Heard Around Town

Policy

Report highlights work of women-majority NYC Council

The New Majority NYC is touting legislation addressing domestic violence and abortion among other initiatives.

Policy

Policy

City Council hearing features fiery discussion of migrant shelters

A lack of fire alarms and fire suppression systems has prevented some shelters from housing asylum-seekers, frustrating City Hall and council members.

New York City

Policy

Congestion pricing sensors excluded from Lincoln Tunnel property, draws outcry from electeds

Officials representing Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen alleged gantries used for the upcoming toll program were deliberately kept off land owned by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

Policy

Poll: Majority of New Yorkers support aid to Israel

Most Democrats and a vast majority of New York Jews said the U.S. should share economic and military aid with Israel, while half of those polled said a large-scale invasion would be unwise.

Policy

Policy

Adams admin questioned on “perplexing” migrant costs

City Council members honed in on ballooning “per diem” costs of sheltering asylum-seekers in New York City at an oversight hearing Monday.

Policy

Policy

3 NY lawmakers ask: Could there be unity around getting stranded New Yorkers out of Israel and Palestinian territories?

Proposed legislation would cover travel costs for New Yorkers stuck in both Israel and Palestine territories to return home.

Technology

Policy

Ending the deepfake threat to elections before it starts

Officials try to get ahead of misinformation created by AI before the 2024 elections.

Technology

Policy

How governments are approaching the regulation and use of AI

While the new tech may seem like science fiction, it’s already being employed by local and state governments in New York and elsewhere.

Technology

Policy

Experts to lawmakers: AI threatens low wage work in New York

The Assembly held a hearing on AI in the workplace, and concerns abounded.

Health Care

Policy

City & State event focuses on transparency to combat predatory hospital pricing

Lawmakers and industry professionals gathered at the 32BJ Health Fund’s headquarters in Manhattan for discussions on how to bring costs down for hospitalized New Yorkers.

Policy

Policy

AG sues crypto firms Gemini and Genesis for fraud

Attorney General Letitia James accused the two cryptocurrency firms of defrauding more than 230,000 investors out of more than $1 billion.

Immigration

Policy

NYC shelter limits could complicate asylum application process

New York City Council members raised concerns that shelter stay limits will make it more difficult for asylum-seekers to receive crucial notices from the federal government.

Health Care

Policy

Filling in the gaps left by federal child care funding running out

State Sen. Jabari Brisport has reupped his Universal Child Care Act for next year.

New York City

Policy

New York City unveils AI action plan

The first of its kind for a major U.S. city, the strategy sets a framework for the responsible roll out of artificial intelligence by agencies.

New York State

Policy

González-Rojas reintroduces legislation to eliminate social worker testing requirement

The difficult clinical exam has been considered a barrier for people of color from working in their communities

Technology

Policy

Dispelling technology fears as New York City move towards automation

While leaders and tech industry professionals push for digitization, the MTA seeks to rebuild credibility.

Policy

Policy

Hochul, AG back bills regulating minors’ social media use

One bill would prohibit social media sites from showing algorithmic feeds to minors without parental consent, while another would limit data collection from users under 18.

New York City

Policy

Adams admin talks longer-term climate resiliency measures

“The climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can keep up,” Chief Climate Officer Rohit Aggarwala said.

Cannabis

Policy

Long road ahead for legal cannabis market in New York

The Office of Cannabis Management has opened applications for legal cannabis businesses, but it will take time before there’s a fully-realized recreational market.

Events

Policy

Finding ways to end cycles of domestic violence and homelessness

Nonprofit leaders, experts and policymakers gathered at City & State’s “Blueprint for Change: Ending Cycles of Gender-Based Violence & Homelessness” conference to bring light to key obstacles faced by survivors.