Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about City Council

Here was Mayor de Blasio in February, 2019 claiming to crack down on placards. Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

De Blasio Cuts Two Placard Abuse Units That Did Nothing, Saying, ‘But Wait ’til Next Year!’

By Julianne Cuba | Jul 10, 2020 | No Comments

This year's budget battle also reminded us that the de Blasio administration has literally done nothing to crack down on placard abuse, despite many announcements.

Council Member Laurie Cumbo of Brooklyn had harsh words for 'Defund NYPD' organizers during June's budget negotiations. Photo: NYC Council

Opinion: ‘Defund NYPD’ Campaign Exposes Divide in Black and Latino Leadership

By Andrew J. Padilla | Jul 10, 2020 | No Comments

Establishment figures — especially elected officials — are looking askance at younger organizers. But the new guard has built real community cred — and has its pulse on the issues.

Mayor de Blasio and then-NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

BRUTAL MATH: The NYPD’s $6B Budget Must Be Cut, Advocates and Lawmakers Say

By Gersh Kuntzman | Jun 4, 2020 | No Comments

Activists — and perhaps soon, some politicians — are focusing on cutting the $6-billion NYPD budget by $1 billion, and redistributed in a way that better benefits long-suffering communities and reduces police brutality.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea looming over his boss in a file photo.

Advocates, Pols to Mayor: Defund the NYPD Now

By Gersh Kuntzman | Jun 1, 2020 | No Comments

"If police budgets bought peace, the $6 billion NYPD budget would’ve bought the most sophisticated de-escalatory operation in the world," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday. "Clearly, it didn't."

Famed restaurant architect David Rockwell created this idea for outdoor space — showing the Park Slope restaurant Negril — for the New York City Hospitality Alliance. Photo: Rockwell Group

Council: Mayor Must ‘Think Outside The Box’ When It Comes To Open Streets for Restaurants

By Julianne Cuba | May 29, 2020 | No Comments

Mayor de Blasio is too myopic when it comes to rethinking street space to help struggling New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis, lawmakers charged on Thursday.

Council Seeks Open Streets for Restaurants, Defying de Blasio (Again!)

By Gersh Kuntzman | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

The City Council today will take up a measure to require the city to create space "throughout the city for outdoor dining amid the COVID-19 pandemic," according to a statement from Speaker Corey Johnson.

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