New York's 4th Congressional District, which spans much of south and central Nassau County, has been one of the most hotly contested House seats over the past few election cycles -- and this year figures to be no different. Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll is the leading Republican challenging freshman Democratic Incumbent Rep. Laura Gillen. Nassau Republican Party leadership has endorsed Driscoll. She lives in Bellerose and has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years, most recently serving as an associate village justice of Bellerose in the justice court before she won town-wide office as receiver of taxes.

Chair of the Southold Democratic Party Kathryn Casey Quigley has announced that she is running for leadership of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee against the long-time party chair and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. She's citing frustration with Schaffer's leadership and what she says has been year after year of Democratic losses in elections across the county. Schaffer has accused Casey Quigley of dividing Democrats, especially in a year where Democrat turnout is likely to be high and many Democrats believe there are races to be won this year against incumbent Republicans.

New York state finally unveiled its state budget nearly two months past its due date. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the more than $268 billion plan after weeks of negotiations. The plan includes $40 billion for schools across the state, plus $1.7 billion for universal child care. It also eliminates state income taxes on up to $25,000 on tipped income. New York has the highest auto insurance rates in the nation and some of the highest staged crash rates. Hochul says that's why the budget will put a cap on profits for auto insurance companies.