Off Topic/On Politics
295 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 149 ratingsWhat happens when three New York reporters sit in a (small) room and talk politics? Join the NY1 political team each week for a conversation where no topic is off-limits and everything is on the record.
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Episodes
Round two: Will lawmakers approve Hochul’s new chief judge pick?
April 14, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBAs budget negotiations continue in Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul shifted focus this week and announced a new nominee for chief judge of the New York state Court of Appeals. Unlike Hochul’s failed first pick of Hector LaSalle, the nomination of Rowan Wilson was met with enthusiasm and support by lawmakers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross talked about how Wilson was received in Albany, and how a possible confirmation would play out with efforts to draw the state’s congressi...
Donald Trump pleads not guilty
April 06, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBWith a crush of media and dozens of protesters present, former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities at a courthouse in lower Manhattan. After pleading not guilty to 34 felony charges, he quickly flew back to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where he greeted his loyal supporters with a lengthy speech professing his innocence. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on Trump’s 24-hour whirlwind and discussed how the charges may affect his hopes of becoming the Repub...
Out of time in Albany
March 31, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBWith the state budget deadline approaching, it appears that there is little chance of the budget being delivered on time. Two of the most pressing issues are bail reform and affordable housing, particularly the plan allowing the state to prioritize housing projects even if they do not meet local approval. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez, and Courtney Gross weighed in on what’s necessary to finalize the budget, and who is most likely to get their needs met. After that, MTA Chair an...
Hochul gets a Bloomberg boost, while Bragg’s big moment beckons
March 24, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBAs Gov. Kathy Hochul hurries to get the state budget ready by April 1, she’s receiving help from an unlikely source: Michael Bloomberg. The former New York City mayor’s support is in the form of paid television ads, which outline the governor’s agenda, including no new taxes on the wealthy and changing bail reform. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on Bloomberg’s $5 million contribution and the reaction it has received from state lawmakers. After that, Manh...
The state budget battle begins
March 17, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBFrom pushing parking permits to talking up tax hikes, lawmakers are in Albany readying their state budget proposals ahead of what may be some tense negotiations with the governor before the April 1 deadline. The Senate and the Assembly each presented their statements of priorities, known as one-house budgets, hoping the budget will be hammered out soon. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on the key polarizing issues in the budget, and discussed the potential i...
Council speaker pushes ‘People Over Everything’
March 10, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBThis week, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams made her “State of the City” address, highlighting plans for job creation and workplace development. Speaker Adams is hoping to better fund 3K education, libraries, CUNY and affordable housing. She also looks to close the city’s massive jail complex on Rikers Island. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on the address and what it means for the city. After that, Mayor Eric Adams announced the creation of a new offi...
Mayor Adams preaches while tempers flare at the FDNY
March 03, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBThis week, Mayor Eric Adams came under fire for praising prayer in schools and criticizing the separation of church and state. “When I walk, I walk with God. When I talk, I talk with God. When I put policies in place, I put them in with a God-like approach to them,” Adams said at a breakfast with religious leaders. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weighed in on the mayor’s remarks. After that, turmoil continues in the FDNY as Commissioner Laura Kavanagh is facing a ...
Gov. DeSantis and Mayor Adams trade barbs over crime
February 24, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBGov. Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders are currently negotiating the massive $227 billion state budget. Taxes appear to be a major test for Hochul, as progressive lawmakers and advocates push a tax hike on the state’s richest earners. Additionally, Mayor Eric Adams is clashing with Hochul over her ask that the city pay an additional $500 million a year to help fund the MTA. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weighed in on the many issues around the budget, and t...
A Tin Cup Day plea gets interrupted by a surprise
February 17, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBIt was an eventful week in Albany as Mayor Eric Adams raised some big questions about parts of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal, saying it would harm New York City financially. But while the mayor was testifying, the state Senate made the surprise move to vote on Hochul’s controversial judicial nominee, Hector LaSalle. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo weighed in on the very busy day in Albany and discussed how LaSalle’s rejection will affect the state court system in the comi...
NYC’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ends for municipal workers
February 10, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBNew York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers earlier this week. Almost 1,800 city workers lost their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated and they now can apply for jobs again with their former departments. This decision has been met with some criticism, with experts saying that it is necessary to have a high percentage of adults in the city vaccinated to keep people alive and the health system functioning. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and ...
