About New York Focus

New York Focus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom covering state and local politics in the Empire State.

Launched in October 2020, New York Focus aims to help make government more transparent by publishing in-depth journalism that cuts through the noise to explain how the state really works.

New York State’s legislative process is notoriously opaque to outsiders and murky even to its own rank-and-file legislators. New York scores at the top of state corruption rankings. As the pandemic deals fresh blows to an already depleted local news landscape, New Yorkers increasingly lack the information and resources to hold their representatives accountable.

The lack of coverage is particularly dramatic at the state level. Power in New York is centralized in Albany, where the governor and legislature spend more money each year than 90 percent of the world’s countries. Yet most of New York’s accountability news focuses on New York City. New York Focus is the state’s only nonprofit news organization focused on state politics.

We investigate power and report stories that would otherwise go untold, guided by the belief that politics is not a sport. Decisions made in New York’s executive mansions, legislative chambers, state administrative offices, courts, nonprofits, union halls, and campaign headquarters don’t stay there. They determine how many New Yorkers sleep on the street each night; how large public college classes are; how many hospital beds are available during a pandemic.

To pitch New York Focus, send a story tip, or get in touch, please see editors’ and reporters’ contact information on our masthead. We can also be reached at editor@nysfocus.com.

We are particularly interested in pitches related to housing and homelessness, climate and environment, criminal justice, labor, fiscal policy and economic development, and the administration of Governor Kathy Hochul.

We invite New Yorkers with original views on state politics — especially with insights underrepresented in legacy media — to contribute to our Perspectives section. Please send submissions to editor@nysfocus.com.

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Meet our team.

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Hector LaSalle Faces Senate Judiciary Hearing: Live Updates
New York State
Hector LaSalle Faces Senate Judiciary Hearing: Live Updates
Governor Kathy Hochul's embattled pick faces steep odds in the legislature — if Senate leaders choose to bring his nomination to a floor vote. Follow along for updates on his Judiciary Committee hea

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January 18
The State Police Are Watching Your Social Media
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
The State Police Are Watching Your Social Media
The New York State Police bought social media monitoring programs that have violated platforms’ policies and been used to surveil Black Lives Matter protesters.

By

January 13
Kathy Hochul Calls for ‘Cap and Invest’ to Slash Emissions
Budget, Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
Kathy Hochul Calls for ‘Cap and Invest’ to Slash Emissions
The idea is winning over skeptics. Will the harmony last when it’s time to hammer out the details?

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January 11
As Hochul Makes New Promises in State of the State, Last Year’s Parole Pledge Is Still Waiting
Criminal Justice, New York State
As Hochul Makes New Promises in State of the State, Last Year’s Parole Pledge Is Still Waiting
This time last year, Hochul promised to fully staff the parole board. But vacancies have only grown — and went unmentioned in this year’s agenda.

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January 10
‘Highly Unlikely’ Hector LaSalle Gets a Floor Vote, Say Senate Democrats
New York State, Reporting
‘Highly Unlikely’ Hector LaSalle Gets a Floor Vote, Say Senate Democrats
Governor Kathy Hochul maintains that her chief judge nominee will go through a Senate hearing and vote. The Senate Democrats’ spokesperson disagrees.

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January 6
Surprise Veto Upended Immigrant Rights Bill Sought Over a Decade
Criminal Justice, Immigration, New York State, Reporting
Surprise Veto Upended Immigrant Rights Bill Sought Over a Decade
Legislators wanted to make judges warn defendants about deportation risks. They say Kathy Hochul’s veto left them blindsided.

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January 6
Will Hector LaSalle Be the Next Janet DiFiore?
Criminal Justice, Labor, New York State, Reporting
Will Hector LaSalle Be the Next Janet DiFiore?
LaSalle’s supporters argue opponents are cherry-picking his record. But on eight out of nine recent cases, he agreed with the Court of Appeals’ conservative bloc.

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January 5
Thousands of New York City Nurses Are on Strike. Statewide, a New Law Drove Bitter Staffing Debates
Health, Labor, New York State
Thousands of New York City Nurses Are on Strike. Statewide, a New Law Drove Bitter Staffing Debates
The law was supposed to deliver safer staffing ratios. Instead, it raised tensions at one in four New York hospitals.

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January 5
Here’s Every Bill Hochul Vetoed in 2022
New York State, Reporting
Here’s Every Bill Hochul Vetoed in 2022
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a record number of bills last year — but rejected 165 others, wielding her veto pen with newfound vigor.

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January 3
Hochul Pushes Changes to Carpet Bill, Igniting Bitter Debate Over ‘Chemical Recycling’
Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
Hochul Pushes Changes to Carpet Bill, Igniting Bitter Debate Over ‘Chemical Recycling’
Some environmentalists say the amendments would allow unacceptable pollution. Others argue they’re missing the point.

