New York City
Policy
Revised Airbnb-backed home-sharing bill debuts
A revised Airbnb-backed bill introduced this week would prohibit short-term rentals in all affordable New York City housing.
New York City
Policy
Google opens tech training hub
Google launched a free tech training center on Monday as part of a five-month commitment for its Grow with Google educational initiative in New York City.
New York State
Policy
The right way to do economic development
New employers won’t be able to keep growing without a skilled, ready workforce in the area, nor can locals take part in the growth without the credentials to get the jobs, a workforce training center in Buffalo shows the way to solve those problems, writes Bryce Covert.
New York City
Policy
Facial recognition a bridge too far for MTA
The MTA’s attempt at facial recognition technology on the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge did not yield any faces detected within acceptable parameters rendering the trial unsuccessful.
New York State
Policy
Buffalo’s billion-dollar Band-Aid
Most of Buffalo, New York's largest and most costly individual projects have produced underwhelming results, whereas some of the smaller-scale, lower-profile programs are actually generating a lot of growth – or, at least, the potential for it.
New York State
Policy
How six state upstate economic development projects have fared
New York has put millions upon millions of dollars into flashy new projects, sadly most of them haven't fared too well, or well at all.
New York State
Policy
Going green through congestion pricing
Congestion pricing may be intended for raising revenue rather than reducing pollution, but it will have environmental benefits and it is is potentially just the first step towards lower carbon emissions and getting polluting cars off the roads.
New York City
Policy
New York City to pass water tank reforms
In a rebuke of city health officials, the New York City Council plans to pass seven new laws tightening oversight and regulation of thousands of rooftop drinking water tanks, citing evidence of contamination, widespread neglect, and lax oversight by agency officials.
New York City
Policy
Automated Decision Systems under study
During the New York City Council’s Committee on Technology hearing on Thursday, co-chairs of the ADS Task Force briefed council members on their work, but provided few details about progress made.
New York State
Policy
New York hits the brakes on e-bikes
A proposal that would have allowed localities to decide for themselves whether to legalize e-scooters and throttle e-bikes – which, unlike pedal-assist e-bikes, are still illegal in New York — was quietly dropped from the finalized budget crafted by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democratic legislative leaders, despite increasing support at both the city and state level.
Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Mixed results for organized labor in state budget
After the 175.5 billion state budget passed, union leaders say they will continue to push for their legislative priorities in the coming weeks.
New York State
Policy
New York can’t let go of HQ2
It's been two months since Amazon pulled out of its HQ2 deal in Long Island City but New Yorkers are still pining for the tech giant's unlikely return.
New York City
Policy
MTA solicits ideas for congestion pricing model
The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority are looking for tech assistance to help them build out a tolling system.
New York State
Policy
Cash bail still in judges’ tool belts after major reforms
Despite Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democratic legislators agreeing that they wanted to eliminate the use of cash bail in New York state, it will remain as an option available to judges in limited circumstances.
New York State
Policy
What we know about New York City’s congestion pricing plan
As a part of the new state budget Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature agreed to enact congestion pricing to help raise revenue for the MTA and reduce traffic in New York City.
New York State
Policy
New York gets an internet sales tax
A marketplace provider tax made it into New York's $175.5 billion budget.
New York State
Policy
Erie wants to lead in 5G
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, fed up with the lack of high-speed internet access in rural and other underserved parts of his county, wants to borrow $20 million to install 360 miles of proprietary fiber lines in an effort to ensure that Erie is ready for 5G.
Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Is campaign finance an issue of gender and racial equity?
Advocates have a new approach to pushing for publicly-funded campaigns.
New York State
Policy
Transferring to a real estate transfer tax
Details about the proposed new transfer tax are scarce, but lawmakers have said it will apply to the sale of real estate that is valued at $5 million or more on top of the existing transfer tax.
New York City
Policy