Hochul unveils budget as asylum seekers clash with the city
February 03, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBGov. Kathy Hochul proposed a $227 billion state budget this week, addressing problems from New York City’s migrant crisis to devising a plan to bail out the subway system. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Emily Ngo weigh in on the budget plan and the funding for the MTA, which includes a boost from casinos. The team also talks about Hochul’s interest in lifting the cap on charter schools, which will undoubtedly be met with resistance from some of Hochul’s fellow Democrats. They also ...
Mayor Adams’ vision for New York City
January 27, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBFrom more composting to fighting crime, Mayor Eric Adams delivered his annual State of the City address with an unexpected guest, Gov. Kathy Hochul. NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weigh in on the speech and touch on how Adams’ vision differs from his predecessors. After that, the governor has issued a statewide proposal to ban gas stoves in some new construction by 2025 and larger projects in 2028. The Hochul administration is expected to present more details on h...
Judge LaSalle's rejection and what it means for Gov. Hochul
January 20, 2023 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBFor the first time in New York State history, a governor's pick for chief judge has been rejected by lawmakers. Judge Hector LaSalle was nominated by Gov. Kathy Hochul to lead New York’s judiciary and would have made history as the first Latino Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. But after a five hour hearing, LaSalle did not receive enough votes from the Judiciary Committee in the state Senate to advance his nomination. Unsurprisingly, Hochul is not pleased, and it’s unclear what her n...
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s big agenda
January 13, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBGov. Kathy Hochul this week unveiled a laundry list of plans for 2023 in her first State of the State address since being elected to a four-year term. In her 45-minute address, Hochul tackled a wide array of issues — from housing to mental health to the controversial issue of bail reform. Hochul also promised not to raise taxes while linking the minimum wage to the rate of inflation. In the end, Hochul made 147 proposals, and NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross highlight ...
Judicial battle in Albany
January 06, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBGov. Kathy Hochul last month nominated Hector LaSalle to be New York State’s chief judge, a decision which almost immediately faced significant resistance from several key members of the Democratic party. Progressive activists and influential labor unions oppose LaSalle, saying he has often ruled conservatively. Can LaSalle survive confirmation hearings in the State Senate? NY1’s Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross weigh in on the controversy and discuss potential solutions. ...
NYC migrant crisis continues as state lawmakers give themselves a raise
December 23, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.4 MBAs asylum seekers continue to arrive in New York City in record numbers, Mayor Eric Adams appears to be losing his patience. But buying City Hall some time, Congress is now expected to give the city a substantial portion of $800 million in federal aid for the migrant crisis. NY1’s Zack Fink, Emily Ngo and Kelly Mena weigh in on this complicated issue and what help lies ahead for the city. Additionally, pay for state lawmakers will reach $142,000 next year — making New York the highest paid...
Hochul, Adams and ‘The New New York’
December 16, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis week, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared together to announce a new plan to jumpstart New York City. Their willingness to align their vision is a welcome change for New Yorkers who grew tired of the constant bickering between former Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Their joint action plan is titled “The New New York: Making New York Work For Everyone.” NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weigh in on the new proposal and take a look at what it ...
Letitia James on the hot seat
December 09, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 22.1 MBNew York State Attorney General Letitia James broke her silence this week amid increasing pressure to respond to the allegations of sexual harassment against her Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Khan. James has been accused of suppressing information until she was re-elected this past November. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez weigh in on this highly complicated issue and take a close look at the attorney general’s recent interview on “Inside City Hall.” Additionally, rats ar...
Should NYC lock up the mentally ill?
December 02, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBThis week, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new directive that would allow the NYPD to involuntarily hospitalize mentally ill people on the city’s subways and streets. The initiative immediately met with strong criticism from advocates for the homeless and mental health experts. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Kelly Mena weigh in on the new policy and discuss how it can be difficult to determine whether a person’s mental illness prevents them from meeting their own basic needs. Additional...
City strikes soccer stadium deal for Queens
November 18, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBThis week, the city and the New York City Football Club reached an agreement to build the city’s first ever soccer stadium in Willets Point, Queens. The massive plan will also include 2,500 units of affordable housing, a hotel and retail space. The $780 million stadium is being paid for entirely by the soccer team, but will need to go through the land-use approval. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez break down the surprisingly controversy-free situation, and look at how ...
