Heard Around Town

Policy

NYC budget watchdog warns of fiscal cliff

The Citizens Budget Commission had a dreary outlook at their budget briefing this week.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Port Authority head promotes a ‘big role’ for biometrics at airports

Executive Director Rick Cotton said that customers should be able to opt in to programs that use biometric technology like facial recognition.

New York City

Policy

How is New York City fighting COVID-19 now?

As the city does away with some of the weapons in its pandemic response arsenal, these are the ones New York is relying on now.

New York City

Policy

New York City’s municipal staffing shortage won’t solve itself

A new report from city Comptroller Brad Lander offers recommendations to address hiring and retention issues, including appointing a chief talent officer.

Campaigns & Elections

Politics

Ari Kagan and Justin Brannan are off to the Coney Island races

New York City Council Member Ari Kagan switched parties to Republican, which could set up 2023 a general election showdown between incumbents.

New York State

Policy

‘It’s a marathon.’ Chris Smalls talks Amazon union gameplan after setbacks

Outside a billionaire studded conference, Smalls called for political support for his union. Eric Adams wasn’t there to get the message.

MTA

Policy

MTA in need of new funding source, DiNapoli says

Filling massive operating budget deficits will require more than finding cost efficiency savings, a new report from the state comptroller said.

New York State

Politics

Assembly Member Anna Kelles talks about how the cryptomining moratorium victory came together

Late pressure from small-business groups and the bill’s narrow scope led to it getting signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Heard Around Town

Policy

Advocates expect Hochul to sign bitcoin mining moratorium

Assembly Member Anna Kelles does not expect chapter amendments that would alter the proposed moratorium on proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining.

Policy

Policy

New York City will cut some of its 21,000 vacant government positions

As the city eliminates more unfilled jobs, its ability to hire for crucial remaining positions and retain existing employees is key.

Personality

Personality

Steve Englebright leaves an environmental legacy

The Democratic Assembly member sponsored some of New York’s most significant climate laws.

Interviews & Profiles

Personality

Assembly Member Peter Abbate Jr. misses the old Albany

The Brooklyn Assembly member reflects on three-plus decades in the state Legislature.

Policy

Policy

A ‘missed opportunity’ in using data for New York City social services, report says

A new analysis by the Center for an Urban Future includes recommendations for how the city can leverage data to improve on social services delivery.

Personality

Personality

Yuh-Line Niou helped to usher in a new era in the New York Legislature

Niou gave up her Assembly seat to run for Congress, but she’ll continue to represent her community in “a lot of different ways.” Whether that could mean a future run for office is unclear.

Policy

Policy

Brock Pierce wants to educate New York lawmakers about crypto

The crypto entrepreneur and billionaire said he’s steeped in New York politics and legislation – including a proposed moratorium on Bitcoin mining.

Politics

Politics

Republican Brooklyn Assembly member-elect voted in Manhattan last year

Lester Chang has to have established residency in Brooklyn within six days after last year’s election to be eligible for the Assembly seat he just won.

Policy

Policy

New York City’s budget just grew to $104 billion. Here’s what you need to know.

Mayor Eric Adams told agencies to find 3% savings across the board and (nearly) all of them did.

Policy

Policy

New York City is down about 21,000 government workers

A new report from the state comptroller’s office found that New York City municipal attrition continues to outpace hiring.

Personality

Personality

Women at the helm of New York City’s uniformed agencies

The first female commissioner of the Department of Correction was also the first woman to head a major city agency in 1914.