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Exclusive: Proposed policy would allow industries to self-audit pollution-generating activities (May 2012) Industries that use pesticides, treat wastewater and store hazardous chemicals could have penalties for breaking pollution laws reduced or waived if they agree to self-report violations under a policy being considered by New York’s leading environmental regulator.
Bronx senator's health quest (May 2012) For state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, getting healthier is not just a personal goal. He is also making it a cornerstone of his policymaking. This spring, he is introducing a package of health bills, including one that would ban smoking 100 feet from school entrances.
Stop-and-frisk lawsuit gets class status (May 2012) A federal judge granted class-action status to a lawsuit alleging the New York Police Department unlawfully targeted blacks and Hispanics with its stop-and-frisk crime reduction program.
NYC Council passes banking bill (May 2012) The New York City Council passed a bill requiring banks receiving billions in municipal funds to detail their lending practices, including mortgages and foreclosures, in struggling neighborhoods.
Senate Dems Look to Nat'l Issues for Help (May 2012) Redistricting, corruption trials and the rise of a breakaway faction of Democrats willing to put up candidates to challenge incumbents. In spite of the bad news, Senate Democrats hold out hope.
Cuomo Proposes a New Agency to Help Disabled (May 2012) Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed legislation on Monday that would create a new state agency to investigate and prosecute cases of abuse and neglect of disabled people.
Council Politics Taint Discretionary Funding (May 2012) A new study says that politics play too large a role in how the City Council's discretionary funds are divided among its members.
Critics Attack Influence of the Committee to Save New York (May 2012) Gov. Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly decried the influence of money in politics but he has been the beneficiary of one group's intense spending. Jonathan Camhi looks at the Committee to Save New York.
State Legisalture Battles Over Minimum Wage Increase (May 2012) NYC isn't the only place for wage debates as state legislators are in the grips of a clash over a minimum wage increase.
Quinn Presses Ahead on Living Wage (May 2012) Council Speaker Christine Quinn took her sharpest stance against the Mayor yet — passing a Living Wage bill he has promised to veto— all the while defending the Mayor to his critics.
Federal Reports Warn of Staff Shortages at DEC (April 2012) Federal reports warn of staffing shortages at the Department of Environmental Conservation in areas that are "critical to protecting public health."
Where Tech and Environment Meet (April 2012) In Our Backyards is using crowd funding and neighborhood volunteers to kickstart local green projects.
Analyzing Hydroelectric (April 2012) The City Council directed the Department of Environmental Protection to assess the possibility of hydroelectric projects that will generate electricity from New York's water supply system.
Students Push For DREAM Act (April 2012) Students and advocates push Albany to pass the DREAM Act during current legislative session after Governor Cuomo declines to include the bill in his state budget.
Making Phones Harder to Steal (April 2012) Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Sen. Chuck Schumer have prodded the federal government to take action to fight phone theft. What will new blacklists mean for consumers?
Court Finds City Isn't Obligated to Continue Housing Program (April 2012) The abrupt defunding of a program that housed the homeless lead to a lawsuit against the city in an attempt to force continuation of the program. Was the city forced to continue the program? Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Civillian Board to Prosecute All Police Misconduct Cases (April 2012) A landmark agreement will allow the Civilian Complaint Review Board to prosecute all confirmed cases of police misconduct. While advocates see it as a step forward, they also have major concerns.
Council Tackles City Transportation Issues (March 2012) The City Council passed bills aiming to make the city safer to navigate for New Yorkers with disabilities, and overrode a mayoral veto on parking enforcement legislation.
NYU's Controversial Expansion (March 2012) The NYU expansion in Greenwich Village remains the most controversial and criticized of the big university expansions in recent years, overshadowing even Columbia's Manhattanville project.
What Do Budget Cuts Mean for the DEC? (March 2012) Commissioner Joseph Martens once criticized budget cuts to the agency he now runs. Martens answers critics who say the DEC won't be able to effectively protect the environment with current funding levels.
Recent Ruling Changes Real Estate Law (March 2012) An opinion issued by NY's highest court has changed real estate law as it has been understood and applied for hundreds of years. Emily Goodman explains.
Communities Test Out Participatory Budgeting (March 2012) Participatory budgeting nears its end run of testing in New York City as community members get to vote on which projects they think deserve funding.
Council To Keep Tabs On Costly Contracts (March 2012) On the heels of the CityTime settlement, City Council has passed a bill to monitor contract revisions and let the Council know when capital projects are costing taxpayers millions more than planned.
Redistricting Battle Comes to a Head (March 2012) With redistricting developments suddenly in overdrive we take a look at what it all means and where everyone stands.
Williams Proposes New Stop and Frisk Controls (March 2012) Councilman Jumaane Williams introduces legislation designed to reduce the use of racial profiling during NYPD Stop and Frisks.
Health Problems Plague City Cab Drivers (March 2012) Spending hours in the driver's seat leads to a myriad of health problems for cabbies. A new program sets out to fix that by getting drivers in shape.
When Making a Great Teacher is a Team Effort (March 2012) The recent release of teacher data reports has highlighted flaws in the evaluation system and has a number of educators focused on how to improve performance rather than on punishment.
City To Release Government Stats Online (March 2012) The Council considers legislation that would make city operations more transparent, by giving the public access to agency information.
Council Members Seek to Make City More Wired (February 2012) Councilman Michael Garodnick wants to pass a bill which would give anyone with a smartphone, the ability to pull up a detailed report from any city-issued certificate.
Close to Home (February 2012) The Cuomo Administration wants to keep New York City's Juvenile offenders close to home to prevent recidivism and encourage rehabilitation.
Court Finds Officer Lied in Case Against a Kid (February 2012) A New York Appeals Court dismisses charges made against a juvenile for allegedly trespassing while chastising the NYPD for "serious misconduct."
Quinn Separates Herself From Bloomberg on Education (February 2012) Council Speaker Christine Quinn uses her State of the City Speech to establish her independence from the Mayor and sets the stage for her mayoral run.
Redistricting Hearings Draw Stream of Objections (February 2012) Hearings on proposed district lines draw outcry from lawmakers and community groups who say that LATFOR is provide an unfair advantage to Senate Republicans and splitting up communities.
Bloomberg's Budget Avoids Teacher Cuts (February 2012) The Mayor's proposed budget spares teachers and uniformed employees and avoids raising taxes but it features hefty cuts to a number of other programs.
Is the DEC Prepared For Hydraulic Fracturing? (February 2012) After major budget cuts is the Department of Environmental Conservation capable of overseeing hydraulic fracturing in New York?
Council Acts on Foreclosures (February 2012) Fulfilling pledges Speaker Christine Quinn made in last year's State of the City address, the Council passed two bills that will protect tenants of buildings facing foreclosure and add more transparency to contracts.
Controversial Video Sparks Outrage at NYPD (February 2012) New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly faces calls for increased police oversight after revelations about his participation in an anti-Muslim video that was used to train officers.
City Warns Against For-Profit Adult Education Scams (January 2012) A city-wide campaign warms New Yorkers away from for-profit education scams that can leave students in debt and without a job.
Stopping Apartments From Making Tenants Sick (January 2012) Poor conditions in apartments across the city lead to unhealthy tenants. A coalition of housing and health advocates have started a program to send health-care providers to tenants to treat housing-related illness.
City Hall and CCRB Negotiate Over Hiring Freeze (January 2012) Will City Hall grant an exception to the hiring freeze so that the Civilian Complaint Review Board can hire a lawyer and independently prosecute police misconduct?
The Guns on Our Streets (January 2012) Two familiar firearms were used in the shooting of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski. Chris Opfer takes a look at the guns New York's criminals prefer.
Politics Thwart Brooklyn Housing (January 2012) A housing project in Brooklyn that would provide 1,800 new apartments is delayed by political infighting.
Community Members Struggle With Stop and Frisk (January 2012) Community members try to find a nuanced voice in their critique of the NYPD's stop and frisk program while dealing with the stigma of speaking out against the police.
Queens Groups Are Divided Over District Lines (January 2012) Queens groups are split over how they want to see legislative districts drawn in their communities.
Council Defies Mayor on Parking Tickets (January 2012) With two passed bills heading for a mayoral veto and a newly introduced bill aiming to curb the Mayor's power, the City Council is taking a stand against the Mayor in a big way.
Council Bills To Curb Street Vendor Fines Moving to Committee (January 2012) Councilman Stephen Levin looks to help struggling street vendors who face "outrageous" fines for small infractions.
Cuomo Tries Out a New Role -- the Education Governor (January 2012) Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants to be an advocate for students. What does his new-found focus on education policy mean for the city?
State of the City Address Tackles Teacher Unions, Promises School “Turnarounds” (January 2012) We take a look at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's State of the City address and examine what the city should expect in the coming months.
Selling Discounted Rides on a Metrocard a Fare Practice? (January 2012) A case of a man using his Metrocard to sell discounted rides to others makes it to the state's highest court. Emily Jane Goodman Explains what happened.
The Council Tackles Corporate Personhood, Transparency, and the Budget (January 2012) The Council takes on the U.S. Supreme Court and Citizens United, as well as addressing the budget and transparency issues.
How Will Cuomo's 2012 Plans Impact the City? (January 2012) Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out his plans for his sophomore year in his State of the State Address. We take a look at how they will impact New Yorkers and what observers think is missing.
Air Conditioner at Center of Legal Battle (January 2012) An air conditioner sparks a legal battle between a family and a housing cooperative. Were health reasons enough to help the family prevail? Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Top Stories of 2012 (December 2011) Our roundup of prominent prognosticators make their picks for 2012.
Common Cause Helps the Public Get Involved in Redistricting (December 2011) Common Cause offers up their own district lines while providing citizens with the ability to tinker with the maps. Will this new transparency surrounding the redistricting process lead to real change?
The Council Addresses PCBs in Schools (December 2011) Nearly 800 schools are expected to have PCB contamination and while the city plans a ten-year clean-up of the dangerous chemical, a new City Council bill will give parents the right to know — now — if their school has tested positive for the dangerous chemical.
Will Community Bans on Hydrofracking Hold Up? (December 2011) Communities across the state have passed resolutions to outlaw hydraulic fracturing. Will home rule win out in the legal battles to come?
Layoffs "New Norm" For Budget Cuts (December 2011) With cuts to capital spending and labor concessions already in place experts say future cuts to the city budget seem likely to come in the form of layoffs.
Parental Involvement is Formula for Success in Brooklyn Schools (December 2011) Parents used to forge documents to get their kids out of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill schools. Now they are forging them to get their kids in.
When Will New York Have A Functioning Ethics Agency? (December 2011) When will New York have a functioning ethics watchdog? And why has it been such a struggle to create one?
The Council Overrides Veto in Stiff Rebuke to the Mayor (December 2011) The City Council overrides Bloomberg's veto of the Outsourcing Accountability Act. Is the Council getting tougher with the mayor in his third term?
New MTA Chair Faces First Test in Labor Relations (December 2011) Will the new chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority be able to overcome the divide with transit workers union?
Pizza as a Vegetable and Other Roadblocks to Proper Nutrition (December 2011) Congress' move to make pizza a vegetable only complicates the struggle to get kids to eat healthy. Even strict city regulations don't seem to be getting good food into student's stomachs.
New Program Lets Taxpayers Do More than Gripe About City Spending (December 2011) Residents of four city districts can now do more than just complain about government spending. A new program lets citizens decide how council members should divvy up their discretionary dollars.
City Council Acts to Slow Transportation Projects (November 2011) The City Council yesterday took steps to slow down a Transportation Department that some criticize for speeding in its drive to reshape New York's streets.
30 Years of Fighting AIDS: Much Progress, Many Losses (November 2011) After three decades, huge advances have been made, enabling many people with HIV to plan for their old age. That presents a reason for celebration and poses new challenges.
Aging with HIV: A Triumph with Challenges (November 2011) Few expected so many people with the AIDS virus would live to old age. Their longevity is a triumph but poses some problems as well.
In New York, the Police Police the Police (November 2011) Forty years after Frank Serpico blew the whistle on police corruption, New York lags behind other major cities when it comes to oversight of its crime-fighting force.
Crackdown on Protests Could Spark More Scrutiny of Police (November 2011) For the last decade, New Yorkers and their political leaders have all but deified the police and Ray Kelly. Will the crackdown on Occupy Wall Street and recent scandals change that?
Showdown Looms over Living Wage Bill (November 2011) The bill to create a living wage gets a hearing in City Council next week as both sides lobby furiously and wonder what Christine Quinn will do.
More Low-Wage Workers Become Their Own Bosses (November 2011) Tired of skimpy wages, some low-income workers have formed their own cooperative businesses. Can this help change New York's s poorer neighborhoods?
The Day at Zuccotti Park -- and Beyond (November 2011) The police crackdown on Occupy Wall Street set off a chain of events and sparked sharp rhetoric. We summarize what happened, highlight key coverage and round up the reaction.
After Police Clear the Park, A Range of Reactions (November 2011) Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly held a press conference Tuesday to explain why and how they cleared Zuccotti Park. But many officials questioned their actions.
Barriers Keep Many Disabled New Yorkers Trapped in Poverty (November 2011) Almost one third of disabled city residents live in poverty. Advocates blame systemic discrimination and barriers that keep many of these New Yorkers poor and unemployed.
Who Judges the Judges? (November 2011) Who judges the judges? Critics charge the group that has that responsibility operates in secrecy as it ignores serious offenses and dismisses too many complaints.
As Poverty Increases, Budget Cuts Tatter the Safety Net (November 2011) What is the city's response? Budget cuts.
Sharp Criticism Greets Bid to Limit Access to Homeless Shelters (November 2011) City Councilmembers Stephen Levin, Annabel Palma and Jumaane Williams sharply criticized the city's plan to tighten eligibility requirement for homeless adults to gain access to the city's shelters.
Immigrants Want Redistricting to Reflect the Changing City (November 2011) No matter how the state redraws boundaries for legislative and City Council seats, immigrant groups want to make sure the new districts reflect the city's changing population.
Police Found Not Liable for Failure to Protect Shooting Victim (November 2011) Police told a Bronx woman they would arrest her boyfriend. They did not, and a day later he shot her. Are the police liable? Emily Jane Goodman examines the case.
Bill Curtails City Role in Deportations (November 2011) A bill passed by City Council –- said to be the first of its kind in the U.S. -- will stop New York from routinely helping federal authorities detain and deport arrested immigrants.
Top Hospitals Offer Separate and Unequal Care (November 2011) The city's top hospitals offer blue-chip care to patients with private insurance, but people with Medicaid do not fare nearly as well. An advocate argues we must do better.
City Rules Could Transplant Gardens (November 2011) Community gardeners fear city regulations could force them to till new fields and leave some of the green growing spaces unprotected.
Is the Long Wait for a New Watchdog Nearing Its End? (October 2011) The state has been without a functioning ethics watchdog for months. Will the incoming commission be ready to start policing by December?
Disclosing Independent Expenditures (October 2011) The chair of the New York City Campaign Finance Board advocates for new rules requiring disclosure of independent expenditures made on behalf of a candidate
Making Bikes a Part of the Neighborhood (October 2011) Months from the start of a major bike share program Tom Angotti says the city needs to be ready to work with neighborhoods
Is the City Prepared to Help Returning Veterans? (October 2011) The city is set to welcome home thousands of veterans, is the city prepared to offer them the care they need?
To Help All Children Read, First do the Math (October 2011) The City should focus on helping students with reading disabilities says Susan Crawford in this commentary
Doctor Sued for Mixing Sex and Psychology (October 2011) The doctor was not a psychiatrist but acting like one landed him in court. Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Organized Occupiers Frustrate Mayor and Landlords (October 2011) Groups quickly coalesce to protect Occupy Wall Street-- forcing the authorities to reassess plans to clean Zuccotti Park.
Gates' Agenda and Money Shape City Schools (October 2011) The Gates Foundation has poured billions into U.S. schools, setting the education agenda and giving the Gateses enormous control over what goes on in New York City classrooms.
Workforce Program Helps People Find Jobs, Not Careers (October 2011) Tens of thousands of unemployed New York turn to workforce development centers only to find the programs can polish a resume but can't place people in jobs that do not exist.
Unions Find Room Under Occupy Wall Street's Umbrella (October 2011) Spurred by their members, many unions, including some representing New York City workers, have joined Occupy Wall Street, bringing people, clout and expertise.
On Fracking, the Cuomo Administration Must Slow Down (October 2011) The administration's rush to approve natural gas drilling raises concerns about whether it will protect New York's land, air and water, an environmentalist writes.
On Fracking, the Cuomo Administration Strikes a Balance (October 2011) As it seeks to establish a policy on natural gas drilling, the Cuomo administration has struck a sensible balance, an industry executive writes.
Council Acts to Rein in Contracts (October 2011) After millions in cost overruns, fraud and even crime, the City Council has stepped into the fray, passing a bill putting controls on city government's hiring of private companies.
Sex Education in the City (October 2011) High rates of AIDS and sexually transmitted infections prompted officials to once again require sex education classes. What does the city mandate do and does it do enough?
Beyond Needle Exchange: Some Say Addicts Need a Safe Place to Inject (October 2011) With its 'reality-based' approach, New York has reduced HIV rates and other health problems for drug users. But advocates look to Vancouver and urge the city to go a step further.
Groups Split, Rumors Fly as Redistricting Reform Remains Elusive (September 2011) As the clock ticks down for New York to redraw its districts, a key legislator mocks his foes, reform groups split, rumors fly and the question remains: What will Cuomo do?
New York's Pushout Crisis: Why Students Don't Graduate (September 2011) City schools suspend thousands of students a year, sparking a chain of events that compels many teenagers to give up on school. Three advocates argue New York must find a better way.
City Shuts the 'Box' to Open Job Opportunities (September 2011) The city government has "banned the box" on job applications — making it easier for people with criminal records to find work.
Citing 'Emergency,' Council Passes Animal Bill (September 2011) Many animal advocates celebrated as the City Council yesterday passed a bill expanding animal services, but others charge the measure is unfair to animals – and people.
Connecting Cuomo to the People (September 2011) The Cuomo administration today will unveil a website providing the public with unprecedented access to the governor's schedule, travel and more. A Gotham Gazette exclusive report.
In Case of Bank vs. Vet, Courts Rule for Service Member (September 2011) When an Air Force reservist returned to his job after a two-year deployment, his employer demoted him and cut his pay. He sued. Emily Jane Goodman explains what happened then.
As Deficits Loom, City Faces More Cuts (September 2011) With the city facing a yawning deficit, the mayor will likely make more cuts. Is there another way to stave off the red ink? Glenn Pasanen reviews the challenges and options.
The Service Is Public, but the Money Isn't (September 2011) New York City has increasingly sought out private donations to pay for public services. Is that any way to fund a government?
Schneiderman's Voice Needed in Foreclosure Talks (September 2011) With so many families affected by foreclosure, the attorney general wants to probe and prosecute banks. Karen Scharff of Citizen Action praises his decision to stand tough.
Foreclosures Leave Apartment Buildings in Need of Repair (September 2011) Foreclosure has put many apartment buildings throughout the city in limbo, leaving tenants to grapple with leaky roofs, insufficient heat, broken locks and other problems.
Can Obama's Plan Erase New York's Jobs Deficit? (September 2011) With more than 600,000 New Yorkers unemployed or underemployed, James Parrott examines the work crisis and how the nation, the city and state might help solve it.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter: 2011 Primary and Special Election (September 2011) As the nation looks to 2012, little appears on this year's ballots. But on Tuesday, New Yorkers will decide some closely watched contests and fill party posts. We run down the races.
A Decade after 9/11, Little Pakistan Bounces Back (September 2011) Facing suspicion and investigation, many south Asians left the city after 9/11. But since then, the community has started to bounce back.
Putting Housing Inspectors on the Guards (September 2011) The City Council passed legislation yesterday to step up enforcement of the city rules on window bars to protect young children.
9/11: 10 Years of Reporting (September 2011) Since Sept. 11, 2001, Gotham Gazette has covered the effects of the attacks and how New York has mourned, changed and rebuilt. A selection from our archives.
10 Years Later: Enumerating the Loss at Ground Zero (September 2011) Some sense of the almost incalculable impact of 9/11 can be gained from then numbers. Andrew Beveridge offers a statistical portrait of our losses – personal and economic.
After Delays, Fulton Street Transit Hub Takes Shape (September 2011) After delays and cost overruns that threatened to all but destroy the project, parts of the Lower Manhattan transit hub have started to open.
Fight Over Compensation for 9/11 Responders Shifts to Cancer Victims (September 2011) Those who rushed to the World Trade Center site right after the 9/11 attacks hope a new report will boost their demands to aid fellow responders who now suffer from cancer.
Senate Republicans in No Rush on Health Insurance Exchange (September 2011) New York has missed a key deadline for setting up the insurance exchanges required under the federal healthcare law, but State Senate Republicans don't see any reason to rush.
Out of Foster Care -- and Into What? (August 2011) Many young people turn up on the streets or in jail after they age out of the city's childcare system. The latest in our poverty series looks at efforts to change that.
In Tough Times, Food Stamps Leave Many Hungry (August 2011) More poor New Yorkers who don't get food stamps -- or whose benefits leave their cupboards bare – have turned to private groups for aid, leaving charities struggling to meet the demand.
Three Candidates Vie in a Special Special Election (August 2011) The contest to fill an Assembly seat in Bushwick features a battle between two political dynasties and a grassroots organizer
Helping Parents Behind Bars be Parents (August 2011) Thousands of city kids have parents in prison. Can their bonds survive the separation and stigma? The latest in our poverty series looks at efforts to keep families connected.
City Council Challenges Obama Administration on Deportations (August 2011) In a move that could irk the Obama and Bloomberg administrations, City Council members want the city to curtail detaining and spending that helps Washington deport illegal immigrants.
Council Seeks to Limits Conflicts Between Pray and Pay (August 2011) New Yorkers will find it easier to pray at work, take time off for religious holidays, and wear headscarves, turbans or yarmulkes in the office under a bill passed by City Council.
As City Leases Industrial Sites for Schools, Concern About Safety Builds (August 2011) As the city shuts Bronx New School after finding contamination there, other schools on leased property remain open and could pose a danger to the health of their students and staff.
Constitution Lets Public Health Trump Religion, Judge Rules (August 2011) In ruling on a Long Island case, a federal judge found the Constitution does not give parents the right to refuse to get their children vaccinated on religious grounds.
Gaps in Housing Program Leave Tough Choices for People with HIV (August 2011) The city program to help people with HIV/AIDS find stable housing still leaves some New Yorkers facing almost impossible choices. The latest in our series on poverty policies.
Under a New Name, Census Data Stands Ready for Perusal (August 2011) The 2010 census has been rolling out since February with New York state getting the first of its data on March 24 and more data releases during the summer.
As Redistricting Hearings Begin, Many Think They Shouldn't (August 2011) As the legislature's task force begins work, the key debate centers not on where the lines will be drawn but on who will draw them.
Public Cuts, Private Reluctance Could Slow Growth in Green Jobs (August 2011) Despite a push for environmentally friendly jobs and visions of a more sustainable city, the private sector has been slow to create new opportunities.
Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City (August 2011) A commission will likely address that question in a report that could change the rules for advocacy and influence in New York City.
Advocates, Council Members Push City to Make More Data Public (August 2011) But advocates say New York needs to go beyond the cute and clever and join other cities in making masses of data available to the public – without delays or legal battles.
Tuition Hikes, Aid Cuts Threaten to Put CUNY Out of Reach (August 2011) Increases in tuition and cuts in financial aid may put City University, long a road to the middle class, out of reach for low-income New Yorkers. Part of our series on poverty.
With Money Tight, Will State Finally Overhaul Its Public Defender System? (August 2011) In, New York many public defenders barely talk to their indigent clients – let alone fight for them. The latest in our series on poverty policies highlights the efforts to change that.
City Council Votes for Local Food (July 2011) The City Council yesterday passed bills aimed at spurring the city to buy and serve food grown and processed in New York State.
Food Revolution Prompts Entrepreneurs to Make It in New York (July 2011) Inspired by the food revolution, city entrepreneurs are creating edible enterprises, replacing departed stalwarts like Stella d'Oro. Julia Vitullo-Martin examines the tasty trend.
Judge Rejects 'Genius' Testimony (July 2011) A multimillionaire enmeshed in a divorce argued that the judge should consider his 'innate' brilliance when divvying up the couple's fortune. Emily Goodman looks at the case.
U.S. Law Keeps Some Rights of Marriage from Same Sex Couples (July 2011) Overlooked amid the joy of same-sex weddings is the fact that the nuptials do not give couples the full rights of matrimony, particularly when one partner is an immigrant.
Food Policy Offers Tasty Morsels, Not a Complete Meal (July 2011) In its latest version, PlanNYC2030 serves up some tasty morsels for those promoting local food policy, but the city still hasn't put together a full meal.
School Boilers Set to Go from Filthy to Not Quite So Filthy (July 2011) The administration wants to eliminate highly polluting heating oil in private buildings -- but its own schools may have to make do with an interim step.
St. Vincent's Highlights Crunch for Hospitals Serving the Poor (July 2011) The closing of St. Vincent's created a void for some poor New Yorkers and highlighted the woes facing hospitals that serve them. The latest installment in our series on poverty.
Bloomberg Poverty Policies Cut the Public, Boost the Private (July 2011) On one hand, the mayor has cut city social services. On the other, he has launched private pilot projects to fight poverty – to little effect. Glenn Pasanen explores the disconnect.
Mayor Still Looks to Building and Zoning to Ease Housing Crunch (July 2011) With housing here reeling from the bubble and the bust, the mayor sees zoning as the key tool for creating affordable homes. Tom Angotti examines the city's latest plan.
Letting History Speak for Itself (July 2011) Michael Arad, the designer of the memorial at Ground Zero, discusses the evolution of what he calls the 'built equivalent of a moment of silence. '
9/11 Memorial Nears Completion, Ending Complicated, Contentious Process (July 2011) A complicated, often agonizing process will come to fruition soon as a memorial to victims of 9/11 opens on possibly the most complicated – and fraught – construction site on Earth.
City Plans to Build, Renovate Jails (July 2011) While Gov. Andrew Cuomo begins an historic effort to shut prisons all over New York state, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is building, reopening and renovating jails throughout the city.
As Cuomo's Prison Closings become Reality, Some Question the Specifics (July 2011) As Gov. Cuomo begins to make good on his pledge to close prisons, some question his decision to shut a facility on Staten Island.
Party Leaders Keep a Grip on Special Elections (July 2011) As the parties anoint candidate for Sept. 13's special elections, voters in most of the affected districts can do little more than sit on the sidelines and prepare their rubber stamps.
Making a Greener Economy a Fairer Economy (July 2011) In PlaNYC, the mayor missed a chance to create not only a more environmentally friendly city but a more economically equitable one too, argues this installment of 'Sustainability Watch.'
From Garbage Dump to Energy Source (July 2011) An international art and energy competition focusing on Freshkills could boost efforts to turn the one-time garbage dump into a fuel source and a world-class park.
Growing List of Park Rules Irks Some New Yorkers (July 2011) As New Yorkers clamor to go outside, the city has put new restrictions on what they can do when they get there.
Council Passes Budget, Taking a Bow for Saving Teachers, Fire Companies (June 2011) The City Council congratulated itself yesterday as it passed a budget that, while slashing some jobs and services, staved off the mayor's most draconian cuts.
Summer in the City: Beaches, Barbecues -- and Ballots? (June 2011) With New York in violation of a federal law aimed at helping military personnel serving overseas to vote, the state may move its primary from September to June.
Before Passing Marriage Bill, Senate Extended Rent Regulations and More (June 2011) Same sex marriage topped the headlines but in the legislature's closing hours, it also approved a rent bill, a big change for taxis and more. David King runs down the action.
Is Cuomo Losing Democratic Legislators? (June 2011) With deals in place on rent regulation and other issues, some black and Latino legislators fear the governor has left their city-based constituents in the dust.
For Parents Seeking School Choice, Boundaries Don't Apply (June 2011) Disgruntled parents across their city have taken school choice into their own hands, falsifying records and essentially lying to improve their children's educational options.
'Who's Your Daddy' and the Laws of Marriage (June 2011) An Albany woman recently asked the courts to erase from her birth certificate the name of the man her mother was married to when she was conceived and born.
Budget Cuts Could Strangle Sputtering Recovery (June 2011) With the recession-battered economy showing signs of weakening further, James Parrott writes, Mayor Bloomberg and budget slashers in Albany seem likely to make things even worse.
Pension Proposal: An Attack on Working People (June 2011) The head of the Civil Service Employees Association argues Gov. Cuomo's pension proposal is a move to impress millionaires at the expense of workers.
Pension Proposal: A Fiscal Remedy for New York (June 2011) The head of the Citizens Budget Commission argues Gov. Cuomo's pension proposal will help preserve valued government programs.
Failure of Redistricting Reform Could Bring Reprise of 2002's Fiasco (June 2011) Despite the efforts of Ed Koch and good government groups, chances for redistricting reform in New York seem to be fading. Andrew Beveridge examines what's at stake.
Council Opens Up Orders and Memoranda (June 2011) A law passed by City Council yesterday will make more official documents now all but hidden from public view readily available to ordinary New Yorkers.
Will Albany Allow the Rent Laws to Expire? Does it Matter? (June 2011) Will rent regulation expire on June 15? And then what happens? Some legislators see a crisis looming, while others say apartment dwellers would feel no immediate impact.
Cuts to City Day Care Still Worry Parents (June 2011) Although the city restored thousands of daycare slots it had planned to slash, parents worry about the reductions and changes still facing programs for the littlest New Yorkers.
End of Homeless Program May Send Families Back to Shelters (June 2011) The city's plan to eliminate a rent subsidy program for the homeless is the latest in a string of moves that could force thousands of New Yorkers into shelters.
Budget Cuts Could Beach Some City Swimmers (June 2011) Budget cuts could padlock four city pools this summer, leaving residents hot, dry -- and bored.
South Street Seaport Goes Back to the Drawing Board (June 2011) After more than 40 years of missteps, area aorund South Street girds itself for yet another effort to develop one of New York's oldest neighborhoods.
Ethics Deal Breaks Logjam But Leaves Key Issues Behind (June 2011) After years of debate, the governor and key legislators Friday agreed on a package to clean up state government. David King reports on the deal and how a logjam finally broke.
Officials Call for Holding the Line on Contracts (June 2011) Could New York save its teachers and fire companies if the city didn't pay out billions of dollars to consultants and private firms? Courtney Gross examines the issue.
Whatever the Science Shows, Banning Smoking in Parks Makes Sense (May 2011) The ban on smoking in parks may be more about making smokers pariahs than about clearing the air, but a public health expert argues, that doesn't mean it's not good public policy.
City Brownfield Program Cleans Sites, But Who Benefits? (May 2011) Under a city program, developers are cleaning up vacant land and building on it. While the projects improve the environment, some do little to serve other needs in their communities.
Council Approves Increase in Exam Age for Firefighters (May 2011) The court case that has put fire department hiring on hold has delayed the dreams of many who wanted to join New York's bravest. Yesterday the City Council gave them some hope.
As Races Begin, Councilpedia Tracks 2013 Campaign Donations (May 2011) The election is in 2013, but donors are already voting with their wallets. Go to Councilpedia -- now updated with the latest data -- to find out which industry funds what candidate.
Judge Defines Bullying in Case Involving City Schools (May 2011) When does teasing end and bullying begin? According to a recent court ruling, if it creates a hostile environment that interferes with a student's education, it's bullying.
Secure Communities Program: Should New York Stay or Go? (May 2011) Gov. Cuomo will soon decide whether New York will keep sending fingerprints of arrested immigrants to the U.S. government. But even if he wants to stop, it's not clear he can.
Trying to Create a More Permeable New York (May 2011) The Bloomberg administration not only wants a greener New York, it wants a more permeable one. Anne Schwartz reports how green infrastructure could cut costs and clean city waterways.
Despite Scant Results, Bloomberg's Anti-Poverty Project Goes National (May 2011) Mayor Bloomberg is taking his anti-poverty initiatives national, even though they have done little to change the lives of poor people in his city. Glenn Pasanen takes a closer look.
Bloomberg Pushes For Control Of Juvenile Justice System (May 2011) A bill expected to be introduced in the State Assembly today will remove city youth from the state's problem-ridden juvenile justice system and treat them near their families.
New Street Fair Rules Make Mozzarepas Harder to Find (May 2011) The city has cut back on street fairs to save money, but critics say this won't address the real problem with Nw York's summer staple: too many tube socks and sausage stands.
Council Approves Fines for Taxi Refusal (May 2011) The disputes between city government and cabbies continue as the City Council passed a bill raising fines for drivers who reject passengers on the basis of race or destination.
Participatory Planning: The Sustainability Plan's Missing Piece (May 2011) PlanNYC offers some outstanding proposals, but unfortunately it didn't involve the public very much in creating them.
Keeping Watch on the Plan for a Greener New York (May 2011) With the mayor renewing his plan for a greener New York, Gotham Gazette and Hunter College launch another series of articles about creating a more environmentally friendly city.
Bloomberg, Quinn Defend City Funding of Groups that Discriminate (May 2011) The Staten Island St. Patrick's parade openly excludes gays. But Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn say that's no reason it should not receive city funds.
Council Starts to Maneuver on Budget (May 2011) After 10 rounds of budget cuts, the Bloomberg administration is taking aim at teachers and fire companies. Can the City Council save them?
Cuomo Takes His Issues to the People (May 2011) Hoping to capitalize on his popularity, Gov. Cuomo wants New Yorkers to persuade their legislators to enact key parts of his agenda, including same sex marriage.
Taxi Choice Not the People's Choice (May 2011) In selecting a Nissan vehicle as the taxi of tomorrow, did the city reject the people's choice?
Concerns Raised over City Role in Deporting Immigrants (May 2011) New York City has come under increased criticism for helping the U.S. government incarcerate and deport arrested immigrants -- even ones found innocent of their alleged crimes.
Council Cracks Down on Pedicabs Again (April 2011) Tourists love pedicabs, but New Yorkers have doubts. Yesterday, the City Council passed bills to regulate human-powered taxis and to make parking easier for other vehicles.
Republicans Look to Trade Payroll Tax for Bridge Tolls (April 2011) The idea of charging drivers to cross the East River has returned to Albany, but this year it has a twist that dismays some transit advocates.
A Tightly Knit and Diverse Arts Scene Grows in the Bronx (April 2011) The borough's cultural scene has grown dramatically in recent years while managing to remain both diverse and close knit.
Census Wounded City's Pride but Probably Got the Numbers Right (April 2011) City officials squawked when the 2010 census that found growth here has slowed. New York's pride may be wounded but, Andrew Beveridge writes, the census probably got the numbers right.
Bloomberg Environmental Plan Offers Lots of Parts, Little Controversy (April 2011) Four years after unveiling an environmental plan that called for charging people to drive in Manhattan, Mayor Bloomberg yesterday set forth a new, less-controversial agenda.
Fracking Fight Sparks Intense Lobbying (April 2011) Albany has emerged as the latest front in the battle over natural gas drilling as industry steps up its lobbying efforts and opponents hammer away at possible environmental risks.
Putting the 'Public' in Public Meetings (April 2011) Despite New York state's open meetings law, city and state agencies vary widely over the kind of access and information they give citizens.
Despite Key Setbacks, Bloomberg Plan Has Made New York Greener (April 2011) Four years after Mayor Bloomberg announced his plan for a sustainable city, is New York a more environmentally friendly city? Courtney Gross reports on PlaNYC's wins and losses.
Court Allows Man Who Falsely Confessed to Murder to Seek Money from the State (April 2011) A recent ruling by New York's highest court will allow a mentally disabled man falsely convicted of a brutal murder to seek compensation from the state.
Plans to Boost Two-Year Colleges Fall Victim to Budget Cuts (April 2011) Two years ago, Mayor Bloomberg promised to boost community colleges as a door to the middle class. Now, critics say that effort has faltered because of budget cuts.
City Needs to Step Up Foreclosure Programs (April 2011) Councilmember Brad Lander argues the city should do more to help homeowners facing foreclosure and communities saddled with blight.
Education Mayor Takes a Hit (April 2011) In a stunning reversal, Mayor Michael Bloomberg replaced Schools Chancellor Cathie Black yesterday with a close deputy mayor. Will Dennis Walcott be able to accomplish the mayor's agenda?
Council Approves Bills to Regulate Snow Removal (April 2011) The City Council approved a blizzard of bills Wednesday, which outline how the city should respond to future snow emergencies.
Bloomberg's Budget Ignores Untapped Revenue (April 2011) The Bloomberg adminsitration has exaggerated the need for massive teacher layoffs and could stave off future cuts if it considered tax hikes, writes finance columnist Glenn Pasanen.
Are Tenants Advocates Out of Leverage? (April 2011) Since this year's state budget was sans rent regulation, tenant advocates now say it is up to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to throw his weight around.
As School Suspensions Soar, Many Seek a Different Approach (April 2011) As school suspensions soar, even some elementary schools kids are barred from class. The city says the policies keep classrooms safe, but critics want to see a different approach.
Bloomberg Loses Budget Battle (March 2011) The state budget may be on time, but according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some advocates it leaves the city in the dust.
Taxi of Tomorrow Could Reduce Fleet Fuel Efficiency (March 2011) Within a month, the city plans to select a new taxi model for the next decade. That vehicle may be less fuel efficient than the city's current fleet on the whole.
Prosecutors Grapple with Marijuana Arrests (March 2011) Two years after Rockefeller drug law reform, prosecutors and state officials grapple with how to treat minor marijuana arrests. Should they send people for treatment, to jail or neither?
They Have a Budget Deal but Who Will Vote for It? (March 2011) State legislative leaders reach a budget deal but who is going to vote for it?
Malpractice Cap Emerges as Key Issue in Budget Debate (March 2011) The question of whether to limit amounts paid out in medical malpractice suits has emerged as a thorny issue in the debates over Medicaid and the state budget.
New York Needs Real Reform, Not Higher Taxes (March 2011) A tax on the wealthy will do nothing to bring about fiscal reform but will punish the very people who generate economic growth, writes Kathryn Wylde of the New York City Partnership.
New York's Wealthiest Need to Sacrifice a Little Too (March 2011) A millionaires tax would serve New York's neediest -- not the greediest, who helped get us into today's fiscal mess, writes Kenneth Brynian of the state Public Employees Federation.
Council Approves Naming Queensboro for Koch (March 2011) How's he doing? Not bad. City Council voted to splash the former mayor's name across the Queensboro Bridge despite objections from Queens loyalists and political opponents.
Administration Considers Waste-to-Energy (March 2011) As costs of garbage disposal and energy skyrocket, Mayor Bloomberg considers building a plant to turn trash into fuel. Can he pull it off? A Gotham Gazette exclusive.
Spending Cuts Could Threaten Women's Progress (March 2011) It's Women’s History Month, but government spending cuts threaten to undermine may of the gains women have made in the past few decades, write two social service advocates.
State Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages But Not Weddings (March 2011) Same sex marriage is recognized in New York State. -- just don't try to have the ceremony here. Andy Humm looks at the patchwork of laws.
Education Department Slashes Plans for Building More Schools (March 2011) The construction plan just released by the city dramatically scales back last year's proposal, reducing the number of new schools and places for students.
With IBM's Help, New School Hopes to Groom Students for Tech Jobs (March 2011) A new grade 9-14 school in Paul Robeson High School, launched with corporate support, will face challenges as it seeks to train students for technology careers.
As Advocates Push for Redistricting Reform, GOP Offers A Slower Way (March 2011) As good government groups step up their calls for changing the way New York redistricts, the State Senate Monday passed a bill that could delay change for years.
Threat to Close 105 Centers Worries City Seniors (March 2011) With cuts in state funding threatening to close 105 senior centers in the city, older New Yorkers worry about what it would mean to lose their "second home."
Slicing the Fire Department (March 2011) Does the mayor want to shut fire companies to save money -- or to shrink a department that now spends more time responding to heart attacks and less to battling blazes.
City Students Fall Short in Science (March 2011) With the city hoping to attract more cutting edge industries, a number of signs indicate city students may not have the skills to fill the new jobs.
In an Anti-Incumbent Year, City Legislators Kept Their Seats (March 2011) Pedro Espada lost his re-election bid last fall. But he was the exception: Voters gave another term to 96 percent of city state legislators who wanted to remain in Albany.
Cuomo Cultivates His Media Messenger (March 2011) The administration has no stauncher ally than The Post, which lauds him, slams his critics and gets access others in the media only dream about. David King examines the relationship.
Behind Bloomberg's Budget Surpluses (March 2011) At a time when most state and local governments must grapple with huge budget shortfalls, the mayor has managed to rack up surpluses. Glenn Pasanen looks it how he's done it.
Court Considers Who's Responsible for False Confession (March 2011) Douglas Warney admitted to a murder he did not commit. Now the Court of Appeals will determine who bears responsibility for that false confession.
Council Approves Bill to Regulate Crisis Pregnancy Clinics (March 2011) Amid rallies and rhetoric, the City Council passed a bill requiring pro-life 'pregnancy crisis centers' to disclose more about the services they do -- and do not -- provide.
CFB Faces Battle With Unions on Independent Expenditures (March 2011) With the Campaign Finance Board set to propose ways to monitor independent expenditures on behalf of candidates, some unions fear the rules could infringe on First Amendment rights.
Uncertainty at Empire State Development Corp. Continues (March 2011) Gov. Cuomo wants to boost the state's economy but it remains unclear what he has planned or what the state will, or can, to reverse the drop in private employment here.
Oscar Chorus Shows What Schools -- and Kids -- Can Do (March 2011) The P.S. 22 chorus closed out the Oscars Sunday. While most New York kids will never sing with Anne Hathaway, they should all get a chance, an advocate writes, to excel in the arts.
City Again Tries to Get New Yorkers to Board Ferries (February 2011) A new ferry service slated to launch this spring will mark the latest in a long line of attempts to get New Yorkers to commute on the water, rather than under or over it.
Push for Bike Lanes Hits Some Bumps (February 2011) As the administration seeks to make it easier for New Yorkers to bike around town, it faces a backlash from critics who want to slow down the cycling program -- and the cyclists.
'Doc in the Box' Touted as Solution to Healthcare Shortage (February 2011) The federal healthcare bill will allow many more New Yorkers to seek medical care. But where will they go to get it? Maybe Duane-Reade or CVS.
Building a Better Buildings Department (February 2011) The Department of Buildings had issued 13 violations for this Manhattan site where a 2008 crane collapse killed seven people.
Affordable Housing Policies May Spur Gentrification, Segregation (February 2011) Manuel Zuniga has lived in Greenpoint since 1982. Back then the neighborhood was plagued with high crime, vacant buildings and a shortage of basic government services.
Bloomberg Releases Preliminary Budget, Blames Albany (February 2011) Presenting his budget, the mayor again raised the specter of teacher layoffs, and closing senior centers and fire companies. This time, many officials say, it could actually happen.
Bike Bills Cruise through the Council (February 2011) As opposition to bike lanes increases, the City Council yesterday passed a package of bills that could lay the groundwork for slowing down the city's plans to encourage cycling.
Ms. Black Goes to Albany (February 2011) After weeks of preparation the chancellor stood up to questioning by the legislature. But her day in Albany did little to resolve big issues such as school funding and teacher layoffs
Quinn Takes on Spending, Pensions in State of the City (February 2011) The council speaker took on the city's rising debt, bloated contracts and shortage of affordable housing in a speech that many saw as an opening shot in her likely mayoral campaign.
Is Wal-Mart Worse? (February 2011) With the city peppered with big box stores, many New Yorkers still want to keep Wal-Mart out. What makes the world's biggest retailer different from its rivals?
Seniority Fight Highlights Rift Between City, Teachers (February 2011) As the fight over seniority and layoffs grows more rancorous, it highlights a deepening rift between the Bloomberg administration and teachers over an array of issues.
Promoting Pain as a Cure, Cuomo Presents His Budget (February 2011) Gov. Cuomo got down to budget details yesterday, calling for some deep spending cuts. His plan pleased many in business, appalled progressives and left the mayor calling for relief.
With More School Closings, Debate About Policy Continues (January 2011) With the city set to move ahead on shutting more schools this week, the debate about whether the strategy helps struggling students or neglects them grows increasingly heated.
Bloomberg Takes Out a New Budget Playbook (January 2011) The mayor's approach to balancing the budget has changed considerably since his first fiscal crisis. Glenn Pasanenen analyzes what's in Bloomberg's current playbook and what's not.
Glass Ceiling Persists in New York Government (January 2011) The Empire State has fewer women legislators than the national average, has no women in leadership positions in the Capitol and has never had a woman governor.
On the Waterfront Plan: Real Estate Dreams and Future Conflicts (January 2011) The city's plan for its shoreline has more to do with business development than recreation or nature, writes Tom Angotti. He examines what the blueprint does -- and doesn't do.
Bloomberg Pension Plans Could Face a Big Obstacle: Albany (January 2011) The audience applauded Wednesday when the mayor called for the state to slash public employee pensions and other benefits. Now he must convince the unions and Assembly Speaker Silver.
Bloomberg Targets Unions in State of the City (January 2011) Picking up on a national drive to cut public employee benefits, Mayor Bloomberg spent much of his State of the City speech vowing to do away with benefits that city workers hold dear.
Mayor to Propose Classier Black Cabs with Pick-Up Privileges (January 2011) Black cab or yellow cab? Metered fare or flat rate? The Bloomberg administration plans to bridge the taxi gap and establish a new system for car services in the outer boroughs.
Council Reins in Tied Up Dogs (January 2011) The City Council put budget battles aside yesterday and took up the more popular task of protecting New York's pets.
As Incomes Gap Widens, New York Grows Apart (January 2011) One percent of New Yorkers have 44 percent of all income here, the sharpest split in any big U.S. city. James Parrott looks at why we grow ever farther apart.
Beyond Resolutions: City Council Must Do More to Help Workers (January 2011) The City Council has spoken out strongly for improving workers' rights, but so far, an advocate argues, it has failed to pass laws that would make New York a fairer place to work.
With Housing in Turmoil, Cuomo Offers Few Clues (January 2011) With the housing market in turmoil and regulations set to expire, Gov. Cuomo has offered little clue of how he might keep the rent from getting even more damned high.
As 911 Modernizes, Bad Weather Trumps Technology (January 2011) The backlog of 911 calls during the snowstorm and the failure to get help to people in need has refocused attention on efforts to upgrade the city's emergency communications system.
Council Sets Stage for Snow(ball) Fight (January 2011) Top officials will be on the hot seat today as the City Council holds the first of several hearings on the administration's 'unacceptable' response to last month's blizzard.
Rough Road Ahead for City Budget (January 2011) The City Council and the mayor managed to stave off some controversial budget cuts for this winter. But the pain may only have been delayed.
Council Approves Safe Housing Act (January 2011) The City Council yesterday sharply expanded a program to fix New York's most dilapidated apartments and get some of the negligent landlords to foot the bill.
Cuomo Unveils Ambitious Agenda (January 2011) Gov. Andrew Cuomo set out an ambitious program in his State of the State address, as he finally got down to some specifics. Now comes the hard part.
Bill Seeks More Disclosure by Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers (January 2011) A City Council bill would require facilities that seek to dissuade women from terminating pregnancies to disclose more about the services they do and do not provide.
Census Brings Unpleasant Surprise for State Politicians (January 2011) The Census figures offered bad news for New York's congressional delegation and will likely set off two frenzied games of musical chairs. Andrew Beveridge looks at the numbers.
Cuomo Takes Charge (January 2011) Gov. Cuomo took office pledging to restore New York's economy and redeem its government. But after all the scandal and gridlock, few seemed in the mood to celebrate.
The Top Stories of 2011 (December 2010) What will 2011 bring? Some of New York's most prescient prognosticators peer into the future to offer our annual roundup of predictions of next year's top stories.
2010 Ends Without a Woman Governor, Tax on Soda or Paid Sick Leave (December 2010) Cliff Lee did not sign with the Yankee, none of our teams won a championship and Spider Man did not open. What else didn’t happen in 2010.
Council Hopes to Block Service Cuts to Protect Children (December 2010) The budget ax is set to fall on the Administration for Children's Services, sparking outrage from some City Council member who say the move could put children's lives at risk.
Council Approves Bill to Require School Safety Reports (December 2010) A bill passed yesterday will require the Department of Education to provide the City Council with more data about crime, suspensions and other infractions in public schools.
2010 in Review: Scandals, Budget Cuts and Top-Level Changes (December 2010) Our not so fond look back at a year marked by scandals, budget cuts and education wars -- and a new governor.
With State Parks at Risk, Advocates Seek New Funding Sources (December 2010) Last spring, an uproar saved endangered state parks. But the reprieve may have been temporary, with more parks now slated to reduce hours, lose staff -- or shut down.
City Steps Up Efforts to Court Bioscience (December 2010) With the opening of a new center on the East Side, the city says it is poised to lure cutting-edge jobs to the five boroughs. But New York has a lot of catching up to do.
Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion on Crowded Civil Rights Agenda (December 2010) Same-sex marriage may top the civil rights agenda in Albany, but other concerns, including abortion rights, also loom large. One in our series on challenges facing Gov.-elect Cuomo.
Senate Gamble Could Send Horseracing into its Final Lap (December 2010) Few New Yorkers mourned when city betting parlors shut last week, but the closure could result in job losses, cost millions and doom thoroughbred racing in the state.
'Living Wage' Would Hurt Young, Unskilled (December 2010) The Living Wage will actually hurt the very people it purports to help -- the young and inexperienced -- contends a former Labor Department economist.
Experience Shows Living Wage Policies Work (December 2010) Bills in the City Council would require businesses getting city subsidies to pay a "living wage." An advocate argues that, whatever developers and the mayor claim, this approach works.
Will Cuomo Draw the Line on Gerrymandering? (December 2010) Since the first gerrymander in 1812, legislators have drawn district lines to suits themselves. Can Andrew Cuomo change that?
Parents, Officials Seek to Rid Schools of Toxic PCBs -- Now (December 2010) Toxic PCBs lurk in caulking and light fixtures at dozens of city schools. Parents and some officials want the city to get rid of them now, but cleanup could cost $1 billion.
Council Cracks Down on Sidewalk ATMs (December 2010) Say sayonara to your neighborhood sidewalk ATM. The City Council cracked down on the illegal machines Wednesday.
Once Again, a New Governor Vows to Clean Up Albany (December 2010) Monday's guilty plea by former State Sen. Leibell again highlights the sorry state of ethics in Albany. Is Gov.-elect Cuomo willing to do what it takes to change that?
Cuomo No-Tax Pledge Could Bring More Transit Cuts (December 2010) Andrew Cuomo has not said what he might do about the budget woes facing the MTA. Could congestion pricing rise again? One in our series on issues confronting the new governor
Homeless Cuts Take Aim at Families (December 2010) Another budget hole hits the city's homeless. After nine rounds of cuts, will Mayor Michael Bloomberg ever fulfill his promise to reduce homelessness?
City Bail System Punishes the Poor, Report Finds (December 2010) A Human Right Watch Report to be released today finds the bail system in the city sends many poor people to jail -- without being tried, let alone convicted.
Fights Over Medicaid Could Threaten New Administration's Health (December 2010) With the state spending $50 billion on Medicaid, Andrew Cuomo faces pressure to cut the program -- and opposition if he does. One in our series on issues facing the new governor.
Council to Expand Safe Housing Act (December 2010) Many New Yorkers live in places that, quite literally, make them sick. Yesterday, the City Council expanded a program designed to change that.
Landmark State Law Protecting Domestic Workers Takes Effect (November 2010) New York's Bill of Rights for Domestic Workers takes effect today. Whatever its shortcomings, its marks a shift in attitudes toward women who work in other people's homes.
Low-Income Locavores: City Council Seeks to Expand Access to Fresh Food (November 2010) As foodies reap the bounty of area farms for their holiday tables, city and state government look to step up efforts to bring local food to the kitchens of low-income New Yorkers.
Recession Could Provide Hidden Boost for the Arts (November 2010) With the real estate market down, some artists and arts groups hope to take advantage of all that empty property. Could this be the recession's silver lining?
Cuomo Could Shrink the Prison System His Father Built (November 2010) As governor, Mario Cuomo vastly expanded New York's prison system. Now his son must decide whether to shut jails and take a different approach to criminal justice.
Council and Mayor Clash Over Budget Cuts (November 2010) The mayor yesterday unveiled $1.6 billion in cuts that will shrink programs, reduce the city workforce and shut fire companies at night. The next move goes to the City Council.
Stated Meeting: Council Approves Agency Merger (November 2010) By approving the merger of two agencies dealing with young people, the City Council hopes New York will better serve troubled kids, save money and shut a notorious detention center.
Beyond the Mosque: Bloomberg and New York's Muslims (November 2010) As much as they applaud Michael Bloomberg's support for the mosque near Ground Zero, many city Muslims wish he would do more on other issues that concern them.
Assignments for the New Chancellor (November 2010) Whatever one thinks of Cathleen Black, she will find a lot to do at Tweed. Education experts and activists offer their to-do lists for the chancellor-designee.
Much of Transit System Remains 'Out of Service' for the Disabled (November 2010) Despite 20 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, much of New York's mass transit system remains out of reach for people in wheelchairs and others with physical handicaps.
After Cuts and Firing, Can Agency Still Protect New York's Environment? (November 2010) The deep cuts at the state environment department have crippled the agency, some activists charge. They hope Cuomo will turn things around, but the governor-elect has sent out mixed signals.
City Report Largely Mute on Budget Cuts, Recession (November 2010) After rounds of budget cuts -- and with more on the way -- the city's report card offers lots of statistics but says little about the effects of the reductions and the recession.
The State's New Divorce Laws Take Effect (November 2010) Marriages in the Empire State can now just fail -- without anyone being at fault. Judge Emily Jane Goodman explains the new law that is changing the way New Yorkers divorce.
By Talking about Sexual Violence, Grassroots Effort Aims to Prevent It (November 2010) As rates of rape and other sexual assaults remain high, New York City activists have launched an ambitious effort to prevent these crimes by zeroing in on their root causes.
As Country Goes Red, New York Stays Blue (November 2010) On a night when the Democrats suffered key losses across the county, some results in New York gave them something to cheer about.
Albany Watches, Waits and Worries (November 2010) Albany nervously waits to find out who is in control
Voting Results -- 2010 General (November 2010) From the governor's race to the civil court in Brooklyn, Election Day's winners and losers.
Changing the Board of Elections (November 2010) The Board of Elections drew lots of criticism after September's primary and then fired its executive director. But some advocates say the board needs a more complete tune-up.
As Campaign Cash Flows, Ballot Measure Seeks to Disclose (November 2010) As anonymous donors expand their role in national politics, New Yorkers on Tuesday will decide whether to require more disclosure of who provides campaign cash in city elections.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter: the 2010 General Election (October 2010) As this long, ugly campaign draws to an end, we go beyond the talk of prowess and porn in our Guide for the Last Minute Voter. It's what you need to know before you go to the polls.
Stated Meeting: Council Unveils Domestic Violence Stats (October 2010) Following a recent rash of brutal hate crimes, the City Council moved to put statistics on bias attacks and domestic violence on line.
Queens Race Features Two Familiar Names (October 2010) Two years after moving the South Queens state senate district to the Democratic column, Joseph Addabbo campaigns to keep it there.
Cuomo Puts Labor in a Headlock (October 2010) The Democratic candidate has vowed to go head-to-head with public employees to cut the budget, but labor leaders say he must treat them as partners, not enemies.
The Charter Commission's Unfinished Business (October 2010) The latest effort to revise the City Charter barely scratched the surface, writes Scott Stringer, and so the mayor should name another commission. One in our series on Charter Choices.
The Race to Replace White (October 2010) Seven candidates, including Sean Bell's widow, a censured former council member and a Rikers Island imam, vie for a Queens City Council seat.
Silver's Shadow Looms Over Race in Northeast Queens (October 2010) The Assembly speaker's influence looms large in a contest for an open Assembly seat in northeast Queens.
College Student Seeks to Unseat Albany Insider (October 2010) A 20-year-old hopes to oust a long-term Assembly member and Albany insider in Bensonhurst.
Small Staff, Lack of Funds Hamper Donovan Campaign (October 2010) Dan Donovan has Mayor Bloomberg's support, a strong resume and a vulnerable opponent. Despite that, his campaign for attorney general seems haphazard, underfunded and even wounded.
Two Years After Narrow Win, Padavan Faces Another Tough Contest (October 2010) GOP Sen. Frank Padavan eked out a narrow win in 2008, fueling Democratic hopes of ousting the veteran lawmaker this year. Control of the State Senate could hinge on the outcome.
Once Again, Term Limits Goes to the Voters (October 2010) The Charter Commission took steps to undo the damage done by the extension of term limits, writes a commission member, but did not go far enough. One in our series on Charter Choices.
Creating Affordable Housing: How Koch Did It (October 2010) As New York emerged from the fiscal crisis, properties lay vacant and housing remained scarce. Ed Koch got the city building again. An excerpt from a new book tells how he did it.
Quinn Rejects Paid Sick Leave Bill (October 2010) In killing a bill requiring paid sick leave, the council speaker sided with business and against progressive forces that have made the measure one of their top priorities.
Stated Meeting: Council Tries to Plug Some leaks (October 2010) City Council tried to plug leaks in the city's water supply yesterday with a package of conservation bills. But several Republicans say they go too far.
Can a Comptroller -- Any Comptroller -- Fix New York State's Budget? (October 2010) Now that the former comptroller has pleaded guilty, the race for the post can center on the differences between the incumbent, Thomas DiNapoli, and his GOP challenger, Harry Wilson.
Bloomberg Administration Takes on Pensions (October 2010) It's a line in the sand. The Bloomberg administration has vowed to control the ballooning cost of employee benefits. Unions have pledged to fight back. A look at the battle ahead.
With Parking Tickets, New Yorkers Are Guilty Until Proven Innocent (October 2010) The American belief in innocent until proven guilty does not apply at the city Parking Violations Bureau. Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Now Obama Seeks to End Homelessness (October 2010) The Obama administration has embarked on a major push to end homelessness for families in 10 years. Can Washington succeed where New York has failed?
Making 'Fair Share' Fairer (October 2010) A proposal on the ballot in November would help spread polluting facilities more evenly around the city, Eddie Bautista writes. Part of our series on "Charter Choices."
The Real Power in City Planning (October 2010) It keeps a low profile, but from Yankee Stadium to Coney Island, the Economic Development Corp,, has put together most of New York's biggest and most controversial projects.
Tackling Fracking (October 2010) The battle over natural gas drilling in New York has gotten even hotter. On one hand, the lure of a billion dollars. On the other, the safety of the state's water.
Stated Meeting: Green Light! (September 2010) Shining a light on electricity usage, the City Council approved a package of legislation Wednesday that aims to increase efficiency, including a bill requiring commercial properties to use light sensors.
Rikers' Regulars (September 2010) The mentally ill account for a rising share of inmates on the island, and many return to jail again and again. Is the city meeting the needs of these people? We take an in-depth look.
Charter Proposal Gives Mighty Mayor More Clout (September 2010) Despite pleas to limit the mayor's power, the city charter commission opted to increase it in at least one area, Glenn Pasanen writes. The first in our series on charter choices.
City Poverty Rate Jumped as the Economy Slumped (September 2010) Some 100,000 more New Yorkers saw their incomes fall below poverty level in 2009, with more than one fifth of city residents officially poor. James Parrott examines the numbers.
Republicans See Opportunity to Retake the State Senate (September 2010) New York Republicans hope to retake the State Senate in November. A look at whether -- and how -- that could happen.
MTA Moves Toward a 'Smart' Way to Pay Fares (September 2010) The MTA hopes technology can liberate New Yorkers from balky turnstiles and vending machines. What does the agency have in mind and what will it mean for straphangers?
City Schools Gamble on Going Digital (September 2010) The city is betting on technology to fundamentally change education and prepare kids for today's world. Our in-depth report looks at the promise and the pitfalls.
Council Starts Silver Alert System (September 2010) The City Council yesterday created a system designed to help find seniors with dementia who go missing on New York's streets.
Census Likely to Offer Accurate Count of New Yorkers (September 2010) With the counting over, the 2010 Census in New York appears to have been a success .Demographer Andrew Beveridge explains how the government solved some thorny problems.
The Man Who Beat Espada (September 2010) Gustavo Rivera talks about his successful campaign against the Senate majority leader in our exclusive report from the Bronx on primary day.
Paladino, Schneiderman Win, Espada Doesn't (September 2010) Carl Paladino shook the GOP establishment yesterday, and Gustavo Rivera shook the Bronx. We report on the primary results and on how New Yorkers coped with their new voting technology.
Voting Results -- 2010 Primary (September 2010) The voters have spoken, and the unofficial primary results are in. Our table runs down the statewide races, as well as contests for Congress and the legislature in the five boroughs.
Controversy Over Islam and Mosques Spreads Beyond Park 51 (September 2010) The controversy over the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero both reflects and fuels a new hostility toward Muslims and Islamic nine years after 9/11.
Charter School Debate Brings Money, Attention to Harlem Race (September 2010) The spirited contest for the State Senate seat from Harlem has focused on schools and who can best represent the community as it moves into the future.
Republicans Battle to Take on Heavily Favored Cuomo (September 2010) Before the GOP can take on Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand they have to try to settle their own messy disagreements in Tuesday's primary.
Governor Signs Bill to Combat Bullying (September 2010) It doesn't address cyberspace and won't take effect for two years, but supporters say the Dignity for Students Act signed by the governor will save kids from insults and attacks.
Experience Shapes Race in Inwood (September 2010) A multi-candidate race for an Assembly seat in Inwood focuses on ethnicity, alliances and whether having served in government is an asset or a liability.
And Now: The Bubble Election (September 2010) What to expect at the polls next Tuesday -- including a farewell to our old lever machines.
Down the Ballot: The Party Posts (September 2010) Wrapping up our voter guide, find out all you need to know about smaller offices set to appear on the ballot, including district leader and county committee.
Two Longtime Congressmembers Face Stiff Challenges (September 2010) Charles Rangel and Carolyn B. Maloney face stiff challenges next week. Find out what other representatives do here.
Filling Albany's Big Three (September 2010) Candidates face off this primary in the state's biggest races: governor and attorney general. For comptroller, you'll have to wait until November.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter: Primary 2010 (September 2010) With less than a week until the election, Gotham Gazette's Guide for the Last Minute Voter runs down the races, candidates, how to vote in the post-lever machine era — and more.
East Side Incumbent Faces Challenge from Unions and the GOP (September 2010) Education has emerged as a key issue in an East Side assembly race where the UFT and the GOP both hope to topple the Democratic incumbent
Budget Cuts Reduce English Classes for Immigrants (September 2010) City cutbacks have reduced the number of English classes for adults, creating lengthy waiting lists and long-shot lotteries for thousands of immigrants.
Attorney General Candidates Struggle to Break Away From the Pack (September 2010) With less than two weeks until the primary, each of the five Democrats running for attorney general struggles to emerge from the pack. But are the voters listening?
Free Concerts Rocked the City as Controversy Rolled On (September 2010) This year's free performances brought funding challenges for organizers, angry disputes over noise and even a fight about prison labor. But most New Yorkers just enjoyed the show.
Ethics, Economy Dominate Upper Manhattan Race (August 2010) Ethics and the economy dominate the hard-fought contest in Upper Manhattan to replace State Sen. Eric Schneiderman.
Nunes Takes on Huntley in Queens (August 2010) Incumbent Shirley Huntley faces an opponent almost 50 years her junior in a State Senate race in southeast Queens. And age is hardly the only thing that divides them.
Agencies Almost Always Have the Last Word (August 2010) Courts have little power to overturn decisions by agency hearing officers -- as two evicted public housing tenants recently learned.
Council Approves Penn Plaza (August 2010) The Empire State Building will get some competition on the New York skyline now that the City Council has approved another very tall building just a few blocks away.
Bloomberg's Management Style Offers Some Surprises (August 2010) A report by Deputy Mayor Goldsmith suggests ways for New York to save millions and also puts a few holes in the image of the Bloomberg administration as a well-oiled machine.
Republicans Look to Pick Up a Seat in Queens (August 2010) Republicans have a rare opportunity to pick up an Assembly seat in the city as five candidates compete in northeast Queens.
Action Taken on Bullying in Schools and No-Fault Divorce (August 2010)
Behind the Hate Crimes on Staten Island (August 2010) As officials and residents grapple with bias-related violence on Staten Island, civil rights columnist Andy Humm takes the ferry to investigate the possible causes of the increase.
New York's Savior (August 2010) Gov. Hugh Carey saved New York from financial ruin in the 1970s. We take a look back via the new book: "The Man Who Saved New York."
Scandal Trumps Issues in Eastern Quuens (August 2010) Assemblymember Barbara Clark and challenger Clyde Vanel sit down with Gotham Gazette to discuss their race and the scandals that monopolize it.
Another Natural Gas Controversy (August 2010) Forget fracking for now. Another controversy over a natural gas pipeline is steaming in New York City. We take an in-depth look.
Anger and Issues in the Bronx's 76th Assembly District (August 2010) Luis Sepulveda challenges the record of 18-year-incumbent Assemblyman Peter Rivera, while Rivera insists Sepulveda is just a proxy for Sen. Ruben Diaz.
Charter Commission Approves Ballot Proposals (August 2010) After six months of hearings, the Charter Revision Commission has decided to put term limits on the ballot this fall. But many, many other issues were left off.
The City's New Dollar Menu for Bus Riders (August 2010) The administration thinks expanding dollar vans in the outer boroughs will ease the sting of service reductions. Critics say it's privatizing public transportation.
Fox and Hevesi Face Off in Queens (August 2010) Attorney Joe Fox is trying to channel the anti-incumbent sentiment sweeping the nation in a race in Queens. His competitor, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, isn't buying it.
Diaz Faces Rare Challenge in the Bronx (August 2010) The state senator has angered many with his fight against same same-sex marriage but he says voters in his home district love him. Challenger Charlie Ramos hopes to prove him wrong.
In Astoria, the Field Narrows (August 2010) After one contender dropped out, two candidates remain to vie for this seat in Queens -- even though no incumbent appears on the ballot for the first time in a decade.
As City's Temperature Rises, Air Quality Falls (August 2010) Another day of heat, humidity -- and haze. What makes summer air so dirty? And what do those Air Quality Alerts mean anyway?
In Student Loan Case, Court Rules Borrowers Have Rights Too (August 2010) In a case that could change loan agreements, a federal judge in New York threw out a student loan agreement for being unfair and depriving consumers of any bargaining power.
Full-Time Council Would Better Serve New Yorkers (August 2010) With many City Council members earning outside income, Councilmember Daniel Halloran proposes the city raise council pay and give New Yorkers the full-time public servants they need.
Stated Meeting: Council Moves to Increase Recycling (July 2010) The City Council passed several bills yesterday to boost New York's low recycling rate and keep trash out of the landfill. Members also OK'd two controversial development projects.
Ethnic Restaurants Worry They Won't Make the Grade (July 2010) Timothy Chuang has been in the restaurant business in Flushing for more than 20 years. He said it is hard to do business these days and the city's new sanitation inspection letter grade system is not helping.
Divisions in District Dominate Brooklyn Assembly Race (July 2010) A challenger in Brooklyn charges that the longtime Assembly member has neglected the poorer black and Latino residents of the district.
Challengers Emerge to Take On Espada (July 2010) With the Senate majority leader facing a criminal investigation and anger over last year's 'coup,' three Democrats hope to stage that rare act in New York and defeat an incumbent.
The Next Step for Domestic Workers' Rights (July 2010) Domestic workers scored a major coup when New York passed a landmark bill to protect nannies, cooks and cleaners on the job. Now comes the tough part: Enforcing it.
Creating Open Space Takes Politics and Planning (July 2010) Despite a lack of money and land, New York and other cities have created open space in the last decades. A new book looks at how urban areas can provide more green amid the gray.
Moonlighting Council Members (July 2010) City Council members get a base salary of $112,000. But that job still leaves some with ample opportunity to rake in other income. Our article and chart look at who made how much.
Outside Income by Member (July 2010) How much money did your council member make outside of City Hall lat year? Check out our member by member list.
Seeking a Greener Life After Wall Street (July 2010) Looking to an environmentally friendly future, a city program trains former Wall Street professionals to work in a green economy. Enthusiasm runs high, but will the jobs follow?
Term Limits Could Throw Out Council Members (July 2010) In the latest on term limits, some members who voted in 2008 to let their colleagues serve three terms could see themselves forced from office after only two. How would that happen?
The District is Brooklyn Heights, But Albany is the Issue (July 2010) As Downtown Brooklyn feels the effects of state budget woes, a State Assembly candidate says the incumbent should do more to protect the district. One in our series on key 2010 races.
City Hall's Budgetary Exuberance May Soon Fade Away (July 2010) When it passed the 2011 budget, City Council celebrated turning economic lemons into lemonade. But for those who rely on social programs, that drink could taste pretty bitter.
Will Angry Voters Throw Albany's Rascals Out? (July 2010) Amid all the talk of dysfunction in Albany, most incumbents seem likely to hold on as few face credible challenges. What happened? We kick off our 2010 campaign coverage.
As Voter Turnout Dwindles, Some Look to a Tiny Agency for Help (July 2010) As advocates and officials seek ways to increase meager Election Day turnout in the city, some say the solution could lie with a little-noticed and sparsely funded commission.
Claims of Dysfunction At City Clerk's Lobbying Bureau (July 2010) Four years after the city revised its lobbying law, efforts to cast light on who lobbies for what remain mired in delays, confusion and allegations of mismanagement.
Charting a Better Way for Planning and Community Boards (July 2010) With the City Charter under review, Tom Angotti argues it has helped create a land use process often seen as a rubber stamp. He offers ideas to put some teeth in the process.
Closing of Subway Booths Raises Safety Concerns (July 2010) The cash-strapped agency's efforts to shut token booths and lay off workers remains in the courts, caught up in confusion. Meanwhile riders worry about their safety.
State Budget Remains in Limbo (July 2010) Is it over? Do we have a budget? Everyone in Albany is asking those questions, and no one really knows the answer.
Council Gives Final OK on Budget (June 2010) After months of negotiations, the City Council yesterday passed the 2011 city budget, avoiding the 'doomsday' cuts some had feared while reducing spending for many popular programs.
Who Got What: FY2011 (June 2010) When it comes to bringing home the bacon, some City Council members do a lot better than others.
Pressure Builds to Lift Ban on Gay Men Giving Blood (June 2010) The U.S. government still blocks any man who has had sex with another man from donating blood. Activists hope to change a policy they see as outdated and discriminatory.
