Flushing BID receives CPC approval to double in size. On August 28, 2019, the City Planning unanimously approved the Downtown Flushing Business Improvement District’s (“BID”) application. The application by Small Business Services (“SBS”) and officials from the Flushing BID proposed a geographic expansion that is more reflective of the downtown Flushing community and responsive to the community’s growing needs.
Search Results for: Proposed Budget
Audit Faults Shelter Contracts
State Comptroller’s audit criticized the high costs of past homeless shelters leases; the agency responded that it is in the process of tightening its leasing procedures. In October of 2017, the New York State Comptroller’s office released an audit regarding contracts signed over the past four years between the City and landlords providing homeless shelters. The audit found that the Department of Homeless Services does not have written policies and standard operating procedures for key … <Read More>
A Property Tax Cap – What It Would Do and What It Would Not Do
Last month, at a State Legislature hearing in Albany on the Governor’s proposed budget, Mayor de Blasio faced repeated questions about why New York City is exempt from the cap on property tax increases that applies elsewhere in the state. The legislators cited a variety of reasons why the city should accept a cap, although few hold up to scrutiny – most notably the assertion that a cap was a “fix” for the city’s broken … <Read More>
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 08/12/24
by Jeff Wice & Alexis Marking
ELECTIONS
State Board of Elections Sued Over the Equal Rights Amendment’s Ballot Language
A new law enacted last year requires ballot language for voter referendum questions in New York State to be written in plain language at “no higher than an eighth-grade reading level.” The ballot language for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which was approved to appear on the November ballot, has … <Read More>
Charter Revision Commission Approves Ballot Proposals for November, Leaves Out Council Bill
On July 29, 2024, the 2024 New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) approved five ballot proposals following their final public meeting. The proposals include: clean streets, fiscal responsibility, capital planning, public safety, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and modernization of City operations.
Clean Streets
This proposal aims to strengthen New York City Department of Sanitation’s ability to keep New York City healthy, safe, and clean by enhancing and clarifying its authority.
The amendment provides … <Read More>
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 07/29/24
By Jeff Wice and Alexis Marking
EARLY VOTING
N.Y.S. Court of Appeals to Hear Early Voting Challenge Appeal Tomorrow
The state’s highest court will hear arguments tomorrow at 11:00 AM in Stefanik v. Hochul, an appeal challenging the state’s new law permitting voters to mail-in their ballots during the early voting periods. You can watch the oral arguments here: https://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/live.html
BALLOT PROPOSALS
Equal Rights Amendment Back on New York’s November Ballot
On Tuesday, … <Read More>