Special edition: Election Day wrap up
November 09, 2022 20:21 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBAfter a campaign that lasted more than four months and gathered heat in its final weeks, Kathy Hochul held off her Republican challenger, Lee Zeldin, to become the first woman to be elected governor of New York. In a special election edition of "Off Topic/On Politics," NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross break down the results of the election and analyze the surprisingly-competitive race for governor The discussion also touches on how the Trump factor ...
Election Day preview: Who will be the next governor of New York?
November 04, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBWith the general election almost upon New Yorkers, the team previews the statewide races in the state. NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez give their views on what to expect on Tuesday and focus on the highly publicized, and extremely close, race for governor. Can Rep. Lee Zeldin become the first Republican governor to win an election in 16 years? Is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s last-minute pivot and push enough to keep her in office? The team weighs in on each c...
Hochul vs. Zeldin: candidates for governor take debate stage as race tightens
October 28, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBWith just days to go until early voting begins, Spectrum News NY1 hosted a lively debate between incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Lee Zeldin. According to polls, the race has been tightening in recent weeks. How did it get so close? NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez share their takeaways of the debate. The team also examined how campaign strategies, shifting voter priorities and the candidates themselves may have New York on the cusp of ele...
Governor’s race tightens as fiscal fight breaks out
October 21, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBDemocratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli and Republican challenger Paul Rodríguez met on the debate stage in the race for New York State Comptroller. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez shared their takeaways of the showdown, hosted by Spectrum News 1/NY1. Civil to a point, the two men had broadly different ideas about how the state’s finances should be overseen. Meanwhile, the race for governor appears to be tightening. Can Lee Zeldin pull ahead and become the first Republi...
Assessing housing crisis as rents continue to soar
October 14, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBThis week, the City Council passed the controversial Bruckner rezoning project in the Throggs Neck area of the Bronx. The plan will include 348 units of housing, of which 149 will be affordable. Still, the city faces a massive housing crisis, with rents soaring across the five boroughs, including a record-high average rent of $5,000 in Manhattan. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez break down the situation, and look at why the Adams administration’s plan needs more detail...
Exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll: Malliotakis leads Rose
October 07, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBWith the midterm elections around the corner, one of the more notable contests is the race for the 11th Congressional District. According to an exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll, Republican incumbent, Nicole Malliotakis has the lead over Democratic challenger Max Rose. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo take a detailed look at the rematch, which may serve as a bellwether for the rest of the country. They also dig into other results of the poll, including which issues are ...
Governor’s race hits the homestretch in New York
September 30, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBWith less than six weeks left until the general election, a new poll shows Gov. Kathy Hochul with a double-digit lead over challenger Rep. Lee Zeldin. What can the Republican candidate do to shake up the dynamics in a heavily Democratic race? NY1’s political reporters Zack Fink, Kelly Mena and Bob Hardt look at the race and share their insights on the campaign strategies of each candidate. Meanwhile, with the influx of migrants having pushed the NYC shelter system to beyond its breaking po...
‘Art of the steal’: Letitia James sues Donald Trump
September 23, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBThis week, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit against former president Donald Trump and his company for “violating the law as part of his efforts to generate profits for himself, his family, and his company.” The lawsuit seeks $250 million in penalties and wants the Trump family to be effectively banned from doing business in New York for five years. NY1’s Zack Fink, Kelly Mena and Juan Manuel Benítez took a look at how the charges against Trump continue to mount, ...
City shelters at ‘breaking point’ as migrant crisis continues
September 16, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBTexas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to send asylum seekers to New York City, putting stress on the city’s shelter system. Over 11,000 migrants have arrived in the city since May, and there are more buses coming almost every day. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take a detailed look at Mayor Eric Adams’ response to the crisis and also discuss why some sanctuary cities are suddenly being overwhelmed. Additionally, another death has been reported at Rikers Island. Courtney...
Will the governor’s race be a close one?
September 09, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.7 MBLabor Day political season is now upon us and we are a mere eight weeks away from the gubernatorial election in New York State. Many are starting to think that Republican challenger Lee Zeldin is in a decent position to make the race against incumbent Democrat, Kathy Hochul, a close one. NY1’s political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take a detailed look at the candidates’ campaign strategies thus far and give us their thoughts on how it may all play out in Novem...
