New York State Budget

This year, a lot of the uncertainty boils down to the question of whether districts will receive a 1% or 2% increase in what's known as foundation aid, which covers general-purpose operating costs.

(Airs 05/08/26 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: While Governor Hochul said a budget agreement was reached this week, Assembly Speaker Heastie says not so fast, we’ll take a look at how the federal Farm Bill addresses small farmers needs in the Hudson Valley, and there were a record number of visits to the venues operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority last year.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced she had reached a deal with the state legislature on a $268 billion spending plan – though the speaker of the Assembly is reportedly not on board.

(Airs 05/07/26 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with John Kaeney, Executive Director of Reinvent Albany, about Governor Hochul’s power in negotiating a state budget, Hochul’s support for redistricting, the push to get lobbyists to reporter their positions on bills, and more.

(Airs 05/07/26 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with John Kaeney, Executive Director of Reinvent Albany, about Governor Hochul’s power in negotiating a state budget, Hochul’s support for redistricting, the push to get lobbyists to reporter their positions on bills, and more.

The fight over New York’s quarter-plus-trillion dollar budget continues with little evidence of it ending anytime soon. In what has now become an annual ritual, Governor Hochul has frozen budget negotiations in order to pressure lawmakers to agree to what are essentially non-budget policy initiatives.

Officials in Schenectady are advocating for a bump in state funds in pursuit of what they’re calling “regional fairness.”

(Airs 04/16/26 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with Dan Clark, reporter and author of Capitol Confidential for The Times Union, about what’s holding up the state budget, changing the 2019 state climate law, who’s challenging Tom DiNapoli in the race for Comptroller, and much more.

(Airs 04/16/26 @ 3 p.m.) WAMC’s David Guistina in conversation with Dan Clark, reporter and author of Capitol Confidential for The Times Union, about what’s holding up the state budget, changing the 2019 state climate law, who’s challenging Tom DiNapoli in the race for Comptroller, and much more.

New York’s state budget is now two weeks late. There are no public indications that the secret negotiations are heading toward a quick resolution. Reading the tea leaves, the late budget is largely the result of Governor Hochul’s insistence that lawmakers approve non-budget measures, such as weakening the climate law, as part of an overall budget agreement.