The budget deal doesn't include a health insurance exchange, which is part of President Barack Obama's health care reform plan that's currently being debated in the Supreme Court, but Governor Cuomo vowed to create an exchange in the Empire State by executive order.

New York City was a "big winner" in the budget deal with increased aid for city schools, a fully-funded MTA capital plan and a Bloomberg-backed plan to have non-violent youthful offenders serve their time closer to home rather than upstate.

There is $1.2 billion for infrastructure construction projects in the budget. Governor Cuomo said: "It's all about jobs, jobs, jobs — it's all about economic development."

If you haven't had enough budget news this morning, check out this footage of Governor Cuomo and his staff discussing the deal.

Spending on lobbying in New York hit a record $220 million last year.

The pro-Cuomo Committee to Save New York topped the list of big lobbying spenders.

Sandra Lee, the governor's girlfriend, is making her homecooking brand more upscale and courting the fashion world leading to speculation she's prepping for Governor Cuomo's possible 2016 campaign.

After a series of NYPD controversies, the Civilian Complaint Review Board received broad authority to prosecute police misconduct cases.

Spokespeople for Charlie Rangel and Adriano Espaillat tussled over the news Mr. Rangel agreed to pay a $23,000 for using a rent-controlled apartment as a campaign office ahead of their possible race against each other.

Eliot's former aide says Governor Cuomo learned from Spitzer and Paterson's mistakes.

Caroline Kennedy will host an Upper West Side fundraiser for her cousin, Joseph's, bid to take Barney Frank's seat in Massachusetts.

CSEA President Danny Donohue is not a fan of the budget deal.

Tough questions from the Supreme Court justices hint the Court may strike down President Barack Obama's insurance mandate law.

Newt Gingrich laid off one-third of his campaign staff.

Ivanka Trump endorsed Mitt Romney.

The parents of slain teen Trayvon Martin took their case to Capitol Hill.

President Obama joined the social media site Pinterest.

Ron Paul doesn't know why he hasn't gotten more votes.

Herman Cain defended his controversial ad that depicted a rabbit being shot. "The liberals are trying to paint it like I’m killing animals. The rabbit that we shot was a toy, stuffed rabbit."

Yorkshire Terriers, flamboyant suits, questionable military ribbons and strip club stings: Inside the world of embattled Congressman Michael "Mikey Suits" Grimm.

There are pros and cons to the latest jobs numbers in New York City leaving room for both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his critics to spin the data.

White House security brass conducted a simulated cyberattack on New York City's power grid to shore up Senate support for a new cybersecurity bill.

The Dominican American National Roundtable, which is angling for a predominantly Latino district that would include Upper Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens, filed a legal challenge to the redistricting plan proposed by the special master.

Governor Cuomo's budget team got the state teachers retirement system to scrub criticisms of his pension reform plan from a recent report.

Did Al Sharpton and Democratic power broker Charlie King negotiate a deal between the Bronx and Northern Manhattan to come to terms on redistricting?

A federal judge's ruling that an FDNY hiring exam discriminated against minorities could cost the city $128 million.

There are currently just 24 female firefighters in New York City, but a record number of women are set to take the FDNY exam.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer says the City budget is a "byzantine maze" that must be made more "transparent and equitable."

Tom Engel is ending his campaign for Congress now that Maurice Hinchey has announced his retirement. Mr. Engel previously said he wanted to combat Mr. Hinchey's "liberal agenda."

Topless Code Pink protesters shouted "Bust up Bank of America" as they crashed a speech by the company's president and CEO, Brian Moynihan, at a conference in Midtown.

Mayor Bloomberg defended his Chicago counterpart, Rahm Emanuel, after the Windy City's "embarrassing loss" of the G-8 Summit.

CSEA President Danny Donohue is set to announce his candidacy for the presidency of the AFSCME union.

Mitt Romney says campaigning in the Deep South is an "away game."

Screwups by the Santorum campaign have led to problems winning delegates.

Mr. Romney is asking top Republican donors to dig deep into their pockets to help him win the protracted campaign for the GOP nomination.

Marc Bell, CEO of the company that publishes porn magazine Penthouse, is considering a run for Congress in Florida.