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Housing Bias Persists, Fueled by the Internet (August 31, 2009) New Yorkers seeking apartments face discrimination for many reasons: race, having a disability, receiving public assistance. And the Internet may be making a bad situation worse.
Campaign Coverage (August 24, 2009) It's primary season, time for robo-calls, mailings and our expanded election coverage, with an array of information on all the candidates and original reporting on key races.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates Would Plan from the Bottom Up (August 17, 2009) The two Democrats seeking Mayor Michael Bloomberg's job hope to find votes in communities throughout the city where some residents feel the mayor's top down development policies have ignored the grass roots.
Communities Drowned Out (August 10, 2009) As planners and developers eye the water's edge, are grassroots and community advocates losing their say?
New York's Now Beleaguered Financial Workforce (August 3, 2009) Employees in the once booming finance sector made far more than their counterparts in other industries. But it may be a long, long time before those jibs return.
A Rough Ride Awaits New MTA Chief (July 27, 2009) Rockaways native Jay Walder hopes to return home to run the MTA. Can the man who brought the 'oyster' to London face down hostile politicians and really solve the city's mass transit's woes?
Replacing Miguel Martinez (July 20, 2009) Miguel Martinez pleaded guilty to felony charges, resigned from City Council and faces years in prison. But his closest advisors still get to help pick his successor.
The Citizen (July 13, 2009) Washington tries again on immigration reform, the Sotomayor hearings begin, reporters examine the barriers immigrants face in city schools -- and more stories from the foreign language press.
Saving Arts Education from Politics (July 6, 2009) The debate about mayoral control of schools should not ignore the arts, writes State Sen. José M. Serrano.
Amid Fireworks, the Senate Stalemate Continues (July 2, 2009) Deadlines and the holiday fail to stop the senate stalemate. In response, the Bloomberg administration looks for lost revenues and assembles a Board of Education. Can anything break the deadlock?
Unemployed in New York (June 26, 2009) Living on unemployment is never easy but it’s particularly difficult in New York -- where expenses are high and the payments are low. How do people make ends meet?
Foreclosure Threat Looms over Thousands of City Apartments (June 22, 2009) As many as 80,000 New Yorkers may be the next victims of the real estate meltdown as some city landlords find they can't pay off both their mortgages and maintain their buildings.
Doling Out Pork (June 19, 2009) Who is slated to hand out the most member items this year? Find out before the City Council approves the new $59.4 billion budget today.
40 Years After Stonewall: New York's Role in the Movement (June 15, 2009) Four decades after gay and lesbian people stood their ground outside a Village bar, Andy Humm surveys New York's role in gay life and the movement for equal rights.
Staying Out of Jail -- and in Upper Manhattan (June 8, 2009) Every year, hundreds of inmates released from prisons return to the area's diverse neighborhoods. But many will stay only a short time before going back to prison again.
The Citizen: Sotomayor's Impact (June 1, 2009)
Zoning without Planning (May 26, 2009) The administration boasts of its massive rezoning to reshape the city for the 21st century. To Tom Angotti, though, it's a swindle, promoting development at the expense of long-time residents.
The Great School Debate (May 18, 2009) As discussion swirls around how the city's schools should be run, Joel Klein, leading politicians, parent advocates and others weigh in on what, if anything, needs to change.
Will the Bailout Plan Save the MTA? (May 11, 2009) Yes, the state government rescued the MTA and staved off immediate disaster. But most questions about the authority's finances, operations and services -- and the plan itself -- remain unanswered.
A Cliffhanger for New York's Film Industry (May 4, 2009) The film and TV industry, lured by government incentives, has brought glory, jobs and money to New York. But now moviemakers worry the state could be ceding the spotlight.
A Tangle of Problems Links Prison, Foster Care (April 13, 2009) When a mother goes to jail, she may have to give up her child as well as her freedom. A look at the complicated interaction of the child welfare system and the criminal justice system.
Breaking the Feast or Famine Tax Cycle (April 6, 2009) Low-income, working New Yorkers may feast when they get their tax credits in the spring, but they face famine the rest of the year. An advocate offers a simple, low-cost solution.
Small Business: Suffering in Good Times and Bad (March 30, 2009) With 'for rent' signs popping up on storefronts around the city, is it time for commercial rent regulation? Some City Council members think so.
The Citizen (March 21, 2009) Depending on who you ask, immigrant children thrive in our classrooms -- or remain far behind. This month's Citizen focuses on education, with other stories on the economy, a food fight in Queens and more.
Cutting Back on Democracy (March 16, 2009) With the mayor's budget calling for a 17 percent cut in spending for community boards, a board president argues the reduction will make it harder for New Yorkers to have their say.
Trying to Keep Abusive Teens from Becoming Abusive Adults (March 2, 2009) As thousands of teens report being assaulted by the person they date, a specialized court in Brooklyn tries to stop teen batterers from becoming adult abusers.
The Citizen (February 23, 2009) New York's newcomers are feeling the full force of the recession -- and trying to adapt. Also the housing squeeze, celebrating Lunar New Year and other stories in The Citizen.
Creative Ways to Tax and Cut (February 17, 2009) Beyond the standard taxing and slashing, how can the city find money for vital services in these tough times? A look at some alternatives.
