Future of NY’s ethics body nears

With help from Shawn Ness Two lawsuits that could determine the future of ethics enforcement in New York have advanced in the courts in recent weeks. Either has the potential to send lawmakers back to the drawing board on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature good-government accomplishment — and one could determine whether ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo will

Matt Gaetz campaigns against fellow House Republican, despite leadership pleas not to

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) campaigned with a primary challenger to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) on Thursday, disregarding calls from party leadership for GOP unity. Gaetz was in Texas for an event with Brandon Herrera, a pro-gun social media influencer who forced Gonzales into a primary runoff earlier this month. He did so despite leadership pleas

One (house) and done

With help from Shawn Ness Both houses of the state Legislature approved their one-house budget proposals this afternoon, setting the stage for final talks with Gov. Kathy Hochul over the spending plan that’s due March 31. Today’s debates also gave Republicans a chance to formally weigh in on the plans the Democratic supermajorities released earlier

‘The View’ greets Hochul

With help from Shawn Ness Daytime TV, meet Gov. Kathy Hochul. The governor made her first appearance on “The View” this morning, a brief respite from the ongoing scut work of the state budget negotiations in Albany. It was a chance for her to demonstrate on the midday political gabfest her personal side to a

Tougher retail theft laws face opposition

With help from Shawn Ness Boosting penalties for people who assault retail workers is running into the state budget buzzsaw. Legislative Democrats have formally rejected Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to make it a felony for assaulting a retail worker, a reflection of how the party remains split over criminal justice issues and how to address