Akash Mehta, Editor-in-Chief
akash@nysfocus.com

Akash’s reporting on New York politics has appeared in The Intercept, THE CITY, Jacobin and Gothamist.

Lee Harris, Managing Editor
lee@nysfocus.com

Lee has written for The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Jewish Currents, and The Chicago Maroon, where she was editor-in-chief from 2019-2020.

Sam Mellins, Associate Editor
sam@nysfocus.com

Sam’s reporting on New York politics has appeared in The Appeal, THE CITY, Jacobin, and City & State.

Morley Musick, Contributing Editor
morley@nysfocus.com

Morley has written for The Nation, the LA Review of Books, the South Side Weekly and the Hyde Park Herald, and is the founder of Mouse magazine.

Ari Dubow, Contributing Editor
ari@nysfocus.com

Ari has covered upstate news for Tompkins Weekly, the Ithaca Times and Ithaca.com, and was City Editor at the Cornell Daily Sun.

Chloe Miller, Operations
chloe.dl.miller@gmail.com

Chloe Miller is director of operations at Supermajority.

Ross Barkan, Andrew Hsiao, Alexander Kaufman, Sarah Leonard, Raina Lipsitz, and Joel Lovell sit on New York Focus’ Advisory Board.

Web design by Stephan Shaw. Logo by Eric Doctor.

Gas plant in Newburgh tests limits of NY’s landmark climate law
Climate, Labor, New York State, Reporting
Gas plant in Newburgh tests limits of NY’s landmark climate law
Can New York meet its emissions goals if it green-lights more fossil fuel infrastructure? A proposal to rebuild a fracked-gas plant will set the precedent....

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April 22
Health Care Costs for Retired City Workers Could Dramatically Increase Under City Plan
Health, Labor, New York City, Reporting
Health Care Costs for Retired City Workers Could Dramatically Increase Under City Plan
A quarter million retired city workers could be left with bigger health insurance bills and fewer doctor choices under a city plan to change their health insurance....

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April 21
A New Threat to New York’s Clean Energy Goals: Bitcoin Mining
Climate, New York State, Reporting
A New Threat to New York’s Clean Energy Goals: Bitcoin Mining
A Finger Lakes power plant plans to ramp up energy-intensive Bitcoin mining. If the state allows it to proceed, environmentalists warn dozens of fossil-fueled plants could follow....

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April 13
Thousands of New Yorkers are in Prison for Life. These D.A. Candidates Want to Change That
Criminal Justice, Electoral Politics, New York City, Reporting
Thousands of New Yorkers are in Prison for Life. These D.A. Candidates Want to Change That
Manhattan D.A. candidates vow to reduce lengthy sentences—but sharp differences between their approaches remain...

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April 28
What Made It Into The Budget – And What Was Left Out
Budget, New York State, Reporting
What Made It Into The Budget – And What Was Left Out
The major provisions of New York's 2021 budget....

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April 7
Homelessness Priorities Won’t Make the State Budget, Lawmakers and Advocates Say
Budget, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Homelessness Priorities Won’t Make the State Budget, Lawmakers and Advocates Say
“A year from now, this money will still be in the hands of Governor Cuomo, unused - and that’s exactly what he wants.”...

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April 3
“A byzantine and high-bar system”: Governor pushes to saddle undocumented workers fund with documentation requirements
Budget, Labor, New York State, Reporting
“A byzantine and high-bar system”: Governor pushes to saddle undocumented workers fund with documentation requirements
State lawmakers and workers' rights advocates warned that burdensome proof-of-employment requirements may mean the funds go unspent....

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April 2
Will New York’s Rent Relief Program Address The Problems that Hobbled The Last One?
Budget, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Will New York’s Rent Relief Program Address The Problems that Hobbled The Last One?
Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing to impose stringent requirements, according to lawmakers and tenant advocates, that could delay and decrease aid....

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April 2
Where are the Safe Injection Facilities Cuomo Promised for New York?
Health, New York City, New York State, Reporting
Where are the Safe Injection Facilities Cuomo Promised for New York?
He committed three years ago to supporting safe injection sites for drug users — then reversed course, activists say. Now, they see a new chance to pressure the embattled governor....

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March 30
Legislature Seeks to End “Arbitrary Limit” on Medicaid Spending
Budget, Health, New York State, Reporting
Legislature Seeks to End “Arbitrary Limit” on Medicaid Spending
A 2011 rule prevents New York from adequately funding Medicaid, advocates say. This year’s budget could see it repealed. ...

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March 29
Will Rental Vouchers to Prevent Homelessness Make the State Budget?
Budget, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Will Rental Vouchers to Prevent Homelessness Make the State Budget?
The legislature is pushing for a statewide rental assistance program that advocates say would be one the largest efforts to combat homelessness in recent memory....