Following Brutal Crime, Flushing Looks Out for Its Safety (June 2010) In the wake of a recent murder, Flushing residents are learning self-defense, organizing against crime and trying to overcome the reluctance of many immigrants to go to the police.
Bloomberg and Council Shake on Budget (June 2010) Facing the steepest cuts since 2002, the Bloomberg administration and the City Council reached a deal on the city budget last night with six days to spare.
Wind Project Off Rockaway Could Help Power New York's Future (June 2010) Now that the government has approved a major wind energy project in Nantucket Sound, Rich Kassel says New York should consider a similar undertaking off the Rockaways.
High Speed Internet Access Opens Another Digital Divide (June 2010) Unable to afford broadband, millions of New Yorkers are stuck in the slow lane on the information highway. Several initiatives now seek to bridge that digital divide.
Taxing Wall Street Would Ease Budget Cuts (June 2010) With just over a week before the budget deadline, two City Council members argue the city should tax wealthy New Yorkers and hedge funds to save crucial programs from the budget ax.
A New Tactic for the War on Rats (June 2010) The health department laid off 49 pest-control workers, but the city says a new technique of fighting rodents will mean fewer workers and fewer rats.
New York Looks to Board High Speed Rail (June 2010) Faster trains are picking up speed throughout the country, and so far New York remains stuck in the station. At least one state senator hopes to change that.
Pitting Parks Against Open Space (June 2010) State legislators were forced to choose between keeping popular parks open, on one hand, and preserving the state's wilderness and farmland on the other.
Bail Presents Tough Choices for Parents, Judge (June 2010) The case of a couple who lost their home when their son skipped bail illustrates how the system works and the tough choices confronting people whose loved ones face time in jail.
No ID? No Cell Phone (June 2010) A proposal to make it harder for possible terrorists to use cell phones could cut off service for undocumented immigrants and low-income people.
State Seeks to Expand DNA Database (June 2010) Gov. Paterson wants the state to keep a DNA sample from everyone convicted of a crime, no matter how minor. Supporters say this could help solve cases, but critics worry about abuse.
Council Cracks Down on Taxi Overcharges (June 2010) Following accounts of widespread overcharging by New York cab drivers, the City Council yesterday enacted measures to keep closer track of taxis.
Libraries 'Biggest Loser' in City Budget (June 2010) New York's libraries face the most severe cuts in their history. If City Council approves the mayor's budget, branches will close and hundreds of workers will lose their jobs.
After Delays, An Arts District Grows in Brooklyn (June 2010) Ambitions for a Brooklyn cultural district have faltered, and key parts of the plan have fallen by the wayside. But six projects remain and are set to open over the next two years.
Unions Pick Up Tab for Council Members' Fines, Legal Bills (June 2010) Legal defense funds financed by local unions have picked up the tab for at least three City Council members facing hefty penalties for violating city election laws.
Paterson Ups the Pressure for a Budget Deal (June 2010) The clock is ticking, money's running out, the state still has no budget -- and the governor has another scheme to try to force the legislature to accept his deep spending cuts.
With Homelessness Rising, City Looks to Trim Budget (June 2010) With homelessness at a record high, the mayor's budget reduces money for programs aimed at getting people out of shelters. Advocates see the cuts as devastating; the city denies that.
Proposal Could Shed Light on Who Helps Candidates (June 2010) Last year, labor and business called and canvassed to boost candidates but never had to reveal who did what for whom. Now an effort is building to close that gap in election law.
Can the City -- and the Oyster -- Save Jamaica Bay? (May 2010) For decades, Jamaica Bay's marshes have been vanishing. Now government and advocates have stepped up efforts to stem the destruction -- and a lowly bivalve could play a major role.
Creating a Plan to Connect New Yorkers and Their Harbor (May 2010) As New Yorkers flock to the water this weekend, our shore remains a work in progress. Roland Lewis of the Waterfront Alliance envisions what the harbor could be and how to get there.
Cabbies Urge State to Make Their Drives Safer (May 2010) A bill would increase the penalty for attacking a cabbie, something that happens all too frequently. Should the state single out certain jobs, however dangerous, for extra protection?
Deep Budget Cuts Spark Little Debate (May 2010) Mayor Bloomberg's plan to exact deep cuts in education and other city services, has prompted little debate and few alternative proposals. Glenn Pasanen reviews the process so far.
Stated Meeting: Fines for Unlicensed Plumbing (May 2010) The City Council approved a bill yesterday to increase fines for unlicensed plumbing and fire suppression work.
Court Sets High Bar for 'Egregious (May 2010) Committing adultery, getting pregnant and then telling your husband the baby is his isn't 'egregious' behavior -- at least when it comes to dividing marital property in New York.
Despite Budget Boost, Public Hospitals Face Cuts (May 2010) Unlike almost every other agency, the Health and Hospitals Corp. will get a budget increase this year. But its leaders are still making cuts and anticipate tough times ahead.
The Price of Increased Surveillance (May 2010) The 82 police cameras in Times Square didn't thwart the May 1 bomb attempt. But in response, the mayor called for more cameras. Will technology keep us safe? Take away rights? Or both?
No-Fault Divorce Creates Strange Bedfellows (May 2010) A bill moving through the legislature would let New York, like every other state, grant no-fault divorces. The Catholic Church and NOW hope to block the change.
Advocates Contest AIDS Caseworker Cuts (May 2010) As budget battles continue, administration officials propose slashing 248 AIDS workers to trim costs and reduce duplication. Advocates see the cuts as illegal and ill advised.
Poor Preparation, Confusion Lead Many to Fail GED Test (May 2010) More than half the people who take the city's high school equivalency test fail it, and proposed state cuts could further harm a system widely seen as chaotic.
Campaign Finance Decision Could Hamper Efforts to Tighten New York's Laws (May 2010) The Supreme Court's decision on corporate election spending will have little effect on New York's lenient laws, but it could complicate efforts to set stricter limits in the state.
Housing Project Cats Face Eviction -- or Worse (May 2010) Residents, animal advocates and housing officials are grappling with what to do with 6,000 feral cats at a Queens project. What happens to them could set the pattern for the whole city.
Council Approves Business Bill of Rights (May 2010) The City Council gave businesses their own bill of rights yesterday, attempting to snip away bureaucratic red tape.
Bill Would Change How the State Draws Districts (May 2010) Redistricting in New York echoes Shakespeare as legislators use pens to punish enemies and exact revenge. Last week, a State Senate committee OK'd a bill to change the drama.
For Budget Buses, Chinatown's Clogged Streets Are Wide Open (May 2010) Cheap Chinatown buses delight budget travelers. But with few rules controlling them, the bus boom has sparked battles over the community's curbs, sidewalks and air.
New Healthcare Law Offers Little to Undocumented Immigrants (May 2010) The new healthcare law offers little help for undocumented immigrants, so those in New York will continue to rely on local rules that guarantee some care for people without papers.
Cuts Burn Fire Department (May 2010) Labor officials and City Council members are raising the alarm over the mayor's proposal to close 20 fire companies.
Severe Recession Hangs on in Much of the City (May 2010) This economic downturn has depressed wages, put tens of thousands of New Yorkers out of work and shows few signs of ending. James Parrott examines the numbers and the outlook.
Bloomberg Blames Albany for Fiscal Woes (May 2010) Mayor Bloomberg's budget released yesterday would cut more than 6,400 teachers and shut senior centers and fire companies. But the mayor says it's not his fault. It's Albany's.
A Month After the Deadline, State Budget Nowhere in Sight (May 2010) As the state's finances get worse and localities, including the city, work on their own spending plans, legislators show no sign of nearing agreement on a budget.
Budget Cuts Threaten Dozens of After-School Programs (May 2010) The mayor's budget would close 33 after-school programs serving thousands of children, leaving kids home alone and parents scrambling to find childcare.
City Garbage Plan Falls Short of Goals (May 2010) Four years after approving a solid waste plan, the city hasn't come close to meeting its recycling goals, and the cost of dealing with New York's trash continues to climb.
Cleaning New York's Soot-Spewing Buildings (May 2010) Some of the city's toniest residences belch out particulates that foul the air and contribute to health problems. Rich Kassel explains how to clean up New York's polluting buildings.
Tour Buses Silenced (April 2010) New Yorkers tired of local lore and corny quips blaring from tour buses got some relief from the City Council yesterday. Guides likened it to using a sledgehammer to kill an ant.
Can the Next Attorney General Fix Albany? (April 2010) With corruption rampant in Albany, why haven’t state attorney generals brought more criminal cases against state politicians? Candidates for the office tell us what they would do.
Council, Courts End the 'Tenant Blacklist' (April 2010) For years, tenants sued by a landlord could find themselves on a blacklist that made it difficult for them to rent another home. Now courts and City Council have erased the stigma.
A Harlem Middle School Bets on Technology (April 2010) A Harlem middle school stands on the frontlines of using technology to engage students. With the city hoping to expand this program to 81 schools, Andrea Gabor visits Global Tech.
Now, Some Good News About the City's Budget (April 2010) The city's budget shows a surplus, and things look pretty good for the long term too. Revenues have rebounded, and job losses have been less severe than expected. What happened?
How 'Transit-Oriented Development' Will Put More New Yorkers in Cars (April 2010) For all its talk of 'transit oriented development,' the Bloomberg administration, a critic contends, has created a lot of parking spaces without offering people much incentive to ride the subway.
Spending Freeze Deals Another Blow to Ailing Roads and Bridges (April 2010) With New York's bridges and highways crumbling into disrepair after years of neglect, the state budget crunch threatens to bring plans to fix them to a screeching halt.
New Yorker Accused of Helping al-Qaida About to Go on Trial (April 2010) With a New Yorker accused of aiding al-Qaida set to go on trial here, his supporters are calling attention to the extreme form of solitary confinement he has lived under for 31 months.
Council Tries to Rein in Horse Carriages (April 2010) City Council approved legislation to whip the horse carriage industry into shape. But advocates say the new rules do not do enough to protect the animals.
Vendor Rules Promise Less Art, More Cupcakes in City Parks (April 2010) This could be the spring of discontent for New York's street vendors, as they face new city regulations, $5 milkshakes and 'timed' bathroom breaks.
Subsidies in the City: Part II (April 2010) Part II of our story on how the city hands out taxpayer subsidies.
Subsidies in the City: Part I (April 2010) An obscure city agency gives businesses tens of millions in tax breaks every year. Who gets the money, and what do New Yorkers get in return? An in-depth look by Courtney Gross.
PlaNYC at Three: Time to Include the Neighborhoods (April 2010) With the mayor's blueprint for a more environmentally friendly New York at a crossroads, Tom Angotti urges the city to make the plan stronger by going back to the grassroots.
Council Contests 'Across the Board' Cuts (April 2010) As New Yorkers steel themselves for bad news in the mayor's 2011 budget, the City Council urges him to take a more surgical approach to saving funds and to put public safety first.
Early Steps -- and Bumps -- on the Road to a Greener City Economy (April 2010) The Bloomberg administration wants to create jobs that help the environment. Eager entrepreneurs would like that too but say city regulations and high costs could stand in the way.
Punching, Kicking and Wrestling for Revenue (April 2010) Thousands of fans recently turned out for mixed martial arts matches in New Jersey. Now, the governor and some legislators want New York to cash in on all that bloodlust.
Police Need New Approach to Deal with the Mentaly Ill (April 2010) Encounters between New York City police and people with mental illness all too often end in injury or even death. An advocate argues the department can -- and should -- change that.
Will Electric Cars Give New York a Charge? (April 2010) A switch to electric cars could cut pollution and greenhouse gases in New York. But despite that, some experts question whether the city can -- or should -- encourage their use.
Artists Offer a Visual Dialogue on a Changing Brooklyn (April 2010) Artists often form the first 'upscale' wave in an area, then find themselves pushed out as richer people move in. In Brooklyn, artists look at gentrification and their role in it.
GOP Faces Election with Big Hopes but Few Candidates (April 2010) Some Republican leaders are betting on Democrat Steve Levy as their best hope for winning the governorship, retaking the state Senate -- and surviving.
Elder Abuse Programs Must Be Saved (March 2010) The proposed city budget calls for eliminating programs to help elderly victims of abuse. Two advocates argue the cut would threaten frail, isolated people with no place to turn.
Dozens of Parks Would Close Under Paterson's Budget (March 2010) For the first time in its history, the state plans to shut parks. The governor's budget would close 91 parks and cut services in many more. Anne Schwartz looks at the likely effects.
Restoring Balance to New York's Finances (March 2010) An end to the recession will not fix New York's budget crisis, writes Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch. He offers his ideas on how to correct a problem that has been years in the making.
Making Sure Process Servers Really Deliver (March 2010) Many New Yorkers don’t know they're being sued until it’s too late. The legal papers went in the trash or down a drain -- and never reached them. A new law seeks to change that.
Sick Leave Back at the Council (March 2010) Will a new bill, being introduced today, and a new City Council make paid sick leave a reality in New York?
As Big Change in Voting Approaches, Election Board Lacks a Leader (March 2010) Just months before New York finally gets new voting machines, the Board of Elections has no director and will not disclose anything about its efforts to find one.
Bill Aims for 'Pork Equality' (March 2010) Some legislators bring home far more bacon than others. Malcolm Smith raked in almost $6 million in member items in 2009, while Andrew Lanza got $250,000. Is it time to even things up?
Suits Would Burden Foster Parents, Court Rules (March 2010) Should we expect foster parents to remain ever vigilant. protecting children in their care from most accidents and injuries? A state appeals court recently took up that issue.
Endorsements Trump Issues in Brooklyn Council Race (March 2010) The ballot challenges have ended, leaving two Democrats and one Republican competing for Simcha Felder's old seat in the City Council
Disabled Fear Cuts to Van Service Will Force Them to Stay Home (March 2010) Access-a-Ride provides the disabled with a pokey, cumbersome way to travel, advocates say. Now they fear the MTA's proposed cuts will make the service virtually useless.
Helping All Students Get a Meaningful Diploma (March 2010) Now that city graduation rates are at an all-time high, will tougher requirements change that? A teacher suggests how to help students finish school with a diploma that means something.
Fewer Prisoners, Fewer Prisons? (March 2010) Upstate prisons with full staffs but a dwindling number of inmates offer a tempting target for budget cutters. For years, political muscle has kept the jails open. Will the fiscal crunch change that?
Lawmakers Seek to Crack Down on Illegal Hotels (March 2010) Upper West Side apartment buildings lure budget-minded travelers from around the world. The visitors boost landlord profits, but many low-income tenants feel threatened.
What the Mayor's Management Report Does Not Say (March 2010) The recent Mayor's Management Report has lots of numbers and good news, but little to say about many key issues. Glenn Pasanen looks at what the administration left out.
Day Care Dumped (March 2010) To close a gaping budget hole, the Bloomberg administration is proposing to shutter 16 day care centers, many in gentrified areas. But the centers aren't going without a fight.
Monserrate Fights for His Old Job -- and 'Traditional Values' (March 2010) To win back his old job, the former state senator, expelled from office after a domestic violence dispute, is campaigning as a defender of family values.
State Budget Puts Spinal Cord Injury Research in Jeopardy (March 2010) Advocates say the state's plan to eliminate a program on spinal cord injury started by a police officer shot on duty will threaten efforts to help victims lead independent lives.
Doubts Grow About City's Capital Spending (March 2010) The capital budget has almost doubled during Bloomberg's tenure. Budget experts now wonder whether that was such a smart investment.
Labor Dispute Silences Spanish at E-ZPass Center (March 2010) Some politicians want the government to intervene in a heated labor dispute at a privately run E-ZPass center that has cost 14 workers their jobs and cut off service in Spanish.
Bloomberg Moves to Change the City Charter — But How? (March 2010) In naming a commission to revise the City Charter, the mayor put everything on the table. That means term limits, but what else? Douglas Muzzio looks at charter change past and present.
Charter Commissions Since 1989 (March 2010) Placeholder
How to Fix New York's State Police (March 2010) First, Troopergate. And now, the scandal of Gov. Paterson and his top aide has again put the state police at the center of controversy. Can New York separate its police from politics?
Council Increases Penalty for Dumping (March 2010) The City Council approved bills to improve New York's environment, including one increasing penalties for dumping in the waterways and another encouraging green technology.
New Voting Machines Are on the Way -- Probably (March 2010) New York's clunky lever voter machines should fade into history before September's primary -- unless a federal probe and a lawsuit stymie the switch to a new technology.
Data on Bullying Remains Scant, as City Touts Its Efforts (March 2010) A new programs aims to teach students to stop harassing and begin respecting one another. The administration hails its success, but some experts have their doubts.
Now Out of Race, Can Paterson Hold On and Govern? (March 2010) David Paterson has pledged to stay in office until January, but many worry the state cannot afford to have a lame-duck, scandal-tainted, never-elected governor during a fiscal crisis.
Brooklyn Community Splits Sharply Over Proposed Mosque (March 2010) In the late 1980s, Mayor Ed Koch chanted in Arabic, hailing the building of a mosque in Manhattan. A controversy in Sheepshead Bay reveals how much has changed since then.
Animal Rights Activists Split Over Bill to Save 'Oreos' (February 2010)
The sad story of Oreo the dog made headlines last year. Now her unfortunate death may spur a change in state law that could, supporters believe, ultimately lead to saving more animals from being put to sleep.
Census Could Set Off Major Redistricting in State (February 2010) The GOP managed to stave off a massive redistricting after the last census. This time around, they may have no choice but to accept the demographic realities -- and a loss of power.
Richard Ravitch's Latest, Greatest Challenge (February 2010) Can Richard Ravitch save New York one more time -- and will Gov. David Paterson let him try?
City Turns Deaf Ear to Noisy Neighbors (February 2010) City laws have muffled jackhammers, bar bands and even Mr. Softee, but, to the distress of sleep-deprived New Yorkers, the code does nothing to silent noisy neighbors.
MTA Tries to Catch Up With Its Finances (February 2010) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's service cuts are still full steam ahead. But advocates wonder whether there will ever be a permanent solution to its financial woes.
Quinn Promises to Create Jobs (February 2010) In her fifth state of the city, Council Speaker Christine Quinn said she would hone in on one thing in 2010: jobs.
After Escaping Domestic Abuse, Survivors Confront the Housing Crisis (February 2010) New York has made big advances in dealing with domestic violence, but women all too often must confront a choice between going back to their abusers and being homeless.
Charter Schools Enter Uncharted Waters (February 2010) The administration's push to expand the number of charter schools has ignited bitter fights over real estate, power and jobs. A look at what's at stake for the city and its children.
Famed Scout Camp Threatened by Public, Private Budget Crisis (February 2010) Strapped for money, the local Boy Scouts may sell their storied camp on Staten Island -- just as the state seeks to divert funds intended for wilderness preservation to other uses.
Problems at St. Vincent’s Reflect Health Care System's Woes (February 2010) The death of St. Vincent's Hospital, on life support from the state, would threaten heath-care delivery in lower Manhattan and beyond, dealing another blow to an overburdened system.
Council Targets Gang Initiations (February 2010) The City Council approved legislation to crack down on gang initiations. But will it target innocent minority youth instead?
City Emergency Response Team Had Key Skills for Haiti Mission (February 2010) After the earthquake in Haiti city police and firefighters flew to Port-au-Prince, where they saved six people from the rubble. How was that mission organized and how did it operate?
After Heated Closed-Door Debate, Senate Expels Monserrate (February 2010) The State Senate last night voted to immediately oust Hiram Monserrate -- a move that left bitter feelings among Senate Democrats and cut their margin of control to a single seat.
Teaching and Electioneering Don't Mix, Court Finds (February 2010) The teachers' union has lost a legal battle with the city over whether its members can wear political buttons in class.
Pioneering E-Waste Bill Remains Stuck in Legal Limbo (February 2010) n 2008 New York became the first U.S. city to pass a law requiring manufacturers to dispose of old computers and other electronics. So why is the toxic trash continuing to pile up?
A Barrage of Bills (February 2010) Former Councilmember Alan Gerson introduced more legislation than any other councilmember in the last session.
Penning Legislation: The Winners and Losers (February 2010) Find out who has sponsored the most bills in the last session at the City Council -- and who has the least.
Schools Arts Program Range from Four Star to Nonexistent (February 2010) Despite some strong programs, arts education in New York City schools must still struggle against the focus on testing and a shortage of funds,
Stated Meeting: Council Creates Path to Citizenship (February 2010) The City Council is considering a proposal aimed at helping some immigrant children in foster care remain in the country.
Eminent Domain Changes Seek to Limit State's Power to Seize Property (February 2010) Several politicians want to rein in New York's authority to seize a person's property to make way for private development. Can they succeed in a state where real estate rules?
Talking Trash (February 2010) What parts of the city have the filthiest sidewalks and dirtiest streets? To find out, we asked readers to pick New York's nastiest neighborhoods and analyzed the city's cleanliness scorecards.
Pedicab Industry Grapples with Rules, Recession and Rain (February 2010) Two months after city laws on pedicabs took effect, drivers and owners still feel the pain of a dismal holiday season and wonder what effect the new regulations might have.
Bloomberg's Bluff (February 2010) The mayor warns that Gov. Paterson's budget would force the city to cut 8,500 teachers, reduce police to 1985 levels, and end street cleaning. Scary stuff, but maybe that's just the point.
Paterson's Plan for CUNY and SUNY Draws Criticism (January 2010) The governor wants to give the city and state universities more autonomy. School officials like the idea, but some politicians say it could hurt low-income students.
Haitian's Case Focuses Attention on Deportations (January 2010) The case of a Haitian immigrant convicted of drug dealing in the 1980s has focused attention on other long-ago offenders who face deportation.
Food Deserts Could Bloom if City Hall Helps (January 2010) Corn from Corona? Canarsie cantaloupe? Tottenville tomatoes? City grown produce, along with public markets and better bodegas, could help New Yorkers eat better -- with a boost from City Hall.
Court Rejects Bid to Extend Grounds for Divorce in New York (January 2010) Under New York's divorce law, breaking up is hard to do. And a recent ruling by a Brooklyn court does nothing to change that
'Nanny' Mayor's Anti-Salt Drive Ignores Sense and Science (January 2010) The mayor's push to limit salt intake seems like food fascism -- and is not even backed up by science, writes an opponent of the proposal.
Cutting Back on Salt Will Save Lives (January 2010) The city's drive to encourage restaurants and food processors to use less salt will help Americans cut back, two doctors write, and that could save lives and even help restaurants.
Latest Round of School Closings Sparks Heated Opposition (January 2010) Standing in front of a crowd at Abyssinian Baptist Church, Danisha Williams spoke about how she had continued on after losing her mother and father.
Stated Meeting: The Council's New Order (January 2010) Kicking off a new term, the City Council finalized its new committees yesterday -- but not without drama. See who is in and who is out.
In Kingsbridge: Will Derailing a Bad Project Lead to a Good One? (January 2010) Years of organizing by the community defeated the administration's plan for a shopping mall in Kingsbridge. Joan Byron reviews the battle and what might happen next.
Bloomberg Delivers Muted State of the City (January 2010) The State of the City was a speech not an extravaganza this time around, but the mayor did offer plans to improve juvenile justice and help New Yorkers weather the recession.
Targeted Cuts, Improved Productivity Could Save City Services (January 2010) Wall Street's reversal of fortune could help those suffering on other city streets -- if the city adopts a creative budget strategy.
9/11 Health Care Bill Could Get Boost in Congress (January 2010) Advocates for those who became sick or who died from working at Ground Zero want aid from Congress and recognition from City Hall.
Living Wages by Councilmember (January 2010) Want to know where your councilmember stands on the living wage issue? Check out Gotham Gazette's survey.
The Living Wage After Kingsbridge (January 2010) In the aftermath of the Kingsbridge Armory debate, a more widespread bill on living wages may not come as easily as some expect.
Albany's Ethics Bill: First Step or Missed Opportunity? (January 2010) With Albany under fire, some advocates say bills on lobbying and elections could help clean up the ethically challenged capitol. Others charge the legislation falls short.
To Reunite Families, Agencies Try a Holistic Approach (January 2010) To keep parents and children together, social services agencies try an approach that takes on a range of problems including poverty, mental illness and violence.
'Culture of Violence' Plagues New York's Juvenile Prisons (January 2010) Forcible restraint remains too common and therapy too rare in homes for juvenile offenders, according to several recent investigations. Is change finally on the way?
Fighting Complacency on Same Sex Marriage (January 2010) The gay community needs to overcome the sense that legalization of same sex marriage is inevitable and mobilize a movement to make it happen.
Stated Meeting: 2010 City Council's First Day (January 2010) The new City Council, flush with 13 new members, re-elected Council Speaker Christine Quinn. But the vote was not without emotion and drama.
Senate Democrats Look to Repair the Damage -- Before It's Too Late (January 2010) As the state legislature returns, its members confront a budget crisis, gloom at the MTA and last year's broken promises. And it's campaign season.
Bloomberg: Take III (January 2010) Can the mayor escape the curse of the third term? How will he deal with more combative public officials and a feistier City Council? And what does he plan to do in the next four years anyway?
City's Muslims Report Harassment by Police (January 2010) In Rockefeller Center, on the way home from school and even in their own homes, the city's Muslims say police harass them, threatening the ties between law enforcement and the Muslim community.
The Year That Wasn't: What Didn’t Happen in 2009 (December 2009) Bloomberg didn't move to the Oval Office, Giuliani didn’t run, Spitzer didn't vanish -- and the Nets did not stumble into Brooklyn. A look at some big stories that did not happen in 2009.
Stated Meeting: Broadway Triangle Approved by Council (December 2009) The City Council approved a controversial rezoning, which community members cast as a political deal despite its promise of affordable housing.
The Top Stories of 2010 (December 2009) How many legislators will be indicted? Are the Nets on the way to Moscow? Who will run for what? And who will be the funniest City Council member? Our experts look to the future.
Turmoil and Term Limits: Top Stories of 2009 (December 2009) Turmoil in Albany, budget and economic woes, angry voters and crime in high places all made headlines in 2009. We look back.
Job Creation Bills to be on Washington's Agenda in 2010 (December 2009) The recovery act helped stave off economic disaster but, with spending and employment remaining anemic, Washington will consider further action in the new year.
Ban on HIV Positive Immigrants Lifted (December 2009) President Obama lifted the ban on immigration by people who test positive for the AIDS virus, giving hope to those who must confront their medical condition along with being denied the opportunity to live illegally in the U.S.
MTA Cuts Produce Deja Vu Along with Outrage (December 2009) Seven months after a state rescue package supposedly staved off massive service reductions, the MTA's cuts to plug a $400 million deficit have sparked anger, suspicion and another round of the blame game.
New York City Council Races Get More Competitive (December 2009) Incumbency remained a huge advantage in the 2009 City Council contests, but it was not quite the ticket to victory it once was. Just ask five defeated council members and several others who managed to eke out only narrow victories.
Stated Meeting: Kingsbridge Armory Defeated by the Council (December 2009) In a rare move against a major project, the City Council rejected a proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, putting the debate over paying living wages under a citywide spotlight.
National Test Scores Renew Questions About Mayor's Education Reforms (December 2009) Results of a national math examine cast still more doubt on the Bloomberg administration's claims it has made huge advances in city schools, writes Assemblyman James Brennan.
Republicans, A Call to Arms (December 2009) When City Council returns next month, it will have five Republicans -- up from three. That's still less than 10 percent of members but Minority Leader James Oddo thinks they could wield influence that far exceeds their numbers.
Sour Holiday (December 2009) Despite city efforts to revitalize commercial districts and signs of economic improvement, many small businesses in the city are not ringing up sales. Our slideshow visits shopkeepers facing a sour holiday season.
Stated Meeting: Green Building Bills Approved by the Council (December 2009) The City Council passed legislation requiring energy audits for large buildings -- a move that some critics say weakens a key part of the mayor's sustainability plan.
Illegally Divided Homes Pose Dangers but Fill a Need (December 2009) Illegally carved-up homes endanger their residents, crowd neighborhoods and have caused fatal fires. But these cramped quarters also house thousands of people who otherwise might have no place to go.
Syphilis Rate Rises Despite Public Health Efforts (December 2009) After falling for decades, the incidence of syphilis in New York City since 2000 has increased sharply. Experts blame a complicated combination of factors.
Campaign Finance Laws Fill Coffers for Cars, Coffee and Court (December 2009) In Albany, money doesn't talk -- it roars. State law lets politicians collect cash from virtually anyone and use it almost as they please. So, critics ask, is it any wonder the state has problems?
Courts Consider When a Rioter Stops Rioting (December 2009) One of the men arrested for the rioting that followed the New York parade in 2000 has challenged his conviction and could take his novel argument all the way to the nation's highest court.
Stated Meeting: Clearing the Way for Open Grills (December 2009) The City Council yesterday banned those opaque sheets of metal used as security gates on businesses around the city, but the measure will not go completely into effect until 2026. Council also approved its final legislative response to the deadly fire at Deutsche Bank in 2007.
Washington Considers Funding Parks to Rebuild Cities (November 2009) As Congress considers a bill to provide federal funding for urban parks, Washington seems to have learned a lesson from New York: Improved open space has the power to transform communities.
Cutting Spending as Revenues Rise (November 2009) The mayor's demand that agency heads make further cuts to their budgets and possibly lay off staff comes as the administration anticipates an increase in tax revenues.
Foreclosures Continue to Threaten Neighborhoods (November 2009) Long after the sub-prime mortgage crisis wreaked havoc across the country, it has hit parts of New York hard, and despite government efforts, shows no signs of abating.
Is New York Ready for Instant Runoffs? (November 2009) Only 241,000 New Yorkers cast ballot in September's runoff election but it cost the city $15 million. Is it time to change the way we vote?
Death by Car (November 2009) After several horrific accidents, the state has passed a law cracking down on intoxicated drivers. While hailing the move, many experts say we also must take steps to keep sober motorists from crashing and killing.
School Holiday Issue Sends Muslims to City Hall (November 2009) With about 100,000 Muslim students, the city schools are coming under increasing pressure from newly organized Muslim parents to cancel classes on Islam's holiest days in Islam.
New Website Lets New Yorkers Talk Back to the Senate (November 2009) A new website launched by the State Senate enables people not only to find out about legislation but also to comment on it.
Stated Meeting: Easing Parking Rules and Opposing Gas Drilling (November 2009) In its first meeting since the election, City Council took aim at the administration's policies on issuing traffic tickets, passing four bills, including one the mayor has vowed to veto. The council also approved a new police academy and went on record against drilling for natural gas in the city's watershed.
Cutting the Deficit Gets Ugly (November 2009) With the state running out of money and facing a $7 billion spending gap for next year, last week's special legislative session demonstrated that many legislators still oppose making serious budget cuts.
The Citizen (November 2009) John Liu's victory, rising crime among young Koreans, the fight to save the garment industry, Filipino stay-at-home dads and more from New York's immigrant and foreign language press, via Voices that Must be Heard.
The Fight over Paid Sick Leave (November 2009) Amid worries about H1N1, City Council considers a bill requiring employers to give workers paid sick leave. Is this a needed public health measure or another burden on struggling city businesses?
Court Ruling Settles Key Question for Tenants, Landlords (November 2009) In a ruling with huge ramifications for real estate in New York, the state's highest court has said landlords cannot decontrol apartment rents while accepting tax breaks from the city.
Plan's Move to Senate Presents Challenges for New York (November 2009) The version of health care reform proposed by the Senate Finance Committee would punish states like New York that have taken the lead in health care.
Kingsbridge Armory and the Dance Around ULURP (November 2009) The controversy over the Kingsbridge Armory features the living wage, a suburban-style mall in the city, community concerns -- and the city's land use process. Tom Angotti explains the fancy footwork.
A Floor Not a Ceiling for Health Reform (November 2009) Any federal bill must allow states to fill gaps in the national law and offer health programs that meet the needs of their citizens.
An Option the Public Needs (November 2009) Creating a government insurance plan will help those who have been shut out of our health care system for far too long.
Fixing a Broken System (November 2009) New York and the rest of the country can't afford to let this moment pass without addressing our health care crisis.
New York: Model or Warning? (November 2009) The state's effort to provide health insurance to all its residents should offer a cautionary tale for Congress as it crafts a health care bill.
Bloomberg and Quinn: Chapter 2 (November 2009) For four years, the mayor and speaker have played as a team. Now, though, some members want City Council to be more assertive. Can Quinn lead them in this new era?
New York and the Health Care Debate (November 2009) With Congress about to vote on a bill, experts discuss what it could mean for New York. Whatever their differences, they agree the legislation could have a huge impact -- for better or worse.
2009 General Election Results (November 2009) Who won and who lost on Nov. 3.
Seven Years of Mayoral Control (November 2009) No one can deny the mayor has made big changes in the New York City school system but debate still swirls around how effective his policies have been.
Where and How to Vote (November 2009) Casting your ballot
Bloomberg's Shadow Looms over Bay Ridge (November 2009) A Republican hopes he can ride the mayor's coattails and defeat a Democratic incumbent in District 43.
Bayside Race Features Race, Religion -- and Some Issues (November 2009) The candidates say issues are paramount but seem to have focused more on race, religion and each other's tactics
The Other Races (November 2009) Elsewhere on the Ballot: Voter will chose the public advocate, comptroller, borough presidents and judges and vote on two ballot questions on Tuesday.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter (November 2009) Our comprehensive election coverage including the mayoral campaign, an in-depth look at the Bloomberg record, hot City Council races and more.
As Money Runs Out, Can Albany Avoid the 'Pain'? (November 2009) With the state government about to run out of money, advocates and legislators continue to resist the governor's proposed budget cuts. Will a Wall Street rebound avert disaster?
Vann Gets a Challenger (November 2009) Bed-Stuy's staple, Al Vann, faces a challenge from activist and policy advocate, Mark Winston Griffith.
New Efforts Fail to Reduce Homelessness (November 2009) Despite the mayor's pledges and new programs, the number of families in city shelters continues to climb.
A Better Picture for the Arts (November 2009) Even in the face of the faltering economy Mayor Michael Bloomberg has taken steps to insure New York's cultural institutions survive and thrive.
Moving the City Along the Road to Sustainability (October 2009) The announcement of PlanNYC 2030 in 2007 heralded a new emphasis by the Bloomberg administration on reducing pollution and confronting climate change.
Stated Meeting: Hines Midtown Tower Approved (October 2009) The City Council approves a 1,000 foot tower in Midtown, which will include additional space for MoMA, a hotel and luxury residences. The council also took aim at mortgage foreclosure consultants.
State Budget Cuts (October 2009)
The Council's Youngest Member Faces a Veteran (October 2009) Erich Ulrich won a surprise victory in last year's special election from District 32 and became the council's youngest member. Now he must survive a one-on-one race with a veteran area activist.
Improving Transportation -- Above Ground (October 2009) Michael Bloomberg has made major steps to improve transportation in the city -- except when it comes to the subway system.
Two Familiar Names Vie in District 30 (October 2009) A stalwart of city Republican politics hopes he can win the traditionally GOP seat back for his party.
Campaign 09: Fact or Fiction (October 2009) The claims and charges are flying from Bloomberg to Thompson and back again. A look at the fact -- and the fiction -- behind the rhetoric.
Making New York 'Immigrant Friendly' (October 2009) Always a supporter of immigrants, Michael Bloomberg has announced more initiatives to aid the foreign born during this election season -- and advocates will be watching to make sure these go beyond campaign promises.
An Innovator Takes a Fairly Conventional Approach (October 2009) James Parrott looks at the last eight years and finds that, despite the mayor's huge success as an innovative businessman, his management of New York City's economic fortunes has been pretty conventional.
Senate Ponders What to Do About Monserrate (October 2009) After being convicted of misdemeanor assault Sen. Hiram Monserrate's future as a state senator is in the hands of his colleagues.
Bloomberg on Poverty: A War or Small Skirmishes? (October 2009) Michael Bloomberg won widespread praise for his push to change the way governments measure poverty. Reactions to what he has done after are less effusive.
A Top-Down Program Creates More Parks (October 2009) Recognizing the importance of parks, the mayor has expanded and improved New York's open space -- but critics wish he had consulted more with communities along the way.
Bloomberg and the Budget: A Story in Three Parts (October 2009) Reflecting a changing economy, the mayor's fiscal policies have changed while the city has gone from bust to boom and back again.
Another Term Awaits (October 2009) Personalities and politics have dominated the mayoral campaign, but the two top candidates have positions on a range of issues. We look at what each man has said he would do as mayor.
Making the Rules on Running and Ruling (October 2009) Michael Bloomberg's handling of issues involving elections and governance raises the question: Is he above politics or a politician whose wealth lets him play the game in a different way?
Taking the Temperature on City Health Policies (October 2009) The Bloomberg administration has garnered attention for restricting smoking and trying to get New Yorkers to eat well, but its actions on health policy go far beyond that.
Where They Stand (October 2009) Personalities and politics have dominated the mayoral campaign, but the two top candidates have positions on a range of issues. We look at what each man has said he would do as mayor.
Stated Meeting: Council Bans Flavored Tobacco (October 2009) Just weeks after the federal government banned flavored cigarettes, the City Council goes a step further.
Crime Falls, but Why -- and at What Cost? (October 2009) Crime has hit new lows under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but experts wonder if he deserves the credit and some critics charge that new police practices infringe on the rights of New Yorkers.
Bloomberg's Calmer -- But Still Divided -- City (October 2009) In eight years in office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has quieted the racially charged atmosphere of the Giuliani years but done little to address housing disparities and other divisions that remain.
Unions Flex Their Political Muscles (October 2009) Labor has long wielded influence in heavily unionized New York. But last month's Democratic primary raised hopes -- and fears -- that the city's unions may be more powerful than ever.
A Changing of the Guard on Staten Island (October 2009) After two lost elections, Deborah Rose appears on the verge of being elected to City Council and becoming Staten Island's first black lawmaker.
The City Grades Itself on Schools, Homelessness (October 2009) Glenn Pasanen checks out the Mayor's Management Report and tells us what it says -- and does not say -- about the Bloomberg administration's performance in education and homelessness.
Museums Struggle to Maintain Programs and Projects (October 2009) Many museums have had to reduce staff and cancel exhibitions during the recession. But increased attendance has provided some welcome good news to offset the financial gloom.
Affordable Housing Not Included (October 2009) A key part of the mayor's plan to provide moderately priced housing has collided with the collapse in real estate. The first in our new series examining the Bloomberg record.
Re-enfranchising New Yorkers (October 2009) Turnout was low in last month's primary and even lower in the runoff. Should we give nonpartisan elections another look?
Tracking Building Inspectors (October 2009) A GPS system lets the city know where its inspectors are -- but, critics say, not necessarily what they are doing while they are at a construction site site.
Is Anyone Willing to Cut the State Budget? (October 2009) Months of tough talk from Gov. David Paterson about cutting the budget to reduce the state's escalating multi-billion dollar budget deficit has yet to lead to a concrete plan.
Stated Meeting: Graffiti Cleanup and Rezoning Sunset Park (October 2009) The City Council attempts to make graffiti cleanup faster and rezones a large swath of Sunset Park.
Moynihan Station Moves Forward (September 2009) After decades of discussion, the plan to restore Penn Stations' grandeur moved has inched a bit forward but hurdles remain. Graham T. Beck reports on where the project stands now.
Switch It On! (September 2009) With gadgets guzzling electricity, New York faces a looming energy gap. How would you fix it? Ban air conditioning? Harness the tides? Go nuclear? Play Gotham Gazette latest game and plan our energy future.
Going for the Gold (September 2009) New York has never hosted the Olympics. In an excerpt from her new book, 'Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power Politics,' Times reporter Joyce Purnick relates how Bloomberg tried to change that -- and failed.
Staycationing in the City Parks (September 2009) New spaces, more concerts and programs for kids sent recession-weary New Yorkers flocking to parks this summer -- despite the rain.
Colleges Prepare for an Influx of Veterans (September 2009) With a new more generous GI Bill in effect, area colleges expect more veterans to enroll in school. Are the schools ready to meet their needs?
New Law Protects Assets During Divorce (September 2009) A law, which went into effect this month, automatically orders the freezing of assets during a divorce, making it hard for a rich spouse to sell off assets to keep the less affluent partner from getting a fair share.
Amid Talk of Recovery, Jobless Rates Reach Double Digits (September 2009) The banking crisis may seem to be over and big bonuses are back. But with unemployment in the double digits, writes James Parrott, Americans will be reeling from the effects of the "Great Recession" for some time.
The Next Round (September 2009) The races for public advocate and comptroller have come down to head-to-head contests, with the results likely to hinge on who actually turns out to vote on Sept. 29.
Mentally Ill Seek More Independence (September 2009) Since it shut its large mental institutions, New York has put disabled adults in for-profit 'homes.' Recently a judge ruled that isolating people that way constitutes illegal discrimination. What happens now?
Stated Meeting: Sitting in Smog on the Way to School (September 2009) The City Council approved a bill yesterday making a student's ride to school a little cleaner. Check out that and more in this week’s Searchlight on City Hall.
Primary Results (September 2009)
Rockaway Incumbent Faces Five Challengers (September 2009) Incumbent James Sanders' record is one issue in a district concerned about housing foreclosures, jobs and crime.
In East Flatbush, the Incumbent is the Issue (September 2009) Five candidates are vying to replace Kendall Stewart in the 45th district -- and some think such a crowded field could propel the beleaguered council member to victory.
Words (and Punches) Traded in District 28 (September 2009) A former councilmember, a community board member, local businessman and more trade words and attacks in this eastern Queens district.
A Heartbeat Away -- But What is the Public Advocate? (September 2009) What's a public advocate -- and why do we have one?
Real Estate's Last Stand (September 2009) The real estate market is reeling but that has not stopped the industry from doling out $2.5 million to candidates for citywide office this year and more to various council contenders.
Three Remain on Ballot to Challenge Jackson (September 2009) Some well-known politicians decided against challenging Robert Jackson, but the incumbent will still face three opponents who hope to gain traction in this primarily Hispanic district.
Seabrook Aims For Another Term (September 2009) Two challengers question incumbent Larry Seabrook's ethics and commitment, but he counters that he has accomplished a lot for his Bronx district.
Health Care, Development Dominate Debate in Forest Hills (September 2009) Hospital closings are a major concern in this campaign, where six Democrats, including a former City Councilmember, are seeking to replace Melinda Katz.
It's Down to One Opponent for Comrie (September 2009) The head of the Queens delegation faces a political newcomer.
Brownsville's Dynasty Looks for a Comeback (September 2009) One-term Councilmember Darlene Mealy faces a stiff challenge from a local business owner and activist, and from a member of the area's politically powerful Boyland family.
The Maria Baez Revolt (September 2009) Resident of District 14 say they rarely see their council member, but Maria Baez remains confident she can beat her two challengers and win a third term.
Housing Project Splits Bushwick District (September 2009) Politics and a controversial plan to build affordable apartments are inextricably linked as Diane Reyna fights to hold on to her council seat.
In Flatbush, the Campaign Turns Negative (September 2009) Incumbent Mathieu Eugene, a blogger and a neighborhood activist, are locked in a nasty fight over who can best serve this Brooklyn district.
Mendez Vows to Keep Fighting (September 2009) If Councilmember Rosie Mendez wins second term -- as seems likely -- she says she will continue to focus on preserving neighborhoods facing development.
Koppell Fights for a Third Term (September 2009) The northwest Bronx’s political stalwart and a pro bono attorney disagree over whether the district really is changing and whether it needs a change.
In East New York, an Outspoken Incumbent Faces Challengers (September 2009) Councilmember Charles Baron has won attention for controversial comments but his challengers argue that someone a bit less confrontational might better serve the district.
The Citizen (September 2009) As jobs remain scarce, immigrants protest a rise in workplace abuses. Also, candidates on Facebook, fear of foster care, looking for love -- and more from the immigrant and foreign language press.
Guide for the Last Minute (Primary) Voter (September 2009) Who’s running for what in the Sept. 15 primary? Our comprehensive guide to the election, with information on contests, candidates, how to vote -- and more.
Comptroller Candidates Count on Voters Taking Notice (September 2009) Four City Council members are locked in a tight -- and expensive -- race for the important but often obscure citywide office.
Racing to Represent Long Island City (September 2009) The three candidates seeking to replace Eric Gioia grapple with how to deal with the changes in what was once an industrial area.
A Diverse Group of Candidates Competes in a Diverse District (September 2009) Five candidates -- four of them immigrants -- hope to replace John Liu as Flushing's representative on the City Council.
Booing the Yankees in the Bronx (September 2009) Incumbent Councilmember Helen Foster and her challenger agree the new baseball stadium has not been good for the 16th district. They're on opposing teams, though, when it comes to whether Foster deserves a third term.
Serving Up the Public Advocate (August 2009) Four Democrats are vying in a spirited contest for an office that some officials hope to abolish.
In Eastern Queens, A Weprin Wants to Change Jobs (August 2009) A state legislator from a prominent political family wants to leave Albany and represent the 23rd district at City Hall, but his two opponents say they could better serve this area of Queens.
Housing Bias Persists, Fueled by the Internet (August 2009) New Yorkers seeking apartments face discrimination for many reasons: race, having a disability, receiving public assistance. And the Internet may be making a bad situation worse.
Campaign Coverage (August 2009) It's primary season, time for robo-calls, mailings and our expanded election coverage, with an array of information on all the candidates and original reporting on key races.
The 63rd Senator (August 2009) The mayor won the school control battle and seems poised to scuttle a bill on public authorities. Has he finally figured out how to get his way in the state capitol?
Drumming Up Support in the Heights (August 2009) The resignation of disgraced Councilmember Miguel Martinez creates an opportunity for a political newcomer in upper Manhattan.
Debating Who Can Best Preserve Northeast Queens (August 2009) In rapidly changing District 19, candidates vying to replace Tony Avella all base their platforms on methods of curbing and regulating what many see as overdevelopment.
Closed Hospital Plays Key Role in Jackson Heights Race (August 2009) Incumbent Helen Sears faces two challengers who question whether she has done enough to provide adequate health care in the 25th district.
Museum of Chinese in America Gets a New Home (August 2009) When the Museum of Chinese in America officially opens its new home next month it will take a major step toward creating a national center on the immigrant experience and Asian-American culture.
Stated Meeting: City Council Requires Pharmacies to Translate (August 2009) Handing out its own prescription for language access, the City Council approved legislation Thursday requiring large pharmacy chains to provide translation services in the city's most popular languages.
State Now Protects Jobs of Domestic Violence Victims (August 2009) A new state law that makes it illegal to discriminate against victims of domestic violence in the workplace is designed to help people break free of partners who abuse them.
In Lower Manhattan, an Incumbent Fights for His Seat (August 2009) The extension of term limits has proved a double-edged sword for City Councilmember Alan Gerson. On one hand, it has given him a chance at four more years; on the other, it has provided his opponents with a political weapon to use against him.
Eight Candidates Run in a District Marked by Change (August 2009) Sweeping along the Brooklyn waterfront, District 33 has seen dramatic development and massive rezoning. A slew of candidates offer different prescriptions for what to do next.
Two Challengers Take on the Speaker (August 2009) With her power and prominence, Christine Quinn should have an easy path to re-election. But her opponents say some voters may balk at the speaker's close ties to the mayor and some of her stands on the issues.
Atlantic Yards Dominates Debate in District 35 (August 2009) The race between Councilmember Letitia James and her leading opponent may shape up as a referendum on the controversial development plan for downtown Brooklyn.
Gowanus Canal Looms over District 39 Race (August 2009) This Brooklyn district includes some of the city's most gentrified blocks -- but a key issue in the City Council campaign harkens back to the area's far grittier past.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates Would Plan from the Bottom Up (August 2009) The two Democrats seeking Mayor Michael Bloomberg's job hope to find votes in communities throughout the city where some residents feel the mayor's top down development policies have ignored the grass roots.
Tunnel Vision (August 2009) After three tries, a new Mass Transit Tunnel linking New Jersey and New York has broken ground. But advocates question whether this proposal will really ease traffic under the Hudson.
A Public-slash-Private Park (August 2009) The city has created a new plan for the ball fields on Randall's Island. Critics, though, are calling foul.
National Parkland Not on Radar (August 2009) Our parks columnist explores the national parkland along the New York Harbor -- an area most New Yorkers have never heard of.
Waiting to Wade (August 2009) More people are taking to the water, but has our access really improved? Check out this and more in Gotham Gazette's series on all things waterfront.
Communities Drowned Out (August 2009) As planners and developers eye the water's edge, are grassroots and community advocates losing their say?
The Comptroller Reality vs. the Chancellor's Reality (August 2009) While the State Assembly left mayoral control of schools largely intact, the changes it did make could increase oversight of the Department of Education and provide more insight into how well the schools are really doing.
Albany Aftershocks (August 2009) Now that the state Senate has calmed, what can be done to prevent another stalemate from shaking Albany? Our David King finds out.
New York's Now Beleaguered Financial Workforce - Tables (August 2009)
New York's Now Beleaguered Financial Workforce (August 2009) Employees in the once booming finance sector made far more than their counterparts in other industries. But it may be a long, long time before those jibs return.
Stated Meeting: Coney Island Gets a Facelift (July 2009) In an attempt to revitalize an area long known as "America's playground," the City Council approved a
27-acre redevelopment plan to turn Coney Island into a year-round destination, full of retail, hotels and entertainment.
Call it Las Vegas a la Brooklyn.
Closing the Landmarks Loophole (July 2009) The city's preservation law essentially allows the buildings departments and landmarks commission to ignore -- and even contradict -- one another. Several bills in City Council seek to change that.
Tony the Stowaway (July 2009) Despite a miniscule budget and little name recognition, Tony Avella thinks he can parlay his maverick reputation into victory in the Democratic primary for mayor. Most experts think that’s laughable.
A Rough Ride Awaits New MTA Chief (July 2009) Rockaways native Jay Walder hopes to return home to run the MTA. Can the man who brought the 'oyster' to London face down hostile politicians and really solve the city's mass transit's woes?
Dividing Albany's Pork Pie (July 2009) However disorganized they might seem, State Senate Democrats have managed to hand out millions of dollars to pet projects in their home districts. We look at who got what.
Bringing Home the Pork (July 2009)
As Trade Center Plans Falter, City Could Have a Sense of Deja Vu (July 2009) As the main players in the redevelopment of the World Trade site seem locked in a never-ending drama, Tom Angotti cautions that New Yorkers face the possibility that what is eventually built at Ground Zero will echo the worst attributes of the old trade center.
A Legal Victory for Tenants (July 2009) New York judges ruled a landlord could not throw a woman out of her rent-regulated apartment simply because she had left the city to care for her ailing parents.
The Race to Fill Morgenthau's Shoes (July 2009) Three Democrats vie to replace the legendary district attorney and consider how to bring change to an iconic office.
Parents in Prison, Children in Foster Care (July 2009) Mothers who go to jail risk losing their children to the foster care system. Even if the families finally reunite, it can take years to repair the breach.
Replacing Miguel Martinez (July 2009) Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to felony charges, resigned from City Council and faces years in prison. But his closest advisors still get to help pick his successor.
Unlocking the Apartment 'Warehouse' (July 2009) By some counts, the city has enough boarded up apartments to house all New York's homeless. Activists and public officials are pursuing a variety of strategies to spur building owners to put those warehoused apartments out on the market.
An Outer Borough Drought (July 2009) Gotham Gazette and Huffington Post asked readers how easy it was to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Those of you in affluent areas of Manhattan say veggies are ripe for the picking, but pockets in the outer boroughs are still struggling to get fresh produce.
A Fractured Senate Takes on Mayoral Control of Schools (July 2009) The fractured state Senate is unlikely to move on many controversial issues, but mayoral control of city schools seems to be the one they can't ignore.
The Citizen (July 2009) Washington tries again on immigration reform, the Sotomayor hearings begin, reporters examine the barriers immigrants face in city schools -- and more stories from the foreign language press.
Bump the Birds (July 2009) Candidates have until Thursday to file petitions to get on the primary ballot. Do you have what it takes to get on the ballot and stay there? Play 'Bump,' our latest game, and find out.
Recession Adds New Meaning to 'Struggling Artist' (July 2009) As galleries close, nonprofits cut back and even temp work becomes scarce, New York's creative people look for new ways to support themselves and their work.
Saving Arts Education from Politics (July 2009) The debate about mayoral control of schools should not ignore the arts, writes State Sen. José M. Serrano.
Amid Fireworks, the Senate Stalemate Continues (July 2009) Deadlines and the holiday fail to stop the senate stalemate. In response, the Bloomberg administration looks for lost revenues and assembles a Board of Education. Can anything break the deadlock?
After the Deadline... (July 2009) As June 30 ended, the State Senate remained mired in chaos. The city did not get its sales tax hike, and mayoral control of schools has sunset. What happens now?
Forgiving Penalties, Observing Muslim Holidays (July 2009)
Holidays were the topic of conversation at the City Council yesterday, with the body approving a three-month penalty forgiveness period for environmental fines as well as a resolution that urges the city schools to give students two Muslim holidays off.
Getting on the Ballot in Other Cities (June 2009)
'Political Intrigue' in a Personal Injury Case (June 2009) In a case recently heard in the Bronx, an undocumented immigrant tried to collect damages for wages he might lose in the future -- a future that might find him in Kosovo, not the U.S.
Understanding the Labyrinth: New York's Ballot Access Laws (June 2009) Has a politician asked for your signature lately? No wonder. Getting on the ballot, staying there and knocking opponents off has become a political blood sport.
Unemployed in New York (June 2009) Living on unemployment is never easy but it’s particularly difficult in New York -- where expenses are high and the payments are low. How do people make ends meet?
The King of Discretionary Dollars (June 2009) Who's the king (or queen) of pork this year? It’s time for our annual look at which City Council members got the most funding for their district, borough or favorite cause.
Coming Soon: Deeper City Deficits (June 2009) A look at the numbers makes it clear the city faces deeper deficits in the years ahead -- and fewer tools to fill the gaps.
Good Parks Are Good for the Economy (June 2009) Along with providing relief from concrete and places for reflection and recreation, parks offer an array of economic benefits and can even save taxpayers money.
As Time Runs Out, Paterson Tries to End the Deadlock (June 2009) With the chamber mired in acrimony and facing deadlines on key issues, the governor makes a move.
Band-Aid Budget (June 2009) Contrary to expectations, the new city budget does not include massive spending cuts or huge tax cuts. Good news -- or did officials just postpone the inevitable until after the election?
Foreclosure Threat Looms over Thousands of City Apartments (June 2009) As many as 80,000 New Yorkers may be the next victims of the real estate meltdown as some city landlords find they can't pay off both their mortgages and maintain their buildings.
City Left on the Sidelines as Senators Feud (June 2009) With the State Senate mired in tragedy, soap opera and farce, reforms, budgets and more hang in the balance. We report from Albany and City Hall on the policies at stake.
Doling Out Pork (June 2009) Who is slated to hand out the most member items this year? Find out before the City Council approves the new $59.4 billion budget today.
Who Got What - FY 2010 (June 2009)
Documenting the Undocumented (June 2009) The U.S. Census Bureau wants to count undocumented New Yorkers next year, but some want real immigration reform first.
Council and Mayor Reach Budget Deal (June 2009)
The City Council and the Bloomberg administration reached a budget deal last night, which will preserve the city's six-day library service but also raise the sales tax.
Though the agreement, which was solidified with the quintessential handshake, was announced two weeks before the city's budget deadline of July 1, it comes with a cloud of uncertainty since all of the city's proposed tax increases, worth a total of $887 million in revenue, need approval from the State Legislature. Though city officials say the state Assembly is ready to move the legislation forward, the State Senate is mired with political infighting over which party is in control, and it is in the process of settling the dispute in a courtroom.
Senate Turmoil Puts Everything in Doubt (June 2009) With the State Senate mired in tragedy, soap opera and farce, reforms, budgets and more hang in the balance. We report from Albany and City Hall on the policies at stake.
40 Years After Stonewall: New York's Role in the Movement (June 2009) Four decades after gay and lesbian people stood their ground outside a Village bar, Andy Humm surveys New York's role in gay life and the movement for equal rights.
Calling Home -- and Losing Minutes (June 2009) Many New Yorkers rely on calling cards to keep in touch with family overseas. All too often, they end up paying more and talking less than they had planned.
Stated Meeting: Dumbo's Dock Street Project Approved (June 2009) In a rare move, the City Council approved a development project despite the vocal opposition of the local council member. Councilmember David Yassky opposes the project, known as Dock Street Dumbo because, he says, it will permanently taint the view of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Endangered Community Boards (June 2009) Those 59 local groups face funding and staff cuts, but some fear the worst is yet to come. Will Mayor Michael Bloomberg try to restructure or even eliminate the boards?
Staying Out of Jail -- and in Upper Manhattan (June 2009) Every year, hundreds of inmates released from prisons return to the area's diverse neighborhoods. But many will stay only a short time before going back to prison again.
Legal Ruling Puts a Cork on the Bottle Bill (June 2009) The latest effort to expand the state's law on beverage deposits sputtered to a halt when bottled water companies filed suit to block it. Will the bill survive the challenges, legislative inaction -- and opposition from a prominent environmentalist?
Council and Mayor Reach Revenue Deal (June 2009)
The City Council and the Bloomberg administration have reached an agreement on a tax revenue package, which will increase the city's sales tax by .5 percent and tax clothing purchases over $110.
The move represents the first step towards a budget agreement at City Hall, which must be approved by the City Council by July 1. The administration and the council have not yet agreed on a spending plan , which could reduce the city's workforce by 13,541 positions and slash spending at all city agencies, from the Police Department to the Fire Department.
Breaking Down Barriers in the Fight Against Domestic Violence (June 2009) Abusive homes exist throughout U.S. society, but cultural patterns and fear of going to the police make this kind of violence a particular challenge in immigrant communities.
Pedro Espada's New Clout (June 2009) Rent control's fate could hinge on Sen. Pedro Espada -- although he's being investigated by the attorney general, hasn't paid campaign fines from 2001 and may not live in his district.
The Citizen: Sotomayor's Impact (June 2009)
Public Hospitals in Critical Condition (May 2009) Four clinics are set to shut, four mental health programs in New York City public schools won't be around next year, and three satellite pharmacies are about to fill their last prescriptions.
Zoning without Planning (May 2009) The administration boasts of its massive rezoning to reshape the city for the 21st century. To Tom Angotti, though, it's a swindle, promoting development at the expense of long-time residents.
Toxic Town (May 2009) New Yorkers see the smog in the air and garbage on the street. But many of the city's most polluted areas struggle for notice and cleanup. We look at three of them.
On the Gowanus, Say 'No' to Superfund (May 2009) David Von Spreckelsen, a senior vice president of Toll Brothers, which hopes to build along the Gowanus canal, argues the city has a better plan.
Brooklyn's Lavender Lake Needs Superfund (May 2009) Joshua Verleun, an attorney with Riverkeeper, writes that the Gowanus Canal area should be designated a Superfund site.
The Brooklyn-Queens Border: As Polluted as Ever (May 2009) The estuary separating Brooklyn and Queens has earned the dubious distinction of being one of the country's most polluted waterways. Residents, advocates and others have long pleaded for a cleanup -- to no avail. Is that finally about to change?
Staten Island's Toxic Stew (May 2009) This area of approximately 5.2 square miles includes more than 20 sites the government or residents consider contaminated -- many of them close to apartment buildings and houses. In March, the community learned of further dangers.
Court Limits Aid to Aged and Disabled (May 2009) New York's highest court has ruled legal residents who are not citizens are not required to receive the same disability benefits that citizens do.
Stated Meeting: Keeping Eyes on the Tenant Watch List (May 2009) Patrick and Tari Kelly had no idea they were blacklisted.
They were Midtown subletters for two years, until their temporary landlord decided to renovate the building. They moved to Queens and six years later tried to relocate again to Washington Heights.
The Regressive Effects of a Sale Tax Increase (May 2009) In opting for a hike in the sales tax and rejecting an income tax increase for wealthy New Yorkers, the mayor has chosen to largely spare the rich and tax the rest. Glenn Pasanen looks at the numbers and at Bloomberg's reasoning.
The Department of Education's Power Grip (May 2009) Under the current system, the schools resemble a bunker where students' rights can be violated, the advocacy director for the New York Civil Liberties Union writes. The group proposes measures to promote more transparency and involvement.
In Charge and Unaccountable (May 2009) The current system has shut out debate and dialogue, leaving the mayor and chancellor answerable to no one as they run a $18 billion department, contends the chairman of the City Council Education Committee.
The Great School Debate (May 2009) As discussion swirls around how the city's schools should be run, Joel Klein, leading politicians, parent advocates and others weigh in on what, if anything, needs to change.
Making Joel Klein Behave (May 2009) The Department of Education promises it will improve, but it continues to shut out parents and others, according to this former assistant principal and current member of the state Assembly. He offers suggestions for how the department could change its ways.
The Limits of Democracy (May 2009) While arguing they want to promote more democracy, opponents of mayoral control seek changes that would return us to the bad old days when no one was responsible for the schools, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute argues.
Beyond Governance -- Creating a Constitution for City Schools (May 2009)
New York's Gun Battle (May 2009) Despite police crackdowns, guns still wreak havoc in many New York neighborhoods. Will the killings in Binghamton prompt the state and federal governments to enact tighter controls?
Where Is New York's Lieutenant Governor? (May 2009) The post of lieutenant governor has remained vacant since David Paterson became governor more than a year ago. And it will remain that way until January2011. DeNora Getachew reviews the situation and how the state might fix it.
Gold from the Faucet (May 2009) The city's Water Board could increase rates another 14 percent this Friday. But why is our water getting so expensive?
Will the Bailout Plan Save the MTA? (May 2009) Yes, the state government rescued the MTA and staved off immediate disaster. But most questions about the authority's finances, operations and services -- and the plan itself -- remain unanswered.
Bill Thompson Hopes for an Upset (May 2009) Can an affable but quiet career politician topple a popular mayor with billions of dollars at his disposal? Bill Thompson thinks he can. But how?
Bills Seek to Help Women Prisoners Rebuild Lives (May 2009) The number of women in jail in New York State has increased sharply, and the vast majority are mothers caring for children. Now, advocates hope the state legislature will enact a series of bills addressing the unique problems of women prisoners -- and their families.
Stated Meeting: Scratching Out Etching Acid (May 2009) Carving out another obstacle for graffiti "vandals," the City Council approved legislation Wednesday requiring that merchants selling etching acid keep purchasers' personal information for a year.
A Retreat on False Arrests from Chelsea to Bushwick (May 2009) The police have had to back off from their arrests of gay men at adult bookstores and teens on their way to a wake in Brooklyn. Andy Humm updates the stories.
Bloomberg's Budget Revival (May 2009) The mayor's new budget sounds some familiar themes and gives a starring role to the sales tax. Will election year critics give it a thumps up or a thumbs down?
A Cliffhanger for New York's Film Industry (May 2009) The film and TV industry, lured by government incentives, has brought glory, jobs and money to New York. But now moviemakers worry the state could be ceding the spotlight.
Role Reversal: Contributions from Candidates (April 2009)
Just two candidates currently running for public advocate or city comptroller contributed to the Working Families Party last year, according to the Campaign Finance Board. Coincidentally, they were the same two candidates who received the party’s endorsement.
Council members John Liu, a comptroller candidate, and Bill de Blasio, who is running for public advocate, each doled out $10,000 to the third party last October, both saying it to went to fight against the extension of term limits.
About six months later, though, their contributions may have been rewarded with an influential endorsement from the group, opponents allege. A Working Families Party spokesman said the donations did not curry any favor at the endorsement table. The group based its decision on merit, said spokesperson Dan Levitan, calling Liu and de Blasio brave for standing up against the term limit extension.
On the MTA, Leaders Will Take What They Can Get (April 2009) As negotiations for an MTA rescue plan wear on, everyone seems to be lowering their expectations, wondering if the Senate can pass even a weak, short-term plan.
The End of the Rockefeller Era (April 2009) For years New York's harsh drug laws put all power in the hands of prosecutors and favored punishment over treatment. This month, that changed. A state Supreme Court judge examines the shift.
The Mayor's High Stakes Test (April 2009) After all the reports and rhetoric on mayoral control of city schools, it soon will come down to the only grade that matters -- the one from the state legislature.
Why Property Taxes Rise While Real Estate Falls (April 2009) How can property tax revenues rise as property values fall? When is a condo like a rental unit? Glenn Pasanen looks at the strange structure of New York's property tax system.
City Gears Up for Green Buildings (April 2009)
Perfectly timed for Earth Day, the Bloomberg administration and the City Council introduced a package of legislation yesterday that seeks to improve energy efficiency in large commercial buildings and could require about 20,000 buildings to improve their use of electricity.
The plan hopes to reduce the city's carbon footprint by 5 percent -- roughly comparable to the carbon emissions generated by Oakland, Calif.
A combination of updating the energy code and creating efficiency and lighting benchmarks, the energy plan already has racked up criticism from a wide array of interest groups, including the real estate industry and tenants rights advocates. Many are concerned over the financial impact of the legislation.
Summer Concerts Plan to Play On (April 2009) Free outdoor performances are a hallmark of summer in the city -- and so far it seems the recession will not change that.
Making Bikes a Key Part of New York's Transportation Mix (April 2009) A new city report sets out a plan for making bicycles a major part of New York's transportation system. Graham T. Beck detal the proposal that would let New Yorker pick up and drop off bikes all over town.
The Citizen (April 2009) Preparing for the 2010 census, coping with the worsening economy, finding an immigration lawyer and bridging potholes on 32nd Street. These and other stories from the ethnic and foreign language press. Also: Gentrification and roast pork buns
Chinatown Looks for a Way to Survive and Thrive (April 2009) Gentrification has come to the winding streets of the renowned neighborhood.
Failed Justice: Convicted but Innocent (April 2009) Alan Newton is one of the many New Yorkers who have spent years in prison for crimes they did not commit. What can we do to stop sending innocent people to jail?
The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage (April 2009) Whatever it does for civil rights, Gov. David Paterson's bill likely will cause headaches for state Democrats and give Republicans an issue in upstate districts where gay marriage remains unpopular.
Cleaning Up Pollution at New York's Ports (April 2009) The solution to reducing pollution from the area's vital shipping industry does not stop at the water's edge.
The Legislature Takes on Election Reform (April 2009) The state legislature has won few points for legislative activism these past few months, but one area where it might take action is election reform.
Yankee Stadium Is Opening but Not the Parks (April 2009) While the Yankees celebrate their new stadium, student and amateur athlete in the Bronx are still waiting for the new parks they were promised.
Even in Hard Times, Albany Offers a Feast of Pork (April 2009) The state may face a budget crisis and talk of fiscal austerity may fill the air but Albany legislators still love those member items -- or pork -- that let them deliver goodies to the folks back home. What they do not like is making telling the public which legislator got what -- and how the money will be used.
A Tangle of Problems Links Prison, Foster Care (April 2009) When a mother goes to jail, she may have to give up her child as well as her freedom. A look at the complicated interaction of the child welfare system and the criminal justice system.
The Bronx Family Feud (April 2009)
The call of "Don't forget to vote on April 21st" practically overpowers the latest Hot 97 hits pulsing from an audio store on the corner of Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue in the west Bronx.
Evening rush-hour riders depart from the screeching number 4 train, slide down two flights of stairs to the street to get a flyer, a handshake and a wide, mustached smile.
"I am running for Bronx borough president in two weeks," Assemblymember Ruben Diaz Jr. says, stretching out his hand.
Running might be an overstatement. For Diaz, who practically has a set of keys to borough hall already, walking would be a better characterization.
New Bills: Tracking Stimulus and Unattended Idlers (April 2009)
Fiscal crises don't stop the legislative process, which can be fueled at a faster rate in an election year.
Here is a sample of bills introduced at the City Council lately, some of which are destined to drift about in legislative purgatory The council is ready to consider bills that include requiring food inspector grades be posted to mandating a super majority for tax hikes.
Learning Another Language (April 2009) Even in diverse multicultural New York City, many students do not learn a language other than English.
Home Shops: 'One Stop' on the Road to Foreclosure (April 2009) One-stop shops dangled promises of quick, easy and inexpensive home ownership. Many New York families that succumbed to those promises now face financial ruin. Will government help?
City Faces a Rising Demand for Food Stamps (April 2009) With more and more New Yorkers needing help to buy food, many residents who would qualify for food stamps do not get them. The city says it is working to get the word out, but some experts say it could do more.
Breaking the Feast or Famine Tax Cycle (April 2009) Low-income, working New Yorkers may feast when they get their tax credits in the spring, but they face famine the rest of the year. An advocate offers a simple, low-cost solution.
Stated Meeting: Council Moves to Protect Access to Clinics (April 2009) In an attempt to clear a path for patients at reproductive clinics, the City Council approved legislation strengthening the city's clinic access law, allowing police to arrest protesters that harass those seeking medical care.
What the State Budget Means for the City (April 2009) Whatever the many criticisms of the new state budget for better or worse it does restore substantial amounts of aid to New York City and will stave off any teacher layoffs, at least for now.
Small Business: Suffering in Good Times and Bad (March 2009) With 'for rent' signs popping up on storefronts around the city, is it time for commercial rent regulation? Some City Council members think so.
In Albany, Budget Battles Behind Closed Doors (March 2009) Despite new leaders, promises of openness and a dire financial situation, it was business as usual in Albany where leaders negotiated in secret to reach agreement on a new state budget.
Punishing Drivers Who Kill (March 2009) Drivers who kill pedestrians on New York City streets often go virtually unpunished. Advocates think it's time for lawmakers, police and prosecutors to change that.
Council Extends Rent Stabilization (March 2009)
Rent stabilized tenants can rest assured their apartments will remain on regulated rolls for another three years.
The City Council approved a three-year extension of rent stabilization by a vote of 48 to 2 on Tuesday -- action that has been pro forma since the 1960s. Council members Jimmy Oddo and Vincent Ignizio, both Republicans from Staten Island, voted against the extension.
City, State Do Little to Address Female Genital Cutting (March 2009) Thousands of women in New York, immigrants from parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, have undergone female genital cutting or face the risk of it here. Yet the city and state does little to help these women or to prevent cutting from taking place.
Keeping New York Afloat (March 2009) What can city government do to help New York emerge from the recession? A variety of experts offer their prescriptions, while small-business owners discuss how the downturn affects them.
Finance for the Future (March 2009)
Cutting Back -- Except for Transit (March 2009)
Keeping the Middle Class (March 2009)
Working to Help New York Recover (March 2009)
Tax Justice in a New Economy (March 2009)
Using Tax Incentives Wisely (March 2009)
How to Plug the Growing Budget Gap (March 2009) The city's fiscal plight may be even worse than feared. So where can the mayor and City Council find an extra billion dollars or so? Glenn Pasanenen reviews the projections and the options.