A Budget Expert Looks at the Numbers (February 17, 2009)
Free Buses, Cheaper Subways -- and a Solution to New York's Traffic (February 6, 2009) Free buses, cheap subways -- and money to pay for them
How to Balance the State Budget (February 2, 2009) Tax and balance: Where can New York find the fist full of dollars it needs to fill its gaping budget gap?
Police Charged with False Arrests of Gay Men at Adult Video Stores (February 2, 2009) A spate of arrests for prostitution at gay video stores is prompting outrage and charges of police misconduct.
Scaling Back Free Parking Privileges (January 26, 2009) The administration vowed to sharply limit parking privileges for its employees. A year later, how much have things changed?
Mixing Gas and Water: Drilling in the City's Watershed. (January 12, 2009) Drilling for natural gas upstate could pose a serious threat to the city's pure, tasty drinking water. Will New York City even have a say before the 'fracking' begins?
A New Name for Our Premier Waterway (January 5, 2009) No waterway belongs to New York City quite the way the East River does. But we've saddled it with a dull and misleading name. Erik Baard suggests an alternative.
Looking Ahead to the New Year (December 22, 2008) In our yearly run at fortune telling, prominent New Yorkers offer their prognostications for 2009. Will Wall Street become desolation row? Will we still like Mike? And what about those Yankees?
Paying for Transit: Fares or Fees, Tolls or Taxes? (December 15, 2008) Three plans offer three very different ways of plugging the MTA's the budget gap. Graham Beck examines the proposals.
The Citizen (December 8, 2008) New York's immigrants reflect on what Barack Obama's victory means for them. Also tough times in Chinatown, Bangladeshis cut back, a Latino political rebellion and other stories from the foreign language press.
Stimulus Money: The Downturn's Silver Lining? (November 17, 2008) The silver lining in the current economic turmoil could be federal funds for transportation projects. The MTA is making its list, but there are sure to be lots of restrictions -- and competition.
The Other Power Shift (November 10, 2008) Election Day brought change to Albany too as Democrats won the State Senate, solidifying their power in New York. A group of experts tell us what that could mean for spending, transit, health -- and more.
And the Winner Is ... (October 27, 2008) Congratulations to Amanda DiLodovico, sophomore at Marymount Manhattan College, whose essay about the importance of funding for special education was selected by our readers as the best of the finalists in Gotham Gazette's first essay contest.
For Council, Another Term Holds Risks and Rewards (October 20, 2008) Would voting to extend term limits enhance City Council's power -- or reinforce its image as a band of marionettes?
Brooklyn's Retail Boom (October 14, 2008) From quirky hip boutiques to the Target at the Junction, has Brooklyn solved every city's retail riddle? Julia Vitullo-Martin thinks it has.
Comparing Proposals on Term Limits (October 8, 2008)
Make That Three: Bloomberg's Reelection Bid (October 6, 2008) Let's assume Mayor Bloomberg convinces City Council to change the term limits law and wins re-election -- what could he do about the economy anyway?
The Citizen (September 28, 2008) Will immigrant voters make a difference this year? What issues concern them? "The Citizen" looks at Campaign 2008.
Also: Voting without Citizenship
The End of Wall Street as We Know It (September 22, 2008) The recent turmoil means the end of Wall Street as we know it. Now what? James Parrott offers a program for change.
Third Term's The Charm (September 15, 2008)

A Vanishing Culture? (September 12, 2008) Original plans called for four arts institutions to occupy the World Trade Center site. Now only one remains -- and it faces an uncertain future.
After 7 Years, Breathing Ailments Persist (September 11, 2008)
The Question Mark Over Fiterman Hall (September 10, 2008)
2008 Primary Results (September 10, 2008)
Rebuilding Ground Zero: Long-term Costs of Short-term Planning (September 10, 2008) The haste to develop Ground Zero after 9/11 has led to delays, mistakes and missed opportunities. Tom Angotti looks back at a flawed process.
Meeting the Gray Wave (September 8, 2008) As New York's senior population grows, the city wants to revamp programs for the aging, but advocates worry the changes could neglect individual needs.
A Long-time Incumbent in a Changing District (September 2, 2008)
A Battle for the Ballot in Flushing (September 2, 2008)
The Return of Allan Jennings (September 2, 2008)
A Longtime Incumbent Faces Another Challenger (September 2, 2008)
GOP Divisions Could Make Staten Island Blue (August 25, 2008) For years, the 13th district on Staten Island has sent the city's only Republican to Congress. This fall a series of strange events and party rifts could change that.
In East New York, Corruption Creates an Open Seat (August 11, 2008)
Those Restaurant Calorie Counts: Too Good to Be True? (August 4, 2008) Too good to be true? Yes, it is. The city requires chain restaurants to post calorie contents but does little to insure that the numbers reflect the fatty facts instead of dieters' fantasies.
From Yesterday's Supper to Tomorrow's 'Black Gold' (July 28, 2008) The scraps and peels from last night's supper can help grow next month's meals. But for now, New York City simply dumps its tons of food waste in landfills.
The City Economy: Facing the Nation's Woes (July 21, 2008) The bailout of Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac represent another sign of the nation's worsening economic woes, and New Yorkers have started to feel the pain.
A Battle Over Reform in Manhattan and Brooklyn (July 14, 2008)
Saving Energy, Affordable Housing -- and the Planet (July 4, 2008) Property owners have little incentive to retrofit aging buildings to save energy. Why trade in your SUV if someone else fills the tank?
