Heard Around Town
Policy
Office to residential conversions – again – a focus of Adams and Hochul
The governor also previewed a goal of 800,000 new housing units over the next decade, presenting a united front with the mayor
Heard Around Town
Politics
Proponents for a better Penn Station redevelopment push for unified approach
A panel of transportation, infrastructure and planning experts said an effort to improve on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s much criticized plan for the transportation hub will require coming together at the local, state and federal levels.
Heard Around Town
Policy
NYC budget watchdog warns of fiscal cliff
The Citizens Budget Commission had a dreary outlook at their budget briefing this week.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Seeing houses of worship as promoters of Eric Adams’ housing agenda
The mayor’s chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin suggested at City & State’s Building Bridges interfaith event that churches, mosques and synagogues could play a role in helping her boss achieve his goal of building 500,000 new housing units in the next ten years.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Scott Stringer’s defamation suit may be unwise – but the real goal may be to depose Jean Kim
The former New York City mayoral candidate thinks other people were working with the lobbyist whose 20-year-old allegations of sexual assault derailed his campaign – and he’s not willing to move on.
Heard Around Town
Politics
The Brooklyn DA is investigating a district leader. She tried to honor him.
Eric Gonzalez isn’t going to Dionne Brown-Jordan’s holiday party
Heard Around Town
Policy
Port Authority head promotes a ‘big role’ for biometrics at airports
Executive Director Rick Cotton said that customers should be able to opt in to programs that use biometric technology like facial recognition.
Heard Around Town
Policy
NYC Council ‘still waiting’ to see a plan on mayor’s plan for severe mental illness
Eric Adams and his team have been doing a media blitz, explaining and defending last week’s announcement.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Meet the Orthodox Jewish woman trying to unseat Inna Vernikov in NYC
Democrat Amber Adler, who now has a Netflix cameo, is using her community activism in defense of women stuck in unwanted marriages as a launchpad.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Peter Abbate is fundraising – but doesn’t think he’ll run again
The outgoing senator lost his Brooklyn seat to Lester Chang, who is facing residency questions from Assembly Democrats.
Heard Around Town
Politics
No “pushback” against two Brooklyn leaders, as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries ascends
The Brooklyn Congress member will be House Democratic leader, while neighbor Chuck Schumer remains U.S. Senate majority leader.
Heard Around Town
Policy
Advocates expect Hochul to sign bitcoin mining moratorium
Assembly Member Anna Kelles does not expect chapter amendments that would alter the proposed moratorium on proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Pending power struggle over BOE appointment in Manhattan
Manhattan Democratic Chair Keith Wright nominated Barry Weinberg. Rep. Adriano Espaillat may not like that.
Heard Around Town
Policy
No Gucci, yes homeless housing, in pending Innovation QNS deal
The Astoria development seems likely to happen with City Council Member Julie Won’s support.
Heard Around Town
Personality
Zellnor Myrie and Diana Richardson are engaged
The state Senator and former Assembly member from Brooklyn made it official at the Somos Puerto Rico conference, sources say.
Heard Around Town
Politics
At Somos, a Jewish event brings people in
Eric Adams, Adrienne Adams, Letitia James and more spoke at David Greenfield’s event at the Chabad Jewish Center of Puerto Rico
Heard Around Town
Politics
Adams offers peaceful tone at Somos
The New York City Mayor shifted away from his push on the importance of rolling back bail laws after arriving at the annual conference in Puerto Rico Friday.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Hochul stands by Democratic leader Jay Jacobs, despite disappointing results
In Puerto Rico for the Somos conference, the governor also credited progressives for supporting her.
Heard Around Town
Politics
Dems feel extra weird about partying at Somos this year, after lackluster general
“There’s a lot of important soul-searching for folks to do.”
Heard Around Town
Politics