During the mayoral campaign both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Christopher Cerf, a former Education Department official who had moved over to the campaign, predicted that the city’s scores on a national math test would show an increase. Yesterday the figures for the National Assessment of Educational [...]
During the mayoral campaign both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Christopher Cerf, a former Education Department official who had moved over to the campaign, predicted that the city’s scores on a national math test would show an increase. Yesterday the figures for the National Assessment of Educational [...]
Gotham Gazette parks topic page writer Anne Schwartz filed this post.
Promising to spend an additional $55 million on the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the city is proposing to take over responsibility for the project from the financially strapped state. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe discussed the proposal at a [...]
Gotham Gazette parks topic page writer Anne Schwartz filed this post.
Promising to spend an additional $55 million on the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the city is proposing to take over responsibility for the project from the financially strapped state. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe discussed the proposal at a [...]
Dana Farrington filed this report from City Hall.
Impatience was contagious in City Hall today as three City Council committees heard from concerned parties about the World Trade Center Medical Working Groups second annual report, released in September. Of particular concern was a bill, currently stalled in the [...]
Dana Farrington filed this report from City Hall.
Impatience was contagious in City Hall today as three City Council committees heard from concerned parties about the World Trade Center Medical Working Groups second annual report, released in September. Of particular concern was a bill, currently stalled in the [...]
Back when the push for charter schools began in the 1990s, their advocates said that this new model of public financing and private control would save money. Freed of regulations and not bound by union contracts, the line went, these schools could provide a quality education at a [...]
Back when the push for charter schools began in the 1990s, their advocates said that this new model of public financing and private control would save money. Freed of regulations and not bound by union contracts, the line went, these schools could provide a quality education at a [...]
After months of maneuvering, same sex marriage finally came to a vote on the State Senate floor this afternoon and, contrary to some earlier predictions, did not pick up any support from Republicans, Gotham Gazette’s David King reports from the Capitol. The measure failed by a vote of 24 to [...]
After months of maneuvering, same sex marriage finally came to a vote on the State Senate floor this afternoon and, contrary to some earlier predictions, did not pick up any support from Republicans, Gotham Gazette’s David King reports from the Capitol. The measure failed by a vote of 24 to [...]
Update: The Senate now is expected to vote on the authorities bill this (Wednesday) evening.
A budget deal still seems far away, but leaders in Albany have apparently reached accord on another vexing issue: changing some of the rules governing the state’s public authorities.
Details are not yet available, David [...]
Update: The Senate now is expected to vote on the authorities bill this (Wednesday) evening.
A budget deal still seems far away, but leaders in Albany have apparently reached accord on another vexing issue: changing some of the rules governing the state’s public authorities.
Details are not yet available, David [...]
Dana Farrington filed this report on the City Council hearings Tuesday on paid sick leave.
Advocates for paid sick leave in New York City may have viewed the law in San Francisco as an example before, but they probably had not done so literally — until today. The City Council [...]
Dana Farrington filed this report on the City Council hearings Tuesday on paid sick leave.
Advocates for paid sick leave in New York City may have viewed the law in San Francisco as an example before, but they probably had not done so literally — until today. The City Council [...]
As City Council members rallied to the cause of New York City drivers yesterday, they attacked the administration for playing “gotcha” with traffic violations, using parking tickets as kind of cash cow, and serving as judge and jury for New Yorkers accused of parking illegally. Did the vigorous criticism, [...]
As City Council members rallied to the cause of New York City drivers yesterday, they attacked the administration for playing “gotcha” with traffic violations, using parking tickets as kind of cash cow, and serving as judge and jury for New Yorkers accused of parking illegally. Did the vigorous criticism, [...]
Thirty-eight of the 51 City Council members have signed on to a bill, Intro 1059, that would require private employers in the city to give their worker paid sick days. But the most influential member — Council Speaker Christine Quinn — said she still has not decided whether to [...]
Thirty-eight of the 51 City Council members have signed on to a bill, Intro 1059, that would require private employers in the city to give their worker paid sick days. But the most influential member — Council Speaker Christine Quinn — said she still has not decided whether to [...]
With Gov. David Paterson and various fiscal experts warning of dire financial starts for the state, a report released by the Pew Center for the States gave Senate Finance Committee chair Carl Kruger reason for cheer. Citing the report — a fiscal scorecard for [...]