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December 23
Big Buildings Get a Pass for Pollution if Eric Adams Doesn’t Close His New Corporate Loophole
Climate and Environment, New York City, Perspectives
Big Buildings Get a Pass for Pollution if Eric Adams Doesn’t Close His New Corporate Loophole
By liberally allowing landlords to purchase renewable energy credits, the new Adams rule would defang Local Law 97.

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December 23
Hochul Picks Hector LaSalle for Chief Judge. Progressives Fear Return to Conservative Era.
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
Hochul Picks Hector LaSalle for Chief Judge. Progressives Fear Return to Conservative Era.
LaSalle’s leadership could restore the conservative majority that dominated the court under Janet DiFiore.

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December 22
‘No B Officer’: How an Understaffed Rikers Island Allowed Another Suicide
Criminal Justice, New York City, Reporting
‘No B Officer’: How an Understaffed Rikers Island Allowed Another Suicide
New documents obtained by New York Focus offer a glimpse into the last hours of Kevin Bryan’s life. His was one of several recent deaths at Rikers in dorms with unstaffed posts.

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December 22
New York Finally Has a Climate Plan. Now Comes the Hard Part.
Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
New York Finally Has a Climate Plan. Now Comes the Hard Part.
More than three years after the state passed its sweeping climate bill, the ball is back in lawmakers’ court.

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December 20
As Hochul’s Deadline Nears, Law Professors Urge Against ‘Activist Conservative’ for Chief Judge
Criminal Justice, Health, Labor, New York State, Reporting
As Hochul’s Deadline Nears, Law Professors Urge Against ‘Activist Conservative’ for Chief Judge
Dozens of law professors are raising the alarm over Judge Hector LaSalle’s rulings on ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ and union protections. Hispanic and Latino lawyers’ groups say his appointment

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December 19
Hochul Vetoed Water Protection Bill Because New York Lacks the Staff to Enforce It
Budget, Climate and Environment, New York State
Hochul Vetoed Water Protection Bill Because New York Lacks the Staff to Enforce It
Two years ago, Andrew Cuomo vetoed a clean water bill, citing staff cuts. Last Friday, Kathy Hochul used the same argument to turn it down again.

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December 15
Here’s Every Bill Hochul Hasn’t Signed
Budget, Climate and Environment, Criminal Justice, Health, Housing, Immigration, Labor, New York State, Reporting
Here’s Every Bill Hochul Hasn’t Signed
The governor has three weeks and 265 potential laws to consider. New York Focus compiled them all.

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December 12
New York’s Chief Financial Regulator Promised Climate Action This Year. Where Is It?
Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
New York’s Chief Financial Regulator Promised Climate Action This Year. Where Is It?
Wall Street watchdog Adrienne Harris said her department would release climate change guidance for banks in 2022. She’s yet to publish a draft.

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December 7
The Cap-and-Trade Fight Comes to New York
Budget, Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
The Cap-and-Trade Fight Comes to New York
While the state climate council weighs a “cap-and-invest” program, environmental justice groups are pressing for new taxes on the rich and the polluters.

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December 5
To Implement a New Law, Prisons Likely Broke Another
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
To Implement a New Law, Prisons Likely Broke Another
Legislators told the prison department it was violating a solitary confinement reform law. So it ignored them.

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December 2
Chief Judge Shortlist Excluded Court’s Sitting Liberals, DiFiore Opponents
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
Chief Judge Shortlist Excluded Court’s Sitting Liberals, DiFiore Opponents
Three current Court of Appeals judges applied for the lead position. They are all people of color — and the only judges who regularly dissented from former chief Janet DiFiore's conservative rulings

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December 1
The Private Equity ‘Black Box’ Pours New York Pensions Touting Divestment Into Fossil Fuels
Budget, Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
The Private Equity ‘Black Box’ Pours New York Pensions Touting Divestment Into Fossil Fuels
Routing $500 million through a Blackstone fund, the New York State Common Retirement Fund is among the largest investors in a notorious Ohio coal plant.

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November 30
Chief Judge Shortlist Offers Hochul a Stark Choice
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
Chief Judge Shortlist Offers Hochul a Stark Choice
Former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s unexpected resignation gave the governor a chance to reshape the Court of Appeals. Her pick will affect New Yorkers' rights for years to come.

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November 28
The State Police Want to Crack Your Phone
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
The State Police Want to Crack Your Phone
The Israeli firm Cellebrite offers tools that unlock data, trawl search histories, and perform facial recognition. The New York State Police are in the market.

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November 23
To Meet Climate Mandate, New York Needs to Learn How to Build Clean Energy Again
Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
To Meet Climate Mandate, New York Needs to Learn How to Build Clean Energy Again
After a decade of building virtually no large-scale renewables, New York is planning to build enough to power millions of homes over the next eight years. What will it take to pull it off?

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November 21
Republicans Won Big on Long Island. So Did Affordable Housing.
Electoral Politics, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Republicans Won Big on Long Island. So Did Affordable Housing.
Even as Long Island veers right, the Hamptons just voted to tax the wealthy to fund mid-range housing.

