Capitol Confidential
@capitolconfidental.bsky.social
An exclusive inside look at the latest in New York government and politics.
The New York Court of Appeals reversed a child sex abuse finding Tuesday over “deepfake” concerns. A stark warning then came from a dissenting judge.
Read the newsletter:tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter:tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
February 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The New York Court of Appeals reversed a child sex abuse finding Tuesday over “deepfake” concerns. A stark warning then came from a dissenting judge.
Read the newsletter:tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter:tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
ICYMI: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday the state could either allow tax hikes on high-income earners or see property taxes skyrocket.
Mamdani's new Albany ultimatum draws Hochul's opposition
And the state's highest court reversed a child sex abuse finding based on 'deepfake' concerns.
bit.ly
February 18, 2026 at 1:06 PM
ICYMI: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Tuesday the state could either allow tax hikes on high-income earners or see property taxes skyrocket.
Mamdani’s ultimatum to Albany draws opposition from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been staunchly opposed to that idea and has shown no signs of changing her position.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
February 18, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Mamdani’s ultimatum to Albany draws opposition from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been staunchly opposed to that idea and has shown no signs of changing her position.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Mamdani’s ultimatum to Albany draws opposition from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been staunchly opposed to that idea and has shown no signs of changing her position.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
February 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Mamdani’s ultimatum to Albany draws opposition from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been staunchly opposed to that idea and has shown no signs of changing her position.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/mvvj7ef9
Nursing homes are seeking clarity on how the Hochul administration wants to spend $1.5 billion in aid split between them and hospitals. Meanwhile, community clinics were surprised to find that $40 million in last year’s budget has been zeroed out.
More in the newsletter: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
More in the newsletter: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
February 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Nursing homes are seeking clarity on how the Hochul administration wants to spend $1.5 billion in aid split between them and hospitals. Meanwhile, community clinics were surprised to find that $40 million in last year’s budget has been zeroed out.
More in the newsletter: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
More in the newsletter: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
The New York state transportation budget hearing is usually a snoozefest, but a lawmaker shouting at another to “shut up” woke everyone up on Feb. 3.
Read the full newsletter here: tinyurl.com/4ane7zs7
Read the full newsletter here: tinyurl.com/4ane7zs7
February 16, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The New York state transportation budget hearing is usually a snoozefest, but a lawmaker shouting at another to “shut up” woke everyone up on Feb. 3.
Read the full newsletter here: tinyurl.com/4ane7zs7
Read the full newsletter here: tinyurl.com/4ane7zs7
Democrats in New York's Legislature are considering two new bills that would protect immigrants from being arrested by federal immigration officers and deter the actions of those officers.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
February 16, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Democrats in New York's Legislature are considering two new bills that would protect immigrants from being arrested by federal immigration officers and deter the actions of those officers.
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
Read the newsletter here: tinyurl.com/3uaw92pr
Proponents of the packaging reduction/extended producer responsibility bill are taking a new approach toward passage after a narrow defeat last year.
Plus: Hochul is asking the public to submit their own proposals for how the state could cut or modify unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
Plus: Hochul is asking the public to submit their own proposals for how the state could cut or modify unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
Packaging bill proponents plot new path toward passage in 2026
And health care groups have concerns over parts of Hochul's budget.
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Proponents of the packaging reduction/extended producer responsibility bill are taking a new approach toward passage after a narrow defeat last year.
Plus: Hochul is asking the public to submit their own proposals for how the state could cut or modify unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
Plus: Hochul is asking the public to submit their own proposals for how the state could cut or modify unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
New York's Protect Our Courts Act was enforced during 11 of those nearly 60 visits. ICE officers arrived intending to make an arrest but, without a judicial warrant, were turned away and prevented from doing so.
Read more about ICE enforcement in New York courts here: tinyurl.com/ywfdpukj
Read more about ICE enforcement in New York courts here: tinyurl.com/ywfdpukj
February 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
New York's Protect Our Courts Act was enforced during 11 of those nearly 60 visits. ICE officers arrived intending to make an arrest but, without a judicial warrant, were turned away and prevented from doing so.
