champion, to Etihad Park in Queens starting in 2028.
Understanding Legislative History in New York State
Legislative history research in New York State aims to uncover the intent behind laws passed by the legislature. This process involves examining bill jackets, which include sponsor's memoranda, counsel statements, and state agency positions but exclude hearing transcripts. Bills introduced in either house of the New York State Legislature are assigned unique identifiers with prefixes 'a' for Assembly and 's' for Senate, followed by a number and optional letters indicating amendments. The New York State Library provides comprehensive guides to assist researchers. Both houses of the legislature offer websites containing legislative materials from 1995 onwards for the Senate and 1999 onwards for the Assembly.
New York State Budget Passed with Measures on Utilities and ICE
The New York State budget was finally passed after a delay of nearly two months, totaling $268.5 billion. Key provisions include new reporting requirements for utilities seeking rate hikes and the introduction of an 'independent affordability monitor' if rate increases exceed 3%. Additionally, eligible households will receive rebate checks between $150 and $200 this fall. The budget also includes measures to limit cooperation with ICE by local jails and bans formal agreements between local governments and ICE.
Speaker Menin and City Council Reach Agreement on $125.8B FY2027 Budget with Mayor Mamdani
Speaker Julie Menin and the New York City Council have reached an agreement with Mayor Zohran Mamdani on a $125.8 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget. The budget includes historic investments aimed at lowering living costs, expanding educational opportunities, ensuring housing stability, and enhancing services for New Yorkers while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Key initiatives include the creation of $1,000 college savings accounts for every public school kindergartner, a significant expansion of Fair Fares, increased funding for housing vouchers, and substantial investments in parks, libraries, cultural institutions, and CUNY. The Council also secured an additional $350 million in reserves to bolster the city's long-term financial stability.
New York State Reports on Prison System Issues and Kratom Ban Proposals
The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has released a comprehensive report addressing issues within the state's prison system. The report, developed in collaboration with law firm WilmerHale, outlines failures within DOCCS and proposes recommendations for improvement following the deaths of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi at the hands of correction officers. Additionally, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente has proposed a ban on kratom and kratom-derived products, citing concerns about its effects similar to opioids or stimulants depending on the dose taken.
Sherrill Signs First $60.74 Billion Budget Emphasizing Affordability
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed her first budget of $60.74 billion on Tuesday night after it was passed by the legislature earlier in the day. The budget preserves billions in reserves and relies on stronger-than-expected tax collections to fund record spending for schools, property tax relief, health care, transportation, pensions, and other legislative priorities. In the Assembly, the bill passed 58-20 with one Republican joining Democrats, while in the Senate it was approved 26-14 with another Republican voting alongside the Democratic majority. Sherrill emphasized that this budget prioritizes affordability for New Jersey families by addressing housing costs, health care expenses, and property taxes without raising individual taxes.
Mayor Mamdani Rejects Austerity in New York City Budget
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a budget deal with City Council Speaker Julie Menin, emphasizing his opposition to austerity measures. He argues that cutting services on the backs of working people is not fiscally responsible and vows to return to this approach when faced with demands for austerity. Instead, Mamdani advocates for an ambitious budget focused on affordability and supporting residents.
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