With Gov. David Paterson and various fiscal experts warning of dire financial starts for the state, a report released by the Pew Center for the States gave Senate Finance Committee chair Carl Kruger reason for cheer. Citing the report — a fiscal scorecard for [...]
After predicting for months that Mayor Michael Bloomberg was invincible and would win by a double-digit margin, the pundits now offer their explanation for why the mayor did so much worse on Tuesday than they had anticipated. A consensus seems to have emerged: People were furious about term limits, the [...]
After predicting for months that Mayor Michael Bloomberg was invincible and would win by a double-digit margin, the pundits now offer their explanation for why the mayor did so much worse on Tuesday than they had anticipated. A consensus seems to have emerged: People were furious about term limits, the [...]
Republicans picked up two seats on the City Council yesterday, bringing their total to five seats out of 51. The GOP gains came in District 19 in Bayside, where Republican Dan Halloran defeated Democrat Kevin Kim, and in Flushing’s 20th council district, where Peter Koo, a [...]
Republicans picked up two seats on the City Council yesterday, bringing their total to five seats out of 51. The GOP gains came in District 19 in Bayside, where Republican Dan Halloran defeated Democrat Kevin Kim, and in Flushing’s 20th council district, where Peter Koo, a [...]
Following his narrow victory last night, Michael Bloomberg may make changes — Ben Smith reports in Politico that he has “already promised a major shakeup of his senior aides.”
So who’s headed out the door? David Bloomfield, an education professor at Brooklyn College, bets on Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.
“Eight [...]
Following his narrow victory last night, Michael Bloomberg may make changes — Ben Smith reports in Politico that he has “already promised a major shakeup of his senior aides.”
So who’s headed out the door? David Bloomfield, an education professor at Brooklyn College, bets on Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.
“Eight [...]
Still mulling whom to vote for today? Well the ballot does provide choice for mayor beyond Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson. Also on the ballot are Stephen Christopher (Conservative); Dan Fein (Socialist Worker); Francsica Villar (Socialism and Libertarian); Dan Fein (Socialist Worker); Bill Talen (Green); [...]
Still mulling whom to vote for today? Well the ballot does provide choice for mayor beyond Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson. Also on the ballot are Stephen Christopher (Conservative); Dan Fein (Socialist Worker); Francsica Villar (Socialism and Libertarian); Dan Fein (Socialist Worker); Bill Talen (Green); [...]
In our ongoing efforts to keep the mayoral candidates (somewhat) honest, we refer you to a fact check on last night’s debate in the New York Times.
The summary: Bloomberg’s clam that Thompson’s proposals would require massive tax increases is “highly dubious.” His argument that test scores did [...]
In our ongoing efforts to keep the mayoral candidates (somewhat) honest, we refer you to a fact check on last night’s debate in the New York Times.
The summary: Bloomberg’s clam that Thompson’s proposals would require massive tax increases is “highly dubious.” His argument that test scores did [...]
The second — and final debate — between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Comptroller Bill Thompson featured a number of sharp exchanges between the two men, few flashes of affability or humor — and no lightening round. As Thompson struck a tougher stance and offered a more staccato delivery than [...]
The second — and final debate — between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Comptroller Bill Thompson featured a number of sharp exchanges between the two men, few flashes of affability or humor — and no lightening round. As Thompson struck a tougher stance and offered a more staccato delivery than [...]
Go to WABC-TV’s web site this afternoon and you can see a story on Halloween costumes, a lot of coverage of the rain and – our favorite! — a slide show of Dancing with the Stars. You also get one, eight-sentence AP story on tonight’s mayoral debate.
Go [...]
Go to WABC-TV’s web site this afternoon and you can see a story on Halloween costumes, a lot of coverage of the rain and – our favorite! — a slide show of Dancing with the Stars. You also get one, eight-sentence AP story on tonight’s mayoral debate.
Go [...]
With the United Federation of Teachers and the Bloomberg administration locked behind closed doors negotiating a contract, speculation continues about what a final accord might look like.
The contract will undoubtedly involve money but will also address work rules and other provisions contained in the approximately 200-page [...]
