Policy
New York City
New Yorkers are scrambling for public restroom access with limited availability
While a new bill would require city departments to identify a new restroom location in every ZIP code, it stops short from ordering their completion.
New York State
New York lawmakers address abortion, gun restrictions during sleep-deprived extraordinary session
The Legislature took steps toward amending the state constitution to protect abortion rights and enacting adjusted gun restrictions after two pivotal Supreme Court rulings.
Policy
Finger Lakes cryptomining operation is inconsistent with climate law, state finds
Citing “tripled facility emissions,” the state Department of Environmental Conservation denied an air permit renewal for Greenidge Generation, a former coal plant near Seneca Lake.
Education
On determining NYC class sizes, all eyes turn to Hochul
The state Legislature voted to reduce class sizes to the mayor’s chagrin, and now the governor is facing pressure on all sides.
Policy
Supporters of noncitizen voting vow to appeal state Supreme Court ruling
After a Staten Island judge ruled that the New York City law violated the state Constitution, advocates remain hopeful.
Criminal justice
Nearly 70% of detainees at Rikers women’s jail can be safely released: advocates
Criminal justice advocates and experts called on the city to study how it can free women and gender-expansive people housed at the Rose M. Singer Center following the death of inmate Mary Yehudah in May.
Housing
Can Adams’ citywide affordable housing plan finally tear down the NIMBY wall?
When deeply affordable housing is proposed for neighborhoods other than the poorest, locals shout it down. Is the city ready to plow over the outrage?
Criminal justice
Eric Adams claims progress at Rikers despite several recent detainee deaths
Attorneys for one of the men who died called the mayor’s announcement “irresponsible and callous.”
New York City
Chaos at Rikers is partly due to COVID-19 quarantines
So why is the complex quarantining people for longer than the CDC recommends?
New York City
Federal takeover of Rikers Island is off the table, for now, judge says
Southern District Judge Laura Taylor Swain approved the city’s plan to reform Rikers in an order filed Tuesday.
Policy
Adrienne Adams’ City Council passes its first budget
The $101.1 billion spending plan was approved late at night, with some opposition – and possible retribution.
gun control
Eric Adams’ fears that SCOTUS ruling could permit guns on subways is a ‘worst-case scenario’
The court has indicated it is likely to overturn the state’s restrictive permitting requirements for concealed guns, except in “sensitive” public places.
New York State
Here’s some of the major legislation New York passed in the end of the legislative session
After addressing abortion, cryptocurrency and guns, members of the state Senate and Assembly now must shift gears to prepare for elections.
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gun control
Hochul signs gun laws at the start of a tough election cycle for Democrats
Officials from across the state attended the bill signing that served as much as a rallying cry as an earnest attempt to prevent future shootings.
Policy
After passage of bitcoin mining moratorium, advocates push Hochul for action
The moratorium bill was revived to pass early Friday morning, despite aggressive lobbying by the crypto industry.
Policy
NYC municipal employees still call for hybrid work in the face of City Hall’s email
“I’m too tired to be really angry about it anymore,” one worker said of the mandatory in-office work policy.
Policy
Making broadband internet connections to New York’s hardest-to-reach places
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $1.4 billion ConnectALL initiative is aiming to boost speeds and incentivize new fiber optic cable installations.
gun control
What is gun microstamping?
A state bill that would require the technology to be included in the manufacturing of some guns sold in New York could be passed by the end of the week.
Housing
Legislators poised to let 421-a expire
With only three days left in the scheduled legislative session remaining, it appears the controversial tax break to incentivize developers to build affordable housing won’t have a replacement this year.
New York State
