Small Business
Policy
Bracing for heat waves and hurricanes during a pandemic
It could even mean the city buys some people air conditioning units
Energy & Environment
Policy
COVID-19 pandemic could expedite climate change response
New York’s financial regulator has hired its first climate director.
New York State
Policy
Should insurance companies have to cover small businesses’ pandemic losses?
New legislation would require insurers to pay out due to the coronavirus – regardless of what their policies say.
New York State
Policy
Coronavirus leaves Child Victims Act cases in limbo
Since the courts are mostly closed, will alleged survivors be given more time to sue?
New York State
Policy
So bad, New York’s health insurers are crying, ‘Uncle!’
An unpopular industry turns to Washington for help.
Transportation
Policy
MTA to shut down overnight subway service
It may be good for cleaning, but what about essential workers and the homeless?
New York State
Policy
Schools will remain closed for the rest of this academic year
Cuomo finally gets behind de Blasio’s plan to keep schools shuttered.
Immigration
Policy
Will immigration policy be Trump’s leverage over New York?
Trump repeatedly turns to immigration policies as bargaining chips with New York.
Housing
Policy
Rent strike begins, but rent or mortgage relief remains uncertain
Federal aid is likely needed to make rent or mortgage cancelation feasible.
Homelessness
Policy
Can de Blasio ever win on homelessness?
The governor has put the mayor to work figuring out homelessness on the NYC subways.
Small Business
Policy
Is the federal government shortchanging small businesses?
Amid backlash against large companies getting federal loans, Velázquez calls for transparency.
Technology
Policy
NY knew its ancient unemployment system needed upgrades years ago
The state knew its tech needed upgrades years ago. Now New Yorkers are suffering.
Labor
Policy
Mitch McConnell’s wants to destroy public employee pensions, but he can’t
New York’s public pensions are well-funded, for now at least.
Policy
Session may resume, with few details on voting technology
The state Legislature may reconvene, but it is unlikely to follow the New York City Council in voting-by-Zoom.
Policy
The potential flaws in New York’s antibody testing
Nearly 14% of those tested at grocery stores around New York were found to have antibodies to the new coronavirus, but the testing process was imperfect.
Andrew Cuomo
Policy
Nonprofits on front lines call for protections for their workers, too
Nonprofit leaders say human services workers should also get bonus pay for front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York City
Policy
NYC Council bill could reignite gig worker debate
The council wants to extend sick leave to gig workers and have the state Legislature classify them as employees.
Infrastructure
Policy
Federal infrastructure bill is still a long way off
Spending money to advance the Gateway rail tunnel and other projects could jump-start the economy when New York reopens.
MTA
Policy
Congestion pricing is both a problem and solution for the MTA
Implementation will be difficult, but the transit agency desperately needs money.
New York State
Policy