Jan. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides’ package of bills–known as the Renewable Rikers Act–went before the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee yesterday. The Renewable Rikers Act, comprised of three separate bills introduced in June, would begin the process of creating renewable energy infrastructure and a wastewater treatment facility on Rikers Island…. Read more »
Jan. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Assembly Member Aravella Simotas introduced legislation last Friday that would add borough representation to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) board. The legislation comes after Council Member Costa Constantinides called for MTA board reforms that would give each Borough President the power to appoint a member to the board. The… Read more »
Jan. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Comptroller and mayoral-hopeful Scott Stringer outlined his expansive affordable housing plan Wednesday in Washington Heights, while tearing into Mayor Bill de Blasio’s current plan. Stringer’s plan would require developers who build 10 or more units on a site to set aside a quarter of the units for permanent low-income… Read more »
Jan. 30, 2020 By Allie Griffin Four candidates were disqualified Tuesday from appearing on the Queens Borough President ballot for the March 24 special election, including retired NYPD sergeant Anthony Miranda. Board of Elections (BOE) commissioners disqualified Miranda as well as Danniel Maio, Everly Brown and Justina Jaggassar-Ernul at a public meeting on Jan. 28…. Read more »
Jan. 28, 2020 By Kristen Torres A new C-Town Supermarket is opening its doors in Astoria next month. The supermarket, which will be located at 31-18 24th Ave., has been under construction for about a year and is set to open in mid-February. The full-service grocery store will span 6,500 square feet and will include… Read more »
Jan. 28, 2020 By Kristen Torres City officials are encouraging low-income New Yorkers to apply for half price MetroCards under the city’s Fair Fares program. The program was launched in early 2019 for residents receiving cash assistance, and was expanded over the course of the year to include NYCHA residents, CUNY students and veteran students…. Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a new ad campaign today to combat an uptick in hate crimes on the New York City transit system. The “Hate Has No Place in Our Transportation System” public awareness campaign will promote kindness, respect and solidarity across digital screens in subways, buses… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Kristen Torres The Queens delegation is split over a city bill that would grant green card holders and many other legal immigrants the right to vote in city elections. The bill, introduced in the City Council on Jan. 23, would grant permanent residents and other legal immigrants with the right to… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Christian Murray Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has penned a letter to the Economic Development Corporation announcing that she no longer wants to be part of the Sunnyside Yard steering committee. Ocasio-Cortez said that she wants out because she says the EDC is not listening to many of her constituents—particularly those who fear… Read more »
Jan. 27, 2020 By Allie Griffin Several workers’ unions announced their picks for Queens Borough President last week. On Thursday, the service workers union 32BJ SEIU formally endorsed Council Member Donovan Richards and on Wednesday, the New York transit workers union TWU Local 100 selected former Council Member Elizabeth Crowley as their pick. Several unions… Read more »