Most people know how the federal government works but how much do you know about how your state government works? Do you know who’s in the cabinet? What powers the governor has? How bills are proposed? We want to show you how government works in New York by answering these and more questions.  

The first step is to understand the three branches of state government.

• JANUARY 9, 2019: Legislative session convenes in Albany.
• JANUARY 14, 2019: Start of session — work begins.
  
• FEBRUARY 1, 2019: Final day for submission of executive budget. The governor is expected to deliver his executive budget proposal in the days before. The legislature will then hold hearings.
• APRIL 1, 2019: Beginning of the new fiscal year — the traditional budget deadline. If the budget does not pass in time, the state government would shut down, although lawmakers and the governor can agree to temporarily funding without a budget.​
• JUNE 19, 2019: Final scheduled day of the legislative session.

Senate Calendar | Assembly Calendar

Capital Tonight is Spectrum News' nightly political show covering New York state politics. The half hour-long show, hosted by Liz Benjamin, airs weeknights at 7 p.m. with a replay at 11:30 p.m.

• Official New York State Government 
• New York House
• New York Senate
• New York Supreme Court
• Department of State — Freedom of Information and Open Meetings Law Info