Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

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A group of 120 principals have issued a letter in support of the school network structure that is at the center of the Bloomberg administration's education reforms aimed at empowering principals as educators. Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and others have questioned the need for the support networks, which provide for professional development, curriculum and budgeting. But principals said in their letter that the networks "provide particular kinds of support for schools that many of us have found to be invaluable." Critics say the networks haven't met expectations in many cases. New York University professor Pedro Noguera, speaking to GothamSchools, said of the quality of networks: “It’s a very mixed bag out there.”

The Bloomberg Fiscal Legacy: After 12 years in office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg will have left an indelible fiscal stamp on New York City that will present his successor — and any progressive agenda — with formidable challenges. A commentary by Glenn Pasanen. READ MORE.

Today's policy agenda: State Sen Liz Krueger joins Hunger Action Network at a news conference to highlight how cuts to food stamps have affected New Yorkers and calls for anti-hunger measures under next mayor, 11 a.m., All Souls' Church, 1157 Lexington Ave. The City Council's committee for sanitation and solid waste management considers a bill that would ban styrofoam to-go cups and containers, 1 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall.


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State Education 'Think Tank' Backed By Private Money (Albany Times Union)

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Study: Mixed Martial Arts Would Bring NY $135M Annually (Lower Hudson Journal)

Ex-Gov Pataki To Call for Lowering Of Income Tax (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio's Plan To Get Property Owners To Use Vacant Plots Of Land (Crain's)

World's Largest Foam Firm Battles Against Proposed City Ban (NY Post)

State Sen. Wants NYPD Services To Stores Tracked (Daily News)