Raga Justin

Albany

Investigative Reporter at Times Union (Albany)

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Articles

Watchers decry 'Albany dysfunction' as legislative activity stagnates

2 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — When New York lawmakers are in Albany each year, throngs of people converge on the state Capitol seeking their aid. Some come with cherished causes they lobby ardently about for nearly anyone willing to listen. Others keep their advocacy interests private, holding secretive meetings with lawmakers and their staff behind closed doors, often on behalf of deep-pocketed corporations or other special interests.
As opioid rates plummet, NY officials hope 2025 has further wins

3 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Richard Messina experienced numerous painful overdoses before a final one left him dazed on the streets of Schenectady and with a newfound conviction that something had to change. That overdose two summers ago prompted him to return to Schenectady’s Drug Treatment Court, which he’d been attending for months before he had relapsed.
NY lawmakers eye crackdown on ticket scalpers

4 weeks ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — New York consumers purchasing tickets to live shows and concerts could see a suite of new protections prompted by persistent complaints about price gouging on live ticketing platforms and resale sites. Among other proposed changes, lawmakers want to cap fees imposed by live ticket platforms to no more than 25% of a ticket’s original value.
Lawsuits shed light on internal turmoil at National Rifle Association

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — A prominent New York gun rights advocate is being sued for defamation by Oliver L. North, the one-time president of the National Rifle Association, in a court battle that has shed new light on the internal turmoil within the beleaguered organization’s upper ranks.
1.2 million New Yorkers could lose health coverage under federal cuts

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — An estimated 1.2 million residents could see their health coverage slashed and New York’s economy could take an $11 billion hit if a federal spending measure wending through Congress advances, according to projections released this week by New York health officials. The Greater New York Hospital Association — one of the largest and most influential special interest groups in New York — released a memo Friday citing numbers provided by the administration of Gov.
NY's 'Medical Aid in Dying' bill does not specify which lethal drugs

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — New York lawmakers wrangled last month over legalizing physician-assisted deaths, spending hours in an emotionally wrought debate that swung from anger to tearful passion. The controversial legislation dubbed “Medical Aid in Dying” would enable New York residents suffering from a terminal illness to end their own lives using a series of medications administered under a physician’s care after thorough review of their situation.
Patient access groups want NY to scrutinize discount drug program

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Some lawmakers in New York are calling for increased transparency and oversight over a controversial federal drug discount program that benefits many of the state’s larger hospitals, as a nationwide debate over prescription drug pricing intensifies.
At State Comptroller's office, a backlog of state retirements grows

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — As one of New York’s top watchdogs, the comptroller’s office keeps a vigilant eye on the state’s financial ecosystem. It performs numerous audits of state government spending, chiding other agencies for wasting taxpayers money or maintaining shoddy records. The office is considered the state’s primary fiscal custodian, an auditor of New York’s vast network of government contracts.
NY Democrats pass slew of beneficial campaign, election policies

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — A series of measures that appear to benefit incumbent politicians in New York were tucked into the state budget being approved this week by lawmakers. Democrats are set to the budget bills that will serve as the state's fiscal and political roadmap for the next year. Nestled amid the dense text are numerous policies that will likely be helpful for elected officials heading into next year's campaign season.
After low-cost air carrier Avelo Airlines agreed to work with a federal immigrat

1 month ago | timesunion.com | Raga Justin

ALBANY — Some New York Democrats want to hamstring the ability of commercial airlines to work with Immigrations and Custom Enforcement as the administration of President Donald J. Trump has ramped up efforts to deport criminal migrants and those who entered or re-entered the U.S. without authorization.