Running Against Albany on Manhattan's Lower East Side (June 30, 2008) First Eliot Spitzer resigned. Then Joe Bruno announced his retirement. Now two political novices hope to end the political career of the third man in Albany's room: Speaker Sheldon Silver.
In the Heights: Vitality and Diversity at Manhattan's Tip (June 23, 2008) The musical has focused attention on one of the city's most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods.
Another Special Election (June 2, 2008)
A Community Plan for the 'Highway to Nowhere' (May 29, 2008)
The View from Fit City 3 (May 27, 2008) What do architects have to do with public health? A lot, say advocates of a new movement that uses urban design to encourage fitness and reduce illness.
The Blending of Church and Real Estate (May 19, 2008) As fewer New Yorkers attend religious service many houses of worship are being reborn, changing the character of the buildings and the communities they once served.
Grading New York's Public Schools (May 5, 2008)
An Unknown Urban Forest (April 28, 2008) As the city looks to plant a million more trees, they must also care for the ones that have already taken root in our own backyards.
Reclaiming the City's Abandoned Land (April 28, 2008) How can the city clean up its brownfields when Albany has all of the authority? Two advocates discuss the options.
Blocking the Sun: Solar in the City (April 28, 2008) An advocate attempts to put solar panels on his own home in Brooklyn. Instead of getting solar power, he gets a mound of paperwork.
A More Secure Way to Feed to City (April 28, 2008) Absent from the mayor's sustainability plan is how we'll feed another million mouths. One advocate argues for more locally grown food.
Cleaning Up a Creek (April 26, 2008) A look into how the Newtown Creek on the Brooklyn-Queens border could be a testing ground for some of the administration's sustainable initiatives.
Why a Bioheat Mandate? (April 21, 2008) Why a Bioheat Mandate?
The Dirty Side of Biodiesel (April 21, 2008)
Clearing New York City Streets (April 14, 2008)
A Serious Solution for a Serious Problem (April 14, 2008)
How to Fix Our Transportation Woes -- Without the Fee (April 14, 2008)
Taking a New Look at Discrimination in New York (March 29, 2008) The city says it does not discriminate, but disparities persist in hiring and delivery of services. A human rights advocate discusses how to measure the problem -- and fix it.
Cleaning Up an Agency and an Accident (March 24, 2008) The deadly construction accident on East 51st Street points up the need for sweeping changes at the Department of Buildings, including a new commissioner, argues State Sen. Liz Krueger.
Aging in a New Era (March 17, 2008) The Bloomberg administration has begun to reorganize programs for older New Yorkers, but an advocate fears that the shift could threaten the well being of elderly residents.
Fresh Food and Fresh Ideas (March 3, 2008) Will street vendors hawking fruits and vegetables lead to healthier eating? The city government and advocates thinks so, but others have doubts. Also: The City Council’s action
Counting Down to the Great Television Turnover (February 26, 2008) A year from now many thousands of New Yorkers may suddenly lose their television signals, and many probably will not know why. Joshua Breitbart explains.
Bringing Insurance to Small Business (February 19, 2008)
A Seafaring Commute (February 19, 2008) In her State of the City Speech, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn proposed taking transit to the sea and health insurance to small businesses. Two advocates explain.
The Crackdown on New York City Students (February 11, 2008) The recent handcuffing of a Queens kindergartener highlights the extreme discipline that has become common at New York's schools. An advocate offers some alternatives.
No Party Changes Allowed (January 28, 2008) If you're a Green for Giuliani, a Democrat for Romney, or a Republican for Clinton, you won't be able to vote for your candidate in the February 5 primary.
The Ferry Point Fiasco (January 22, 2008) The Giuliani administration’s plan for a golf course atop an old landfill in the Bronx has cost the city millions. Will it ever become a reality?
A Simpler Alternative to Congestion Pricing (January 7, 2008) What will 2008 bring for the city’s environment? Rich Kassel presents an environmentalist’s hopes for the year, and Hope Cohen focuses on a possible next step in the debate over congestion pricing.
An Environmentalist's Wish List for 2008 (January 7, 2008) What will 2008 bring for the city’s environment? Rich Kassel presents an environmentalist’s hopes for the year, and Hope Cohen focuses on a possible next step in the debate over congestion pricing.
Next Year's Top Stories (December 24, 2007) An array of prominent New Yorkers predict what 2008 will bring in New York City -- from the presidential race to the baseball pennant race.
Who's Stopped? Who's Frisked? (December 17, 2007) A recent report was seen as having cleared the police of racial bias in who they stop on the street. But much has been ignored in the coverage of this volatile issue.
Tackling E-Waste (December 10, 2007)
Testing Fails the Arts (November 26, 2007) New test scores and the school report cards have renewed the debate on how we evaluate schools. Two experts point out what they see as shortcomings in the city's methods.
Report Cards Flunk the Clarity Test (November 26, 2007) New test scores and the school report cards have renewed the debate on how we evaluate schools. Two experts point out what they see as shortcomings in the city's methods.
The Fight Against Drunk Driving (November 19, 2007) New tough laws on drunk driving just went into effect in New York, but advocates say government could more.
Censored by Verizon (October 29, 2007) The company's recent decision to deny a pro-choice group access to its cell-phone text messaging network raised concerns about whether freedom of speech is adequately protected in electronic communications.