Primary postmortem: winners, losers and surprises
August 26, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBWith primary day come and gone, the “Off Topic/On Politics” team breaks down the election results and weighed in on themes from the campaign trail. NY1 political reporters, Zack Fink, Juan Manuel Benítez and Courtney Gross, analyzed how the competitive races in 10th and 12th Congressional Districts shook out. The team discussed whether Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou could run in November on the Working Families Party line. The team also looked at the results of key state senate races and how...
Primary preview: surprise endorsements, polls and down-ballot races
August 19, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBWith primary day approaching once again, the team previews the upcoming election one last time. NY1 political reporters Juan Manuel Benítez, Courtney Gross and Emily Ngo give their views on what to expect on Tuesday and focus on the highly publicized races in 10th and 12th Congressional Districts, including some rather surprising endorsements from a former president. They also weigh in on who is ahead in the polls and how accurate the polls are. Additionally, there are some notable down-ba...
Candidates for Congress take debate stage to make their case
August 12, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBWith just days to go until early voting, six of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to represent the 10th Congressional District met for a live primary debate. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Bob Hardt analyzed the face-off, which was hosted by Spectrum News NY1/WNYC-Gothamist. While there’s not a lot of daylight between the candidates, the team highlighted their subtle differences and discussed which moments they found surprising. Also, Texas has been recently sending asylum s...
NY1 debate for Congress highlights experience vs. push for change
August 05, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBCandidates Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and Suraj Patel met this week on the debate stage in the race for the 12th Congressional District, which recently combined large swaths of the west and east sides of Manhattan. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez shared their takeaways of the showdown, hosted by Spectrum News NY1/WNYC-Gothamist. They also offered some insight of who may have made the most impact, noting that the incumbents leaned on their many achievements, while P...
Path to a new Penn Station is back on track
July 29, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.8 MBA long time in the making, the controversial Penn Station redevelopment picked up some steam this week after getting approval from a key state board. While there are still many questions to be answered — including the final cost — NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez took a detailed look at where the project currently stands and the pros and cons of such an enormous undertaking. Also, as early voting quickly approaches, they discussed the race for the 12th Congressional ...
Bill de Blasio pulls the plug
July 22, 2022 01:22 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBStruggling to pick up political traction, former Mayor Bill de Blasio abruptly ended his congressional bid. In a video released on Twitter, an emotional de Blasio also indicated he’d be leaving electoral politics completely. NY1’s Zack Fink, Bob Hardt and Kelly Mena analyze the decision to end his candidacy, as well as what this may mean for his legacy. They also weigh in on some of the criticism the GOP has been throwing at Gov. Kathy Hochul as the gubernatorial race heats up. Is she misu...
Monkeypox and COVID-19 on the rise in the five boroughs
July 15, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBAs monkeypox case numbers continue to increase, New York City could not keep up with the demand for vaccines. In many ways, this feels eerily familiar to New Yorkers. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Bob Hardt dig into that situation, and also look at the rather alarming rise in COVID-19 cases. After that, the team weighs in on the sudden resignation of New York’s Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Unsurprisingly, there’s more to the story than a simple retirement. How close were DiFiore’s ties...
Six months on the job, is the honeymoon over for Mayor Adams?
July 08, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBThis past week marks six months that Eric Adams has been mayor of New York City. While many were eager to welcome a new mayor after Bill de Blasio, it’s been a very eventful half-year. NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez take an in-depth and lively look at the ups and downs of his term thus far. After that, the team weighs in on two competitive congressional races that are shaping up for New York’s 10th and 12th districts. Will people turn up to vote i...
Primary recap: low turnout leads to few surprises
July 01, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBThis week’s primary election resulted in very few surprises and a shockingly low turnout. Was it voter apathy? Fatigue? Confusion? NY1 political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez analyzed what may have happened on election night. They also discussed why progressive candidates fared so poorly on Tuesday, despite indications that they may have a strong showing. After that, the team discussed Gov. Kathy Hochul convening a special session in Albany around New York’s g...
New York officials slam Supreme Court gun law ruling
June 24, 2022 10:57 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBAfter a jarring decision from the Supreme Court, the gun laws in New York will soon be changing. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and special guest, Bob Hardt, assess the situation and examine the initial reactions of the city and state’s elected officials. After that, the team breaks down the upcoming primary one last time. Can voter fatigue and low turnout lead to some surprises victories once the ballots are cast? Find out what potentially might happen. We want to hear from you, especi...