The Citizen (March 2009) Depending on who you ask, immigrant children thrive in our classrooms -- or remain far behind. This month's Citizen focuses on education, with other stories on the economy, a food fight in Queens and more.
Court Limits 'Today Only' Plea Bargains (March 2009) In an unusual decision, a state appeals court reversed the conviction of a dentist who pleaded guilty so he could remain out on bail.
With Clock Ticking, Senate Plan Does Little to End MTA Impasse (March 2009) With only a week to go before the MTA has said it will have to begin raising fares and slashing service, the Senate has come up with a proposal critics assail for being slapdash, ridden with bad math and shortsighted.
Priced Out: Council Looks to Keep Apartments Affordable (March 2009)
The signs of eviction -- abandoned furniture dotting the hallways, renovation crews climbing stories with paint cans in tow -- characterize the latter years of Terry Bocanelli's stint on the West Side of Manhattan.
A resident there for more than 15 years, Bocanelli's 31st Street apartment building has become a revolving door: rent stabilized tenants leave and higher income residents swoop in. The newer transplants bring more than their belongings. They bring with them higher rents.
New Debates Over Church, State, School and Charters (March 2009) Several parochial schools could reopen next September as public charter schools. A Hebrew language charter was just approved. Does this blur the line between secular and religious education?
How to Fight an International Landlord (March 2009) Tenants in East Harlem used consumer law and forged international alliances in their fight to protect residents of rent-stabilized apartment. Would these tactics work for other New Yorkers concerned about gentrification?
Cutting Back on Democracy (March 2009) With the mayor's budget calling for a 17 percent cut in spending for community boards, a board president argues the reduction will make it harder for New Yorkers to have their say.
Council Takes a Bite Out of Bed Bugs (March 2009)
The City Council tried to bite bed bugs back Wednesday when it unanimously approved legislation spurring the city to investigate the epidemic.
The bill requires the city form a task force to make recommendations on how to stop infestations currently ravaging apartments citywide.
The council also approved legislation requiring the registration of debt collectors, the reinstatement of a waterfront advisory board and an increase in fees for waste transfer station operators.
The Tough Battle to Repeal Tough Drug Laws (March 2009) The stars seemed perfectly aligned in Albany for repeal of New York's harsh Rockefeller drug laws. But the Assembly has passed a bill that would preserve several key aspects of the law, the Senate might not pass even that, and Gov. Paterson seems to be retreating from his previous position.
Council Committee Frequency (March 2009)
Stimulating a Cleaner Environment (March 2009) The federal stimulus package provides billions of dollars to help New York State improve its environment and expand the use of alternative energy.
A City Council Scorecard: Who's Engaged and Who's Not? (March 2009) Which City Council member skips a third of all meetings, and who never misses one? Who is the chamber's top naysayer? And which committee chair held just six meetings in three years?
Special Elections: Better than the Alternative? (March 2009) With three special elections just completed and another on the way, Andrea Senteno looks at how New York City replaces elected officials who leave office mid-term.
Plan to Toll Bridges Encounters More Roadblocks (March 2009) Legislators raise a new round of objections to plans to charge a toll to cross New York City's bridges. Can this rescue plan be saved?
A Food Policy for New York (March 2009) While the city tries to come up with ways to curb obesity and diabetes, one official proposes an overall food policy.
Budget Takes an Ax to Programs for Open Space (March 2009) While just about every area of state spending will take a major hit in next year's budget, the fund that provides money for parks and open space is set to bear a particularly heavy burden.
Rural Legislator, City Issue: How Upstaters Decide (March 2009) From Nesconset to Niagara, all legislators in the state get to rule on matters affecting only New York City. So what influences their votes? It's not as simple as you might think.
Court Upholds a Hole in 'Safety Net' (March 2009) In a case brought by two women who later were evicted from their homes, New York's highest court has ruled the state's housing allowance does not have to be generous enough to actually pay the rent.
Trying to Keep Abusive Teens from Becoming Abusive Adults (March 2009) As thousands of teens report being assaulted by the person they date, a specialized court in Brooklyn tries to stop teen batterers from becoming adult abusers.
Stated Meeting: Clerk Battle and Food Allergies (February 2009) In a borough against borough battle over a well-paid political patronage position at City Hall Thursday, Queens won when the City Council approved the appointment of a Woodside resident to the post of city clerk.
Recession Dims American Dream for Business Students (February 2009) The recession and tighter government restrictions have made it hard for international business students to find jobs and remain in the U.S. But despite the downturn, American business schools and Wall Street career still hold allure.
Offering New Businesses a Place to Grow (February 2009) To help rescue displaced Wall Streeters, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to create spaces where entrepreneurs can set up and nurture new businesses. The city already is home to number of such incubators. How do they work and how successful are they?
New York and the Fight Over the 2010 Census (February 2009) How the country conducts next year's national headcount will determine how many congressional seats New York has -- and how much federal money it gets.
Confronting the Condo Glut (February 2009) The economy deserves most of the blame for all those empty apartments around town. But did the city contribute to the problem? And can it do anything to fix it?
The Citizen (February 2009) New York's newcomers are feeling the full force of the recession -- and trying to adapt. Also the housing squeeze, celebrating Lunar New Year and other stories in The Citizen.
Taxing the Rich: An Idea Whose Time Has Come? (February 2009) With Wall Street millionaires the people America loves to hate, and the state facing a huge budget deficit, it would seem the ideal time to up the income tax on the wealthiest New Yorkers. But Gov. Paterson and leaders of the State Senate have their doubts.
Creative Ways to Tax and Cut (February 2009) Beyond the standard taxing and slashing, how can the city find money for vital services in these tough times? A look at some alternatives.
Another State of the City (February 2009)
Council Speaker Christine Quinn, quite out of character, opposed the Bloomberg administration on two issues last week.
First, she led the council in overriding a mayoral veto of residency requirements for the city's largest municipal workers union. A day after, Quinn announced a plan to solve the city's fiscal woes: increase income taxes for the richest New Yorkers.
The proposal puts the speaker at odds with her governing partner, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who suggested in his preliminary budget that the city increase and broaden the city sales tax to close a $4 billion deficit.
So far, it seems Quinn has a more crowded corner.
For the past three budget cycles, the mayor and the speaker have had relatively mild-mannered -- even affable -- budget negotiations. With about five months to go in the negotiation process, they are already at odds.
A Budget Expert Looks at the Numbers (February 2009)
Complicated Calculus in Race to Replace Monserrate (February 2009)
Personality, Not Policy Marks Debate in South Queens (February 2009)
On the North Shore, Candidates Seek to Ease Traffic (February 2009)
Stated Meeting: Residency Redux and Inspecting Water Tanks (February 2009) In a rare disagreement with the Bloomberg administration, the City Council Wednesday overrode a mayoral veto of a bill that would allow certain municipal employees to live outside of the city after working for two years.
A Call for Tighter Ethics Laws (February 2009) With Joseph Bruno under indictment, good government groups want a series of reform that they say would tighten the ethics rules governing the state's politicians while opening them up to increased scrutiny. Not surprisingly, it could be a tough sell.
Meet the Independent Budget Office (February 2009) Have any questions about the administration’s new preliminary budget? Ronnie Lowenstein of the Independent Budget Office will join Gotham Gazette City Hall reporter Courtney Gross to answer your questions live. Check back here at 2 p.m. to participate.
Bike Lanes Run into Opposition (February 2009) In the never-ending fight for space in the city, bike lanes run into opposition.
Fix the Budget (February 2009) Play Balance, Gotham Gazette's new game and see if you can fill New York's $4 billion budget gap. Cut, tax or spend -- as long as you make it balance.
Free Buses, Cheaper Subways -- and a Solution to New York's Traffic (February 2009) Free buses, cheap subways -- and money to pay for them
Trying -- Again -- to Change the Drug Laws (February 2009) For decades, activists have pressed the state's leaders to totally overhaul or repeal New York's harsh Rockefeller drug laws. Now Gov. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Silver have called for major changes, but Senate Democrats have yet to take a firm stand on the issue.
Finding a Converter Box Before the Big Switch (February 2009) Consumers encounter a myriad of problems as they seek to ensure their televisions will work after the scheduled switch to a digital signal on Feb. 17. Is the city doing anything to help?
Paterson's Bitter Pill (February 2009) Gov, David Paterson's proposed budget hits New York City harder than other localities in the state -- and Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn't like that one bit.
How to Balance the State Budget (February 2009) Tax and balance: Where can New York find the fist full of dollars it needs to fill its gaping budget gap?
An Election Year Budget (February 2009) The mayor calls for job cuts, a higher sales tax, hundreds of teacher layoffs and all-around slashing. How will such a gloomy plan play out in an election year?
Police Charged with False Arrests of Gay Men at Adult Video Stores (February 2009) A spate of arrests for prostitution at gay video stores is prompting outrage and charges of police misconduct.
Stated Meeting: Shutting Engines At Schools (January 2009) If you're idling you car engine near a school, City Council wants you to shut it off. That's the message the council sent Wednesday when it passed two bills bolstering the city's ability to issue tickets for engine idling citywide and reducing the time a driver can idle near school grounds. The council also passed legislation that enables the city to track construction contractors' safety records and requires safety managers at sites with problem contractors.
Making Voting Easier (January 2009) A number of changes could make it easier to vote in New York State and increase the number of people who cast ballots.
Will the State Senate Save Rent Control? (January 2009) Tenants groups had hoped a Democratic majority in the State Senate would tighten New York's rent control laws and usher in a new era of pro tenant legislation. But then came the revolt by the 'gang of three.' So, what is the outlook for housing issues now?
Scaling Back Free Parking Privileges (January 2009) The administration vowed to sharply limit parking privileges for its employees. A year later, how much have things changed?
What's Happened to the Plant in the Park (January 2009) In four years, the cost of building a controversial water filtration plant has tripled. The city defends the deal, while critics maintain they were right all along.
New Bills: From Parking to Playgrounds (January 2009)
More than 230 pieces of legislation were introduced in 2008, most of which won't ever become law.
We waded through some of those bills to give you a roundup of those that were proposed more recently. Council members have proposed legislation spanning the policy spectrum, from banning the sale of dust remover to minors to regulating parking permits for teachers.
Protection for Abuse Victims (January 2009) In a recent ruling in Housing Court, a judge stopped a landlord from evicting an abused woman, putting into action a federal law prevents that a person from being punished for being battered.
The Obama Stimulus: An $825 Billion First Step (January 2009)
The Citizen (January 2009) Job losses hit many immigrant communities, prompting some to ponder whether to stay or go. Also organizing taxi drivers, spreading the Gospel and more from the foreign language press.
Paying Attention to Cities (January 2009)
Infrastructure Investments that Make Sense (January 2009)
The Senate Looks at How It Operates (January 2009) With their majority finally solidified, the State Senate Democrats last week passed rules changes, which they say, are designed to create more legislative transparency and to balance the power rift between the majority and the minority. Even though the Democrats had moved on reform issues after years of pleading for the same courtesy from the Republican leadership, their actions were greeted with derision by some and a tempered optimism by others.
From Gas Guzzling Cars to Clean Buses (January 2009)
Using This Crisis to Prevent the Next One (January 2009) For all the pain it is causing, the sagging economy presents us with the chance to rebuild our economy in a way that prevents similar economic crises in the future. The federal economic stimulus package before Congress offers an opportunity to build a greener and more equitable economy.
Can Obama Help Save New York? (January 2009) With New York battered by the recession, several experts offer ideas about what the new administration might do to spur investment here, repair our infrastructure and create good jobs.
Asian Americans: A Growing Force in City Politics (January 2009) As John Liu gears up to run for a citywide office, a new group of Asian American politicians look to fill his post and other elected offices around the city.
A Recovery Package From Bloomberg (January 2009)
Trumpeting, both literally and metaphorically, New Yorkers' ability to get through tough times, Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed a nine-part "recovery package" during his annual State of the City address Thursday, confirming to many attendees that the 2009 campaign season has started.
Meticulously orchestrated and equipped with its own theme ("New Yorkers. Together."), the mayor's address was accompanied by came with a small marching band brandishing the Brooklyn Dodgers label, a chorus from a Brooklyn elementary school and a documentary short courtesy of Ric Burns, which retold stories of triumph against tragedy in New York City.
The address, which the mayor usually uses to lay out his policy agenda for the coming year, focused primary on getting the city through the current recession, including a j proposal to bring in 400,000 positions. The mayor also focused on quality of life crimes, in an attempt to keep the city from reverting back to the 1970s, when core city services were cut amid an economic downturn.
The Budget Outlook Goes from Bad to Worse (January 2009) The city's November budget projections now read like ancient history as the deepening recession has already led to major job losses and plummeting revenues.
Mixing Gas and Water: Drilling in the City's Watershed. (January 2009) Drilling for natural gas upstate could pose a serious threat to the city's pure, tasty drinking water. Will New York City even have a say before the 'fracking' begins?
The Democrats Take Albany (January 2009) The shifts in the capital should boost city issues, but following the governor's State of the State, many activists wonder whether the new Albany will look a lot like the old.
Stated Meeting: Council Approves Firearm Reporting (January 2009) If police officers pull their triggers the City Council will now be put on notice under legislation passed unanimously by the council on Wednesday.
The 2009 Race: How Term Limits Changed the Political Landscape (January 2009) The extension of term limits uprooted the 2009 political landscape. Or did it? Many incumbents may now face challengers who hope anger over the extra term will work to their advantage.
A New Name for Our Premier Waterway (January 2009) No waterway belongs to New York City quite the way the East River does. But we've saddled it with a dull and misleading name. Erik Baard suggests an alternative.
Going Beyond the Maximum in a Gun Case (December 2008) Gun trafficking in Brooklyn presents a greater danger to the public than the crime would in many other parts of the country -- and so justifies a harsher sentence, a federal appeals court has ruled.
Looking Ahead to the New Year (December 2008) In our yearly run at fortune telling, prominent New Yorkers offer their prognostications for 2009. Will Wall Street become desolation row? Will we still like Mike? And what about those Yankees?
Top New York Stories of 2008 (December 2008) In December 2007, Clinton dominated the polls, Spitzer lorded over Albany, and Wall Street traders cashed their bonus checks. What a difference a year makes. We look back at 2008.
A Federal Stimulus for City Parks (December 2008) Advocates hope the Obama administration and its stimulus package will put urban parks back on the agenda as it moves to invest in a greener future.
The Council Passes Budget Cuts (December 2008)
After six weeks of debate, the City Council approved a 7 percent property tax hike and approximately $500 million in spending cuts on Thursday to address a budget deficit that continues to widen as an economic recession grips the nation.
The property tax hike was approved by a vote of 33 to 18 with critics arguing a tax increase would further fray the empty pockets of New Yorkers.
New Yorkers Rate Their Government (December 2008) As the mayor and City Council fight over budget, they might want to turn to a new public survey on what New Yorkers think of how their government spends their money.
Cultural Groups Wonder Just How Bad Things Will Get (December 2008) Arts organizations rely on government funds, private contributions, and ticket sales. The current recession threatens all three.
Paying for Transit: Fares or Fees, Tolls or Taxes? (December 2008) Three plans offer three very different ways of plugging the MTA's the budget gap. Graham Beck examines the proposals.
From Wall Street to Taxi Stand: The Recession Trickles Down (December 2008)
Stated Meeting: Tax Bills on the Floor (December 2008) The City Council has its own solution to New York's fiscal crisis: Don't tax New Yorkers. Tax tourists.
Can Private Methods Save Public Housing? (December 2008) Can higher rents and a different management approach help New York's housing projects survive? Nicholas Dagen-Bloom looks at the legacy of housing authority chairman Tino Hernandez.
Delivering Better Pay (December 2008) Deliverymen careening hurtling through city streets to bring you coconut sticky rice and fried wonton with plum sauce have gone to court to get better pay -- and, so far, they're winning.
The Citizen (December 2008) New York's immigrants reflect on what Barack Obama's victory means for them. Also tough times in Chinatown, Bangladeshis cut back, a Latino political rebellion and other stories from the foreign language press.
Avoiding Charities With Coal-Filled Stockings (December 2008)
The Fight Over Broadcasting's 'White Space' (December 2008) With the switchover to digital television, a major swath of the television band will become available. Who will get it -- and what could they do with it?
Advancing Rights (December 2008) The changes in Albany – and the overall political climate – will dramatically alter the landscape in New York for civil rights issues, including same sex marriage and reproductive rights.
A Changing Climate on Global Warming: What the Election Means (December 2008) A recent speech by President-elect Obama heralded a major shift in efforts to combat global warming. Rich Kassel looks at some specifics and what they mean for New York.
Budget Battle: Round 1 (December 2008) As the economy collapses, the mayor wants to cut spending now and end a tax rebate. City Council has balked, offering a preview of future fiscal fracases.
The Mayor's Budget-Cutting Strategy (November 2008) Balancing the city's budget promises to get far more difficult in the next couple of years. As New York's fiscal condition worsens, what approach will the mayor take?
Working for a Greener Harlem (November 2008) A Harlem activist group seeks to use the mayor's sustainability plan to improve health and the environment in northern Manhattan
The Public Speaks on Budget Cuts (November 2008)
For David De Porte, the Department for the Aging's intergenerational program doesn't just provide him with companionship. It gives him a set of eyes.
De Porte, a blind lifelong resident of the West Village, meets with teenage volunteers who help him shop for groceries, fill out paperwork and check prescriptions at the drug store.
The Senate's Demographic Shift (November 2008) If the Democrats can keep their edge in the State Senate in the 2010 elections, they stand to hold their grip on the legislature for years, if not decades, to come.
From the West Side: A 'Roadmap' for City Streets (November 2008) A new proposal for the Upper West Side calls for more greenery, bike friendly streets, places to sit and slower traffic. But will residents agree to give up their parking spaces?
Where the Cuts Come From (November 2008)
Stated Meeting: Trendy, Endangered Neighborhood Rezoned (November 2008) New York City's most "endangered neighborhood" was rezoned by the City Council today in an attempt to stave off gentrification and boost affordable housing.
After the Meltdown: New York's Future (November 2008) Things look grim now -- and will probably get worse -- but the city still faces a fairly bright future, if government makes the right decisions.
Queens Development Plans Approved (November 2008) After much debate and opposition, the City Council Thursday approved a plan to develop Willets Point, a polluted industrial area of Queens. To win support, the administration agreed to provide more affordable housing on the site and to protections for local businesses.
Choosing Sides in the Fight Over Schools (November 2008) Another term for Mayor Bloomberg would let him run city schools for four more years-- if the legislature extends mayoral control. Look for a tough fight with warring statistics, rival reports and lots of spin.
Stimulus Money: The Downturn's Silver Lining? (November 2008) The silver lining in the current economic turmoil could be federal funds for transportation projects. The MTA is making its list, but there are sure to be lots of restrictions -- and competition.
The Council's Income (November 2008)
The Conflicts at the Conflicts of Interest Board (November 2008) As the steward of City Hall integrity, the Conflicts of Interest Board was thrust into the limelight during the term-limits debate. A look at how it balances government ethics and private interests.
The Other Power Shift (November 2008) Election Day brought change to Albany too as Democrats won the State Senate, solidifying their power in New York. A group of experts tell us what that could mean for spending, transit, health -- and more.
Longtime Incumbent Seeks Two More Years (November 2008)
Staten Island 61st Assembly District: Titone Tries for a Full Term (November 2008)
Staten Island 60th Assembly District: A Swing Seat (November 2008)
Bronx/Manhattan 28th Senate District: A Serrano in the Seat (November 2008)
Staten Island 24th Senate District: Seeking Re-election in a GOP Stronghold (November 2008)
Election Results 2008 - General (November 2008)
Term Limits Extension Gets Final Signature (November 2008)
Scores of New York City residents filed into the mayor's side of City Hall -- a rare space for such a public spectacle -- for the city's final hearing on term limits Monday morning.
Despite the relentless opposition and at times piercing criticism, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as expected, signed a term limits extension into law just before 2 p.m., effectively allowing dozens of term-limited officials, including himself, to seek another four years in office.
Bronx 84th Assembly District: Arroyo Seeks Another Term (November 2008)
Bronx 82nd Assembly District: A Three-peat in the Northeast (November 2008)
Staten Island 63rd Assembly District: Running on Four Lines (November 2008)
Staten Island 62nd Assembly District: Going for a Full Term on the South Shore (November 2008)
Bronx 32nd Senate District: Running from Both Sides of the Fence (November 2008)
Bronx/Manhattan 31st Senate District: Surviving in a Different District (November 2008)
Bronx/Manhattan 31st Senate District: Surviving in a Different District (November 2008)
Queens 30th Assembly District: Running from a Flower Shop (November 2008)
Queens 28th Assembly District: A Republican Tries Again (November 2008)
Queens 26th Assembly District: A Low-Budget Race in Bayside (November 2008)
Queens 23rd Assembly District: Running Against Albany (November 2008)
Queens 12th Senate District: 25 Years in Albany (November 2008)
It's the Economy (November 2008) The plummeting economy hits New York's immigrant communities. Also, the lost campaign issue, wages for deliverymen -- and more from the foreign language press.
Immigrants Confront the Recession (November 2008) Workers in service industries and construction stand to face tough times as the economy spirals down.
Brooklyn/Staten Island 24th Senate: Red Borough, Blue District (November 2008)
Bronx 81st Assembly District: A Challenger Hangs On (November 2008)
Bronx 80th Assembly District: Rivera Faces Two Opponents (November 2008)
Bronx Assembly District 78: Rivera's Easier Contest (November 2008)
A Third Round in Highbridge (November 2008)
A 22-Year-Old Seeks to Topple a Veteran (November 2008)
Kavanagh Seeks to End the Turnover (November 2008)
GOP Hits Snags in the Silk Stocking District (November 2008)
Party Leader Runs Again (November 2008)
Jeffries Seeks a Second Term (November 2008)
Former Councilmember Seeks to Remain in Assembly (November 2008)
A Familiar Contest in Bushwick (November 2008)
Challenging the Party Chief (November 2008)
Schools, Environment Issues in Brownstone District (November 2008)
A Three-Way Race in Sunset Park (November 2008)
Party Activist Looks for Upset (November 2008)
Businesswoman Challenges Incumbent (November 2008)
More than $1 Million for an Easy Race (November 2008)
Veteran Challenges Former Teacher (November 2008)
Challenger's Campaign Fades (November 2008)
A Property Tax for Parks? (October 2008) The existence of a good park can enhance the value of property in adjacent areas. Now some advocates want to use part of that extra money to fund park programs.
First Amendment Rights and the Classroom (October 2008) Can New York City teachers wear their McCain or Obama buttons in the classroom? The judge's ruling was the latest in a string of decisions involving political speech in schools.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter (October 2008) The presidential candidates will not be the only ones on the Nov. 4 ballot. Our guide zeros in on State Senate and Assembly races and other vital election information.
Brooklyn State Assembly District 46: Former Staffer Challenges an Incumbent (October 2008) Brooklyn State Assembly District 46
Bronx Assembly District 76: A Frequent Candidate Tries Again (October 2008) Bronx Assembly District 76
Manhattan Assembly District 68: Powell Faces Two Challengers (October 2008) Manhattan Assembly District 68
Manhattan Assembly District 67: A Former Nadler Aide vs. a Former Nadler Opponent (October 2008) Manhattan Assembly District 67
Manhattan Assembly District 65: New Incumbent Seeks a Full Term (October 2008) Manhattan Assembly District 65
Manhattan Assembly District 44: Longtime Incumbent Faces a Party Activist (October 2008) Manhattan Assembly District 44
Brooklyn Assembly District 43: Trying for a Full Term in Crown Heights (October 2008) Brooklyn Assembly District 43
Brooklyn Assembly District 41: Going for Three Decades in Office (October 2008) Brooklyn Assembly District 41
Brooklyn Senate District 17: A Second Round in Northern Brooklyn (October 2008) Brooklyn Senate District 17
Bronx Senate District 36: Rematch in the Bronx (October 2008) Bronx Senate District 36
Bronx Senate District 34: Klein Goes for Three (October 2008) Bronx Senate District 34
Bronx Senate District 33: Espada's New Clout (October 2008) Bronx Senate District 33
Manhattan Senate District 32: Duane Faces Little Known Challenger (October 2008) Manhattan Senate District 32
Brooklyn Senate District 27: Brighton Beach's $1.8 Million Man (October 2008) Brooklyn Senate District 27
Manhattan Senate District 25: A Republican Tries to Beat the Odds (October 2008) Manhattan Senate District 25
Brooklyn Senate District 20: Adams Seeks Re-election (October 2008) Brooklyn Senate District 20
Brooklyn Senate District 19: Sampson Seeks Another Term (October 2008) Brooklyn Senate District 19
Brooklyn Senate District 18: Looking for a Landslide? (October 2008) Brooklyn Senate District 18
Queens Senate District 11: A GOP Incumbent Seeks to Turn Back a Democratic Tide (October 2008) Queens Senate District 11
And the Winner Is ... (October 2008) Congratulations to Amanda DiLodovico, sophomore at Marymount Manhattan College, whose essay about the importance of funding for special education was selected by our readers as the best of the finalists in Gotham Gazette's first essay contest.
A Shift in Albany Could Avert Higher Rents (October 2008) With fewer and fewer rent regulated apartments in the city, this year's state election could stop the erosion of rent stabilization in New York City?
City Council Approves Term Limits Extension (October 2008) In its most divisive vote in recent memory, the City Council approved an extension of term limits clearing the way for nearly two thirds of its members, several borough presidents, the comptroller, public advocate and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for a third term.
Thursday afternoon’s vote reverses two referenda approved in the 1990s and drastically changes the circumstances for next year's city elections.
A President's New York Prosecutors (October 2008) A new administration in Washington could mean new top federal prosecutors in New York City.
Candidates Offer Different Plans to Cool Climate Change (October 2008) The economy and national security have drowned out much discussion of climate change in the campaign, but the candidates have staked out positions on climate change that are worth noting.
The Candidates' Prescriptions (October 2008) With most Americans worried about health insurance, McCain and Obama suggest very different cures. What would the plans mean for New Yorkers?
Amid Economic Turmoil, the Candidates Talk Taxes (October 2008) As the city tries to grapple with the effects of the economic turmoil, the presidential candidates and local officials debate who to tax and how to spend.
Educating Children with Special Needs (October 2008)
What The Candidates Can't Do (October 2008) 2008 Essay Contest Finalist
Beyond the Rhetoric of Change (October 2008) 2008 Essay Contest Finalist
Sad Times Call for a Bit of Optimism (October 2008) 2008 Essay Contest Finalist
The Fading of the American Dream (October 2008) 2008 Essay Contest Finalist
The McCain-Obama Mismatch on Urban Policy (October 2008) Barack Obama has an urban policy that extends beyond cities to entire metropolitan regions, while his opponent, John McCain, has largely ignored the issue.
For Council, Another Term Holds Risks and Rewards (October 2008) Would voting to extend term limits enhance City Council's power -- or reinforce its image as a band of marionettes?
Small Town Values in a Big City Election (October 2008) McCain and Obama debated three times without ever discussing cities. Why do national politicians seem to think we all live in small towns? And for those of us who don't, a look at where the candidates stand on urban issues.
Term Limits as a Voting Right Issue (October 2008) Mayor Michael Bloomberg's effort to ignore the results of two referenda on term limits and run again raises a number of civil rights issues, but advocacy groups remain divided on the controversy.
A City's New Poverty Guidelines (October 2008) The administration has a new way of calculating who is poor in New York. What effect will that have on the millions of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet?
Tackling Campaign Finance Reform (October 2008) It's an election year -- and in New York State, candidates have a virtual license to raise as much as they can any way they can. Is there a better way?
Brooklyn's Retail Boom (October 2008) From quirky hip boutiques to the Target at the Junction, has Brooklyn solved every city's retail riddle? Julia Vitullo-Martin thinks it has.
Stated Meeting: Waterfronts and East Harlem (October 2008) All of the city's attention may be turned to term limits, but at its stated meeting on Tuesday -- in addition to introducing legislation that would extend the limit from two to three terms -- City Council unanimously approved a bill to develop a master plan for the city's waterfronts.
Federal Transportation Spending: Pork or Priority? (October 2008) In the first of our series on key urban issues in this year's election campaign, Graham T. Beck looks at what an Obama or a McCain administration might do to fix the nation's ailing highways and over-crowded buses and trains.
Comparing Proposals on Term Limits (October 2008)
Economic Fallout (October 2008)
Make That Three: Bloomberg's Reelection Bid (October 2008) Let's assume Mayor Bloomberg convinces City Council to change the term limits law and wins re-election -- what could he do about the economy anyway?
Poll: Should Bloomberg Seek a Third Term? (October 2008)
Looking at the Record: Taxes and Homelessness (September 2008) Three recent reports examine key tax issues and the city's record on homelessness and provide one way to measure the Bloomberg administration's performance.
Stated Meeting: Tax Breaks for Industry (September 2008) Looking to save millions –albeit years from now – the City Council approved legislation on Wednesday that revises the city’s industrial and commercial development incentive program to further limit what type of projects can receive a tax break.
A New Push to Let Non-Citizens Vote (September 2008) Advocates have revived their efforts to let legal residents of the city who are not yet citizens vote in municipal elections.
Preparing for the Great New York Earthquake (September 2008) Many New Yorkers see an earthquake here as about as likely as a UFO invasion. But scientists say we may not be as safe as we thought.
The Citizen (September 2008) Will immigrant voters make a difference this year? What issues concern them? "The Citizen" looks at Campaign 2008.
Also: Voting without Citizenship
Rights and Recognition for Same-Sex Marriage (September 2008) New York's courts and governors have said, if you're married in another state you're married here, whatever your sex and that of your spouse.
The Fight for New York Televisions (September 2008) As Verizon moves in to the New York cable television market, Time Warner and Cablevision battle to preserve their turf. What does it mean for customers?
From Parking Space to People Place (September 2008) In the year since the first National Park(ing) Day, New York City has stepped up efforts to transform roadways and parking spaces into plazas and parks.
Disclosure Bill's Uncertain Future (September 2008) Mayor Michael Bloomberg's disclosure bill went pretty much unnoticed when it was introduced in June.
The Long Fight to End Homelessness (September 2008) With a year to go, Mayor Bloomberg has not met his ambitious goals for reducing homelessness. Several experts weigh in what's gone right, what's gone wrong and what needs to happen.
Getting Families Out of Shelters and Into Homes (September 2008) While this week's legal settlement was historic in that he enshrined the right to shelter for city families, New York must do far more to lower the homeless population, say the executive director and senior policy analyst at the Coalition for the Homeless.
Fighting Homelessness in Miami (September 2008) In the early 1990s, Miami was overrun with homelessness. Now, thanks to a one-cent tax on certain restaurant meals, the area has become a national model getting people off the streets and into housing and other programs.
Handing Out to the Homeless (September 2008) Gotham Gazette rides with a group of volunteers distributing meals to Lower Manhattan's homeless.
On Track to Ending Homelessness (September 2008) The president and founder of the Doe Fund writes that no administration has been more innovative, forward-thinking and successful than Mayor Michael Bloomberg's at tackling the challenges of homelessness.
For Homelessness, Prevention is the Best Medicine (September 2008) The chair of the City Council's General Welfare Committee suggests several ways to better combat homelessness, such as investing more funding in prevention.
The End of Wall Street as We Know It (September 2008) The recent turmoil means the end of Wall Street as we know it. Now what? James Parrott offers a program for change.
The Downside of Low-Cost Buses (September 2008) The intercity buses save New Yorkers energy and money. But the boom in bus travel also clogs streets, jam already crowded sidewalks and pollute the air.
Cutting the High Cost of Housing (September 2008) Housing is so expensive in New York partly because it costs so much to build here. Rosemary Scanlon and Hope Cohen suggest what state and local government can do about it.
Third Term's The Charm (September 2008)

A Vanishing Culture? (September 2008) Original plans called for four arts institutions to occupy the World Trade Center site. Now only one remains -- and it faces an uncertain future.
After 7 Years, Breathing Ailments Persist (September 2008)
The Question Mark Over Fiterman Hall (September 2008)
2008 Primary Results (September 2008)
Rebuilding Ground Zero: Long-term Costs of Short-term Planning (September 2008) The haste to develop Ground Zero after 9/11 has led to delays, mistakes and missed opportunities. Tom Angotti looks back at a flawed process.
Seven Years Later (September 2008) What has happened to the rebuilding effort since the 9/11 attacks? Our timeline tallies what has and has not been done. Also the planning process, health effects -- and what about the arts?
Meeting the Gray Wave (September 2008) As New York's senior population grows, the city wants to revamp programs for the aging, but advocates worry the changes could neglect individual needs.
Stated Meeting: Crane Safety Beefed Up (September 2008) After a fatal accident the same day, the City Council passed several bills to increase safety at construction sites that operate cranes.
The Three C's: Condos, Classrooms and Crowding (September 2008) Young affluent families are moving to the city and putting their kids in public schools. It may be too much of a good thing.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter: The 2008 Primary (September 2008)
A Feud in Flushing (September 2008)
A Long-time Incumbent in a Changing District (September 2008)
A Battle for the Ballot in Flushing (September 2008)
The Return of Allan Jennings (September 2008)
Filling a Last-Minute Vacancy (September 2008)
A Factional Split in the Southeast Bronx (September 2008)
Going Head to Head in Morrisania (September 2008)
The Organization Chases a Rainbow (September 2008)
A Second Chance in Canarsie (September 2008)
Taking on the Brownsville Dynasty (September 2008)
Running Under Indictment in the West Bronx (September 2008)
A Longtime Incumbent Faces Another Challenger (September 2008)
The Citizen (August 2008)
Harlem's Shifting Population (August 2008) Townhouses in Harlem sell for millions of dollars and Columbia University continues to expand there, as the city foresees even greater changes again. Andrew Beveridge examines what it could mean for the future of America's most famous black community.
An Affluent, White Harlem? (August 2008) Townhouses in Harlem sell for millions of dollars and Columbia University continues to expand there, as the city foresees even greater changes again. Andrew Beveridge examines what it could mean for the future of America's most famous black community.
Reshaping the City: Who's Being Heard -- and Why? (August 2008) To meet the post-industrial age, the Bloomberg administration has rezoned one sixth of New York's land. The changes lead to more housing -- but do they ignore the people who already live here?
GOP Divisions Could Make Staten Island Blue (August 2008) For years, the 13th district on Staten Island has sent the city's only Republican to Congress. This fall a series of strange events and party rifts could change that.
Encouraging New Yorkers to Park -- and Drive (August 2008) New York City zoning rules that require developers to create parking places could negate much of the good work the Bloomberg administration is doing to fight traffic congestion, a new report concludes.
Bringing 'Green Collar' Jobs to the South Bronx (August 2008) Residents of one of New York's poorest areas would like to see the city work with local groups to promote sustainable neighborhoods, a cleaner environment and "green collar" jobs.
Finding Your Way Around New York's News (August 2008) You managed the subway system, it's time to take on the media.
English Learners Left Behind (August 2008)
Stated Meeting: Cooling City Streets (August 2008) The burst of cool air aimed at luring impulse buyers off of city streets will now come with a cost.
A New New Yorker's Reference Guide (August 2008) School is back in session and demographers say urban flight is reversing. In anticipation of New York City's fall migration, Gotham Gazette has assembled a comprehensive guide to the Big Apple's policies and politics.
Climate Change Could Threaten a Green Willets Point (August 2008) Over the objections of many in the community, the Bloomberg administration plans to build the city's first green neighborhood at Willets Points. But climate change could wash it all away.
At Law School, Middle School Students Get on the Case (August 2008) Working with the St. John's University law school, middle school students in Queens are researching an important but forgotten school desegregation case.
In East New York, Corruption Creates an Open Seat (August 2008)
In Queens, a Race to Control the Senate (August 2008)
Invasion of New York (August 2008) Arriving in airports and the hulls of ships, alien plants and animals come to our city and stay, sometimes decimating local wildlife. Can they be stopped?
Know Your Invasive Critters (August 2008)
Prayer or Violation? The City Council's Invocation (August 2008)
Fighting the Asian Long-Horned Beetle (August 2008) The Asian long-horned beetle represents a major threat to Mayor Bloomberg's goal of creating a greener, leafier city.
In the Face of Fiscal Uncertainty, the City Stays Calm (August 2008) The federal and state government face huge fiscal problems, according to press accounts and expert opinions. But no one seems nearly as concerned about the state of the city economy. Glenn Pasanen examines why.
When Foster Children Become Pregnant (August 2008) What happens when children in care have children of their own?
Lost in the PDFs: Getting City Data (August 2008) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said government data should be available with a few clicks of the mouse. But a review of agencies indicates the city's information sharing could be due for an upgrade.
Those Restaurant Calorie Counts: Too Good to Be True? (August 2008) Too good to be true? Yes, it is. The city requires chain restaurants to post calorie contents but does little to insure that the numbers reflect the fatty facts instead of dieters' fantasies.
Giving Foster Teens a Place to Call Home (August 2008) Teens present particular challenges for foster parents. What are city agencies and private organizations to help old youngsters in the foster care system stay with families and out of institutions?
New Bills: From Saving Energy to Preventing Choking (August 2008)
In New York, Those in Power, Stay in Power (August 2008) With New York's primary less than six weeks away, few incumbent legislators face anything resembling a credible challenge.
The State of Civil Liberties (July 2008) As New Yorkers enjoy their freedoms, many see a need for vigilance so we can protect the liberties we have and expand civil liberties in our city and our nation.
Guns, the Supreme Court and New York (July 2008) The Supreme Court struck down Washington, D.C.'s tight gun law. Will New York's be next? Emily Goodman examines what the Supreme Court did -- and did not -- say.
Coney Island's Latest Roller Coaster Ride (July 2008)
Stated Meeting: Construction Legislation Moves Forward (July 2008) The City Council approved three additional construction safety items last week in an effort to improve conditions at works sites across the city.
From Yesterday's Supper to Tomorrow's 'Black Gold' (July 2008) The scraps and peels from last night's supper can help grow next month's meals. But for now, New York City simply dumps its tons of food waste in landfills.
Whistle While You Work (July 2008)
The Bronx's Secret Shore (July 2008)
On the Beaches (July 2008) What are city beaches really like? Our audio slide show tours the shore from the Bronx to the Rockaways, as beach-goers weigh in on cleanliness, accessibility -- and jellyfish.
Language Barrier Begins to Fall at City Hospitals (July 2008) New regulations require hospitals to provide translations and other language services to their patients who do not speak English. The rules appear to be working -- at least for Spanish speakers.
Keeping City Beaches Safe and Clean (July 2008)
Where the City Can Find $200 Million (July 2008)
New York's Best and Worst Beaches (July 2008)
The City Economy: Facing the Nation's Woes (July 2008) The bailout of Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac represent another sign of the nation's worsening economic woes, and New Yorkers have started to feel the pain.
The Future of Ridgewood Reservoir: Birds or Baseball? (July 2008) A former Queens reservoir, reclaimed by woods and wetlands, birds and dragonflies, lies at the center of a debate over parks planning in New York City.
Making Way for New York's Scooter Surge (July 2008) With gas prices rising, more New Yorkers are riding nimble, energy efficient scooters. Should the city encourage their use?
Let the Challenges Begin (July 2008)
A Battle Over Reform in Manhattan and Brooklyn (July 2008)
On to the Primary (July 2008) Candidates for state legislature and Congress have now filed petitions to get on the ballot. For the latest on the match-ups, see our expanded "Who's Running for What," plus stories on key contests.
Measuring Constituent Complaints: Round One (July 2008)
In Flatbush, Running with Baggage (July 2008)
Mayor Bests the Council in Latest Budget Battles (July 2008) In the negotiations over the recently passed 2009 budget, property owners and the mayor won, while City Council and social programs lost out.
Discretionary Spending: FY09 (July 2008)
The Perks of Leadership: Who Got What in 2009 (July 2008) Dominic Recchia sponsored more funding for capital projects than any other council member. For the first time, the council disclosed which members backed what projects -- and we tally the results.
Saving Energy, Affordable Housing -- and the Planet (July 2008) Property owners have little incentive to retrofit aging buildings to save energy. Why trade in your SUV if someone else fills the tank?
How the City Has Reduced Soot (July 2008) A series of measures have reduced soot in the city, so much so that the metropolitan area may soon meet federal standards for this type of air pollution for the first time ever. Rich Kassel reports on what's happened -- and what still needs to be done.
Facing Evictions -- Without the Right to Counsel (June 2008) Poor people involved in civil cases have no right to counsel -- even if they faces eviction or loss of their home.
Forgotten Handshakes: The '09 Budget (June 2008) This year's budget may have kept cuts out of classrooms, but other social service programs did not fare as well.
Running Against Albany on Manhattan's Lower East Side (June 2008) First Eliot Spitzer resigned. Then Joe Bruno announced his retirement. Now two political novices hope to end the political career of the third man in Albany's room: Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Voter Identification Laws: Safeguard or Barrier? (June 2008) The State Senate recently passed a bill requiring all people to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote. The move represents a growing trend toward stricter laws on voter identification.
The School Divide Starts at Kindergarten (June 2008) Students who attend private elementary schools or the public and gifted talented programs are far more likely to be affluent, white and living in Manhattan than most city school kids.
Preserving Public Housing that Works (June 2008) Public housing in the New York, home to over 400,000 people, faces rising costs and federal cutbacks. The author of a new book on public housing examines why the city government should step in -- and what it should do.
New Bills: Street Vending to School Parking (June 2008)
In the Heights: Vitality and Diversity at Manhattan's Tip (June 2008) The musical has focused attention on one of the city's most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods.
A House Divided in Washington Heights (June 2008)
A Tougher Year for Incumbents (June 2008)
Albany Puts the Brakes on Faster Buses (June 2008) In the wake of effectively dooming congestion pricing, at least for now, the State Legislature looked at another measure to ease traffic on city streets. As Graham Beck reports, the mayor and transportation advocates did not fare any better this time around.
The Quest for Childcare: Few Spaces, Little Information (June 2008) Most parents struggle to find safe, reliable daycare for their young children. For immigrants, many of whom have low incomes and cannot speak English, the search is even harder.
Keeping Former Prisoners Out of Prison (June 2008) As many as 40 percent of former prisoners go back behind bars within three years. A range of new programs seeks to keep them out of jail for good.
Juggling the Budget Surplus (June 2008) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has used budget surpluses to increase his power over city spending. Glenn Pasanen looks at what he has done and what the effects -- good and bad -- have been.
Stated Meeting: First Steps for Building Revisions (June 2008) Moving on the first pieces of legislation since a package of proposals was introduced last week, the City Council unanimously approved a bill requiring the city publish construction fatalities on its web site and notify the state of disciplinary action against industry professionals.
Public Money, Private Property: The Council's Capital Budget (June 2008) The City Council gives millions of dollars to non-profit groups to construct and renovate offices and other facilities -- on private property. Until now, the process has been virtually secret.
Can Planners Help New Yorkers Eat Better? (June 2008) As supermarkets shut down, millions of New Yorkers no longer have ready access to affordable, healthy food. Tom Angotti looks at tools for bringing good food to all neighborhoods.
The Autism Gap (June 2008) As the number of children diagnosed with the disorder increases, parents scramble to find services, raising issues involving education, equity -- and economics.
The Past and Future of Sustainability (June 2008) Will be mayor's long-term plan for a greener city survive and help create a sustainable city? Hunter College professor Tom Angotti discusses how the mayor can improve the odds.
Safety on Site -- or In Sight? (June 2008)
Puffing Up Marijuana Charges (June 2008) Marijuana arrests in New York have gone up sharply in the past decade -- landing tens of thousands of young back and Latino men in jail for the night and with arrest records for life.
Protecting Incarcerated Gay and Lesbian Youth (June 2008) Young people with different gender identities have a tough time everywhere, but particularly in corrections facilities. A new policy aims to address that. Also New York makes crime pay -- for the state.
Can New York Break Its Incarceration Habit? (June 2008) Crime is down and so is the number of prisoners. Despite that, New York keeps its prisons open and spending money that could go to improve other parts of the crimnal justice system, such as parole.
Rating Health Care Behind Bars (June 2008) The city recently renewed its contract with the company that provides health care on Riker's Island -- even though the provider has repeatedly failed to meet the city's own standards.
For Juveniles, Alternatives to Incarceration (June 2008) In six years, New York City has greatly reduced the number of young offenders held in detention. The city's director of juvenile justice describes what's been done and what the administration plans to do next.
Stated Meeting: A New Fire Code and Surplus (June 2008) After a three-year review, the City Council unanimously approved a revised fire code on Wednesday. The code was last revised in 1913. In response to changing times, the update requires more informative evacuation plans and includes construction sites into fire safety management.
Looking at Incarceration (June 2008) Despite falling crime rates, tens of thousands of New Yorkers -- adults and juveniles-- remain incarcerated in New York. Articles this week look at reform efforts, health care and protections for a particularly vulnerable group of offenders.
Another Special Election (June 2008)
Taking the Next Steps in Juvenile Justice (June 2008) While applauding steps the city has made to improve its ways of dealing with young offenders, much remains to be done, an advocate writes. Now, she argues, the city must close detention facilities and reduce the glaring racial disparities in the system.
What the Verizon Deal Does -- and Doesn't -- Do (May 2008) The city is rushing to approve a deal with Verizon that will give the giant company access to the largest cable market in the country and determine how New Yorkers watch TV, make phone calls and use the Internet for the next 20 years
Reinforcing Voting's Front Line (May 2008) With new voting technology on the way, the Board of Elections is seeking to add poll workers and ensure that they are more competent and better trained<
A Community Plan for the 'Highway to Nowhere' (May 2008)
Anger and Accusations Greet Budget Cuts (May 2008)
A Better Budget Outlook… To Some (May 2008)
A Smoother Ride for Cycling in the City (May 2008) To mark spring and National Bike Month, Rich Kassel celebrates what the city is doing to promote cycling and looks at what else it could do.
The View from Fit City 3 (May 2008) What do architects have to do with public health? A lot, say advocates of a new movement that uses urban design to encourage fitness and reduce illness.
Without Major Action, Housing Crunch Will Only Get Worse (May 2008) After five years of writing our Housing column, Joe Lamport leaves for Ghana and reflects on the worsening housing picture here. We thank him for his fine contributions and wish him luck.
Can Co-ops Help Close the 'Grocery Gap'? (May 2008) With fresh, healthy food hard to come by in many city neighborhoods, many residents view an old idea-- food co-cops -- as a way to bridge the "grocery gap."
Stated Meeting: The Next Round on E-Waste (May 2008) With the City Council in the thick of budget hearings, there were not many bills to vote on at the May 15 stated meeting. The measures the council did pass, though, dealt with three persistent city problems: solid waste, traffic and construction safety.
The Blending of Church and Real Estate (May 2008) As fewer New Yorkers attend religious service many houses of worship are being reborn, changing the character of the buildings and the communities they once served.
The Budget Maze (May 2008) As politicians debate city spending for 2009, what can advocates do to fight school cuts or fund a neighborhood sports program? Our new game takes through to the budget labyrinth.
Going Online, Digital and Interactive at the Library (May 2008) The New York Public Library has ambitious plans to remain relevant and engaging in an era when many see traditional books and paper as almost obsolete.
Housing Squeeze Shows No Sign of Easing (May 2008) As housing cost rise, rent consumes a growing percentage of the income of less affluent New Yorkers.
Checking on How Government Spends Your Money (May 2008) The ongoing furor over the City Council's allocation of its discretionary funds is not simply embarrassing for the council, but raises fundamental questions about the effectiveness of fiscal oversight in this city.
Promoting Transparency, Protecting Non-Profits (May 2008)
Once Again, Quinn Tries to End the Funding Furor (May 2008) Faced with rebellious members and continuing reports about alleged abuses in the way City Council uses its discretionary funds, the speaker last week came up with a new plan. Will it end the furor?
With Rallies and Protests, Many Overseas Chinese Back the Olympics (May 2008) As protesters calls for boycotts of the Beijing Olympics, many Chinese in New York have become increasingly outspoken in support of the Chinese government and its Olympic Games.
Can New York Avoid a Foreclosure Crisis? (May 2008) More than 3 percent of all New Yorkers could face foreclosure on their homes over the next few years according to one study. If the figures hold, it could spell disaster not only for the homeowners but for their neighbors, for government and for lenders. What can the city and state do to avoid the crisis?
Bridging Mass Transit's Budget Gap (May 2008) The transit system faces a struggle to meet operating expenses and a $17.5 billion deficit in its five-year capital program.
The 2009 Budget: Drawing the Battle Lines (May 2008) The mayor told New Yorkers to pray for Wall Street as he presented his 2009 spending plan. An examination of the winners, losers and controversies.
Stated Meeting: Harlem Rezoning Approved (May 2008) Harlem's low-story buildings and epic institutions will now get a so-called facelift -- at least in the view of city officials and some developers -- as the City Council approved a rezoning plan for the neighborhood's busiest boulevard last week.
Grading New York's Public Schools (May 2008)
Batterers, Their Victims and the Right to Confront Witnesses (April 2008) Battered women often refuse to testify against their abusers. A recent court decision allows some of them to be convicted anyway.
Making Black Cars Green (April 2008) Though the city's new gas mileage standards for its black car fleet is admirable, one advocate argues their entire carbon footprint should be regulated.
New Bills: Allergens to Parade Rules (April 2008)
An Unknown Urban Forest (April 2008) As the city looks to plant a million more trees, they must also care for the ones that have already taken root in our own backyards.
Reclaiming the City's Abandoned Land (April 2008) How can the city clean up its brownfields when Albany has all of the authority? Two advocates discuss the options.
Real Estate Slump Hits New York (April 2008)
Blocking the Sun: Solar in the City (April 2008) An advocate attempts to put solar panels on his own home in Brooklyn. Instead of getting solar power, he gets a mound of paperwork.
A More Secure Way to Feed to City (April 2008) Absent from the mayor's sustainability plan is how we'll feed another million mouths. One advocate argues for more locally grown food.
Cleaning Up a Creek (April 2008) A look into how the Newtown Creek on the Brooklyn-Queens border could be a testing ground for some of the administration's sustainable initiatives.
Putting Public Money into Politics (April 2008)
As the Economy Worsens: Helping People Find Jobs (April 2008) The city's workforce development system has helped meet business' needs and placed thousands of workers in jobs. But it sill does not address the needs of many struggling New Yorkers.
Meeting Amid Scandal (April 2008)
The Need for a Parks Plan (April 2008) PlanNYC was full of good news for New York's parks but the city still sorely needs a comprehensive plan for its green spaces.
As City Grows, Affordable Housing Shrinks (April 2008) A city cannot be truly sustainable if people do not have safe, healthy and affordable places to live, but New York City has seen a rapid erosion in the supply of housing for low-income households.
Making Zero Waste Part of the Plan (April 2008) Amid the pages of proposals in PlaNYC, there is barely a mention of solid waste. But various ideas for preventing waste would address an array of important environmental concerns.
Jumpstarting the Greenways System (April 2008) Despite the benefits of walking and cycling, the city's effort to create a 350-mile system of bicycles and pedestrian walkways, separated from roads, has been advancing very slowly. Will the new transportation commissioner be able to change that?
Bridging New York's Transit Gap (April 2008) By making use of the infrastructure we already have -- our streets -- bus rapid transit can bridge the yawning gap between New York City transit's haves and have nots.
Why a Bioheat Mandate? (April 2008) Why a Bioheat Mandate?
The Dirty Side of Biodiesel (April 2008)
Is the Long-term Sustainability Plan Sustainable? (April 2008) The problems Mayor Michael Bloomberg has encountered in enacting parts of his PlanNYC may have as much, if not more, to do with the way the plan was devised than the specifics of his proposals.
Reversing the Tide Against Protest (April 2008) In the past few years, the city government has made it harder to take to the street -- or the parks -- and protest. Now, some City Council members hope to change that.
Fiber Optics: Bringing the Next Big Thing to New York (April 2008) Verizon announced yesterday it would apply to the city to offer video service in New York. If it gets approval, the communications giant probably will begin installing a fiber optic network throughout the city that could transform the way we use the Internet.
Unanswered Questions: City Council's Phantom Funds (April 2008) Speaker Christine Quinn moved Friday to reform the way City Council distributes its "discretionary funds." But questions remain about how millions of those dollars were budgeted for phony organizations and who did it.
Clearing New York City Streets (April 2008)
A Serious Solution for a Serious Problem (April 2008)
How to Fix Our Transportation Woes -- Without the Fee (April 2008)
Bringing Customer Choice to Food Pantries (April 2008) As demand on city food pantries rises, a handful are givig clients more choice about the foods they take home.
Document Jam Could Keep Immigrants from Voting (April 2008) Massive delays in processing citizenship applications could keep thousands of legal immigrants from voting in November's presidential election.
On the City Budget, Agreeing Not to Disagree (April 2008) Despite the worsening economic situation, the city seems headed for a relatively controversy-free budget season.
Bogus Groups in the City Budget (April 2008)
Reclaiming New York's Blighted Waters (April 2008) Arthur Kill, the country's busiest industrial waterway, now offers a home to herons, egrets and turtles. What does this mean for New York's other rivers, creeks and canals?
Street Closures and the Battle of Prince Street (April 2008) Closing streets to cars can make an area more inviting and pleasant for people -- but residents of SoHo worry it could turn their already crowded neighborhood into a street fair for tourists.
Tracking Crime in the Parks (April 2008) New York City parks today have far less crime than they once did, but police have not complied with a requirement that would tell all New Yorkers just how safe -- or dangerous -- their parks are.
Stated Meeting: An End to E-Waste (March 2008) In a rare sign of confrontation with the Bloomberg administration, the City Council at its Stated Meeting Wednesday overrode a mayoral veto prohibiting income discrimination in housing and approved electronic waste legislation the mayor is known to oppose.
The High Price of Counterfeit Goods (March 2008) While the police have cracked down on counterfeit goods in New York, law enforcement officials and manufacturers must win the hearts and minds of New York's bargain hunting consumers if they hope to stymie this multi-billion dollar industry.
Musical Chairs: Shuffling Seats in City Government (March 2008)
Taking a New Look at Discrimination in New York (March 2008) The city says it does not discriminate, but disparities persist in hiring and delivery of services. A human rights advocate discusses how to measure the problem -- and fix it.
Advocates Find Hope in Albany, Fear in D.C. (March 2008) Many housing advocates see David Paterson as an ally who may help them advance their agenda. Whatever happens in Albany, though, the outlook for affordable housing remains grim in Washington, where the federal government has cut billions from a rent subsidy program.
Ending Another Form of Discrimination (March 2008) Today, the City Council is expected to override the mayor's veto and make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to a people simply because they receive federal housing assistance.
One Person's Vandalism Is Another One's Art (March 2008) Officials see street art and graffiti as a blight on New York's cityscape landscape. But while the City Council and police continue to wage war on street art, the works themselves have gained increased acceptance.
Breaking the Gridlock on Congestion Pricing (March 2008) Now that the governor has come out for charging people to drive in Manhattan, the time has come for City Council and the legislature to approve or reject the plan. A look at the issues and the politics.
Cleaning Up an Agency and an Accident (March 2008) The deadly construction accident on East 51st Street points up the need for sweeping changes at the Department of Buildings, including a new commissioner, argues State Sen. Liz Krueger.
The Council and Congestion Pricing: Part II (March 2008)
Follow the Count, Super Tuesday Votes Revisited (March 2008) When primary election night results found Illinois Sen. Barack Obama without a single vote in some of the city's African-American neighborhoods, reporters, the public and some politicians got suspicious. Andrea Senteno looks at what happened and how those "unofficial results" are tallied.
New Rules Clean Up Dirty Ships (March 2008) The cargo ships and ferries we all need still run on dirty diesel engines. But new rules from the federal and city governments are about to change that.
Ten Reasons We Don't Have the Economy We Thought We Had (March 2008) As we "wake up to the recession," James Parrot finds some things we thought were true about the economy have turned out not to be. For example: Huge Wall Street bonuses are good for New York City
Stated Meeting: Budget Cuts and E-Waste (March 2008) Following the Bloomberg administration's lead, the City Council approved a 4.3 percent cut in its operating budget for fiscal year 2009 in response to a looming budget deficit and trying fiscal times.
Aging in a New Era (March 2008) The Bloomberg administration has begun to reorganize programs for older New Yorkers, but an advocate fears that the shift could threaten the well being of elderly residents.
And Now: The Paterson Administration (March 2008) From the budget to cleaning up Albany, the new governor faces some daunting challenges. What can New Yorkers expect him to do?
Same-Sex Marriages, Death and Taxes (March 2008) If same-sex couple wants to marry in New York, they should visit Canada first and their tax accountant soon after.
The Tough Budget Choices Ahead (March 2008) Tough fiscal times lie ahead- not today, not tomorrow but soon. Glenn Pasanen reviews some of the options - and the tough political choices - the administration has to keep the city on a sound fiscal footing.
A City by the Sea -- or Under It? (March 2008) Increased flooding, brought by climate change, could threaten some of New York's biggest development projects. What is being done so all the new construction can survive the warmer, wetter future?
New Bills: Bed Bugs to Base Jumping (March 2008)
New Year's Show Sparks Controversy (March 2008) A Chinese New Year's show at Radio City Music Hall has sparked controversy for its ties to the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
The City Responds to the Foreclosure Crisis (March 2008) With the number of housing foreclosures in the country having hit an all-time high, a new center here hopes to keep New Yorkers in their homes and change the system that created the current crisis.
Time Out for Phys Ed (March 2008) The Department of Education has implemented a FitnessGRAM so parents can help their kids shape up. But in an era when standardized tests influence so much of the school day, traditional phys ed classes often fall victim to a lack of time and space.
Stated Meeting: Green Carts Come to Town (March 2008) Though it scaled back a bill to create green carts, the City Council approved legislation Wednesday creating this new class of street vendor.
Fighting the Obesity Epidemic (March 2008) As obesity and diabetes rates soar, how is the Bloomberg administration faring in its drive to have us slim down and shape up?
Fresh Food and Fresh Ideas (March 2008) Will street vendors hawking fruits and vegetables lead to healthier eating? The city government and advocates thinks so, but others have doubts. Also: The City Council’s action
Opening the City's Greenmarkets (March 2008) City and state efforts seek to make the bounty of city farmers markets available to low-income New Yorkers.
Creating Healthy Bodegas (March 2008) The city would like small grocery stores to stock apples and lettuce, along with beer and chips. While everyone agrees on it's good to eat fresh produce, not everyone has embraced the health department's efforts.
Making Fast Food A Little Healthier (March 2008) Calories mount up quickly at fast food restaurants, and the Bloomberg administration hopes people will scale back--once they know just how fattening their favorites burgers are. But restaurant owners are fighting back.
Concerns Grow but the Grass Doesn't (February 2008) A growing number of critics question whether the city's move to replace grass with artificial turf could create health and environmental problems and make the warming city even hotter.
Court Rules Tenants Can't Waive Their Protections (February 2008) When a landlord and a tenant enter an agreement that works for both sides, but happens to be illegal, litigation is sure to follow. Find out who won in this case involving a Riverside Drive apartment.
Housing Market Faces Anxiety from Many Sources (February 2008) The increase in foreclosures, rising construction costs and a continuing erosion in the supply of affordable homes are creating anxiety in people involved in housing in the city, from renters to developers.
Counting Down to the Great Television Turnover (February 2008) A year from now many thousands of New Yorkers may suddenly lose their television signals, and many probably will not know why. Joshua Breitbart explains.
A Permanent Address: Regulating Residency Requirements at the City Council (February 2008)
Changing the Way the City Does Business (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
How to Deal with Declining Revenues (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
Three Steps to Keep the City's Economy Moving (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
Preparing for the End of the Boom (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
Preventing Cuts in Education (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
After the Boom: Looking Ahead to Tougher Times (February 2008) As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.
Signs of a Sea Change In Voting (February 2008) This fall will mark the first time ever that disabled New Yorkers will be able to vote privately and independently, without the help of a friend or poll worker. But it's taken the state a long time to reach this point, and much more remains to be done.
Delving the Murky World of Police Informants (February 2008) Narcotics detectives in Brooklyn sparked a scandal last year when they paid informants with cocaine, clearly breaking the law. But even when police follow regulations, dealing with informants raises a host of concern.
Bringing Insurance to Small Business (February 2008)
A Seafaring Commute (February 2008) In her State of the City Speech, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn proposed taking transit to the sea and health insurance to small businesses. Two advocates explain.
Stated Meeting: Wasting Electronics (February 2008) After two years and tons of computers strewn to the curb, the City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation that requires manufacturers to recycle certain types of electronic waste.
A Battle Brews Over Who Controls the Schools (February 2008) The state put the mayor of New York City in charge of public schools – but only until 2009. What happens then? The battle has already begun.
The Race to Develop a Toxic Waterway (February 2008) Real estate investors are rushing to the shores of the Gowanus Canal, one of the city's most polluted waterways. Can this development save an area known largely for its stench and contamination, or will all the new construction make things even worse?
A Religious City (February 2008) Contrary to their popular image, New Yorkers are more religious than people in many other parts of the country.
New Bills: Ringing in the New Year With Legislation (February 2008)
The Crackdown on New York City Students (February 2008) The recent handcuffing of a Queens kindergartener highlights the extreme discipline that has become common at New York's schools. An advocate offers some alternatives.
Barred Medicine: Health Care on Rikers Island (February 2008) The city just renewed a private company's contract to provide medical help on Rikers Island. Is that care adequate for such a transient and, in some respects, vulnerable population?
Tax Breaks - Who Wins and Who Loses? (February 2008) With the economy slowing and revenues declining, Glenn Pasanen examines a little noticed but big-ticket item: government tax breaks.
Helping Old New Yorkers Get Around Town (February 2008) Everyone walks in New York but getting up curbs and across streets can present a challenge to thousands of elderly New Yorkers. The city has a plan to make it easier.
Trouble on the "Immigrant Express" (February 2008) The Number 7 subway serves people from dozens of nations who now make their homes in Queens. But riders say a trip on the "immigrant express" can be crowded, delayed - and smelly.
Stated Meeting: Housing Discrimination (February 2008) A simple search on Craigslist reveals that many apartments across the five boroughs will not accept applicants if they pay their rent with government assistance. "No programs," reads a listing for a one-bedroom apartment in an elevator building near Prospect Park.
Urban Issues: Where the Republican Candidates Stand (February 2008) With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?
Urban Issues: Where the Democratic Candidates Stand (February 2008) With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?
Language Barriers at the Drugstore (February 2008) Many pharmacies do not provide translation services, creating a health risk for people who do not speak English.
The Candidates and the City (February 2008) With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?
A Campaign to Strengthen Housing Laws (January 2008) Housing advocates have launched a major campaign to change New York's laws on rental housing. To accomplish that, they plan to help Democrats capture the State Senate in November.
A Legal Tool for Tenants (January 2008) A bill being considered by the City Council would give tenants a new legal tool: the ability to sue their landlords for harassment.
Stimulating the Economy (January 2008) As Congress and the administration try to hammer out a plan to spur the economy and avert a recession, James Parrott examines what kind of federal stimulus works best and the effect various proposals would have on New York.
A Bad News Budget (January 2008) After years of budget surpluses, the mayor released a spending plan last week that calls for chopping expenses. The question on everyone's lips: How bad will it get?
No Party Changes Allowed (January 2008) If you're a Green for Giuliani, a Democrat for Romney, or a Republican for Clinton, you won't be able to vote for your candidate in the February 5 primary.
The Fight Against Street Harassment (January 2008) For many women walking city streets is akin to running a gauntlet of catcalls, whistles and worse. What can and should be done about the harassment?
Next Steps for Congestion Pricing (January 2008) The congestion pricing panel's interim report offered five options for cutting traffic in the city. Rich Kassel looks at the various ideas and what effect they might have.
The Ferry Point Fiasco (January 2008) The Giuliani administration’s plan for a golf course atop an old landfill in the Bronx has cost the city millions. Will it ever become a reality?
State of the City (January 2008) Maybe his thoughts are elsewhere but in his speech Mayor Michael Bloomberg offered many familiar proposals but few major new ideas for New York City.
Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Care (January 2008) Cultural and language barriers and a shortage of resources keep many troubled teens in poor and immigrant communities from getting the mental healthcare they need.
Speeding New York's Buses (January 2008) Is Bus Rapid Transit an oxymoron?
Recycling Stops and Starts (January 2008)
Investing in Higher Education (January 2008) The city and state universities in New York have educated hundreds of thousands of immigrants looking for a brighter future. Will SUNY and CUNY be able to continue in this role?
Measuring the Garbage Glut (January 2008) Thousands of you have played our Garbage Game. What did you do about all that trash? We look at your responses to the game and at what city officials are doing.
Bagging Plastic Pile-Ups (January 2008)
Race Matters in New York (January 2008) With an African American a leading contender for the White House, many Americans think of racism as a thing of the past. But an extensive new report finds that, in New York City at least, huge racial disparities persist.
2008: The Year the Good Times Ended? (January 2008) The economic slowdown and the mortgage crisis' effect on Wall Street will almost certainly meet a decline in city revenues that could threaten further tax cuts and the city's spending plans.
Setting Standards for Green Neighborhoods (January 2008) Efforts to encourage a more environmentally friendly city have gone beyond individual buildings to setting standards for entire neighborhoods. Is this a marketing play by developers or a genuine effort to create sustainable communities?
Expanding Wi-Fi Beyond Manhattan (January 2008) As the city seeks to expand internet access to all New Yorkers, wireless -- or Wi-Fi -- could play an important role.
Filling New York's 'Vacancies' (January 2008) Despite the real estate boom, desolate lots and abandoned buildings pepper the city, blighting neighborhoods. Why do the yawning gaps exist, and what should be done about them?
A Simpler Alternative to Congestion Pricing (January 2008) What will 2008 bring for the city’s environment? Rich Kassel presents an environmentalist’s hopes for the year, and Hope Cohen focuses on a possible next step in the debate over congestion pricing.
An Environmentalist's Wish List for 2008 (January 2008) What will 2008 bring for the city’s environment? Rich Kassel presents an environmentalist’s hopes for the year, and Hope Cohen focuses on a possible next step in the debate over congestion pricing.
New Bills: Green Carts to Horse Carriages (January 2008)
How City Council Expresses Its Opinions (December 2007) Council members make resolutions all year-round. But the council's resolutions often have no more impact than the promises the rest of us make for the New Year.
Stated Meeting: Columbia Gets Approval (December 2007) In what some called a rush to approval, the City Council lifted the final obstacle for Columbia University to expand its campus into Manhattanville in West Harlem at its stated meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
Next Year's Top Stories (December 2007) An array of prominent New Yorkers predict what 2008 will bring in New York City -- from the presidential race to the baseball pennant race.
Will the 2010 Census "Steal" New Yorkers? (December 2007) Proposed changes in counting methods for the 2010 Census could show a leveling off or even a decline in New York's population, costing the city money and power.
Is 'Nalgene' Hazardous to Your Health? (December 2007) Just when you thought pouring New York City tap water into a Nalgene bottle was the safe, eco-friendly thing to do, along come reports that Nalgene can be hazardous to your health.
Reviewing 2007, Looking Ahead to 2008 (December 2007) A unified tenant movement and the new administration in Albany helped housing advocates win some battle in 2007, but the shortage of affordable homes remains at crisis levels.
New Voting Machines May Not Meet State Standards (December 2007) The U.S. Department of Justice wants New York State to have new voting machines by November’s election. But some advocates worry that replacing the old lever machines right before the presidential election could cause major problems.
Could Wall Street’s Woes Be Good for New York? (December 2007) Wall Street drives the New York City economy, so the market’s latest woes understandably have caused alarm in City Hall and the State Capitol. James Parrott, though, sees some silver linings in the implosion of the Wall Street bubble machine.
Who's Stopped? Who's Frisked? (December 2007) A recent report was seen as having cleared the police of racial bias in who they stop on the street. But much has been ignored in the coverage of this volatile issue.
The Big Stories of 2007 that Did Not Happen (December 2007)
Top Stories of 2007 (December 2007) The year was relatively peaceful in the city, while two New Yorkers on the presidential campaign trail and seemingly endless controversy in Albany made headlines.
Could Wall Street’s Woes Be Good for New York? (December 2007) Wall Street drives the New York City economy, so the market’s latest woes understandably have caused alarm in City Hall and the State Capitol. James Parrott, though, sees some silver linings in the implosion of the Wall Street bubble machine.
A Treatment that Follows Drug Users (December 2007) Traditional drug treatment for teens takes place far from the homes and streets where they got into trouble in the first place. A new program tries to change that.
Stated Meeting: Savoring the Brooklyn Sugar Plant (December 2007) The sign is iconic, rising above the East River reminding passersby that 3 million pounds of sugar were once produced there on a single day.
After the ‘Financial Emergency’ (December 2007) The Financial Emergency Act, enacted during the city’s 1975 fiscal crisis, will expire in about six months. Glenn Pasanen examines the issues at stake.
A Minor Case Changes Police Practices (December 2007) In a seemingly minor case that could alter police conduct, New York State’s highest court has ruled a person cannot be arrested simply for standing on the sidewalk.
Daniel Doctoroff's Legacy (December 2007) Looking back on Daniel Doctoroff's six year as deputy mayor, Tom Angotti finds Doctoroff was no Robert Moses but that he did have a major effect on development and planning in New York -- for better or worse.
After the Theater Strike (December 2007) Now that Broadway is back, skeptics question whether the estimates of the strike's economic impact was overblown. Did the walkout really hurt the city? Is Broadway, for that matter, really crucial to the city’s economy?
New York Shopping: Chains and Bargains (December 2007)
Getting Paid: Debating the Council's Outside Income and Salaries (December 2007)
Feeding the Holiday Economy (December 2007)
Tackling E-Waste (December 2007)
Committee Assignments and Stipends (December 2007)
What Three Million Immigrants Do (December 2007) Contrary to the popular image that immigrants do low-skill, low-wage jobs -- if they work at all -- a new study finds newcomers to the country play ac active role throughout New York's economy.
Where The Funds Stand (December 2007)
Blurring the Line Between Government and Charity (December 2007)
Stated Meeting: Capping Carbon (December 2007) Watch out exhaust-spilling sports utility vehicles. Move over inefficient light bulbs. The New York City Council wants to replace you with more energy efficient technology.
Creating People-Friendly Streets (November 2007) Can the streets of the Upper West Side become people places instead of car corridors? Anne Schwartz reports on a new campaign in the area that, coupled with PlaNYC 2030, could make calmer, greener streets a reality.
Will Technology Kill Privacy? (November 2007) The congressional fight over wiretaps without warrants and the recent New York City taxi strike are just two skirmishes in the ongoing war over privacy in the digital age.