Read more about ICE enforcement in New York courts here: tinyurl.com/ywfdpukj
Read more about ICE enforcement in New York courts here: tinyurl.com/ywfdpukj
New York drivers will soon face heftier penalties for dangerous driving convictions, including more points on their licenses.
Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/3wcdcf4h
Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/3wcdcf4h
February 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
New York drivers will soon face heftier penalties for dangerous driving convictions, including more points on their licenses.
Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/3wcdcf4h
Read the full story here: tinyurl.com/3wcdcf4h
New York is tracking ICE officer activity at courthouses but officials say they’re using another part of the justice system to make arrests instead.
ICE agents entered New York's courts 59 times last year
And the state took a first step to throttle data center energy demand.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 9:49 PM
New York is tracking ICE officer activity at courthouses but officials say they’re using another part of the justice system to make arrests instead.
An exchange between Assemblyman Ari Brown and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday grew so heated that it was shut down by Democratic leadership.
Read more about Mamdani's first budget hearing here: tinyurl.com/5xaafaer
Read more about Mamdani's first budget hearing here: tinyurl.com/5xaafaer
February 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
An exchange between Assemblyman Ari Brown and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday grew so heated that it was shut down by Democratic leadership.
Read more about Mamdani's first budget hearing here: tinyurl.com/5xaafaer
Read more about Mamdani's first budget hearing here: tinyurl.com/5xaafaer
Mamdani finds $5 billion to cut budget gap but says city still needs state’s help.
Plus: Here’s what to expect during tomorrow’s state budget hearing on courts, crime and corrections, including an update on state prisons.
Plus: Here’s what to expect during tomorrow’s state budget hearing on courts, crime and corrections, including an update on state prisons.
Mamdani seeks to 'end the drain' on New York City by the state
He wants a 'reorienting' of the city's fiscal relationship with the state.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Mamdani finds $5 billion to cut budget gap but says city still needs state’s help.
Plus: Here’s what to expect during tomorrow’s state budget hearing on courts, crime and corrections, including an update on state prisons.
Plus: Here’s what to expect during tomorrow’s state budget hearing on courts, crime and corrections, including an update on state prisons.
“It’s a good idea,” state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said of Antonio Delgado’s decision to drop out of the race, which he announced while she was holding a press event.
There were gasps in the room when Dan asked for her reaction.
There were gasps in the room when Dan asked for her reaction.
'Good idea': Delgado drops run for governor, ending primary against Hochul
And what New York's mayors will seek from the state Legislature in Wednesday's budget hearing.
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM
“It’s a good idea,” state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said of Antonio Delgado’s decision to drop out of the race, which he announced while she was holding a press event.
There were gasps in the room when Dan asked for her reaction.
There were gasps in the room when Dan asked for her reaction.
ICYMI: The state budget hearing today is focused on Hochul’s proposed spending in health care and Medicaid.
You can expect plenty of questions about the Hochul administration’s strategy in response to changes enacted in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved last year by Congress.
You can expect plenty of questions about the Hochul administration’s strategy in response to changes enacted in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved last year by Congress.
Gianaris, deputy Senate leader, won't seek reelection: 'A new role'
And state cannabis regulators sent a bill to lawmakers to fix the school distance debacle.
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
ICYMI: The state budget hearing today is focused on Hochul’s proposed spending in health care and Medicaid.
You can expect plenty of questions about the Hochul administration’s strategy in response to changes enacted in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved last year by Congress.
You can expect plenty of questions about the Hochul administration’s strategy in response to changes enacted in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved last year by Congress.
Capitol Confidential is your eyes and ears at the State Capitol, where politicians and newsmakers debate key policy issues that affect you every day.
Learn more on our website.
Learn more on our website.
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Capitol Confidential is your eyes and ears at the State Capitol, where politicians and newsmakers debate key policy issues that affect you every day.
Learn more on our website.
Learn more on our website.
There’s a new minority leader in the state Assembly: Edward P. Ra. Plus, Republicans unanimously voted to elect Ed Ra as the new minority leader of the state Assembly.
