New York State
Opinion
Fix New York state’s overtime and pension abuses
New York taxpayers can’t afford to keep paying padded pensions, but there is a solution: Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick submitted legislation to prohibit overtime payments from being factored into a retiree’s pension calculations, writes former Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.
Opinion
New York City’s Rent Guidelines Board should freeze rents
Too many rent-stabilized tenants are struggling, especially with stagnant wages, so this year the New York City Rent Guidelines Board should freeze rents in rent-stabilized apartments, write City Councilman Antonio Reynoso and state Senator Zellnor Myrie.
New York State
Opinion
New York should limit solitary confinement
Decades of evidence have shown that solitary confinement causes suffering and psychological and physical damage, increasing recidivism rates. The HALT Act would limit its use in New York and provide more humane and effective alternatives, writes state Sen. Luis Sepúlveda.
Bill de Blasio
Opinion
Why Bill de Blasio wouldn’t make a good president
De Blasio’s record as mayor doesn’t have a policy theme: It’s just a mishmash of half-executed ideas that add up to a city little different from before he got here, which would undermine his case for the presidency, writes Nicole Gelinas.
New York City
Opinion
De Blasio should run for president
The press mocks the idea of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio running for president, but de Blasio’s impressive record of real achievements for working-class New Yorkers means he should run, writes former Obama campaign staffer Kate Albright-Hanna.
Energy & Environment
Opinion
'Beneficial electrification' doesn’t benefit consumers or environment
To address Con Ed’s moratorium on new natural gas hookups in Westchester, the PSC wants to reduce demand with energy efficiency and electrification of heating, but the latter will increase costs and climate pollution, writes Manhattan Institute economist Jonathan Lesser.
New York City
Opinion
Pass permanent authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
Congress should help all current and future victims of 9/11 once and for all by passing permanent authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, write New York City Councilman Justin Brannan and Policeman's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch.
New York State
Opinion
State Legislature should act to protect New Yorkers’ data privacy
New Yorkers currently have no effective control over who has their personal information after it is originally shared, so the state should pass comprehensive privacy legislation, writes Fordham Law School’s Center on Law and Information Policy Andrea Flink.
MTA
Opinion
Don’t block subway automation
The New York state Senate is reviewing a bill that would prohibit the practice of one-person train operations on the subway, but the bill's supposed justification, which is safety, is based on falsehoods, writes transit expert Alon Levy.
New York State
Opinion
To end mass incarceration, New York needs a fully staffed parole board
While New York state law allows for up to 19 commissioners on a parole board, there are currently only 12 seated commissioners. These seven vacancies leave the board in a state of crisis, writes New York state Senator Luis Sepulveda.
New York City
Opinion
The MTA has money now, but how will it be spent?
Lawmakers rushed through new funding for the MTA and confirmed its new chairman without forcing reforms of its constantly over-budget and behind-schedule construction and maintenance.
New York City
Opinion
Pied-à-terre tax died for ridiculous reasons
Every New Yorker sitting on a delayed subway should know that some of the blame rests with the ultra-rich, luxury real estate developers and their lackeys in Albany, who killed the pied-a-terre tax, writes Ben Adler.
New York City
Opinion
De Blasio’s mixed record with public sector unions
Labor and union leaders are doubtful that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is fit to be president — despite the fact that he has yet to announce that he is running — due to his mixed record with public sector unions.
New York State
Opinion
State budget jeopardized public financing of elections
For progressives hoping for a full Albany transformation, New York’s new state budget was sobering because the public financing of elections was put in real jeopardy by being left up to a commission, writes Ross Barkan.
New York City
Opinion
How small-cell and wireless technology can propel NYC despite HQ2 loss
By providing wireless and broadband connectivity to all New York City communities New York will be better equipped to serve its growing tech community.
New York City
Opinion
Henry Stern’s quest for the stars
Former New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, who passed away on Thursday, was a brilliant, creative and eccentric public servants writes City & State Publisher Tom Allon.
New York City
Opinion
Losing mayoral control of NYC schools would be a step backward
For the past 17 years, since mayoral control of New York City schools was enacted innovation has increased and outcomes have improved. To undo that would make schools less accountable.
New York State
Opinion
Replace JCOPE with an independent body
Ross Barkan makes the case for replacing JCOPE with a new independent commission to better combat corruption.
New York State
Opinion