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March 29
New York’s biggest climate problem—and opportunity
Climate, New York City, New York State, Perspectives
New York’s biggest climate problem—and opportunity
Buildings may be New York’s top source of emissions. The state should follow the city’s lead in cleaning them up....

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March 27
In an Upstate Jail, Incarcerated People Struggle to Access Promised Addiction Treatment
Criminal Justice, New York State, Reporting
In an Upstate Jail, Incarcerated People Struggle to Access Promised Addiction Treatment
In 2019, Broome County promised an addiction treatment program in its jail. Two years later, the program is a “farce,” one advocate said. ...

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March 26
Records Reveal New York’s Growing Mountain of Water Debt
Climate and Environment, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Records Reveal New York’s Growing Mountain of Water Debt
Advocates are pushing the legislature to extend and strengthen a moratorium on water shutoffs set to expire at the end of the month....

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March 17
Legislative Leadership to Propose $7 Billion in New Taxes, Sources Say
Budget, New York State, Reporting
Legislative Leadership to Propose $7 Billion in New Taxes, Sources Say
Tax-the-rich advocates critiqued the figure as too low, and also said the Assembly is significantly behind the Senate on key progressive spending priorities....

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March 11
Queens Public Defenders Win Unionization Vote
Labor, New York City, Reporting
Queens Public Defenders Win Unionization Vote
After months of conflict involving alleged intimidation and potentially illegal firings, workers at Queens Defenders voted overwhelmingly to unionize....

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March 11
“It Damages Democracy:” Watchdogs, Reporters, Slam “Non-Functional” Board of Elections Campaign Finance Website
Electoral Politics, New York State, Reporting
“It Damages Democracy:” Watchdogs, Reporters, Slam “Non-Functional” Board of Elections Campaign Finance Website
Flaws in an updated website make it extremely difficult to track who is funding campaigns, journalists and watchdogs say, but the BOE insists that “the site is fully functioning.” ...

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March 9
Will New York allow incarcerated people to access treatment for drug addiction?
Criminal Justice, Health, New York State, Reporting
Will New York allow incarcerated people to access treatment for drug addiction?
"People in prison deserve healthcare, and this is healthcare.” Legislators push to offer treatment for drug addiction in jails and prisons...

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March 5
“Mired in Incrementalism”: Climate Action Council Proceedings Alarm Climate Advocates
Climate, New York City, Reporting
“Mired in Incrementalism”: Climate Action Council Proceedings Alarm Climate Advocates
Under New York's climate law, the Climate Action Council is tasked with devising a plan to zero out emissions. Environmentalists on the Council say it's not on track....

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March 4
In Manhattan D.A. Race, Momentum Builds to Decriminalize Sex Work
Criminal Justice, Labor, New York City, Reporting
In Manhattan D.A. Race, Momentum Builds to Decriminalize Sex Work
In a striking sign of activists' success, most candidates running in the June election for DA say they would not prosecute cases involving consensual sex work....

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March 4
“We Need to Hold Him Accountable”: After Sexual Harassment Allegations, Legislators Search for Ways to Respond
Labor, New York State, Reporting
“We Need to Hold Him Accountable”: After Sexual Harassment Allegations, Legislators Search for Ways to Respond
With the state ethics commission widely seen as controlled by the governor, legislators are looking for other ways to investigate the allegations....

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February 25
Top state lawmakers oppose Cuomo’s push to override NYC’s landmark climate law
Budget, Climate, New York City, New York State, Reporting
Top state lawmakers oppose Cuomo’s push to override NYC’s landmark climate law
A new analysis finds that the governor’s proposal would “completely undermine” New York City’s climate law, setting the stage for a clash with the newly emboldened legislature....

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February 18
As State Support Dwindles, New York’s Overdose Crisis is Only Getting Worse
Health, New York State, Reporting
As State Support Dwindles, New York’s Overdose Crisis is Only Getting Worse
State withholds have left harm reduction providers undersupplied, and informal overdose prevention networks are struggling to fill the gap....

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February 16
Queens Defenders Fires Two Pro-Union Employees
Criminal Justice, Labor, New York City, Reporting
Queens Defenders Fires Two Pro-Union Employees
Amid an ongoing union election at the Queens indigent defense law firm, two outspoken union supporters were fired without warning....

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February 11
“It’s a life or death situation out here”: a brutal winter for unsheltered New Yorkers
Housing, New York City, Reporting
“It’s a life or death situation out here”: a brutal winter for unsheltered New Yorkers
“We sleep together like chickens”: Street homeless New Yorkers describe the struggle to endure the pandemic-era winter....

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February 8
Will Manhattan’s Next D.A. Break Ranks With Tough-on-Crime Colleagues?
Criminal Justice, Electoral Politics, New York City, New York State, Reporting
Will Manhattan’s Next D.A. Break Ranks With Tough-on-Crime Colleagues?
Three candidates in the June election say they would not join the association of state DAs, which has fought measures such as bail reform....

