Lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are close to a budget deal that would create committees to oversee gambling initiatives and infrastructure projects and provide $805 million in new aid to schools.

Senate Republicans were able to bloc was a health insurance exchange necessary to comply with Obamacare. Gov. Cuomo has promised to institute the exchanges via executive order.

Lawmakers are also close to a deal that would put a "softer face" on juvenile justice in New York, in which New York City would take custody closer to home of hundreds of low-level juvenile offenders in so-called youth prisons.

An effort to keep teacher evaluations private failed. 

Cuomo also received limited authority to move money between government agencies without the Legislature’s approval and succeeded in stripping state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli of his ability to pre-audit contracts, The Daily News reports.

A new mayor in 2014 may mean that at last Gracie Mansion will be occupied again.

Christine Quinn called on her constituents to ban a West Village McDonalds because of a series of fights that have happened there.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, has been circulating a memo accusing his predecessor, Democrat-turned-Republican Steve Levy,  of intentionally misleading bond investors, rating companies and legislators about Suffolk's fiscal health.

John Liu fired his scheduling director in a further sign of turmoil at the comptroller's office.

The city's top officials had some harsh words over the Park Slope Food Co-Op's proposed ban of Israeli products.

According to a report released by Councilman Brad Lander, the number of elementary school students in classes of 30 or more has tripled in the last three years because of teacher attrition and budget cuts to public schools.

Private school fundraising is getting more agressive than ever in NYC, with schools mining online data for parent information about cars, homes and charitable giving.

Coming (maybe) to the High Line soon: Jeff Koons' "Train," a full size 1943 Baldwin 2900 steam locomotive dangling from a crane.

The Supreme Court is set to take on the most controversial aspect of the Affordable Care Act: the individual mandate.

Ron Paul says its silly to suggest that he might drop out.

The Obama campaign is embracing the term "Obamacare."

There will be a showdown in the U.S. Senate today over tax breaks for oil companies, with Republicans set to argue that ending the breaks will lead to a spike in gas prices.

The conservative coalition of big money donors and strategists that Karl Rove put together in 2010 is now riven by infighting and struggling to stay together.

Rick Santorum has been unable to capture the Catholic vote.

Mitt Romney appears to have a special distrust of Russia. 

The House budget plan proposes a partial federal hiring freeze. 

Sarah Palin approved of Rick Santorum's lashing out at a New York Times reporter.

The last two print reporters covering Newt Gingrich have been pulled from their posts.

Despite a big lead in pledged delegates, Mitt Romney still doesn't have very many unpledged delegates.