A photo of Nick Garber.
Authors
Nick Garber

Nick Garber covers politics for New York Focus. He previously worked for Crain’s New York Business, where he covered city and state government, housing and real estate, and money in politics. He also covered neighborhood news in Manhattan and Queens for Patch, and got his start at local newspapers in Vermont. He’s a New York City native and graduated from Middlebury College. 

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Photo of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries overlaid on top of a map of New York state congressional districts.
Cautious Maps in New York Haunt Democrats’ Redistricting War

Hakeem Jeffries urged Albany to avoid maps that aggressively boosted Democrats, sources told New York Focus.

May 20, 2026
A diptych of two photos: a DoorDash delivery worker and a photo of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
DoorDash Starts Super PAC to Repel Progressive Challengers to Assembly Incumbents

Also: Michael Bloomberg gives $1.5 million to a pro-charter school group.

May 14, 2026
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in profile, looks at Governor Kathy Hochul, who looks outwards. The two stand close to each other behind a podium.
Mamdani Declares Victory As Hochul Helps City Close Budget Gap

New York City’s $125 billion executive budget hinges on taxes and cuts whose details are still being worked out in Albany.

May 12, 2026
Photo collage of Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Behind them, a huge clock nears midnight, and stacks of papers loom.
Critics Say Messy Budget ‘Deal’ Highlights Bigger Woes

Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that a deal had been reached led to a flurry of recriminations from lawmakers.

May 7, 2026
New York City’s Multibillion-Dollar Black Box Contracts Face Scrutiny

Master agreements let the city wildly exceed spending projections while avoiding typical oversight, the city’s comptroller found.

May 6, 2026
Hochul Avoids Campaign Matching Funds — and a Fundraiser Disclosure Rule

Also: A super PAC targets Democratic Socialists.

April 28, 2026
Cuomo Allies Pour Money Into Race Against Lindsey Boylan

A super PAC has spent six figures on the race over the last week — more than all the candidates had raised as of last month, combined.

April 27, 2026
The State Budget Is Late. Now Mamdani’s Might Be, Too

The mayor may delay his executive budget proposal while he awaits billions of dollars in potential Albany aid.

April 25, 2026
Hochul Pushes Mamdani to Slow Spending in Exchange for Aid

The governor has asked for cost-cutting plans on pricey housing vouchers and public school programs, sources say.

April 16, 2026
New York Is Funding Private Equity’s Real Estate Buying Spree

The Carlyle Group’s effort to buy up rental housing has gotten a $578 million boost from the city and state.

April 16, 2026
Harlem Assemblymember Gets a Super PAC to Fend Off DSA

Longtime Cuomo aide Charlie King has been involved in efforts to boost Assemblymember Jordan J.G. Wright.

April 3, 2026
Hochul’s Embrace of Trump’s ‘No Tax on Tips’ Will Cost NYC Millions

The city could lose $239 million from the policy, which is supported by business groups while unions remain on the sidelines.

March 30, 2026
Mamdani Stays Mum on Albany Climate Fight

Some climate activists want the mayor to take a stronger stance. He previously said the state’s climate law “is not a suggestion. It is a mandate.”

March 26, 2026
New York Gave These Broadway Shows Millions — And They Flopped Anyway

Sold as a pandemic-era emergency program, the state’s theater tax credit has quietly sent hundreds of millions to short-run flops and blockbuster hits.

March 19, 2026
State Legislature Backs Tax Hikes on Wealthy, Adding Fuel to Mamdani’s Push

The Senate and Assembly’s budget proposals include many of the mayor’s desired revenue-raisers and give the city a larger cut of state funds.

March 10, 2026
Mamdani’s New Albany Asks: Smaller Corporate Tax Hike, Fees on Pricey Home Sales

The mayor narrowed his big business tax proposal in the hopes of making it easier to pass.

March 6, 2026
Mamdani’s Small Business Czar Wants Economic Justice for Workers

As Small Business Services commissioner, Kenny Minaya will be charged with slashing fees and helping street vendors.

March 2, 2026
Eric Adams's failed attempt to fix New York City's broken property tax system shows why it won’t be easy for Mamdani to do so either.
Mamdani Wants to Fix Property Taxes. Eric Adams’s Failure Is a Warning Sign.

As Zohran Mamdani prepares to unveil property tax reforms, he must weigh a plan he inherited from his predecessor.

March 2, 2026
Why a NIMBY Councilmember Said Yes to Affordable Housing

The threat of a new appeals board pushed Vickie Paladino to approve a new development.

February 24, 2026
Mayor Zohran Mamdani testifies at the 2026 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing in Albany.
Mamdani’s Albany Agenda Narrows as Tax Fight Crowds Out Other Issues

The mayor campaigned on more than a dozen state-level policy demands, but some are taking a backseat.

February 12, 2026
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