Tag: op-ed

Op-Ed: The benefits of the City of Yes Housing proposal

June 27, 2024 By Richard Khuzami Most of the media coverage regarding the City of Yes zoning changes, regarding increasing housing, are focused on the negative response from many of the Community Boards from the outer boroughs, especially those especially distant from Manhattan (as of today, we have seen no coverage of CB1 Queens approval… Read more »

Op-Ed: Not another Amazon disaster

Jun. 20, 2024 By Czarinna Andres June 20, 2024 By John J. Ciafone, Esq. A few years ago, Long Island City won a national competition to house the corporate headquarters of Amazon.  Amazon promised tens of thousands of jobs, from technical employment for workers to local student graduates, deliverers, contractors, laborers, construction union jobs, Porters… Read more »

Op-Ed | Hochul: Action is Imperative on Shoplifting, but Violent Crime is Just Fine

hochul

Apr. 29, 2024 By Council Member James F. Gennaro Negotiations regarding the New York State budget have just concluded a few days ago and a budget has passed after more than two weeks of delays. But while Gov. Kathy Hochul has proclaimed this year’s ‘bold agenda’ aims to make New York ‘safer,’ there hasn’t been…
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Op-ed: An urgent call for revising NY’s criminal justice reforms to protect public safety

criminal

Apr. 11, 2024 By Council Member Robert Holden In 2019, the State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo embarked on a controversial overhaul of New York’s criminal justice system by enacting several laws, including cashless bail and sweeping changes to discovery laws. Simultaneously, the New York City Council passed laws that compounded these challenges, notably the…
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Op-Ed: A Global Tragedy Hits Home

Apr. 8, 2024 By admin Apr. 8, 2024 By Council Member Shekar Krishnan Four years ago we had to face our darkest days. Our community of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Long food lines, blaring ambulances, and sheer desperation filled our reality. It was at that moment that the… Read more »

Op-ed: OANA endorsement of pickleball at Hallett’s Point playground

Jan. 31, 2024 Op-ed by: Richard Khuzami The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association (OANA) is thrilled at the prospect of transforming Hallett’s Point Playground located at the westernmost tip of Queens, into a vibrant community hub, bustling with activity, laughter, and friendly competition. We propose the addition of a pickleball court, a move that aligns with the… Read more »

Op-ed | New York City’s broken property tax system

property

Jan. 8, 2024 By Martha Stark For decades, it has been an open secret that New York City’s property tax system is inequitable and unfair. This regressive system, rooted in outdated and discriminatory policies, has not only exacerbated the housing crisis but also deepened the economic divide, disproportionately burdening lower-income and minority communities. Next week,…
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Op-Ed: Decoupling Child Care

child care

Dec. 14, 2023 By Diana Limongi Right now, families who need and rely on child care assistance in New York State are prohibited from using child care for any time outside scheduled work.  Governor Hochul has the power to make life easier for working parents by signing legislation that ends the punitive and disruptive policy…
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