City & State Magazine Celebrated 20th Anniversary

New York City officials gathered in Midtown Manhattan to mark two decades of the publication.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Civic

Bold vector editorial illustration of a skyscraper facade grid and a metal nib, representing twenty years of NYC media coverage.
City & State magazine marked its 20th anniversary at an event in Midtown Manhattan, highlighting two decades of local policy coverage. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

City & State hosted an anniversary event in Midtown Manhattan on September 29, 2026, to celebrate 20 years of coverage. The celebration included proclamations from city leadership and speeches from high-ranking state officials.

Why it matters

The event highlighted the ongoing influence of the publication on local policy and media discourse across New York. It also served as a platform for political leaders to discuss the future of journalism in the region.

The magazine reaches its 20-year milestone in the local media landscape. During the ceremony, the Governor highlighted a $90 million payroll tax credit initiative intended to support local newsrooms.

The players

Kathy Hochul

She serves as the Governor of New York and addressed the significance of the media industry during the event.

Letitia James

As the Attorney General of New York, she participated in the anniversary celebration alongside other state leaders.

Julie Menin

She is the City Council Speaker who delivered a speech during the 20th-anniversary event.

Tom Allon

He is the founder of the magazine being celebrated for its two decades of operation.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

He is the Manhattan Borough President who officially proclaimed City & State Appreciation Day.

The details

Political figures including Kathy Hochul, Letitia James, and Julie Menin addressed attendees at the Dramma venue in Midtown Manhattan. The celebration featured formal recognition of the magazine, which was founded by Tom Allon, through an official citation from the City Council.

Timeline

  1. September 29, 2026: The anniversary celebration was held in Midtown Manhattan.

  2. September 29, 2026: Brad Hoylman-Sigal proclaimed the date as City & State Appreciation Day.

Industry Dynamics

The event underscores a growing trend of direct state intervention to support regional journalism against industry-wide consolidation. This move mirrors the legislative objectives set by the New York State Local Journalism Sustainability Act to maintain local media viability.

The proposed payroll tax credit could impact readers by ensuring the continued survival of local news sources in New York. Residents may see more consistent reporting on city and state government affairs as a result of this legislative support.

The takeaway

The recognition of City & State by major political figures underscores the symbiotic relationship between local media and government. Readers should monitor future legislative sessions to see if the proposed payroll tax credit reaches final passage and implementation.

Further reading

For more background on regional media initiatives, visit the New York City Civic section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by City & State NY.