DDC Celebrates Completion of Repairs of Laurelton Library

On October 9, 2024, Queens Public Library President Dennis M. Walcott and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley celebrated the re-opening of the Laurelton Library. The library was closed to make necessary repairs. This $1.8 million project was completed under the budgeted amount, saving over $160,000. The one-story Laurelton Library is located at 134-26 225th Street and originally opened in 1955.


NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 10/16/24

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Jeff Wice with Jordan Karpoff & Alexis Marking.

N.Y. VOTING RIGHTS ACT LITIGATION

Orange County: Clarke et al. v. Town of Newburgh

In January, three Black and three Hispanic residents of Newburgh filed this lawsuit, claiming the town’s at-large election system for Town Board elections has prevented Black and Hispanic residents from electing candidates of their choice, thus violating the N.Y. Voting Rights Act.

On October 10th, the … <Read More>


City Expands Program to Replace Private Lead Water Lines

On October 9, 2024, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the expansion of the lead service line replacement program. Through this free program, the City will cover the replacement of privately-owned water service lines, made of lead or galvanized steel, at eligible properties in the Bronx and Queens. Water service lines connect directly to the City’s water mains, and property owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property’s service lines, which are estimated … <Read More>


Q&A: Mayor Eric Adams’ Indictment and NYC Campaign Finance Matters

On September 26, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on five federal charges including bribery, conspiracy, and campaign finance offenses. To better understand the context of the alleged campaign finance-related crimes, New York Law School’s Center for New York City and State Law offers the following Q-and-A between Ben Max, the Center’s executive editor, and Amy Loprest, a Senior Fellow at the Center and the former longtime Executive Director of the New York City Campaign <Read More>


HPD Announces Start of 2024-2025 Heat Season

On October 1, 2024, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the launch of the 2024-2025 heat season. Heat season runs from October 1st to May 31st. During heat season, building owners must maintain specific indoor temperatures depending on the outdoor temperature. Owners must maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when outdoor temperatures are below 55 degrees during the daytime and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight regardless of the outdoor temperature. Hot <Read More>


NY Elections, Census, and Redistricting Update 10/07/24

 

 

 

 

 

By Jeff Wice, Alexis Marking & Jordan Karpoff

REDISTRICTING

NYC Council Map Challenge Goes to State Court of Appeals 

This lawsuit was filed against the New York City Districting Commission, the New York City Board of Elections, and the New York State Board of Elections  challenging  the New York City Council district map based on an alleged violation of the New York City Charter.

Plaintiffs include Desis Rising Up and … <Read More>