Opening the GOP Primary (November 2007) Following a heated controversy in 2000, New York’s Republican Party has made it far easier for contenders get on the presidential primary ballot, creating the party’s most democratic contest in memory.
The End of ‘White Flight’? (November 2007) Many of the trends in New York City’s population that marked the latter half of the 20thcentury, including an increase in foreign-born New Yorkers and a decline in the number of whites, appear to have halted, and some even have been reversed
Problems With Pigeons (November 2007) An array of animals makes their homes in the city. Some, such as Pale Male, are treated as honored citizens, but many more find themselves targeted by exterminators and even city lawmakers.
New Yorkers vs. the Rat (November 2007)
Testing Fails the Arts (November 2007) New test scores and the school report cards have renewed the debate on how we evaluate schools. Two experts point out what they see as shortcomings in the city's methods.
Report Cards Flunk the Clarity Test (November 2007) New test scores and the school report cards have renewed the debate on how we evaluate schools. Two experts point out what they see as shortcomings in the city's methods.
Housing as a Human Right (November 2007) Advocates are increasingly trying to advance the case the right to a decent place to live be considered a basic human right. Joe Lamport examines the movement and what effect it could have in New York
Harnessing Change in Bed-Stuy (November 2007) As Bedford-Stuyvesant confronts the promise and the peril of being the next hot Brooklyn neighborhood, community groups hope to shape the change that has irrevocably altered so many city communities.
Breathing Easier in 2030 and Beyond (November 2007) The mayor’s plan for New York’s future promises to give us the best air of any big city in the country? Can we do that – and how?
Stated Meeting: Restricting Council Ads (November 2007) Members of the City Council can say goodbye to their "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" holiday greetings in local media. Under new rules approved by the City Council at its stated meeting on Thursday, members will no longer be able to give well wishes in the local media at the taxpayer's expense, which some groups contend only boosts a member's visibility and serves no public purpose.
The Fight Against Drunk Driving (November 2007) New tough laws on drunk driving just went into effect in New York, but advocates say government could more.
Gun Laws Confront Legal Challenges (November 2007) The federal appeals court for Washington, D.C. has ruled the Constitution guarantees that a person can own a gun, but a judge in Brooklyn says that reasoning does not apply in New York City.
Managing Billions in City Contracts (November 2007) A report on city contracts offers lots of numbers but little indication of how well, or how poorly, the administration manages its massive procurements.
Greening City Schoolyards (November 2007) Hundreds of school playgrounds remain off limits after school lets out. The administration wants to make them community parks, but will they be green oases or worn patches of artificial turf?
New Bills: Stormwater Fixes (November 2007)
The Garbage Glut (November 2007) How would you keep New York City from drowning in its own refuse? Play Gotham Gazette's new Garbage Game -- and decide what to do with more than 3 million tons of trash a year.
New York Plays Key Role in Fight for Transgender Rights (November 2007) The debate over granting civil rights protection to transgendered people has heated up in Albany and in Washington. But, writes Andy Humm, even in New York City, where the law does protect them, transgendered people face persistent discrimination.
Helping Abuse Victims Keep Their Children (November 2007) The city used to routinely take children away from parents who were themselves victim of spouse abuse, but a lawsuit and new attitudes are changing the way the city deals with this life and death issue.
Wall Street’s Binge, Workers’ Hangover (November 2007) In the last couple of years, average New Yorkers finally began seeing their incomes and wages rise from the economic boom. Can those gains survive the latest turmoil on Wall Street?
November 6, 2007 General Election Results (November 2007)
Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2007 General Election (November 2007)
Bagging Plastic Bags (November 2007)
Latest License Plan Angers Almost Everyone (November 2007) Facing a furor over his move to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, Governor Eliot Spitzer came up with a new plan that has managed to alienate those who supported the original proposal and those who opposed it.
Counting Convicts (October 2007) The Census includes prisoners as residents of the county where they are serving time, skewing congressional and legislative districts and giving residents of some counties more political power than others.
Stated Meeting: Preserving Neighborhoods (October 2007) Residents of two very different neighborhoods can look to the City Council this week with either appreciation or dismay after it approved a landmark designation for the private courts and row houses of Sunnyside Gardens and a rezoning for the brownstones of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Saving Arlington Marsh (October 2007) The city has announced it will preserve New York’s last major unprotected wetlands, but Arlington Marsh could still face threats.
Stated Meeting with a State Agenda (October 2007) Council Speaker Christine Quinn called an unannounced City Council meeting Tuesday morning, rushing council members into the chamber to give the state Legislature the go-ahead to approve a tax credit for small business owners.
Censored by Verizon (October 2007) The company's recent decision to deny a pro-choice group access to its cell-phone text messaging network raised concerns about whether freedom of speech is adequately protected in electronic communications.
College Boom (October 2007) New York's colleges and universities are thriving and boosting the city's economy to the delight, it seems, of everyone -- except their immediate neighbors.
Workers Speak Out About Homeless Program (October 2007) A new city policy making it more difficult for families to get emergency shelter draws attention to difficulties plaguing the city’s overall policy on homelessness.
Teaching Kids About Sex (October 2007) Sex is a fact of life for many teens in New York, but the state does not require schools to teach students about sexuality, contraception or safe sex.
Stated Meeting: Con Edison Rates and Reporting on Pesticides (October 2007) In its latest evidence of displeasure with Con Edison, the City Council approved a resolution endorsing Council Speaker Christine Quinn's efforts to become an active party in the debate over the utility's proposed rate hike. At its stated meeting on October 17, the council also approved stricter reporting standards on the city's use of pesticides, closed a tax exemption loophole for a housing program and approved several modifications to the budget.
Paying the Price for Living in New York (October 2007) New Yorkers already pay a high price to live here, and the cost of everything from a subway ride to tap water keeps going up.
Good News About Asthma (October 2007) The chronic lung condition sends far fewer kids to city hospitals now than 10 years ago, but no one seems to have noticed.
Grading the City's Public Hospitals (October 2007) New data on the city’s 11 public hospitals indicate the quality of care is equivalent to that at private hospitals, but even at city-owned hospitals, people in poor areas do not fare as well as those from richer neighborhoods.
Police Limit ‘Hanging Out’ (October 2007) Police in New York have essentially ended one of the cherished rituals of being a teenager: hanging out around school.
The Mayor Offers a Barrage of Numbers (October 2007) The Mayor’s Management Report provides useful information about city government but the 202-page document largely ignores any discussion of what works, what doesn’t work – and why.
The Mayor Offers a Barrage of Numbers (October 2007) The Mayor’s Management Report provides useful information about city government but the 202-page document largely ignores any discussion of what works, what doesn’t work – and why.
Adding Up: How Much Members Spend on Ads? (October 2007) City Council members spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on advertising, according to a new report. A look at who buys the most ads and why.
Cleaning Up New York’s Buildings (October 2007) It’s not cars or factories – but buildings. Do city government and businesses have the will to cut energy use and reduce emissions?
Burial Ground Bears Witness to a Segregated City (October 2007) The opening of the African Burial Ground Memorial serves as a reminder of residential segregation and displacement in New York.
Driver's Licenses for the Undocumented (October 2007) A heated debate revolves around Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan for New York to issue driver's licenses to immigrants who may not be here legally.
Alarms for the Police (October 2007) Despite low crime rates and high approval ratings for the commissioner, the New York City Police Department still has a difficult relationship with the city it patrols. Read more
Stop and Frisk – Who's Being Searched? (October 2007)
New Bills: Biking On The Boss's Dollar (October 2007)
A Dwindling Police Presence (October 2007)
A Tougher Policy on Protest (October 2007)
The Failure of Civilian Oversight (October 2007)
Policing the Police (October 2007) As the number of complaints made against the police rises, two civil rights lawyers charge they were mistreated by officers on a Brooklyn street.
Along the Shore, A Turning Point (October 2007) This is a key moment for the area's 700 miles of coastline.
Ms. Lopez Torres Goes to Washington (October 2007) Emily Jane Goodman reports from Washington where the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday heard arguments in a case from Brooklyn that could change the way New York chooses its State Supreme Court justices.
Taking Stock of New York’s Housing (October 2007) Directors of the Furman Center at NYU discuss the latest information on the city’s communities and homes.
Stated Meeting: Replacing Street Signs to Taking Recyclables (October 2007) At its stated meeting on September 25, the City Council cracked down on the lax replacement of missing and damaged street signs as well as the unauthorized removal of curbside recycling.
A One in Five Shot: Passing City Council Bills (October 2007) Some City Council members see many of their proposed bills become law, while others watch their ‘intros’ fade into oblivion. Which members do best – and worst?
A Modern Slavery (October 2007) The state government has approved a new law to end human trafficking but the shadowy business presents unique challenges for law enforcement.
Proposed Legislation by Council Member (October 2007)
Reviewing Federal and City Tax Cuts (September 2007) While their motives differed, both Washington and City Hall cut taxes recently. What effect have the tax policies had?
Brooklyn Judge's Battle Reaches Washington (September 2007) The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in a case challenging the way New York selects its state Supreme Court justices.
Earth Day for the Internet (September 2007) One Web Day celebrated the Internet and called attention to the threats facing on-line communication and access to information
Feeling the Effects of a Housing Bust (September 2007) As the housing bubble seems about to burst, low-income people with mortgages have the most to lose, but most New Yorkers will feel some effects of any real estate collapse.
Next Round in the Cell Phone Fight (September 2007)
Storm Warnings (September 2007) Some experts predict a major hurricane will roar into New York sometime soon. Can this coastal city of 8 million prepare for 100 mile per hour winds and surging waves?
The Catch-22 of Subsidized Day Care (September 2007) Thousands of New York children need safe, reliable care, but bureaucratic barriers prevent them from getting subsidized day care, writes the executive director of Episcopal Social Services.
How Clean (or Dirty) Is Our Air? (September 2007) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has promised to make New York the "cleanest big city in America", so how does New York City’s air measure up now?
Replacing Parking with Parks (September 2007) Some New Yorkers have envisioned new uses for an often neglected public space – the thousands of square feet of curbsides now reserved for cars.
September 18, 2007 Primary Election Results (September 2007) The following Primary Election results are based on the unofficial vote tally as reported by the New York City Board of Elections. The results below are subject to change as the official count is made public.
Making Coney Island Green (September 2007) Despite its honky-tonk image, Coney Island could become a model of sustainable development -- if the city takes an active role.
Making Coney Island Green (September 2007) Despite its honky-tonk image, Coney Island could become a model of sustainable development -- if the city takes an active role.
New Bills: Curbing to Cutting Trees (September 2007)
Insuring New York's Children (September 2007) New regulations proposed by the Bush administration leave some wondering whether many New York City children will be left without health care.
Guide for the Last Minute Voter (September 2007) Yes, there was a primary on Tuesday – with elections for judges in Brooklyn and for party posts throughout the city. Read our rundown of the races, updated to include who won.
New York’s Family Treatment Court (September 2007) Half of kids in foster care have parents who abuse drugs or alcohol. A special court helps those adults stay clean and sober and get their children back.
Stated Meeting: Rezoning Jamaica (September 2007) With the exception of three Queens council members, the City Council overwhelmingly approved a rezoning plan for Jamaica, Queens on Monday. Councilmember Thomas White, who represents part of Jamaica, did not attend the meeting. A staffer said White is out of town, and their office was unaware the vote was coming up.
A City ID Card for All (September 2007) Some City Council members want the city to issue an identification card available to all New York residents, regardless of immigration status.
Worrying About Wall Street (September 2007) What could the turmoil in the housing market and the stock market mean for New York City? Are the good times ending?
The Real Foreclosure Crisis (September 2007)
Will the Sub-Prime Crisis Reach Manhattan? (September 2007) What could the turmoil in the housing market and the stock market mean for New York City? Are the good times ending?
New York’s 'Ring of Steel' (September 2007) The police department says a plan for high-tech security downtown is simple common sense, but critics see it as a waste of money and an invasion of privacy.
New Bills: Paralyzing Peeping and Blasting Explosive Regulations (September 2007)
A Fair Deal for The New Workforce (September 2007) Labor Day celebrates union struggles of the past. Now, the head of the Freelancers Union argues, it is time for the self-employed to get the benefits so many workers won in those 20th century battles.
A Fair Deal for The New Workforce (September 2007) Labor Day celebrates union struggles of the past. Now, the head of the Freelancers Union argues, it is time for the self-employed to get the benefits so many workers won in those 20th century battles.
Too Few Jobs for Youth (September 2007)
Looking at the Four-Year Financial Plan (August 2007) Three fiscal monitors examine the city’s four-year financial plan and generally like what they see.
When Conviction Records Can Be Sealed (August 2007) The arrest of a 17-year-old on graffiti-related charges has lead to changes in New York’s procedures for revealing information about convictions.
Cash Incentives for the Poor (August 2007) Mayor Bloomberg wants to pay poor people to take their children to the doctor and make sure they go to school. Is this a bold new approach or a policy rooted in cynicism?
Lessons from Deutsche Bank (August 2007) The latest tragedy at Ground Zero proves we still have much to learn about how to handle emergencies in the city.
A Failure to Communicate (August 2007)
Stated Meeting: Making Room in Litter Baskets (August 2007) New Yorkers will have to keep their residential trash out of public litter baskets or face a fine of up to $400 under legislation unanimously approved by the City Council.
Citizens Grading Government (August 2007) City Hall wants to know how you rate public services. It's part of a growing effort to measure government successes and failures.
The New Battle Against Gentrification (August 2007) Across the city groups are fighting to preserve diversity, character and history – one neighborhood at a time.
Poll Site Access for the Disabled (August 2007) Millions of disabled New Yorkers still face obstacles to voting independently and privately.
Aging with AIDS (August 2007) Now that drug cocktails are keeping people with AIDS alive for decades, health providers and others must educate and treat a group many thought they would never see: older people with HIV and AIDS.
State of Cycling (August 2007) The plans for a more environmentally friendly New York include a number of ideas to make bicycling easier and safer.
The City Clerk – Wait, Who? (August 2007)
Hard Times in the Projects (August 2007) Declining subsidies and increasing costs have increased rents and slashed services for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who live in public housing.
Reopening the 19th Century High Bridge (August 2007) A 19th century engineering marvel and tourist attraction is being restored as a park for 21st century New Yorkers.
A Report Card from Students (August 2007) The Department of Education has asked students to rate their schools, but as one high school participant writes, students were unsure as to how to view the exercise.
Crumbling Systems (August 2007) Subways flood, pipes explode and electricity fails. Can New York’s infrastructure meet the challenges of climate change and a growing population?
Bringing Diversity to New York Elite High Schools (August 2007) New York’s top public high schools have become increasingly white and Asian, but a school opening in Manhattan next month hopes to change that.
Searchlight: Land Use and an Indicted Council Member (August 2007)
The Legislature Acts, Doesn't Act and Reacts (August 2007) While the legislative session saw advances for same-sex marriage, 2007 was at best a mixed year for advocates of civil rights and liberties, reports Andy Humm.
Neighborhoods and the Fiscal Boom (August 2007) New York City’s fiscal economy has been booming, sending tax revenues soaring and creating multibillion dollar budget surpluses. But is this prosperity boosting economic well-being in city neighborhoods? James Parrott examines the evidence.
A Divided Council Confronts Congestion Pricing (August 2007) The 51 members will eventually have to weigh in on any plan to reduce New York’s traffic. We report on who stands where in a sharply divided council.
Immersed in English (August 2007) A program at CUNY provides intensive language training for immigrant students who need something beyond a conventional English as a second language class.
When Students Need 'Someone to Talk to' (July 2007) Facing the stress of growing up in New York City, many young people need someone to talk to, but few schools offer adequate mental health services.
Protecting New York's Teens (July 2007)
After-School Programs Lose Funds (July 2007)
Trying to Break the Cycle of Violence (July 2007)
Stated Meeting: Cell Phones, Yes, Markers, No (July 2007) In muted gesture of defiance of the Bloomberg administration, the City Council last week approved legislation guaranteeing a student's right to take a cell phone to and from school, despite a Department of Education ban on the devices inside school property.
Hanging Out and Hurting Business (July 2007)
Taking A.C.T.I.O.N. at The Point (July 2007)
Police in Schools (July 2007)
Programs for Safer Homes (July 2007) A variety of government programs have helped tenants rid their apartment buildings of illegal activities from drug dealing to cockfighting.
The Campaign Fundraising Begins (July 2007) New restrictions on campaign fundraising, not yet in effect, will give a boost to candidates who have already begun collecting money for the 2009 city campaigns.
Candidates for Citywide And Boroughwide Office I (July 2007)
Candidates for Citywide And Boroughwide Office II (July 2007)
Compromising on Congestion and Campaign Cash (July 2007) After days of horse-trading, Albany leaders announced a deal on congestion pricing, campaign finance and maybe other things. What does it all mean for New York City?
Quinn’s Rule (July 2007) In 19 months as speaker, Christine Quinn has opened up the council and forged a partnership with the mayor. But her most difficult tasks could lie ahead.
Albee Square: When the Mall’s No Longer Home (July 2007) One more piece of downtown Brooklyn, this time the 1980s hip-hop hangout of Albee Square, seems poised to become yet another luxury condo and retail development.
Guaranteeing Access to Abortion in New York (July 2007) Laws restricting late-term abortions have remained on the books for 37 years in New York. Now the governor, some legislators and activists want to change that.
Poor Grades for a School ‘Contract’ (July 2007) After years of litigation, the city is getting some additional state money for education. Now the disagreement centers on what to do with it.
The Brave New World of Ticket Sales (July 2007) Facing a hot market for resold tickets online, New York has basically legalized scalping. What effect will this wide-open market have on ticket prices?
Mixed News in a ‘Good News’ Budget (July 2007) Despite huge budget surpluses, the new city budget does not redress some inequities in city taxes – or ensure long-term financial instability, writes Glenn Pasanen.
Taking Aim at Illegal Guns (July 2007) The mayor has taken his fight against gun violence to Congress and Southern gun dealerships. Has his crusade done anything to stop the shooting?
New Bills: Clean Energy to Cough Syrup (July 2007)
Keeping Felons from Voting (July 2007) By not allowing people convicted of felonies to cast ballots, the writers argue, New York State perpetuates the racial injustices of the past.
Access to the HPV Vaccine in NYC (July 2007) A new--and expensive--vaccine could prevent thousands of fatal cases of cervical cancer. Is the shot getting to the young women in New York who need it most?
‘Imperfect’ Campaign Finance Bill Wins Approval (July 2007)
Moving Ahead on Immigration Reform? (July 2007)
New ID Could Cost Immigrants Their Licenses (July 2007) Critics want New York State to reject the REAL ID, a new kind of super identification card, that, some say, could cost immigrants their driver’s licenses and let the government keep tabs on all Americans.
Summer Reading: Experts Pick Their Favorite New York Books (July 2007) In the second half of our summer reading issues, experts on the city and artists pick their favorite books about New York – and come up with some intriguing suggestions.
A Tough Month for Housing Advocates (June 2007) After suffering setbacks at the Rent Guidelines Board and in Albany, many housing advocates blame the mayor for not doing more to preserve the city’s dwindling supply of affordable housing.
Encouraging Young New Yorkers to Vote (June 2007) A number of measures and programs seek to encourage young people to register to vote. But will they be enough to get New Yorkers aged 18 to 24 to the polls in 2008?
Tracking and Video: Coming Soon to a Taxi Near You (June 2007) By next year all taxicabs are to be equipped with tracking systems and video monitors. The taxi commission hails this as a “revolutionary” move to make travel safer and more pleasant. Drivers disagree.
Electricity, Gas – and Broadband (June 2007) New York City officials have yet to determine whether high-speed Internet access is a utility – almost as essential as electricity or gas – or a luxury.
Dividing the Wealth: Who Gets the Council’s Discretionary Funds? (June 2007) Our analysis of City Council figures reveals which members did best in capturing funds for projects in their districts – and who did not fare as well.
New Books About New York (June 2007)
Summer Reading: Best Books About New York (June 2007) Leaving the city for vacation, but want to take a piece of it with you? In our summer reading issue, people who make their living from books recommend their favorite works about New York.
Who Got What (June 2007)
Breaking Up is Hard to Do (June 2007) Several recent court cases make it clear that ending a relationship in New York can be more difficult than starting one. Judge Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Income Numbers Show a Changing City (June 2007) The Bronx is booming, while New York City residents are narrowing the income gap between them and their suburban counterparts. James Parrott finds some surprising information in a new set of Commerce Department figures.
No Quick Riches for New York’s Twentysomethings (June 2007) Overall, today’s recent college graduates in New York are not making as much money as their parent’s generation did, with men’s wages falling substantially and earnings for women increasing slightly.
Sealed with a Kiss: The 2008 Budget (June 2007) Basking in the hefty surplus, the mayor and City Council smoothly reached agreement on taxes and spending. But as with any budget, some groups were left out.
Latest Round in the Garbage Wars (June 2007) Opposition to a recycling facility in Manhattan threatens to derail the city’s solid waste plan. Is it NIMBY or not?
Coney Island’s Summer of Reckoning (June 2007) After years of decline, Coney Island and the Rockaways could boom again as developers devise new projects for New York’s southern coast. But will these schemes destroy the character of our working class playgrounds?
What the Campaign Finance Bill Would Do – and Not Do (June 2007) The latest efforts to restrict campaign contributions have been widely hailed – but would the new law even be in effect in time for the 2009 elections?
Change Reaches the City’s Edge (June 2007)
With Pizza, Pinball and Panache, Boardwalk Vendors Face Changes (June 2007)
Questions Remain About the 2008 Budget (June 2007) With budget negotiations in their final weeks, questions remain about how to use the city’s multi-billion dollar surplus – and just how big that surplus is.
Foster Care System Gives Parents a Bigger Role (June 2007) The foster care system has often treated birth parents as adversaries but now the Administration for Children’s Services is giving these parents a bigger role in the child welfare system.
Atlantic Yards and the Sustainability Test (June 2007) The developer of the Atlantic Yards megaproject in Brooklyn promise is will be environmentally friendly. But does it truly pass the sustainability test?
New Yorkers and the Immigration Bills (June 2007) While some New Yorker think proposed changes in immigration law could help them, a number of advocacy groups have major criticisms of the bills now in Congress.
Education’s Difficult Stage (June 2007) Despite the rise in eighth-grade test scores, New York City’s middle schools represent the weakest part of the system. Why is it so hard to fix them?
Stated Meeting – Street Names Sparks Heated Debate (June 2007) Despite a demonstration on the steps of City Hall and apparent racial division among its members, the City Council excluded the revered and rebuked Sonny Carson from a street-naming bill at its stated meeting on May 30, turning a normally routine procedure into a controversy. The council also – and much less contentiously – adopted a bill to strengthen the repair process for the city's most dilapidated buildings and a measure requiring building owners to submit up-to-date floor numbering lists to the fire department.
A New Program to Fight Homelessness (May 2007) The city has unveiled yet another program to help homeless families but critics fear it will repeat the mistake of the existing, unsuccessful effort.
Election Reform: Big Changes, Little Notice (May 2007) Governor Eliot Spitzer has proposed reforms that could fundamentally change how New Yorkers run for office and vote, but the sweeping plan has attracted little attention.
Needed: Campaign Finance Reform (May 2007) New York has some of the weakest campaign laws in the country and, writes Dick Dadey of Citizens Union, that must change – now.
Name that Street (May 2007) City Council has split over whether to rename a street for black activist Sonny Carson, fueling a debate over the names of city roads, parks and schools.
Grading Neighborhood Parks 2007 (May 2007) Conditions at New York City’s neighborhood parks vary widely, and overall, they are in worse shape than last year, according to survey by the group New Yorkers for Parks. The commissioner, however, calls the report card a case of “grade deflation.”
Co-op Disclosure Bill Stalls in Council (May 2007) A bill to require co-op boards to explain why they reject a potential buyer seems unlikely to pass – even tough a majority of council members support it.
New Bills: Rights in Restaurants, Banning Markers (May 2007)
The Move to Expand DNA Testing (May 2007) Governor Eliot Spitzer’s proposal to take DNA samples from anyone convicted of a crime in the state has revived the debate over this powerful tool.
Breaks for Big Business (May 2007) JPMorgan Chase says it will leave town if it doesn’t get millions in city and state aid. Are such corporate subsidies a good deal for New York – or corporate welfare?
Have Laptops Flunked the Test? (May 2007) Programs to give all students laptop computers could fall victim to the prevailing attitude that the only worthwhile learning is what can be measured by a standardized test.
Upholding the Cell Phone Ban (May 2007) The state Supreme Court hung up on parents who argued that the school system’s ban on cell phones is an improper intrusion into family matters.
Behind The Low Unemployment Rate (May 2007) With the city’s jobless rate at a record low, officials are trumpeting the good news. But what do the numbers mean? James Parrott of the Fiscal Policy Institute provides some answers as we launch our new Economy section.
Stated Meeting: Protecting Fire Fighters (May 2007) At the city council’s stated meeting on May 9, the council members unanimously approved a bill requiring that the fire department be notified of any substantial changes in existing buildings. During the meeting, which also featured the long-delayed swearing in of new City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene and continued debate over whether to rename a street for black activist Sonny Carson, the council passed a resolution in favor of a federal program that would provide money to help those who responded to and worked or lived near the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001. A number of new bills were announced as well.
Reconstructing New York’s Building Code Overhaul (May 2007) New York City has proposed the first overhaul of its building code in nearly 40 years. Will it make structures in the city safer and more affordable?
A Sustainability Test at Willets Point (May 2007) The mayor’s plan for Willets Point, the Iron Triangle of Queens, raises questions about the city’s vision of sustainable development.
Will the Critics Kill Congestion Pricing? (May 2007) Transportation: Politicians are lining up to oppose congestion pricing but, writes Bruce Schaller, that could change as the public learns more about its costs and benefits.
Getting the Most from Congestion Pricing (May 2007) Along with charging motorists a fee, the city has a number of other tools available to reduce traffic on our roads – and some of them could be instituted quickly.
Improve Transit Before Congestion Pricing (May 2007) Political and technological issues could stall congestion pricing, but there are many transit improvements the mayor can make in the meantime.
The High Costs of Driving - and Parking (May 2007) Faced with likely opposition to his laudable plans for congestion pricing, Mayor Michael Bloomberg should also try to raise the cost of parking.
Taking on the Traffic (May 2007) Motorists cost the rest of us billions of dollars a year. Congestion pricing aims to correct that.
The Hard Choices Ahead (May 2007) The mayor has taken a good start on the road to a sustainable energy future, but tough choices lie ahead, including whether to have electricity cost more.
On Energy, Consider the Alternatives (May 2007) If New Yorkers are really going to use less energy and cleaner energy, more must be done to educate the public and promote alternative sources of energy.
Waterfront Development or Neighborhood Displacement? (May 2007) While the mayor sees Williamsburg-Greenpoint as a model for development elsewhere in the city, the rezoning there has changed the character of the area and forced out many long-time residents.
Building In The Wrong Places (May 2007) City Hall's proposal would allow subsidies for development in waterways and floodplains to continue--increasing storm, flooding and habitat risks.
Developing Brownfields The Right Way (May 2007) The plan to clean up and develop contaminated areas could provide needed land and eliminate health hazards – if it’s done right.
What plaNYC Does Not Do (May 2007) Any plan for a bigger, more environmentally friendly city needs to include more parkland and encourage community gardening.
Making Growth Work for All New Yorkers (May 2007) The mayor’s vision must include a focus on good jobs with decent wages if growth is to benefit all New Yorkers.
Passing the ‘Do-Ability’ Test (May 2007) In a city where grand visions often falter, Mayor Bloomberg confronted budget issues head-on, helping his plaNYC pass the “do-ability test”.
Stated Meeting City Council April 23, new bills (May 2007) At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.
Data to the People (May 2007) In an on-line chat with Gotham Gazette, Gale Brewer discusses how technology can improve access to government.
Debating a Greener Future (May 2007) The 2030 Plan and Beyond From praising congestion pricing to calling for more parks, an array of experts react to specific proposals in Mayor Bloomberg’s plan for a greener and greater city.
Fiscal Impacts of PlaNYC 2030 (May 2007)
Going Green, Saving Green (May 2007) A new apartment complex in the Bronx aims to prove that housing can be both friendly to the environment and the pocketbook.
Planning for a Bigger, Greener City (April 2007) From congestion pricing to a million trees, Mayor Bloomberg’s plans for New York in 2030 are sweeping and controversial. This week, we launch a series analyzing, monitoring and commenting on the move for a more sustainable city.
Stated Meeting - Bicycle Taxis, Baseball Bats, and Budget Boom (April 2007) On April 23, the New York City Council overrode two mayoral vetoes and so instituted new restrictions on pedicabs and banned metal baseball bats from high school sports leagues. In addition to these somewhat contentious votes, the council had the pleasure of doing what some say it does best: spend money. The members voted unanimously to approve an additional $1.8 billion in spending in this year’s budget. They also passed resolutions on the 9/11 cleanup, school funding and the Virginia Tech massacre.
Will Voting Reforms Discourage Minority Voting? (April 2007) Efforts to stop voter fraud – an often exaggerated problem – may prevent legitimate voters from casting ballots, write Doug Island and Andrea Senteno.
Predatory Lending Fuels Rise in Foreclosures (April 2007) High-interest loans with hidden terms are behind the surge in housing foreclosures in the city, writes Joe Lamport.
New Bills: Housing Repairs and a Street Fight (April 2007)
Catching Up On Recycling (April 2007) The city needs to do more to regain the momentum lost when it suspended recycling a few years ago, writes Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
Protecting New York’s Wetlands (April 2007) Coastal areas, marshes, ponds and the like are key to New York City's rich ecosystem. But development and pollution threaten to wipe out many of these areas
Judges' Stagnant Salaries (April 2007) The state’s judges hope they can revive efforts to give them their first pay hike in eight years.
Helping Foster Children Become Better Parents (April 2007) By educating teenage foster children on how to be better parents, several city programs hope to stop the cycle of abuse.
Future of Pedicabs Remains Uncertain (April 2007) The mayor’s veto of a pedicab bill continues the debate over what role the cabs can play in the city’s transportation mix.
A Promise to Shake Up State Human Rights Division (April 2007) New Yorkers who complain to the State Division of Human Rights have had to wait three or more years for a case to be resolved. But in an interview with Andy Humm, Kumiki Gibson, the new head of the agency, promises that that is about to change.
Saving New York’s Middle Class (April 2007) As New York City’s rich grow even richer, public officials debate why the middle class is being squeezed and what might relieve the pressure.
Stated Meeting -- Protecting (April 2007) The City Council last week passed a bill that would protect "educational whistleblowers", setting up another conflict with Mayor Michael Bloomberg just two weeks after he rejected its plan to regulate pedicabs.
Noxious New York (April 2007)
Jittery Wall Street, Calm City? (April 2007) If Wall Street sneezes, will New York catch pneumonia? Many parts of the economy continue to be robust, suggesting that New York City’s economy may slow but it won’t turn down unless Wall Street settles into a sustained slump.
Sunnyside Fights Over What to Preserve (April 2007) A dispute over whether to make part of Sunnyside a historic district is partly an argument over what in the area deserves to be protected.
Language Barriers Silence Immigrant Tenants (April 2007) Housing services don’t reach many of the immigrant families that need them most.
The Many Ways to Spell ‘Tax Relief” (April 2007)
The Council's Budget Response (April 2007)
A ‘Customer’ Survey for the City (April 2007) City officials may be in for some surprises when they ask New Yorkers what they think of public services in the city.
Broadband Haves and Have Nots (April 2007) With New York lagging behind many other cities on broadband access, a new effort seeks to bring high-speed Internet to low-income New Yorkers.
Stated Meeting -- Maintaining Mitchell- Lama (April 2007) The City Council passed bills intended to keep affordable housing available, and to protect the safety of construction workers at its most recent stated meeting on March 28, 2007. It also approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Criminal Justice Under Eliot Spitzer (April 2007) With the crime rate down, New York could move to reduce sentences, provide more education to prisoners – and even shut down prisons.
A Platform to Preserve Housing (March 2007) Political changes have spurred housing advocates to aggressively push the state government for changes that would help preserve affordable homes in New York.
Change of Venue In the Sean Bell Case (March 2007) The Sean Bell case should be tried in Queens, where he was shot, argues attorney Ken Ramseur.
AUXILIARY OFFICERS ASSISTANCE PLAN (March 2007)
Staten Island’s South Shore: Mulia, Tobacco and Tabacco (March 2007)
Central Brooklyn: A Not-So-Instant Replay (March 2007)
Staten Island’s North Shore: A Heated Three-Way Contest (March 2007)
New Bills -- Government on the Web, Parking, and Illegal Hotels (March 2007)
Auxiliary Police (March 2007) In the wake of the shooting death of two of its officers, great changes may be underway in the way New York City's 4,500-member volunteer police force is trained, deployed, supervised...and protected.
Voting, Yes. Democracy, Maybe. (March 2007) It isn’t even an election year but the special elections continue Tuesday as Staten Islanders choose two Assembly members. Does all this voting have much to do with democracy?
Tax Cuts For Tenants And Other Budget Debates (March 2007) The city’s spring budget process looks to be an especially interesting one, with proposals for tax cuts for renters, rainy day funds, and a big hike in education funds.
Women of New York City (March 2007) Women in New York City are much more likely to be single, earn more money, and have more education than women living in the rest of the United States. In most fields, New York men out-earn New York women, but in three fields, it's the reverse.
Government by Contract (March 2007) Contracts play an increasing role in city government, but the recent furor over changes in school bus routes has highlighted questions about the practice.
Metal Bat Ban, Benefits for Domestic Patners, and Chocolate Milk (March 2007)
The Price of Progress? (March 2007) Can New York's historical places withstand the city's thirst for development?
NYC V. Fast Food (March 2007) From rats to fats, city officials are battling the unhealthy ways of the fast food industry.
Finding A Parking Space (March 2007) As much as 45 percent of traffic on the city’s streets consists of cars searching for a parking space. Bruce Schaller explains one "rock star's" solution -- “market rate pricing of metered spaces.”
Helping Young Mothers Help Their Babies and Themselves (March 2007) The Nurse Family Partnership tries to help at risk children – before they are even born.
Atlantic Yards: A “Done Deal?” (March 2007) Is Atlantic Yards inevitable? A new movie, Brooklyn Matters, “uncovers a deepening vein of displeasure with the project that spans a wide political spectrum,” writes Tom Angotti, who explains how, and why.
Nightlife, Pedicabs, and the N-word (March 2007)
In Danger: Men At Work (March 2007) As the construction industry booms, its workers face increasing peril, leaving city and state officials looking for ways to respond.
Breaking Ground (March 2007)
Putting Limits On Pay To Play (February 2007) People who do business with the city and state governments have long been expected to fork over political contributions to influential officials. But an increasing number of politicians say it may be time to limit the quid pro quos known as “pay to play.”
City Council’s First Haitian Member (February 2007) A City Council election in Brooklyn last week gave the council its first Haitian member. With Mathieu Eugene’s victory, Haitian New Yorkers gained a toehold in elected government. But first Eugene must weather a controversy over his place of residence.
Housing’s Impact: Need For New Research (February 2007) How important is housing to a child’s success at school? Does housing stability affect people’s health? The MacArthur Foundation has committed $25 million to conducting new research, Joe Lamport writes, “aiming for a more profound shift in how people think about housing.”
Is Albany Odious? (February 2007) Will New Yorkers feel less tormented by Albany once it "reforms"?
Government's Annual Reports (February 2007) In their State of the City speeches, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Christine Quinn presented somewhat different visions of New York.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz 2007 State of the Borough Address (February 2007)
Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall 2007 State of the Borough Address (February 2007)
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer 2007 State of the Borough Address (February 2007)
Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro 2007 State of the Borough Address (February 2007)
Bronx Borough President 2007 State of the Borough Address (February 2007)
Speaker Christine C. Quinn: State of the City Address: February 15, 2007 (February 2007)
Sustainable Transportation for 2030 (February 2007) Transportation plays a central role in all of the central challenges that Mayor Michael Bloomberg says is facing in the next 25 years, writes Bruce Schaller, who explains some of the Bloomberg administration’s ideas – and some of his own.
New Bills -- Domestic Partnerships, Wetlands, and Skinny Models (February 2007)
Many Issues, Many Nationalities in Central Brooklyn (February 2007)
It’s the Development, Stupid, on Staten Island (February 2007)
Special City Council Elections (February 2007) Residents of two districts will go to the polls next week to elect new City Council members. The race in central Brooklyn features ten candidates, many of them immigrants, and a range of issues. But on Staten Island, the two-man contest focuses sharply on overdevelopment.
Confronting the Congestion Crisis (February 2007) Councilmember Gale Brewer on how city officials should keep traffic in city streets from grinding to a complete halt.
Bigger Media, Less Local Democracy (February 2007) “Just as Starbucks knocked out independent coffee shops and Wal-Mart killed the corner store, media conglomerates have devastated locally produced newspapers, television stations, and radio programs throughout the country.” A talk with Eric Klinenberg, who explains how this has affected New York.
Cell Phones To The Rescue (February 2007) If Mayor Bloomberg's claim is untrue that his new plan to enable 911 to receive photographs and images from cell phones is available in "no other city in the world", it is still a brave new world for those for whom the plan raises uncomfortable questions.
Tax-And-Spend No More (February 2007) In his preliminary budget for the next fiscal year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a billion dollars of tax cuts, the squirreling away of billions in reserve funds, and a four-year plan that, with the exception of education, caps discretionary city spending.
Plan NYC 2030 (February 2007) The mayor has announced plans for a unique planning effort for a more populated New York of 2030. But, Tom Angotti asks, is the plan itself sustainable beyond 2008, when voters will elect a new mayor?
Do-It-Yourself Regulation: Stated Meeting 2/1/2007 (February 2007) New construction is often regulated only by the companies doing the building. The City Council is trying to cut down on abuses.
The Battle for Comptroller (February 2007) With the state government working to enact a budget and consider sweeping financial changes proposed by Governor Eliot Spitzer, the job of the state fiscal monitor remains vacant.
Where Is The Civil Rights Agenda? (February 2007) “There seems to have been a shift – and a reduction -- in rhetoric around civil rights from New York’s leaders,” Andy Humm writes. “But does this mean they do not care about racial and other kinds of discrimination?”
Arts Funding, Transformed (January 2007) The mayor’s preliminary budget proposes changes to funding for the arts that are making normally glum arts advocates do a little dance.
The New Governor’s Mystery Agenda (January 2007) No one is sure what Governor Eliot Spitzer will do about the housing issues in New York City.
2008 BUDGET: ROUND ONE (January 2007) The city has a $3.9 billion surplus as the budget season begins. So why does the mayor seem so worried?
Private Partnerships For Public Parks (January 2007) A deal to give 20 private schools near-exclusive use of much of the recreational space of Randall’s Island in exchange for funding is the latest controversy arising over an increasing practice – “the reliance on private organizations to support what traditionally has been a taxpayer-funded service.”
Voting Machine -- The Four Finalists (January 2007) A look at the four voting machines that are in the running to replace the lever machine with which New Yorkers have been voting since 1962.
Juvenile Injustice (January 2007) The mayor’s announcement of “the most significant restructuring of our juvenile justice system in decades” gets a mixed response from some people who know the system best.
Tax Relief, But Who's Relieved? (January 2007) The mayor says his property tax relief plan will benefit individual New Yorkers and spark the economy, but economists say it will hardly be noticed.
Reorganizing the Schools (Again) (January 2007) After four year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is reorganizing the schools again, but do the changes address the problems that still persist in the city’s public schools?
New Bills -- Bike Safety, Public Housing, Subsidized Transportation (January 2007) At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws. As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.
Mayoral Agenda 2007 (January 2007)
Charting New York’s Health (January 2007) Which New York City neighborhood has the most binge drinking? Which the highest rate of obesity? Which the most deaths from heart disease? The answers are in the health department’s Community Health Profiles. Cari Olson of the health department explains what the numbers tell us and how citizens can use them.
The Internet From Your Electrical Outlet (January 2007) A look at the possibility that New Yorkers will start getting Internet access from regular electrical power lines – a practice already common throughout Europe and in cities like Cincinnati.
MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S 2007 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS (January 2007)
Lessons From The Number 7 Train Extension (January 2007) Financing is in place for the construction of the No. 7 subway line. Bruce Schaller looks at the lessons for getting other big transportation projects done.
Hillary, Rudy, And George, But Not Mike ( Or So He Says) (January 2007) The Democratic Convention won't be held in New York, but four New Yorkers are still looking to dominate the race in 2008. What does the city stand to gain?
Council's First Meetings of 2007: Environmental Issues and City-Owned Buildings (January 2007)
Property Tax Reform -- NOT (January 2007) Why nobody wants to touch the complex and, Glenn Pasanen writes, fundamentally unfair system of property taxes in New York City.
Health Problems Among Caribbean Immigrants (January 2007) Caribbean women immigrants are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of cervical cancer than black women born in the States. Experts say a lack of funds and serious cultural barriers prevent Caribbean women immigrants from getting gynecological checkups.
Military Recruiters In High Schools (January 2007) Critics have been complaining loudly about the direct presence of military recruiters in city high schools, especially in poor neighborhoods.
Cracking Down on Corruption (January 2007) In his first few days in office, Governor Eliot Spitzer vowed to change the culture of corruption in the state capital. Everyone lauded his goals but can he really get the job done?
Drivers’ Licenses for Immigrants (January 2007) With a new administration in Albany, many immigrant New Yorkers are hoping that a policy that has denied drivers’ licenses to hundreds of thousands of state residents who lack immigration status will be reversed. Many are now wondering what kind of driver’s license proposal they can expect to see from the new governor.
Advising Spitzer (January 2007) From Day One, as he puts it, Eliot Spitzer has complicated and important decisions to make. Five experts, including two former governors, offer the new governor their unsolicited advice.
Eliot Spitzer, Governor (January 2007)
Governor Eliot Spitzer's Inaugural Address (January 2007)
Tax Breaks For Affordable Housing (December 2006) Developers in many parts of Manhattan and the Brooklyn would get a property tax exemption only if one fifth of the apartments in a new project are affordable, according to a bill passed by the City Council this month and awaiting the mayor's signature, and approval by the state legislature. The law would also create a fund to finance affordable housing.
Energy-Efficient Appliances (December 2006) Buying a better refrigerator not only saves money; it helps save the world. The government of the City of New York has been doing its part to promote energy efficiency in several ways. New York City shoppers can as well.
The Big Stories That Did Not Happen in 2006 (December 2006)
Top 10 Stories of 2006 (December 2006) Spitzer’s victory, gains by other state Democrats and health issues captured New York City headlines during a year dominated by news from Iraq.
Predicting The Big Stories in 2007 (December 2006) Two dozen New Yorkers look at what the city's fortunes may be in 2007.
New Bills – The 421-a and Affordable Housing Debate (December 2006)
Housing And The Feds (December 2006) How realistic are hopes that Congress will address the housing crisis in New York City and throughout the country? And what would it take to make that happen?
Congestion Pricing And The Future Of NYC: Addressing The Objections (December 2006) If mayor’s speech about the city’s major challenges for the future specifically mentioned traffic congestion, it was left to the panelists afterwards to bring up one way of reducing it -- congestion pricing, charging a fee for using busy roadways. Bruce Schaller addresses the arguments being made against this solution.
Long Term Planning in New York City -- Challenges and Goals (December 2006) Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined the major challenges facing New York City as it tries to develop a 25-year sustainability plan, and its goals in forming such a plan, in a speech at the Queens Museum of Art on December 12, 2006.
Wireless And Emergency Response (December 2006) With the Citywide Wireless Mobile Network, which launches next month, New York City is investing $500 million to ensure that the communications breakdowns that occurred on September 11, 2001 do not happen in any future emergency.
New Bills -- Fake IDs, Commuter Vans, Rescue Workers (December 2006)
Stated Meeting – Cleaner, Accessible Taxis; Faster Lobbying Reform (December 2006) The City Council passed four bills designed to make taxis accessible to disabled riders and less harmful to the environment at its stated meeting on December 6, 2006. Council members who spoke in favor of the bills said their long-term goal is for every single taxi in the city to be environmentally friendly and accessible to the disabled. Today, less than one percent of all the city's taxis are so-called clean air vehicles – either hybrid-electric models, or vehicle that use efficient compressed natural gas as fuel. Only 81 of the more than 13,000 taxis in New York are wheelchair-accesible.
Twin Crises In Health Care (December 2006) New York State is trying to save its hospital system from financial collapse, while also finding a way to provide health care tothe millions of New Yorkers who are going without.
Tough Times for Transit Workers (December 2006) As transit workers still await a new contract, union president Roger Toussaint and some of his rivals at the Transport Workers Union look back at last year’s events and assess conditions facing transit workers today.
High Revenue, Obscure Spending (December 2006) City Hall cannot be blamed for boasting about an increase in revenue to government coffers. But it is rightly criticized for obscuring information about how it spends the money -- specifically, its more than $11 billion in contracts with organizations outside of government.
Congestion Pricing: An Incomplete Solution (December 2006) Tom Angotti argues that what is missing in New York City isn’t just congestion pricing – charging drivers for entering the most traffic-clogged parts of the city -- but long-term planning for traffic reduction
Cops In High Schools (December 2006) High school students have a mixed view of police presence, especially in the so-called Impact schools.
50 Bullets, Many Issues (December 2006) The shooting of Sean Bell on his wedding echoes other shooting of unarmed black men by police. A look at the reactions, the issues raised and what some say should be done to prevent similar tragedies.
Stated Meeting: Electrical Code, Property Taxes (December 2006) The City Council passed a bill making various changes to the electrical code at its most recent stated meeting on November 29, 2006. Under the bill, balconies, decks and porches would be required to have outlets, a safety measure intended to cut down on the dangerous practice of stringing extension cords from indoor outlets. The expiration of electricians' licenses would be staggered to avoid the annual backlog that starts December 31, when every single license in the city expires. Several other changes would also be made regarding the processing of applications and other documents, and the operation of emergency generators.
Small Schools Exclude Many Immigrants (December 2006) The school reform efforts by Mayor Michael Bloomberg have dismantled large, failing high schools and created nearly 200 new small high schools to replace them. But there is one group of students for whom small schools are not as beneficial as they could be – immigrants and students who are English-language learners -- because many small schools do not accept them.
The Idle Rich (November 2006) They inspire resentment and fascination, but little is known about the "idle rich" -- New Yorkers who live off investment income. Andrew Beveridge pieces together an admittedly incomplete profile of them based on new census data.
Smart Meters (November 2006) What if residents of every apartment also had access to real-time information about their own electric consumption? Would it change their behavior – and benefit the city as a whole? This is the promise of what are being called smart meters.
After Prison (November 2006) The story of New Yorker Elaine Bartlett, released from prison after 16 years, highlights issues surrounding the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the reintegration of ex-prisoners into society.
New Bills -- Nightlife Legislation, Tighter Agency Oversight, and Disclosure on Slavery (November 2006)
The Last Word in School Funding? (November 2006) The state’s highest court has issued what could well be the last word in the long legal battle over funding for New York City schools. But a new political fight is about to begin.
Artist Displacement (November 2006) Artists move in; neighborhood turns expensive; artists are pushed out. Several recent conferences have discussed solutions to the continuing problem, including homeownership for artists.
The Challenge of Eating Healthy (November 2006) New Yorkers go to the world's most famous grocery stores to shop for Thanksgiving dinners. For others, there isn't a single store in sight.
The City Council Votes Itself A Raise (November 2006) The City Council voted to give elected officials raises last week, over the objections of those who argue that reforms should have been part of the deal.
A Greener Governor? (November 2006) Parks advocates expect Eliot Spitzer to continue his support for open space in New York City, while they hope the new Congress will increase funding for urban parks.
Civil Liberties and the Election (November 2006) The Democratic sweep in Congress and in the New York Statehouse may result in little more than a change of tone, rather than concrete legislative change, when it comes to civil liberties.
Hundreds Of Millions Of New Dollars To New York? (November 2006) The ascendant Democrats in Washington and Albany could deliver big to New York City in tax relief and tax dollars. On the other hand, the U.S. President, and the New York State Senate, are still Republican.
Looking for Government Help on Housing (November 2006) Activists hope Democrats in Congress will take steps to address the city’s housing crunch, but worry about Eliot Spitzer’s ties to the real estate industry.
New Congress Will Move On Transportation (November 2006)
What Does It Mean for New York? (November 2006) After years in the political wilderness, many New Yorkers hope the new regimes in Washington and Albany will bring the city increased clout. But will it really make a difference. Some opinionate New Yorkers weigh in.
After The Election -- What Will Be Different Now? (November 2006)
The Sheriff of State Street (November 2006)
New Help For the Working Poor? (November 2006) If they want to help the working poor, newly elected Democrats in Albany and Washington could take bold steps to improve education and housing, says Nancy Rankin of the Community Service Society.
The Staten Island Ferry Crash Three Years Later (November 2006) Three years later, the crash that killed 11 people remains a continuing and costly drama for those involved, including City Hall.
Obesity, Asthma, and Public Health: What Can Planners Do? (November 2006) Tom Angotti explores how urban planning – better building codes and zoning codes -- could create a healthier environment. For example: “the Zoning Resolution restricts the location of sex shops in the city, so it could also limit the location of fast food outlets, keeping them away from schools.”
2006 Election Results (November 2006)
Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2006 General Election (November 2006)
New Bills -- Pay Raises, Veterans and the Police Department, Bicycle Lanes (November 2006) At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.
Contested Races (November 2006)
2006 New York Comptroller Candidates Grid (November 2006)
2006 New York Attorney General Candidates Grid (November 2006)
2006 New York Gubernatorial Candidates Grid (November 2006)
Stuyvesant Town, Queens West And The Debate Over Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses (November 2006) A closer look at both Stuyvesant Town and Queens West suggests the complications in using the usual arguments in the debate over Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses, says Brad Lander of the Pratt Center for Community Development
Jane Jacobs, Robert Moses And City Planning Today (November 2006)
Teen Court Days (November 2006) New York City foster youth would like a great voice, and presence, in family court.
Legal Lexicon (November 2006) Legal definitions, from "abatement" to "youthful offender"
Back In The Spotlight (November 2006) Norman Eng explains the recent events that have helped bring attention back to immigrant issues.
Tenant Organizing For 36 Years (October 2006) Joe Lamport interviews Michael McKee, the longest-serving tenant organizer in New York City on the tenant movement, the housing picture, and what keeps him from retiring.
Economic Incentives, for Council Members and Businesses; City Council Stated Meeting, Oct. 25, 2006 (October 2006)
Yankee Stadium/Parks Exchange Underway (October 2006) Construction of Yankee stadium is on schedule, but, Anne Schwartz writes, “the building of the promised interim and replacement parkland has gotten off to a slower start. Now residents are wondering when – and if – the new parks will be built.”
Bias Murder -- The Death Of Michael Sandy In Context (October 2006) Twenty years after thousands of people marched to protest a bias killing in Howard Beach, a similar killing of Michael Sandy, a gay African-American New Yorker, has produced no march through Sheepshead Bay. Andy Humm explains what's changed.
The Attorney General (October 2006) In a campaign marked by personal attacks, Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro are aggressively seeking a job once held by Aaron Burr, Martin Van Buren and Eliot Spitzer. But what actually does the state’s top lawyer do?
Business Improvement Districts (October 2006) There are 55 business improvement districts, or BIDs, in New York City, more than any other municipality in the world. What they promise is a revitalized area at little cost to City Hall. But critics see them differently.
New Bills – Saving Middle-Income Housing and Improving Nightlife Safety (October 2006)
The Forgotten Attack On NYC (October 2006) A major terrorist attack on New York City -- planned and carried out by agents of a foreign government -- occurred 85 years before September 11th, and has passed into obscurity.
Municipal Television – A Clash Of Vision (October 2006) Marcus Banks explains the difference of views on New York City’s municipally owned television channels, and how to make government programming must-watch TV.
Using City Tax Policy To Help The Working Poor (October 2006) The $42 million proposed child care tax credit is the only sign thus far of any new public funding for anti-poverty programs. But there are at least three other ways, Glenn Pasanen argues, that City Hall could use a change in tax policy to help the poor
Faster Buses, Safer Cycling, Better Pedestrian Protection And Other Plans For The Future (October 2006) New York City's Transportation Commissioner talks about what improvements her agency is instituting.
Putting Cars Behind (October 2006) A sound transportation policy for New York or any big city must reduce car use and let residents enjoy their surroundings, argues the former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia.
The Poverty Commission: Measuring Up? (October 2006) How many poor people live in New York? How do we determine who is poor? Is that accurate? A member of the mayor's poverty commission answers key questions on the shape of poverty in the city.
Stated Meeting – Helping Low-Income Homeowners – 10/11/2006 (October 2006) The council unanimously expanded an existing law that reduces property taxes exemption for low-income senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers who own their homes. Currently, seniors and disabled people must have incomes must have incomes of less that$32,400 to be exempt from paying part of their property tax. Council now has raised that limit to $34,400 for this year and will gradually increase that to $37,400 in 2009. To receive the maximum benefit, the homeowners have to have income of $24,000 or less now. That will go up to $29,000 in 2009.
The Poverty Commission: Measuring Up? (October 2006) How many poor people live in New York? How do we determine who is poor? Is that accurate? A member of the mayor's poverty commission answers key questions on the shape of poverty in the city.
MTA Debt (October 2006) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing ballooning debt, but has postponed dealing with it, Bruce Schaller writes.
Long-Term Planning At City Hall (October 2006) With the creation of a new Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, and a report envisioning a New York in 2030 with 400,000 new apartments, City Hall has an ambitious agenda for future growth, says Tom Angotti.
Can Small Stores Survive in New York? (October 2006) With many New York streets increasingly resembling suburban shopping malls, the developer of Chelsea Market and an architect offer ideas on how small, locally owned businesses can still thrive in New York City.
Special Ed: Needs Improvement (October 2006) The Department of Education says it has strengthened services for students with disabilities, but a new state report gives the city’s program low marks.
No-Fault Divorce: Feminists Clash (October 2006) With feminists divided on the issue, no-fault divorce could be one of the more divisive debates in the state.
New Council Bills -- Nightlife Safety and Property Tax Breaks (October 2006) At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.
Hospital Communication (October 2006) New regulations attempt to tackle the barriers to communication in hospitals.
Green Construction (October 2006) From the proposed Atlantic Yards development in downtown Brooklyn to the water filtration plant in the northern Bronx, critics almost always complain not just about the project itself, but about the inconvenience, pollution and noise they will face during its construction. But another way is emerging.
Good Government Speaks Many Languages (October 2006) In a city where one in four New Yorkers is still in the process of learning English, City Hall is failing to take its own advice.
Independent Voters (September 2006) There are more independent voters in New York City than there are registered members of the Republican, Conservative, Working Families and Independence parties combined. Yet, efforts to involve unaffiliated voters in the political process are happening…elsewhere.
HIV 25 Years Later (September 2006) Jarel Melendez looks at how AIDS affected the city’s foster care system, and why it continues to affect our teens today
New York City Council Stated Meeting -- September 27, 2006 (September 2006)
Waterfront In Fits And Starts (And Stops) (September 2006) Pat Arnow updates the progress – or inaction, or reversals – in several waterfront projects, including Hudson River Park, East River Park, Belt Parkway Bath… and why the Statue of Liberty can still gaze lovingly at the statue of Minerva in Green-Wood Cemetery.
Is Homework Necessary? Also: A Truce Over Teaching Math (September 2006) The fight over how to teach math seems to be calming down. But a new debate is heating up over whether to give homework.
How the Estate Tax Helps New York (September 2006) As Congress seeks to help those at the other end of the economic ladder by eliminating the estate tax, State Senator Liz Krueger argues that removing the tax would hurt New York City and its nonprofit institutions.
Fighting Poverty (September 2006)
The Many Faces of Poverty (September 2006)
New City Council Bills -- Commuting, Smoking, and Drinking (September 2006)
Housing Activists’ Fall Agenda (September 2006) Housing advocates aren’t just pushing for more affordable housing. Some are lobbying for new city legislation that they say will make life easier for embattled tenants, such as the establishment of a Repair Board, and the creation of new rights – the right to counsel in housing court for senior citizens, the right to sue landlords for harassment.
Housing In New York City -- Figuring Out The Big (And Little) Picture (September 2006) A spate of reports on the city's housing details what most New Yorkers already knew -- but with some surprises, and plenty of mysteries.
Fast Track From Poverty? (September 2006) A mayoral commission's just-released report on poverty focuses on young adults and the working poor -- as did anthropologist Katherine Newman, in her eight-year study of NYC's fast-food workers.
Foreign, Battered and Denied Aid Unconstitutionally (September 2006) A federal judge rules that New York has been unconstitutionally denying aid to battered immigrant women.
Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, Then and Now (September 2006) The news of the proposed sale of two of the last bastions of middle class housing in New York City, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, prompted Andy Beveridge to look at the demographics of the residents in 1950, and see how they changed by 2000.
New York City Council Stated Meeting -- September 13, 2006 (September 2006)
Election Results: Minor Races (September 2006)
Putting City Hall’s Documents Online (September 2006) Though city agencies have been required since 2003 to post their official documents online, few are fully complying with the law.
2006 Primary Election Results (September 2006)
Transit Riders – More For Work, Fewer For Fun (September 2006) Bruce Schaller analyzes recent census data to show that, while more New Yorkers are taking public transportation to work, fewer are taking the bus or subway for fun.
9/11 Health: Help at Last? (September 2006) After five years of inaction, everybody is suddenly talking about 9/11-related health problems. Can officials make up for lost time, or is this too little too late?
Contested State Assembly Seats (September 2006)
Contested State Senate Seats (September 2006)
A Guide for the Last Minute Voter, Primary 2006 (September 2006)
Asthma, Poverty and Pollution (September 2006) Asthma affects children in poor neighborhoods in New York City at a much higher rate than in the rest of the city, and the rest of the country. Why? Some attribute it to pollution.
The Mayor's Legacy: Educational Improvements and Poverty Reduction, Or Bold Budgeting and Economic Development? (September 2006) "Public officials cannot usually control how they are viewed by history," Glenn Pasanen writes, "and, while much can happen in the more than three years left to the Bloomberg administration, events over the past few months may wind up helping determine what ultimately will be seen as this mayor's main accomplishments."
Inclusionary Zoning (September 2006) It has now become an “accepted norm throughout the city” Tom Angotti writes, to create “inclusionary zoning,” which allows real estate developers to construct bigger buildings in exchange for allocating a portion of them to people with modest incomes.
9/11 + 5 (September 2006) Five years after 9/11, has New York moved on? Or will it have to wait until Ground Zero is rebuilt to do so?
Noise In New York (August 2006) By many measures, noise (especially from nightclubs and car alarms) has become New Yorkers’ biggest concern.
What New Yorkers Are Like Now – First Results of the American Community Survey (August 2006) Andrew Beveridge looks at newly released census data – which reveals that there are more educated New Yorkers, fewer black people in the city, a slower increase in immigrants, etc. – and the new American Community Survey from which the information comes.
Subway Searches (August 2006) A federal appeals court has ruled the random subway searches constitutional.
The 13th Senate District Debate (August 2006)
Abortion in New York City (August 2006) No matter what happens with Roe v. Wade, New York City is likely to remain “the abortion capital of America.”
A Low-Key Race for An Open Seat in Staten Island (August 2006)
Barging Back (August 2006) Barges, once ubiquitous on the waterfront, are poised for a comeback – moving garbage, and moving containers.
New City Council Bills -- Conserving Energy, Limiting Noise (August 2006)
Fringe Benefits (August 2006) Even many artists who do not participate in New York’s annual fringe festival find themselves living on the fringe, without the basic benefits that come from more traditional employment.
Assembly District 22 (Flushing, etc.) Debate Transcript (August 2006)
Transportation And The New Governor (August 2006) Bruce Schaller looks at how New York City’s transportation system might fare under a new governor.
The Homeless Pledge (August 2006) The mayor is promising to reduce by two-thirds the number of homeless people in New York City by the time he leaves office. But advocates are skeptic.
The Homeless Pledge (August 2006) The mayor is promising to reduce by two-thirds the number of homeless people in New York City by the time he leaves office. But advocates are skeptic.
Assembly District 74 Debate Transcript (August 2006)
Bringing the Money Back from Albany (August 2006)
State Races And Incumbency – How New York Is Not Connecticut (August 2006) While they have not gotten the attention of the Democratic primary for Senator in Connecticut, there are a few competitive races for the state legislature. A look at the primary election action.
Democrats Move in on Staten Island's Republican South Shore (August 2006)
Ethnic Politics in Changing Flushing (August 2006)
New York City Council Stated Meeting -- August 16, 2006 (August 2006) Every two weeks the New York City Council meets for its Stated Meeting to introduce and pass legislation. As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette covers these meetings and posts a summary of the bills passed.
Open Space in the Atlantic Yards Development (August 2006) Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.
Open Space in the AtlanticYards Development (August 2006) Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.
Open Space in the AtlanticYards Development (August 2006) Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.
Parades, Permits And The Right To Protest (August 2006) Andy Humm looks at the effect a proposed new police rule regarding parades and demonstrations would have on the right to protest – a rule that is itself being vehemently protested.
Summer Jobs (August 2006)
Teen Activists (August 2006) Several thousand New York City teenagers spend their summers working to change the world, or at least their communities.
Succeeding Green in Fort Greene – and Beyond (August 2006) Two open races in Brooklyn – one for the State Senate and one for the Assembly – field candidates with differing views on the $4.2 billion project.
Debating Health, Education, Reform and, Yes, Atlantic Yards, in Central Brooklyn (August 2006) Two open races in Brooklyn – one for the State Senate and one for the Assembly – field candidates with differing views on the $4.2 billion project.
The Padlocked Playgrounds (August 2006) In a city starved for recreational space, hundreds of school playgrounds remain locked and off limits during the summer and on weekends.
Single Mothers: Working, But Still Poor (August 2006) One of the members of the mayor’s poverty commission, which is scheduled to release its first recommendations soon, examines the issue of the high rates of poverty for single mothers who work.
Housing Code Enforcement in Need of Repair (August 2006)
After The Adopted Budget, Some Tinkering (August 2006) The city’s adopted budget got generally good marks from fiscal monitors, but it was being tinkered with almost as soon as it was passed, Glenn Pasanen writes, with “two big moves” – both involving development on the West Side of Manhattan – that have “unknown implications for the city’s future financial condition.”
The 2006 Blackout – Too Easy Just To Blame Con Edison (August 2006) It would be difficult to find any New Yorker lately who thinks Con Edison deserves our thanks. But, as Marcus Banks argues, the utility can shoulder only part of the blame for the July blackout and the August power outages.
Funding the Parks Boom (August 2006) The city is adding new parks and renovating old ones. While everyone welcomes the green space, some question the way the city is paying for it.
Going Green: Three Parks Face The Future (August 2006)
The Aging City (July 2006) The recent blackout was just the latest sign that many of the systems New Yorkers rely on – from electricity to sewers to subways – may be too old to meet the demands of a 21st century city.
How Will Power Shift To The Principals? (July 2006) The Department of Education wants to transfer power to principals and away from regional offices and superintendents, but arranging the shift by the time school starts in September could be tricky.
New City Council Bills (July 2006)
City’s New Waste Plan and the Neighborhoods (July 2006) Tom Angotti takes a look at the newly passed solid waste management plan, which in many ways follows a plan generated by neighborhood groups.
Taking the Public Pulse (July 2006) As governments, including New York City's, find new ways to assess their performance, some experts say that officials often ignore a key piece -- what the people who are supposed to benefit from government services think of those services.
Beyond 311: Listening to New Yorkers (July 2006) Talking to citizens can provide government with a better understanding of how satisfied citizens are with city services.
What Residents Can Tell Government (July 2006) Citizen surveys can tell government a lot about how well city services are working.
The Way in San Jose (July 2006) An official from the California city explains how it surveys residents and what it has learned from those surveys.
The Web Site, 311, Surveys and Focus Groups (July 2006) The director of the Mayor's Office of Operations on how the city learns what citizens think.
Parents Grading Schools (July 2006) An education department official describes the school system's plan to start asking parents, teachers and students how they rate city schools.
Creating a Healthy Future for Harlem and New York City (July 2006) In Harlem, as in many poor neighborhoods, steps need to be taken to address issues like obesity, argues City Councilmember Inez Dickens, who details several new health programs. For the same reason, Councilmember Gale Brewer calls for schoolyards to be open to the public.
New York City Council Stated Meeting – July 19, 2006 (July 2006)
Counting The Empty Buildings (July 2006) Joe Lamport details a new effort to find all the empty buildings in the city, in hopes of turning some of them into affordable housing.
Biking It (July 2006) The death of three bicyclists in separate traffic accidents has renewed attention to bicycling as a form of transportation. Bruce Schaller explores.
Community Gardens (July 2006) A 2002 agreement saved hundreds of cherished community gardens, but many others still face an uncertain future, endangered by New York's development boom and need for housing.
A Public Defender's Case (July 2006) In his 15 years representing poor New Yorkers accused of crimes, David Feige saw many of his clients suffer because of what he argues is a deeply flawed court system.
Drowning and Rescue in New York (July 2006) Even though New York City is a city of islands and rivers, remarkably few people drown here every year.
Budget Offers Little That's New (July 2006) The 2007 budget, a product of cordial negotiations between the mayor and council, has garnered lots of praise, but Glenn Pasanen writes, it offers few, if any, new initiatives.
Gay Marriage Ruling Highlights a Changing Court (July 2006) The Court of Appeal’s decision against same-sex marriage dramatically demonstrates the court’s conservative shift under Governor George Pataki.
The Gay Marriage Ruling (July 2006) In their ruling on gay marriage, judges on the state’s highest court rejected arguments that not allowing same sex couple to wed restricts their fundamental rights. Emily Jane Goodman discusses what the judges said.
Reforming - and Not Reforming - the Budget Process (July 2006) Each year lawmakers dole out hundreds of millions of dollars for pet projects. Much of the money goes to worthy causes, but many say it's time to change the way officials decide – or hide – their budget choices.
Helping Men Be Fathers (July 2006) With more than half of all black children growing up without their fathers, an East Harlem program tries to break the cycle of absent dads.
Recreation Centers: For Members Only (July 2006) The city's six remaining free recreation centers began charging fees this month. David Jones discusses the possible impact this will have on some of New York's poorest residents.
Giving the Newest New Yorkers the Vote (July 2006) City Council is again considering a bill that would give legal immigrants who have lived here for at least six months the opportunity to vote in city elections.
State Removes Statute Of Limitations For Rape Cases (June 2006) Spurred by the emergence of DNA evidence, New York has ended the statute of limitations for rape, allowing prosecutors to bring cases many years after the crime.
New York City Council Stated Meeting – June 29, 2006 (June 2006)
Who Decides When The Patient Can't? (June 2006) For the 14th year in a row, the legislature could not pass a bill giving New Yorkers the right to make medical decisions for incapacitated family member.
Off the Farm and Into the Faucet (June 2006) A program to help upstate farmers protect their land helps keep New York City drinking water clean – and could save billions in filtration costs.
Hitting the 9 Million Mark (June 2006) Some experts predict there will be 9 million New Yorkers by 2030. But are such forecasts reasonable? Andrew Beveridge examines the numbers.
New York City's Tourism (June 2006) Record numbers of tourists are coming to the city this summer, which means either wheelbarrows full of cash or months of annoyance, depending on who you ask. A photographic look at the city's tourism industry.
Zoning Versus Planning in Manhattanville (June 2006) Community residents and Columbia students opposed to the university’s massive expansion plans have their own proposals for the neighborhood.
Giving Principals More Control (June 2006) After fours years of centralization, the Department of Education wants to give principals a lot more power. Clara Hemphill reports on what some are calling a ‘180 degree turn’ in the school system.
New City Council Bills - June 13, 2006 (June 2006) The New York City Council introduced 20 new bills, including efforts to rid the city of illegal guns, clean-up graffiti, lower gasoline taxes, and protect the city’s drinking water.
Rent Hikes Create Need for Special Housing (June 2006) Rent hikes for rent stabilized apartments and efforts to provide supportive housing for homeless New Yorkers are not unrelated issues, Joe Lamport writes.
Reforming Public Authorities (June 2006) Some efforts have been made to reform New York's hundreds of public authorities. But many politicians and good government groups say that much more need to be done.
Fighting Poverty and a Decade of Welfare Reform (June 2006) The number of New Yorkers on welfare is the lowest it has been in 40 years, but poverty in the city is on the rise. Can Mayor Bloomberg's new task force on poverty reconcile these two trends?
Every Day Is Father's Day (June 2006) For decades, low-income men who have little or no connection with their children have been seen as one of the daunting problems of poverty that policymakers have been unable to address. But Father's Day in New York is a time when government is increasingly looking to the same men as part of the solution to society's most difficult problems.
Unknown (Unused) Beaches of NYC (June 2006) Though they are little-known, hard to find, often harder to get to, there are at least a dozen “natural sand beaches” in New York City
Faster Buses? (June 2006) “What will be required to make buses move faster, reduce the waits at bus stops and make the entire experience more comfortable and reliable?” Bruce Schaller asks. The answer, some suggest, is bus rapid transit, or BRT.
City Council Stated Meeting - June 13, 2006 (June 2006)
Wireless Access (June 2006) Unlike other cities, New York's effort to create wireless access is focused on our parks. Even this, critics are saying, is moving too slowly.
Salaries For Elected Officials (June 2006) New York City’s elected officials may get their first pay raise in seven years. Do they deserve one? Who should decide?
A Unique Time And Place (June 2006) How is the immigrant experience in New York today different than it was 100 years ago? Is New York a friendlier place for immigrants than the rest of the country?
Non-City Income for New York City Council Members (June 2006)
2006 City Council Stipends (June 2006)
Childstat (June 2006) A new program called “Childstat” is just one of the reforms that the Administration for Children’s Services is putting in place after the death of seven-year-old Nixzmary Brown. A transcript of an online chat with ACS Deputy Commissioner Jan Flory, in charge of Childstat.
Building Stadiums, Losing Revenue (June 2006) A financing plan for the new Yankee and Mets stadiums could cost the city tens of millions of dollars and set an expensive precedent.
Enabling Voters With Disabilities? (June 2006) Unable to comply fully with the federal requirements, New York’s board of elections has agreed to improve the ability of the disabled to cast an independent and private vote on Election Day. But will “Plan B” be effective?
Grading Students, Grading Schools (June 2006) Our new series on measuring city services looks at the Department of Educationís new initiative to gauge how the public schools are doing. Will it improve education or just create more tests?
Regents Exams and English Language Learners (June 2006) Fewer high school students who are in the process of learning English take the Regents exams, those who take the exams are more likely to fail, and those who do pass are more likely to pass the exams with lower scores. That is why New York is offering the tests in several native languages.
