Includes bibliographical references and index.

Political conflicts and their representation -- Introduction: The sources of conflict / Jeffrey M. Stonecash -- The two New Yorks in the twenty-first century: the city and the state / Robert F. Pecorella -- Political conflict and intergovernmental fiscal relations / Donald J. Boyd -- Political parties and elections / Jeffrey M. Stonecash and Amy Widestrom -- Third parties in New York / Robert J. Spitzer -- Interest-group lobbying in New York state / Rogan T. Kersh -- Reporters and politicians in Albany: Access, reciprocity, and news management / Elizabeth Benjamin -- Political institutions and decision making -- Introduction: state government institutions / Gerald Benjamin -- New York's governorship : what happens now? / Gerald Benjamin and Elizabeth Benjamin -- The legislature, parties and resolving conflict / Jeffrey M. Stonecash and Amy Widestrom -- New York's courts / Brian J. Nickerson and Thomas W. Church -- Other governments : the public authorities / Keith M. Henderson -- Public policy -- Introduction: public policy in New York / Jeffrey M. Stonecash -- The economy, taxes and policy constraints in New York / Stephanie Lundquist and Amy Widestrom -- The politics of state education aid : is demography destiny? / Robert F. Pecorella -- Contested futures : public policy and the State University of New York / Henry Steck -- Health care in the Empire State : expanding access and escalating costs / Jeffrey Kraus -- Social services / Sarah F. Liebschutz -- The politics of transportation / Jeffrey M. Stonecash with Mitchell H. Pally -- Environmental policy in New York / Thomas A. Birkland ... [et al.] -- Guide to research on New York politics / Sarah F. Liebschutz.