Good News About Asthma (October 22, 2007) The chronic lung condition sends far fewer kids to city hospitals now than 10 years ago, but no one seems to have noticed.
Adding Up: How Much Members Spend on Ads? (October 15, 2007) City Council members spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on advertising, according to a new report. A look at who buys the most ads and why.
A Modern Slavery (October 1, 2007) The state government has approved a new law to end human trafficking but the shadowy business presents unique challenges for law enforcement.
The Catch-22 of Subsidized Day Care (September 24, 2007) Thousands of New York children need safe, reliable care, but bureaucratic barriers prevent them from getting subsidized day care, writes the executive director of Episcopal Social Services.
A Fair Deal for The New Workforce (September 4, 2007) Labor Day celebrates union struggles of the past. Now, the head of the Freelancers Union argues, it is time for the self-employed to get the benefits so many workers won in those 20th century battles.
Too Few Jobs for Youth (September 4, 2007)
Lessons from Deutsche Bank (August 27, 2007) The latest tragedy at Ground Zero proves we still have much to learn about how to handle emergencies in the city.
A Failure to Communicate (August 27, 2007)
State of Cycling (August 21, 2007) The plans for a more environmentally friendly New York include a number of ideas to make bicycling easier and safer.
Bringing Diversity to New York Elite High Schools (August 13, 2007) New York’s top public high schools have become increasingly white and Asian, but a school opening in Manhattan next month hopes to change that.
A Divided Council Confronts Congestion Pricing (August 6, 2007) The 51 members will eventually have to weigh in on any plan to reduce New York’s traffic. We report on who stands where in a sharply divided council.
Quinn’s Rule (July 23, 2007) In 19 months as speaker, Christine Quinn has opened up the council and forged a partnership with the mayor. But her most difficult tasks could lie ahead.
Keeping Felons from Voting (July 9, 2007) By not allowing people convicted of felonies to cast ballots, the writers argue, New York State perpetuates the racial injustices of the past.
Moving Ahead on Immigration Reform? (July 2, 2007)
Dividing the Wealth: Who Gets the Council’s Discretionary Funds? (June 25, 2007) Our analysis of City Council figures reveals which members did best in capturing funds for projects in their districts – and who did not fare as well.
Who Got What (June 25, 2007)
Latest Round in the Garbage Wars (June 18, 2007) Opposition to a recycling facility in Manhattan threatens to derail the city’s solid waste plan. Is it NIMBY or not?
What the Campaign Finance Bill Would Do – and Not Do (June 11, 2007) The latest efforts to restrict campaign contributions have been widely hailed – but would the new law even be in effect in time for the 2009 elections?
Needed: Campaign Finance Reform (May 28, 2007) New York has some of the weakest campaign laws in the country and, writes Dick Dadey of Citizens Union, that must change – now.
The Move to Expand DNA Testing (May 21, 2007) Governor Eliot Spitzer’s proposal to take DNA samples from anyone convicted of a crime in the state has revived the debate over this powerful tool.
Behind The Low Unemployment Rate (May 15, 2007) With the city’s jobless rate at a record low, officials are trumpeting the good news. But what do the numbers mean? James Parrott of the Fiscal Policy Institute provides some answers as we launch our new Economy section.
Data to the People (May 7, 2007) In an on-line chat with Gotham Gazette, Gale Brewer discusses how technology can improve access to government.
Catching Up On Recycling (April 23, 2007) The city needs to do more to regain the momentum lost when it suspended recycling a few years ago, writes Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
Noxious New York (April 16, 2007)
A ‘Customer’ Survey for the City (April 9, 2007) City officials may be in for some surprises when they ask New Yorkers what they think of public services in the city.
Change of Venue In the Sean Bell Case (March 27, 2007) The Sean Bell case should be tried in Queens, where he was shot, argues attorney Ken Ramseur.
AUXILIARY OFFICERS ASSISTANCE PLAN (March 26, 2007)
Auxiliary Police (March 26, 2007) In the wake of the shooting death of two of its officers, great changes may be underway in the way New York City's 4,500-member volunteer police force is trained, deployed, supervised...and protected.
The Price of Progress? (March 19, 2007) Can New York's historical places withstand the city's thirst for development?
Helping Young Mothers Help Their Babies and Themselves (March 12, 2007) The Nurse Family Partnership tries to help at risk children – before they are even born.
Nightlife, Pedicabs, and the N-word (March 5, 2007)
City Council’s First Haitian Member (February 26, 2007) A City Council election in Brooklyn last week gave the council its first Haitian member. With Mathieu Eugene’s victory, Haitian New Yorkers gained a toehold in elected government. But first Eugene must weather a controversy over his place of residence.
Government's Annual Reports (February 20, 2007) In their State of the City speeches, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Christine Quinn presented somewhat different visions of New York.
Confronting the Congestion Crisis (February 12, 2007) Councilmember Gale Brewer on how city officials should keep traffic in city streets from grinding to a complete halt.
Private Partnerships For Public Parks (January 29, 2007) A deal to give 20 private schools near-exclusive use of much of the recreational space of Randall’s Island in exchange for funding is the latest controversy arising over an increasing practice – “the reliance on private organizations to support what traditionally has been a taxpayer-funded service.”
Advising Spitzer (January 2, 2007) From Day One, as he puts it, Eliot Spitzer has complicated and important decisions to make. Five experts, including two former governors, offer the new governor their unsolicited advice.
