Michael Gormley

Albany

Albany Reporter at Newsday

Michael Gormley covers Albany for Newsday. He covers Gov. Hochul, the Legislature and New York politics and issues important to New Yorkers.

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Articles

New York prison system may be at a crossroads

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — The last six unprecedented months in New York’s prison system, which included a fatal beating of a prisoner and the longest strike by prison guards in state history, could create an opportunity for systemic changes that could benefit prisoners, guards and all New Yorkers, according to prison reformers and academic researchers.
New York proposes ban on wire bristle grill brushes

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — Two years ago a 4-year-old boy in Florida was eating a hamburger hot off the grill when he was jabbed by a sharp pain in his ear that confounded doctors for 10 days. The surprising source of the pain in cases like that nationwide have helped lead to a proposed ban in New York State on metal wire brushes widely used to clean grills because loosened bristles can break into food, creating injuries that sometimes require surgery.
New York State, Cornell team up for horse safety

2 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — New York State and Cornell University have agreed to use advanced imaging equipment to explore ways to prevent injuries and deaths to thoroughbred horses after a 2023 spike in fatalities nationwide. The research will use new advanced imaging equipment and techniques and could lead to permanent placement of the system adjacent to Belmont Park in Elmont and Saratoga Race Course.
Key highlights of the 2025-26 New York State budget

4 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — The 2025-26 state budget approved Thursday night over a month late will total $254.3 billion. It includes not just funding for government and aid to schools and hospitals, but also substantial new policies in law enforcement, education and taxes that touch New Yorkers directly. But one of the most contentious issues in this budget was the process of crafting the spending plan. The budget was due April 1. But the traditional secretive negotiations between Gov.
Police gain new mental health intervention powers

4 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — Police will have greater latitude to send people believed to be mentally ill to psychiatric examinations from the streets and subways, with new protocols sought by the State Legislature to protect the people when and after they are detained, according to a bill passed as part of the state budget.
New York tax rebate checks: What residents need to know

4 weeks ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — Most New Yorkers will receive tax rebate checks of $150 to $400 this fall under a provision in the state budget being passed this week. The deal between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democratic leaders of the Senate and Assembly majorities also includes a bigger child tax credit, a reduced tax rate for middle- and lower-cost New Yorkers worth $1 billion, and free breakfast and lunch for all students regardless of family income.
Prison guard strike leads to hiring measure in state budget

1 month ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY – The longest prison guard strike in state history earlier this year has prompted new measures in the state budget to hire more correction officers to contend with a staff shortage that legislators said is dangerous for guards and prisoners and expensive for taxpayers.
Albany state legislature passes $254 billion budget

1 month ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — The State Legislature on Wednesday began passing a $254 billion budget that was due April 1 and will increase state spending by $12.3 billion. The protracted, closed-door negotiations between Gov. Kathy Hochul and leaders of the Democratic majorities of the Senate and Assembly increased the spending plan by $2.3 billion from the budget Hochul proposed in January.
New York state to pay off $6 billion pandemic debt

1 month ago | newsday.com | John Asbury |Michael Gormley

The state will pay off a more than $6 billion pandemic-era debt to the federal government that’s been a burden on employers and has blocked an increase in unemployment insurance benefits to laid-off workers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday. She said the state’s takeover of the federal debt will be part of a state budget expected to be voted on this week. Employers have been paying an added cost for their share of unemployment insurance since 2023.
Albany budget process criticized for lack of transparency

1 month ago | newsday.com | Michael Gormley

ALBANY — The State Legislature next week is scheduled to vote on a $254 billion state budget that was due more than a month ago and negotiated behind closed doors. The details of what's in it won't become known to the public until a short time before lawmakers have to vote on it. While Albany for decades has been notorious for its budget process, this year has laid the problems bare, say veterans of Albany in and outside government.