Heard Around Town
Politics
City Council District 2 candidate rakes in over $26k in donations
Community Board 3 Chair Andrea Gordillo is getting a head start in what promises to be a competitive primary for the open seat.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Mayor Adams touts tech solutions at Smart City Expo
Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer also previewed a new RFP process that will give the private sector greater input on government projects.
Albany Agenda
Policy
Advocates rally for MENA bill as NY session winds down
People who are Middle Eastern and North African shouldn’t be categorized as white by the state, advocates say.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Lawler, fresh off his bipartisan victories, visits a redder part of his district
The popular freshman lawmaker leaned into border policy and criticizing the MTA at a recent sparsely attended town hall.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Epstein to declare run for Council
The Assembly member is seeking to represent District 2 with endorsements from former Council members Margarita Lopez and Rosie Mendez, local leaders and tenant association presidents.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Hochul admin touts drop in gun violence in urban areas outside NYC
In many regions of the state, officials said there were significant reductions in shootings.
Heard Around Town
Politics
David Banks gets compliments from City Council on his performance in DC
The schools chancellor “did us proud,” one progressive said.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Adams’ message to challengers: ‘Don’t worry about me’
The mayor defended his record against criticism from primary opponent state Sen. Zellnor Myrie.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Bayona out at City Hall
The executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media handed in his resignation and is leaving the Adams administration.
Policy
Policy
Staten Island secession? A new IBO report studies the age-old question
“Any serious study of how secession would play out proves that citizens of an independent Staten Island would end up paying more for less,” said Council Member Justin Brannan, who requested the study.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Report: Nail salon technicians have higher rate of reproductive health issues
The study comes as proposed legislation would create protections for these workers, typically Asian and Latin American immigrants already subject to poor working conditions.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Hochul: No plans to send National Guard to college protests in NY
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state stands ready to assist the NYPD if they ask, but she doesn’t believe the National Guard is currently necessary.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Sorry to harsh the vibe, but all is not well in New York cannabis
Weed farmers, left out of the state budget, fear they won’t survive.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Report: Rent increases up to 4% and 7% would maintain rent stabilized landlords' profits
“I do expect the rent increase to be lower than it was the last couple of years because the data supports that,” Community Service Society’s Samuel Stein said.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Black migrants rally for better services at City Hall
Hundreds showed up for a hearing on Black immigrant experiences in New York.
Heard Around Town
Policy
New York City Council finds migrant children evicted from shelters saw school interrupted
New data tracking the impact of 60-day limits on shelter stays has created concerns.
Heard Around Town
Policy
NY Legislature approves fourth budget extender
The state Senate approved an April 15 extension Thursday, and the Assembly is expected to do so on Friday.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Progressive NYC elected officials to Albany: No rent law rollbacks
City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and 19 City Council members said they “oppose any measures to weaken New York’s rent stabilization system.”
News & Politics
Politics
Laborers union asks legislature to include $40 minimum wage in 421-a replacement
The Mason Tenders District Council has already agreed to a wage deal with REBNY and now wants legislators to codify it into law.
Heard Around Town
Politics