Predicting The Big Stories in 2007 (December 18, 2006) Two dozen New Yorkers look at what the city's fortunes may be in 2007.
Tough Times for Transit Workers (December 11, 2006) As transit workers still await a new contract, union president Roger Toussaint and some of his rivals at the Transport Workers Union look back at last year’s events and assess conditions facing transit workers today.
After Prison (November 28, 2006) The story of New Yorker Elaine Bartlett, released from prison after 16 years, highlights issues surrounding the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the reintegration of ex-prisoners into society.
What Does It Mean for New York? (November 13, 2006) After years in the political wilderness, many New Yorkers hope the new regimes in Washington and Albany will bring the city increased clout. But will it really make a difference. Some opinionate New Yorkers weigh in.
Stuyvesant Town, Queens West And The Debate Over Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses (November 6, 2006) A closer look at both Stuyvesant Town and Queens West suggests the complications in using the usual arguments in the debate over Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses, says Brad Lander of the Pratt Center for Community Development
Jane Jacobs, Robert Moses And City Planning Today (November 6, 2006)
Economic Incentives, for Council Members and Businesses; City Council Stated Meeting, Oct. 25, 2006 (October 30, 2006)
The Forgotten Attack On NYC (October 18, 2006) A major terrorist attack on New York City -- planned and carried out by agents of a foreign government -- occurred 85 years before September 11th, and has passed into obscurity.
Faster Buses, Safer Cycling, Better Pedestrian Protection And Other Plans For The Future (October 16, 2006) New York City's Transportation Commissioner talks about what improvements her agency is instituting.
Putting Cars Behind (October 16, 2006) A sound transportation policy for New York or any big city must reduce car use and let residents enjoy their surroundings, argues the former mayor of Bogotá, Colombia.
Can Small Stores Survive in New York? (October 10, 2006) With many New York streets increasingly resembling suburban shopping malls, the developer of Chelsea Market and an architect offer ideas on how small, locally owned businesses can still thrive in New York City.
How the Estate Tax Helps New York (September 25, 2006) As Congress seeks to help those at the other end of the economic ladder by eliminating the estate tax, State Senator Liz Krueger argues that removing the tax would hurt New York City and its nonprofit institutions.
Fast Track From Poverty? (September 18, 2006) A mayoral commission's just-released report on poverty focuses on young adults and the working poor -- as did anthropologist Katherine Newman, in her eight-year study of NYC's fast-food workers.
9/11 Health: Help at Last? (September 11, 2006) After five years of inaction, everybody is suddenly talking about 9/11-related health problems. Can officials make up for lost time, or is this too little too late?
The 13th Senate District Debate (August 28, 2006)
A Low-Key Race for An Open Seat in Staten Island (August 28, 2006)
Assembly District 22 (Flushing, etc.) Debate Transcript (August 23, 2006)
Assembly District 74 Debate Transcript (August 21, 2006)
Bringing the Money Back from Albany (August 21, 2006)
State Races And Incumbency – How New York Is Not Connecticut (August 21, 2006) While they have not gotten the attention of the Democratic primary for Senator in Connecticut, there are a few competitive races for the state legislature. A look at the primary election action.
Democrats Move in on Staten Island's Republican South Shore (August 21, 2006)
Ethnic Politics in Changing Flushing (August 21, 2006)
Succeeding Green in Fort Greene – and Beyond (August 14, 2006) Two open races in Brooklyn – one for the State Senate and one for the Assembly – field candidates with differing views on the $4.2 billion project.
Debating Health, Education, Reform and, Yes, Atlantic Yards, in Central Brooklyn (August 14, 2006) Two open races in Brooklyn – one for the State Senate and one for the Assembly – field candidates with differing views on the $4.2 billion project.
Going Green: Three Parks Face The Future (August 7, 2006)
Creating a Healthy Future for Harlem and New York City (July 24, 2006) In Harlem, as in many poor neighborhoods, steps need to be taken to address issues like obesity, argues City Councilmember Inez Dickens, who details several new health programs. For the same reason, Councilmember Gale Brewer calls for schoolyards to be open to the public.
A Public Defender's Case (July 17, 2006) In his 15 years representing poor New Yorkers accused of crimes, David Feige saw many of his clients suffer because of what he argues is a deeply flawed court system.
Gay Marriage Ruling Highlights a Changing Court (July 11, 2006) The Court of Appeal’s decision against same-sex marriage dramatically demonstrates the court’s conservative shift under Governor George Pataki.
The Gay Marriage Ruling (July 10, 2006) In their ruling on gay marriage, judges on the state’s highest court rejected arguments that not allowing same sex couple to wed restricts their fundamental rights. Emily Jane Goodman discusses what the judges said.
Reforming Public Authorities (June 19, 2006) Some efforts have been made to reform New York's hundreds of public authorities. But many politicians and good government groups say that much more need to be done.
A Unique Time And Place (June 12, 2006) How is the immigrant experience in New York today different than it was 100 years ago? Is New York a friendlier place for immigrants than the rest of the country?
Conventions Create A Diverse Judiciary (May 29, 2006)
Selecting the Most Qualified Judges (May 29, 2006)
Giving Voters Real Choices (May 29, 2006)
Picking Supreme Court Judges New York (May 29, 2006) The process for electing Supreme Court judges in New York has been declared unconstitutional. A panel of experts debates how to select judges and why it matters.