Gianaris, deputy Senate leader, won't seek reelection: 'A new role'
And state cannabis regulators sent a bill to lawmakers to fix the school distance debacle.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:38 PM
There’s a new minority leader in the state Assembly: Edward P. Ra. Plus, Republicans unanimously voted to elect Ed Ra as the new minority leader of the state Assembly.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has until midnight tonight to act on two bills approved by the state Legislature last year. She plans to pocket veto one of them, sources in the state Legislature say.
Which bill is it? We've got some clues.
Which bill is it? We've got some clues.
Hochul to issue second pocket veto since becoming governor
And here's what's up at the Capitol next week, including a Mamdani visit.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Gov. Kathy Hochul has until midnight tonight to act on two bills approved by the state Legislature last year. She plans to pocket veto one of them, sources in the state Legislature say.
Which bill is it? We've got some clues.
Which bill is it? We've got some clues.
Gov. Kathy Hochul released her executive budget proposal and outlined her agenda. But she’s also up for reelection, raising the stakes for what she’s able to accomplish between now and November.
We sat down with Hochul at the Hearst Media Center. Here's what we talked about.
We sat down with Hochul at the Hearst Media Center. Here's what we talked about.
February 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Gov. Kathy Hochul released her executive budget proposal and outlined her agenda. But she’s also up for reelection, raising the stakes for what she’s able to accomplish between now and November.
We sat down with Hochul at the Hearst Media Center. Here's what we talked about.
We sat down with Hochul at the Hearst Media Center. Here's what we talked about.
We learned more about some of the concerns that lawmakers have with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposals to expand access to child care Thursday. That and much more in today's CapCon.
Child care, Raise the Age and SNAP fraud eyed by New York lawmakers
And Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay is stepping down.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 10:55 PM
We learned more about some of the concerns that lawmakers have with Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposals to expand access to child care Thursday. That and much more in today's CapCon.
In case you didn't catch our chat with Gov. Kathy Hochul last week, we've got it here on the podcast.
We talked to Hochul about her future in politics, high energy bills, immigration policy and more. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
We talked to Hochul about her future in politics, high energy bills, immigration policy and more. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on her future in politics, energy bills and immigration policy
You can also listen wherever you get podcasts.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
In case you didn't catch our chat with Gov. Kathy Hochul last week, we've got it here on the podcast.
We talked to Hochul about her future in politics, high energy bills, immigration policy and more. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
We talked to Hochul about her future in politics, high energy bills, immigration policy and more. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hochul announced her new running mate Wednesday — then Democrats in Brooklyn rescinded their endorsement of her reelection bid.
Brooklyn Dems pull Hochul endorsement over her new running mate
And an immigration omnibus bill has been introduced ... by a Republican.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Hochul announced her new running mate Wednesday — then Democrats in Brooklyn rescinded their endorsement of her reelection bid.
ICYMI: The transportation budget hearing is usually a snoozefest, but a lawmaker shouting at another to “shut up” woke everyone up Tuesday.
Plus: There's a budget hearing today focused Hochul’s proposals on mental health and addiction services.
Plus: There's a budget hearing today focused Hochul’s proposals on mental health and addiction services.
'Shut up!' from one lawmaker to another disrupts budget hearing
And Hochul has chosen a running mate, she said Tuesday.
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 1:11 PM
ICYMI: The transportation budget hearing is usually a snoozefest, but a lawmaker shouting at another to “shut up” woke everyone up Tuesday.
Plus: There's a budget hearing today focused Hochul’s proposals on mental health and addiction services.
Plus: There's a budget hearing today focused Hochul’s proposals on mental health and addiction services.
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined us for a sit-down interview at the Hearst Media Center Monday. Here are five takeaways.
We sat down with Gov. Kathy Hochul. Here are 5 takeaways
And Bruce Blakeman makes his case to conservatives.
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Gov. Kathy Hochul joined us for a sit-down interview at the Hearst Media Center Monday. Here are five takeaways.
New York has finalized key regulations spurred during the coronavirus pandemic to crack down on price gouging during emergencies, five years later.
New York's pandemic price gouging rules are finally here
And NYSED will soon publish a report on Hochul's universal pre-K plan.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 2:43 PM
New York has finalized key regulations spurred during the coronavirus pandemic to crack down on price gouging during emergencies, five years later.