New City Council Bills (May 2006)
Harvesting the Rain (May 2006) Fledgling efforts to collect rainfall save water, reduce pollution – and could change the way we think about our most precious natural resource.
Nursing Homes And Alternatives (May 2006) New York State has more nursing homes than any other state. As advocates and policymakers develop programs to allow more seniors to live at home, some worry that the most vulnerable New Yorkers will end up worse off.
Conventions Create A Diverse Judiciary (May 2006)
Selecting the Most Qualified Judges (May 2006)
Giving Voters Real Choices (May 2006)
Picking Supreme Court Judges New York (May 2006) The process for electing Supreme Court judges in New York has been declared unconstitutional. A panel of experts debates how to select judges and why it matters.
American Idyll (For Foreign Artists)? (May 2006) “Taylor and Kat and Ace and Mandisa and Bucky knew what it took to become an American Idol,” Jonathan Mandell writes. “ But for Dusanka and Illana and Valeria and Nao and other foreign artists, the rules for becoming an American – or even just performing in America – can be excruciating.”
City Council Stated Meeting - May 24, 2006 (May 2006)
Ex-Prisoners and Jobs (May 2006) Ex-prisoners with job skills are often prevented by law from being employed in some of the very occupations for which they were trained while in prison.
Rent Regulation and The Division Of Housing and Community Renewal (May 2006) Tenant advocates are attacking – and landlord groups are supporting – the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the state agency charged with enforcing the laws that apply to rent regulated apartments.
Cell Phone Ban Angers Students (May 2006) The city's decision to enforce its once largely ignored policy against electronic devices in schools has prompted students to circulate petitions and consider school walkouts.
Hanging Up on Parents? (May 2006) The furor over the ban on cell phone in city schools has highlighted concerns that the Department of Education no longer consults with parents on key issues. But would changes improve education?
Coming Out of The Shadow (May 2006) What started as a protest against a bill turned out to be a series of massive marches for immigrant rights. A look at Immigrants in New York City.
President George W. Bush's Speech on Immigration Reform (May 2006)
A Laptop For Every Student? (May 2006) A pilot program is providing a laptop to each and every student in seven middle schools on the Upper West Side, with hopes that this will become the norm throughout the city.
Prisoners And The Right To Vote (May 2006) A federal court has ruled that inmates in New York have no right to vote
New City Council Bills (May 2006) At its most recent meeting, City Council members proposed 27 new bills, including measures to create handicap accessible taxis, give out more food vendor licenses, require the mayor to share data from 311-call line with the public, and to ban politicians from using taxpayer money to buy ads in local newspapers.
2007 Executive Budget -- The Mayor Expands His Budget Powers (May 2006) The executive budget that the mayor released this month shows his "ever-expanding domination of the budget process," Glenn Pasanen writes.
Closing The Park Loop Drives To Cars? (May 2006) Bruce Schaller debates the merits of a City Council bill that would close the drives in Central Park and Prospect Park to cars during the summer.
Can Fathering Be Taught? (May 2006) In a new - and modest - approach to addressing poverty, government is trying to get low-income dads more actively involved in the lives of their children.
Fighting Pollution and High Fuel Costs (May 2006) With the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel rising, the city government could switch to trucks powered by natural gas to save money and reduce pollution.
Greenpoint Waterfront Fire (May 2006) People fighting for the character of Brooklyn's waterfront see a tragedy -- and suspect a crime -- in the spectacular fire that engulfed 15 abandoned industrial buildings on Greenpoint's waterfront.
City Council Stated Meeting - May 10, 2006 (May 2006)
Same-Sex Marriage Showdown (May 2006) New York State's highest court will hear a group of cases on May 31st arguing for gay marriage. Andy Humm reports.
New York's Asians (May 2006) Andrew Beveridge looks at the characteristics of a "racial group" that comes from several continents and speaks many different languages.
Mafia: Rise, Fall and Resurgence (May 2006) Has the time of New York's Mafia come and gone?
Drawing the Line: Redistricting and Non-Competitive Elections in New York State (May 2006)
Drawing the Line: Redistricting Reform (May 2006) There is growing momentum for changing the way districts are drawn in New York State, with all four gubernatorial candidates on board. What is wrong with the current system, and what would a better way look like?
Should 16-Year-Olds Have The Right To Vote? (May 2006) High school student (and current non-voter) Desiree Bailey weighs a City Council bill that would lower the voting age for local NYC elections to 16.
New City Council Bills (May 2006) The City Council introduced 57 new bills, including measures to prevent gas stations from changing prices several times a day, create a more ethnically diverse Fire Department, and ban the sale of violent video games to minors.
Health Insurance -- Looking For A Model (May 2006) As they develop policy here to address the widespread lack of health insurance, New York officials have been watching more ambitious plans in other states, especially Massachusett's plan for "near-universal health coverage."
Mayor's Summit On Illegal Guns (May 2006) Part photo op, part strategy session, mayors from fifteen cities met at Gracie Mansion for a summit on illegal guns. "The important question," David Dean writers, "is whether the mayor's coalition-building will do any good."
Jane Jacobs and New York (May 2006) Tom Angotti looks at the legacy of Jane Jacobs, “one of the greatest advocates of New York City’s urbanism” who died last month at the age of 89.
Running for Brooklyn’s Open Seat (May 2006)
U.S. Congressional District 10 – Taking On Ed Towns (May 2006)
New York on Capitol Hill (May 2006) The 13 members of Congress from New York City, 12 of whom are Democrats, have limited clout in Washington. But many hope this year’s elections will change that.
Immigrant Services And Their Funding (May 2006) As negotiations continue over New York City’s next budget, immigrant advocates are looking closely at the funding given for what is called the Immigrant Opportunities Initiative, which gives money to more than 100 non-profit organizations for two services specifically geared to immigrants -- English classes and legal services.
City Council Stated Meeting - April 26, 2006 (April 2006)
Job Seekers And Technology (April 2006) Several city agencies provide services to New Yorkers seeking jobs – and all could be helped with an increase in technological services.
Parks Budget For 2007 (April 2006) This year, the mayor’s preliminary budget eliminates $14 million for 600 seasonal park employees, the entire street tree pruning effort, and an after-school program at the recreation centers.
Predicting The Unpredictable -- Planning Future Hospital Beds, Classrooms, Jail Cells Etc. (April 2006) How does the city know how many classrooms, jail cells and hospital beds it will need ten years from now?
Brighter Budget = Unique Opportunity (April 2006) The good news about the budget keeps on getting better, Glenn Pasanen writes, offering a "unique opportunity for the mayor and council to design a longer-term budget plan and process that does away with the annual budget-negotiation angst and lack of transparency."
The City’s Resistance to Cutting Class Size (April 2006) New Yorkers want the city to cut class size, but, argues Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters, the mayor continues to resist these efforts in six major ways.
Voting Rights Revisited (April 2006) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is as relevant in New York City as in Alabama or Mississippi -- and provisions of it expiring next year are about to be hotly debated.
Buildings, But How About Books? (April 2006) The long battle over construction funds for New York City schools appears at an end. But the fight over money for teachers, books and supplies continues.
Homeless Prevention Programs A Year Later (April 2006) Joe Lamport looks at three programs launched last year to prevent homelessness – two widely viewed as “promising,” one “a mess.”
Dredging In New York Harbor -- Economy vs. Environment? (April 2006) Will the Army Corps of Engineers clean up as they deepen channels?
Residency Requirements (April 2006) A Brooklyn principal recently lost his job because he lived in New Jersey and lied about it. Does it make sense to limit where city workers live, or is it an idea whose time has passed?
Staten Island's New Decongestant Plan (April 2006) Bruce Schaller looks at the new plan to address the transportation problems on Staten Island, the most car-dependent borough of New York.
Finding Space for a Million More New Yorkers (April 2006) With more than a million new people expected in the city in the near future, Robert Yaro of the Regional Plan Association suggests the smart way to prepare for such growth.
New City Council Bills (April 2006)
Green Is Gold (Though Not Yet In NYC) (April 2006) Those attending an event known as the Green Trading Summit in midtown this month had two unshakeable convictions, one backed by science, the other by finance: Global warming is doing damage to the environment, and efforts to reduce its severity have proven lucrative; green, they say, is gold -- everywhere (so far) but here.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (April 2006) The nation’s first public development exclusively for grandparents raising grandchildren, right here in the Bronx, shows the way towards solving the problems involved in a growing trend.
How To Make It In NYC As An Artist (April 2006) It is still possible to thrive as an artist in New York City, according to several recent reports, conferences and hearings, as long as artists follow some simple guidelines. (e.g. Never Get Sick)
Harlem's Heyday (April 2006) Author Kevin Baker discusses Harlem in the 1940s, what is still left of that world, and how he approached writing a novel with Malcolm X as the main character.
Willets Point: A Defense (April 2006) Tom Angotti argues against the city’s plan for a “multi-billion dollar project” at Willets Point, Queens, in the shadow of Shea Stadium, saying that the proposal would destroy “the kind of bustling business district that economic development experts across the country keep trying to re-create.”
Stadiumania: Snapshots of an Obsession (April 2006)
Immigrant Organizing (April 2006) A growing number of community-based organizations for immigrants in New York City are both providing services (such as English classes) and spurring political engagement (such as the recent demonstrations).
New York City Council Budget Response (April 2006)
Undocumented Immigrants (April 2006) Andrew Beveridge looks at the demographics of those immigrants who have no legal authorization to live here, and the differences between New York City and elsewhere in the United States.
City Council Stated Meeting - April 5, 2006 (April 2006) The New York City Council approved construction of a new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Injured, Undocumented – And Legally Protected (April 2006) Can construction workers who claim injury on the job sue even if the workers are “unauthorized aliens” with no legal right to work, or even live, in the U.S.? The highest court in New York has ruled yes. Justice Emily Jane Goodman details the ruling.
Legalization and De-Legalization (April 2006) Why are some immigrants attending unprecedented mass demonstrations against pending new federal legislation, and others labeling it a victory for immigrants? Aarti Shahani of Families for Freedom sorts out the bills, and explains the protests.
Budget: More Cops, More Surveillance; Less Crime? (April 2006) David Dean details a proposed crime budget with the largest city-funded expansion of the police department’s uniformed force since 1993, and asks what if anything it will accomplish.
Education, Housing, Health...And The 2007 Budget (April 2006) This budget season there is plenty of talk about money for police, schools, and children’s services. But how do the city’s budget priorities match up to the concerns of everyday New Yorkers?
Rockefeller Drug Laws: An Ex-Prisoners View (March 2006)
New City Council Bills (March 2006)
Subsidized Housing (March 2006) The loss of subsidized housing in New York City is affecting mostly low-income tenants and families of color, says David Jones of the Community Service Society.
Gay Bars (March 2006) Boisterous lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are clashing with Christopher Street residents. It’s just the latest in a long history of conflict on the iconic street.
New York Nights (March 2006) A recent murder has brought increased scrutiny to the city's bars and clubs, an industry that is already rife with conflict.
The Rockefeller Drug Laws: A Prosecutor’s Perspective (March 2006) A narcotics prosecutor argues that recent changes in the state’s drug laws could threaten communities once ravaged by drugs.
London and NYC Compared On Surveillance, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, etc. (March 2006) The announcement that more than 500 surveillance cameras will be installed throughout New York City is just the latest example of the ways in which New Yorkers are taking or advocating ideas that come from London. Many involve civil liberties.
City Council Stated Meeting - March 22, 2006 (March 2006) The City Council proposed a $50.7 million operating budget to cover the body's salaries and expenses. It also remembered former Councilmember Robert Dryfoos.
Diabetes in NYC (March 2006) The Bloomberg administration is taking some unprecedented steps to curb the one major health problem that is getting worse in the city -- diabetes.
Yankee Stadium Parkland Swap (March 2006) The taking of parkland for Yankee Stadium, Anne Schwartz writes, raises a number of issues involving the public health, the environment, and whether what the community is getting in return is a fair trade.
Stem Cell Research: Medical Miracle or Moral Morass? (March 2006) With the federal government refusing to fund stem cell research, some doctors, patient advocates and researchers want New York to support the field that they say could revolutionize medicine.
Behind the Dropout Rate (March 2006) New York still does not have good information about how many students complete high school and how many do not. And that makes it only more difficult to fix the dropout dilemma.
Hiding Behind the Numbers (March 2006) Fire department response times are slower. More students are dropping out. It costs millions more to throw out the garbage. The city is hoping, Glenn Pasanen argues, that New Yorkers don’t notice.
Back From Iraq (March 2006) Three years after the beginning of the war in Iraq -- it began March 19th, 2003 -- some veterans returning to New York are suffering from physical wounds, emotional trauma, financial insecurity, and homelessness. But as one veteran told Joshua Brustein, "we've been trained that asking for help is an admission that you've failed.."
311 + 3 : Adding Social Services (March 2006) On its third anniversary, 311 will now include referrals to private, non-profit social service agencies.
Congestion Pricing (March 2006) Bruce Schaller revisits the debate over "congestion pricing" -- making drivers pay to enter the central business district -- in light of new information.
In Defense Of Big Schools (March 2006) The closing of Seward Park High School is the sad result of the city’s misguided rush to small schools, say author Samuel Freedman and former Seward teacher Jessica Siegel.
New York's Port, Beyond Dubai (March 2006) Whether or not the fracas over port security will continue now that the Dubai deal itself has fallen through, it has brought back attention to a once-great New York Harbor where security is only one of several issues threatening the future.
Teen Curfew? (March 2006) Some members of the New York City Council have proposed a city-wide curfew for New York’s teenagers. Eighteen-year-old Jennifer Morron (whose mother imposes a curfew) weighs in on the idea.
Proposed Arts Budget, A Destabilizing Déjŕ Vu Dance (March 2006) Norma Munn of the New York City Arts Coalition takes a look at the proposed budget for the arts, and concludes “the rhetoric about the value of the arts to the city is not matched by the budget reality.”
City Commission for Economic Opportunity (March 2006) Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the appointment of 32 civic leaders to the New York City Commission for Economic Opportunity, a public-private initiative charged with devising strategies to increase economic opportunity and reduce poverty in the city.
Wind Power In NYC (March 2006) With the announcement that the Statue of Liberty will soon be powered entirely by windmills, Sam Williams looks at other local efforts – past, present and future -- to use wind power
Divorce, New York-Style (March 2006) New York remains the only state that still requires grounds for divorce, writes Justice Emily Jane Goodman, but this may change, thanks to a matrimonial commission report whose recommendations include no-fault divorce.
Transit Workers/Transit Riders; Beginning Lawyers Are Richer; 9 Million New Yorkers? (March 2006) A demographic look at transit riders versus transit workers. Also: $145,000-a-year starting lawyers; nine million New Yorkers?; Should prisoners be counted in their hometown or where they are imprisoned?
Community Board Reform (March 2006) Community boards are New York’s most local form of government, a place where residents can plan the future of their neighborhoods. But have they become obsolete – or can they be retooled to give citizens a real voice?
Regulating Rickshaws (March 2006) Bicycle rickshaws may seem quaint, writes pedicab driver Gregg Zukowski, but with the city’s help, they can offer a modern solution to New York’s congestion woes.
Terror, Not Terrorism (March 2006) Thanks to several recent scares, David Dean observes, New Yorkers have been reminded that, no matter how much safer we are, there lurks "a palpable anxiety about the threat of terrorism."
Immigration Debate Heats Up in Senate (March 2006) Norman Eng of the New York Immigration Coalition details the different immigration bills in the Senate, all claiming to be comprehensive, that may soon determine "how this country will treat the 11 million undocumented immigrants" in the U.S., half a million of them in New York.
City Council Stated Meeting - March 1, 2006 (March 2006) The City Council overrode its first mayoral veto under the leadership of Speaker Christine Quinn.
Instant Incumbents (March 2006) What’s most alarming about the recent “Special Election” to fill vacancies in the New York State Legislature, argues Amy Ngai of Citizens Union Foundation, is not the dismal turnout or the undemocratic nominating process, but that the new legislators, though elected for only about six months, have become instant incumbents. And being an incumbent in the New York legislature means never having to say goodbye.
Taking On Poverty (February 2006) David Jones, president of the Community Service Society of New York and a member of the mayor's new task force on poverty, explains why poverty must be eradicated in the city -- and why it is neither grandiose nor naive to try to do so.
Making The Old Fulton Fish Market Into Something New (February 2006) Pat Arnow details the plans, and dreams, for the old Fulton Fish Market – A center for art? A big mall? A new ritzy neighborhood? – and how to turn it from a question mark to an exclamation point.
2 Fultons, 2 Futures (February 2006) The recent move of the Fulton Fish Market from Manhattan to the Bronx is supposed to help both the neighborhood the market left behind and its new surroundings. Remaking Hunts Point, a slide show.
Redefining Economic Development (February 2006) Mark Winston Griffith details the first efforts of a fledgling coalition to create an alternative vision of economic development in New York City, one in which the city's prosperity is shared more broadly.
Quinn-ing the City Council (February 2006) Speaker Christine Quinn fired 61 members of the New York City Council staff - and hired a new team.
The Cartoon Crisis (February 2006) Jonathan Mandell considers nine ways of looking at what is being called the cartoon crisis, all in New York.
A Library Opens In The Bronx (February 2006) The new Bronx Library Center is a technology haven -- it's not just full of computers; the building is the city's first fully "green" public library. If it was 20 years in the making, it is very well-timed.
Livable Streets (For People, Not Cars) (February 2006) Tom Angotti explains a new campaign to make the city’s streets and cities more “livable,” by focusing on the needs of pedestrians and bicycles, rather than cars.
Keeping New Teachers From Dropping Out (February 2006) Almost half of all New York City teachers leave their jobs within five years. Ellen Meyers of Teachers Network explains why, and argues what the city should do to keep them in the classroom.
Not-So-Special Elections (February 2006) On February 28, voters in Manhattan and Brooklyn will elect three new State Assembly members in Special Elections. No one knows about these races – and even those who do vote will find that the political bosses have done their best to rig the results.
HOW CANDIDATES GET ON THE BALLOT FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION (February 2006)
Domestic Partners Bill –- Quashed In Court (February 2006) The court ruling that kicks out the Equal Benefits Law is a setback for more than just people in domestic partnerships.
City Council Stated Meeting - February 15, 2006 (February 2006)
A One-Two Punch To Hospitals: The Proposed Federal and State Budgets (February 2006) If Governor George Pataki and President George W. Bush have their way with the state and federal budgets, health advocates fear, NYC hospitals will be sent over the brink.
Protecting The Park In The Parkway (February 2006) Last year, a great stone wall in Washington Heights collapsed onto the Henry Hudson Parkway. Last month, a deal to restore the parkway collapsed as well.
Beyond The MetroCard (February 2006) Bruce Schaller looks at the alternatives to the MetroCard that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is trying out in a pilot program. Will the "smart card" mean the end of swiping again (and again)?
Keeping Kids in School (February 2006) Every year thousands of students drop out of high school.This was a big issue during the mayoral campaign. What's being done about it now?
Loving The City's Infrastructure -- And Explaining How It Works (February 2006) City official Kate Ascher talks about how the physical city works, from bridges and tunnels to abandoned subway stops and those buttons you press to get a Walk signal.
The 37 1/2-Minute Scramble (February 2006) The Department of Education’s new 37 and a half minute sessions for struggling students raise an array of logistical and educational issues, according to a survey of disgruntled parents. Philissa Cramer of Inside Schools reports.
Erin Brockovich in Greenpoint (February 2006) Sam Williams details renewed activity – including a Brockovich-style class-action lawsuit – over a 30-year-old oil spill in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, bigger than the one caused by the Exxon Valdez, but still only halfway cleaned up.
Blacklisting Tenants (February 2006) The nation’s largest tenant screening company has tentatively agreed to pay two million dollars to up to 35,000 NYC tenants for engaging in a practice that tenant advocates call a serious problem – the blacklisting of “troublemakers,” which effectively prevents them renting apartments in the future. Joe Lamport reports.
The Mayor’s Underwhelming Budget For 2007 (February 2006) Glenn Pasanen offers a “voice of dissent” from all the praise for the mayor’s proposed new budget, which Pasanen calls “underwhelming, with only one big budget idea, a baffling one at best.” What happened, he asks, to the rainy day fund, and property tax reform, and greater transparency?
The 2007 New York City Budget (February 2006) The mayor has set out bold visions for his second term, and he has the luxury of a multibillion budget surplus. So why does his proposed new budget stress being "fiscally responsible"?
The Last Dance? (February 2006)
School Translations (February 2006) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has vetoed a bill, the Education Equity Act, that would translate report cards and other important school documents, and provide interpreters at school meetings. Deycy Avitia of the New York Immigration Coalition argues why the bill is needed.
Five First Steps At The City Council (February 2006) Will the City Council under Christine Quinn convert the skeptics? Doug Israel looks at the passage of "five small but signficant reforms meant to make the legislative body more democratic."
City Council Stated Meeting -- February 1, 2006 (February 2006)
The State Of the City's Crimefighting (February 2006) In his State of the City address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made a number of concrete proposals to fight crime over the next year.
Space Woes (January 2006) The space problems of artists -– space for living, for working, and for presenting their art -- are "particularly acute,” according to a new report and a recent City Council hearing. A look at what is being done, what can be done.
State Of The City Housing (January 2006) "In his 2006 State of the City address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg made it clear that housing is a priority for his second term," writes Joe Lamport, who outlines some of the mayor's initiatives -- also what the mayor hasn't talked about.
The Heroes Of 9/11 Are Getting Sick (January 2006) More than 20 Ground Zero rescue workers may have died from illnesses related to working in the rubble, Josh Brustein writes, but "public officials have had little success tracking their health, much less treating them."
State Of The Neighborhood (January 2006) In his State of the City address last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg promised a plan for "all of our city's neighborhoods and their needs." New Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito from East Harlem talks about the need for affordable housing and health care in the "greatly disenfranchised" communities she represents
Portraits of Rebuilding (January 2006) One way to explain what is (or isn't) happening at Ground Zero is through its ever-shifting cast of characters
Parkstat To Fight Crime (January 2006) Anne Schwartz details a new law that, by requiring the police to report felonies that occur in city parks, will help make them safer – or at least let the public know how safe they already are.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 2006 State of the City Address (January 2006)
Honoring Nixzmary's Memory By Avoiding A Panicked Response (January 2006) Mike Arsham of the Child Welfare Organizing Project argues that "the best way to honor Nixzmary’s memory is not by going back to a time when the Administration for Children’s Services was just more threat to family life in poor communities, but by continuing to change the system for the better."
Housing Court: Should Tenants Have A Guaranteed Right To Counsel? (January 2006) Housing court would be less of a "one-sided eviction apparatus," say some advocates, if tenants had a guaranteed right to counsel. Justice Emily Jane Goodman reports.
Teachers In NYC's Institutions Of Higher Learning (January 2006) Andrew Beveridge looks at the number and salaries of his fellow academics, breaking it down by individual institutions of higher learning, and reaches an unsurprising conclusion -- it doesn't pay to be a college teacher.
New Medicare Prescription Drug Plan -- Off To A Bad Start (January 2006) The problems with the new Medicare prescription drug plan are legion, Lynda Crawford reports, and they fall most heavily on the poor and the mentally ill.
A Checkup for City Services (January 2006) New York City government could get a new way take its vital signs with the proposal of CityStat NY. And that's just one way to spot trends, gaps and overlaps in city services.
Spending More On Social Services Saves Money (January 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
A School Spending Plan (January 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Keeping the Economy Growing (January 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Highest Credit Rating In The City's History (January 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Fiscal Forecast For New York City (January 2006) Finances in NYC are better than they have been in years. What should the leaders of the city do to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Teachers In NYC's Institutions Of Higher Learning: TABLE 1 and 2 (January 2006) Andrew Beveridge looks at the number and salaries of his fellow academics, breaking it down by individual institutions of higher learning, and reaches an unsurprising conclusion -- it doesn't pay to be a college teacher.
Yankee Stadium Without Tears (January 2006) Tom Angotti (an old Dodgers fan) puts aside his Yankees-bashing and judges the proposed new Yankees stadium in terms of “21st century New York and its needs.”
City Council Stated Meeting - January 18, 2006 (January 2006) A complete list of appointments of New York City Council Standing committees.
City Council Committee Assignments (January 2006)
Online Shopping And Its Impact On The Environment (January 2006) For New Yorkers, shopping online means less travel time and, on occasion, lower costs. It also means more trash to put out at the curbside. Because most online retailers rely on major private carriers such as UPS and FedEx to deliver their goods, this holiday season saw not only a sharp rise in local deliveries but a similar rise in the amount of paper, cardboard and plastic pushed into the city waste stream.
Improving School Food (January 2006) The city wants to improve school food. But is it possible to prepare 860,000 fresh, healthy meals every day?
Segregated Schools: Shame of The City (January 2006) Four decades after the civil rights movement, New York City schools are probably the most segregated in the country, says author Jonathan Kozol, who argues that Bloomberg's educational reforms are failing to address this crisis.
New York Needs a “London Plan” (January 2006)
Endless Traffic: Can It End? (January 2006) Is there any solution to the city's traffic jams? Many idea have been proposed, including following London's example and making drivers pay.
Albany Matters (January 2006)
Older New Yorkers And The Internet (January 2006) There is a digital divide based not on income but on age, with New Yorkers over 65 far less likely to go online, even though the most serious challenges of aging -- limited mobility, isolation, reduced income, and the need for health care information and assistance -- are well suited to technology-based solutions. Marcus Banks details some efforts to get the older online.
Sorting Out The Transit Contract (January 2006) Did the transit union gain anything by striking? Will the settlement terms make a future strike more likely? Are subway and bus riders better or worse off? As the vote on the new contract gets underway, Bruce Schaller addresses these and other questions.
Happy New Year Budget (January 2006) "City budget news gets better and better," Glenn Pasanen writes, "setting the stage for a fresh kind of budget debate, beginning later this month when the mayor releases the preliminary budget for fiscal year 2007."
Eye On Albany: Campaign Trail 2006 (January 2006)
The DREAM Act and Immigrant Youth (January 2006) The future remains uncertain for the DREAM Act, a federal bill that would grant lawful permanent residency to the estimated 50,000 undocumented immigrant youth who graduate from U.S. high schools each year
Political Agendas, 2006 (January 2006) The governor, the mayor, and a whole host of other public officials got back to work last week -- or at least delivered speeches. A look at the issues they are promising to tackle this year.
District 5: Garbage Stations, Water Tunnel Shaft, and Affordable Housing (January 2006)
District 13: Improving Education and Reforming the Department of Buildings (January 2006)
District 2: Planning for a Better - And Quieter - Community (January 2006)
District 4: Creating Open Space and Solving Transportation Woes on the East Side (January 2006)
Christine Quinn and Gay Rights in NYC (January 2006) "While the elevation of the first woman and the first gay person to what many call “the second most powerful office in New York” (after only the mayor) is certainly a breakthrough," Andy Humm writes, "it is also a reminder that this city has lagged behind others in advancing both women and gay issues and candidates."
The Assembly Majority Response to the State of the State Address (January 2006)
City Council Stated Meeting – January 4, 2006 (January 2006)
State of the State Governor George Pataki January 4, 2006 (January 2006)
Speaker Christine Quinn's Address to the City Council (January 2006)
Old Industrial Buildings on the East River (January 2006) Three old industrial buildings along the East River – the Austin, Nichols Warehouse; the Domino Sugar Plant; and the Con Ed Power Plant – are pitting preservationists against developers.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum's 2006 Inaugural Address (January 2006)
Cop Killings -- Will The New Laws Do Any Good? (January 2006) "In the wake of two fatal shootings of New York City police officers in the space of less than two weeks, the New York State Legislature sprang to action so that it could, well, appear to be springing to action," writes David Dean, who asks: Will the laws they passed do any good?
Nutcracked (January 2006)
Waiting For Albany (January 2006) As the new state legislative session begins, a look at how Albany’s delays in taking action have had an impact on such issues as education and health care, and what New Yorkers hope will happen this year to fix things.
The Speaker Speaks Out (January 2006) As the third-ever Speaker of the New York City Council is about to be elected, the first-ever, Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, discusses the issues he faced during his tenure -- and what the next speaker can expect to confront.
Comptroller William Thompson Jr. 2006 Inaugural Address (January 2006)
Mayor Bloomberg’s 2006 Inaugural Address (January 2006)
Gifts For The Disabled: Accessibility To The Arts (December 2005) Many disabled New Yorkers must struggle to get through the day every day, not just during a transit strike -- but they wouldn’t have to do without art and culture, if cultural institutions and the entertainment industry made some simple shifts (call them gifts), often at little or not cost.
Three Days In December (December 2005) A look at the issues that came out of the transit strike of 2005 -- but will outlast it.
Hispanics and the Ferrer Candidacy (December 2005) After the defeat of the first major mayoral candidate of Hispanic descent, commentators speculated this spelled the end of ethnic politics. Andrew Beveridge looks at recently released data to explain that the commentators got it all wrong. A profile of the Hispanic New York voter.
City Council Stated Meeting - December 21, 2005 (December 2005) In its final meeting of 2005, the City Council passed more than a dozen new bills including a new noise code.
Transit Strike -- Negotiating For Respect (December 2005) Although there were clear dollars-and-cents issues that drove the Transport Workers Union Local 100 to call a strike against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority early in the morning of December 20, Bruce Schaller observes, "respect seemed to be the driving motivating factor."
Top 10 Stories of 2005 (December 2005) The mayoral election, transit troubles and continued delays and controversy at Ground Zero marked a year when many New Yorkers focused on news elsewhere in the world.
Coping With The Strike (December 2005)
Predicting the Big Stories in 2006 (December 2005) In our annual roundup of predictions for New York in the coming year, an array of prominent New Yorkers say that luxury condos will rise and state Republicans will fall in 2006.
Hallway Settlements In Housing Court (December 2005) Joe Lamport makes the case against "hallway settlements" -- the common (and unethical) way in housing court that landlords (almost always represented by attorneys) work out deals with their tenants (almost never represented by attorneys).
A Series Of Strikes (December 2005) Bruce Schaller explains the announcement by transit workers president Roger Toussaint that the union board has authorized a "series of strikes," and what the sticking points are in the negotiations between the Transport Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Bracing For A Transit Strike (December 2005) For the second time in three years, New Yorkers are bracing for a bus and subway strike. Bruce Schaller details the issues that need to be resolved to prevent a showdown, and hopes for a change in transit labor relations, "which remain in the dark ages."
Bio-diesel -- petroleum with...vegetable oil (December 2005) Sam Williams looks at bio-diesel, which mixes petroleum with ordinary vegetable oil for a cleaner, more efficient -- but not perfect -- way of heating homes and powering automobiles.
Bronx Terminal Market And The Subverting Of The Land Use Review Process (December 2005) If the City Planning Commission approves the conversion of the Bronx Terminal Market into a huge shopping mall and the eviction of its 23 ethnically diverse merchants, as it is expected to do this month, it will be the latest example, Tom Angotti argues, of City Hall's undermining of the land use review process.
Eminent Domain Revisited (December 2005) In the past, the government took over private property to build grand public works. Today, eminent domain is being wielded for private development.
Eminent Domain is a Tool, Not a Conspiracy (December 2005) In the past, the government took over private property to build grand public works. Today, eminent domain being wielded for private development
Eminent Domain Benefits Developers, Not the Public (December 2005) In the past, the government took over private property to build grand public works. Today, eminent domain being wielded for private development
The Need for Healthier Schools (December 2005) Ridding classrooms of environmental hazards would improve student health – and academic performance, argues Stephen Boese of the Healthy Schools Network
Same-Sex Marriage Loses (December 2005) Gay marriage in New York City is struck down by an appellate court, but, as Andy Humm explains, the story is not done.
City Council Stated Meeting - December 8, 2005 (December 2005) The City Council overrode three vetoes from Mayor Bloomberg; the council rejected a landmark in Brooklyn, instituted parking regulations on a Hindu holiday, and gave public administrators $32,000 raises.
Cleaning Up The PCBs In the Hudson River (December 2005) After many decades, there is finally a plan to clean up the deadly PCBs from the Hudson River -- a plan that many worry is inadequate.
Good News For The Budget, For Now (December 2005) The year is ending with good news for the city’s budget from both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Comptroller William Thompson. But how long will that last?
Without Health Insurance (December 2005) What is the effect on the city of its 1.7 million residents without health insurance, and what is the best way to get them covered?
High Profile Crimes Post Election (December 2005) While crime levels remain down for now, the public perception of public safety can be easily shaped by the kind of high profile cases that have been in the news since the election last month.
City Council Stated Meeting - November 30, 2005 (November 2005) The City Council rejected the Landmark Preservation Commission's decision to designate a Brooklyn warehouse as an official city landmark.
Community Development Television (November 2005) Public access television is not all Wayne's World; much of it "furthers community development agendas," writes Mark Winston Griffith, who explains that this access is threatened by pending legislation.
Arts Education (November 2005) The promise of a new curriculum and increased support has excited many advocates of arts education, Jonathan Mandell writes, but has not completely won over critics who say that, in the city's public schools, the arts remain undervalued and inadequate.
School Choice, School Confusion (November 2005) Upper West Side parents confront confusing rules and application procedures as they select a school for their children, reports Inside Schools. Also, after-school programs.
A Boy from Brooklyn Grows Up (November 2005) Novelist Jonathan Lethem discusses race, gentrification, and the passing of time in Brooklyn.
Measuring Miller’s City Council (November 2005) The mayor ridiculed it. The press ignored it. And the public did not understand it. But over the past four years the first term-limited New York City Council has built a record for New Yorkers to consider.
Bird Flu (November 2005) Properly cooked bird meat cannot carry the avian flu. But health experts worry about the possibility that the flu could mutate so that it could be spread between humans, a concern that has New York City officials debating what the city could and should do.
Housing Advocacy Wins Election, With One Exception (November 2005) Whichever candidate they supported for mayor, many housing advocates counted the latest election a victory, even before Election Day – thanks to a range of housing-friendly commitments. But some say there was, Joe Lamport observes, one notable exception.
Speaker Candidates Speak (November 2005) Seven City Councilmembers who want to be the next Speaker talk about term limits, the budget and how to challenge the mayor in the next four years.
New York's Grocery Gap (November 2005) Food is a multibillion-dollar industry in New York. So why is it so hard for many New Yorker to find a simple fresh vegetable in their neighborhoods – and what are they doing about it?
Providing Fresh Food, and a Sense of Accomplishment (November 2005) The East New York Farms! Farmers' Market has expanded from a single stand in 1999 to a bustling weekly event. Now its organizers look to take the next step. (Read More...)
Proposed Law Aims to Prevent Discrimination (November 2005) Proposed legislation before the City Council, entitled the Human Rights In Government Operations Audit Law, is intended to “stop discrimination before it happens” according to its supporters.
City Council Stated Meeting - November 16, 2005 (November 2005) The City Council amended the Campaign Finance law to allow more donations from labor unions. It also adjusted the property tax rates to give relief to homeowners.
Tax Reform In Bloomberg’s Second Term? (November 2005) There is hope among fiscal experts of both liberal and conservative perspectives, Glenn Pasanen writes, that Bloomberg will devote his second term to reforming the city’s tax system, particularly its incomprehensible property tax, its roller-coaster personal income tax rates, and its mostly hidden corporate tax breaks.
Atlantic Yards: Through The Looking Glass (November 2005) In the Looking-Glass World of the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, Tom Angotti argues, everything has been done backwards – with planning coming last.
Charter Schools (November 2005) Mayor Bloomberg has made charter schools ? which are publicly funded and privately run -- a key part of his education plans. But how much of a difference can they make?
Ed Koch’s Legacy (November 2005) With the city having just re-elected a mayor known for his lack of flash, New Yorkers look back at the mayoralty of Ed Koch, a man famed partly for his quips and his shtick.
The Citizen (November 2005)
Transportation Bond Act's Passage May Bring Other Transit Issues To The Fore (November 2005) Voter approval of the transportation bond act may bring other transportation issues to the fore, such as congestion pricing, security -- and the credibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Rising Heating Costs (November 2005) This year New Yorkers will face sharp rises in home heating costs, and while there is some government assistance available to individuals of low income, it is likely that the great majority of those eligible will never receive it.
What Now, Mayor Bloomberg? (November 2005) Mayor Bloomberg will have to do more in Albany and Washington if he wants to fulfill his second term promises.
The Fine Print on the Ballot (November 2005) Everything you need to know and more about the four ballot quesitons.
Campaign 2005 General Election Guide for the Last Minute Voter (November 2005) A step-by-step guide to New York City’s General Election.
The Ballot Questions (November 2005) New Yorkers will get to vote on changing the state budget process, a transportation bond act, an ethics code, and how city finances are managed.
Clean Enough To Swim In Again? (November 2005) Have New York’s waterways become clean enough to swim in again? Well, as Pat Arnow explains, there is that matter of the 1.9 billion gallons per day from wastewater treatment plants.
Disabled in New York City; Also: Is The City Still Booming? (November 2005) Andrew Beveridge looks at the disabled in New York City. Also, he sorts through various recent studies to address the question: Is the city still booming or not?
A Punitive System Of Support For The Needy (November 2005) As many as a third of all welfare recipients in the city are being sanctioned, or threatened with sanctions – the clearest sign, advocates argue, of an inadequate support system for the needy.
Transcript of Final 2005 General Election Mayoral Debate (November 2005)
Gun Control And The New Federal Law Shielding Gun Manufacturers From Lawsuits (November 2005) A new federal law shielding gun manufacturers from lawsuits, David Dean writes, “marked a tremendous defeat for New York City” in its strategy for controlling guns.
Transcript of First 2005 General Election Mayoral Debate (October 2005)
After Clarence Norman: Is Reform Possible? (October 2005) Continuing shenanigans in Brooklyn indicate how difficult it will be to reform politics – despite the transformation of Clarence Norman from borough Democratic boss to convicted felon.
Debating Proposition 1 (October 2005) Everything you need to know - and more - about the four ballot questIons.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges (October 2005) The debate over Ballot Proposition Three hinges on what is an appropriate reason to amend the city's charter, rather than on the ethics code for administrative judges that it proposes to create.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges Vote Yes (October 2005) Establishing a code of ethics for administrative law judges and hearing officers will ensure fairness, efficiency, consistency and independence that are needed to ensure justice in the city's administrative tribunals, Peter Kiernan argues.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges Vote No (October 2005) Ballot proposal three unwisely shifts power from the city council to the mayor, writes State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried.
Cool(er) Roofs (October 2005) A movement is growing to replace New York City’s iconic “tar beach” rooftops with something cooler, literally -- and maybe something greener.
City Council Stated Meeting - October 27, 2005 (October 2005) The City Council approved $1.3 billion in spending over the next 40 years to help develop the West Side of Manhattan. It also voted $31,000 for public administrators, court appointed city workers.
Subsidizing Slumlords (October 2005) Joe Lamport writes about the campaign by housing advocacy groups to have the city government stop subsidizing landlords who own buildings in serious disrepair.
City Council District 4 Candidate Debate (October 2005)
Underfunding City University (October 2005) Negotiating new contracts, nurses in the city’s public hospitals and professors in the city’s public university both object to the mayor’s insistence on “productivity increases” in exchange for salary hikes. Both argue that their poor pay harms their institutions, and the public at large.
Nursing New York City Back to Health (October 2005) Negotiating new contracts, nurses in the city’s public hospitals and professors in the city’s public university both object to the mayor’s insistence on “productivity increases” in exchange for salary hikes. Both argue that their poor pay harms their institutions, and the public at large.
2005 City Council Races to Watch (October 2005) In New York, the election for most City Council seats takes place on Primary Day, but this year four districts feature tough, tight general election contests.
City Council District 5 Candidate Debate (October 2005)
Saving Money -- And Saving Patients -- With Technology (October 2005) Hospitals are looking to technology to help them cut costs. But while so-called health information exchanges have the potential to save money, some also worry that they may compromise patient confidentiality.
Is New York The Cultural Capital Of The World? (October 2005) Is New York the cultural capital of the world, or at least the nation? Read between the lines of several new books, and the answer is no, which is one reason why the City Council is holding hearings.
Universal Internet Access – Not Just A Campaign Theme (October 2005) One candidate focused his entire campaign on the argument that there should be universal low-cost wireless Internet for all New Yorkers; he got five percent of the vote in the primary. But, as Marcus Banks explains, his idea is going to happen.
Overdevelopment: Planning, Not Rezoning, Is The Answer (October 2005) With neighborhoods throughout the city complaining of “overdevelopment” and pushing to change zoning in order “to preserve neighborhood character,” Tom Angotti argues that the solution is not rezoning but community-based planning.
The Real Issues in the 2005 Mayoral Race (October 2005) A look at the key issues facing New York City, where Michael Bloomberg and Fernando Ferrer agree, and how they disagree.
Transportation Bond Act (October 2005) Bruce Schaller offers an overview of the Transportation Bond Act, on the ballot in November.
The Transportation Bond Act: Vote No (October 2005) Voters in November will decide whether the state should borrow $2.9 billion to fund mass transit and road improvements.
The Transportation Bond Act: Vote Yes (October 2005) Voters in November will decide whether the state should borrow $2.9 billion to fund mass transit and road improvements.
The School Admissions Scramble (October 2005) Tens of thousands of New York kids as young as five years old must apply to get into a public school. Some don’t get into any. A look at the school admissions scramble.
Hunger and Obesity In The Two New Yorks (October 2005) Lynda Crawford looks at two new studies that look at hunger and obesity in New York –- one compares obesity in East Harlem and the Upper East Side, the author of the other criticizes Michael Bloomberg for his vetoes of three bills to make it easier to acquire food stamps.
City Council Stated Meeting - October 11, 2005 (October 2005) The City Council voted to override to vetoes from Mayor Michael Bloomberg - enacting legislation to provide health care to grocery workers and to eliminate parking meter regulations on Sundays.
Mayor’s Management Report for 2005: Thinner, Less Useful (October 2005) The mayor’s management report for 2005 presents a picture of “historic progress.” Glenn Pasanen uses independent management studies, constituent surveys, and his own analysis, to come up with an alternative view -- and criticizes the report itself for being less useful.
The Fiscal Crisis After 30 Years (October 2005) Two proposals on this year’s ballot have sparked debate over whether the city and the state are moving in the right direction financially – or whether they will fall back into habits that brought New York to the brink of bankruptcy in 1975.
City Council Passes Bill to Establish Commission on Day Labor Centers (October 2005) The City Council passed legislation to create job centers for immigrant day laborers.
City Strengthens Human Rights Law (October 2005)
East River Access From The Lower East Side (October 2005) Access to the East River from the Lower East Side, shut down for more than four years, is slated to return. “It will take two more years and a whopping $69 million,” Pat Arnow writes, “but the heavy equipment is already there, working away.”
Who Can Afford to Live in New York City? (October 2005) Is it possible to satisfy the need for affordable housing in New York City? Andrew Beveridge analyzes federal data to find out how many New Yorkers pay how much of their incomes for a place to live, and where they pay the most.
NYC Preservation Game (October 2005) Church or skyscraper? Summer cottage or million dollar home? "Masterwork" or "world's greatest urinal?" In this interactive game about the city's historic landmarks, you decide.
Death Penalty, NYC Style (October 2005) The debate over the death penalty was revived during Campaign 2005, David Dean points out, "but this time with a different twist."
How the Irish Built an American Icon (October 2005) Author Thomas Kelly on the men who built the Empire State Building, the good side of Tammany Hall and writing about NYC.
The NYC Preservation Game (October 2005)
The New New Math, And Some Old Debates Renewed (September 2005) Math education has become a hotly debated issue in schools. The latest test scores are unlikely to settle anything.
City Council Stated Meeting - September 28, 2005 (September 2005) The City Council passed legislation aimed at creating job centers for immigrant day laborers. It also added the Hindu festival of Diwali to the long list of parking holidays.
Campaign 2005: Disaffection With Bloomberg Among Homeless Advocates (September 2005) With homelessness having increased significantly during Michael Bloomberg's term, advocates are stepping up their criticism of his administration.
Hospitals in Crisis (September 2005) With hospitals facing financial crisis, some think New York's health care system will run better if some struggling hospitals are closed. But others say the real effect of such closings will be to deny care to those who need it most.
Governors Island (September 2005) Will Governors Island become the new UN? A CUNY campus? Site of the Olympics? Or will it remain just another illustration of the difficulties of getting anything built in New York?
Wetland Restoration in Jamaica Bay: Will Katrina Threaten Its Funding? (September 2005) Sam Williams explores whether the massive federal commitment to rebuild the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina will come at the expense of present or future projects in New York, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' planned restoration of Jamaica Bay wetlands.
Rockefeller Drug Law Reform? (September 2005) Do the two changes to the Rockefeller Drug Laws this year -- one enacted this month -- truly reform them? Anthony Papa, formerly imprisoned by these laws, argues that they are not.
Mayoral Issue Grid: Transportation (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Parks (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Jobs (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Immigrants (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Housing (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Health (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Finance (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Environment (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Education (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Development (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Crime (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Civil Rights (September 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Arts (September 2005)
Campaign 2005: Real Estate Boom; Corporate Developments; Immigrant Entrepreneurs. (September 2005) Community Development. Mark Winston Griffith looks at three issues related to community development that are on the minds of neighbors throughout the city: the real estate boom, large-scale corporate developments; immigrant entrepreneurs.
Job Hunters Get Government Help At One-Stop Centers (September 2005) The city-run career centers are much-improved, Linda Ostreicher writes, and available to everyone -- except those who could benefit the most, welfare recipients.
Air Pollution (September 2005) City and state politicians have done a lot to try to make New York's air healthier. But should they do more -- and can any local action make a real difference?
Katrina's Wake-Up Call For New York? (September 2005) If a Hurricane Katrina happened here, could New Yorkers find the transportation they need to move to safety?
Human Rights Law: Will It Become An Issue In The Mayoral Campaign? (September 2005) A proposed overhaul to the city's human rights law might become an issue in the mayoral campaign. Fernando Ferrer "strongly supports it." The Bloomberg is "still reviewing it."
City Council Stated Meeting - September 15, 2005 (September 2005) The City Council passed legislation on "green buildings," human rights, and workplace safety.
The Wonkster (September 2005)
Another Weird Election (September 2005) This year’s Democratic primary ended with recounts and a runoff nobody wants – in other words, its share of weirdness. Is there a better way to do things? Are some things best the way they are?
Times Endorses Sam Taitt (September 2005)
Times Endorses Bryan Pu-Folkes (September 2005)
Times Endorses Darlene Mealy (September 2005)
Times Endorsement of James Vacca (September 2005)
City Council Races -- Selective Newspaper Endorsements (September 2005)
2005 Primary Election Results (September 2005)
NY Times Endorses Charles Hynes (September 2005)
Daily News Endorsement of Robert Morgenthaus (September 2005)
9/11: Will The Lessons Learned Help New Orleans? (September 2005) Tom Angotti looks at five major lessons in planning learned from September 11th, and whether they can be applied to the rebuilding of New Orleans
An Elegant Old Hotel Gives New Lives to the Homeless (September 2005)
Campaign 2005 Primary Day: Guide for the Last Minute Voter (September 2005)
9/11 And ''Inappropriate Art'' (September 2005) In light of the many harsh words that seem to pair "art" with "inappropriate" whenever discussing September 11th, Jonathan Mandell looks at the current state and uncertain future of the four cultural structures planned for Ground Zero -- the memorial, the memorial museum, the performing arts center, and the cultural building.
Time To Pull The Plug (September 2005)
Get The Picture, Governor? (September 2005)
Mayoral Debate Transcript - September 8, 2005 (September 2005)
Ballot Proposal (And Candidate Suggestions) 30 Years After Near-Bankruptcy (September 2005) Thirty years after New York City almost went bankrupt, the state law that saved the city is due to expire. Glenn Pasanen looks at the proposal that the mayor’s charter revision commission put on the ballot for November – and the commission’s (and mayoral candidates’) more provocative suggestions.
Campaign 2005: Expanding Access to Health Care (September 2005) The winner of this year's mayoral election will have to face the major challenge of expanding access to health to those New Yorkers who are unserved by the current system.
Who's Supporting Who? (September 2005) A Guide to Key Endorsements in the Mayor's Race
Key Endorsements: C. Virginia Fields (September 2005)
Key Endorsements: Fernando Ferrer (September 2005)
Key Endorsements: Michael Bloomberg (September 2005)
Key Endorsements: Anthony Weiner (September 2005)
Key Endorsements: Gifford Miller (September 2005)
9/11 Plus Four (September 2005)
Endorsements Explained (September 2005) The Endorsement Game Candidates vie for support from organizations and politicians. But does this kind of backing really make a difference?
Campaign 2005: Much At Stake For Immigrants (September 2005) Larry Tung lays out some of the specific twists for immigrants in such familiar issues as education and civil rights – and some immigrant-specific issues, such as restoring the right of non-citizens to vote.
Campaign 2005: Three Ways The Next Mayor Could Improve The Waterfront (September 2005) Carter Craft suggests three approaches that the next mayor could take to improve the waterfront.
Campaign 2005: Making A Difference In Jobs, Food, and Dropouts (August 2005) “You wouldn't know it from coverage of the mayoral campaign,” Linda Ostreicher writes, “but the outcome will make a difference to New York City residents who depend on social services, particularly public assistance, job training and placement services, food stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and senior services.”
42nd Street (August 2005) Ten years after the old 42nd Street -- sleazy and scary -- started being transformed into "The New 42nd Street" -- cleaned-up, crime-free, and corporate -- all the critical questions of urban planning facing the city seem to be playing out on one famous block.
The Mayoral Candidates On Parks (August 2005) Four contenders for mayor offer their vision of how they would improve the city's parks, which, they say, are too often neglected and dilapidated.
Mayoral Issue Grid: Parks (August 2005)
Block Parties, Street Fairs, Street Festivals (August 2005) The graffiti block party in Chelsea was different from most of the city’s street fairs not just because a federal judge ordered it to proceed but also because “there was not a single sign-up table for a credit card, not one van with slabs of sweaty sausages on its mobile grill, not even tables full of underwear and socks for sale,” writes Marcus Banks, who explains why so many street fairs are nearly identical to one another.
Mayoral Issue Grid: Transportation (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Jobs (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Immigrants (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Housing (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Health (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Finance (August 2005)
Campaign 2005: Elections Themselves Are Issues (August 2005) The one issue that candidates for public office consider more important than any other is the one they are least eager to talk about – the process of getting elected to office. It is an issue that will last far beyond the current campaign.
Can NYC “Profile” Young Muslim Males? (August 2005) Several public officials have suggested that the police should target young Muslim males instead of conducting random searches. Andrew Beveridge addresses whether this would even be possible.
International Freedom Center at Ground Zero -- Pro and Con (August 2005)
Campaign 2005: Crime Declines, Public Safety Worries Continue (August 2005) While street crime declines, worries about terrorism continue. Jaime Adame looks at the mayoral candidates’ positions on such crime issues as the right number of police officers, what to do about hate crimes, and how to prevent another attack.
Cemeteries: The End is Near (August 2005) Conditions for the dead in New York are even more crowded than those for the living, and cemeteries are planning for the day they will be full by cultivating their value as historic resources.
Campaign 2005: The Mayoral Candidates’ Views On Air and Water Quality, Solid Waste, and Sustainability (August 2005) A review of the top candidates' environmental agendas show four main areas where differences in opinion or variations in enthusiasm stand to shape mayoral priorities over the next four years: water and air quality, solid waste, and "sustainability" (energy-efficienr "green" buildings).
St. Stephen's Church -- Will It Ever Be A Landmark? (August 2005) Constantino Brumidi is being celebrated on his bicentennial for his paintings in the U.S. Capitol. But his work in Manhattan's St. Stephen's Church is often overlooked. Gary Papush looks at the 40-year effort to landmark St. Stephen's and the role of community boards in preservation.
Mayoral Debate Transcript: August 21, 2005 (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Arts (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Environment (August 2005)
Campaign 2005: Democratic Mayoral Candidates’ Transportation Agendas (August 2005) Bruce Schaller gives a rundown on the transportation agendas of the Democratic mayoral candidates – those who have agendas, anyway.
City Council Stated Meeting - August 17, 2005 (August 2005) The council passed a bill that requires grocery stores to give their employees health care. It also overrode vetos from Mayor Michael Bloomberg on food stamps and affordable housing.
Mayoral Debate Among Democratic Candidates (August 2005)
Question On Freedom Center In Democratic Debate August 16, 2005 (August 2005)
Campaign 2005: Long-Term Issues Facing the Arts in NYC (August 2005) The candidates may be ignoring the arts this year, Jonathan Mandell writes, but there are issues in the arts in which they could make a difference, including funding, arts education, access, using the arts for economic development, and even a possible return of the culture wars
NY's Ports Booming, But High Costs Of Security Are Eroding Gains (August 2005)
Campaign 2005: Mayoral Candidates’ Plans On Planning (August 2005) The mayoral candidates still seem to see zoning and planning as coming from the top, rather than from communities, argues Tom Angotti, but, he says, there are distinctions in their approaches, with Bloomberg focusing on up-zoning and down-zoning and Ferrer on mandatory inclusionary zoning.
Mayoral Issue Grid: Development (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Crime (August 2005)
Mayoral Issue Grid: Civil Rights (August 2005)
One Family Restores A Non-Landmark Theater (August 2005) The St. George Theater was vacant and crumbling until one family stepped in to rescue it. The latest in our Preservation and Progress series.
Campaign 2005: Candidates Vie Over Affordable Housing And Homelessness Prevention Plans (August 2005) Joe Lamport looks at the mayoral candidates’ competing plans, and records, to create affordable housing and prevent homelessness, as well as their varying positions on such housing issues as the repeal of the Urstadt Law.
Mayoral Issue Grid: Education (August 2005)
Mayoral Candidates: Grid (August 2005) An issue-by-issue breakdown of what the mayoral candidates say about civil rights, crime, education, housing, and transportation.
Campaign 2005: 10 Budget Choices Facing The Next Mayor (August 2005) Whoever is mayor on January, 2006 will face monumental decisions about New York City's budget, including, says Glenn Pasanen, choices on ten issues, ranging from education and public safety to overtime, labor negotiations and the budget process itself.
The Mayor's Money (August 2005) Should the incumbent's wealth be a campaign issue, again? What has his "self-financing" done to the city's campaign finance program?
Mayoral Debate on Poverty (August 2005) On July 28, 2005, five candidates for mayor debated issues of poverty, gentrification, education, and the proposed basketball arena in Brooklyn at a forum at Medgar Evers College.
Giuliani – Savior Of The City, Or Its Enemy? (August 2005) Rudolph Giuliani was either a heroic reformer or a cynical, overrated politician, depending on whether you talk to authors Fred Siegel or Rob Polner. Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club spoke with both.
Campaign 2005: After Mayoral Control, Rivals Call For More Changes (August 2005) His Democratic rivals praise Michael Bloomberg for taking on education, and gaining mayoral control of the schools, but say they could do better. A look at the education issues in Campaign 2005.
Campaign 2005: Civil Rights Issues Divide Bloomberg and Democratic Rivals (August 2005) Andy Humm looks at where Bloomberg and his four Democratic rivals stand on such issues as race relations, gay rights, abortion, using the city's purchasing power to advance civil rights, protecting civil liberties while assuring public safety, and more.
Mayoral Candidates: Education (August 2005)
Real Estate Developers Should Help Pay for Parkland (August 2005) Peter Harnik of the Center for City Park Excellence argues that New York City should require real estate developers to donate land or pay in-lieu fees to help governments acquire parkland.
Making Medicaid Cheaper (August 2005) The program covers 4 million New Yorkers and costs billions. Can we cut Medicaid spending -- and still protect the health of all New Yorkers?
Interpreters at Poll Sites (August 2005) About twenty-five percent of voters need language assistance. But that’s no surprise in NYC, a bastion of ethnic diversity. What is alarming is the lack of assistance provided to these citizens who wish to vote.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Anthony Weiner's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Gifford Miller's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of C. Virginia Fields opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums hosted by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Fernando Ferrer's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Street Vending Licenses (August 2005) Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into law a legislation that would prohibit the Department of Consumer Affairs from questioning applicants for street vending licenses about their immigration status.
Mayor's Testimony Before the Financial Control Board On The City's Health (July 2005)
Youth Justice Board -- Teenagers Studying (Not Committing) Crime (July 2005) Young people are often blamed for crime. The Youth Justice Board, made up of high school students throughout the city, is trying to do something about it.
City Council Stated Meeting - July 27, 2005 (July 2005) The council passed a measure to permit free parking on Sundays. It also approved tax exemptions for landlords who remove lead-paint from buildings and passed rent assistance for senior citizens and the disabled.
Ballot-Bumping, NYC's Bloodsport (July 2005) It is easy to express outrage against the system of signature-gathering and signature-challenging in New York, in which candidates knock each other off the ballot on legal technicalities. But there is a reason why ballot bumping persists as the city’s bloodsport – witness the latest action by Michael Bloomberg.
Upstate And Downstate – Differing Demographics, Continuing Conflicts (July 2005) Andrew Beveridge uses colorful charts to show how upstate differs from downstate – in growth, in income, in age, in diversity – and how this feeds such conflicts as the recent court fight over funding for public education.
311'S GROWING PAINS (July 2005) 311 now receives a million calls a month -- as many as 911. But critics say it could be doing much more.
The Race for Public Advocate (July 2005) Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum faces nine challengers this year. Critics not only question the incumbent's record, but what public advocate is, should be, and if the job should exist at all.
Section 8 Tenants Win The Right To Stay In Their Rent-Stabilized Apartments (July 2005) A state judge has ruled that landlords are required to renew the expiring leases for rent stabilized apartments occuped by tenants who receive Section 8 housing subsidies. Justice Emily Jane Goodman explains.
Setbacks and Successes for Education Councils (July 2005) The new Community Education Councils (which replaced community school boards) experienced lots of frustration but saw some successes in their first year of existence, writes Judy Baum.
Hybrid Vehicles (July 2005) Sam Williams details the pros and cons of the hybrid taxicabs and buses and city fleet – half electric, half gas – about to fill New York City’s streets
Arts Funding 101 (July 2005) The city’s $50.2 billion budget this year includes about $130 million that the Department of Cultural Affairs will give out to hundreds of non-profit arts groups in the five boroughs. Jonathan Mandell attends “a quick Arts Funding 101” to learn who qualifies for funding, what it takes to apply, how the money is distributed, and why not everybody is cheering.
Waterfront Slide Show (July 2005) New Yorkers may long have forgotten that they lived in what Walt Whitman called "City of the Sea! City of wharves and stores," but there is renewed activity, revived interest, and burgeoning conflicts over the city's waterfront.
Being Borough President (July 2005) Borough presidents have little power and few official duties but that does not keep many politicians from wanting the job. A look at all five races for borough president.
Homeless Programs That Are Working, So Far (July 2005) Sometimes it takes a trip out of town to appreciate home, as Joe Lamport discovered at the annual convention in D.C. of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, where housing advocates seemed impressed as NYC’s homeless commissioner Linda Gibbs and others outlined programs they feel are working, at least so far.
Child Support (July 2005) The effort to force absentee parents to pay child support has had mixed results. Now, a new NYC policy would require working parents with children in subsidized day care to participate in the child support enforcement system – or lose their subsidy.
Security and the NYC Subways (July 2005) In the wake of the London bombings on July 7th, Bruce Schaller details the four basic tasks in dealing with the threat of terrorism in the New York City subway system - and where we are with them.
Eminent Domain: What The Supreme Court Ruling Means To NYC (July 2005) Brad Lander looks at the Supreme Court’s recent decision on eminent domain and explains what it means for New York City, including the proposed Nets Arena in Brooklyn, Columbia University’s new campus, and the new headquarters of the New York Times.
$50 Billion Budget -- A Shortsighted Use Of Surpluses (July 2005) The new $50.2 billion budget for the city makes shortsighted use of a large surplus, argues Glenn Pasanen, who thinks several proposals scheduled for the ballot in November take a longer, smarter view.
A Trust Fund For America (July 2005)
Think Locally, Act Regionally (July 2005) Whatever Washington's tilt against NYC, argue Bruce Katz and Mark Muro, the country is not as red as it seems, with New Yorkers sharing more and more with places like Atlanta and Phoenix and Texas, our "super-sized cousins -- and potential allies."
Budget Quiz (July 2005)
Howard Beach Is Not Alone (July 2005) “There seems to be a great desire--especially on the part of politicians--to treat bias incidents as aberrations," writes Andy Humm, who points out that the latest incident in Howard Beach was only one of several occurring in the city over the past few weeks.
Surrogate's Court And Why It Should Go (July 2005) The removal of Brooklyn Surrogate's Court Judge Michael Feinberg does not end a system that allows judges, lawyers and politicians to loot money from widows and orphans.
The Freedom Tower, Again (July 2005) Once again, there is a new design for the Freedom Tower at the site of the World Trade Center, no longer emphasizing symbols of freedom, but offering assurances of safety and security.
Boss Tweed (July 2005)
Immigration Reform (July 2005) The Federal government puts immigration reform on it's agenda
City Council Stated Meeting - June 30, 2005 (June 2005) The City Council approved a $50.2 billion budget, the largest in city history. It also passed bills on hybrid taxis, fireworks, and the Jamaica Bay.
Recreation for Youth In Short Supply (June 2005) Despite the growing body of research demonstration the need for organized recreation for youth, it is in short supply in New York City, says Anne Schwartz, who reports on the efforts to fill the gap.
The Citizen (June 2005) Street vendors decry excessive fines from police. This and other stories translated from the non-English language press.
Living at Home After College (June 2005) An increasing number of new college grads are moving back in with Mom and Dad – or never left.
Poll Workers And Better Elections (June 2005) Replacing the old voting machines will solve only part of the Election Day problems, according to Doug Israel, who co-authored one of two new reports pointing to another challenge – the inadequate number, and poor performance, of poll workers.
Are New Yorkers Recyclers? A Survey of Habits and Attitudes (June 2005) Many New Yorkers don't know which of our garbage we are supposed to recycle (aerosol cans? wire hangers? shampoo bottles?) -- and city officials disagree over how much of it we can.
Recycling (June 2005) Many New Yorkers don't know which of our garbage we are supposed to recycle (aerosol cans? wire hangers? shampoo bottles?) -- and city officials disagree over how much of it we can.
The Latest Rent Increases (June 2005) Housing advocates were hoping the Rent Guidelines Board would vote this year for a rent freeze for almost a million rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. That is not what happened, explains Joe Lamport, who talks to a board member who made history (sort of).
City Council Stated Meeting - June 23, 2005 (June 2005) The City Council abandoned a vote on the proposed waste management plan, but it passed bills that give tenants the right to buy their buildings, expand food stamp programs, and protect dogs in kennels.
Audience Dissatisfaction (June 2005) Two new pieces of legislation – an updated state bill about ticket scalping, and a city bill that tries to address movie commercials - take as a given that New York audiences are mistreated, and offer hope that the way things are, is not the way things have to be.
The 2006 School Budget -- Reasons To Be Pessimistic (June 2005) The new education budget is a lesson in optimism, but, as Gail Robinson reports, there are several reasons to be more pessimistic, such as the unrealistic assumptions in the capital budget and the unresolved teacher's contract.
Neighborhood Banking Is About To Change (June 2005) The concept of neighborhood banking is changing, thanks to the tumbling wall between traditional bank branches and check cashing stores. Mark Winston Griffith explains what’s going on.
City Council Salaries and Stipends - 2005 (June 2005)
Fees (June 2005) Politicians have raised hundreds of hidden fees for city services, making it more expensive to own a car, make a phone call, visit a zoo – even to be born or die in New York.
Restoration on Eldridge Street (June 2005) How was a historic synagogue saved despite prohibitions against government funding to preserve houses of worship?
Immigrant Drivers Win A Victory (June 2005) While the issue is being debated throughout the nation and in Congress, a Manhattan judge has ruled that New York residents cannot be denied driver's licenses based on their immigration status.
Cell Phone Use By Drivers -- A Threat To Public Safety? (June 2005) Although it has been illegal since 2001 for New Yorkers to use cell phones while driving, their use appears to be increasing. Bruce Schaller attempts to answer the question, “is cell phone use by drivers a threat to public safety?”
Adult Protective Services -- A Neglected Service For Neglected People (June 2005) Over the past five years, the agency known as Adult Protective Services has rejected three-quarters of the 56,750 vulnerable adults in need who are referred to it -- told "they aren’t disabled, isolated, or abused enough to be helped,” writes Linda Ostreicher.
NASCAR, The Largest Proposed NYC Sports Stadium Of All (June 2005) Even if the West Stadium had triumphed, it would not have been the largest new sports stadium in New York. That accolade – or curse – is reserved for the ''noise and speed and glory and death'' that is the proposed NASCAR racetrack on Staten Island. Brad Lander explains
Campaign 2005 Quiz (June 2005) Two new transcripts of mayoral forums (one about housing; the other, the budget), an article on the candidates for Gifford Miller's City Council seat, and a quiz that tests whether you're dedicated to civic culture ...or celebrity culture
The Mayoral Candidates on Budgets, Taxes and Spending (June 2005)
The Mayoral Candidates On Housing (June 2005)
The Real School Security Problem (June 2005) To reduce school crime, the city must address overcrowding and lack of resources at New York's most crime-ridden high schools.
Budget Transparency After The West Side Stadium (June 2005) If the West Side Stadium had been approved, it would have been a defeat for some fundamental principles of a democratic budget process, argues Glenn Pasanen, who points to two other fiscal stories that may allow budget transparency to triumph.
City Council Stated Meeting - June 8, 2005 (June 2005) The City Council blocked a key aspect of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed waste management plan, which would ship the city's garbage out of the city by rail or barge.
Civil Rights Restoration Act: Opposed by Mayor, Stalled in Council (June 2005) A bill to strengthen the city’s human rights law is sponsored by a veto-proof majority of 38 members of the City Council, supported by a coalition of more than 30 civil rights groups, and passed through three public hearings,” Andy Humm writes, “but it has yet to be voted.
Discrimination In Housing Is Rampant (June 2005) Discrimination in New York City housing is rampant, especially against the disabled, immigrants, people of color, victims of domestic violence; but even against families with children, Joe Lamport writes. And worse, few agencies are doing much about it.
Real Estate (June 2005) New Yorkers are obsessing over the booming real estate market, and panicking over the possibility of a crash. But what does real estate really mean to New York?
The Lost Children Of Foster Care (June 2005) The foster care system is costly, harmful to children and difficult to fix, says Nina Bernstein, author of "The Lost Children of Wilder," who recently met with Gotham Gazettes' Reading NYC book club.
Does Kendra's Law Work? (June 2005) When a mentally ill man threw Kendra Webdale into the path of a subway train, her death led to Kendra's Law, which allows for court-ordered treatment of the mentally ill, and which is due to expire at the end of the month. Jaime Adame looks at the debate over whether the law has worked.
The Education Equality Act (June 2005) The bill would require the Department of Education to translate school related documents, such as report cards and notices, into the eight most widely-spoken languages in New York and provide interpretation services for parents.
The Citizen (May 2005) In this June edition of The Citizen, we take a look immigrant parents and their children's education, voter registration campaigns in ethnic communities, the growing number of Korean-Ameican elderly, worke protest against labor exploitation and the emergence of Runglish-- a blend of Russian and English. Stories from the Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish-language press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Unfunded Mandates and 'Uncontrollables' (May 2005) He may be mayor and an expert on business, but Michael Bloomberg says he has no control over much of the city's budget. Is he right?
New Voting Machines (May 2005) Thanks to the state legislature's decision not to decide, city election officials will now have to pick new voting machines -- and quickly. Doug Israel explains.
Four Trends That Shape The City's Political Landscape (May 2005) Four demographic trends “define New York City’s unique political landscape,” Andrew Beveridge writes, “all of which the candidates must understand, even if they have little power to change them.”
City Council Stated Meeting - May 25, 2005 (May 2005)
Kindred Spirits: Art And Money (May 2005) The New York Public Library sells off “Kindred Spirits,” a famous New York painting, for Wal-Mart money, and ships it off to Arkansas. A businessman renames a Broadway theater after himself. The New York City Opera turns a fundraiser into a conductor. Jonathan Mandell looks at the “kindred spirits” of art and money, and one reason behind it -- the stagnant arts funding in the city budget.
Nonsmoking New York? (May 2005) After two years, has the campaign against smoking worked? Has it gone too far? And what are they planning next?
Charge Or Release! (May 2005) In the name of security, government officials since 9/11 have been unleashing a relentless attack on the civil rights of New Yorkers, including the unjust detention of many thousands of immigrants and others, writes Udi Ofer of the New York Civil Liberties Union, who argues for a bill called "Charge Or Release," introduced into the City Council this week.
Preserving Social History on Roosevelt Island (May 2005) Although many buildings were destroyed, Roosevelt Island still boasts landmarks offering insight into New York's social and architectural history.
Money, Class Size and Mayoral Politics (May 2005) Gail Robinson looks at the emergence as campaign issues of the fight over additional funds for city schools, and how much of it to spend on reducing class size.
The Same Old Budget Game (May 2005) Anne Schwartz details the proposed budget for parks, which, advocates say, is less than the mayor promised.
42nd Street Trolley? (May 2005) “Should trolleys – now re-christened light rail – return to 42nd Street for the first time since they were replaced by buses 59 years ago?” Bruce Schaller details a recent proposal.
Zoning Instead of Planning in Williamsburg and Greenpoint (May 2005) The massive rezoning of Greenpoint and Williamsburg that the City Council just approved,” Tom Angotti writes “bears little resemblance to the community plans” that came out of hundreds of meetings over more than a decade.
Opinion Roundup blog (May 2005) A roundup of commentary and news.
Bully Busting (May 2005) As the fight against bullying has moved into the political arena, New York has been given an 'F' for its efforts to protect kids from abuse.
Bully (May 2005) As the fight against bullying has moved into the political arena, New York has been given an 'F' for its efforts to protect kids from abuse.
City Council Stated Meeting - May 11, 2005 (May 2005)
Frozen Pay, Heated Rhetoric (May 2005) With police officers working without a contract for three years, relations between Bloomberg and the unions are heating up.
Pushing For A Rent Freeze (May 2005) Landlords want an increase; tenants want a freeze. But what’s different about the decision of the Rent Guidelines Board this time around, Joe Lamport explains, is that it’s an election year.
The Mayor’s Budget Has No Big Ideas; The Council’s Does (May 2005) The problem with the mayor’s budget, argues Glenn Pasanen, is that it has no big ideas. Those, he says, are evident instead in the little-noticed budget plan by the City Council, released a month ago.
