Get excited: Streetsblog Empire State is open for business and will be bringing our trademark coverage of transportation and the livable streets movement to all of New York, not just the five boroughs.
Think of Streetsblog Empire State as the newest and best resource to find thoughtful analysis on state and municipal transportation policy, agenda-setting coverage of the state Legislature and illuminating commentary from some of the brightest minds available.
Speaking of the state politics, Gov. Hochul is set to give her State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday, and we're hoping she breaks her relative silence on what 2026 holds for the MTA and state DOT, which are already facing a new mayoral administration and a clamor for more inclusive road design. What we do know is that transit affordability is a top concern during her election year.
State lawmakers kicked off the new legislative session last Wednesday in what was mostly a ceremonial gathering of politicians. Starting today, they begin the real work of legislating. We can only hope that it all adds up to safer streets and more mass transit. And either way, we'll be there.
Most important: use the widget below to sign up for our completely free, no spam newsletter, which we'll send out a few times per week (we won't overwhelm you, we promise). It's the best way to stay on top of all the transit and transportation news from all of the state:
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(Editor's note: Meet Austin C. Jefferson, Albany Bureau Chief here.)
In other news from around the Empire State:
- Long Island Rail Road labor union leaders are pushing a potential strike back all the way to May and asking the White House to step in and declare a winner in a long-running contract dispute with the MTA. (Newsday)
- Gov. Hochul is planning a bold proposal aimed at slashing auto insurance premiums for New Yorkers (Capitol Confidential)
- Wegmans, the grocery store, isn't just surveilling and collecting data on shoppers in its stores — the cameras start rolling when folks enter the parking lot. (The Investigative Post)
- In business, sometimes you just have to roll with the punches, or flying cars. A vehicle crashed through a Suffolk County laundromat Saturday afternoon, but the owners stayed open. (News 12 Long Island)
- An 82-year-old man died of his injuries on Saturday after being struck by a car in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood the day before by an off-duty peace officer for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. (WIVB)
- A Valvoline employee in Halfmoon is in serious condition after he was pinned between two cars after a customer rapidly accelerated while waiting in line for service. (WRGB)