With the United Federation of Teachers and the Bloomberg administration locked behind closed doors negotiating a contract, speculation continues about what a final accord might look like.
The contract will undoubtedly involve money but will also address work rules and other provisions contained in the approximately 200-page [...]
It happens every fall. As Election Day nears, some readers and political types ask whether Gotham Gazette endorses candidates. Others wonder about the relationship between Gotham Gazette and endorsements made by Citizens Union.
The answer is simple: Gotham Gazette does not now and never, ever has endorsed candidates. It would be [...]
It happens every fall. As Election Day nears, some readers and political types ask whether Gotham Gazette endorses candidates. Others wonder about the relationship between Gotham Gazette and endorsements made by Citizens Union.
The answer is simple: Gotham Gazette does not now and never, ever has endorsed candidates. It would be [...]
Residents of rent-regulated apartments got a rare piece of good news this morning as the state’s highest court ruled that Tishman Speyer and Black Rock Realty improperly raised rents on thousands of apartments in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.
The tenants’ good news could spell serious [...]
Residents of rent-regulated apartments got a rare piece of good news this morning as the state’s highest court ruled that Tishman Speyer and Black Rock Realty improperly raised rents on thousands of apartments in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.
The tenants’ good news could spell serious [...]
The barrage of education statistics continues, ramped up by the mayoral election campaign.
Earlier this week — and the day before the mayoral candidates’ debate — Schools Chancellor Joel Klein held a glitzy presentation comparing the city’s record with those of other schools districts in the state. Klein declared [...]
The barrage of education statistics continues, ramped up by the mayoral election campaign.
Earlier this week — and the day before the mayoral candidates’ debate — Schools Chancellor Joel Klein held a glitzy presentation comparing the city’s record with those of other schools districts in the state. Klein declared [...]
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Democratic opponent William Thompson Jr. clashed in their first debate tonight, a fast-moving contest characterized more by each man’s criticisms of the other than by any forward looking policy prescriptions.
Most objective observers (i.e. not the spin doctors made available by both sides in the Museo [...]
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Democratic opponent William Thompson Jr. clashed in their first debate tonight, a fast-moving contest characterized more by each man’s criticisms of the other than by any forward looking policy prescriptions.
Most objective observers (i.e. not the spin doctors made available by both sides in the Museo [...]
The Department of Education rolled out yesterday’s presentation by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein with all the rigmarole of a major announcement — advance emails, embargoed slides and a report, and a presentation on the 50th floor of JPMorgan Chase headquarters.
Most reporters, though, found the show and tell — about increases [...]
The Department of Education rolled out yesterday’s presentation by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein with all the rigmarole of a major announcement — advance emails, embargoed slides and a report, and a presentation on the 50th floor of JPMorgan Chase headquarters.
Most reporters, though, found the show and tell — about increases [...]
With only about 7 percent of those eligible casting votes in last Tuesday’s runoff for comptroller and City Council, some politicians are looking for an alternative.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo has recommended a ban on runoffs all together. The person who got the most votes in the initial primary would [...]
With only about 7 percent of those eligible casting votes in last Tuesday’s runoff for comptroller and City Council, some politicians are looking for an alternative.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo has recommended a ban on runoffs all together. The person who got the most votes in the initial primary would [...]
Gotham Gazette has just won the award for General Excellence in our circulation category from the Onlne News Association. These are often referred to as the Pulitzers of online journalism, and if you will forgve us for bragging, put us in pretty good compay: ProPublica, the Las Vegas Sun, the [...]
Gotham Gazette has just won the award for General Excellence in our circulation category from the Onlne News Association. These are often referred to as the Pulitzers of online journalism, and if you will forgve us for bragging, put us in pretty good compay: ProPublica, the Las Vegas Sun, the [...]
In the wake of a study finding charter schools help close the student achievement gap, Mayor Michael Bloomberg today announced a series of steps to expand and otherwise bolster charter schools in the city. (We’re not sure why this announcement came from his campaign and not the mayor’s [...]
Given that only about 230,000 people are thought to have voted in yesterday’s Democratic runoff, the result may not tell us much beyond the obvious — that Bill de Blasio is almost certain to be the city’s next public advocate and John Liu the [...]
