On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. On This Latest Edition of New York NOW: The state budget included savings to the Medicaid program as well as cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) program. Patrick Orecki, of the Citizens Budget Commission, joins us to unpack the reality of funding Medicaid as well as healthcare priorities this ..read more

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. &nbs ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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. Exp ..read more

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 t ..read more

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-n ..read more

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 Ra ..read more

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 docum ..read more

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 ..read more