CapCon: New York's Immigration Debate, IVF Bill After Alabama, Thursday Reads

Why immigration is a key issue in New York this year, how one state lawmakers is responding to the IVF ruling in Alabama, Thursday reads, and more.

Good afternoon — it’s Thursday, and National Toast Day.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024

TODAY’S CAP CON: Immigration is a key issue this year in New York — both in politics and at the state Capitol; a state lawmaker is responding to the recent Alabama ruling on IVF with a new bill; Thursday Reads; and more.

🔨 Is Tomorrow a Session Day? No.

❄️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Mostly cloudy and breezy, low 20s. New York City: Mostly clear, high 20s. (National Weather Service)

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(New York Governor’s Office)

👁️ Eye on Immigration: Immigration continues to be a key issue in this year’s elections, up and down the ballot. But it’s also emerged as a hot topic at the state Capitol this year.

• More than 150,000 migrants have arrived in New York over the past two years, mostly in New York City, where resources have been stretched thin.

• The situation has caused political tension with some local leaders across the state who don’t want migrants housed in their communities. 

While New Yorkers debate the issue, both President Joe BIDEN and former President Donald J. TRUMP visited the country’s southern border Thursday to shore up support for their own policies.

That opened an opportunity for Gov. Kathy HOCHUL on Thursday to criticize Republicans and defend Biden on the issue in an interview on national television.