Frequently Unasked Questions About The Budget (May 2005) "We have a reason to have a grin on our face," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg as he presented the details for his proposed new budget. Why is he smiling? Should we be smiling? How can he simultaneously boast of a $3.3 billion surplus and warn of a $4.4 billion deficit? Mark Berkey-Gerard answers these and other frequently unasked questions about the budget.
Caution: Budget Pitfalls Ahead (May 2005) "We have a reason to have a grin on our face," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg as he presented the details for his proposed new budget. Why is he smiling? Should we be smiling? How can he simultaneously boast of a $3.3 billion surplus and warn of a $4.4 billion deficit? Mark Berkey-Gerard answers these and other frequently unasked questions about the budget.
That 70's Show (May 2005) In 1977, New York saw a violent blackout, a colorful mayoral campaign, a serial killer on the loose, and a scandal-filled, World Series-winning baseball season. It was also a turning point in the city, argues Jonathan Mahler, author of Ladies and Gentlemen the Bronx is Burning, who recently spoke with Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC book club.
Is Public Art For The Public (May 2005) Jonathan Mandell looks at the more than 200 works of public art created over the past two decades in schools, firehouses, traffic triangles, atop sewage treatment plants, as part of the Percent for Art program. (Check out the slideshow)
Teaching Fellows Make Their Mark (May 2005) After five years, the city’s efforts to bring energetic, committed people without education training into the city’s classrooms has invigorated some schools but stumbled in others, writes Deborah Apsel of Inside Schools.
Putting A Price On Street Trees (May 2005) How many trees are there on New York City streets? Guess right and win a thousand dollars. When officials count for real this summer, writes Sam Williams, they plan to learn not just how many there are, but how much each is worth.
The Citizen (May 2005) In this May edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the Mayor's initiative plan for family literacy, Non-Citizen Voting, immigrants' struggle for political asylum, employment and the immigrant workforce, and mayoral politics. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese and Spanish-language press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Urban Conversations: U.S. Mayors and Innovative Leadership (May 2005)
Hockey and Basketball Arena (May 2005)
Baseball Stadium (May 2005)
New York’s Proposed Stadiums and Arenas (May 2005) How do New York City's proposed sports stadiums and arenas - the West Side Stadium, new Yankee Stadium, and Brooklyn Nets Arena - compare with similar venues across the country?
Football Stadiums (May 2005)
Immigrant Family Literacy Program (May 2005) City Hall funds an immigrant literacy program, but critics say it’s not enough.
Seeking Asylum; Getting Deported (May 2005) Justice Emily Jane Goodman writes about the case of a woman who sought asylum, telling a story of harrowing persecution, and why she was ordered deported instead.
Finding Balance on the Brooklyn Waterfront (April 2005) Kimberly Miller of the Municipal Art Society explains why the city’s current rezoning plan for the Greenpoint and Williamsburg waterfront -- which the City Council is about to vote on -- “might seem like a great deal.” But, she says, there is a better way.
High School Students (April 2005) Andrew Beveridge looks at the ethnic composition, and the academic performance, of the new public high schools compared to the old.
Is Broadband a Public Utility? A Right? (April 2005) Laura Forlano looks at the mayor’s new “action plan” for telecommunications, and looks at the debate over whether broadband (high-speed Internet access) should be a public utility like water or gas or electricity -- or even a right, such as food or shelter.
Culture and Construction (April 2005) Jonathan Mandell looks at several examples of the peculiar relationship between culture and construction in New York City -- recent news about the performing arts center at Ground Zero, a new play about Robert Moses, two exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art.
Neighborhood Activists' Toolkit (April 2005) When it comes to objecting to a proposed power plant or demanding the reopening of a local street, neighborhood activists have many techniques at their disposal, from calling their elected officials on the phone to making a Web site to keep their neighbors up to date. A look at how successful activists have used such tools, and a guide for those learning to use them.
Neighborhood Activists' Toolkit (April 2005) When it comes to objecting to a proposed power plant or demanding the reopening of a local street, neighborhood activists have many techniques at their disposal, from calling their elected officials on the phone to making a Web site to keep their neighbors up to date. A look at how succesful activists have used such tools, and a guide for those learning to use them.
Non-Citizen Voting (April 2005) Doug Israel looks at the latest voting rights movement -- the right of non-citizens to vote.
The Mayoral Candidates on Education (April 2005) The six other mayoral challengers gave Michael Bloomberg and his schools chancellor low marks on education at a recent forum.
The Anti-Moses And The First Community-Based Plan (April 2005) Tom Angotti details the life and work of Walter Thabit – “New York’s anti-Moses” -- as a compelling antidote to all the recent big-project hoopla.
City Council Stated Meeting - April 20, 2005 (April 2005)
Historic Preservation in NYC (April 2005) On the 40th anniversary of the city’s landmarks law, some preservationists argue that much more must be done to save historic places. A slideshow of ten threatened New York City sites.
Women and Work in New York City (April 2005) Women still earn less pay than men. Four experts explain why and what can be done about it.
Trees & Sidewalks Repair Program (April 2005) The city has begun a pilot program to fix sidewalks that have been damaged by tree roots – at no cost to the homeowner.
Bankruptcy “Reform” (April 2005) Middle-class New Yorkers will be hit especially hard, Linda Ostreicher argues, if Congress passes the proposed bankruptcy “reform.”
Cell Phone Ban; Special Ed in Middle Schools (April 2005) High school parents want the Department of Education to ease its ban on cell phones. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, parents fought successfully to improve special ed programs for middle school students.
City Council Stated Meeting - April 12, 2005 (April 2005)
The State Budget’s $38.5 Billion Transportation Program (April 2005) Bruce Schaller looks at the new $38.5 billion transportation program approved as part of the New York State budget – including money for some of the city’s favorite transportation megaprojects.
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Anthony Weiner
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - C. Virginia Fields
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Fernando Ferrer
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Gifford Miller
Parking (April 2005) The quest for parking in New York has spawned sitcom gags, headaches and political battles. But some planners say the problem is not too few parking spaces but too many.
Calendar of Events (April 2005) Calendar of Events
Academic Freedom, Intimidation, And Mayoral Politics: The Case of Rashid Khalidi (April 2005) In the controversy at Columbia involving academic freedom, intimidation and the Middle East, one case has spread beyond the Morningside Heights campus to the city’s public school system and even mayoral politics.
Abandoned Babies (April 2005) Why is the crime of abandoning a baby rarely prosecuted? Because, Jaime Adame writes, abandoning an unwanted baby is better than the alternative: If a child isn’t harmed, authorities reason that it is better not to treat the mother as a criminal.
State Budget, On Time But Imperfect. Also – City Budget; City Performance (April 2005) The state budget was passed by the deadline for the first time in 21 years; three fiscal monitors are optimistic about the city’s finances; and the Independent Budget Office has come up with a better way of measuring mayoral performance. So why is Glenn Pasanen unhappy?
The Citizen (April 2005) In this April, 2005 edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants filing taxes, the rising cost of housing, discrimination in the police department, and other stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Spanish-language and Russian press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard
Innovative Leadership (April 2005) Mayor Michael Bloomberg's address at the conference "Urban Conversations: U.S. Mayors and Innovative Leadership." March 30, 2005
City Laws Quiz (April 2005) The following quiz is designed not only to test your knowledge of New York City laws, but to offer a step-by-step guide to the different ways this tool lets you find information – by year, topic, keyword, and individual council member.
Taking on Carbon Dioxide In Defiance Of Bush; Also, Tracking Detectors For Carbon Monoxide (April 2005) The city, along with half a dozen other governments, is taking on carbon dioxide (global warming), in virtual defiance of the Bush administration. Also: tracking the use of detectors for the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide.
Voting Records (March 2005) Gotham Gazette's Voters Guide
Homeless Count (March 2005) Counting the homeless, Joe Lamport writes, is neither as simple nor as useful as it may seem.
Another Charter Revision Commission, And Three New Ballot Proposals (March 2005) There is yet another charter revision commission, with three new ballot proposals being considered for the fall.
AIDS In New York City (March 2005) After a brief flurry of attention last month, AIDS has once again faded from the consciousness of most New Yorkers. But major issues of the epidemic remain unresolved.
A Cop Looks Around (March 2005) Edward Conlon, best-selling author and Harvard graduate, joined Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club in an online chat about his memoir of life as a New York City cop, what cops thinks of Bloomberg, community policing, the Ferrer flap, counterterrorism, and race.
New York’s Responders and Protectors (March 2005) The 70,000 or so people hired to respond to crises in the city stand apart – as heroes to some; villains to others; but, as Andrew Beveridge discovers from Census data, they stand apart demographically as well – whiter, less educated, more affluent.
City Council Stated Meeting - March 23, 2005 (March 2005)
Waterfront Rezoning And Its Shortcomings (March 2005) The rezoning of much of the waterfront of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, writes Carter Craft, “represents everything that’s right and everything that’s wrong about land use planning for waterfronts in New York City.”
The Jailed Juror (March 2005) What happened to a college student who skipped out on jury duty? Jail time! A cautionary tale by Justice Emily Jane Goodman.
The Social Security Debate (March 2005) Everyone is debating Social Security. What are the real issues and what is at stake for New Yorkers?
NYC Jobs: A History (March 2005) What was the city’s first regulated business? What New Yorker organized sleeping car porters? What keeps city workers from going out on strike? Our timeline has the answers.
Fewer Cars (Same Traffic) (March 2005) The number of cars registered in New York City has declined. Bruce Schaller explains the cause and the effect.
Big Projects And Bad News (March 2005) A BJs in the Bronx and a Wal-Mart in Queens were killed; the Jets in Manhattan and the Nets in Brooklyn are facing new roadblocks. But even if these big projects are having trouble, Tom Angotti argues, the city’s zoning rules mean new ones will take their place.
WeCARE, For New Yorkers Still On Welfare And Unable To Work (March 2005) The city hopes to help New Yorkers still on welfare and unable to work with a new program called WeCARE.
Politics Kills A Greenway (March 2005) A long-planned and fully-funded greenway bites the dust, to make way for a roadway that is unlikely ever to happen.
Latinos and the Mayor (March 2005) Latinos are gaining increasingly clout in New York City politics as their numbers grow. Several experts discuss whether the time has come for a Latino mayor, whether there really is a "Latino vote", and what issues speak to Latino New Yorkers.
NYC Term Limits Revisited (March 2005) Three years ago, term limits created the largest transition in government in New York City history. But how much has really changed?
Entering the Autonomy Zone; Poll on Schools (March 2005) A pilot program for principals giving them more autonomy. Also, new poll show public dissatisfaction with the schools.
City Council Stated Meeting - March 9, 2005 (March 2005)
Community Development Funding Cuts Under The New Bush Budget (March 2005) President Bush has an interesting way of supporting community development: cutting most of its funding.
The Seven Year Suit; Also, Lynne Stewart’s Conviction (March 2005) Leonard Bernstein’s lover wins a job discrimination lawsuit against New York University Medical Center. Also, reaction to the conviction of attorney Lynne Stewart for “aiding Islamic terrorism…”
NYC in Fiction (March 2005) E.L. Doctorow met with Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club to discuss his novel Billy Bathgate; what it means to be a New York author; what happens when novelists write history and historians write fiction; and his recommendations for the best NYC books and the worst movies of all time (one of the movies was made from one of his books)
The DAs Of New York (March 2005) As they prosecute crimes, district attorneys are supposed to be above politics. But to keep their jobs, the prosecutors have to win elections. This year, two city DAs, Morgenthau and Hynes, face unusually tough races.
Indicting To Clean Up Newton Creek; Also, Diesel Deaths (March 2005) The watchdog group Riverkeeper found a way to clean up Newton Creek -- by suing, then encouraging the DA to indict, a major polluter. Also, a new report determines that more New Yorkers die each year from diesel exhaust than second-hand smoke.
Protecting Whistleblowers: The New York City False Claims Act (March 2005) The New York City False Claims Act, which awaits Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s signature (or veto), would protect whistleblowers (make some of them rich) and help clean up the crime of fraud among city agencies and contractors. That’s what its supporters say.
NYCMap (March 2005) NYCMap is pronounced “nice map” and is one of the most sophisticated maps in the world. But, though New York taxpayers footed the $20 million pricetag, most do not get to use it. Some people don’t think that’s very nice.
Immigrants and Driver's Licenses (March 2005) The Department of Motor Vehicles' license crackdown sparked a lawsuit by immigrant groups.
The Citizen (February 2005) In this March edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the ongoing litigation on driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, the end of the fast-track green card program, the rise of same-sex households among immigrants and child rearing in Spanish speaking homes. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
The Crime Rate: How Low Can It Go? (February 2005) New York's drop in crime enters its fifteenth year. Will the trend will continue?
Avoiding Eviction; Also, Landlords Lose A Case, Sort Of (February 2005) Joe Lamport looks at a new program in the Bronx to provide lawyers -- and much more -- to prevent evictions.
New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller State of the City (February 2005) Speaker Miller's 2005 State of the City address. The speech outlines the Speaker's priorities and his belief in New York City's future. The Speaker also discussed his new proposal for rezoning the West Side of Manhattan. The remarks were delivered to a live audience at Council Chambers, City Hall at approx. 12:00 PM.
Who Got The Death Penalty (February 2005) Andrew Beveridge looks at who got sentenced to death in New York.
Helping New York's Small Businesses (February 2005) With IKEA on the way and a Starbucks on every corner, it's easy to forget that two million New Yorkers work for small businesses. Several experts offer suggestions on how to help the backbone of New York's economy.
Hotels in New York (February 2005) Dozens of new hotels - some as trendy as the discos of the 70s - are breaking ground across the city. So why do some fear there will be fewer hotel rooms available and fewer hotel jobs for New Yorkers?
The Gates And The Water Filtration Plant (February 2005) Anne Schwartz contemplates “The Gates” in Central Park, and updates the water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park.
The Latest Round on School Funding (February 2005) When a State Supreme Court judge ordered that city schools get billions of dollars more than they do now, many New Yorkers cheered, some jeered, and others steeled for more tortured politics and long delays.
City Council Stated Meeting - February 16, 2005 (February 2005)
After School Programs (February 2005) The city's recent changes to the much-needed system of after-school programs threatens some very good programs, writes Linda Ostreicher.
Not Ready for Wal-Mart (February 2005) The promise of New York City’s first Wal-Mart superstore has provoked intense opposition and, Tom Angotti writes, revealed how poorly equipped city government is in dealing with such big box projects.
Vocational Education (February 2005) At a time when high schools are raising academic standards, New York continues to offer hundreds of vocational program. Can job training and academic rigor co-exist?
Reform Is On The Way (February 2005) All across the country, and in New York as well, the public is getting fed up with the outrageous redrawing of districts for political gain.
Why Gerrymandering Must Go (February 2005) All across the country, and in New York as well, the public is getting fed up with the outrageous redrawing of districts for political gain.
State Debt + Federal Debt = City Budget Trouble (February 2005) As good as the mayor’s new budget may look for the short-term, it’s bad over the long haul, Glenn Pasanen writes, thanks to some ideological or election-year debt strategies by the mayor, the governor and the president.
Legalizing Gay Marriage In NYC (February 2005) A judge has ordered the Clerk of New York to start issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Bloomberg announced he would appeal the decision.
Facing Unemployment (February 2005) Many of the 230,000 unemployed New Yorkers surely question the official optimism about unemployment, and ask how fair and how effective are the city's policies on unemployment benefits, job training and job creation.
My Journey With the Rockefeller Drug Laws (February 2005) The judge gave Anthony Papa a break when he was convicted of a first-time non-violent drug offense – a sentence of 15 years to life. Papa details his extraordinary journey from inmate to artist to activist against the harsh Rockefeller drug laws – laws that were supposed to have been “reformed” in December, but, Papa writes, really weren’t.
City Council Stated Meeting - February 2, 2005 (February 2005)
The Case of The Youthful Offender And The Bawdy House Law (February 2005) Should a sealed record of a juvenile be opened to protect public housing residents from drug dealers? Justice Emily Jane Goodman reports on “The Case of the Youthful Offender and the Bawdy House Law.”
Learning from the Subway Fire (February 2005) Bruce Schaller explains the puzzling missteps of January's subway fire, and some lessons learned.
Immigrant City (February 2005) The foreign born population in New York City is now at an all time high: 3.2 million out of the city’s population of 8 million are immigrants.
Home Invasion Robberies (February 2005) Police arrested leaders of a gang that they say terrorized drug dealers by breaking into their homes. But law-abiding citizens can be targets of home-invasion robberies as well.
The Citizen (January 2005) In this February edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the profiles of New York City's immigrants, new immigrant communities in Flushing and Brighton Beach, Chinese and Sihk immigrants in New York's Bravest and a magazine cover causing a stir in Greenpoint. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
"So Many Wonderful Controversies" (January 2005) New Yorker magazine staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert talks about traveling with Hillary, reforming Albany and handicapping the mayor's race.
The 2006 New York City Budget (January 2005) Mayor Michael Bloomberg's fourth annual budget plays up the good news, downplays the bad, and blames the rest on Albany.
Wall Street Bonus Babies (January 2005) Who are the Wall Street Bonus babies, and how much of this year’s $15.9 billion in bonuses is each one getting?
Pataki Turns Green; Tsunami Speculation (January 2005) Pataki’s budget boosts some environmental initiatives. Also: Could a tsunami happen here?
City Council Committees - 2005 (January 2005)
Real School Pests; School Funding (January 2005) Mice, rats and roaches scamper through many city schools, according to a poll by Inside Schools. And another poll finds voters across the state support more money for city schools.
Repealing the Urstadt Law (January 2005) Housing advocates hope that the long-hated Urstadt Law, which more than three decades ago took the power away from the city in dealing with rents and evictions, could finally be repealed this year.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg Testifies About Governor George Pataki's Proposed Budget (January 2005)
Testimony by New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller On Governor George Pataki's Proposed Budget (January 2005)
The First Campaign Finance Reports; Also, Preview Of 2006 (January 2005) The candidates for city office have released their first campaign finance reports, a traditional method of sorting out who is really in a race -- and who is in denial.
The Governor Delays and Denies (January 2005)
How to Spend the Money for the Schools (January 2005)
Auto Insurance Fraud: Driving Rates Up In Brooklyn (January 2005) The insurance industry of New York is itself under threat, from job losses, terrorism, auto fraud, and – depending on your point of view – its own corruption or Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's investigation of its corruption.
Insurance And Its Threats In NYC (January 2005) The insurance industry of New York is under threat, from job losses, terrorism, auto fraud, and – depending on your point of view – its own corruption or Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's investigation of its corruptio
Keep An Eye on the Money for Schools (January 2005) While awaiting the judge's order in the school funding case, three views on what's next
New York’s Broadband Gaps (January 2005) High-speed Internet is not accessible to seven business districts in the city – and, Laura Forlano writes, should be accessible in new affordable housing.
Pataki's Budget (January 2005) Bruce Schaller looks at what Governor Pataki’s budget means for the transit system.
City Council Stated Meeting Report: January 19, 2004 (January 2005)
Social Service Programs Cut; Minimum Wage Raised (January 2005) Even before Governor George Pataki proposed the state budget for the next fiscal year, the news for poor New Yorkers was not good, with cuts in both state and federal aid for New York City programs servicing everybody from homeless teenagers to college students and adults preparing to job hunt. The one bright spot for the poor, says Linda Ostreicher – the increase in the minimum wage.
Governor George Pataki's Remarks: 2005 Budget Address (January 2005) Governor's Remarks: 2005 Budget Address
Evicting The Vendors From The Bed-Stuy Market (January 2005) The impending eviction of the street vendors from the four-year-old Bedford-Stuyvesant Cooperative Market, while especially senseless, presents some questions with city-wide implications, Mark Winston Griffith writes. For example: Is gentrification the same as community development?
State of the City (January 2005) In Mayor Michael Bloomberg's New York, crime is low, schools are good, and apartments are affordable. Does the mayor's view match up with reality?
Mayoral Candidates' Responses to Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City Address (January 2005) Mayoral Candidates, Charles Barron, Virginia fields, Steven Shaw, and Fernando Ferrer respond to Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City Address.
Beyond the West Side Stadium: An Economic Growth Plan for Working People (January 2005) Calling Mayor Bloomberg's West Side stadium plan a "profoundly uncreative vision" for New York City's future, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) outlined his economic growth plan for working people in all five boroughs. (01-13-05)
Good News, Bad News (January 2005) "Our economy - which was written off three years ago - is back, and it's back in a big way," Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in his third State of the City address. But, Glenn Pasanen writes, midway through the city’s fiscal year, the picture is actually far more mixed.
Speaker Gifford Miller's Response to Mayor’s State of the City Address (January 2005) Speaker Gifford Miller's Response to Mayor’s January 11, 2005 State of the City Address
2005 State of the City Address - (January 2005) The following is the text of Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City Address as delivered at Hostos Community College in the Bronx
Death Penalty (January 2005) Opponents of New York's death penalty law, which was declared unconstitutional last year, see it as a major civil rights issue -- and don't expect to see it reinstated.
The UN and New York (January 2005) An East Side playground is the latest battleground in the war between the United Nations and New Yorkers who would be happy to see the world body leave town.
Diminishing The Danger From Diesel Exhaust (January 2005) "There are three basic ways that New York City can cut pollution from the many truck and other diesel engines that flood the city with bad air," writes Andy Darrell from Environmental Defense. And several current City Council bills could help.
Immigrants' Reaction To Tsunami Disaster (January 2005) After the news of the tidal wave disaster reached New York the day after Christmas, immigrants around the city desperately tried to contact their loved ones and started to give donations to help out their home countries.
Rockefeller Drug Law Reform and Drug Courts (January 2005) Governor Pataki focused on crime in his State of the State address – but left out any mention of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, recently reformed, or of drug courts, which more and more advocates are seeing as an option that offers some tangible answers to a difficult problem.
State of the State, Governor George Pataki (January 2005) Pataki's January 5, 2005 State of the State speech.
City Council Stated Meeting - January 5, 2005 (January 2005)
The Flu – An Ironic Season (January 2005) Before the flu season began, health officials were worried about a shortage of flu vaccine. Now, there is enough supply for New Yorkers at “high risk” – but not enough demand.
Greenway Glitches (January 2005) The city’s plans for some parts of the “greenway” in Brooklyn undermine the whole purpose of it “as a park space and a safe corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians,” Anne Schwartz writes.
The Citizen (January 2005) In this January edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the major immigrant-related stories of 2004,and some minor ones as well, culled from the Bengali, Chinese, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Albany Reform: Make Elections More Competitive (January 2005) Jeremy Creelan writes that the rules governing the state legislature need to be changed; Dick Dadey adds that competitive elections -- and increased accountability -- must be the centerpiece of Albany reform over the long haul.
Will Bloomberg Be Re-Elected? (January 2005)
What Can Any Mayor Really Do? (January 2005) 2005 is an election year in New York - and candidates are already making promises for what they will do for the city if elected. But how much can a mayor - any mayor - really do to improve the city?
Albany Reform: Start By Changing the Rules (January 2005) Jeremy Creelan writes that the rules governing the state legislature need to be changed; Dick Dadey adds that increased accountability must be the centerpiece of any real larger Albany reform
NEW YORK LAWYERS: A PROFILE (December 2004) People may conjure up million-dollar salaries and elegant offices, but “New York lawyer” describes some 57,000 of diverse backgrounds, practices and incomes. Andrew Beveridge does an analysis.
Campaign 2005 (December 2004) 2005 is an election year in New York, which means that everything - from murders to budget negotiations to bus service - will be seen through the lens of the campaign.
2004: Shorter Lines, Just As Much Frustration (December 2004) Though 2004 began as a year of great hope for New York’s immigrants, it will probably be remembered mostly as the year the lines in front of the immigration office disappeared -- without that meaning very much.
Overcrowding Squeezes Learning; Also the Great Toilet Paper Debate (December 2004) Crowding in schools disrupts learning and wastes valuable classroom time, write John Thomas and Vanessa Witenko of Inside Schools. Also: the great toilet paper debate.
Saving Two Birds; Saving Staten Island (December 2004) Is environmentalism a religion? Sam Williams ponders the efforts to save two birds on Fifth Avenue -- and the open space on Staten Island.
Top 10 Stories of 2004 (December 2004)
What Will the Big Stories Be in the New Year? Fifth Anniversary Edition (December 2004) Three dozen New Yorkers - including public officials, journalists, a former boxing champion, and a naked cowboy – predict the headlines for New York City in the new year.
Has The Music Scene Died In New York? (December 2004) “When Bob Dylan moved to New York to make it as a singer-songwriter, he was acknowledging something that he helped define – the city was where pioneering musicians had to be,” Sydney Beveridge writes. “But if Dylan were starting out today, would he stay in Minnesota?”
City Council Stated Meeting - December 15, 2004 (December 2004)
Using Energy More Efficiently In NYC (December 2004) How effective would a new city energy policy office be in promoting the efficient use of energy? Laura Forlano explains the need for such an office, the bill introduced to create it, and the difficulties City Hall is having in getting its own house in (energy-efficient) order.
Should Public Funds Keep NY Waterway Alive? (December 2004) With the announcement from the president of New York Waterway that the ferry company is “dying,” the city is faced with a fundamental question: should public agencies subsidize specific ferry routes to keep them running? Bruce Schaller explores.
Summit Calls For Community Planning Reform (December 2004) The planners and community people who attended the Summit on Community-based Planning in New York City, Tom Angotti says, heard from mayors who are doing community planning the right way – unlike New York.
Developing Affordable Housing and Jobs (December 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
Create Conditions for Business to Thrive (December 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
Reform the Building Code (December 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is developing 20 New York City neighborhoods to create new commercial office and housing development. Three views on what the city needs.
Bloomberg's Development Strategies: Who Benefits? (December 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
Online Shopping (December 2004) Some New York stores have been able to take advantage of the upsurge in online shopping, while others feel they are being left with an unfair disadvantage.
Shopping in the City (December 2004) Holiday shoppers no longer have to leave the city to shop at chain stores -- or their homes to shop at all.
A New Stadium Authority Will Add to City Budget Woes (December 2004) Glenn Pasanen raises questions about the deal to build a Jets stadium, its costs to the city and the wisdom of creating yet another unaccountable public authority.
Leaving The Hudson River Out Of “The Hudson Yard” Plans (December 2004) "At the same time that both city and state are pulling out all the stops to redevelop the West Side, attract the 2012 Olympics, and expand the convention center," Carter Craft writes,"it is unfathomable to think that more than a billion dollars in public money is to be spent to redevelop 11 blocks along the Hudson River with no real plan to improve the waterfront."
City Council Stated Meeting - December 7, 2004 (December 2004)
The City’s New Housing Subsidy (December 2004) The city has run out of its main weapon in fighting homelessness, and plans to replace it with a new program that advocates believe is worse in many ways. Joe Lamport reports.
New Principles, Common Goals (December 2004) New Yorkers will continue to benefit from Republican government, believes Congressman Vito Fossella. But he also thinks that many issues facing the city transcend partisanship.
Funding The Schools (December 2004) A court panel has ruled that city schools need billions, but no one is writing the check yet.
Who Is Term Limited Out of Office in 2005? (December 2004)
Battling Gun Violence In The Streets And In The Courts (December 2004) The battle to stop gun violence is now as much in the courtroom as on the street. Jaime Adame looks at ongoing police strategies, at the new Gun Court, and at gun lawsuits.
The World Trade Center Health Registry (December 2004) More than a year after city and federal officials launched the World Trade Center Health Registry, a survey of people exposed to Ground Zero, there are some concrete findings about the health complaints among the tens of thousands of participants – and perhaps as many complaints about the survey itself.
Looking On The Hopeful Side For 2005 (November 2004) If the signs don’t look so good lately for civil libertarians, some New Yorkers prefer to look at the hopeful (mostly local) developments promised for next year in such issues as immigrants rights and gay rights, housing discrimination and the death penalty.
Put Internet Access On The Trains (November 2004) Sarah Myland Kaufman argues that it would make sense – economically and every other way -- for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to provide Internet access on its commuter trains.
Outsourcing and New York City (November 2004) The word outsourcing has come to represent the loss of American jobs to foreign competition. A look at what it means and how it affects New York City.
The Citizen (November 2004) In this December edition of The Citizen, we take a look at undocumented immigrants in the workforce, foreign students in New York, Russian immigrants' diverse political views, and this year's immigrant winners of the Union Square Awards. These and other articles from the Caribbean, Chinese, Russian, Spanish-language and Urdu press come via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
2 Columbus Circle And The Need To Preserve Preservation (November 2004) The failure of the Landmark Preservation Commission to hold a public hearing about 2 Columbus Circle is, argues preservationist Kate Wood, a clear sign of an agency in serious need of reform.
Turning The High Line Elevated Railroad Into An Unconventional Park (November 2004) “Against all odds, a crazy and impractical-seeming idea is rapidly becoming a reality,” Anne Schwartz writes, though the plans for the abandoned elevated railroad known as the High Line “are more like a work of modern sculpture than a traditional park.”
City Council Stated Meeting Report - Nov. 23 2004 (November 2004)
Why City Students Don’t Learn Science (November 2004) Most city middle schools do not have the staff, equipment or time to teach students science.
Can Critical Mass Negotiate a Truce? (November 2004) Riding a bike in New York has long been a hazardous activity, but lately it has also become a political - and a criminal - act.
Cycling In the City (November 2004) Riding a bike in New York has long been a hazardous activity, but lately it has also become a political – and a criminal - act.
Dance Reflects Our Common Humanity (November 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
Nothing Matters More than the Collection (November 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
A Seismic Change in Audiences Since 9/11 (November 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theate
New Homes for the Arts (November 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
Old Theaters Are the Best (November 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater
The Working Poor (November 2004) New York City’s working poor have limited opportunities to climb out of poverty, according to several new studies.
Bush Does Better, and Other Election Results In NYC (November 2004) Don’t get too smug, Andrew Beveridge warns: Bush did better in New York City than he did four years ago.
Alternatives to Transit Fare Increases And Service Cuts (November 2004) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has maxed out its credit cards. Bruce Schaller suggests alternatives to transit hikes and service cuts.
Debating Jobs and Economic Development (November 2004) Eight City Council members debate the merits of a Brooklyn IKEA, a water filtration plant in the Bronx, and a West Side stadium.
The Filtration Plant Deal in the Bronx: Flawed Planning, Environmental Injustice (November 2004) The $243 million "payoff" for Bronx parks to gain public acceptance for a water filtration plant, "is deeply flawed as public policy," argues Tom Angotti.
Making High Schools Smaller (November 2004) New York is breaking down massive high schools into smaller ones. Will that solve the puzzle of poor student performance?
Saving Oakland Lake (November 2004) How one man saved the last remaining glacier lake in Queens.
New York City Council Stated Meeting - November 10, 2004 (November 2004)
New York City Council STATED MEETING - November 10, 2004 (November 2004)
Fiscal Monitors Check And Balance The Mayor (November 2004) Fiscal monitors have been a counterforce recently to the mayor's fiscal powers in issues ranging from schools to the West Side plan to the transit system, and contract procedures.
The Housing Problems Of Immigrants (November 2004) Responding to a call from the New York Immigration Coalition, advocates are searching for answers to the housing problems immigrants face. As Joe Lamport writes, it won't be easy.
What Does It Mean to New York? (November 2004) What do another four years of President George W. Bush mean for a town where 75 percent of voters wanted to kick him out of office? A look at what Bush has promised to do on issues like anti-terrorism funding, taxes, education, civil rights, and community development - and how it might affect New York.
Murdering Women (November 2004) More than 300 New York women have been killed by their intimate partner, according to a new study.
2004 General Election Results (November 2004)
2004 General Election Results (November 2004)
The Citizen (November 2004) n this November edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants and the election, the Muslim population in the city, Black and Korean get-togethers and complaints about fines and harassment by New York police -- articles from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
New York City Election Day: Guide for the Last Minute Voter (November 2004) A step-by-step guide to New York's General Election: who is running; what they say about the issues; and what to do if you have problems at the polls.
New York City Election 2004 (November 2004)
New Programs Aim To Prevent Homelessness (October 2004) "With the homeless population at a record high and likely to get worse," Joe Lamport writes," two new projects -- one funded by the Bloomberg administration, one by United Way of New York City -- are focusing on the prevention of homelessness." Homeless advocates are skeptical.
Student Drug Use; Also: Middle School Confusion (October 2004) The death of a student at the Bronx High School of Science from a heroin overdose has raised concerns about teen drug use, write Deborah Apsel and Pamela Wheaton of InsideSchools.org, who explain what schools and parents can, and should, be doing to prevent it.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - October 27, 2004 (October 2004)
Community Development Under A Kerry Administration (October 2004) Mark Winston Griffith assesses where presidential candidate John Kerry stands on the neighborhood-based universe of concerns labeled community development ‚"housing, small business development, job development and social justice policy" and how he differs from Bush.
Looking Back at 100 (October 2004) 100 years ago this week, the New York subways opened to eager passengers. This centennial and other anniversaries this year provide a way to look at the New York of 100 years ago – and the city of today.
Forgetting – and Remembering – the Slocum (October 2004) 100 years ago this week, the New York subways opened to eager passengers. This centennial and other anniversaries provide a way to look at the New York of 100 years ago – and the city of today.
Times Square: 100 Years of Pleasure and Dissipation (October 2004) 100 years ago this week, the New York subways opened to eager passengers. This centennial and other anniversaries provide a way to look at the New York of 100 years ago – and the city of today.
A Century Of Subway Activism (October 2004) 100 years ago this week, the New York subways opened to eager passengers. This centennial and other anniversaries provide a way to look at the New York of 100 years ago – and the city of today.
How The Subway Shaped New York (October 2004) 100 A century ago this week, the New York subways opened to eager passengers. It is not the only centennial celebration this year: Edward O’Donnell: Remembering the Slocum Disaster Clifton Hood: How the Subway Shaped New York Gene Russianoff: 25 Years of Transit Activism James Traub: Times Square -- 100 Years of Pleasure and Sleaze
Former Senator Guy Velella: Convicted Felon, $80,000-A-Year Public Pensioner (October 2004) Former State Senator and convicted felon Guy Velella was not only released early from prison after pleading guilty to public corruption; he is also eligible to collect an $80,000 a year pension, at taxpayers' expense. State Senator Liz Krueger wants to do something about that.
2004 NYC General Election State Legislature Candidates (October 2004)
2004 NYC General Election Judicial Races (October 2004)
Planting Trees For Life (October 2004) The neighborhoods in the city with the most pollution, and the worst health, have the fewest trees. Anne Schwartz explains why this is not a coincidence, and what is being done about it.
A Victim Of Domestic Violence Gets Fired (October 2004) Gina Reynolds, a probationary officer with the Department of Correction, was fired after a department investigation revealed she was not at home during sick leave. She was not at home because she was escaping her violent, drug-addicted husband. Justice Emily Jane Goodman looks at the case that resulted -- and the judge's important ruling.
Tech, Art, Protest and Politics (October 2004) Something new does seem to be happening at the intersection of art, protest, politics and technology
The Waste Management Plan: Approve It, But Improve It (October 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent the last month announcing long term plans to handle the 50,000 tons of trash that New Yorkers produce each day. A look at what the plans do -- and what they don't do.
The Mayor's New Garbage Plan (October 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent the last month announcing long term plans to handle the 50,000 tons of trash that New Yorkers produce each day. A look at what the plans do -- and what they don't do.
Working Class New York: Book Club Chat (October 2004) A conversation with author Joshua Freeman on the history of the working class in New York, the city's immigration boom, and labor's role in the city's politics and finances.
What's Better, What's Worse During Bloomberg's Administration (October 2004) Complaints about cab service increased 46 percent in the three years since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office; traffic fatalities declined by 15 percent; 190,000 potholes were repaired, but the streets are worse. Bruce Schaller looks at the Bloomberg administration's own figures to report on what's better, what's worse, what's unchanged in transportation.
2004 NYC General Election State Legislature Candidates (October 2004)
New York's Creative Class (October 2004) Who are the individuals that make New York City the creative center that it is? Where do they come from, how are they faring? Andrew Beveridge analyzes the data.
2004 NYC General Election Judicial Races (October 2004)
New York City Council STATED MEETING - October 13, 2004 (October 2004)
State Assembly District 22 - Flushing, Queens (October 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
The Battle Over Social Security (October 2004) "The biggest domestic issue on the 2004 Presidential election has barely been mentioned by the candidates," writes Linda Ostreicher, who argues that the battle over Social Security has serious potential repercussions for New York.
The New Garbage Plan; New Worries About Flooding (October 2004) Sam Williams writes about a would-be disaster (flooding), and about the (small) steps being taken to handle a current one (garbage).
Congress Acts to Protect New York's Water (October 2004) U.S. Representative Ed Towns of Brooklyn reports on congressional efforts to protect the environment of eight upstate counties - and make sure New York's tap water continues to be the champagne of drinking waters.
State Assembly District 62 - Staten Island (South Shore) (October 2004)
State Senate District 34 - Bronx/Westchester (October 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
State Senate District 28 - East Harlem (October 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
Rezoning Proposals Squeeze Out Affordable Housing From Both Ends (October 2004) Two proposed changes to the zoning code, Tom Angotti argues, have the effect of squeezing out the possibility of affordable housing from both ends.
The Mayor’s Management Report Skimps On Information About Education And Everything Else (October 2004) The newly released Mayor’s Management Report focuses endlessly on 311 calls, far more than on the mayor’s other big priority, the overhaul of the $15 billion education department. Indeed, Glenn Pasanen writes, it skimps on information about almost everything.
Equal Benefits Law; Hearing Into Police Activity During Convention; New Sexual Harassment Charges in the City Council (October 2004) The city hints it will not enforce the Equal Benefits Bill when it becomes law. Andy Humm reports on that, and on the City Council hearing into police activity during the Republican National Convention. Also: new sexual harassment charges in the New York City Council.
The Citizen (October 2004) In the October edition of the citizen we take a look at presidential election and immigrants, the right to speak Spanish at work, the Elderly in Chinatown and credit card scam targeting Hispanic immigrants. Articles this month from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Barriers To Voter Registration (October 2004) The last day to register to vote is October 8th. But why? The premature deadline, Doug Israel writes, is just one of four concrete barriers to registering that shouldn
TEN WAYS THE NEXT PRESIDENT COULD HELP - OR HURT - NEW YORK CITY (October 2004) A look at ten ways the next president could help – or hurt – New York City. Then you critique the two major candidates and their ideas.
Voter Registration (October 2004)
Strip Searches (October 2004) Jaime Adame looks at police strip-searches - are they all really necessary?
New York City Council STATED MEETING - September 28, 2004 (September 2004)
Opportunity Zones: An Empty OZ (September 2004) Mark Winston Griffith exposes the little (campaigning) man behind the curtain of OZ, or "Opportunity Zones," the Bush Administration's little-noticed new community development proposal, which are supposed to take up where Enterprise Zones leave off, but don't.
WTC Architects (September 2004) The architects who have designed the master plan, the memorial, and the transportation hub for Ground Zero met in public together for the first time last weekend, to discuss their cooperation in designing the development of the World Trade Center site. Read a transcript of their discussion.
Educating All New Yorkers at CUNY (September 2004) New York's 85 colleges and universities are attracting some 400,000 students -- more than anywhere else in the country, and more than ever before. But, as several look to expand, some questions take on more urgency: What do they do for the communities in which they are located, and for the city as a whole?
New York As College Town (September 2004) New York's 85 colleges and universities are attracting some 400,000 students -- more than anywhere else in the country, and more than ever before. But, as several look to expand, some questions take on more urgency: What do they do for the communities in which they are located, and for the city as a whole?
The Money Crunch in Higher Education (September 2004) New York's 85 colleges and universities are attracting some 400,000 students -- more than anywhere else in the country, and more than ever before. But, as several look to expand, some questions take on more urgency: What do they do for the communities in which they are located, and for the city as a whole?
Portrait of Same-Sex (Married) Couples (September 2004) Andrew Beveridge offers a demographic look at the same-sex couples who are most likely to marry if it becomes legal to do so in New York.
Using The City's Lampposts For Cell Phones and Wireless Computers (September 2004) The city has announced a deal to put cell phone antennas and Internet transmitters on 18,000 of New York's municipal lampposts by January. Laura Forlano asks whether the deal is in the public interest.
School Funding and the Special Masters (September 2004) Two staff members of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity explain what has happened since the governor and the state legislature missed their court-ordered deadline for fixing the state's flawed school-funding system.
The Poor Are Not Better Off (September 2004) Despite an improvement in the local economy, poor New Yorkers are not any better off. Linda Ostreicher explains why, and also tries to answer the question: What happens to the people who are forced off welfare?
Getting to the Airport (September 2004) Few New Yorkers like traveling to the airports, but for the city as a whole, the situation is even more alarming.
Clearing the Air (September 2004) Dirty air threatens the health – and even the lives – of many New York children. Congressman Jose E. Serrano describes what government can do to clean the air and improve health care. But, he says, Washington seems to lack the will to take action.
The Governors Island Plan: Last Chance to Get It Right? (September 2004) Tom Angotti attends a planning meeting for Governors Island, leaving him to wonder: In what could be the city's last chance to get planning right for a major chunk of city land accessible to the entire metropolitan region, will the city finally get it right?
A Ban On Welfare Advocates At Welfare Centers (September 2004) A federal court has upheld New York City's ban in welfare waiting rooms of such advocacy organizations as Make The Road By Walking and the Legal Aid Society.
Police Killed With Their Own Guns (September 2004) Two police officers were shot and killed this month after a suspect grabbed a gun from one of the officers. Jamie Adame looks at incidents of police being killed with their own weapons - and what can be done to prevent such events.
The Mayor's West Side Gamble (September 2004) The mayor's plan for the development of Manhattan's West Side rests on "expensive, shaky and undemocratic assumptions," according to several new reports by the city's official fiscal monitors. Glenn Pasanen supplies the details.
NYC Primary Day 2004 - State Legislative Races (September 2004)
Helping Pay The Rent: Section 8 Saved; Emergency Rent Coalition Created (September 2004) There are two main avenues of help for the increasing number of New Yorkers unable to pay their rent - the Section 8 government subsidy, which has just been spared a draconian cut, and the new Emergency Rent Coalition. Both, Joe Lamport reports, are inadequate.
2004 Primary Election Results (September 2004)
Voting Arcade (September 2004) New York's voting machines are so old that they were already out of date when the first video game, Pong, hit the market over three decades ago. Embark on a tour of New York's broken down voting system with a nostalgic journey thorough Gotham Gazette's versions of ancient video games.
NYC Primary Day: Guide to the Last Minute Voter (September 2004) A step-by-step guide to voting in New York’s Primary Election on Tuesday, September 14th: Who is running? What is at stake? Which races are competitive? Where to vote?
Identification at the Polls (September 2004) New Yorkers will now be required to present some form of identification when they go to vote for the first time, starting with the primary. This is the biggest change that New York has made so far of all those required by a federal law passed after the embarrassing breakdown of Election Day 2000 in Florida. But, as Jillian Matundan points out, this change is not necessarily an improvement.
Recycling Food Waste (September 2004) New Yorkers throw away more food than people elsewhere in the nation, but, Sam Williams writes, food doesn't have to be wasted - it can be recycled.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - September 9, 2004 (September 2004)
The Post-Convention State of Dissent in New York (September 2004) "The debate over the tactics the city used to contain protest during convention week may last long past the November election - maybe to the mayoral election next year," writes Andy Humm.
2004 New York Judcial Races (September 2004)
Voting Arcade (September 2004) New York's voting machines are so old that they were already out of date when the first video game, Pong, hit the market over three decades ago. Embark on a tour of New York's broken down voting system with a nostalgic journey thorough Gotham Gazette's versions of ancient video games.
Proposed Fare Increases And The Cut In City And State Aid (September 2004) Proposed fare and toll increases, Bruce Schaller writes, are necessary to pay for maintenance and new projects since both city and state aid have been cut.
Ground Zero (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Transportation (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Economic Impact (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Federal Aid (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Security (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Health and Environment (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
Reforming a Tax on the Middle Class (September 2004) Bronx Congressman Eliot Engel argues that the Bush administration has put tax cuts for corporations and millionaires ahead of tax reform that would help thousands of middle-class New Yorkers.
Three Years of Rebuilding (September 2004) September 11th, 2001 was one of the major themes of the Republican National Convention, and still seems to trigger raw emotion throughout the nation. But in the city, reactions are different, and much has changed. On the third anniversary, a look at the issues that New Yorkers have faced over three years of rebuilding – and those we will face in the future.
The Citizen (August 2004) In this September edition of the citizen, we take a look at immigration policy, immigrant driver's licenses, and more. Articles this month from the Caribbean, Chinese, Pakistani, Polish, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard
New Tech Tools For Art and Politics (August 2004) Laura Forlano details the use of new technologies to bring people together - one, for an art project (a huge public video conference between a Budapest arts festival and an East Village street); others for politics (creating alternative media and communication for protesters during the political conventions).
Anti-Tenant Suits By The Housing Authority (August 2004) The New York City Housing Authority, the largest and some say the worst landlord in the city, files more than 100,000 cases against its tenants every year, some of which, writes Joe Lamport, "range from the absurd to the hostile to the unethical."
Budget Dollars for the Neighborhoods: Community Development or Political Pork? (August 2004) Each year, New York City Council members claim to bring millions of budget dollars to their neighborhoods. But where does the money come from? Who decides where it goes? And do these grants really help a community, or are do they just help officials get re-elected?
Republicans in New York City Quiz (August 2004)
From Lincoln to Bloomberg: The GOP in NYC (August 2004)
The Disabled Poor: Shut In, Out of Pocket (August 2004) Linda Ostreicher looks at how the disabled poor are hurt both by a new cut in the state budget, and by the city's failure to encourage caseworker visits to their homes.
$243 Million For Bronx Parkland? Who Will Decide? (August 2004) Park advocates fear that the decisions on how to spend $243 million in the Bronx - given in exchange for the building of a water filtration plant underneath Van Cortlandt Park - "are being made by politicians behind closed doors," writes Anne Schwartz.
Food Borne Illnesses (August 2004) Sue Wilson looks at food-borne illnesses.
Operation Safe Housing (August 2004) Jaime Adame details Operation Safe Housing, the new effort to make the city's public housing safer.
Trying to Clean Up New York (August 2004) The mayor's office says New York streets are cleaner than they have ever been, as private groups and organizations, along with the Department of Sanitation, sweep, scrub and pick up trash. But despite such efforts, many visitors and residents still see New York as a dirty city.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - August 12, 2004 (August 2004)
Big Trouble Ahead, Say Budget Monitors (August 2004) The three big budget monitors have weighed in on the city's recently adopted $47.8 billion budget, and, as Glenn Pasanen explains, they all see the same thing: Big trouble ahead.
Connecting Education and Voting (August 2004) Only four percent of eligible New Yorkers between the ages of 18 and 25 voted in the last election. City Councilmember Eva Moskowitz argues that a new law requiring voter registration cards be handed out with high school diplomas can change that.
New York City Is a Non-Voting Town (August 2004) Though it is common to call New York City a Democratic town, Democrats are actually in the minority. In election after election, the solid majority is made up of non-voters. Andrew Beveridge looks at who is most likely not to vote (Men or women? Black or white? Renters or owners?) The answers might surprise you.
The Urban Health Challenge (August 2004) In a little noticed campaign, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has mounted more public health initiatives than any mayor in decades. But rising health care costs, hundreds of thousands of uninsured New Yorkers and a growing threat of infectious disease could undermine his efforts.
Bush Housing Policies Lack (August 2004) The federal government is setting new requirements for people who live in public housing at the same time the Bush administration is cutting funds for another major housing program for the low-income families. Two members of Congress from New York City argue these changes will hurt poor.
The Community Service Stigma (August 2004) The federal government is setting new requirements for people who live in public housing at the same time the Bush administration is cutting funds for another major housing program for the low-income families. Two members of Congress from New York City argue these changes will hurt poor.
Urban Forestry's New York City Roots (August 2004) "Urban Foresters" believe that the Amazon rainforest is not the only kind of habitat deserving of study and protection. Sam Williams takes a hike with some in Inwood Park.
A Broken System Stays Broken (August 2004) "The only thing more dysfunctional than New Yorkąs voting system is the State Legislature in Albany," writes Jillian Matundan, which is why New York is losing out on millions of federal dollars to fix what's broken.
Protests; Mayor Rejects Shareholder Power; Anti-Bullying Bill Vetoed; Accessible Taxis (August 2004) Andy Humm brings us up to speed on the planned protests against the Republican National Convention. Also: Should the city use its power as shareholder to push for non-discrimination policies? Mayor Bloomberg doesn't think so. Plus: veto of anti-bullying bill, and inaction on accessible taxis.
Cloning A Charter School From Connecticut (August 2004) Its supporters praise the Connecticut charter school, the Amistad Academy, which is being cloned here in New York. But Marcia Biederman compares it to a successful middle school already in Crown Heights, and asks: Do we need to outsource New York City schools?"
No More Waiting? (August 2004) The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced an online appointment system that will allow immigrants to make an appointment with the immigration agency without having to go to Federal Plaza themselves.
NYC Newspapers (August 2004) If most of New York's major newspapers are losing money, why are there suddenly several more added to the mix, including two free "commuter dailies"? An attempt at an answer, and a look at how newspapers affect the city, economically, politically, culturally.
Who Owns New York's News? (August 2004) If most of New York's major newspapers are losing money, why are there suddenly several more added to the mix, including two free "commuter dailies"? An attempt at an answer, and a look at how newspapers affect the city, economically, politically, culturally.
The Citizen (August 2004) In this August edition of the citizen, we take a look at a new system to cut waiting time at the immigration agency, a Turkish man running for city council and effort to help boost tourism in Chinatown. Articles from the Chinese, Polish, Spanish and Turkish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Our Dangerous Electricity Infrastructure (July 2004) Laura Forlano explains the dangers of our electricity infrastructure, which have resulted in several recent deaths.
Eye on Albany Campaign 2004 (July 2004)
All 89 New York City representatives to the New York State Legislature are up for reelection this fall. But because incumbents can raise large sums of money, have name recognition and many political allies, and can even draw their legislative districts to their advantage, it is difficult to unseat a sitting politician in New York.
Gotham Gazette looks at some of the most competitive races and what the candidates promise to do for their communities.
URBAN ISSUES - POVERTY (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - MASS TRANSIT (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - IMMIGRATION (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HOUSING (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HEALTH CARE (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - CIVIL RIGHTS (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - EDUCATION (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ECONOMY (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - CRIME (July 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ANTI-TERRORISM (July 2004)
Urban Issues: Presidential Candidates and NYC (July 2004) An issue-by-issue breakdown of the presidential candidates urban agendas: what they have to say about the economy, crime, mass transit, housing, and poverty.
Assembly District 82 - Bronx (July 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
Assembly District 80 - Bronx (July 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
State Senate District 23 - Staten Island/Brooklyn (July 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
Assembly District 68 - Harlem (July 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
The Filtration Plant In Van Cortlandt Park (July 2004) "The city is moving quickly to build a controversial water filtration plant in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx," writes Anne Schwartz, while opponents say the whole affair sets a disturbing precedent that puts other city parks at risk.
Does Physical Disability Deserve Great Insurance Coverage Than Mental Illness? (July 2004) Justice Emily Jane Goodman details a case that decided that insurance companies can treat people with mental illness less generously than people with physical disabilities.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - July 21, 2004 (July 2004)
A Ministry For Affordable Housing (July 2004) In nearly every neighborhood, Joe Lamport says, churches, synagogues and mosques are becoming more involved in advocating for affordable housing.
State Assembly District 57 - Brooklyn (Fort Greene, Prospect Heights) (July 2004) The New York State Legislature has been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why the system is broken, how it hurts New York, and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
Rethinking Environmental Impact Statements (July 2004) Three decades after federal, state and city law started requiring "environmental impact statements" for proposed major new construction projects, Tom Angotti writes, many people now realize that environmental review is not working as well as it should. "It is time to review environmental review."
Albany’s Dysfunction (July 2004) Three members of the State Legislature have pled guilty to criminal charges and a fourth is being investigated. But this is nothing new. Albany has long been called the most dysfunctional legislative body in the country. A look at why and why it won't be fixed anytime soon.
Small Victories, Big Questions In The New Budget (July 2004) Glenn Pasanen looks at the 2005 budget, which ignores several big problems, may soon threaten to cut services in the city, and could even wind up looking like political folly.
The Fight Over Manhattan’s Last Frontier (July 2004) The plan to build a stadium for the Jets as part of the development of the far West Side remains locked in a war of words and statistics. In a transcript of a recent discussion sponsored by Citizens Union Foundation, Daniel Doctoroff, Christine Quinn and other experts present the pros and cons.
Using Republican As An Epithet (July 2004) Susan Reefer argues that Republican seems to have become a dirty word in New York this summer. And, in the debut of a convention weblog, Carmen Cusido, who describes herself as "an unusual Republican - I am a Latina college student from a working class neighborhood," explains why she hopes to be accepted as one of the 8,000 volunteers at the Republican National Convention.
CLOGS: Campaign and Convention Weblogs (July 2004)
The Stolen Lives Project (July 2004) Jaime Adame visits a ceremony of the Stolen Lives Project -- New Yorkers killed by the police -- and listens to the sorrow and the anger of family members.
Community-Based Cooperatives (July 2004) Mark Winston Griffith looks at New York's community-based cooperatives -- not yuppie-owned units of real estate, but businesses owned by their employees or their customers "created to provide a quality, affordable service or product, rather than reap huge profits."
How Disruptive Will The Convention Be? (July 2004) Bruce Schaller details how disruptive the Republican National Convention will be to commuters.
THE PARK AND THE PEOPLE (July 2004) Elizabeth Blackmar, co-author of Park and the People: A History of Central Park, was the guest at the most recent meeting of Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club. Blackmar and members of the club discussed the Central Park Conservancy, protests on the Great Lawn, and what lies ahead for the park. Read an edited transcript of the meeting.
Noise (July 2004) The Bloomberg administration has announced a sweeping new plan to overhaul the noise code for the first time in more than 30 years, which targets construction sites, nightclubs -- and also barking dogs and ice cream jingles. Does it go too far -- or not far enough?
Using 311 to Combat Neighborhood Noise (July 2004) While the 311 helpline has made it easier for New Yorkers to complain about noise, City Councilmember Gale Brewer says that much of the information gathered by the city is going to waste. She has drafted legislation that will match noise complaints to exact locations and require that the city share data with local officials and the public.
Monitoring City Beaches (July 2004) "In a city with few environmental success stories, the improving state of local beaches is worth celebrating, if not too loudly," writes Sam Williams, who looks at both government and volunteer efforts, including the six-year-old beach monitor program.
New York's Divided Afghans (July 2004) Andrew Beveridge presents a demographic portrait of Afghanis in New York.
Daycare Workers (July 2004) Sasha Nyary lays out the case for a pay raise for the city's daycare workers, "one of the most undervalued jobs in our society.
School Trips Go Commercial (July 2004) Instead of visiting public zoos or museums, an increasing number of schools are send students on trips to commercial stores, thanks to the efforts of a savvy marketer.
School Reforms (July 2004) The school year just ended posed a major challenge for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his schools chancellor. Did they start to turn the system around? Or have their changes produced controversy and little else? The mayoral race – and the future of New York’s children – could hinge on the answer.
Regulating Immigration Consultants (July 2004) New city and state bills aim to regulate "immigrant service providers." Some would prefer to get rid not just of the crooked ones, but of all of them.
The Citizen (July 2004) In this July edition of the citizen, we take a look at new bills targeting scam artists, immigrants’ request for an alternative test to the Regents Exams for newly arrived immigrant students, budget cut’s impact on Asian senior citizens and a protest against same sex marriages. Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Council Leads on Some Civil Rights Issues, Finesses Others (July 2004) Civil rights was at the top of the agenda at the City Council's last meeting before the summer recess, from equal benefits to racial profiling to anti-bullying to the right to protest. But, Andy Humm reports, not all these issues were resolved.
Freeing A Youthful Offender From His Past (June 2004) What happens to a "youthful offender" 30 years later? Justice Emily Jane Goodman details the efforts of a now law-abiding investment advisor to escape his past, by having his court records erased.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - June 28, 2004 (June 2004)
The 2005 City Budget (June 2004) Last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council agreed to a $47 billion budget that they said was "good news for New York City." But a closer look at the details, and what Albany's failure to pass a budget means to the city, reveal some bad news that threatens to overshadow the good.
Where's Our $21 Billion? (June 2004) While President George Bush pledged $21.4 billion to New York City in post 9/11 aid, it is unclear how much has actually arrived. Representative Carolyn Maloney, who has been tracking federal rebuilding aid, writes about the differences between what has been said and what has been done.
Report Card On Neighborhood Parks (June 2004) Anne Schwartz previews the second annual report card on New York City's neighborhood parks - "a small improvement ... although a quarter of the city's parks still have failing grades."
Welfare Rolls On The Rise (June 2004) More people are on public assistance, Linda Ostreicher reports, and the federal government is shifting more of the burden of poverty onto New York.
A Mass Rally Could Destroy the Great Lawn (June 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Why Protestors Need the Great Lawn (June 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Summer of Protest (June 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
The Peoples’ March (June 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Beyond the Protest March (June 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
311, Noise, and Community Boards (June 2004) There is no question that 311 has been a success, writes Laura Forlano, the ability to track noise complaints just the latest benefit. But it has also had unintended consequences in individual communities.
Ikea And Red Hook's Racial Divide (June 2004) On the surface, Ikea's proposal to build a new superstore in Red Hook looks pretty good, at least compared to the plans of other developers. But, writes Tom Angotti, "before giving any civic awards to Ikea, consider what they're NOT doing."
The Rail Freight Tunnel (June 2004) Another big transportation project, a rail freight tunnel between Brooklyn and New Jersey, has moved a step forward with a report that concludes that it’s a good idea. Bruce Schaller explains how.
Homeland Security Funding (June 2004) Representative Joseph Crowley comments on federal funding earmarked for Homeland Security in New York City -- how much was promised and how it was allocated, how much is needed, and how, he claims, it should be used.
Find Your Inner Republican (June 2004) In our latest interactive feature, see where NYC Republicans past and present have stood on ten issues ranging from abortion to education, and where you fit in.
Andtidepressants and Children (June 2004) Are antidepressants safe and effective for children and teens? Sue Wilson detail a recent study and a lawsuit against one drug manufacturer by the State of New York.
Flaws In The New School Tests (June 2004) Despite the increasing attention and importance invested in the new standardized school tests, there are at least three "fundamental flaws" in the entire process of testing, writes Andrew Beveridge, that render their results dubious at best.
Littering On Staten Island (June 2004) “Given the united political disdain Staten Islanders once reserved for the Fresh Kills Landfill , you would think there might be a similar, collective antipathy for litter, blight, and illegal dumping,” writes Sam Williams, who explains how there isn't.
Lagging Behind In The Fight For Gay Rights (June 2004) Andy Humm looks at where New York City is 35 years after the Stonewall riots launched the modern gay rights movement: A leader then, the city is a follower now.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - June 7, 2004 (June 2004)
Rent Guidelines Board: Will It Hike The Rents? (June 2004) Will rents go up this year. Joe Lamport looks at the agency that will decide, the Rent Guidelines Board
The Republican Party's Diminishing Strength in New York (June 2004) "Wherever I go around the country, people come up to me and ask "Do Republicans really exist inside New York City?" Jay Golub, a dentist and former Republican candidate for City Council, said at a party given for Ronald Reagan's 93rd birthday earlier this year. With the rest of the nation focused on the passing of a past Republican standard-bearer, and Republicans soon to hold the first convention ever in New York City, we offer several answers to the question.
The Short-Lived GOP Revival In NYC (June 2004) With Republicans holding the first convention ever in New York, attention has focused on the GOP in the city. Although New York has elected a Republican for mayor in the last three elections, Republicans in New York remain sharply outnumbered by Democrats and often neglected by an increasingly conservative national party.
Children and Insecticides (June 2004) Sasha Nyary looks at the effect on children of the banning of two popular insecticides. Also, a look at welfare sanctions; the commissioner of children's services resigns.
Flaws In The High School Admission Process (June 2004) Marcia Biederman looks at flaws in the new high school admissions process that are leaving some eighth-grade students without a school to go to.
The Citizen (June 2004) In this June edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the latest federal raid, prison abuse in Brooklyn, the Dominican election in New York and language barriers in public schools. Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Polish and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Police Whistleblowers (June 2004) Jaime Adame tells the tale of a couple of police whistleblowers, who, rather than thanked for exposing wrongdoing in the department, say they are being subject to retribution.
H-1B Working Visa (June 2004) The H-1B working visa program, designed to allow American companies to hire foreign professionals on a temporary basis, has long been a popular way for international students to obtain the legal right to work in the United States after graduation. But fewer and fewer employers are willing to do it.
Tourism and Jobs (May 2004) Tourists are back in New York, visiting in numbers not seen since before 9/11. And Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to expand the convention center to welcome more in the future. But does tourism really produce jobs for New Yorkers — and the kind they want and need?
Mobilizing Community Concerns Against Mobile Phone Antennas (May 2004) Everybody likes their cell phones – there are an impressive 10.5 million wireless phone subscribers in the city. But Mark Winston Griffith looks at the growing community-based movement, which began in Astoria, against the thousands of rooftop antennae that enable these phones to operate.
Withholding Rent While On Welfare (May 2004) New York’s highest court has ruled that a tenant cannot decide on her own to withhold her rent from an apartment that has dangerous violations – if the tenant is on welfare. Justice Emily Jane Goodman explains the case.
Emergency Communications Systems And Equipment (May 2004) "Increased threats of terrorist attacks and the need for high-security around the Republican National Convention make it vital to assess what city officials are doing to insure that the city’s emergency communications systems are fully operational," writes Laura Forlano, who looks at 911, cell phones and more.
Revisiting 9/11, Reworking 911 (May 2004) Did New York City learn any lessons from 9/11? Almost three years after the attack -- and a week after emotional hearings by the 9/11 Commission -- many complain that the major problems with the city's response to emergencies remain unresolved.
Technology and Government: The Rise of the E-Citizen (May 2004)
Global Warming and “The Day After Tomorrow” (May 2004) In the new disaster film, "The Day After Tomorrow," Manhattan is flooded then frozen under a giant glacier. The culprit - global warming. What will global warming really do to New York? A climate scientist sifts through the research into "one of the most complex scientific challenges we've ever known" - and the far simpler solutions.
Proposed Rail Link (May 2004) Transportation. Another look at the proposed rail link from JFK to Downtown Manhattan for which the governor has announced his support.
City Parks And The Proposed Budget (May 2004) "In the discussion about whether the city should allow protesters to rally on Central Park's Great Lawn before the Republican Convention, one issue has been left out," Anne Schwartz writes. "Where would the money come from to fix the trampled grass and plants? "
New York City Council STATED MEETING - May 19, 2004 (May 2004)
Residential Segregation (May 2004) Neighborhoods, not just schools, remain deeply segregated in New York City. Tom Angotti argues that the city's policies may be responsible in some measure for this segregation and the inequalities that go along with it.
Marriage Promotion Programs For Welfare Recipients (May 2004) At the same time that the Bush administration is seeking a ban against gay marriage (which is now legal in Massachusetts), it is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to promote marriage among welfare recipients. Linda Ostreicher argues why such marriage promotion programs make little sense, especially in New York City.
Why Is There A Plunge In Crime? (May 2004) Does the popular "broken windows theory" really explain the steady drop in crime? Andy Beveridge repots on a recent study that suggests the answer is no.
New York Schools: Fifty Years After Brown (May 2004) Fifty years after the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision outlawed legally enforced school segregation in the country, schools in New York City have become more segregated --- and indeed are among the most segregated in the nation. But is that what matters anymore?
Keeping Ferry Service Afloat (May 2004) Representative Anthony Weiner argues that water ferries – like buses and subways – need government money to be successful. And investing in water transportation, he argues, will ease traffic congestion and overcrowded trains.
Smokers Quitting (May 2004) More smokers have quit faster in New York City than ever before anywhere else in the nation. Sue Wilson offers an explanation.
Immigrant Children’s Illnesses and Access To Health Care (May 2004) Immigrant children suffer from more illnesses than native-born children, and have fewer options for health care. Now, Sasha Nyary writes, the governor is proposing the elimination of a program that will make things even worse.
Dreaming Of A Jets Stadium (And Junkyard Cleanup) In Queens (May 2004) Sam Williams details a “long shot” plan to build the new Jets Stadium in Queens rather than the West Side of Manhattan, and thereby help clean up the long-toxic Willets Point – the site of one of Robert Moses’ rare defeats.
The Mayor’s Latest Budget: Political Expediency, Future Deficits (May 2004) The mayor’s latest budget, Glenn Pasanen argues, has “an ad hoc, last-minute quality” that once again promotes political expediency (and future deficits) over any long-term planning or strategic vision.
Republican Policies: An Insult and an Injury (May 2004) The Bloomberg administration did all it could to attract New York’s first Republican National Convention ever. But as New Yorkers begin to learn the details, some may be asking whether the benefits will be worth the costs and the risks.
A Brief History of N.Y. Republicans (May 2004) The Bloomberg administration did all it could to attract New York’s first Republican National Convention ever. But as New Yorkers begin to learn the details, some may be asking whether the benefits will be worth the costs and the risks.
May the Force Be With You (May 2004) Since 9/11, terrorism has has an impact on every decision the police department makes. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly describes how the force is responding to the threat while continuing to remain vigilant on crime and friendly with the communities it serves.
Convention Risks and Benefits (May 2004) The Bloomberg administration did all it could to attract New York’s first Republican National Convention ever. But as New Yorkers begin to learn the details, some may be asking whether the benefits will be worth the costs, the inconveniences and the risks.
Back To The Fore? (May 2004) Has housing returned as an important issue?
12,000 NYC Taxis; Five Are Accessible (May 2004) Many New Yorkers gripe about the new taxi fare hike, but at least they can get into a cab - unlike the disabled. Andy Humm explains why, out of more than 12,000 taxis, only five are wheelchair-accessible.
FDNY vs. NYPD (May 2004) Jaime Adame looks at the growing feud between the police and fire departments.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - May 5, 2004 (May 2004)
Accountability For Non-Profits (May 2004) Martha Hostetter looks at the increasing government efforts to make non-profits accountable.
The Citizen (May 2004) In this May edition of The Citizen, we take a look at difficulties facing immigrants who need to drive, crimes against Chinese deliveryman, what Bangladeshis are watching on TV and an interview with Russian police officers . Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Teaching Certificates Are Tougher To Get (May 2004) At the same time that the NYC public schools have launched an ambitious campaign to recruit teachers, it is suddenly harder to become one. Marcia Biederman reports on the new teaching certificate requirements and other barriers.
Deliverymen (May 2004) The police department has begun conducting programs specifically to protect Chinese deliverymen, who have been targets of violent attacks.
TAX CUTS AND NEW YORK CITY (May 2004) Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council are making tax cuts the major issue of this year's budget - promising that they will bring much needed relief to New Yorkers and stimulate the economy. But will these tax cuts really benefit the city, or just the politicians who propose them?
Child Care For Welfare Recipients (April 2004) The reauthorization of the 1996 welfare reform legislation is inevitable, with the U.S. Senate's vote to increase funding for child care. But, Sasha Nyary asks, will this make things better or worse for children?
Rent Overcharges (April 2004) Landlords commonly charge more rent than they are legally allowed to, Joe Lamport writes. But complaints about these overcharges are dwindling – though not because there are fewer violations.
NEW YORK AND THE 9/11 COMMISSION (April 2004) Both the Republican National Convention and the 9/11 Commission are coming to New York in the next few months, and are likely to inspire questions about how September 11 will factor into the presidential campaign. What does Ground Zero symbolize? And how should it be used -- or not be used -- in politics?
Ground Zero as a Political Backdrop (April 2004) Both the Republican National Convention and the 9/11 Commission are coming to New York in the next few months, and are likely to inspire questions about how September 11 will factor into the presidential campaign. What does Ground Zero symbolize? And how should it be used -- or not be used -- in politics?
BUILDING TRANSPORTATION FOR THE NEXT CENTURY: WE CAN DO IT ALL (April 2004) U.S. Senator Charles Schumer argues that a downtown train to the airport and the extension of the number 7 train on the west side must not get lost amid all of the debate over memorials and stadiums.
Non-Citizen Voting (April 2004) Susan Reefer looks at the proposed legislation to allow non-citizen New Yorkers to vote in local elections -- which could add a million voters to the rolls.
The Nets Arena Is Not The Real Issue In Development Of Downtown Brooklyn (April 2004) In the argument over the proposed changes in downtown Brooklyn, Tom Angotti charges, the public's eye has been forced onto the proposed basketball arena, when there are more fundamental issues at stake.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - April 21, 2004 (April 2004)
MetroCard Discounts (April 2004) Have the subway and bus fare discounts become too much of a good thing?
Parks Opportunity Program (April 2004) A look at the pluses and minuses of the Parks Opportunity Program, whose goals are to help New Yorkers get off welfare and also maintain the city's parkland.
In Big Projects, Where Do The Jobs Go? (April 2004) An Ikea in Red Hook, a basketball arena in downtown Brooklyn and a mall on the Upper West Side all promise the same thing -- hundreds of jobs. But do community residents really get hired? And do the projects offer career opportunities or dead-end, poorly paid positions?
NEW YORK’S REPUBLICAN VALUES (April 2004) GOP in NYC: State Senator Frank Padavan argues that Republican approaches to education, taxes, and crime can resonate with New Yorkers.
NEW YORK REPUBLICANS VS. NATIONAL REPUBLICANS (April 2004) When the Republican National Convention comes to New York this summer, political consultant Joseph Mercurio says that local Republicans will have little in common with their national counterparts.
Meals and Wheels Threatened In The Bronx (April 2004) The plan to start serving frozen meals rather than hot meals in the Bronx, turns the very effective program for the elderly called Meals on Wheels, Linda Ostreicher says, into one “mired in secrecy, rumors, Bronx politics, and financial problems facing non-profit agencies.”
Estimating New York City's Population (April 2004) The U.S. Census Bureau recently declared New York City's population as its highest ever, but demographers claim the bureau's estimate is wrong. Some say it's too low. Andrew Beveridge suggests it might too high - that the city might actually be losing population since September 11th.
Identity Theft (April 2004) Though millions now file their taxes online, and the computer-savvy seem increasingly comfortable transmitting personal information over the Internet, New York City has more victims of identify theft than anywhere else in the nation. Laura Forlano explains what it is, and what is being done about it.
The Right To Marry (April 2004) Justice Emily Jane Goodman looks at the lawsuit filed against New York by 13 same-sex couples claiming the right to marry.