Given that only about 230,000 people are thought to have voted in yesterday’s Democratic runoff, the result may not tell us much beyond the obvious — that Bill de Blasio is almost certain to be the city’s next public advocate and John Liu the [...]
With four days before Tuesday’s runoff election, the politesse that had characterized much of the campaign for city comptroller largely vanished last night as the two candidates debated at NY1 — and assailed each other’s integrity. In what figures to be their final face-off, Councilmembers [...]
With four days before Tuesday’s runoff election, the politesse that had characterized much of the campaign for city comptroller largely vanished last night as the two candidates debated at NY1 — and assailed each other’s integrity. In what figures to be their final face-off, Councilmembers [...]
This post was written by DeNora Getachew, director of public policy and legislative counsel for Citizens Union Foundation, which publishes Gotham Gazette.
As New York City Democratic voters get ready to vote in the upcoming runoff election on Sept. 29 for their party’s nominees for comptroller and public advocate, [...]
This post was written by DeNora Getachew, director of public policy and legislative counsel for Citizens Union Foundation, which publishes Gotham Gazette.
As New York City Democratic voters get ready to vote in the upcoming runoff election on Sept. 29 for their party’s nominees for comptroller and public advocate, [...]
David’s Yassk’y latest spot (see below) airs on the same day that Quinnipiac University issued a poll showing Liu with a slight edge in the race. He leads Yassky 49 to 43 percent among likely Democratic primary voters with 9 percent undecided. With so few people likely to vote, [...]
David’s Yassk’y latest spot (see below) airs on the same day that Quinnipiac University issued a poll showing Liu with a slight edge in the race. He leads Yassky 49 to 43 percent among likely Democratic primary voters with 9 percent undecided. With so few people likely to vote, [...]
With the mayoral campaign officially only a week old, education has emerged as a key topic, and a torrent of studies give both sides ammunition.
Already Mayor Michael Bloomberg has sent out a campaign mailer contrastng his education record as mayor with Democratic opponent William Thompson’s accomplishments as president of the [...]
With the mayoral campaign officially only a week old, education has emerged as a key topic, and a torrent of studies give both sides ammunition.
Already Mayor Michael Bloomberg has sent out a campaign mailer contrastng his education record as mayor with Democratic opponent William Thompson’s accomplishments as president of the [...]
The state’s highest court has ruled that Richard Ravitch’s appointment as lieutenant governor is legal after all. This makes Ravitch the first appointed lieutenant governor in state history and ends a legal battle that began this summer when Gov. David Paterson named Ravitch to the vacant [...]
The state’s highest court has ruled that Richard Ravitch’s appointment as lieutenant governor is legal after all. This makes Ravitch the first appointed lieutenant governor in state history and ends a legal battle that began this summer when Gov. David Paterson named Ravitch to the vacant [...]
Anne Schwartz, Gotham Gazette’s parks writer, filed this post.
People interviewed in a New York Times article about the citys proposed ban on smoking in the parks (and commenting about it online) derided the idea as an extension of the nanny state, an intrusion on individual freedom, harassment of [...]
Anne Schwartz, Gotham Gazette’s parks writer, filed this post.
People interviewed in a New York Times article about the citys proposed ban on smoking in the parks (and commenting about it online) derided the idea as an extension of the nanny state, an intrusion on individual freedom, harassment of [...]
We know we’re not a blog of mediai criticism (and that people who live in glass houses…), but, readers, can any of you explain the amount of ink the Times has spilled on Clyde Vanel’s challenge to incumbent Leroy Comrie in the 27th council district in Queens? (They have done [...]
We know we’re not a blog of mediai criticism (and that people who live in glass houses…), but, readers, can any of you explain the amount of ink the Times has spilled on Clyde Vanel’s challenge to incumbent Leroy Comrie in the 27th council district in Queens? (They have done [...]
At least four and as many as six City Council members lost their jobs yesterday. That may not sound like many — there are, after all, 51 council members and at least 37 of them got four more years. But given that 97 or 98 percent of incumbents generally get [...]
At least four and as many as six City Council members lost their jobs yesterday. That may not sound like many — there are, after all, 51 council members and at least 37 of them got four more years. But given that 97 or 98 percent of incumbents generally get [...]
