New York Now

The final FY25 state budget has been passed. Reporters Zach Williams, of Bloomberg Law, Vaughn Golden, of the New York Post, and Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, join us to unpack the budget process this year and the highlights. While there was major opposition to plans to close SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the final budget included funding to help the hospital stay open for at least another year. Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (D-Crown Heights) joins us to discuss the funding as well as his legislative priorities through the rest of the year.   Explore More: nynow.org

It was a busy week at the state Capitol with budget progress. The governor announced a conceptual state budget agreement and lawmakers voted on the first few budget bills. During his last days as DEC Commissioner, Basil Seggos about his tenure and legacy at the state department. Producer Dana Wright spoke with the DEC and environmental experts to understand the impact of air pollution and what's being done about it as part of the NY& Climate series. In the late 1970s, it was discovered a Niagara Falls neighborhood was build atop toxic chemicals. We unpack the tragedy highlighted in the documentary, A Love Canal Tragedy.   Explore More: nynow.org

A look behind the curtain at the daily lives of reporters in New York's Legislative Correspondents Association at the state Capitol - the longest-running press corps in the United States, focused on covering the politics and policy issues of New York. We sit down with Isabelle Dolores "Dee" Wedemeyer, one of the first women to be admitted into the LCA, to discuss her career and work in the LCA. Have you been to the New York State Capitol? Not like this. WMHT's Will Pedigo takes us inside the historic building. Explore More: nynow.org

The governor and legislative leaders are still in negotiations on the state budget, including a potential agreement to address the state's housing crisis. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have put together a housing proposal of their own. Assembly Member Patricia Fahy joins us to discuss the path forward for the New York Heat Act - a bill meant to ensure gas companies honor the state's climate goals. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss funding for Immigration Services and the migrant crisis. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Amid ongoing budget negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders, the deadline for the state budget has been extended. Advocates and lawmakers are calling for increased funding for public universities and colleges as well as tuition assistance for students. We speak with SUNY Chancellor John King about higher education funding, enrollment and plans for SUNY Downstate. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani joins us to discuss the "Get Congestion Pricing Right" proposal meant to improve bus reliability and expand the fare-free bus program. Explore More: nynow.org

Budget negotiations are underway at the State Capitol. We sat down with state Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) to unpack the chamber's one-house budget proposal and priorities. Michelle Jackson, of the Human Services Council, joins us to discuss a push to get a 3.2% cost of living adjustment for human service workers. It's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! We sit down with Kristin Proud, the executive director of the state Council on Developmental Disabilities and Shameka Andrews, caucus chair of the Council, to understand the world of opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Explore More: nynow.org

On This Week's Edition of New York NOW: It's Women's History Month so we'll be diving into the state's approach to women's issues with Elise Kline, of WENY NEWS. We'll unpack a task force that will be created in the months ahead to examine the rates of missing BIPOC women and children and issue policy recommendations. State Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) joins us to discuss the expansion of doula access and maternal health care in New York. Explore more: https://nynow.wmht.org/blogs/full-episodes/full-episode-nys-approach-to-womens-issues-missing-bipoc-women-children-state-sen-samra-brouk/

After Democrats struck down the independent redistricting commission's congressional map, the chambers passed their own version, which was signed into law by the governor. You can find more information about your congressional district here. We unpack the new congressional districts and how it all unfolded with Bill Mahoney, of POLITICO, and David Lombardo, of The Capitol Pressroom. State lawmakers are looking for ways to increase funding for public universities and expand the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in this year's budget. Producer Catherine Rafferty spoke with education stakeholders about those efforts. Explore More: nynow.org

In the latest Siena College Research Institute, Gov. Kathy Hochul saw a slight decrease in favorability while voters named cost of living as their top concern. A look behind the curtain at the daily lives of reporters in New York's Legislative Correspondents Association at the state Capitol - which is the longest-running press corps in the United States, focused on covering the politics and policy issues of New York. As a participant in the PBS Ignite Mentorship for Diverse Voices, producer Theo Moore collaborated with New York NOW for an in-depth documentary on the career of iconic photojournalist Jim Peppler. Explore More: nynow.org

New York has continued to expand access to abortion care, but what about birth control? We speak with Jenna Bimbi, the Founder and Co-Executive Director of the New York Birth Access Project, about a campaign to make birth control accessible at state schools. Housing remains an top issue, after the governor and Legislature failed to come to an agreement on a plan last year. We unpack the governor's approach to housing in the FY '25 Executive Budget and the response from lawmakers. Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin joins us to discuss health legislative priorities including the Medicaid spending, New York Health Act and the Medicaid in Dying bill.

