In this episode of "New York Now," we delve into the state's housing crisis with Senator Brian Kavanagh, who shares insights on the latest budget plan to boost affordable housing.

Additionally, Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director of the Food Pantries of the Capitol District, addresses the growing issue of food insecurity and the challenges food pantries face due to stagnant funding.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We catch up with the New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan about funding in the state budget and youth mental health priorities. Democratic Lawmakers have been prioritizing the maternal and mental health of mothers. We caught up with State Senate Mental Health Chair Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) about doula care access and supporting the mental health of expectant mothers.

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Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts.

On This Latest Edition of New York NOW:

• The state budget included savings to the Medicaid program as well as cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) program. Patrick Orecki, of the Citizens Budget Commission, joins us to unpack the reality of funding Medicaid as well as healthcare priorities this year.
• Adam Ruder, of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, talks the implementation of electric school buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, there have been protests at college campuses across the country - includingat Columbia University, Fordham University and CUNY.

The final FY25 state budget has been passed. Reporters Zach Williams, of Bloomberg Law, Vaughn Golden, of the New York Post, and Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, join us to unpack the budget process this year and the highlights. While there was major opposition to plans to close SUNY Downstate Medical Center, the final budget included funding to help the hospital stay open for at least another year. Assembly Member Brian Cunningham (D-Crown Heights) joins us to discuss the funding as well as his legislative priorities through the rest of the year.

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It was a busy week at the state Capitol with budget progress. The governor announced a conceptual state budget agreement and lawmakers voted on the first few budget bills. During his last days as DEC Commissioner, Basil Seggos about his tenure and legacy at the state department. Producer Dana Wright spoke with the DEC and environmental experts to understand the impact of air pollution and what's being done about it as part of the NY& Climate series. In the late 1970s, it was discovered a Niagara Falls neighborhood was build atop toxic chemicals. We unpack the tragedy highlighted in the documentary, A Love Canal Tragedy.

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• A look behind the curtain at the daily lives of reporters in New York's Legislative Correspondents Association at the state Capitol - the longest-running press corps in the United States, focused on covering the politics and policy issues of New York.
• We sit down with Isabelle Dolores "Dee" Wedemeyer, one of the first women to be admitted into the LCA, to discuss her career and work in the LCA.
• Have you been to the New York State Capitol? Not like this. WMHT's Will Pedigo takes us inside the historic building.

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• The governor and legislative leaders are still in negotiations on the state budget, including a potential agreement to address the state's housing crisis. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have put together a housing proposal of their own.
• Assembly Member Patricia Fahy joins us to discuss the path forward for the New York Heat Act - a bill meant to ensure gas companies honor the state's climate goals.
• We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss funding for Immigration Services and the migrant crisis.

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• Amid ongoing budget negotiations between the governor and legislative leaders, the deadline for the state budget has been extended.
• Advocates and lawmakers are calling for increased funding for public universities and colleges as well as tuition assistance for students. We speak with SUNY Chancellor John King about higher education funding, enrollment and plans for SUNY Downstate.
• Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani joins us to discuss the "Get Congestion Pricing Right" proposal meant to improve bus reliability and expand the fare-free bus program.

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• Budget negotiations are underway at the State Capitol. We sat down with state Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) to unpack the chamber's one-house budget proposal and priorities.
• Michelle Jackson, of the Human Services Council, joins us to discuss a push to get a 3.2% cost of living adjustment for human service workers.
• It's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! We sit down with Kristin Proud, the executive director of the state Council on Developmental Disabilities and Shameka Andrews, caucus chair of the Council, to understand the world of opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

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• It's Women's History Month so we'll be diving into the state's approach to women's issues with Elise Kline, of WENY NEWS.
• We'll unpack a task force that will be created in the months ahead to examine the rates of missing BIPOC women and children and issue policy recommendations.
• State Senate Mental Health Committee Chair Sen. Samra Brouk (D-Rochester) joins us to discuss the expansion of doula access and maternal health care in New York.

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• After Democrats struck down the independent redistricting commission's congressional map, the chambers passed their own version, which was signed into law by the governor. You can find more information about your congressional district here.
• We unpack the new congressional districts and how it all unfolded with Bill Mahoney, of POLITICO, and David Lombardo, of The Capitol Pressroom.
• State lawmakers are looking for ways to increase funding for public universities and expand the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in this year's budget. Producer Catherine Rafferty spoke with education stakeholders about those efforts.

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