In the one election Tuesday in which everyone — not just registered Democrats or Republicans — could vote, Democrat Michael Miller defeated Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano to win the State Assembly seat from the 38th district in Queens. The post — representing Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, [...]
In the one election Tuesday in which everyone — not just registered Democrats or Republicans — could vote, Democrat Michael Miller defeated Republican Donna Marie Caltabiano to win the State Assembly seat from the 38th district in Queens. The post — representing Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, [...]
Incumbency has long been a virtual guarantee of re-election in New York City. In 2005, only one incumbent, the ever-quirky Allan Jennings of Queens, tried for another term and lost.
Could this year be different? While most New Yorkers are not closing following the city primary — and those [...]
Incumbency has long been a virtual guarantee of re-election in New York City. In 2005, only one incumbent, the ever-quirky Allan Jennings of Queens, tried for another term and lost.
Could this year be different? While most New Yorkers are not closing following the city primary — and those [...]
With the primary campaign in its final day, Gotham Gazette has reports from two districts where incumbents tarnished by the City Council slush fund scandal are fighting to hold on to their seats.
In District 12 (Co-op City), Larry Seabrook, whos been accused of designating money [...]
With the primary campaign in its final day, Gotham Gazette has reports from two districts where incumbents tarnished by the City Council slush fund scandal are fighting to hold on to their seats.
In District 12 (Co-op City), Larry Seabrook, whos been accused of designating money [...]
The proposed Brooklyn housing project that had emerged as a major issue in the 34th district’s City Council race is now going to court.
The Daily News reports that the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition, a group opposing the current plan to build affordable housing on [...]
The proposed Brooklyn housing project that had emerged as a major issue in the 34th district’s City Council race is now going to court.
The Daily News reports that the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition, a group opposing the current plan to build affordable housing on [...]
It probably reflects the nature of the jobs they are running for but, while the candidate for public advocate seem to like to mix it up with one another, encounters between the four Democrats vying for city comptroller are unfailingly polite. Tonight’s debate, sponsored by the Citizens [...]
It probably reflects the nature of the jobs they are running for but, while the candidate for public advocate seem to like to mix it up with one another, encounters between the four Democrats vying for city comptroller are unfailingly polite. Tonight’s debate, sponsored by the Citizens [...]
Correction: The Department of Education tells us they did distribute a press release at the event announcing the school grades Wednesday morning and emailed it that afternoon. Unfortunately, we were not on the list. Since this item was posted, the release has also been placed on the Department of Education [...]
Correction: The Department of Education tells us they did distribute a press release at the event announcing the school grades Wednesday morning and emailed it that afternoon. Unfortunately, we were not on the list. Since this item was posted, the release has also been placed on the Department of Education [...]
Swooping up the stack of flyers for city candidates in my mailbox yesterday, I was surprised to see one for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand who is not up for re-election until 2010 and seems to, with President Barack Obama’s help, have finished off most of her opposition before the campaign even [...]
Swooping up the stack of flyers for city candidates in my mailbox yesterday, I was surprised to see one for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand who is not up for re-election until 2010 and seems to, with President Barack Obama’s help, have finished off most of her opposition before the campaign even [...]
New York officials and average citizens today mourned the death early this morning of Sen. Edward Kennedy, a man who served the nation and represented Massachusetts but as City Room observed, had deep ties to New York.
Kennedy spent part of his childhood in Westchester and married a woman [...]
Faced with continuing — and escalating — allegations that he fabricated parts of his life story, city comptroller candidate John Liu Tuesday evening turned to core supporters and his mother for help. At a rally in Chinatown, hundreds cheered Liu, who hopes to become the first [...]
Faced with continuing — and escalating — allegations that he fabricated parts of his life story, city comptroller candidate John Liu Tuesday evening turned to core supporters and his mother for help. At a rally in Chinatown, hundreds cheered Liu, who hopes to become the first [...]
Gov. David Paterson’s appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor last month violated the state constitution, a state appeals court panel ruled today. The four judges in Brooklyn said the move was illegal because “no provision of the Constitution or of any statute provides for the filling [...]
Gov. David Paterson’s appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor last month violated the state constitution, a state appeals court panel ruled today. The four judges in Brooklyn said the move was illegal because “no provision of the Constitution or of any statute provides for the filling [...]
