Kate Lisa

Albany

Politics Reporter at Capital Tonight

Politics Reporter at Spectrum News Albany

Politics Reporter at Spectrum News Rochester

NY politics reporter @specNews1Albany @CapitalTonight. Fmr 📰: @wdtnews, @RSnewsroom + more. Pianist. @AUJRNL alum. Native upstater. Tips: [email protected]

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Articles

State lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul's policy-laden budget strategy

4 days ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

With a $254 billion budget behind them, state lawmakers said they're frustrated by the drawn-out process and how Gov. Kathy Hochul flexed her executive muscle to hold up the spending plan five weeks past its deadline. New York's Constitution gives the governor extreme powers to set the state budget. However, several lawmakers told Spectrum News 1 they're unimpressed with how Hochul used that authority to drag out negotiations and ensure the top items on her agenda were included.
N.Y. cannabis board chair staying put after $229K salary slashed in budget

6 days ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

The head of the state's cannabis regulating board said Thursday she will not leave her post after Gov. Kathy Hochul made the decision to eliminate her $229,000 annual salary in the budget. Cannabis Control Board chair Tremaine Wright exclusively told Spectrum News 1 she knew her salary was under negotiation. "I didn't take this job because there was a salary," Wright said Thursday after speaking at a Women in Weed luncheon in Albany.
Pols eye earned time expansion as deal falls out of N.Y. budget

1 week ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

State lawmakers said sentencing reform will be a top priority in the final weeks of session as a deal to expand earned time credits for incarcerated New Yorkers fell out of the final budget. Democrats in Albany expressed frustration Tuesday that a proposal to make more people in prison eligible to earn time off their sentence for educational programs, job training or good behavior, was likely removed from the annual spending plan — now over five weeks late. Sen.
'This is interference': SED blasts budget deal on nonpublic school rules

1 week ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

State Education Department officials late Monday said they were troubled by a potential budget deal to change department regulations for religious and nonpublic schools after weeks of closed-door debate. In a victory for the Hasidic Jewish community, sources and lawmakers said the budget will roll back the state Education Department's stricter substantial equivalency standards for nonpublic schools the Board of Regents adopted in 2022.
New York legislative health chairs eye action to address CDPAP issues

1 week ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

State lawmakers who lead health policy said they will explore legislative action when the budget is done to address ongoing problems with a $9 billion home care program, including pay issues that have caused disabled New Yorkers to lose care. Challenges have afflicted the transition of the state's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program to management company Public Partnerships LLC since it started in January.
'It's a slog': Housing issues still open in New York state budget talks

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

New York lawmakers Wednesday said several housing issues remain open in ongoing budget talks as Gov. Kathy Hochul parades around the state touting a tentative spending agreement that isn't finished. The governor has announced bits and pieces of the final budget this week, which she said will include $50 million for state-sponsored housing vouchers to help low-income households avoid foreclosure or eviction.
Businesses: No $6.2B unemployment insurance debt payout in budget a mistake

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state budget that's nearing a final deal will not pay down $6.2 billion in outstanding federal unemployment insurance debt from the COVID pandemic — forcing New York employers to continue to shoulder the burden. Instead, the governor said the spending plan will include $165 million to cover the interest payments business owners across the state have absorbed for the last few years.
Hochul won't rule out nonpublic school regs rollback in budget

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

As a budget deal nears completion, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday would not rule out including changes in the final spending plan to weaken education standards for nonpublic schools in exchange for political gain. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has led a push to amend state Education Department guidelines for religious and non-public schools as a political bargaining chip — especially amid the contentious New York City's mayoral election. "It's on the list," Heastie said Thursday.
Tax hikes could offset Hochul's $3B 'rebate' checks, localities warn

2 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

Upstate city electeds Thursday put the pressure on state leaders to put more unrestricted aid in budget for municipalities as several consider tax increases to overcome double-digit budget deficits. "We're the ones who provide essential services every single day," said Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion, a Democrat.
State lawmakers: Late New York budget makes talks a family affair

3 weeks ago | spectrumlocalnews.com | Kate Lisa

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, state lawmakers said getting a proposed $252 billion spending plan over the finish line requires extensive support from their families that often goes unnoticed. The state budget, now 23 days, is testing lawmakers' ability to balance work and family as most schools across the state held spring break over the last two weeks — forcing several policymakers to bring their children to Albany as spending negotiations continue.