Council Introduces Bill to Study Business Start-Up Costs for M/WBEs

On October 10, 2024, Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse introduced Int. 1082, legislation mandating the NYC Commissioner of Small Business Services to conduct a study and report on the fees and costs required to start and maintain small businesses in New York City – with particular focus on certified minority- or women-owned businesses (M/WBEs). The bill defines small business to cover those that meet the size standards under the code of federal regulations, are not a franchise … <Read More>


NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 10/21/24

By Jeff Wice  & Alexis Marking

N.Y. VOTING RIGHTS ACT LITIGATION

Erie County: Young v. Town of Cheektowaga

In March,  one-time Town Board candidate Kenneth Young filed a lawsuit against the Town of Cheektowaga, alleging racially polarized voting and violations of the New York Voting Rights Act (NYVRA) in the Cheektowaga Town Board elections. Young claims that minorities cannot elect candidates of their choice under the town’s current at-large voting method and should adopt a … <Read More>


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>


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>


How To Vote in New York

by Jordan Karpoff and Jeffrey M. Wice

Election Day — November 5, 2024 — is fast-approaching. In New York. The last day to register to vote in this year’s elections is October 26. 

Once you are registered to vote, you can vote in-person during the eight-day early voting period or on Election Day, or you can vote by mail through the ‘absentee voting’ process. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day or <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>