Chris Bragg

CHRIS BRAGG NYSFocus.com, Special to The Post-Star The New York ethics watchdog agency has subpoenaed Gov.

An inner circle of Albany lawmakers helped decide the fate of nearly 650 bills over the last month. Just don't ask any questions.

Last month, Senator Joseph Addabbo introduced legislation to dramatically speed up the licensing process for three casinos in or around New York City. The shift stands to benefit one of the clear frontrunners for a license — the Resorts World racino, which borders Addabbo's Queens district — while possibly hurting the odds of several rivals. A modified version of the idea is gaining traction in the legislature, now in its final days of session.

The three highest ranking Senate Democrats — Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Liz Krueger, and Michael Gianaris — huddle before a vote. (Associated Press)

The lobbyist who has been dating New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was recently laid off from her job at a construction labor-management partnership, New York Focus has learned.

— This story first appeared in New York Focus, a non-profit news publication investigating New York state politics. Sign up for their stories at nysfocus/newsletter.

Election Day is less than two weeks away, and while New York isn't one of the seven swing states that will likely decide the presidential election, there are still a number of important issues for Empire State residents to vote on.

A Bronx political firm close to the borough's Democratic party chair, Jamaal Bailey, is cashing in on local civil court races.

— This story first appeared in New York Focus, a non-profit news publication investigating New York state politics. Sign up for their stories at nysfocus/newsletter.

Chris Bragg NY Focus New York has faced the same conundrum for decades: how to build an effective ethics watchdog agency.