Coming Out of The Shadow (May 22, 2006) What started as a protest against a bill turned out to be a series of massive marches for immigrant rights. A look at Immigrants in New York City.
President George W. Bush's Speech on Immigration Reform (May 22, 2006)
Fighting Pollution and High Fuel Costs (May 15, 2006) With the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel rising, the city government could switch to trucks powered by natural gas to save money and reduce pollution.
Mafia: Rise, Fall and Resurgence (May 8, 2006) Has the time of New York's Mafia come and gone?
The City’s Resistance to Cutting Class Size (April 24, 2006) New Yorkers want the city to cut class size, but, argues Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters, the mayor continues to resist these efforts in six major ways.
Finding Space for a Million More New Yorkers (April 17, 2006) With more than a million new people expected in the city in the near future, Robert Yaro of the Regional Plan Association suggests the smart way to prepare for such growth.
Harlem's Heyday (April 10, 2006) Author Kevin Baker discusses Harlem in the 1940s, what is still left of that world, and how he approached writing a novel with Malcolm X as the main character.
Rockefeller Drug Laws: An Ex-Prisoners View (March 31, 2006)
The Rockefeller Drug Laws: A Prosecutor’s Perspective (March 27, 2006) A narcotics prosecutor argues that recent changes in the state’s drug laws could threaten communities once ravaged by drugs.
Behind the Dropout Rate (March 20, 2006) New York still does not have good information about how many students complete high school and how many do not. And that makes it only more difficult to fix the dropout dilemma.
Regulating Rickshaws (March 6, 2006) Bicycle rickshaws may seem quaint, writes pedicab driver Gregg Zukowski, but with the city’s help, they can offer a modern solution to New York’s congestion woes.
Keeping New Teachers From Dropping Out (February 20, 2006) Almost half of all New York City teachers leave their jobs within five years. Ellen Meyers of Teachers Network explains why, and argues what the city should do to keep them in the classroom.
Loving The City's Infrastructure -- And Explaining How It Works (February 13, 2006) City official Kate Ascher talks about how the physical city works, from bridges and tunnels to abandoned subway stops and those buttons you press to get a Walk signal.
State Of The Neighborhood (January 30, 2006) In his State of the City address last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg promised a plan for "all of our city's neighborhoods and their needs." New Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito from East Harlem talks about the need for affordable housing and health care in the "greatly disenfranchised" communities she represents
Spending More On Social Services Saves Money (January 23, 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
A School Spending Plan (January 23, 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Keeping the Economy Growing (January 23, 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Highest Credit Rating In The City's History (January 23, 2006) New York City's finances are better than they have been in years. What should the city's leaders to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Fiscal Forecast For New York City (January 23, 2006) Finances in NYC are better than they have been in years. What should the leaders of the city do to keep things that way? Several experts offer their ideas.
Segregated Schools: Shame of The City (January 16, 2006) Four decades after the civil rights movement, New York City schools are probably the most segregated in the country, says author Jonathan Kozol, who argues that Bloomberg's educational reforms are failing to address this crisis.
The Assembly Majority Response to the State of the State Address (January 5, 2006)
State of the State Governor George Pataki January 4, 2006 (January 5, 2006)
The Speaker Speaks Out (January 2, 2006) As the third-ever Speaker of the New York City Council is about to be elected, the first-ever, Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, discusses the issues he faced during his tenure -- and what the next speaker can expect to confront.
Coping With The Strike (December 20, 2005)
Predicting the Big Stories in 2006 (December 19, 2005) In our annual roundup of predictions for New York in the coming year, an array of prominent New Yorkers say that luxury condos will rise and state Republicans will fall in 2006.
The Need for Healthier Schools (December 12, 2005) Ridding classrooms of environmental hazards would improve student health – and academic performance, argues Stephen Boese of the Healthy Schools Network
A Boy from Brooklyn Grows Up (November 28, 2005) Novelist Jonathan Lethem discusses race, gentrification, and the passing of time in Brooklyn.
Speaker Candidates Speak (November 21, 2005) Seven City Councilmembers who want to be the next Speaker talk about term limits, the budget and how to challenge the mayor in the next four years.
Ed Koch’s Legacy (November 14, 2005) With the city having just re-elected a mayor known for his lack of flash, New Yorkers look back at the mayoralty of Ed Koch, a man famed partly for his quips and his shtick.
The Fine Print on the Ballot (November 7, 2005) Everything you need to know and more about the four ballot quesitons.
Transcript of Final 2005 General Election Mayoral Debate (November 1, 2005)
Transcript of First 2005 General Election Mayoral Debate (October 31, 2005)
Debating Proposition 1 (October 31, 2005) Everything you need to know - and more - about the four ballot questIons.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges (October 31, 2005) The debate over Ballot Proposition Three hinges on what is an appropriate reason to amend the city's charter, rather than on the ethics code for administrative judges that it proposes to create.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges Vote Yes (October 31, 2005) Establishing a code of ethics for administrative law judges and hearing officers will ensure fairness, efficiency, consistency and independence that are needed to ensure justice in the city's administrative tribunals, Peter Kiernan argues.
Ethics Code for Administrative Judges Vote No (October 31, 2005) Ballot proposal three unwisely shifts power from the city council to the mayor, writes State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried.