Explore the intricacies of New York's education budget proposal, scrutinizing funding allocations and the ensuing debates. From Governor Hochul's ambitious plans to the Legislature's expected interventions, understand the stakes for public schools across the state. Plus, journey into the Adirondacks with author Amy Godine as she reveals the hidden history of black pioneers and their pursuit of racial justice. Uncover the intersection of education and social justice in the Empire State, navigating through policy intricacies and historical revelations. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Rape is Rape Act into law - expanding the state's definition of rape. We unpack the impact and history of the legislation with Maysoon Khan, of the Associated Press, and Ashley Hupfl, of the Daily Gazette. We dive into the testimony on the state's Medicaid spending at the Health Executive Budget Public Hearing. Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojás joins us to discuss her bill that would grant continual healthcare coverage to children under the age of six enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Explore More: nynow.org

This week would have marked the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The Democratic-led state Senate passed a legislation aimed at strengthening reproductive rights. We examine the governor's proposals to fund the housing and migrant crisis in the FY'25 executive budget proposal. We unpack the process of running and the importance of competitive elections - in NY&Running for Office. As part of WMHT Opioids in NY Series, we dive into the peer recovery work to help treat opioid addiction at New Choices. Explore More: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her 2024 State of the State Address with her vision and framework for the year ahead. State lawmakers are looking ahead to the release of the executive budget next week for more details on the governor's proposals in the executive budget. Raga Justin, of the Times Union, joins us to discuss. Our NY& series unpacks the work that goes into organizing for a political cause. We learn how the Schenectady Cares Program is being used to provide drug treatment services to people battling opioid addiction - as part of WMHT's Opioids in NY series. Explore More: nynow.org

Governor Kathy Hochul delivers her 2024 State of the State address in the New York State Assembly Chamber.

It's a New Year - and the start of a new legislative session at the state Capitol. We recap the biggest political moments of the last year and unpack the pertinent policy issues expected to shape the 2024 legislative session with David Lombardo, of The Capitol Pressroom, Zach Williams, of Bloomberg Law, and Nick Reisman, of POLITICO. Join us on Tuesday, January 9th at 1pm for out LIVE coverage of Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State Address. Explore More: nynow.org

On this week's edition of New York NOW, we dive into the opioid addiction and overdose crisis in New York state. Raga Justin, of the Times Union, joins us to discuss how the state has been using its opioid settlement funds. We also share episodes from WHMT's series on solutions and stories of the opioid crisis in New York - including the history of drug policy, medication-assisted treatment, virtual support and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. (OASAS)

The state's Court of Appeals - the highest court in the state - issues a ruling that new Congressional maps need to be drawn. We unpack what that means for elections next year with Vaughn Golden of the New York Post and Zach Williams of Bloomberg Law. In recent years, there's been a rise in the development and use of artificial intelligence. But what does that mean for educators? Producer Catherine Rafferty spoke with teachers and students about the benefits and challenges of using AI in classrooms. Explore More: nynow.org

A new edition of NY&, our civics series, looks at how local policy impact what policing looks like across communities in New York state. As part of WMHT'S Opioids in New York series, Public health officials and patients share how medication assisted treatment can assist with addiction recovery at Greene County Family Planning. The Rensselaer County Heroin Coalition is committed to addressing the opioid overdose crisis by providing support and awareness to the issue. Explore more: nynow.org

As the 2024 Legislative Session approaches, dive into the critical intersection of mental health and substance use challenges in New York. InUnity Alliance, led by John Coppola, sheds light on advocacy efforts. Discover the impactful stories of youth peer advocates counseling their peers and learn about the vision for a more inclusive and supportive mental health landscape. Explore more: nynow.org