Unemployed Immigrant Tech Professionals (April 2004) Many immigrants are among the 20,000 Information Technology professionals who have lost their jobs in the past two years.
The Citizen (April 2004) In this April edition of The Citizen, we take a look at unemployment among highly skilled immigrants, hate crimes against Chinese in Brooklyn , New York as Russian cultural center and poems through immigrants'eyes. Articles from the Chinese, French, Korean, Pakistani and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Public Subsidies Flowing Up the West Side (April 2004) The proposal to use the profits from Battery Park City to help pay for the Jets Stadium and expansion of the convention center, Brad Lander writes, is just the latest in a 40-year battle that serves as a lesson in how community development and real estate development interact in New York City.
Public Authorities (April 2004) New York's public authorities have been called a shadowy force with enormous power removed from public scrutiny and taxpayer control. After several well-publicized scandals, are they going to be reformed?
Recycling's Next Chapter (April 2004) A look at the return of both glass recycling and once-a-week collection of residential recyclable material.
The City Council's Alternative Budget Choices (April 2004) Glenn Pasanen details the City Council's response to the mayor's preliminary budget, "a refreshing display of alternative budget choices."
“Take Care New York” New Health Program; Old Diseases (April 2004) Sue Wilson details the “most detailed and comprehensive health policy ever developed for the city.” Meanwhile, syphilis and tuberculosis make a comeback.
Will Third Graders Learn More Now? (April 2004) After all the turmoil of the last few weeks, will third graders actually learn more? Marcia Biederman explores their new curriculum.
HELPING 9/11 RESCUE WORKERS (April 2004) Many Ground Zero rescue workers and residents of lower Manhattan continue to suffer from health problems related to 9/11. US Representative Carolyn Maloney describes her plan to aid those in need and continue to examine what the health effects have been.
Questioning Police Statistics For Crime and Cases Of Misconduct (April 2004) Jaime Adame reports on recent criticism questioning police statistics in both crimes and cases of police misconduct.
Preventing Another Stansbury (April 2004) Timothy Stansbury Jr., a young black student, was accidentally shot and killed by a New York City police officer in a Brooklyn housing project this year. Kenneth Ramseur, the attorney for the Stansbury family, which is suing the city for $600 million, offers four reforms the police department can make to prevent any more such tragedies.
Affordable Housing in 2004 (April 2004) More than a year after Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his ambitious plan to bring more affordable housing to the city, the need has increased -- and so have the barriers. Joe Lamport details the causes, the consequences, and the proposed solutions.
The Fast-Changing Status of Same-Sex Married Couples in New York (April 2004) Andy Humm traces the fast-changing status of same-sex married couples in New York.
Another Museum Boom (April 2004) Martha Hostetter explains why, despite tough times, there are two new museums -- the Skyscraper Museum and the Ruben Museum for art from the Himalayas -- and major expansions of established institutions like the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Morgan Library.
Getting Federal Money To Improve The Port Of New York (March 2004) Carter Craft details federal legislation that could dramatically improve the Port of New York - if our Congressional delegation shows leadership.
New York's Sports Economy (March 2004) Last week Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushed for a new stadium for the New York Jets and promised that money and jobs would follow. But do millionaire ballplayers and stadiums really help the city's economy - or just give fans a reason to cheer?
Bringing the Jets Home (March 2004)
Yes, Welfare Workers Deserve Workforce Protection (March 2004) Yes, a federal appeals court rules, women welfare workers do deserve workforce protection when they are being sexually harassed. Justice Emily Jane Goodman details the case.
Help Small Business, Not the Wealthy (March 2004) New York has lost 230,000 jobs since President Bush came to office, but he persists with his failed economic plan. Instead, writes Representative Nydia M. Velázquez, Bush should stop the tax cuts and help the small businesses that form the backbone of the economy.
The Jets Stadium: Another Sad West Side Story (March 2004)
How To Make An Excellent City Park System (March 2004) Money is not all that New York City’s parks could use more of, according to a new report. Anne Schwartz details the seven requirements for an excellent urban park system.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - March 24, 2004 (March 2004)
Voting Technology (March 2004) Despite all the promises, New York City has the same old broken down voting machines. But that, as it turns out, might be a good thing. Susan Reefer explains.
Selling Jewelry, Spending the Night in Jail (March 2004)
PUSHCART WARS (March 2004)
Inside Tweed (March 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg once said he never wanted to see the members of the new Panel for Educational Policy in the newspapers. He had his wish until last week – when he fired two members of the advisory group to keep them from voting against his controversial policy on promotion of third graders. Susana Torruella Leval, one of the ousted members, discusses the promotion debate and casts light on the workings of the panel that replaced the Board of Education.
Selling Hotdogs, Getting Ticketed (March 2004) A new state law in Albany bans street vendors from some of New York City' s most crowded -- and lucrative -- sidewalks. Business owners, and even some of the vendors themselves, say the law was needed; other vendors are afraid that they've lost their livelihoods. A look at some of the issues that continue to surround New York City's vendors.
Deporting the “Bad” Immigrant (March 2004) The government’s detention and deportation policies not only rip immigrants from their families, Mark Winston Griffith argues, they also reflect our culture’s enduring good immigrant/bad immigrant paradox.
Gotham Gazette Suggests (March 2004) Links to worthwhile New York City Web sites at Gotham Gazette Suggests
Plan Your Future Park (March 2004) Our newest interactive game lets you plan your own park, making choices that communities all over the city have been facing.
No Breaks For Low Income New Yorkers; Also: Unemployment (March 2004) A series of actions by the governor and other lawmakers target the most vulnerable New Yorkers, says Linda Ostreicher, and are based on some cynical assumptions about the poor. A look at the battle over the minimum wage hike, the plight of the unemployed, and more.
Long Commutes and Lost Opportunities for Planning (March 2004) Why does the city with the largest mass transit system in the country have the longest commutes? Tom Angotti offers a few answers – and lost opportunities for planning.
The Passion for Religion Ebbs (March 2004) Despite the impression left from box office receipts for a recent movie and speeches from recent political candidates, Americans and New Yorkers are actually becoming less religious. Andrew Beveridge reports
Helping Students Before It's Too Late (March 2004) Last week's upheaval at the Department of Education could affect many of the sweeping changes launched by ousted Deputy Chancellor Diana Lam. But, argues Eva Moskowitz, chair of the City Council Education Committee, whatever the fate of other reforms, the planned policy to leave back thousands of third graders must be revamped to help students before they fail.
Awaiting The Fate Of City-Subsidized Private Bus Lines (March 2004) When it was revealed that the Bloomberg administration has sat on $150 million intended to replace aging buses for seven city-subsidized private bus companies, critics charged this was the city’s way of putting pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to speed up its takeover of the bus routes.
The Parks Renaissance (March 2004) From the Elmhurst tanks in Queens to the Fresh Kills landfill to the shores of the Bronx River, New York is in the midst of a park renaissance ? despite budget cutbacks and loss of staff. The revival has been spurred by citizen action and an influx of private money, as well as government initiatives.
Technology In The Schools (March 2004) There is a serious problem with the way that technology is currently being used in NYC schools -- or, more precisely, not being used.
Taking Action On Jamaica Bay (March 2004) The Army Corps of Engineers is finally going to try to do something to bring Jamaica Bay back to a semblance of its original state. Not everybody is delighted.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - March 10, 2004 (March 2004)
Homeless Children and Asthma (March 2004) Half of all homeless children in NYC shelters show some symptoms of asthma, according to a newly released study.
Budget Surplus Obscures Uncertainties (March 2004) Both the mayor and the city council are bickering over how to cut taxes, thanks to a budget surplus this year projected to be $1.6 billion. But, Glenn Pasanen writes, this is actually a time of great budget uncertainty, and an uncomfortable decline in funding for such city services as parks, cultural affairs and housing
After Mitchell-Lama (March 2004) With only about 60,000 Mitchell-Lama rental apartments left in New York City, tenants fear that they may have to leave their apartments or pay significantly higher rents
Industries That Got Away (March 2004) New York City struggles to compete for new industries and to hold on to the ones it once dominated. A look at four specific industries and how the city can overcome lack of space, high costs, and aging infrastructure to reel them in.
New York And Gay Marriage (March 2004)
Bloomberg Must Speak Up on Gay Marriage (March 2004) Since taking office over two years ago, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has avoided making a clear statement on gay marriage. Last week, the mayor's press officer said Bloomberg's opinion was "irrelevant." Last summer, the mayor said he believed that "the government should not get involved in who people marry."
The Arts Community Of St. George -- Hot and Homegrown (March 2004) Will St. George in Staten Island become the next hot artists’ community?
Adult Education Cuts (March 2004) Cuts in the city’s adult education programs, writes Marcia Biederman, risk diminishing what is already “the best kept secret in town.”
Foster Children With Mothers In Jail (March 2004) Sasha Nyary details the first study of the foster children whose mothers are incarcerated.
The Right of Religious Groups to Discriminate (March 2004) Andy Humm discusses the suit against the Salvation Army, and the impending passage in the City Council of the Equal Benefits Act to illustrate the clash between religious and civil rights. Also, links in the news on African-American unemployment, gay marriage (where the mayor, the governor and the attorney general stand), the lawsuit against the Salvation Army, and plans to protest the GOP convention.
A Year With Libeskind (March 2004) It has been a year since Daniel Libeskind was chosen to make a master plan for Ground Zero. Since then, his plan has changed significantly. It is a point of debate whether he has lost his influence altogether.
Thinking Big Again (March 2004) In the year since Daniel Libeskind was chosen as the master planner for the site of the World Trade Center, much has happened downtown. But, suddenly, large-scale developments are also being planned in many other parts of the city.
Aftermath of the Stansbury Killing (March 2004) Jaime Adame chronicles the continuing reaction, by public officials, community residents, and the police, after a grand jury declined to indict the officer who shot teenager Thomas Stansbury Jr.
Helping New Yorkers Vote (March 2004) Suddenly, in a New York minute, both houses of the New York State legislature last week passed a sweeping array of bills aimed at improving the election system.
Election Day Voter Registration (March 2004) Super Tuesday won't be very super to those voters who failed to register in time. Why can't eligible New Yorkers register on Election Day? Assemblyman Scott Stringer says it would require a constitutional amendment -- but it would be worth it.
Waterfront Stories On Film (February 2004) A new film series about the NYC waterfront might remind us that current struggles are not at all new ones.
Concessions (February 2004) Some 600 businesses pay $60 million to operate on parkland. A new audit says they aren't monitored enough; an old argument says the $60 million should go directly to the parks department.
Super Tuesday (February 2004) Susan Reefer looks at Super Tuesday, which allows New York, in effect, to have the last word.
Grassroots Community Organizing Is Malnourished (February 2004) “In these days of deep philanthropic cutbacks, well-intentioned and well-managed organizations alike are having either to scale back or to shut down,” writes Mark Winston Griffith, who was disappointed to learn of the problems facing the Organizing Support Center
Taxi Fare Hike (February 2004) Bruce Schaller looks at the proposed hike in the taxi fare.
A Tax Shelter For The Working Poor (February 2004) Linda Ostreicher explains a program designed to give tax breaks to the working poor that isn’t working the way it is supposed to.
URBAN ISSUES - POVERTY (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - MASS TRANSIT (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - IMMIGRATION (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HOUSING (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HEALTH CARE (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - EDUCATION (February 2004)
Shooting In New York (February 2004) Some high-profile movies with New York City as their backdrop will be glimpsed at the Academy Awards this Sunday. But NYC is not just a cinematic backdrop, it is also the second largest movie industry town in America. A look at the efforts to catch up to number one.
URBAN ISSUES - CRIME (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ANTI-TERRORISM (February 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ECONOMY (February 2004)
Urban Issues: Presidential Candidates in NYC (February 2004) An issue-by-issue breakdown of the presidential candidates urban agendas: what they have to say about the economy, crime, mass transit, housing, and poverty.
City Settles Discrimination Lawsuit By Black And Latino Officers (February 2004) The city has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit by African-American and Latino police officers alleging that the New York Police Department violated their civil rights.
Imprisoned In New York (February 2004) Andrew Beveridge looks at the prisoners of New York. Most are from New York City, but imprisoned upstate – providing both economic and political gain to small upstate counties at the expense of the city.
Waterfront 'Access' May Actually Keep Public Out (February 2004) The city's plans to provide access to the waterfront, argues Tom Angotti, will do the exact opposite.
Bush's "Temporary Worker" Program (February 2004) What New Yorkers think of the Bush Administration's proposed "temporary worker" program.
The City Budget and Labor Unions (February 2004)
A Minimum Wage Increase Will Hurt Small Business and the Working Poor (February 2004) Raising the minimum wage is not the same as delivering more income into the hands of people with low-skill jobs.
New York Workers Need a Raise (February 2004) Unlike a growing number of states, New York has failed to take action to fix the problem of a stagnant and inadequate federal minimum wage by increasing the state minimum wage.
Sludge and Scandal (February 2004) The New York Organic Fertilizer Company in the Bronx, which turns the city's sewage into fertilizer for farmers, stinks, in more ways than one.
A Budget With No Soul (February 2004) "Mayor Michael Bloomberg's $45.7 billion preliminary budget is a bland document," Glenn Pasanen writes, "with few surprises and no soul."
Death In New York City (February 2004) Deaths in New York City hit an all-time low in 2002, and New Yorkers' life expectancy increased. Sue Wilson explains why -- and what the almost 60,000 New Yorkers who did die, died from.
Bill of Rights Resolution; Court Ruling On Banning Masked Demonstrators (February 2004) New York joins 250 other cities, towns and counties in passing a resolution defending the Bill of Rights from the Patriot Act. A federal appeals court rules on an 1845 New York City law banning demonstrators from wearing masks, last used against a KKK rally here in 1999.
Embracing Growth, Preserving Neighborhoods (February 2004) New York's boroughs are undergoing the biggest building boom in three decades, which some (including Michael Bloomberg) say threatens the character of some neighborhoods.
The Overdevelopment Debate (February 2004) New York's boroughs are undergoing the biggest building boom in three decades, which some (including Michael Bloomberg) say threatens the character of some neighborhoods.
The Governor's Misguided Health-Care Cuts (February 2004) Governor George Pataki’s proposed cuts to health-care program would deliver a harsh blow to the elderly, the disabled, children and working families, argues Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, chair of the State Assembly Health Committee.
Children and Pollution: School Buses, Second-Hand Smoke (February 2004) Air pollution, Sasha Nyary writes, “is particularly hard on children, whose lungs are fragile and still developing,” which is why a legal settlement on school bus idling is good news, and a report on second-hand smoke is not.
Ending Social Promotion, Once Again (February 2004) There is a new plan to "end social promotion" in public school, and Raymond Domanico, whose job 20 years ago was to evaluate a similar plan, looks at what it would take to make it work this time around.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - February 4, 2004 (February 2004)
Decline In Tenant Organizers (February 2004) Joe Lamport looks at why there has been a decline in the number of tenant organizers and how it has affected tenant associations.
Operation Impact And The Shooting Of Timothy Stansbury, Jr. (February 2004) Jaime Adame looks at Operation Impact I and II and other police initiatives in light of the police shooting of 19-year-old Timothy Stansbury, Jr.
The Citizen (February 2004) In this February edition of The Citizen, we take a look at visa problems facing foreign artists and investors, immigrant reaction to President Bush's immigration reform and an effort to revitalize Chinatown tourism. Articles from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, French, Korean and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Arts Groups Look to Congress to Ease Cultural Exchanges (February 2004) Martha Hostetter updates the difficulties facing foreign artists invited to perform here.
A Bill That Helps End Lead Poisoning (February 2004) The mayor vetoed it, critics say it will unfairly burden landlords, but the new lead paint law that the City Council is likely to pass this week over the mayor's veto. And that, argue the lawyers who helped knock down the old law, is a good thing.
No Kill, The New Goal In Animal Control (February 2004) Last year, some 35,000 dogs and cats were killed in New York’s five official shelters, mostly because there just wasn’t room for them. Lynda Crawford details the various programs by the city’s new animal control leadership to reach the goal of not killing any healthy adoptable animals by 2008.
Battered Women And Their Fight To Keep Their Children (January 2004) Emily Jane Goodman looks at the case that stopped the practice of taking children away from their battered mothers.
"Patriotic" Surveillance? Federal Fingerprinting Of Foreigners (January 2004) Laura Forlano explains how the USA Patriot Act and a lesser-known federal program, US-VISIT, are using technology in ways that concern civil libertarians.
The Urban Agenda (January 2004) The presidential campaigns are in full swing, but the issues facing cities are largely absent from the debate. Is there an urban agenda in national politics? What can and should the federal government do for New York?
The Permanent Emergency For Homeless Families (January 2004) Thousands of homeless New Yorkers long for something as simple as a clean, warm place to lie down. Homeless adults face new rules that could force some of them out of shelters – and into the streets. Homeless families with children confront crowding and bureaucracy at a massive city facility in the Bronx.
New Rules for the Homeless (January 2004) Homeless adults face new rules that critics say could force some of them out of shelters, and into the streets. Homeless families with children confront crowding and bureaucracy at the one remaining "intake" center where they must go to ask for help.
Who Are NYC's Republicans? (January 2004) Andrew Beveridge looks at Republican New Yorkers, how many there are, where they live, how old they are, how much they make, how much they smoke -- and why they may make the conventioneers squirm.
Eight Ways To A Better Future Now (January 2004) Carter Craft suggests eight ways to improve the waterfront.
Is Congress About To Shake Up Job Training? (January 2004) Congress is about to pass a new version of a law that could have helped at least half a million New Yorkers get jobs, but didn’t.
Help America Vote Act (January 2004) Though the Help America Vote Act does represent the biggest single set of voting reforms seen since the Voting Rights Act, Susan Reefer says, it may not address the most serious cases of voter disenfranchisement.
Federal Funding For City Parks (January 2004) Anne Schwartz looks at federal funding -- or lack of it -- for city parks.
Netting The Nets (January 2004) Bringing world-class professional sports and a world-class arena to Brooklyn would tremendously benefit the borough, by boosting its profile around the nation and the world, by enhancing pride in Brooklyn, and by creating desperately needed economic development, jobs and affordable and middle-income housing for the Brooklynites who need them.
A Field of Schemes (January 2004) While bringing the Nets to Brooklyn may sound like an intriguing idea, it has troubling fiscal, social, and economic implications for New York City as a whole.
The Plans For Downtown Brooklyn Ignore Both People And Public Spaces (January 2004) City officials who back the creation of more than 60 million square feet of new office space in NYC "are acting more like cheerleaders for local real estate than custodians of the quality of life in our neighborhoods," writes Tom Angotti, who looks in particular at the new rezoning plan for downtown Brooklyn.
School Security (January 2004) The mayor has launched a major new campaign to curb violence in the schools. But critics wonder whether some of his tactics, such as flooding certain schools with police, will just alienate more students.
Is Washington Looking To Get Out Of Subsidizing Low-Income Housing In NYC? (January 2004) Is the federal government in effect changing its mind about subsidizing some 20,000 apartments for low-income families in New York City? Brad Lander reports some ominous recent events.
How New Yorkers Get To Work (January 2004) Bruce Schaller analyzes new census information about how New Yorkers travel to work, and how it should change current thinking about transportation improvements.
Bush Tax Cuts and New York (January 2004) Glenn Pasanen looks at the benefits and burdens of the Bush tax cuts, which will go mostly to the wealthiest New Yorkers.
The Feds And Clean Air (January 2004) Critics say that a proposed change in policy by the Bush administration would roll back advances made toward cleaning the air in New York.
The New Medicare Law - Will It Help or Hurt? (January 2004) Sue Young Wilson tries to sort out the intricacies of the new federal Medicare law, with its prescription drug coverage, and what the likely effect will be on elderly New Yorkers.
Taxis (January 2004) To ease the rush hour wait, New York City may soon have 900 new taxi cabs on its streets. But they may come with a price - pollution, traffic, and a fare hike.
Graffiti 2004 (January 2004) It may no longer cover city subway cars, but graffiti thrives all over New York, according to those New Yorkers (including public officials) who are looking for new ways to fight it.
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The Community Service Requirement In Public Housing (January 2004) A new federal rule requiring eight hours of community service by residents of public housing is yet another indication to housing advocates, Joe Lamport writes, of a disturbing change in the role the federal government plays in housing.
The Flu; Abuse; Lead Paint (January 2004) The flu this season is particularly dangerous for children; students at the Edwin Gould Academy charge abuse; City Council passes lead paint bill.
Passages of Light: Memorial Cloud (January 2004)
The Chosen Memorial Design: Reflecting Absence (January 2004) Reflecting Absence, a design that most prominently features two sunken pools where the Twin Towers stood, has been chosen for the memorial at the site of the World Trade Center.
New York's Children Left Behind? (January 2004) Are New York's children being left behind by federal policies?
Debating the USA Patriot Act. Also: The Proposed Marriage Amendment To The Constitution (January 2004) Andy Humm focuses on two federal actions (one passed, the other pending) and their effect in New York City - the U.S. Patriot Act, and the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples.
Civil Liberties And Police Surveillance (January 2004) Jaime Adame looks at changes in police surveillance as a result of federal legislation and court decisions.
Linda Stone Davidoff, 1941-2003 (January 2004) When the Riverside South park opens on the Upper West Side in the spring, a portion of it will be called "Linda's Lawn." This is in tribute to Linda Stone Davidoff, the urban planner, activist and former director of Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation, publisher of Gotham Gazette, who died from leukemia on December 31, 2003 at age 62. Davidoff developed the plan that led to the creation of the new park, just one of many achievements in her more than 40 years of activism, as recounted in a memorial service held in Prospect Park yesterday.
Artists' Fight To Sell On The Sidewalk (January 2004) Martha Hostetter details the fight over artists' right to sell their work on city sidewalks.
Rebuilding in 2004 (January 2004) In 2004 construction of the Freedom Tower begins, the memorial competition ends, and a design for the new transportation hub will be released, making it an eventful year for rebuilding.
Green Buildings (January 2004) The new design for Freedom Tower at Ground Zero featuring 30 windmills high above the city is just one of many new buildings planned in New York City with energy-saving and other environmentally friendly innovations. Is this the future, or a fad?
The City's Issues and the Mayor's Power (January 2004)
The Citizen (January 2004) In this January edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants and New Year celebrations, online lottery visa confusion, immigrant children smuggling and protest against controversial video games. Articles from the Caribbean, Chinese, Irish and Spanish press.
The Lessons Learned In Creating Hudson River Park (December 2003) Thirty years after a dump truck crashing through a riverside elevated highway helped create the community movement to reclaim the waterfront, Carter Craft details the lessons learned in creating Hudson River Park.
The Bill Of Rights Resolution (December 2003) Justice Emily Jane Goodman writes about the effort to have New York City join the nationwide movement to pass resolutions in defense of the Bill of Rights.
Wireless Goes Indoors (December 2003) More and more New Yorkers have wireless access to the Internet for free, indoors, thanks to non-profit agencies big and small.
New Subway Projects And Their Benefits (December 2003) Bruce Schaller explains how two new reports measure the relative benefits of seven proposed subway projects, from the extension of the number 7 line to the creation of the Second Avenue Subway.
The Big Stories of 2004? (December 2003) More than two dozen headline makers - including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actress Janeane Garofalo, and the dj Moby - try to guess New York's headlines in 2003.
Top 10 Stories of 2003 (December 2003) The year brought New York fighting architects, skullduggery in the Brooklyn courts, predictions of fiscal doom -- and an official drink.
Crime in the Parks (December 2003) Anne Schwartz looks at crime in the parks.
Food Stamps Not Reaching Everybody Who Deserves Them (December 2003) New York City’s food stamp offices are not complying with federal law or even with the city’s own policies.
The “Food Justice” Movement: Trying To Break the Food Chains (December 2003) One of the great, often unspoken, forms of oppression that low- and moderate-income communities suffer through is the lack of access to healthy food. Mark Winston Griffith looks at issues of “food justice.”
The City Modifies Its Budget and Searches for Cash (December 2003) Glenn Pasanen looks at the mayor’s modification of the budget, and its search for new cash.
The Sidewalks of New York (December 2003) New York City's 12,000 miles of sidewalks, Tom Angotti writes, "are its best public spaces," but the city has no overall policy or plan for their use and enjoyment. He offers one of his own.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - December 15, 2003 (December 2003)
Religion And Historic Preservation (December 2003) When a recent effort to declare the Cathedral of St. John the Divine an official landmark fell apart, it was just the latest conflict between religious institutions and advocates for historic preservation. Many believe it is a choice between fixing the roof or feeding the poor.
New Campaign Financing Proposals - And Who They Benefit (December 2003) New proposals, if passed into law, "will help to define New York City as having some of the most far-reaching campaign financing in the country," writes Susan Reefer, who explores what money can and cannot do for a campaign.
The Lead Paint Bill (December 2003) The new lead-paint bill, Julia Vitullo-Martin argues, actually ignores many health risks and offers a tough approach to landlords that could slow the pace of housing renovations.
Flu (December 2003) Yes, writes Sue Wilson, it's the flu season again.
Carbon Monoxide, The Silent Killer (December 2003) The grisly suffocation death of a family in the Bronx has brought attention to what should be on the A-list of feared chemicals - carbon monoxide. Sam Williams explains why, and what can be done.
School Contracts: Do They Serve The Students? (December 2003) Critics charge that contracts with teachers, administrators and school custodians may serve the adults in the schools rather than the students. Jessica Wolff reports on the recent, controversial City Council hearings on these contracts.
Five Hidden Facts About Housing (An Analysis Of Data From The Housing and Vacancy Survey) (December 2003) Andrew Beveridge offers five revelations about NYC housing based on his analysis of the latest Housing and Vacancy Survey. Revelation number one: "Rent regulation seems to be vanishing in New York faster than many thought."
Breakdown (December 2003) New Yorkers rarely think about the systems that keep the city running, until something breaks down. Now, you can take a system-by-system look at what keeps us wired, watered, and flushed: play Breakdown!, our newest interactive game, and use your knowledge to save the city from kaput.
A Bridge Back Home (December 2003)
Reforming Foster Care (December 2003) How much success has the city had in its effort to help thousands of foster families meet the daunting challenges of parenting other people’s abused and neglected children?
Water (December 2003)
Garbage (December 2003)
Electricity (December 2003)
Breakdown (December 2003) New Yorkers rarely think about the systems that keep the city running, until something breaks down. Now, you can take a system-by-system look at what keeps us wired, watered, and flushed: play Breakdown!, our newest interactive game, and use your knowledge to save the city from kaput.
Domestic Violence and Family Homelessness; Also: Frightening Facts From Ferrer (December 2003) Sasha Nyary details two new reports, one describing a dramatic change in the way the city is treating domestic violence cases, placing fewer children in foster care; the other recommending ways to prevent "family homelessness." Also: How many NYC schools lack a full-time librarian? Ask Freddy Ferrer.
After Rikers (December 2003) Jaime Adame reports on a new program to help inmates after they are released from Rikers Island get help with drug treatment, housing and jobs.
Civil Rights Bills. Also: The Effect Of Gay-Marriage Ruling on NY (December 2003) Andy Humm talks about the effect of the Massachusetts gay-marriage ruling on New York. Also: a first hearing in the City Council this month for a raft of civil rights legislation, including a bill that would require the City Human Rights Law be posted in every place of employment, housing, and public accommodation.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - December 3, 2003 (December 2003)
Non-Union Tours of Broadway Shows (December 2003) Martha Hostetter details the forthcoming fight over non-union touring productions of Broadway shows.
"Illegal Threes" (December 2003) Joe Lamport details the problem of "illegal threes" - the name given to two-family houses that have an illegal third apartment.
Unpatriotic Banking? (December 2003) Thanks to the Patriot Act, banking has become more difficult for undocumented immigrants.
The New York Stock Exchange And Wall Street's Future (December 2003) The New York Stock Exchange, facing the biggest changes since the Great Depression, is fighting to keep its status as the centerpiece of American capitalism, and the engine of the New York economy.
A New Future For The Great Port (November 2003) With 1,000 newly hired longshoremen, and new interest in building a cross-harbor freight tunnel. the "Great Port" of New York and New Jersey, says Carter Craft, is not just a background in nostalgic old movies.
Cell Phones: New Developments (November 2003) Laura Forlano details recent developments in cell phones, including new federal regulations that allow consumers to switch wireless providers without having to give up their phone number.
We're Being Shut Out Of The Process (November 2003) "The reason the memorial process is moving so quickly because they're not getting input from everybody," says Rosalen Tallon. Her brother was a firefighter who died on 9/11.
Let The Memorial Jury Do Its Work (November 2003) "The jury has to be a leader," writes Charles G. Wolf, who lost his wife on 9/11. "A republic works better than a democracy because you have a qualified representative to do it for you. The jury is our representative."
Rethink The Type Of Memorial We Want (November 2003) The largest competition in the history of the world - to design a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 - has resulted in eight finalists that have provoked words such as "generic" and "impersonal," and, worst of all, "like an airport design."
A Case Of Rape And Murder (November 2003) Emily Jane Goodman details the case of a woman imprisoned for 25 years to life because she killed the man she says raped her. She must now be released or granted a new trial.
The Eight 9/11 Memorial Designs (November 2003)
Obesity And The Schools (November 2003) New York City public schoolchildren are especially hard-hit by the epidemic of obesity. A debate has emerged not just about whether the schools are doing enough, but whether it is partly their fault.
Advocates For The Ill (November 2003) A “shadow industry” has developed to help New Yorkers who have fallen ill to get the services to which they are entitled – not just medical services, but social and legal as well.
The West Side Stadium: No Arena for Good Planning (November 2003) “The fixation with putting a football stadium on the west side of Manhattan,” Tom Angotti writes, “is blocking good planning – for the Olympics and for the neighborhood.”
From Cop To Councilmember (November 2003)
New York City Council STATED MEETING - November 19, 2003 (November 2003)
(November 2003) Letitia James, who succeeds the assassinated James Davis in the City Council, faces a significant challenge in her district: how to deal with "development, development, development." Brad Lander highlights the major projects moving forward in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, and how to make sure the community benefits.
Staten Island Ferry Crash Remains A Puzzle (November 2003) There are five questions that Bruce Schaller asks about the crash of the Staten Island Ferry in October that killed 10 people – questions whose answers are still only puzzles. One is why city officials are acting so surprised that it occurred.
Three New Projects To Restore Or Build Parks (November 2003) Anne Schwartz reports on surprising good news for parks -- three big new projects, all announced within the past month, including an old gas tank that was slated to be a Home Depot.
The 'Tina' Habit (November 2003) It is called crank on the West Coast, where it was popularized by the Hell's Angels in the 1960s. It is a huge problem in rural America, according to the National Institutes of Health. But in New York, crystal methamphetamine is called tina, and it is almost exclusively a phenomenon among gay men.
Capital Budget (November 2003) The press ignores it. Politicians play games with it. And voters only notice it when a classroom is overcrowded or a water main breaks. But the often-overlooked capital budget pays for the schools, pipes, bridges and roads that are critical to New York’s future.
Nightclub Act II (November 2003) A new wave of nightclubs is washing over the city, some in the same sites where their notorious predecessors were shut down just a few years ago for drug use, or noise, or being a nuisance. This time, though, there is severe new federal legislation, pending city bills, and thus, understandably, an apparent new approach by the club owners.
Mentally Ill, Chemically Addicted - And Stuck In Jail (November 2003) Sue Wilson reports on a lawsuit that says mentally ill parolees with substance abuse problems, approved for release, instead languish on for months in New York jails, waiting for unavailable treatment slots.
The Dream Act (November 2003) The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would grant conditional legal status to high school graduate who are illegal immigrants.
Stopping The Truckers From Idling At Hunts Point (November 2003) Sam Williams looks at the fight to get the out-of-state truckers at Hunts Point to stop idling, and polluting the community.
Lessons For (November 2003) Glenn Pasanen looks at the results of the election, and at the comptroller's new annual financial report released this month, and finds "some lessons for more democratic fiscal management."
Steam (November 2003)
Honor Andrew Haswell Green! (November 2003) A century ago this week, a delusional furnace tender ended the life of "the greatest civic hero in New York City history." But the assassination of Andrew Haswell Green -- responsible for everything from Central Park to the New York Public Library to the Bronx Zoo -- was not the worst injustice committed against him, says Michael Miscione, who wants more named after him than just a park bench.
The Office of the Future Today (November 2003)
After School Programs (November 2003) Sasha Nyary looks at the nagging problem of after school programs – too few for too many.
The New High Schools Admissions Process (November 2003) A look at the new high school admissions process – and what can be learned by the confusion surrounding it.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - November 6, 2003 (November 2003)
Discrimination After 9/11; Also: Bill On Domestic Partnership Benefits (November 2003) More than two-third of New York City’s Arabs, Muslims and South Asians said they experienced discrimination in the wake of September 11th, according to a new report. Also: A hearing on a bill to make private contractors with the city give benefits to domestic partners.
The Future of the Philharmonic at Lincoln Center (November 2003) "The New York Philharmonic's bizarre, near-defection from Lincoln Center to Carnegie Hall created ripples throughout the classical musical world," Martha Hostetter writes, "and may have long-lasting impact on the relationship between the nation's oldest orchestra and the world's largest arts complex."
2003 General Election Results (November 2003) Results from City Council races, ballot questions, and judicial races in New York City's 2003 General Election.
"Section 8" And The Single Landlord (November 2003) The federal program that helps low-income New Yorkers pay their rent is so bureaucratic, Joe Lamport reports, that it is driving out some private landlords who participate: "I can't take it anymore," one said.
Bank Robberies On the Rise (November 2003) Bank robberies are on the rise in New York. The police commissioner blames the banks themselves.
Campaign 2003 - General Election Guide to the Last Minute Voter (November 2003) A step-by-step guide to voting in New York’s Election on Tuesday, November 4. What is at stake? Who is running? What are the ballot questions? And what is a nonpartisan election?
Campaign War Chests (November 2003) Few incumbents are in danger of losing in New York City's elections this week, but that hasn't stopped them from continuing to stuff their campaign war chests with contributions -- and taxpayer money.
Clarence Norman And Non-Partisan Elections (October 2003) Susan Reefer looks at the charges against Brooklyn Democratic Party leader Clarence Norman, and analyzes what could, what should, and what will not change if supporters of non-partisan elections use the example of Norman to help win in November.
Siting The Power Plant at Newtown Creek (October 2003) Sam Williams details the plan to switch the new 1,200 megawatt TransGas Energy power plant from the Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront to an already polluted Newtown Creek.
Nannies (October 2003) The lives of Mary Poppins or Jane Eyre or Fran Drescher have little connection to the real world of an estimated 200,000 domestic workers in New York City, where "abuse and exploitation are the norm." A thousand nannies are expected to rally this week to publicize issues that are tied up with race and class and the blurred boundaries between work and family.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - October 24, 2003 (October 2003)
Proposed Changes In Welfare Reform (October 2003) Linda Ostreicher details the proposed changes in welfare reform.
The Marketing Of Culture (October 2003) Setting aside long-held qualms, cash-strapped arts groups are trying to turn their art into a product and themselves into a brand. Martha Hostetter reports.
Variances: How To Undermine Zoning and Make a Profit (October 2003) Tom Angotti explains the way variances in the zoning law, bestowed by a little-known city agency, undermines the whole concept of zoning and planning while allowing private developers to pursue a greater profit.
Young, Graduated and in New York City (October 2003) They are the subject of stage and screen and weblogs. But who exactly are the recent college graduates living in New York City? Andrew Beveridge provides a demographic portrait.
Making Contracts Work (October 2003) On Election Day, New Yorkers should vote "no" on ballot proposal number four that will amend the city's purchasing rules.
Guide to New York City's 2003 Ballot Proposals (October 2003) Forget the candidates. The real action this November is on six California-style ballot proposals that would amend the city's charter. (Click here for 2005 ballot proposals)
Guide to New York City's 2003 Ballot Proposals (October 2003) Forget the candidates. The real action this November is on six California-style ballot proposals that would amend the city's charter.
The Business of Government: The Charter Commission’s Proposal to Revise the City’s System of $9 Billion in Annual Purchases (October 2003) Effective and efficient government service delivery must be supported by a purchasing system that embraces both modern demands and technological advances.
The Tragedy And Neglect Of The Staten Island Ferry (October 2003) “The crash of the Staten Island Ferry Andrew Barberi that killed ten people,” Carter Craft writes, “should serve as a warning to New Yorkers that this icon of New York City travel and tourism is in desperate need of attention, and innovation.”
The Sewer System (October 2003) New York's sewer system began 150 years ago -- and some of the pipes have never been replaced. A look at the challenges: out-of-date equipment, harmful chemicals, constant spills, and some persistently weird beliefs about what's down there.
Manhattan Greenway (October 2003) "There is still a long way to go before a continuous green path runs around the shoreline of Manhattan," Anne Schwartz writes. But the final link to a temporary waterfront greenway around Manhattan has just been completed.
Should The City Sell Its TV And Radio Stations? (October 2003) Should the city go ahead with its plans to sell its TV and radio stations (WNYE) to Channel 13 and WNYC? Laura Forlano ponders the question in light of new technologies that could make the stations a lot more valuable in the future.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - October 15, 2003 (October 2003)
East River Bridge Tolls (October 2003) Bruce Schaller revisits the proposals to toll East River bridges, reporting on two new reports on the issue, and detailing the mayor's shifting position.
The Racial Profiling Settlement (October 2003) Jaime Adame details the wide-ranging consequences when the New York Police Department agreed to settle a federal class-action lawsuit accusing the department of illegal racial profiling when stopping suspects.
The Case Of The 17-Year-Old Anti-War Protester (October 2003) Emily Jane Goodman details the court case of 17-year-old anti-war protester Alisa Gragert, a case that, according to the presiding judge, was so “rare” and “unusual” that it "cries out for fundamental justice beyond the confines of conventional considerations.”
Troubles for Co-op City, and Middle Class Housing in NYC (October 2003) When it was first built over three decades ago, Co-op City kept young families from leaving the city for the suburbs and became the symbol of the promise and success of affordable housing in New York. Now, with a huge debt and maintenance problems, it has become a sign of its troubles.
Natural Gas (October 2003) Once viewed as a pesky nuisance, natural gas has become more and more in demand - and more and more expensive. Sam Williams follows the journey that gas makes from prehistoric swamp to the grills, stoves, furnaces, clothing dryers and power plants of New York City.
A Push For A National Health Service? (October 2003) Some 18,000 Americans die every year because of inadequate health insurance. In New York State, there are more than 3 million people without insurance, most of them in New York City, and the numbers are on the rise. That is why, reports Sue Wilson, there is a new push – from a group of doctors - for a national health service.
Shrinking Accountability: Proposed Changes To The Mayor's Management Report (October 2003) The mayor is asking voters this November to make changes to the legally-required mayor's management report that Glenn Pasanen calls a "disingenuous and anti-democratic" attempt to reduce the administration's accountability.
More Dilapidated Housing, Less Code Enforcement (October 2003) Housing in some areas of the city - Central Brooklyn, Upper Manhattan, parts of the Bronx -- is becoming more and more dilapidated, according to a new report, and the city is doing little more than writing notes to landlords to please fix their buildings. Joe Lamport reports.
The Foundation Fundraising Blues (October 2003) Most philanthropic foundations, Mark Winston Griffith writes, are "highly cloistered, self-perpetuating, elite institutions that seem to answer to no one but themselves."
Keeping the City Running (October 2003) While New Yorkers may fear terrorism or the next blackout, the everyday wear-and-tear on the city's infrastructure poses a constant threat to the city's well being. Will a system of rusting pipes, crumbling cables, shaky subways and rocky roads lead to an apocalyptic metropolis?
Class Size Limited By Law? (October 2003) Thanks to a recent judicial decision, voters will be asked in November to consider whether the number of students per class should be limited by law. Jessica Wolff argues this might not be such a good idea.
Learning from L.A. (October 2003) New Yorkers like to say that the only advantage to Los Angeles is being able to make a right turn on a red light. Not true, argues David Halle, who says the nation's two largest cities can learn from each other's errors and innovations.
Bias Violence On Staten Island (October 2003) At the end of a month of bias-motivated violence on Staten Island, the City Commission on Human Rights has set up its first permanent office there.
Parents Last? Also: The Lower East Side, Poor But Not Broken (October 2003) In the new public school reforms, called "Children First," are parents last? A new report says parental rights are being violated by excluding them from decision-making. Also: more on school bus pollution; one reason why the Lower East Side is the poorest neighborhood in New York City, but not the worst for children's well-being -- social service programs like the Educational Alliance.
A New Executive Order: Don't Ask, Don't Tell (October 2003) After months of intense pressure from immigrant advocacy groups and the City Council, Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a new executive order prohibiting city workers from reporting anyone's immigration status.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - September 30, 2003 (September 2003)
Staten Island Awaits Its Turn (September 2003) Staten Island has all the problems facing the rest of the city, from traffic congestion to uncoordinated growth, but, Carter Craft writes, nestled in this borough bounded by bays and kills are a few model solutions as well.
To Keep People In New York City, Cut Costs (September 2003) If you want to keep people in New York, the first thing you have to do is to reduce the staggeringly high cost of staying here
Bad for Business (September 2003) While some New Yorkers are leaving the city, citing bad schools, high housing costs or the daily stresses of urban life, analysts debate whether the exodus is anything alarming or unusual, and what to do about it. Stefan Kochi explains what drove him away.
Fear of Terrorism (September 2003) While some New Yorkers are leaving the city, citing bad schools, high housing costs or the daily stresses of urban life, analysts debate whether the exodus is anything alarming or unusual, and what to do about it. David Bassine explains what drove him away.
Struggling With Strollers and Schools (September 2003) While some New Yorkers are leaving the city, citing bad schools, high housing costs or the daily stresses of urban life, analysts debate whether the exodus is anything alarming or unusual, and what to do about it. Allison Woods explains what drove her away.
A National Theater at Ground Zero (September 2003) Martha Hostetter writes about the effort to create at Ground Zero a new American National Theater. Also: The Howl Festival’s ambitious creators.
A Frustrating Apartment Search (September 2003) While some New Yorkers are leaving the city, citing bad schools, high housing costs or the daily stresses of urban life, analysts debate whether the exodus is anything alarming or unusual, and what to do about it. Rondrae Hunter explains what drove him away.
Leaving New York (September 2003) While some New Yorkers are leaving the city, citing bad schools, high housing costs or the daily stresses of urban life, analysts debate whether the exodus is anything alarming or unusual, and what to do about it.
To Keep People, Improve Schools And Housing (September 2003)
The Gap Between Food Stamp Eligibility and Food Stamp Use (September 2003) “The post-blackout food stamp replacement experience,” Linda Ostreicher writes, “is an extreme example of the gap between resources available to those in need and their ability to learn whether and how they can receive them.”
Low Voter Turnout (September 2003) Susan Reefer reflects on low voter turnout, and how the proposed new system of non-partisan elections might make it even lower.
Adopt-A-Park (September 2003) Anne Schwartz details the new Adopt-A-Park program, passed into law this month, which is intended to encourage private funding for a public bench, a tree, a playground, a whole park.
Bake Sales Are Not Enough Anymore (September 2003) While most New York City public schools do not have the donor pool of a Peddie or a Stuyvesant, relying instead on traditional fund-raising events like carnivals and bake sales, some have begun to launch pledge drives and mail campaigns to fill in the gaps left by shortfalls in public funding.
Suing for Gun Control (September 2003) The fatal shooting of Councilmember James Davis in City Hall has focused attention on gun violence in the city, and prompted a series of new gun control bills, including one that would give family members of victims the right to sue gun manufacturers for damages.
Private Money for Public Needs (September 2003) With taxes up and the economy still slumping, the city has turned to private contributions in the hopes they can fund city services from parks to police - a practice that worries critics.
Noise Pollution: A City Planning Problem (September 2003) If the city really wants to reduce the noise afflicting neighborhoods, they'll have to do a lot more than a ticket blitz, writes Tom Angotti, who makes some suggestions for a sustainable, long-term strategy.
Turning Teens Into Techies And Online Activists (September 2003) At a time when young people are being target for their Internet activity, Laura Forlano reports on NYC non-profits whose respect for teen's online savvy has led to some good things (including saving the city money).
New York City Council STATED MEETING - September 17, 2003 (September 2003)
Abandonment In 2003 (September 2003) Rebecca Webber details how the city tries to keep landlords from abandoning their buildings, and, if that doesn’t work, to help "orphaned buildings" find new owners.
A Taxi Fare Increase? (September 2003) The city has taken two years without deciding on a taxi fare increase – and far longer on a much-needed increase in the number of cabs.
Challenging A Test The Teachers Must Take (September 2003) Justice Emily Jane Goodman writes about the lawsuit brought by black and Latino teachers against the school system charging discrimination in a test they were required to take.
School Reforms of 2003 (September 2003) School opened last week with a new bureaucracy, 1,200 new "parent coordinators," teaching coaches and a new standard curriculum. Will any of this fix the system?
What Made The Blackout Inevitable (September 2003) While the causes are still being investigated, Richard Hirsh argues that deregulation was a likely culprit, and Mike Misner explains why it was in some ways a good thing -- blackouts make environmentalists such as himself feel less guilty.
My Own Private Blackout (September 2003) Mike Misner explains why the Blackout of 2003 was in some ways a good thing -- it made environmentalists such as himself feel less guilty.
Put Class Size on the Ballot (September 2003) The New York City public school system is undergoing major changes. But little progress has been made, writes Leonie Haimson, to fix the system’s most serious problem: large classes.
The Alarming Report About The EPA’s Response To 9/11 (September 2003) A recent report alleged that the White House conspired to downplay the environmental impact of 9/11, which was the “worst single-day environmental catastrophe to befall the city,” writes Sam Williams. And the rest of the report offers even more alarming revelations.
World Trade Center Health Registry (September 2003) The city's health department has announced plans for what could become the largest public-health investigation ever: a comprehensive survey to follow over the next 20 years the health of those people most directly exposed to 9/11's World Trade Center collapse and the subsequent clean-up efforts.
Three Actions By Governor Pataki That Dim City Budget Prospects (September 2003) Glenn Pasanen looks at three recent actions by Governor George Pataki that serve as road blocks to the city’s financial plans.
Rebuilding, Two Years Later (September 2003) New Yorkers are commemorating the second anniversary of September 11 this week, with a ceremony inside Ground Zero's huge construction site. But while the city pauses to look back, plans for lower Manhattan's future are moving forward. A look at where we are, issue by issue.
Back To (Public and Private) School (September 2003) Andrew Beveridge's demographic analysis of recently released data from the 2000 census confirms what any educator will tell you: Private school kids are far richer and whiter than their public school counterparts.
Campaign 2003 - Primary Day: Guide to the Last Minute Voter (September 2003) A step-by-step guide to voting in New York’s Primary Election on Tuesday, September 9th: Who is running? What is at stake? Which Races Are Competitive? Where to Vote? Then look for election results beginning Tuesday evening.
Judging School Reform (September 2003) The new school year promises a rocky start because of the Bloomberg administration's ambitious new school reforms. But "New Yorkers should not rush to judgment," advise Raymond Domanicco and Jessica Wolff, who offer 11 questions to ask, beyond test scores, when it is indeed time to judge.
A Report On Violent Teen Relationships (September 2003) Lynda Crawford reports on the results of a 20-year study that shows that children who witness violence in their parents' relationship, or who are excessively punished, are at risk of forming violent relationships as teenagers.
Employing Non-Citizens (September 2003) It is against the law for employers to hire "illegal aliens." It is also against the law for employers to discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status. How can employers obey both sets of laws? Andy Humm visits a workshop for employers conducted by the City Commission on Human Rights that helps them through the minefield.
New Studies About Immigrants (September 2003) After entering the country, some immigrants stay put in New York City while others leave for other cities or states where they can find affordable housings, according to new studies. But wherever they go, new immigrants will help bring down wages in low-level service jobs.
A Brief History of Election Law in New York (September 2003) From royal rule to public finance, a timeline of election law in New York.
Ballot-Bumping in New York (August 2003) In New York, it is not necessarily the candidate with the most votes who wins, but the one who can use New York's Byzantine election laws to kick everyone else off the ballot. A look at why you will not be seeing dozens of candidates on the primary ballot September 9.
Primary Elections, And The Ballot Proposals For November (August 2003) Susan Reefer previews the September 9th primary election, and the recently-approved proposals for the November ballot.
Summertime Unemployment. Also: Kinship Foster Care (August 2003) Linda Ostreicher reports on the persistent problems of unemployment and the programs that are supposed to help. Also: the Catch-22 involved in kinship foster care (i.e. a grandparent).
The Lesson Of The Blackout Is NOT More Power Plants (August 2003) Tom Angotti argues against using the blackout to push for more power plants, such as one on the waterfront in Williamsburg.
Citizenship and Voting (August 2003) Over a million New Yorkers live, work, and pay taxes in the city, but they can not vote because they are not legal U.S. citizens. There is a movement afoot to give such non-citizens the right to vote in local elections.
Lincoln Center (August 2003) Lincoln Center finds itself at a turning point. Some of its facilities are outdated and will need costly repairs. The New York Philharmonic is leaving and the New York City Opera might not be far behind. Some are asking whether the concept behind Lincoln Center is still valid - and if it ever was.
Lessons from Lincoln Center for the Ground Zero Cultural Center (August 2003) At the same time that Lincoln Center is "breaking up," the site of the World Trade Center is trying to become a cultural center. Martha Hostetter takes the occasion to ask: What mistakes made by Lincoln Center can the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation avoid?
The Death of the Community Reinvestment Act (August 2003) Mark Winston Griffith writes the obituary for the Community Reinvestment Act, killed at the age of 26.
Will The Bountiful Triangle Return? (August 2003) For three centuries, the heart of the city was the "bountiful triangle of water" bounded by Brooklyn, Governors Island, and Manhattan, writes Carter Craft, who asks whether we will take the opportunity to bring that triangle to prominence once again.
New Threat From Asian Long-Horned Beetle. Also: Van Cortlandt Park And The Water Filtration Plant (August 2003) Budget cuts for the program to eliminate the Asian long-horned beetle, Anne Schwartz says, are endangering New York’s trees anew. Also – the latest on the water filtration plant planned for Van Cortlandt Park.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - August 19, 2003 (August 2003)
2003 Blackout (August 2003) Gotham Gazette takes a look at the events surrounding the 2003 Blackout, including articles about what Con-Ed is doing to avoid future disasters, and an archive of news articles related to the blackout.
The Blackout Via TV; By Phone; On Blogs. Also: Only Days Left To Save .NYC (August 2003) Laura Forlano looks at the blackout on NYC blogs, via phone, and from her perch abroad. Also: Only days left until .nyc runs out.
After The Blackout - Going Back To The Experts (August 2003) Three days after we first posted our article ("Studying How To Avoid Blackouts") about the effort Con Edison was making to avoid blackouts in New York, New Yorkers were among the victims of the largest blackout in the nation's history - and it had nothing to do with the research Con Edison was conducting.
The Power Broker Revisited (August 2003) In the debate over current NYC projects, from the rebuilding of Ground Zero to the bid for the 2012 Olympics, Robert Moses' influence is felt above all others -- a man who has been dead for more than two decades.
A Community Plan for Moses’ ‘Highway to Nowhere’ (August 2003) Community groups in the Bronx have a plan for Moses' Sheridan Expressway, a 1.25 mile stretch of highway that has been called a "road to nowhere." They want to tear it down.
Environmental Impact of Rebuilding Lower Manhattan (August 2003) Eric Goldstein reports on the concerns expressed by environmental and civic groups about the effects on the environment of the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
Counting Drop-Outs (August 2003) Andrew Beveridge weighs in on the controversy about drop-outs (or are they “push-outs”?) in NYC public schools – and offers a more honest way of measuring the drop-out rate.
Ranking The Subway Lines (August 2003) The good news is that subway cars break down less now; the bad news is that they're dirtier. Bruce Schaller looks at the worst subway line, and the best subway line, and the report that determined this.
Obesity (August 2003) Almost a quarter of all children in NYC public elementary schools are obese, significantly higher than the national rate, according to an alarming new study. Sue Wilson reports what the school system is trying to do about it.
The State Of Bloomberg’s Affordable Housing Plan (August 2003) Advocates for affordable housing are encouraged by some steps the Bloomberg administration has taken lately as part of its five-year “New Housing Marketplace” plan, Rebecca Webber reports, but disappointed by some opportunities it has let slip by, especially downtown.
Firehouses (August 2003) The fights to save six firehouses continue, even though they are now shut down. A look at the arguments pro and con.
Studying How To Avoid Blackouts (August 2003) On stifling summer days, New Yorkers worry about power overload and power failure. Con Edison has opened a new research lab -- a mock manhole in the Bronx -- to study the problem. But critics say it could do more.
High School Push Outs (August 2003) Jessica Wolff looks at the disturbing trend of low-performing students being driven to drop out of school in order to increase their (former) schools’ overall test scores.
Judges (August 2003)
The Fiscal Monitors Assess The Budget (August 2003) The mayor may be saying the fiscal picture is looking up, but, in five new reports that Glenn Pasanen analyzes, the fiscal monitors see the city as in reasonable shape in the short-run, but are worried about funding cuts, tax burdens, future spending, and future deficits.
The Harvey Milk School (August 2003) The Harvey Milk School, a public school primarily for gay students, is the subject of tabloid attention and conservative attacks once again. But it is also receiving scrutiny from civil libertarians, who frame the debate as a matter of civil liberties - for the non-gay students that they fear might be excluded from the school. Andy Humm, who used to work there, offers his analysis.
The Judges Game (August 2003) With a steady stream of new revelations about scandal and political patronage in the Brooklyn judicial system, Gotham Gazette this week tries to sort it all out. Our newest interactive game lets you see if you got what it takes for the Brooklyn bench.
School Lunch Lack; Fixing Diesel-Fueled School Buses (August 2003) Lynda Crawford explains the protest over the lack of school lunches in some summer schools, and proposed legislation to fix the lack of air-quality standards in diesel-fueled school buses.
The Judges Game (August 2003) With a steady stream of new revelations about scandal and political patronage in the Brooklyn judicial system, Gotham Gazette this week tries to sort it all out. Our newest interactive game lets you see if you got what it takes for the Brooklyn bench.
Executive Order 34 Revisited (August 2003) After persistent protests against Mayor Michael Bloomberg's executive order 34, which allows city employees to report undocumented immigrants to federal agencies, he is considering changing it.
Bloomberg’s Plunge In The Polls; Also: Committee On Vacancies (July 2003) Susan Reefer looks at the polls that record Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plunging popularity. Also: how James Davis’s substitute was selected
Flaws In The Screening Process For Foster Parents (July 2003) The latest death of a child in foster care prompts critics to ask: how does one become a foster parent? Carla Thompson looks at flaws in the screening process.
How Park Improvements Affect Community Real Estate Values (July 2003) Anne Schwartz looks at the results of a study examining how investments in 30 NYC parks affected the property values and general conditions of their surrounding neighborhoods.
Dog Days For Summer School (July 2003) This year, the city has cut way back on summer classes, and school officials seem to have lost interest in them, a difficult situation for those who really need the extra help.
City Council Campaign 2003 (July 2003) The murder of City Councilmember James E. Davis by a would-be political opponent brought worldwide attention to local races ignored even by many New Yorkers. A look at ten council races considered competitive, including the one to fill Davis’s seat.
Greenpoint/Williamsburg Zoning Changes (July 2003) Tom Angotti looks at the recent proposal to rezone large sections of Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and asks: Is zoning the right tool at this time to make the necessary changes to these waterfront neighborhoods, or will it make things worse.
Murder in City Hall (July 2003) In the days since Councilmember James Davis was murdered in City Hall, Julia Vitullo-Martin writes, New Yorkers have struggled to make sense of this homicide.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - July 23, 2003 (July 2003)
The Black Organizer Blues (July 2003) Mark Winston Griffith asks why it seems as if the best-funded and highest profile neighborhood-based organizing bodies that operate in black neighborhoods are not black-led. Part of the answer may lie in how the term “community organizing” has been defined.
Gearing Up For The Changes (July 2003) Jessica Wolff reports how the city’s school officials are working hard all summer to try to get the newly reorganized school system in place for the fall.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway -- A Thin Green Line (July 2003) The Waterfront. The Manhattan waterfront greenway opens very soon, a nearly continuous waterfront esplanade that is a cause for momentary cheer but, Carter Craft argues, far less than what is needed to harness the potential of the city’s waterfront.
Central Park at 150 (July 2003)
An Escape from Reality (July 2003)
Death of Seneca Village (July 2003)
Taking Back the Park from Crime (July 2003) Central Park is now probably the safest and the most beautifully restored of the world's great parks. But only constant vigilance will keep it that way.
Birth of the Park (July 2003)
Dancing in the Park (July 2003)
Our Project for the Park (July 2003)
Recycling Revived (July 2003) Advocates for recycling were cheered when Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he would resume the recycling of materials – plastic, glass, yard waste, Christmas trees -- that he had suspended 18 months ago. “In questioning both the financial and environmental merits of civic recycling,” Sam Williams writes, “Mayor Bloomberg had in effect challenged the entire industry.”
New Projects, Same No Money (July 2003) There are a slew of projects that suddenly have new life, such as direct rail service from the airports to Lower Manhattan. But where are the $25 billion to $40 billion for them going to come from? Not, Bruce Schaller suggests, from tolls on East River bridges, and probably not from the federal government.
Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride (July 2003) Robert Nolan looks at the plans for an Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, modeled on the Freedom Rides of the civil rights movement, which will culminate in a mass rally in Flushing Meadows Park.
Court Overturns Current Lead-Paint Law (July 2003) Sue Wilson writes about the decision by the state’s highest court to strike down the city’s current lead-paint law, giving a new chance to one that has gone nowhere for more than a year.
The Tour Guides Quiz (July 2003) This is a quiz especially for Gotham Gazette readers who want to challenge their own New York savvy. They are not the exact same questions as those offered in the professional licensing examination for tour guides, but they tap into the same vast treasure trove of New York City legends and lore.
Resources for Tour Guides (July 2003)
Welfare Reform (July 2003) Life for welfare recipients was supposed to get easier under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But now, Jonathan Hafetz writes, the mayor has attacked training programs that could help poor people find good, permanent jobs.
Blogging And The City (July 2003) Laura Forlano looks at web logs –- blogs -- about the city.
Test Your NYC Knowledge (July 2003)
Testing the Tour Guides (July 2003)
The Tour Guides Complain (July 2003)
When To End A Child's Life Support (July 2003) A Supreme Court Justice rules on the right of a mother in the case of a brain-dead three-year-old child - a decision, Jonathan Rosenbloom says, that would have been unnecessary if Albany had passed the kind of law that already exists in 48 states.
New Housing Laws (July 2003) Because of laws passed and court decisions delivered over the past month on lead paint, rent regulation and homeless shelters, Rebecca Webber writes, many New Yorkers will soon see their housing rights altered.
Summing Up the 2004 Budget; Looking Ahead in Education (July 2003) Glenn Pasanen sums up the city's final budget agreement, and focuses on the shaky future of financing for public (and higher) education in New York.
The Vanishing Jews (July 2003) The number of Jews in New York City fell below one million last year, according to a new study. But, as Andrew Beveridge reports, the real decline may be higher.
Blackface Parodists Win In Court; Cops vs. Firefighters; Still No Dancing Allowed (July 2003) Julia Vitullo-Martin explains why she abhors the federal judge’s order to reinstate the police officer and two firefighters who wore blackface and otherwise mocked African Americans in a parade float in Broad Channel. Also: cops and firefighters clash; big nightclub owners defend cabaret laws while protestors denounce them.
The Case Against Car Alarms (July 2003) The New York City Council is considering a ban on car alarms. Aaron Friedman of the group Silent Majority ("Citizens Against Car Alarms") cries hooray.
Compstatmania (July 2003) Think of a problem facing New York City, and someone surely has already proposed solving it with a variation of "Compstat," one of the most rapidly spreading innovations in America. But how much of Compstat is magic, how much a magic act?
Summer Youth Employment Program . . . Indicators of Child Well Being. . . Poverty Among Asian American Children (July 2003) Lynda Crawford updates the precarious state of NYC’s summer youth employment program. Also: how New York ranks in child well-being; one in four Asian-American children in NYC live in poverty.
Arts Education (July 2003) Martha Hostetter explains how the money earmarked for arts education is being siphoned off to meet basic (non-arts) needs in many schools. This may change as the chancellor tries to create a uniform arts curriculum, overseen by Caroline Kennedy.
Gay Rights Advances (July 2003) Andy Humm details the recent landmark advances in gay rights.
Trade Union/Public Housing Alliance; Reaction to Rezoning Of Brooklyn Waterfront; New Neighborhood Planning (June 2003) Brad Lander looks at a productive alliance between trade unions and residents of NYC public housing. Also, the community reaction to the new rezoning plans for the Greenpoint/Williamsburg waterfront has been far more mixed than has been depicted in the commercial press. And: the city's housing agency will soon start focusing more on neighborhood planning.
Breaking Down the Budget Game (June 2003) Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council passed a budget that avoided cuts to zoos, trash pickups, and health clinics - and New Yorker's still aren't happy.
Dedicated Taxes (June 2003) Does the city need taxes dedicated to specific services like education, parks, and libraries?
The School-Funding Victory (June 2003) The state’s highest court has reversed a lower court decision, and ruled that every student is entitled to the opportunity for a meaningful high school education – a ruling, says two staff members for the winning plaintiffs, that is a clear-cut victory for New York City’s public school students.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - June 25, 2003 (June 2003)
The Mayor's Plan To "Streamline" Social Services (June 2003) Linda Ostreicher details the unpredictable and perhaps negative effects on social service providers of the mayor's plan to "streamline" social services, moving around a number of programs from one agency to another.
Rezoning the Williamsburg and Greenpoint Waterfronts (June 2003) Carter Craft looks at the mayor's plan to rezone the waterfronts of Williamsburg and Greenpoint to make them largely residential and commercial.
Housing Court As Landlord Collection Agency (June 2003) Housing Court was established to force landlords to repair their buildings, says Joe Lamport, but instead it has turned into a collection agency for landlords. And the newly-passed rent regulation laws, he says, will only make things worse.
Ticketing Blitz? (June 2003) A ticket for sitting on a milk crate? A $50 fine for feeding a pigeon? New Yorkers are asking: Is the city engaging in a ticketing blitz in order to raise much-needed revenue?
Van Cortlandt Park And The Filtration Plant (June 2003) Anne Schwartz reports on the legislature's last-minute approval of the water filtration plant underneath a section of Van Cortlandt Park.
A Plan for NYC Telecommunications (June 2003) "New York spends over $130 million on telecommunications, more than any other city in the country," Laura Forlano writes. But, according to a new report from the New York City Council, the city could be getting a lot more for its money.
"As-of-Right" Development: An Invitation to Ethical Breaches? (June 2003) Tom Angotti asks whether a recent private project to build a store, movie theater and parking facilities in Brooklyn's King Plaza Shopping Center illustrates how the city is encouraged by current procedures to "ignore or evade community input and become too cozy with developers."
Prosecuting The Batterer Without The Victim's Approval (June 2003) Emily Jane Goodman reports on a novel approach in a case of domestic violence involving a victim who did not want to testify against her batterer.
How the 2004 Budget Is Shaking Out for Health Care (June 2003) Sue Wilson looks at the budget items restored in health care, and the cuts that are still scheduled to take effect.
No Child Left Behind (June 2003) Julie Kamin reports on what the federal No Child Left Behind Act means for New York's public school students.
Suburban Sprawl, City Troubles (June 2003) Bulldozers in the suburbs represent a direct threat to the future of New York City, says Eric Goldstein.
Instead of Non-Partisan Elections, Consider Some Real Reforms (June 2003) Mark Green criticizes Mayor Michael Bloomberg's attempt to put the issue of non-partisan elections on the ballot in November, explaining why he calls it "the wrong answer to a non-problem," and suggesting some real "pro-democracy reforms" for Bloomberg's charter commission to consider.
Budget Cuts In Transportation (June 2003) Bruce Schaller details how some of the budget cuts in transportation are actually improvements - and how most will adversely affect New Yorkers' daily lives.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - June 12, 2003 (June 2003)
The Fate Of Rent Regulation (June 2003) The current rent laws are set to expire this month; as Rebecca Webber reports, their fate rests in Albany.
The Affluent Of Manhattan (June 2003) Manhattan now has the highest disparity in income in the nation, with the top fifth of the population receiving more than 50 times more income than the bottom fifth. Andrew Beveridge looks at some facts about those top fifth.
Voting Rights Act (June 2003) Doug Muzzio dissects the 1965 Voting Rights Act, created “as a culmination of the black civil rights movement,” and how and why it continues to apply not just to the Deep South but to three boroughs of New York City.
Moving Around the City -- A Quiz About Transportation in New York (June 2003) Which subway system has more riders -- New York's or Mexico City's? What mayor rode mass transit to his inauguration? And how loud are those car alarms? Test your knowledge of New York City transportation.
A Brief History of New York Transportation (June 2003)
The City Budget: Avoiding Fiscal Meltdown (June 2003) Glenn Pasanen details how Mayor Michael Bloomberg managed to avert “fiscal meltdown” by filling in the $8 billion budget gap.
City Council Transportation Legislation (June 2003)
Moving Around the City -- A Quiz About Transportation in New York (June 2003)
An Appalachian Trail Through The Heart Of NYC (June 2003) It took New Yorkers to come up with an idea as big as the East Coast Greenway, a trail that would extend from Maine to Florida. And, though it is now almost a reality, it could take just a few minor, shortsighted decisions by the City of New York to short-circuit the route in the city, sending it instead over the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey.
New York's Fight for Transportation Dollars in Congress (June 2003)
Mayor's Education Plan Challenged; Also: School-Funding Case Continues (June 2003) The restructuring of the school system proceeds despite challenges, Jessica Wolff reports. Also: school-funding case heard by state's highest court.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - June 05, 2003 (June 2003)
School Buses Can Be Dangerous to Kids' Health (June 2003) Lynda Crawford reports how school buses can be dangerous to children’s health -– thanks to their diesel exhaust.
A Downtown Cultural District Takes Shape (June 2003) Martha Hostetter explains efforts to create (in the long run) a downtown cultural district and (this summer) the ArtsVan.
Trying To Protect Undocumented Immigrants (June 2003) Larry Tung reports on pending legislation calling for more assistance to undocumented immigrants.
Reactions to Police Killings of Unarmed Black New Yorkers. Also: Push to Repeal Patriot Act; Bishop Paul Moore (June 2003) Andy Humm reports the reactions among African-Americans and civil rights activists to the deaths of Spruill and another recent police victim, Ousmane Zongo.
Things Go Seriously Wrong: Police Issue Report On Harlem Raid, Lemrick Nelson Gets Off Lightly, Murder Is Up Again. Also: Police Spying (June 2003) Julia Vitullo-Martin analyzes the 24-page police report of a police raid "that could not have gone more wrong," and that resulted in the death of Alberta Spruill.
The New Newcomers (June 2003) The mix of worry, confusion, hopefulness and excitement with which newcomers face New York City is a very old story that is constantly being retold – a half a century ago by E.B. White, next month in a new Broadway musical, and starting this week in Gotham Gazette’s new Newcomers Weblogs. But newcomers seem more worried than usual – and so are some New Yorkers who see the city’s health and identity as dependent on them.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - May 28, 2003 (May 2003)
Government-Aided Media Consolidation (May 2003) New rules proposed by the Federal Communications Commission could threaten New York's small and independently-owned news operations. Laura Forlano reports.
NYC'S BLUE LAWS (May 2003) Last Sunday, New Yorkers took part in an activity that had been banned for three centuries: they shopped at liquor stores. New York, along with many other states, is getting rid of one of its last remaining "blue laws" restricting Sunday activities and at the same time turning to gambling in order to make money during tough times. But the fact is, there are still laws regulating people’s private lives or freedom of choice – and not only ones that are widely seen as outdated anachronisms.
Litigation Over World Trade Center Clean-Up Payments (May 2003) Will there be a lot of litigation over the World Trade Center site clean-up that will hold up development? Jonathan Rosenbloom details a judge’s ruling in a recent court case in a dispute over payment between the city and clean-up contractors, “in what may be the first of many to come.”
It Is Time For Non-Partisan Elections In NYC (May 2003) Voters in most of the country's largest cities choose their mayors in elections in which candidates run not as Democrats or Republicans but as individuals. Frank Macchiarola, chair of the mayor's Charter Revision Commission, writes that it is time for New York to join this group. Changing the election rules, he argues, would encourage greater voter turnout and lead to a larger number of qualified candidates vying for office.
Bickering May Lose Us Bucks (May 2003) The New York harbor stands to lose tens of millions of dollars in federal transportation funds because of bickering among various harbor interests.
Zoning To Kill Manufacturing, and the Assault on Greenpoint (May 2003) Tom Angotti says that the New York City Department of City Planning's new plan to rezone large areas of industrial land to promote housing may be bringing the city to "the brink of what could be a great urban planning disaster." He focuses in particular on possible disastrous consequences for the Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint.
Legislating NIMBY (May 2003) "All around the city there are neighborhood skirmishes and feelings of deep resentment flaring up between community residents and those who seek to develop facilities that address social needs," writes Mark Winston Griffith, who details proposed state legislation that would require communities to know in advance about such facilities, and looks at the debate it has sparked.
Private Report Card on Smaller Parks (May 2003) Anne Schwartz details the results of a survey by New Yorkers for Parks of the city's smaller parks and recreation areas.
Hallelujah - for Now (May 2003) On May 14 2003 Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Louis York ordered the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to roll back the fare increases on city subways and buses, the Long Island Rail Road, MetroNorth and Long Island Bus by May 28 and to hold a new round of public hearings.
Making the MTA Play Fair and Square (May 2003)
Sidewalk Cafés (May 2003)
Car-Free Parks (May 2003)
Dog Runs (May 2003)
Fighting Over Outdoor Space (May 2003) April showers have turned to May power struggles over the city's outdoor space. A look at three New York issues that often lead to fierce disputes - dog runs, sidewalk cafes, and car-free parks - and how local communities play a key role in each of these hot button issues.
Threatened Change To HIV/AIDS Services (May 2003) “At a time when his popularity rating has dropped to a new low, some of the most bitter criticism facing Mayor Michael Bloomberg is from the HIV/AIDS community,” writes Linda Ostreicher, in response to his proposal to change the law governing the city’s HIV/AIDS Service Administration.
Proposed Changes In Special Education (May 2003) Joseph Wardenski offers details of the Department of Education’s plan to change special education, and how it has been criticized.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - May 14, 2003 (May 2003)
How Different Is New York City From The United States? (May 2003) Andrew Beveridge compares New York City to the rest of the nation in terms of population trends such as immigration and marriage.