Underfunding City University (October 24, 2005) Negotiating new contracts, nurses in the city’s public hospitals and professors in the city’s public university both object to the mayor’s insistence on “productivity increases” in exchange for salary hikes. Both argue that their poor pay harms their institutions, and the public at large.
Nursing New York City Back to Health (October 24, 2005) Negotiating new contracts, nurses in the city’s public hospitals and professors in the city’s public university both object to the mayor’s insistence on “productivity increases” in exchange for salary hikes. Both argue that their poor pay harms their institutions, and the public at large.
The Transportation Bond Act: Vote No (October 17, 2005) Voters in November will decide whether the state should borrow $2.9 billion to fund mass transit and road improvements.
The Transportation Bond Act: Vote Yes (October 17, 2005) Voters in November will decide whether the state should borrow $2.9 billion to fund mass transit and road improvements.
How the Irish Built an American Icon (October 3, 2005) Author Thomas Kelly on the men who built the Empire State Building, the good side of Tammany Hall and writing about NYC.
Governors Island (September 26, 2005) Will Governors Island become the new UN? A CUNY campus? Site of the Olympics? Or will it remain just another illustration of the difficulties of getting anything built in New York?
An Elegant Old Hotel Gives New Lives to the Homeless (September 12, 2005)
Mayoral Debate Transcript - September 8, 2005 (September 8, 2005)
9/11 Plus Four (September 5, 2005)
The Mayoral Candidates On Parks (August 29, 2005) Four contenders for mayor offer their vision of how they would improve the city's parks, which, they say, are too often neglected and dilapidated.
St. Stephen's Church -- Will It Ever Be A Landmark? (August 22, 2005) Constantino Brumidi is being celebrated on his bicentennial for his paintings in the U.S. Capitol. But his work in Manhattan's St. Stephen's Church is often overlooked. Gary Papush looks at the 40-year effort to landmark St. Stephen's and the role of community boards in preservation.
Mayoral Debate Transcript: August 21, 2005 (August 22, 2005)
Mayoral Debate Among Democratic Candidates (August 17, 2005)
NY's Ports Booming, But High Costs Of Security Are Eroding Gains (August 16, 2005)
One Family Restores A Non-Landmark Theater (August 15, 2005) The St. George Theater was vacant and crumbling until one family stepped in to rescue it. The latest in our Preservation and Progress series.
Mayoral Debate on Poverty (August 8, 2005) On July 28, 2005, five candidates for mayor debated issues of poverty, gentrification, education, and the proposed basketball arena in Brooklyn at a forum at Medgar Evers College.
Giuliani – Savior Of The City, Or Its Enemy? (August 8, 2005) Rudolph Giuliani was either a heroic reformer or a cynical, overrated politician, depending on whether you talk to authors Fred Siegel or Rob Polner. Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club spoke with both.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 1, 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Anthony Weiner's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 1, 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Gifford Miller's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 1, 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums sponsored by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of C. Virginia Fields opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
Democratic Mayoral Candidates on Historic Preservation and Landmarks (August 1, 2005) The four Democratic candidates for mayor discussed issues of historic preservation at a series of forums hosted by coalition of groups, including Landmark West, the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal Art Society, and the New York Landmarks Conservancy. The following is an edited transcript of Fernando Ferrer's opening remarks and a sample of some of the questions from the audience.
The Race for Public Advocate (July 25, 2005) Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum faces nine challengers this year. Critics not only question the incumbent's record, but what public advocate is, should be, and if the job should exist at all.
A Trust Fund For America (July 11, 2005)
Think Locally, Act Regionally (July 11, 2005) Whatever Washington's tilt against NYC, argue Bruce Katz and Mark Muro, the country is not as red as it seems, with New Yorkers sharing more and more with places like Atlanta and Phoenix and Texas, our "super-sized cousins -- and potential allies."
Surrogate's Court And Why It Should Go (July 4, 2005) The removal of Brooklyn Surrogate's Court Judge Michael Feinberg does not end a system that allows judges, lawyers and politicians to loot money from widows and orphans.
Boss Tweed (July 4, 2005)
The Citizen (June 29, 2005) Street vendors decry excessive fines from police. This and other stories translated from the non-English language press.
Restoration on Eldridge Street (June 20, 2005) How was a historic synagogue saved despite prohibitions against government funding to preserve houses of worship?
The Real School Security Problem (June 13, 2005) To reduce school crime, the city must address overcrowding and lack of resources at New York's most crime-ridden high schools.
The Lost Children Of Foster Care (June 6, 2005) The foster care system is costly, harmful to children and difficult to fix, says Nina Bernstein, author of "The Lost Children of Wilder," who recently met with Gotham Gazettes' Reading NYC book club.
The Citizen (May 30, 2005) In this June edition of The Citizen, we take a look immigrant parents and their children's education, voter registration campaigns in ethnic communities, the growing number of Korean-Ameican elderly, worke protest against labor exploitation and the emergence of Runglish-- a blend of Russian and English. Stories from the Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish-language press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Charge Or Release! (May 23, 2005) In the name of security, government officials since 9/11 have been unleashing a relentless attack on the civil rights of New Yorkers, including the unjust detention of many thousands of immigrants and others, writes Udi Ofer of the New York Civil Liberties Union, who argues for a bill called "Charge Or Release," introduced into the City Council this week.
Preserving Social History on Roosevelt Island (May 23, 2005) Although many buildings were destroyed, Roosevelt Island still boasts landmarks offering insight into New York's social and architectural history.
