Bernadette Hogan

New York

Statehouse Reporter at Spectrum News NY1

Articles

Mayor Adams embraces small class size mandate

2 weeks ago | ny1.com | Bernadette Hogan

Reversing course, Mayor Eric Adams is now celebrating and supporting a state law that is forcing New York City schools to reduce class size. It’s a mandate that’s been on the books since 2022, but city officials — including Adams — have criticized it because it’s been estimated to cost the city billions of dollars.
State budget at a standstill as economic uncertainty continues

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers are at a standstill over how to spend upwards of $252 billion in a state budget that’s already over a week late. The negotiations continue amid economic uncertainty over tariffs, and federal cuts aimed at city and state programs. What You Need To KnowGov.
Fiscal watchdogs call late state budget a blessing in disguise for Hochul

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

A late state budget could be a blessing in disguise. As of April 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul didn’t know about President Donald Trump’s tariff plan and the stock market’s impending decline. “People are worried about Social Security, they’re worried about pensions, they’re worried about their stock crashing!” Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic State Senate Majority Leader in Albany, said Tuesday.
Gov. Hochul's mask ban plan may be in jeopardy

3 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed public masking ban could be in jeopardy. Her plan has divided Democrats, with supporters seeing their elimination as a crime-fighting issue and others saying a ban would give President Donald Trump a win. What You Need To KnowIf Gov.
Gov. Hochul, lawmakers slated to miss state budget deadline

3 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

What You Need To KnowLawmakers are on track to miss their midnight tonight state budget deadlineIssues still up for grabs are: a public mask ban, changing involuntary commitment standards, approving new taxes to fund billions of dollars in MTA projects and amending how prosecutors turn over evidence in court cases, known as discoveryMayor Eric Adams wants Gov.
Gov. Hochul tries to undo 2019 discovery law, stalls budget talks

3 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to amend the Democratic-led state Legislature’s recent changes to the criminal justice system are yet again at the forefront of state budget negotiations. What You Need To KnowGov.
Gov. Hochul likely to win cellphone ban in state budget

4 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

Although it’s looking like Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders won’t make their April 1 budget deadline, they appear to be in agreement on a big-ticket item for the governor: an all-day ban on cellphones in schools, known as “bell-to-bell.”What You Need To KnowGov.
Despite funding cut threats, Hochul says no spending changes

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

With the annual April 1 state budget deadline looming, Gov. Kathy Hochul says she’s warning New Yorkers about possible federal funding cuts to major services, including Medicaid programs and school lunches. Meanwhile, a group of Albany Democrats want her to fight back by refusing to send regularly scheduled state tax dollars to the White House. What You Need To KnowAlthough roughly one-third of New York’s spending comes from federal dollars, so far, Gov.
'Border czar' Tom Homan Albany visit escalates tension over immigration policy

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

President Donald Trump’s so-called border czar, Tom Homan, was in Albany on Wednesday, backing a Republican-led effort to reverse New York’s immigration policies. The visit comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul faces a lawsuit over the state’s driver’s license law by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. What You Need To Know"Border czar" Tom Homan's visit to Albany Wednesday comes as Gov.
Gov. Kathy Hochul faces pushback over rebate checks, school cellphone ban

1 month ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Bernadette Hogan

Two of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s big proposals — a cellphone ban in schools and tax rebate checks for New Yorkers — may not survive state budget negotiations, which have now begun in earnest ahead of the April 1 deadline. “What a radical concept, the thought that students should be paying attention to their teachers!” Hochul said on Tuesday in Albany, building off her successful crusade against social media targeting minors.