Backrooms, Budgets, and Bills—Oh My!
News from New York, off the basketball court
First, save the date for our May Happy Hour: Wednesday 5/14/25. Details to follow!
It’s been over a quarter-century since the Knicks appeared in the NBA finals, just one sign of our diminishing ability to do big things. But maybe this year will be different.
We hope success on the court translates into success for New York in our halls of political power and at the ballot box, where, as usual, much is happening—but not always for the better.
Read on for updates from Albany, City Hall, and our neighborhoods.
Budgets Overdue and on the Horizon
The state budget was due on April 1st; after a series of extenders and protracted negotiations, the finish line appears to be in sight. Governor Hochul will get adjustments to discovery laws, new rules around masks, and a bell-to-bell cell-phone ban. Also notable: full funding for the MTA.
The city will vote on its budget later this year, and Mayor Adams is focusing on supportive housing for New Yorkers who need homes paired with broader social services—a priority that seems to be shared by the Speaker and Council overall.
Bills for the Better
Beyond the budget, Albany has the chance to take important action on abundance issues. For example, the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act would allow faith institutions to build affordable homes on their land, totaling 60,000 statewide; Stop Super Speeders would crack down on deadly drivers who repeatedly flout speeding laws; and the NY HEAT act could finally end subsidies for fossil fuel hookups to new homes while the state could speed solar adoption.
At the City level, recent hearings highlighted support for people-first streets from constituents across the city. New Yorkers want universal daylighting (as required statewide outside the city) to improve visibility and safety at intersections, and they want an outdoor dining program that operates year-round with much simpler participation for beloved restaurants.
Steps forward, steps back
Gun violence is down in New York, which is great news for public safety. Bad news for public safety? Another year with over 250 of our parents, kids, and neighbors killed in traffic crashes. (ICYMI, Justin Davidson wrote in New York about the decades-long primacy of cars in the city—and its consequences.)
Tens of thousands of homeless New Yorkers have been caught up in sweeps—but whether they’re connecting to housing remains to be seen. One long-delayed project to build 100% affordable housing on city-owned land is stalling again since new first deputy mayor Randy Mastro seems inclined to give in to the complaints of NIMBY celebrities.
Elections on the horizon
With less than two months till primary day, ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo still leads in the polls, as he’s picked up backing from powerful union 1199SEIU. But Speaker Adrienne Adams is getting labor love, too—in addition to landing on slates that have also included Comptroller Brad Lander and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
The races are high-profile, but turnout may still be small. A fraction of New Yorkers make decisions for us all, a structural imbalance that journalist Josh Greenman argues should end.
And that’s just the beginning. Keep an eye on your inboxes for more.
In the meantime, if you want to get involved with the 2025 primaries, don’t forget to check out our candidate recommendations and Mobilize page for volunteer opportunities to support the slate.