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November 17
Bomb Dogs, ‘Goon Squad,’ Subway Cops: Who’s Making a Killing in NYPD Overtime
Criminal Justice, New York City, Reporting, Transit
Bomb Dogs, ‘Goon Squad,’ Subway Cops: Who’s Making a Killing in NYPD Overtime
Eric Adams pledged to cut police overtime in half. Instead, his initiatives helped it soar to the second-highest level on record.

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November 16
Rats, Roaches, Leaks: Rent-Stabilized Building Owners Whose Bets Went Sour Delay Repairs
Housing, New York City, Reporting
Rats, Roaches, Leaks: Rent-Stabilized Building Owners Whose Bets Went Sour Delay Repairs
Crumbling conditions in two Bronx buildings show how tenants pay the price when real estate speculation doesn’t work out.

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November 11
What’s the Plan, Kathy?
New York State, Reporting
What’s the Plan, Kathy?
New Yorkers picked Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday. New York Focus staff picked ten questions we'll be watching for her tenure.

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November 9
The ‘Red Wave’ Hit Southern Brooklyn. Some Blame the County Democrats.
Electoral Politics, New York City, New York State, Reporting
The ‘Red Wave’ Hit Southern Brooklyn. Some Blame the County Democrats.
After the Brooklyn Democratic Party did almost nothing to mobilize voters, Republicans swept the borough’s southern points.

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November 9
Landfill Fight Illustrates New York’s Heaping Trash Problem
Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting
Landfill Fight Illustrates New York’s Heaping Trash Problem
New York planned to slash its trash. Instead, we’re producing more garbage than ever.

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November 8
Meet the Moguls Fueling Lee Zeldin’s Super PAC Boost
Electoral Politics, New York State
Meet the Moguls Fueling Lee Zeldin’s Super PAC Boost
New York Focus found six big spenders who have poured money into PACs backing Kathy Hochul’s Republican challenger.

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November 4
Blind Spots: Sexual Assault Allegation Exposes Self-Policing Prison System
Criminal Justice, Health, New York State, Perspectives, Reporting
Blind Spots: Sexual Assault Allegation Exposes Self-Policing Prison System
Robert Adams alleges that a guard sodomized him with a baton. A year-long investigation into his story uncovered a system plagued by retaliation and primed for abuse.

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November 3
New York’s Prison Chief Ordered Guards to Illegally Shackle People to Desks
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
New York’s Prison Chief Ordered Guards to Illegally Shackle People to Desks
Anthony Annucci’s internal memo tells staff to restrain incarcerated people during any out-of-cell time, affecting at least 5,000.

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November 7
‘Voters Are Lethargic’: Poll Suggests A Missing Economic Message In Governor’s Race
Electoral Politics, New York State, Reporting
‘Voters Are Lethargic’: Poll Suggests A Missing Economic Message In Governor’s Race
A new poll suggests a missing economic message is contributing to an unexpectedly close governor's race.

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November 3
Has Anyone Told the Brooklyn Democratic Party There’s an Election Next Week?
Electoral Politics, New York City, New York State, Reporting
Has Anyone Told the Brooklyn Democratic Party There’s an Election Next Week?
Downstate turnout could decide the governor’s race. The Brooklyn Democratic Party is mounting almost no campaign effort.

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November 2
‘They Lied to All of Us’: Ten Years After Hurricane Sandy, Construction Begins on Staten Island’s Promised Wetland
Climate and Environment, Housing, New York City, New York State, Reporting
‘They Lied to All of Us’: Ten Years After Hurricane Sandy, Construction Begins on Staten Island’s Promised Wetland
Staten Island residents who sold their homes to the state as part of one of the country’s first major “managed retreats” were promised the land would be returned to nature. I

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October 29
Mayor Issues Ultimatum on Retiree Health Care, Seeking End to Standoff
Budget, Health, Labor, New York City, Reporting
Mayor Issues Ultimatum on Retiree Health Care, Seeking End to Standoff
The City Council must enable budget-cutting new health insurance options for retirees, warns Eric Adams’s chief labor negotiator — or City Hall will eliminate existing insurance plans.

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October 31
City Council Moves Forward With Gowanus Rezoning After Slashing Affordable Housing
Housing, New York City, Reporting
City Council Moves Forward With Gowanus Rezoning After Slashing Affordable Housing
A proposal to build dozens of units on a block near the Gowanus industrial zone was cut in half after locals lobbied Councilmember Shahana Hanif.

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October 27
Most of New York Gas Tax Holiday Savings Don’t Go to New Yorkers, Analysis Finds
Budget, Climate and Environment, New York State, Reporting, Transit
Most of New York Gas Tax Holiday Savings Don’t Go to New Yorkers, Analysis Finds
Out of every dollar the gas tax suspension costs the state, less than 50 cents are going into New Yorkers’ pockets.

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October 26
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