Three candidates square off in only Democratic primary debate for lieutenant governor
June 17, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBThe three candidates for lieutenant governor, Ana María Archila, Diana Reyna and Antonio Delgado, met for the first and only Democratic primary debate on Spectrum News. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez share their impressions of the showdown and take a look at who may have scored the most points with viewers. Additionally, prior to the upcoming Republican debate on NY1, the team looks into the GOP candidates for governor, and how that race may play out in the weeks ahe...
How did Mayor Adams fare in the NY1/Siena College poll?
June 10, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBThe results of the exclusive Spectrum News NY1/Siena College Poll were released this week, and there’s a lot to gather regarding the public perception of Mayor Eric Adams, as well as the current state of New York City. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez break down the outcome of the poll, and what it might mean for the mayor. And with the primary election fast approaching, they take a look at the races for governor and lieutenant governor, including a lively detour...
Suozzi and Williams face off on NY1’s televised Democratic gubernatorial debate. Notably absent: Kathy Hochul.
June 03, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBTwo of the Democratic candidates for governor, Tom Suozzi and Jumaane Williams, met tonight for a Democratic primary debate on NY1, where they touched on some of their policy proposals, as well as both going after the conspicuously absent incumbent, Kathy Hochul. Political reporters Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez analyze the highlights of the televised event, and share their thoughts on some of the night’s more surprising moments. Additionally, they discuss the end of th...
New York looks to tighten its gun laws after mass shootings
May 27, 2022 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBAs we approach the close of the state legislative session, the recent tragedies in Texas and Buffalo have put a focus on the debate over gun control. But can any of the proposed laws lead to any change, or are they merely symbolic gestures? NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss how there are no easy answers to what is a rapidly growing problem. Also, with the new congressional lines finalized late last Friday, the gang digs into which races seem particularly notab...
City on high alert as COVID cases jump
May 20, 2022 08:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBIn the past few weeks, the city has seen a rise in positive COVID cases, raising the alert system to high, a designation that warns about the virus’ threat to New Yorkers. But there is no indication that the Adams administration will return to the use of any mandates. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discussed Mayor Adams’ messaging and hesitancy to renew masking requirements. And as a state court prepares to finalize newly proposed districting maps, they talked abou...
New York grapples with a spike in traffic fatalities
May 13, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MBOver the last year, the number of fatal traffic accidents in the city has gone up by almost 20%. This spike is pushing Mayor Adams to call for the expansion of the speed camera program across the five boroughs. As Ny1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain, he would need support from the state legislature to get it done. So why are some lawmakers opposing the idea? They also weigh in on the unraveling crisis on Rikers Island, where four detainees have died so far this ...
What reversing Roe v. Wade would mean for New York
May 06, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBFollowing the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion that would put an end to abortion rights at the federal level, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss what such a reversal could mean for the political landscape in New York, with many anticipating a sudden influx of women from all over the country seeking abortion care. They also get into the confusing process that culminated with Rep. Antonio Delgado as the incoming lieutenant governor and how his rushed appoint...
A guide to marijuana legalization in New York
April 22, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBAs legal sales of adult-use recreational marijuana get underway in New Jersey, NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain what this means for New York and comment on the steps the state is taking to launch its own legal cannabis industry. They also discuss Mayor Eric Adams’ busy week. After ending COVID isolation, he’s been all over the city touting some of his accomplishments and launching new pilot programs. So what does his visibility say about his leadership style?...
A mass shooting in the subway shocks New York
April 15, 2022 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBMore than two dozen people were hurt following a mass shooting on a Brooklyn subway train, sending shock waves across the city and beyond. NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez discuss the aftermath of the attack and weigh in on Mayor Eric Adams’ response. And in another huge news story, Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin resigned after being arrested on federal corruption charges. Zack, Juan and Courtney explain what this means for Governor Kathy Hochul’s election campai...
Looking inside the state budget: Cheaper gas, bail changes and a football stadium
April 08, 2022 22:48 - 32 minutes - 22 MBA week overdue, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats in the state legislature finally reached a massive budget agreement. As NY1’s Zack Fink, Courtney Gross and Juan Manuel Benítez explain, the $220 billion deal includes changes to the controversial bail reform laws approved just a few years ago, as well as funding for a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills, which will be partially financed by taxpayers. But is this massive budget a victory for Governor Hochul as she gears up for primary season? Z...