Are Higher Rent Increases Justified By Rising Costs (May 2003) Operating costs for landlords of rent-stabilized apartments reportedly rose last year, but, Rebecca Webber asks, did they rise enough to justify the highest rent increases in more than a dozen years?
The New York City Budget Game (May 2003) In an effort to close the city's $3.8 billion deficit, public officials have been playing the usual budget games - laying off workers, raising taxes, and threatening to close firehouses and zoos. Now with our interactive NYC Budget Game, you can play too. You spend the money. You make the cuts. You raise and lower the taxes.
The New York City Budget Game (May 2003) In an effort to close the city's $3.8 billion deficit, public officials have been playing the usual budget games - laying off workers, raising taxes, and threatening to close firehouses and zoos. Now with our interactive NYC Budget Game, you can play too. You spend the money. You make the cuts. You raise and lower the taxes.
Transportation And Lower Manhattan: Where Do We Go From Here? (May 2003) In 2015, if all goes as planned, people will be able to move easily to and from lower Manhattan by commuter trains and subways, and even take a one-seat ride to the airport. This vision of the future contrasts sharply with the realities of transportation in lower Manhattan today. Jeffrey Zupan explains what is planned and the decisions that must be made.
Albany and the City’s Budget (May 2003)
A New Way of Doing Business in Albany (May 2003)
A Letter About Lead Poisoning (May 2003) Eric Goldstein calls on the city's health commissioner to pay more attention to the issue of lead poisoning of children, which a report has called "the most significant environmental disease in New York City," by supporting the passage of a law that has been tied up in the City Council for more than a year.
The MTA's Funny Numbers And Smug Attitude (May 2003) The reports by the state and city comptrollers explain not only "the funny numbers the Metropolitan Transportation Authority used to justify the new fare increase," Glenn Pasanen writes, but also illustrate the way unacountable public authorities operate, and expose the MTA officials' insular, smug attitude.
Survey of Emotional Distress (May 2003) Sue Young Wilson reports on the findings of the first-ever survey by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of New Yorkers' "emotional distress."
Murder and Rape On The Rise; A Look At Nightclub Mayhem (May 2003) Julia Vitullo-Martin reports that murder and rape are on the rise. Also: a look at the increased mayhem at nightclubs, exacerbated by the ban on smoking.
Asthma; Infant Mortality; Recruiting Foster Parents (May 2003) Lynda Crawford looks at the study that found asthma rates for children in New York four times higher than the national average. Also: infant mortality rates are said to have gone down, but that is not true of every city neighborhood; lack of mental health services for children; new campaign to recruit foster parents.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - May 5, 2003 (May 2003)
Filling In The Potholes (May 2003)
Fixing a Traffic Light (May 2003)
Getting a Stop Sign (May 2003)
Dark Streets (May 2003)
Bus Bunching (May 2003)
Speed Bumps and Humps (May 2003)
Fixing Urban Irritants (May 2003) Every day New Yorkers complain about the nuisances of city life -- noise, potholes, speeding drivers, dark streets. Persistence and creative complaining by concerned residents can sometimes solve the problem. But there are no guarantees of success. This week, a look at how some irritations are remedied and others never go away.
Anti-Bullying Bills. Also: Push To Post Human Rights; Same-Sex Partner As Legal Spouse (May 2003) Andy Humm details the city and state anti-bullying bills.
Budget Battles In The Arts (May 2003) "Because of ancient prejudices and competing priorities, arts funding will always be questioned, no matter how much evidence is found demonstrating its value," writes Martha Hostetter, who details the proposed government cuts to the arts in New York.
Immigrant Soldiers (May 2003) Sergeant Riayan A. Tejada was one of seven non-citizen soldiers killed in combat in Iraq. Their deaths have brought attention to stories of immigrants who fought for the U.S. military throughout history and the current controversy over their immigration status.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - APRIL 30, 2003 (April 2003)
Hunts Point’s Waterfront Dreams (April 2003) The Waterfront. Carter Craft looks at the perils and promise of Hunts Point and Port Morris in the Bronx, which have the distinction of being the waterfront neighborhoods with the least amount of waterfront access in the city.
And learn about the neighborhood, or tell us what you know about the neighborhood, in the Hunts Point Community Gazette.
BAM And Its Cultural District (April 2003) In the debut of Gotham Gazette's new topic page, Community Development, Mark Winston Griffith explains the fear and mistrust by the Fort Greene community of the $700 million plan by the Brooklyn Academy of Music to create a 14-block cultural district in their neighborhood.
To read more about Fort Greene - and to contribute your own news and views, as well as reports of potholes - go to the Fort Greene Gazette, the first of our Community Gazettes.
The MTA’s Numbers Don’t Add Up (April 2003) The bus and subway fare is about to rise for the first time in eight years, amid charges that the MTA has been deceptive about the need for a hike. Bruce Schaller offers an overview of fare hikes past and present. City Comptroller William Thompson and City Councilmember John Liu argue that the MTA has misled the public and that the fare should not be increased.
MTA’s On the Wrong Track (April 2003) The bus and subway fare is about to rise for the first time in eight years, amid charges that the MTA has been deceptive about the need for a hike. Bruce Schaller offers an overview of fare hikes past and present. City Comptroller William Thompson and City Councilmember John Liu argue that the MTA has misled the public and that the fare should not be increased.
NYC Subway Token, 1953-2003 (April 2003) For 50 years the subway token has been a symbol of New York City, made into keyrings and ashtrays, adorning dresses and Frisbees. Starting Sunday, the only thing the New York City subway token will no longer be used for is to get you onto the subway.
The Fare Hike Mess (April 2003) The bus and subway fare is about to rise for the first time in eight years, amid charges that the MTA has been deceptive about the need for a hike. Bruce Schaller offers an overview of fare hikes past and present. City Comptroller William Thompson and City Councilmember John Liu argue that the MTA has misled the public and that the fare should not be increased.
NYC Subway Token, 1953-2003 (April 2003)
The MTA’s Numbers Don’t Add Up (April 2003) The bus and subway fare is about to rise for the first time in eight years, amid charges that the MTA has been deceptive about the need for a hike. Bruce Schaller offers an overview of fare hikes past and present. City Comptroller William Thompson and City Councilmember John Liu argue that the MTA has misled the public and that the fare should not be increased.
The Latest On Term Limits (April 2003) Susan Reefer looks at the possible effects of the latest twist in the term limits law.
Zoning To Protect Manufacturing (April 2003) Adam Friedman of the New York Industrial Retention Network argues why the city should use zoning to protect manufacturing.
Mayor Bloomberg's 2004 Budget (April 2003)
Stop the Rhetoric – Raise the Income Tax (April 2003)
Transportation as Civil Rights for the Disabled (April 2003) Thirteen years after the federal government made it the law that public transportation must be accessible to the disabled, New York City lags behind other American cities in what advocates see as a major local civil rights issue -- the right to get around.
The Mayor Is Right to Go After Commuters, Albany, and Labor Unions (April 2003)
Evicting Bears Won't Balance the Budget (April 2003)
Fraud Stalls Wireless Library Project (April 2003) A scandal being investigated in Washington is depriving schoolchildren, small businesses and community-based organizations in New York from gaining high-speed access to the Internet.
Reviving the Filtration Plant Underneath Van Cortlandt Park (April 2003) The Bloomberg administration has been quietly working to resuscitate the controversial plan to build a water filtration plant under the Mosholu Golf Course in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Anne Schwartz reports.
Mental Health Care For Released Inmates (April 2003) The city has agreed to provide mental health care for mentally ill inmates after they are released from jail, thanks to a new legal settlement.
Big Stakes for the Elderly in Budget Battles (April 2003) Being old in New York is different from the rest of the country, says Linda Ostreicher, who details the shortage of support services for the elderly in New York City from housing to a helping hand.
The Poor In New York City (April 2003) More than a fifth of all New Yorkers are now officially living in poverty -- almost 300,000 more people than a decade ago. Andrew Beveridge explains the 40-year history of the “poverty line,” which New Yorkers are living below it, and where they reside.
Rent Regulation Awaits Its Fate (April 2003) The coming months could bring big changes to rent regulation, Rebecca Webber reports, as officials decide whether to extend, expand, or exterminate the current laws.
City Of Dissent (April 2003) Opposition to the war in Iraq brought demonstrations to a New York City edgy with fears of terrorism. But, for a city that has long been a center of dissent, the protests were nothing new -- and neither is the effort to restrict civil liberties.
An Alternative to Suicide By Budget (April 2003) The Budget for a Livable NYC Coalition has come up with an alternative revenue budget to the executive budget the mayor releases this week - an alternative budget, writes Bonnie Brower, that, unlike the mayor's budget, does not rely too much on the kindness of strangers in Washington and Albany, and does not hit hardest the New Yorkers who can least afford it.
Recycling Hangs Tough (April 2003) One year after Mayor Michael Bloomberg's surprise proposal to eliminate the household recycling of metals, glass and plastics, the city's recycling program refuses to surrender, writes Eric Goldstein, who sorts out what exactly the recycling program is now, and what it might be in the future.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (April 2003) Seven New Yorkers, ranging from a one-year-old boy to a 91-year-old woman, have caught the mysterious illness from Asia known as SARS, for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. All are recovering - as are Chinatown restaurants, which were recently the victims of an unfounded SARS scare. Sue Wilson explains what is known about the disease that suddenly has struck 19 countries and killed about a hundred people.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - APRIL 9, 2003 (April 2003)
Talking To Kids About War (April 2003) Lynda Crawford goes over the various guidelines (for teachers, for parents) for talking to children about war. Also: new guidelines for recruiting children (teenagers) into the military.
Renters and The New Property Tax Hikes (April 2003) Glenn Pasanen looks at the new property taxes, and calculates the greater burden likely to be levied on renters.
Responding To The Terrorist Threat (April 2003) Transportation facilities such as the airports and the subway system rank high on the list of potential terrorist targets. Bruce Schaller details the steps being taken – and not being taken – to protect them.
Teachers Who Quit (April 2003) Every year more than 11,000 New York City public school teachers leave their jobs. Some retire, some find other jobs -- but other simply cannot take it anymore. Three teachers tell why they quit teaching in city schools. It's not all about money.
The State Budget and NYC (April 2003) Albany missed its deadline for reaching a state budget last week, for the 19th year in a row. Unable to depend on hoped-for state aid, Mayor Michael Bloomberg says next week he will release a proposed budget that includes another billion dollars in cuts, and 15,000 layoffs. A look at what the state budget could mean to the city, especially to education and health care.
The 9/11 Killer; The Public Hearings On 9/11; Moynihan On Government Secrecy (April 2003) Julia Vitullo-Martin considers the public hearings on the 9/11 terrorism attacks, finally taking place 19 months after the fact; the case of the 9/11 killer; and the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's prescient comments on the pathology of government secrecy.
Making The List (April 2003) Jessica Wolff looks at "the list" - the 209 successful schools that do not have to adopt the new uniform curriculum, and why so many people are angry about it. Also: opportunities for educational activism (a brief calendar of hearings, marches, etc.)
New York Coalition Formed to Defend the Bill of Rights (April 2003) Civil liberties have come under such unprecedented attack, says Andy Humm, that a new coalition has been formed to protect them, the New York City Bill of Rights Defense Campaign. Also: Anti-sodomy laws are being selectively enforced in NYC two decades after they were ruled unconstitutional.
Cultural Diplomacy (April 2003) As the post-9/11 art of grief has evolved into a wartime art of protest, Martha Hostetter suggests that the arts might also be useful as a form of diplomacy. Also: a return to a blacklist of artists? And an update on last month's four-day musician's strike.
New Rule For Political Asylum Seekers (March 2003) Iraqis and citizens from other countries that have ties with terrorists will be put in jail when they come to the United States to seek political asylum. Chaleampon Ritthichai reports.
Think Tanks (March 2003) From the phrase "axis of evil" to the idea of "pre-emptive war," think tanks have been shaping U.S. foreign policy in Iraq and beyond. But think tanks also play a role in New York City, where the dominance of the Manhattan Institute is now being undercut by a new mayor challenged by liberal start-ups.
The Hispanic Vote; Also, New Charter Commission For Non-Partisan Elections (March 2003) Doug Muzzio gives an overview of Hispanic voting in New York. Also: The mayor has created yet another charter revision commission to recommend non-partisan election in a way that makes him the "Four Billion Dollar Gorilla." Muzzio explains.
Bringing Sand to the Brooklyn Beach (March 2003) The Army Corps of Engineers wants to bring sand to a beach in Brooklyn - doing work that, critics say, would fix problems that the corps caused in the first place. Peter Fleischer attended a public meeting where the corps presented its new proposal.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - MARCH 26, 2003 (March 2003)
Police Misconduct Cases - Prosecuted By Civilians, But Still Judged By Police (March 2003) A court has ruled that, 50 years after the Civilian Complaint Review Board was first created, civilian complaints against police officers can be reviewed, investigated and prosecuted by civilians. However, as Jonathan Rosenbloom explains, the court also held that final judgment of such cases must reside with the police department itself.
New York Stock Exchange Barred Al Jazeera Reporter (March 2003) From Al-Jazeera and Reuters. The New York Stock Exchange arbitrarily prevented the Al Jazeera network's financial analyst from its trading floor, as the television channel faces criticism in the United States for its coverage of the American and British attack on Iraq.
Governor's Proposed Budget Bad News For Low-Income New Yorkers (March 2003) The governor's proposed new budget is bad news for low-income New Yorkers, Linda Ostreicher says -- eliminating the summer jobs program, cutting adult education and training, underfunding and undercutting programs for the disabled, the elderly, the mentally ill, the homeless; doing nothing to expand day care. All of this is likely to push people back onto the public dole.
HAVA Heartburn (March 2003) Jillian Matundan of Citizens Union Foundation explains why New York will be uniquely affected by the new federal Help America Vote Act, probably for the worse.
Will Albany's Scandals Lead To Reform? (March 2003) A Pataki appointee indicted, charged with taking bribes. A corporation receiving the largest fine in the state's history for giving gifts to lawmakers. Contracts given for rebuilding lower Manhattan to major campaign contributors. These recent scandals are not isolated incidents, says Rachel Leon of Common Cause New York, who argues that there is a chance this year to begin to end the corrupt, scandal-breeding culture of Albany.
Special Registration (March 2003)
An Assessment Of The Threat From Al Qaeda in 2003 (March 2003)
Rohan Gunaratna, an expert on Al Qaeda, recently debriefed the New York Police Department on the continuing terrorist threat, his summary of which appears below. Gunaratna, who is a research fellow at the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at Scotland's University of St. Andrew, is also the author of Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror (New York: Columbia University Press, 2002). "Kindly note," he says, "that Al Qaeda cannot conduct large scale coordinated simultaneous operations on multiple targets (of the scale of 9/11) anymore, especially in the U.S. I base this on my own debriefing of Al Qaeda detainees."
Operation Atlas And The Security Of New York (March 2003)
A Western Expert Denies Iraqi Arson In Oil Fields -- From Al-Jazeera (March 2003)
Report Card On The Parks (March 2003) Spring is here, and Anne Schwartz looks at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's "report card" in parks - in which he measured how he was doing compared to what he had promised to do - and gives him a lower grade than he gave himself.
President Bush's Speech On The Beginning Of War With Iraq (March 2003)
The Tech Lag In Community Boards (March 2003) The 59 community boards, which are the neighborhood City Halls, lag so far behind in basic technology that many do not even have e-mail, much less their own web sites. But, Laura Forlano reports, a plan is afoot.
New York City's Big Planning Projects: Avoiding the Public? (March 2003) "Some of the most important decisions about the future of the city are being made behind closed doors," writes Tom Angotti, who says that many of the exciting new plans for the city intend to bypass the normal process set up to allow for the public to participate.
Eight Million New Yorkers? Don't Count On It (March 2003) Officially the population of New York City is now eight million. But is that number accurate? Probably not, answers Andy Beveridge, because of the unique challenges of counting the most diverse city on earth. Can we ever really know the actual figure? We would come closer, he argues, if the U.S. Census Bureau adopted a method backed by most scientific opinion - but rejected by the G.O.P.
Transcript of President Bush's Speech on Iraq (March 2003)
The Governor's Proposed Budget And Its Effect On NYC Schools (March 2003) The governor's proposed budget would disproportionately affect New York City schools.
The New York City Council And War (March 2003) Last week, the New York City Council joined over a hundred other cities across the country and passed a resolution stating that a war with Iraq should be a last resort. Excerpts from the liveliest council debate of the year.
I Sell New York (March 2003) During previous eras of tension and economic uncertainty, there was "Fun City," then "I Love NY." Now, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched a new campaign to sell the product known as New York City - and he has done everything from stage pep rallies to hire the former head of the Miss Universe pageants. Will his cheerleading pay off?
Final Draft Of The City Council Anti-War Resolution
Approved March 12, 2003 (March 2003)
The First Draft Of City Council's Anti-War Resolution
Submitted October 22, 2002 (March 2003)
The City's New Spending Plan For The Environment (March 2003) Eric Goldstein outlines the Department of Environmental Protection's proposed new, $16.5 billion ten-year spending plan, which would focus on efforts to insure "clean, safe and sufficient" drinking water - and try to shift from sewage treatment.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - MARCH 12, 2003 (March 2003)
The State Of NYC Housing, According To The Census Bureau (March 2003) Preliminary findings from the U.S. Census Bureau's new housing and vacancy survey of NYC offer "some surprising and revealing things about the city's housing stock," as Rebecca Webber reports.
Uncertain Billions In Mayor's Budget Plan (March 2003) While the mayor and the city council attempt to craft a balanced budget, three new reports share concern that the mayor's budget plan depends on the actions of others -- of the governor, the state legislature, the city workforce -- and thus may fall short by as much as almost $4 billion. Glenn Pasanen gives the details.
Diabetes (March 2003) The rate of obesity-related diabetes has doubled in NYC adults in the last eight years, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the city. But it is even worse for children. Maia Szalavitz interviews one pediatrician in the Bronx who is trying to do something about it.
The Two Dollar Fare (March 2003) It's official — subway and bus fares are going up to two dollars. Bruce Schaller offers details (what will the MetroCard be now?) and explains why the riding public is not up in arms about it.
The Battle Over Rent Regulation (March 2003)
Rent Regulation (March 2003)
Waterfront Housing For Everyone (March 2003)
Critiquing The Mayor's Housing Plan (March 2003) In December, when Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined his plan to build or renovate 65,000 homes over the next five years, he was widely praised for his ambition. But as the details of the plan become clearer, critics say the mayor's plan falls short in several areas. Last week, the New York City Council scrutinized the mayor's plan in its first round of budget hearings and questioned why only a third of the housing will be "affordable." Others warn that reforming the city's zoning and building codes is a monumental task. And local neighborhoods are already fighting to make sure they have a say in what gets built in their community.
The Anti-War Protest And The Police (March 2003) Julia Vitullo-Martin looks at the issue of police and protests in light of the hubbub over the February 15th anti-war rally, and speculates what may lie ahead. Also: police surveillance; the New York Police Department versus the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Restricting Demonstrations (March 2003) The court-approved police restrictions on demonstrators during the anti-war rally near the United Nations were nothing new in New York City. Andy Humm looks at gay and AIDS demonstrations from the past.
The Musicians' Strike (March 2003) The Arts. Martha Hostetter looks at the issues surrounding the threatened musicians' strike, which would be the first in the city in 28 years.
Tracking Foreign Students (March 2003) The INS launched a new program that is supposed to track foreign students and close the loopholes in student visa procedure. While it might help reduce visa fraud, critics question the time and money being spent and whether it will unfairly target legitimate students.
Cell Phone Ban (February 2003) Laura Forlano details some news involving technology issues and government action, or inaction - including the new cell phone ban, the flap over a 911 call from boaters in distress, and the city's planned 311 system for non-emergency calls.
How Welfare Reform Affects People With Disabilities (February 2003) Welfare reform is affecting people with disabilities in unique and horrible ways, according to a complaint filed with the federal Office for Civil Rights against the New York City Human Resources Administration. Linda Ostreicher reports.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - FEBRUARY 26, 2003 (February 2003)
Midtown West Side Story: A Conversation With Robert Moses (February 2003) Tom Angotti imagines what long-dead and long-reviled master builder Robert Moses would say about the city's current plan for "Midtown West," which would "basically bring an end to Hells Kitchen, the neighborhood where West Side Story took place, where generations of immigrants lived, where tens of thousands of New Yorkers still make their home."
Big-Boxed In on the Waterfront (February 2003) Carter Craft looks at the proposal to stick an Ikea on the waterfront in a rapidly-changing Red Hook, only the latest Big Box store on the city's waterfront.
The Individual Artists (February 2003) Individual New York artists have enough to overcome without having to compete with major cultural institutions in the city such as museums and theaters. But that is what is happening, as Justin Glanville reports, because the funds from government and private foundations are more and more going to non-profit organizations rather than individual artists.
Token Booth Closings (February 2003) If the transit authority has its way, a quarter of all token booths will be closed within the next few months, replaced by MetroCard vending machines and high entrance/exit turnstiles. A look at the arguments for and against the plan, and how it might be a sign of future changes in the subway system. Have an opinion about the booth closings? Let us know on our message board.
Turning Parkways Into Parks? Turning Trees Into Sports Fields? (February 2003) Staten Island could get 500 more acres of park if the state legislature finally agrees to abandon a highway plan dating back to the 1930s. Also: a final resolution to the conflict between sports fields and trees in Bloomfield Park.
Special Elections (February 2003) Susan Reefer looks at the nature of special elections, four of which are being held in the city Tuesday, February 25, for two city council seats and two state assembly seats in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
Do Welfare Workers Deserve Workplace Protection? (February 2003) A federal court will soon decide whether welfare recipients required to take low-level jobs in city agencies are entitled to the same protection against harassment and discrimination as regular city employees.
Options For The Fare Increase; Bridge And Tunnel Tolls; Transportation Plans In Lower Manhattan (February 2003) If most New Yorkers are asking themselves "how are we going to get around today," Bruce Schaller is asking, how are New Yorkers going to get around in the long-run (and at what cost), as he analyzes some recent official announcements about the future of Lower Manhattan; the planned increase in the subway and bus fares; the bridge and tunnel tolls.
New Plan to Safeguard New York's Water Supply (February 2003) Development, not terrorism, represents the biggest threat to New York City's water supply. Now environmentalists and other activists have proposed an ambitious plan to protect one of the city's most valuable assets.
Felons and the Right to Vote (February 2003) Under New York State law, tens of thousands of New Yorkers cannot vote because they are in jail on felony convictions. Three lawyers seeking to change the law say it illegally discriminates against black and Latino communities because, in New York, race and ethnicity have a lot to do with whether a person gets sent to prison.
Public Housing (February 2003) In the middle of the 20th century, New York built huge projects to house low-income families. Today, the towering developments have fallen out of favor, and Mayor Bloomberg has called for other solutions to the city's housing crunch. But hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers still live in those housing projects, and, despite maintenance problems and concerns about crime, many more are seeking to get in. Michael Markowitz reports on the state of public housing in New York.
NYC Housing Trivia Quiz (February 2003) What is the most expensive city in the world – New York, Paris, or Hong Kong? And does Mayor Michael Bloomberg really want to house homeless people on a cruise ship? And how much is a one-bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village?
City Takes New Approaches to Solving Homeless Problem (February 2003) With homelessness at an all-time high, the Bloomberg administration and advocates have reached an agreement that could avert further court battles on the issues. The city has also increased spending on services to the homeless.
New York City Council STATED MEETING - FEBRUARY 12, 2003 (February 2003)
Preliminary Budget Seeks to Avoid Spending Cuts (February 2003) Mayor Bloomberg's latest budget plan focuses on raising money rather than cuts in spending. Unfortunately, much of the mayor's revenue package is politically dead on arrival. The budget will need major revisions if the city is to avoid massive layoffs and services cuts.
Does Archie Bunker Still Live in Queens? (February 2003) In the early 1970s, television’s Archie Bunker, a bigoted native-born Protestant family man, came to symbolize Queens to millions of television viewers across America. Thirty years later, a lot has changed in the borough – and a lot has not.
The Nursing Shortage (February 2003) New York hospitals and nursing homes need nurses. With fewer people choosing the career and many leaving the profession, those nurses still on the job scramble to care for their patients. An aging population and possible government cuts in health care spending could make the situation worse – and affect the quality of medical care for everyone.
Keeping Welfare Recipients Out of College (February 2003) A college education, not a menial job, offers the best road out of poverty, but regulations keep thousands of New York welfare recipients from attending college. The city seems inclined to change this policy, but Washington might make the rules even tougher than they are now.
Health Care Changes Could Hurt New York (February 2003) New state and federal proposals for funding health care and for providing medical care to the poor and aged offer a lot of bad news for New York City.
Shaking Up the School System (February 2003) The Department of Education has begun implementing the sweeping changes Mayor Bloomberg proposed last month, redrawing the school system map, appointing regional superintendents and making decisions about the curriculum for 1,000 public schools.
The District Attorney vs. the Police (February 2003) The Police Department and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office are virtually at war over the Central Park jogger case, with each offering its theory of what happened that April night. But the two sides seem largely oblivious of the many failures that both made in investigating the 1989 attack.
Controversy at the Human Right Commission (February 2003) The new human rights commissioners met for the first time last week and immediately confront controversy as demonstrators accused one commissioner of having terrorist sympathies. Andy Humm reports on the dispute and on the commissions plans for the year ahead.
State Of City Address (February 2003) In a speech entitled "A Fare Share for New York," City Council Speaker Gifford Miller called on Albany and Washington to help the city solve its fiscal crisis. Miller wants the State Legislature to approve a tax on commuters and absentee landlords and to restore proposed cuts to education, Medicaid, and transportation. He is asking the federal government to release $3 billion in disaster aid for the September 11 attacks and enact an $80 billion revenue sharing program for local governments. Miller also launched a new web site to help New Yorkers lobby politicians. Read the text of Miller's speech and an op-ed in response to President George W. Bush's economic plan.
Who Needs Art Criticism? (February 2003) The current intellectual climate, which seems to eschew distinctions between art and entertainment, "high" and "low," elite and popular, has also resulted in much less real arts criticism in mainstream newspaper in New York. Martha Hostetter details the changes, and introduces some new alternative publications trying to fill in the gaps.
Money for Rebuilding (February 2003) As authorities draw closer to deciding on a final design for Ground Zero, some wonder whether there is money to make any of the lofty plans a reality. Despite federal aid, the money problems 9/11 created have not disappeared. Instead, they have multiplied. The agency in charge of helping New York City recover from September 11 has concluded that it should have been more flexible. Politicians fight over the rebuilding funds. Can the city untangle the confusion and get the money it needs?
The Special Registration Program (February 2003) Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt Jordan and Kuwait have been added to the list of 25 countries whose male citizens must register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service if they intend to stay in the United States.
New York City Council Stated Meeting Report (January 2003) On January 29, 2003, the New York City Council passed five bills that it called "good government legislation" and a bill to require the schools chancellor to submit quarterly reports on spending. Also the council postponed a vote on a measure that would expand education opportunities for welfare recipients, but promised to override the mayor's veto on a bill that would ban cell phones in theaters and concert halls. "Ringing cell phones and loud, one-sided conversations offer only headaches," said Councilmember Phil Reed. Read the details.
Governor Pataki's 2003 Budget Address (January 2003)
State Of The City - 2003 (January 2003) In his State of the City address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg reviewed his first year in office and outlined dozens of ideas that he says will build the "next New York... Right now it's winter... I'm here to tell you spring is on its way." A look at what the mayor says he has accomplished, what he plans to do in the future, and what his critics say he hasn't done -- or shouldn't do.
The Pro-Life Agenda (January 2003) While much of the battle over abortion takes place in federal courts, advocates on both sides of the issue also pursue a state and local agenda. As the nation marked the 30th anniversary of the Roe V Wade decision legalizing abortion across America, a pro choice and a pro life advocate present their agendas for New York.
A Pro Choice Agenda for New York City (January 2003)
Looking To History (January 2003) Eighteen days after the attack on the World Trade Center, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani appeared on Saturday Night Live. Flanked by his police and fire commissioners, and surrounded by a group of the city's rescue workers, the mayor looked into the camera and said: "On September 11th, more lives were lost than on any other single day in America's history - more than Pearl Harbor, and more than D-Day."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 2003 State Of The City Address (January 2003) In his annual address, Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined his vision for making government more accountable, fighting crime, and stimulating the economy. He also called on New Yorkers to make sacrifices for a better future. "Taxes and frugality," the mayor said, "are far better than crime, filth and abandonment." Read the full text of his speech.
Crime, Christo and Car-free (January 2003) A burst of violent crime in the parks has alarmed park advocates and raised questions about whether the parks are becoming less safe. Also: It's official -- Christo will wrap Central Park. And a three-month trial ban of cars in Prospect Park. Anne Schwartz reports.
Nonpartisan Elections And Charter Revision (January 2003) The mayor is reportedly thinking of appointing yet another charter revision commission to study non-partisan elections once again. This would be the fifth in five years. Doug Muzzio looks at the recent history of charter review commissions and of the issue of non-partisan elections.
Lots Of New Plans; Any New Visions? (January 2003) More people are engaging in more long-range planning for the future of New York City -- plans for housing, for Ground Zero, for solid waste, for the Olympics, etc. -- than at any time since before the fiscal crisis of the 1970's. Tom Angotti wonders whether the vision behind many of these plans is too limited.
The Mayor’s Plan For The Schools (January 2003) In a speech last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed the most sweeping changes in New York City schools in perhaps a century. But he left out many specifics. This week, Gail Robinson offers a guide to the mayor’s program, putting it in context and reporting the initial reactions to it. Fernando Ferrer stresses the key role parents must plan in education, while Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and the City Council Education Committee offer their differing proposals for what should replace the soon-to-cease community school boards.
Making Parents Partners (January 2003)
Parent Engagement Boards: Five Principles (January 2003)
The Council's Plan (January 2003)
The (Proposed) Trains To The Planes (January 2003) Bruce Schaller casts a critical eye on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s various plans to create trains to the planes (direct rail access to the airports).
When Prisoners Come Home (January 2003) Ex-offenders need one to three years of transitional services to successfully re-direct their lives away from crime. Linda Ostreicher reports on what's available when prisoners come home.
Putting City Documents Online (January 2003) Unlike their predecessors, the current mayor and the current City Council seem dedicated to making public information accessible to the public, especially online. Laura Forlano details recent initiatives and imminent legislation to put public proceedings on television and public records online.
Mayor Bloomberg's Education Reform (January 2003) In an address on January 15, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the details of his new education plan. The mayor said students will be taught a uniform curriculum of reading, writing, and math in smaller classrooms. He will also end the separate administration of high schools and lower grades and replace the 32 community school boards with parental advisory boards, whose members must have a child in a school in that district.
3 1 1 (January 2003) There are eight million people in the naked city, and eight million complaints. That is how many come into the city’s 40 different hotlines every year. But this soon will change. The number is expected to double. That is because it will soon become much easier for New Yorkers to complain, with just one phone number to dial for every non-emergency -- 311. But will any of these complaints actually get addressed, much less solved? Don’t ask Fletcher Vredenburgh.
New York City Council Redistricting (January 2003) An official plan to redraw the 51 City Council districts is now on the table and hearings will resume in February. Links to proposed City Council district maps and an updated schedule of public hearings.
City Hall Quiz (January 2003) What do New Yorkers hate the most - noise, traffic, or rats? Is it illegal to talk on your cell phone on the subway? What new parking holidays were added in the last year? In 2002, the City Council and the mayor passed 47 new laws that they claim will make the city a better place. Test your knowledge of what they did at City Hall with our interactive quiz.
2003 Economic Stimulus Plan (January 2003)
How Should the City Close It's $5 Billion Budget Deficit? (January 2003)
Bush Plan Doesn't Add Up (January 2003) Last week, President George W. Bush unveiled his $674 billion economic plan, which gives tax cuts to consumers and investors, but offers little aid to local governments. Reacting to the president's proposal, New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller writes that it is nothing more than "cynical shell game" that leaves New York drowning in red ink.
2003 State of the State Address (January 2003)
Is There Still A New York Metropolis? (January 2003) The mayor is trying to tax commuters, arguing that they benefit as much from the city as its residents do. But, Andy Beveridge asks, is this true? Does the rest of the region depend on New York City? Is there still a New York Metropolis?
The Battles Of 2003 (January 2003) Eric Goldstein predicts what he sees as the major environmental battles in 2003, including the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, recycling, Superfund legislation, and lead paint.
Homeowner Troubles (January 2003) The 18.5 percent property tax is the latest trouble for homeowners in NYC, as Rebecca Webber reports.
Billion Dollar Questions About Next Year's Budget (January 2003) One year into his mayoralty, Michael Bloomberg has resolved his first major budget crisis. But his success so far, Glenn Pasanen writes, raises as many questions as it answers about how he will handle the next budget crisis – which arrives later this month.
Smallpox Vaccine (January 2003) This month New York City will receive the first doses of smallpox vaccine as part of a campaign initiated by the new federal Department of Homeland Security. But, Maia Szalavitz writes, the campaign raises many questions, including: How safe is smallpox vaccination? How likely it is that smallpox will be used as a biological weapon?
Is Gangs of New York Historically Accurate? (December 2002) On Friday, December 20 Gotham Gazette's NYC Book Club had a live chat with Tyler Anbinder, author of Five Points, and Jay Cocks, screenwriter of Gangs of New York. They talked about the fact and the folklore behind the movie Gangs of New York and what the Five Points area was really like.
Vision For 21st Century Lower Manhattan (December 2002) Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg given at the Regent Wall Street Hotel, December 12, 2002.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Announces Housing Plan For New York City's 21st Century Neighborhoods (December 2002) Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a $3 billion plan to create and preserve more than 65,000 homes and apartments in neighborhoods over the next five years. Approximately 25,000 new housing units would be built and an additional 38,000 would be preserved in existing buildings. The mayor also called for new ways to streamline the city's zoning and construction regulations to encourage housing construction. Read a transcript of the mayor's speech and see the details of the mayor's plan, entitled "New Marketplace: Creating Housing for the Next Generation" (in PDF format) from the city's web site.
Day Care In New York (December 2002) Day care in New York is more expensive than college tuition at a public university. Thousands of residents are turning to the city for help and being told to wait because there is no room. Kate Stohr looks at New York's day care system - what is good, what is lacking, and what a looming strike by child care workers would mean for the city.
What Happened To My Middle School? (November 2002) When I came up with the idea for a middle school focused on journalism -- the first such middle school in the nation -- I got the same strange reaction again and again.
Noise Off (November 2002) Mayor Bloomberg has launched Operation Silent Night to try to quiet blaring cars, loud restaurants and clanging machines. A City Council member will propose several measures that he thinks could bring quiet to the streets of New York. But can anything really lower the volume in the city that never sleeps -- and never seems to shut up? And tell us what you think about noise in New York City and what to do about it on our noise message board.
The Bloomberg Budget - In His Own Words (November 2002) When Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented his recent budget plan, he said that he knew of no major company leaving the city, that closing 32 senior citizen centers was an "inconvenience," and that his plan to tax people who do not live in the city "is not a commuter tax." An edited transcript of the mayor's remarks.
Budget Modification Signed Into Law (November 2002) Mayor Bloomberg has signed a budget agreement to close a $1.1 billion budget gap. Last week, the City Council approved a property tax increase of 18.5 percent by a vote of 41 to 6. Click here, for budget details and how each council member voted.
Fighting Domestic Violence With Technology (November 2002)
New York City's Permanent Food Emergency (November 2002)
New York City's Permanent Food Emergency (November 2002)
Budget cuts and the parks (November 2002)
Possible Rise In Property Taxes (i.e. Rents); Rise In Homelessness (November 2002) Rebecca Webber looks at hard times in the city, creating a rise in homelessness, and a possible rise in property taxes (and thus rents), which both tenant and landlord groups oppose.
The Brooklyn Mental Health Court (November 2002) "Around 3,000 severely mentally ill people are incarcerated at Riker's Island on any given day, making it in effect the city's largest psychiatric hospital," Maia Szalavitz writes. "But a new court which began operating in October in Brooklyn hopes to start to change that."
The Property Tax Proposal (November 2002) Glenn Pasanen looks at the mayor’s new proposal for a hike in the property taxes, which he calls “the biggest tax idea in at least a generation.” He compares it with a proposal that the City Council is likely to make as a counter, or a supplement, to the mayor’s plan – raising the personal income tax.
The Elections and New York's Environment (November 2002) “The increasingly visible use of the environment as a 2002 campaign theme in the New York region tells us something about the candidates who sponsored these messages and the voters who responded to them,” writes Eric Goldstein, who assesses the track record and promises of the winning candidates.
Old Issues Are New Again: Parole, Central Park Jogger Case, Rape (November 2002)
Artists' Visas (November 2002) There have been more headaches than usual, Martha Hostetter writes, to secure visas for visiting foreign artists, “which has had a chilling effect on cultural exchange at a time when it is desperately needed.” One Tanzanian literally had to sing and dance for his visa – to prove to the U.S. officials that he was a performer.
The New Commissioners (November 2002) The Bloomberg administration has appointed 11 prominent civil rights advocates to the City Commission on Human Rights. Andy Humm explains who they are.
Debating Transportation Priorities For Lower Manhattan (November 2002) Bruce Schaller details the debate over which transportation projects should be funded by the $4.55 billion in 9/11-related federal aid.
Can The US Live Without Race? (November 2002) After nearly 10 years of controversy, the federal Office of Management and Budget determined that each United States resident must be classified as a member of a racial group.
Gotham at War (October 2002) Long before September 11th, the threat of terrorist acts kept New Yorkers in a panic and local authorities in a state of alert -- though not alert enough.
Gotham at War (October 2002) Foreign soldiers haven't set foot in New York City since the Revolutionary War, but each of America's wars have made their mark on Gotham. Now, amid talk of going to war with Iraq, historians and curators are looking back at New York City during wartimes past. Three books on New York during wartime have just been published, a downtown exhibition compares the city's rebirth after the revolution to the recovery after 9/11, and a new Martin Scorsese movie takes place in Civil War New York. A look at New York City, war by war.
Cell Phones (October 2002) Almost two-thirds of New Yorkers carry cell phones, for convenience, safety or style. But they irritate many of those same New Yorkers, and many more, including Councilmember Phil Reed, who has introduced two separate bills to limit their use. A look at the various debates over the must-have phenomenon that so many people find so annoying. And have a conversation about it on our cell phone message board.
New York City's Elderly (October 2002) Elderly New Yorkers are the fastest growing segment of the city's population. Most don't take golfing trips to Boca Raton. They are typically poor, female, in need of help with housing, food and prescription drugs -- and much more likely than any other age group to vote. Is New York City prepared to provide the necessary services for its growing elderly population?
Guide To The Mayor's Management Report (October 2002) Mayor Michael Bloomberg received much praise for his first Mayor's Management Report, a so-called "public report card" for the city. Bloomberg's version is shorter, easier to read, and for the first time lets New Yorkers can find information about their neighborhood online. This week, we offer an overview of the report and how to use it. Also Glenn Pasanen argues that the new management report is not an improvement from the past and says it shows a lack of respect for both history and the facts.
The Help America Vote Act -- The Good News and Bad News For NYC (October 2002)
The Help America Vote Act -- The Good News and Bad News For NYC (October 2002)
NYC Schools as Hi-Tech Hubs (October 2002)
Dead Broke Dads (October 2002)
State Protections For City Parkland (October 2002)
New York's Declining Ethnics (October 2002) New York City's population may be made up more and more of the foreign-born, but, according to the latest U.S. Census, there are fewer ethnic New Yorkers, and "white ethnics" have declined by almost half over the past two decades.
Chancellor Klein So Far (October 2002)
Two Heinous Crimes Unresolved (October 2002)
Artists And Health Insurance (October 2002)
Discrimination at Brooklyn Eatery (October 2002) Andy Humm looks at the latest example of discrimination – a Brooklyn eatery treating its African American customers differently from whites and Asians – and wonders why there is still 12 vacancies on the city’s Human Rights Commission. Also: a new bill on domestic partnerships; a new appointment on the Civilian Complaint Review Board; a call to videotape police interrogations.
A Year After 911: The Rediscovery Of The City's Parks (9/11 Special) "This September 11, people will again find their way to the parks," as they did a year ago, Anne Schwartz says. But if the parks are more important than ever to New Yorkers, one result of 9/11 is a further reduction in their funding.
9/11/01-02: Are New Yorkers Any Safer? (9/11 Special) Julia Vitullo-Martin attempts to answer the question: Are New Yorkers right to feel as safe in the city as anywhere else in the country?
Civil Liberties since 9/11 (9/11 Special) Andy Humm assesses the state of civil liberties since 9/11. Also: the 12 vacant seats on the human rights commission; the new local law about same-sex marriages.
Building Community (9/11 Special) Martha Hostetter explains how the arts institutions suffered economically, even while artists helped build community.
9/11/02: Art And Culture (September 2002) This week New York City will commemorate the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in what has been called the "largest collective ceremony of remembrance in American history." Gotham Gazette offers a look at how the capital of media, art, and culture has been affected by, and shaped the understanding of, the events of 9/11.
Cuomo Walks (September 2002)
9/11/01-02: Altering The Political Landscape (September 2002)
A Failure On 9/11, Life-Saving Innovations Afterwards (September 2002)
9/11/01-02: Charity Began At Ground Zero, But Where Will It Wind Up? (September 2002)
A Demographic Portrait Of The Victims In 10048 (September 2002) Those working at 10048 represented many aspects of New York City society -- the wealthy older executives at the Risk conference or running some of the firms, the young traders on the make, the lawyers, the computer techies, the immigrants working in the service fields. After 9/11, 10048 is no more.
Chancellor Klein's Right-Hand Woman: Who is Diana Lam? (September 2002)
Police Pay: What's Fair? (September 2002)
The Mostly Mozart Strike: Music, Money and Maybe Better Art (September 2002) The musicians of Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival had their own labor day. Martha Hostetter looks at the details of the strike and how it was settled – and why such conflicts may result in better art.
How Your Council Member Voted (August 2002) Last week, the mayor welcomed the City Council back from summer vacation by issuing his first veto. Mark Berkey-Gerard looks at the two dozen that the City Council passed and the mayor has signed into law since he took office - scrapping recycling, hiking the tax on cigarettes, banning bikes on the sidewalk. There are also more than 250 bills that are not yet laws and may never be - such as retrieving Rudy's records for the public archives, and requiring parachutes in skyscrapers. Also: Long-time council watcher Lenore Chester offers tips for how to keep better track of your representative.
The Tax Whose Time Has Gone (August 2002)
Bringing Back The Commuter Tax (August 2002) Facing the worst fiscal crisis in two decades, some in New York City are looking to the suburbs for help -- by bringing back the commuter tax that was repealed in 1999. But not everyone agrees. Glenn Pasanen argues that reinstating the commuter tax is a matter of fairness. "New York City is the economic engine of the entire region," he says, and suburbanites who work here should "pay for some of the fuel." E.J. McMahon counters that the commuter tax and "the notion that non-resident workers are a bunch of well-paid freeloaders" should be a thing of the past. If the city wants to recover, he says, it can not afford to give workers and their companies one more reason to leave the city.
Wakes (August 2002)
How You Can Tell How They're Doing (August 2002)
New York City Goes Wireless (August 2002)
Children In No-Parent Families (August 2002)
Park Escapes (August 2002)
Manhattan Boom (August 2002) Manhattan's boom during the 1990s - obvious to most New Yorkers - is now official. But the statistics were not all good news for New York City as a whole, which lost ground overall.
The New Chancellor (August 2002)
Feminist Summit (August 2002)
Capital Punishment, Parole, And More (August 2002)
The Arts and Albany (August 2002) Martha Hostetter looks at the connection between Albany lawmakers and NYC arts and artists.
Improving The Schools (July 2002) Mayor Bloomberg has just named a new schools chancellor, capping six months in which he also won control of the city schools, convinced the state to eliminate the central board of education, reached a contract settlement with teachers and appointed seven members of the new "educational policy panel." But will any of this make a difference? With the first day of school less than six weeks away, as Gail Robinson reports reports, the mayor and Chancellor Joel Klein must begin making dramatic changes in a system that fails hundreds of thousands of students.
Change and Conflict on the Brooklyn Waterfront (July 2002)
State Campaign Finance Reports (July 2002)
Why Albany Matters in NYC Tech Policy (July 2002)
Albany Matters In Social Services (July 2002)
STATE FUNDING FOR CITY PARKS (July 2002)
GOP Senate Majority Repeals Census 2000 (July 2002) New York City might well have to wait until the next census to receive its due from New York State politicians. And, if history is a guide, one can predict that every effort will be made to assure that this does not happen.
Rebuilding NYC's Ground Zero Planner (July 2002) The Ground Zero Planner allows you to design the World Trade Center site the way you think it should look. You can drag icons representing different ideas for the site, like housing, parks, and a memorial, onto a map of Ground Zero.
Albany's Sway Over City Schools (July 2002)
Drug Law Reform Failed Again (July 2002)
The State and Human Rights (July 2002)
New York City's Foreign Policy (July 2002) On the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate their one nation (whether or not "under God"). But throughout the year, many New York City politicians focus on many nations thousands of miles away -- where their constituents (or their constituents' ancestors) come from. The result is that New York City has its own foreign policy. Next week, in a particularly vigorous display of this fact, a City Council committee will debate four separate resolutions about the Middle East, such as whether the City Council should declare the Palestine Liberation Organization a terrorist group, or adopt an "even-handed" policy in the Middle East.
Corporate Giving (July 2002) Martha Hostetter looks at corporate giving to the arts, and whether it is going to decline.
The Rights Of Same-Sex Partners (June 2002) Like AIDS before it, the tragedy of September 11 has brought renewed attention to the issue of the rights of unmarried "domestic partners." Andy Humm investigates.
Involvement and Accountability (June 2002) With Mayor Michael Bloomberg having won control of the New York City school system, his deputy mayor for policy, Dennis Walcott, explains why this will make a difference to New York's 1.1 million public school students. Now, says Walcott, the challenge is to involve parents and the community in improving each individual local school.
No To Nonpartisan Elections (June 2002)
The Latest on 311, Pay Phone Rate Rollback, Camera Surveillance, Hi-tech (June 2002)
Welfare Reform, Round Two (June 2002)
Not A Swimmer's Paradise (June 2002)
School Deals Near (June 2002)
Operation Spotlight, etc. (June 2002)
The Disabled (June 2002)
Changing New York City (June 2002) The latest data from the 2000 Census paint a picture of a changing New York City, says Andrew Beveridge, this is both stunning and in some ways disturbing.
Hollywood East? (June 2002)
Damage Control (May 2002) Last year, the government of New York handed almost $600 million to people who claimed they were injured by the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, citing bizarre cases and astronomical settlements, has proposed measures to cut this sharply. But others argue that lawsuits provide average people with a way of fighting back when they are wronged by their government.
Elect The Board Of Education (May 2002)
School Control (May 2002) With Mayor Bloomberg and the state legislature negotiating whether to give the mayor control of the city's schools, Board of Education member Irving Hamer argues that a switch in governance will not solve the system's problems. Mayoral control has not done any good in the many cities that have tried it, Hamer says. More money, not political deals, will boost achievement in the city's classrooms. Jill Levy, president of the principal's union, agrees and calls for a truly independent -- and elected -- school board with its own source of money.
Naming for Dollars (May 2002)
School Building (May 2002) Students in New York City attend classes in cafeterias, go to school at odd hours -- and sometimes dodge falling pieces of their alma mater -- because the city has not been able to build enough new classrooms. Last week, a commission recommended ways to fix the problem. But the struggle to provide ample space and safe buildings for the 1.1 million public school students of New York City always seems to get tangled in questions of money, power and politics.
School Building: Part 2 (May 2002)
Harbor (in)Security. Also: Harbor Events. (May 2002)
Scandals And Voters (May 2002)
Technology and 9/11 (May 2002)
Community Gardens; Prospect Park's Audubon Center; Brooklyn Bridge Park (May 2002)
The Census Bureau's Bad Estimates (May 2002)
Community School Boards' Uncertain Future (May 2002)
Back To The Bad Old Days? (May 2002)
Culture and the World Trade Center Site (May 2002) Over the past decade, culture has become a favoredd tool for shaping urban neighborhoods. Will it play a role in the reshaping of the World Trade Center site?
New York Republicans (April 2002) Although he has only been a Republican a few months, Michael Bloomberg sure sounded like one when he presented his budget plan last week and proclaimed that the only thing worse than cuts are new taxes. Will the 108th mayor, who can hand out millions and jet off to GOP fundraisers, create a new Republican Party in New York City?
A Super Model for New York Harbor (April 2002)
The New Voter Identification Requirement (April 2002)
The City Council Gets Serious About Tech (April 2002)
Child Welfare and Domestic Violence (April 2002)
The Boom 1990's? (April 2002)
To Test or Not To Test? (April 2002)
Aiming High-Tech, Ivy Recruitment (April 2002)
The New Human Rights Commissioner (April 2002)
Alternative Juvenile Court (April 2002)
Collaborations (April 2002) There is much talk in these trying times about artists (and art institutions) collaborating. Martha Hostetter looks at some of the more successful examples.
Remembering 9/11. Governors Island. The Beetles. (April 2002)
Letter From 27 City Councilmembers Calling On Speaker Gifford Miller To Raise Taxes To Pay For Children's Programs (March 2002)
Bronx River Rising (March 2002)
From Home To Community (Board). Dot NYC. Increased Cost of Pay Phones, (March 2002)
Job Training (March 2002)
Central Park of Art, Beetles and Cars; First Budget Hearings on Parks (March 2002)
Segregation (March 2002)
Cutbacks and Checkpoints (March 2002)
Funding And The Arts (March 2002)
New Attention From City Hall (February 2002)
E-Government In NYC (February 2002)
When The Neighborhood Doesn't Want It (February 2002)
The New Parks Chief; Also, Greenways Are Good (February 2002)
Non-Legal Immigrants (February 2002)
Crown Heights (February 2002)
St. Patrick's Day Parade; Detention Policy Reversed; Human Rights Commission Criticized (February 2002)
Outlook From City Hall (February 2002)
The Waters Of The Harbor (January 2002)
Changes Ahead? (January 2002)
Is Time Warner Cable A Villain? (January 2002)
The Limits of Time Limits On Welfare (January 2002)
A New Policy Towards Parks? (January 2002)
Counting Muslims (January 2002)
Crime Still Declines, But Why, And Will It Continue? (January 2002)
The Civil Rights Agendas in 2002 (January 2002)
Epic: An Experiment In Arts Education (January 2002)
The Remarkable Victory (December 2001)
THE NEEDIEST. Also: City-Wide Task Force On Housing Court Still Alive (December 2001)
Outlook in 2002; Unfinished Business From the Giuliani Era (December 2001)
New And Old Police Commissioner Ray Kelly (December 2001)
Flailing After 9/11 (December 2001)
Flunking Schools (November 2001) Virtually every candidate for public office this year vowed to improve New York's schools. Though the events of September 11th have damaged the city and distracted public officials (along with everybody else), the schools still need to be improved. David Bloomfield looks at the system that was intended to turn around failing New York City public schools, and how it too has failed. Lynn Weikart looks at higher education, and wonders how much lower its budget can get.
Higher Education, Lower Budget (November 2001)
Governors Island And The United Nations (November 2001)
Will Something Be Done About the Board of Elections? (November 2001)
10-Digit Dialing (November 2001)
A Rocky Season (November 2001)
Open Spaces; A Million Daffodil Memorial (November 2001)
Police Vs. Fire (November 2001)
Children's Services (November 2001)
Culture Counts (November 2001)
Mayoral Election (October 2001)
Choosing Your Power (October 2001)
Administration for Children's Services (October 2001)
Campaign Promises For Parks In Light Of 9/11 (October 2001)
Making New York Safer, Not Slower and Poorer (October 2001)
Under Assault And On The Ballot (October 2001)
Immigrants Under Attack (October 2001) Since the attack on the World Trade Center, Arab Americans and Muslims have been the targets of hate crimes, harassment, and racial profiling. Reverberations are being felt in other immigrant communities as well. Sikh children, residents of Chinatown, construction workers from Mexico, corporate executives from India -- some of the city's newest citizens - are all facing new and sometimes frightening difficulties as a result of September 11.
Child Health Plus (October 2001)
Moving Freight On Water (September 2001)
A Plea For Same-Day Voter Registration (September 2001)
Damage And Restoration To Electricity, Phones, TV (September 2001)
Drawn To The Parks (September 2001)
Security (September 2001)
Asian New Yorkers (September 2001)
The Arab Americans In Our Midst (September 2001) Though a tiny handful of Arab terrorists caused incalculable damage to New York City and the United States, the Arab Americans in our midst are hardworking, largely successful immigrants to the United States, balancing their Arab with their American identity.
Heart of Brooklyn (September 2001)
New York's Secret Tax (August 2001) It is a secret most New Yorkers would be outraged to know, a tax that costs renters up to four times more than homeowners. And most renters do not even know they pay it.
What Is Wrong With The Board Of Elections? (August 2001)
Software -- "Piracy" (Stealing) versus "Open Source" (Freebies) (August 2001)
Governors Island, Community Gardens, Mayors Who Actually Care About Parks (August 2001)
A White City Council (August 2001)
Jailing Demonstrators. Also: Police-Community Relations (August 2001)
Anti-Catholicism (August 2001)
Gotham Gazette's Summer Quiz (July 2001) Who is NOT running for public office this year: a 19 year old, a Seinfeld character, a salsa singer, or a State Senator? How many golf courses are there in New York City; how many pigeons? Who are the Vieques Four? Which is greater, New York City's annual budget or Harvard University's endowment? Is NYPD Blue filmed in New York City? How about Friends? Take Gotham Gazette's Summer Quiz and test your New York knowledge.
Brooklyn Navy Yard (July 2001)
What Is Wrong With The Board Of Elections? (July 2001)
AOL-Time Warner and High-Speed Access. Also, Cell-Phone Ban. (July 2001)
Suicide Prevention (July 2001)
Golf Course at Ferry Point Park (July 2001)
Counting Gay New York (July 2001)
Transgender Rights (July 2001)
Law Guardians for Children (July 2001)
Ticket Scalping (June 2001) If New York is the entertainment capital of the world, why is it so hard to get good tickets to shows like The Producers, concerts like Janet Jackson's or Madonna's, and sports events? Some blame scalpers, who are people in the business of buying up tickets to sell them at a profit. Others say that it is not the scalpers but New York's anti-scalping law, which is currently up for renewal, that keeps tickets scarce and their price too high. Yael Schacher looks at the debate, and offers some solutions.
Blessing The Fleet (June 2001)
Sharpton's Endorsement (June 2001)
Women and Technology (June 2001)
AIDS At 20: Frontline STD Clinics (June 2001)
Parks in the budget (June 2001)
Redistricting (June 2001)
Marijuana (June 2001)
Summer Jobs Threatened (June 2001)
Budget Shenanigans (June 2001)
Neighbors and Nightclubs (May 2001) This week, Gotham Gazette delves into the "city that never sleeps" and the problems that plague it. In Neighbors and Nightclubs, Mark Berkey-Gerard looks at the residents and rockers who are battling over who should own the night.
In Unsung Hotspots, Christopher Nicolson suggests some of the best-kept secrets for those who prefer "the road less traveled" when it comes to Manhattan nightlife.
Finally, for the hip and daring, an audio and visual tour of a few of the notable and notorious nightclubs that have made recent headlines. (Requires a speedy Internet connection and Flash.)
In Defense of the Port (May 2001)
Privacy on the Internet (May 2001)
Community Gardens Endangered Still. Also: Preserve Bloomingdale Woods (May 2001)
Politics And The Undercount (May 2001)
Sanctioning Police Malpractice (May 2001)
Foster Children Still at Risk? (May 2001)
Arts Budget (May 2001)
Not In My Backyard (April 2001) New Yorkers may think of themselves as worldly and adventurous, but they are quick to fight change in their own neighborhoods - any change. Their cries of "not in my backyard" make it harder to build everything from garbage facilities to schools to fancy French restaurants.
Power Plant Siting (April 2001) The debate over where to build new power plants heats up with the weather. The best-known controversy are the six new power plants going up in poor, minority neighborhoods around the city. But there is also a tale of two power plants, one on the East Side shutting down, the other in the Lower East Side expanding -- to make up for the power lost in the rich neighborhood. Critics call this the starkest possible example of environmental racism. Officials say their decisions are based on common sense
Who Owns the "578 Miles" of Waterfront, and How Are They Being Used? (April 2001)
Michael Bloomberg and the Legacy of Self-Financed Candidates (April 2001)
Hanging Out (April 2001)
New York As Oasis: OASIS mapping, Bloomingdale Woods, Governors Island Tours (April 2001)
False Facts About Census 2000 (April 2001)
After Fresh Kills (April 2001)
Presidential Pardons (April 2001)
Child Care (April 2001)
The Edison Election (March 2001) After weeks of charges, countercharges and court challenges, parents are finally voting on whether to let for-profit Edison Schools run five low-performing public schools in the city. Although the outcome will have an immediate effect on only 5,000 students, the contest has acquired all the trappings of a high stakes political campaign. Vowing it can raise achievement, Edison has promised "truckloads" of material, computers and cable television. But many parents, as well as some leading politicians, are skeptical. How did this fight become so heated? What is all the fuss? Gail Robinson reports on a key battle in the war over who should run America's schools.
Gotham Gazette's New York City Quiz (March 2001) So, you think you know New York City? Which is the longest subway ride? Which is bigger, the Fresh Kill's garbage dump or the Great Wall of China? Test your knowledge in Gotham Gazette's interactive quiz.
Youth Gangs (March 2001) From Broadway musicals to crime story headlines, youth gangs have always been part of New York City life. But today's gangs are growing in size and violence. A look at youth gangs--the members, the misperceptions, and solutions--and a weird reason why it is not worse: mass transit.
Ferries (March 2001)
Right for All the Wrong Reasons (March 2001)
Public Participation in Science and Technology Policy (March 2001)
Welfare Running Out. Also, news of the poor, the old, the disabled (March 2001)
Organizing for More Green (March 2001)
Eight Million New Yorkers! (March 2001)
Comissioner Bernard Kerik and the three priorities (March 2001)
Attorneys For The Parents (March 2001)
Rockefeller Drug Law Reform (February 2001) There are 21,000 New Yorkers currently incarcerated under drug laws, created by former Governor Nelson Rockefeller 28 years ago, that require harsh, mandatory minimum prison sentences for even first-time offenders. Most of those imprisoned under the Rockefeller Drug Laws are non-violent; almost all are African-American or Latino. Those who think the laws need to be changed range from judges to Human Rights Watch to the Catholic Church to. now, Governor George Pataki. But will that be enough to make a difference?
Privately Owned Public Space (February 2001) Why in America do people park in a driveway and drive on a parkway? Why in New York are there more than 500 "public spaces" that are privately owned and often closed to the public? The driveway/parkway puzzle remains a mystery. But the private public spaces have an explanation. They are the result of zoning rules that are now 40 years old, which the City Planning Commission is trying to change -- though their efforts are not given much chance for success.
Parks and Parking Along the Hudson (February 2001)
It's Still Broken (February 2001)
Witness, A Different Kind of Reality TV: Using video and the Internet to (February 2001)
AIDS And The African-American Community; Homeless and Health (February 2001)
In the News: Playing hardball in Bloomingdale Woods. Also, Parks embattled by accusations (February 2001)
The Edison Schools Controversy (February 2001)
Lessons and Legacy of Amadou Diallo (February 2001)
Fostering Writers (February 2001)
Indecent: The New Ruckus at the Brooklyn Museum (February 2001)
The New York State Legislature: How Albany Controls the City (January 2001) New York City may think it is the most powerful city in the world. But when it tries to change the school system, taxes, or rent regulation, as Alan Rothstein explains, the city must go hat in hand to Albany, to the New York State Legislature, where the real political power lies.
The Missing Marshes of Jamaica Bay (January 2001)
Our One-Party Town (January 2001)
Phone Frustrations (January 2001)
In Out Of The Cold: Offering The Homeless A Warm And Safe Place To Sleep (January 2001)
Census Bureau Finds 830,000 "Extra" New Yorkers (January 2001) How could New York have gained almost 1 million people and lost two congressional seats?
Turbine Turmoil (January 2001)
Why Zoning Reform IS Important (January 2001)
Golf Clubbing Bronx Residents? Also: When Stadiums Win, Do Parks Lose? (January 2001)
The Governor's Budget (January 2001)
The Governor's Proposed Cut in the Budget for the Arts (January 2001)
The Upstate-Downstate Debate (December 2000) Upstate New Yorkers are conservative Republicans who live off the spoils of the New York City economy. Downstate New Yorkers are bleeding heart Democrats who think life does not exist beyond the Hudson. The upstate-downstate debate is more than just these stereotypes. It's a divide built into the fabric of New York government that creates battles over rent control, taxes, water, prisons, and transportation. Also: Assembly member John Ravitz writes about what it is like to be a downstate Republican in the upstate world of the New York State Legislature.
Light at the End of the Rail Tunnel? (December 2000)
What Can We Do To Fix This -- and Should We? (December 2000)
E-Voting (December 2000)
Anti-Violence Project Urges Gays and Lesbians To Take Offense (December 2000)
Fees for Parks. Also: Making Parks Political (December 2000)
The Census (December 2000) What began as a simple head count for the purpose of defining Congressional Districts has morphed into something many now regard as a formidable invasion of privacy.
School safety (December 2000)
Making Art Matter: A Plan to Redesign the Department of Cultural Affairs (December 2000)
Beware The Mantra Of Privatization (November 2000)
Going Private (November 2000) Forgetting the Edsel and New Coke, many policy makers today think that anything the government can do, businesses can do better. As companies prepare to take over the city's betting operation and some of its worst schools, Gail Robinson outlines the arguments for and against privatization, and considers where it might go next. Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer criticizes the city's current approach, and calls for a more balanced policy.
School Boards (November 2000) If you're seeking confusing ballots, narrow margins of victory, and hand-counted votes,look no further than the contests for New York City's 32 community school boards. It takes weeks to get the results, and many befuddled voters don't understand how to mark their ballots.
Get Out the Vote! (November 2000) Nobody knows for sure why fewer and fewer people in New York, and in America as a whole, are bothering to vote. What is clear, though, is that, especially in close races, the candidates most important task is not to convert the undecided, but get the already-committed to the polls. Thus the frantic and unprecedented efforts this year to "get out the vote." Bradley Siciliano and Jessica Green look at those efforts, and at who votes and who doesn't, why and why not, and what can be done about it.
Election Special-The Real Tech Issues, from Privacy to Copyright to Sales Tax (November 2000)
Election Special-The Missing Social Service Issues (November 2000)
National Survey on Child Poverty (November 2000)
The Press (October 2000) While more publications and stations and sites cover the campaigns than ever before, and make more and more money from them, New Yorkers, as all Americans, are finding it increasingly difficult to find out any solid information about the issues. Is that why both the number of people who seek out campaign news, and the number of people who vote, are at record lows?
Polls (October 2000) The way the news media use the endless polling during campaign season is not just inaccurate, but wrongheaded, says Steve Ross, who explains there is a better way.
Election Special--The Major Local Issues, from dredging to access (October 2000)
Election Special--Campaign Finance: In Need of Reforms? (October 2000)
Election Special--THE PARKS AND THE POLS (October 2000)
Election Special: Who's Tougher on Crime? (October 2000)
Election Special--The Transportation Bond Act (October 2000)
Election Special--Support for Children . . . In Theory (October 2000)
The Arts are Apple Pie in New York, But The Candidates Have Been Silent on Specifics (October 2000)
Favorite Books About New York (September 2000) You've heard of The Power Broker, and the Encyclopedia of the City of New York, perhaps. But do you know about the six-volume Iconography of the Island of Manhattan, or The Mole People? Here are favorite New York books by historians, librarians, booksellers, filmmakers, a museum director, a politician, and the director of the Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling for the Department of Sanitation.
Community Boards (September 2000) What are they, what do they do, how did they come to be? And what is ULURP anyway?
The Courts of New York Explained (September 2000)
More Than a Cosmetic Change? (September 2000) Incumbency isn't what it used to be. Philip Lentz explains why four congressmen from New York are running scared this week, and why this is just the beginning.
School Funding (September 2000) Peggy Farber looks at the lawsuit, the politics, the policy and the situation in New York City, where 31 high schools have no science labs; where thousands of children attend classes in buildings surrounded by scaffolding, and have no gyms nor playgrounds; where Jesse Robinson, a young teacher in the Bronx, looks enviously at a former colleague, Amy Jones, lured away this year to a suburban school that spends more than twice as much on each student.
In the News: A Ban on Jet Skis? (September 2000)
In the News: The Primaries (September 2000)
Hunger In New York (September 2000)
In the News: Garbage Out, Parks In; Also, rating New York City's parks (September 2000)
Kerik's Recipe for Success (September 2000)
The Teachers' Contract (September 2000)
Has New York Become the Art of the Impossible for Young Artists? (September 2000)
City Council Senior Class (August 2000) Few members of the City Council seem happy about what's going to happen next year when term limits disqualify 36 of the 51 members from running again. Six of the 15 who remain eligible for re-election discuss what they think the New City Council will be like, and what issues each wants to focus on if he or she is re-elected.
City Beaches: Safe for Swimming? (August 2000)
In The News: The Republican National Convention (August 2000)
A Place for Pregnant Teenagers (August 2000)
Final Design for Brooklyn Waterfront Park. Also: Funding for Urban Parks (August 2000)
National Night Out and Community Policing (August 2000)
The Party Platforms (August 2000)
Funds for the Arts Go Up, but Remain Unfair (August 2000)
Pest or Pet? (July 2000) City Councilman Bill Perkins explains what should be done about "the epidemic of rats in our city." Elaine Sloan of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urges us to warm up to their "pink noses and twitching whiskers."
When Sleep Becomes Speech (July 2000) New York State Supreme Court Justice Emily Jane Goodman explains a recent federal court decision that turned sleeping on a city street into free speech
The City's Crowded Waterways (July 2000)
In The News: Money Matters (July 2000)
Advice for Taming the Dog Days of Summer (July 2000)
In the News: Violence and Youth (July 2000)
In the News: The War on Beetles (July 2000)
Red Hook Community Justice Center (July 2000)
NYC's New Budget and Kids (July 2000)
Art for Politics: The Museum of Modern Art Strike (July 2000)
What Government Does Well/What Government Does Badly (June 2000) By former Massachusetts Governor (and possible future New York gubernatorial candidate) William Weld.
In The News: Trashing the Littoral (June 2000)
In The News: The Lazio Effect (June 2000)
In the News: Home Delivered Meals -- and Human Contact (June 2000)
In the News: Roundup (June 2000)
Census Slackers (June 2000) The Census, which began as a simple head count for the purpose of defining Congressional Districts, has morphed into what many now regard as a formidable invasion of privacy.
NYPD vs. Civil Rights Commission (June 2000)
Family Court Fiasco (June 2000)
Cattle Call: Summer Stampede Set for the Boroughs (June 2000)
In The News: Pier Pressure (May 2000)
In The News: Roundup (May 2000)
In The News: AIDS Peril for People of Color (May 2000)
Protecting community gardens (May 2000)
New Vacancy Survey Data (May 2000) With the economy booming, more of the City's residents are employed are than ever. But there is still the nagging question of how well they are doing.
Stop-and-Frisk Searches (May 2000)
Elian Gonzalez: Whatever Happened to Legal Precedent? (May 2000)
Board of Education Hosts Student Performers (May 2000)
Solid Waste (April 2000) A look at the City's garbage options in a Post Fresh Kills world.
Transfer Station Siting and Community Quality of Life: The Red Hook Story (April 2000)
Recycling Before Exporting: Turning Garbage into Dollars (April 2000)
In The News: Waterfront Primer (April 2000)
In The News: Substance Abuse Treatment for the Developmentally Disabled (April 2000)
In The News: Finally! The Brooklyn Bridge Park plan (April 2000)
Operation Condor (April 2000)
Marisol Update: Prospects are Grim (April 2000)
Campaign Finance (March 2000) New York City's recently revised campaign finance laws, coupled with the newly-imposed term limits, are changing the face of NYC politics.
In The News: (March 2000)
In The News: Field of Dreams in Staten Island? (March 2000)
Welfare Reform's Aftermath (March 2000)
DNA Redux (March 2000)
Kids In Prison (March 2000)
Darkhorses Win International Competition for TKTS Booth (March 2000)
Civilian Complaint Review Boards (February 2000) In the wake of the Louima and Diallo trials, an examination of the CCRB reveals major institutional flaws.
New York City Council Term Limits (February 2000) Indispensable guide to who can and can't be re-elected in 2001.
Private Funding of Parks (February 2000) Why Central Park is the envy of all parks nationwide, and other mysteries of how parks are funded and operated.
In The News: Community Mental Health (February 2000)
In The News: (February 2000)
Drinking Water and the Kensico Reservoir (January 2000) Why is this one little reservoir is causing such a ruckus? Because it provides drinking water to 9 million New Yorkers daily. Players include: City Council, Governor, EPA, DOT, and City Comptroller Alan Hevesi.
School Vouchers (January 2000) The Mayor and The Chancellor of Ed faced off over vouchers. Politics aside, will school choice really help alleviate the problem of failing schools?
In The News: Workplace Dangers for Immigrants (January 2000)
In The News: (January 2000)
In The News: Looking Ahead (January 2000)
Repeat Offenders (January 2000)
State of the State (January 2000)
"Sensation" Ruling (January 2000)
The Top NYC News Stories of 2000 (December 1999) Predictions for 2000
News Round-Up (December 1999)
Domestic Violence (December 1999)
In The News: (December 1999)
NYC's Latest Figures (December 1999)
City Journal (December 1999)
Private Child Welfare Agenices (December 1999)
"Sensation" Debate (December 1999)
Waiting for a sign (November 1999)
Poorer kids have more asthma (November 1999)
Albanian Immigrants (November 1999)
What Goes In Must Come Out (November 1999)
Better Late Than Never (November 1999)
No loft lost (November 1999)
Change Comes to the City’s Edge ( 0000)
Change Comes to the City’s Edge ( 0000)
Strip Searches ( 0000) Jaime Adame looks at police strip-searches - are they being used by police only in special circumstances or as a matter of routine?
A New Executive Order: ( 0000) After months of intense pressure from immigrant advocacy groups and the City Council, Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a new executive order prohibiting city workers from asking or disclosing anyone's immigration status.
