Education
Policy
David Banks on pre-K, 3-K budget restoration: “I have great confidence”
The New York City schools chancellor warned of inevitable “trade-offs” as City Council members grilled officials over budget cuts.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Jumaane Williams calls for fire retardant storage cases for lithium ion batteries
The Public Advocate wants New York City to spend $1.3 million to purchase the cases to protect users from fires triggered by the batteries.
Policy
Policy
City Hall and Legal Aid Society settle right to shelter case
The temporary settlement will allow the city to limit adults’ shelter stays to 30 days.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Assembly is silent on expanding state cannabis agency enforcement power
The state Senate and the governor both want to expand enforcement powers of the state Office of Cannabis Management.
Policy
Policy
What will New York’s next real estate developer tax break look like?
The replacement for 421-a could come down to negotiations between REBNY and organized labor.
New York City
Policy
Ghostbusters: Hochul and Adams take on fake or obscured license plates
Cracking down on so-called ghost cars will be a joint effort to recoup bridge and tunnel toll money.
Policy
Policy
New York Legislature releases budget rebuttals
Here’s a rundown of where the state Senate, Assembly and governor stand on major budget issues.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Lawmakers tackle “epidemic” of vaping at schools
State Sen. Monica Martinez and Assembly Member Charles Fall are sponsoring legislation that would prohibit the sale of vape products that target kids, resemble toys and school supplies.
Housing
Policy
City program to incentivize upgrades to rent stabilized apartments has just one applicant
The pilot program is just one way the city is trying to help get vacant units back on the market, city officials said at a City Council hearing on housing vacancies.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Legislation seeks to ban fast food surge pricing
A bill introduced by Assembly Member Angelo Santabarbara came as Wendy’s announced it was launching a “dynamic pricing” plan
Albany Agenda
Policy
New York’s legislative moms come out against school district funding cuts
The “Mom Squad” is appealing to Gov. Kathy Hochul as a fellow mom.
Immigration
Policy
Over 37,000 migrants applied for asylum and work authorization through city help centers
While New York City has increased legal assistance for asylum-seekers after opening a help center devoted to helping migrants apply for asylum and work authorization, the City Council expressed concerns Tuesday about a lack of funding included in the 2025 fiscal preliminary budget.
Albany Agenda
Policy
NY Legislature seems poised to push back on Hochul’s school funding proposal
The governor wants to move money around based on enrollment, but legislative leaders seem skeptical of that idea.
Budget
Policy
As budget season gets underway, council presses administration for collaboration
City Comptroller Brad Lander accused the mayor of announcing deep budget cuts so that he could later magnanimously reverse them.
Labor
Policy
State lawmakers look to improve pensions to attract public sector workers
Complaints are rampant about the Tier 6 pension level, which some believe make working for the state less appealing.
Policy
Policy
Parents concerned about addictive social media have the ear of Tish James
The New York attorney general is turning her attention to Big Tech – pushing legislation to give her office the power to crack down on algorithms targeting kids.
New York City
Policy
NYC Education Department taken to task over class size law
The City Council wants to see working group recommendations implemented to help student outcomes.
New York City Council
Policy
The NYC Council is suing Eric Adams. Here’s what you need to know.
The City Council’s lawsuit against the mayor makes an aggressive argument for the separation of powers.
2024 New York congressional battleground
Policy
NY Democrats pass modestly altered congressional maps
Could the redistricting nightmare truly be behind us for the decade?
New York City Council
Policy