Nick Reisman reports at New York State of Politics reports that seven Republicans in the state Assembly have announced support for a bill to give free meals to students in all New York schools. That signals it has a good chance to pass this year with more than 70 members of the state Legislature signing letters of support for the universal school meal proposal. State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, both Democrats, introduced the bill. Gov. Kathy Hochul will outline her budget proposal on Feb. 1 in Albany, and many lawmakers hope the free meals provision will be included in the plan. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.