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February 2
“What am I to do?” An oral history of mothering children in online school
Education, New York City, Reporting
“What am I to do?” An oral history of mothering children in online school
“I’m the security guard, a mother, a father, a teacher, I’m everything." Parents and children reflect on a year of remote learning and its impact on their finances, mental health, and family....

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January 22
Will New York Decriminalize Syringe Possession in 2021?
Criminal Justice, Health, New York State, Reporting
Will New York Decriminalize Syringe Possession in 2021?
Amid dramatic spikes in drug overdoses and HIV cases, legislators and public health professionals push for New York to decriminalize sterile syringes. ...

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January 22
Cuomo’s Tax Hike Friendlier to the Rich Than Advertised, Budget Experts and Legislators Say
Budget, New York State, Reporting
Cuomo’s Tax Hike Friendlier to the Rich Than Advertised, Budget Experts and Legislators Say
"The governor’s twisting himself in knots to not offend rich people,” the number two Democrat in the state Senate said....

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January 21
Tali Farhadian Weinstein’s Run for Manhattan D.A. Fueled By Wall St Megadonors, Filings Show
Electoral Politics, New York City, Reporting
Tali Farhadian Weinstein’s Run for Manhattan D.A. Fueled By Wall St Megadonors, Filings Show
A leading candidate for Manhattan DA has raked in two thirds of her campaign funds from five-figure donations—many from financial industries she would be in charge of prosecuting....

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January 21
NYC Plans to Import Canadian Hydropower. Who Really Benefits?
Climate, New York City, Reporting
NYC Plans to Import Canadian Hydropower. Who Really Benefits?
A planned transmission line from Canada is meant to reduce NYC's fossil fuel dependence. But First Nations say the project ignores them - and New York environmental advocates say it won't even benefit...

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January 15
Progressives Slam State Senate Finance Secretary Pick
Budget, New York State, Reporting
Progressives Slam State Senate Finance Secretary Pick
Democratic leadership appointed David Friedfel, the top state policy analyst at the Citizens Budget Commission, to a key staff position in budget negotiations....

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January 12
The Next Mayor Must Launch a Green New Deal for NYC
Climate, Electoral Politics, New York City, Perspectives
The Next Mayor Must Launch a Green New Deal for NYC
Here are the policies candidates for Mayor and Council must commit to enacting if they're serious about a Green New Deal for New York City....

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January 8
Queens Public Defenders Push to Unionize. Management Calls Them a ‘Mob.’
Criminal Justice, Labor, New York City, Reporting
Queens Public Defenders Push to Unionize. Management Calls Them a ‘Mob.’
A wave of legal aid attorneys are joining the labor movement. But bosses say it’s bad for business and the unions just want to collect their dues....

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January 7
Tenants Can’t Pay Rent. Landlords Won’t Pay Bills. What Happens Next?
Housing, New York State, Perspectives
Tenants Can’t Pay Rent. Landlords Won’t Pay Bills. What Happens Next?
New York’s looming foreclosure crisis could lead to massive corporate windfalls - or to large-scale social housing conversions. The choice is ours....

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December 23
New York Must Stop All Evictions. It’s a Matter of Life and Death.
Housing, New York State, Perspectives
New York Must Stop All Evictions. It’s a Matter of Life and Death.
New York must immediately reinstate a complete eviction moratorium, incoming DSA legislators argue, because you can’t stay at home if you’re forced out of it....

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December 19
Senate Proposes $4 Billion December Revenue Package, but Assembly Won’t Go That High, Sources Say
Budget, New York State, Reporting
Senate Proposes $4 Billion December Revenue Package, but Assembly Won’t Go That High, Sources Say
The Senate has proposed raising $4 billion in revenue before the end of the year, but the Assembly is unwilling go much higher than $2 billion, sources say....

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December 18
Assembly Speaker Heastie May be Holding Up Blanket Eviction Moratorium, Despite Senate Consensus
Housing, New York State, Reporting
Assembly Speaker Heastie May be Holding Up Blanket Eviction Moratorium, Despite Senate Consensus
Sources both inside and outside the legislature say Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is pushing back against the Senate Democrats' proposal for a blanket moratorium....

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December 17
The D.A. Election That Could Reshape New York City’s War On Drugs
Criminal Justice, New York City, Reporting
The D.A. Election That Could Reshape New York City’s War On Drugs
The office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor is on the chopping block in Manhattan's 2021 DA race....

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December 17
Inside Upstate New York’s Lead Poisoning Crisis
Health, Housing, New York State, Reporting
Inside Upstate New York’s Lead Poisoning Crisis
Many upstate cities don't test old houses for lead poisoning until after children have already tested positive. A new bill would change that....

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December 11
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