Opinion Roundup blog (May 16, 2005) A roundup of commentary and news.
That 70's Show (May 9, 2005) In 1977, New York saw a violent blackout, a colorful mayoral campaign, a serial killer on the loose, and a scandal-filled, World Series-winning baseball season. It was also a turning point in the city, argues Jonathan Mahler, author of Ladies and Gentlemen the Bronx is Burning, who recently spoke with Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC book club.
The Citizen (May 2, 2005) In this May edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the Mayor's initiative plan for family literacy, Non-Citizen Voting, immigrants' struggle for political asylum, employment and the immigrant workforce, and mayoral politics. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese and Spanish-language press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
The Mayoral Candidates on Education (April 25, 2005) The six other mayoral challengers gave Michael Bloomberg and his schools chancellor low marks on education at a recent forum.
Women and Work in New York City (April 18, 2005) Women still earn less pay than men. Four experts explain why and what can be done about it.
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 11, 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Anthony Weiner
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 11, 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - C. Virginia Fields
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 11, 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Fernando Ferrer
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum: Gay and Lesbian Issues (April 11, 2005) On April 6, 2005, the four Democratic candidates for mayor spoke at the Greater Voices mayoral forum, organized by several gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the city. - Gifford Miller
The Citizen (April 4, 2005) In this April, 2005 edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants filing taxes, the rising cost of housing, discrimination in the police department, and other stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Spanish-language and Russian press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard
A Cop Looks Around (March 28, 2005) Edward Conlon, best-selling author and Harvard graduate, joined Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club in an online chat about his memoir of life as a New York City cop, what cops thinks of Bloomberg, community policing, the Ferrer flap, counterterrorism, and race.
NYC Jobs: A History (March 21, 2005) What was the city’s first regulated business? What New Yorker organized sleeping car porters? What keeps city workers from going out on strike? Our timeline has the answers.
Latinos and the Mayor (March 14, 2005) Latinos are gaining increasingly clout in New York City politics as their numbers grow. Several experts discuss whether the time has come for a Latino mayor, whether there really is a "Latino vote", and what issues speak to Latino New Yorkers.
NYC in Fiction (March 7, 2005) E.L. Doctorow met with Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club to discuss his novel Billy Bathgate; what it means to be a New York author; what happens when novelists write history and historians write fiction; and his recommendations for the best NYC books and the worst movies of all time (one of the movies was made from one of his books)
The Citizen (February 28, 2005) In this March edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the ongoing litigation on driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, the end of the fast-track green card program, the rise of same-sex households among immigrants and child rearing in Spanish speaking homes. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Helping New York's Small Businesses (February 21, 2005) With IKEA on the way and a Starbucks on every corner, it's easy to forget that two million New Yorkers work for small businesses. Several experts offer suggestions on how to help the backbone of New York's economy.
Reform Is On The Way (February 14, 2005) All across the country, and in New York as well, the public is getting fed up with the outrageous redrawing of districts for political gain.
Why Gerrymandering Must Go (February 14, 2005) All across the country, and in New York as well, the public is getting fed up with the outrageous redrawing of districts for political gain.
My Journey With the Rockefeller Drug Laws (February 7, 2005) The judge gave Anthony Papa a break when he was convicted of a first-time non-violent drug offense – a sentence of 15 years to life. Papa details his extraordinary journey from inmate to artist to activist against the harsh Rockefeller drug laws – laws that were supposed to have been “reformed” in December, but, Papa writes, really weren’t.
The Citizen (January 31, 2005) In this February edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the profiles of New York City's immigrants, new immigrant communities in Flushing and Brighton Beach, Chinese and Sihk immigrants in New York's Bravest and a magazine cover causing a stir in Greenpoint. Stories from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
"So Many Wonderful Controversies" (January 31, 2005) New Yorker magazine staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert talks about traveling with Hillary, reforming Albany and handicapping the mayor's race.
The Governor Delays and Denies (January 24, 2005)
How to Spend the Money for the Schools (January 24, 2005)
Keep An Eye on the Money for Schools (January 22, 2005) While awaiting the judge's order in the school funding case, three views on what's next
Mayoral Candidates' Responses to Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City Address (January 16, 2005) Mayoral Candidates, Charles Barron, Virginia fields, Steven Shaw, and Fernando Ferrer respond to Mayor Bloomberg's State of the City Address.
Beyond the West Side Stadium: An Economic Growth Plan for Working People (January 16, 2005) Calling Mayor Bloomberg's West Side stadium plan a "profoundly uncreative vision" for New York City's future, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) outlined his economic growth plan for working people in all five boroughs. (01-13-05)
Diminishing The Danger From Diesel Exhaust (January 10, 2005) "There are three basic ways that New York City can cut pollution from the many truck and other diesel engines that flood the city with bad air," writes Andy Darrell from Environmental Defense. And several current City Council bills could help.
The Citizen (January 3, 2005) In this January edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the major immigrant-related stories of 2004,and some minor ones as well, culled from the Bengali, Chinese, Spanish-language and Urdu press via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Albany Reform: Make Elections More Competitive (January 3, 2005) Jeremy Creelan writes that the rules governing the state legislature need to be changed; Dick Dadey adds that competitive elections -- and increased accountability -- must be the centerpiece of Albany reform over the long haul.
Albany Reform: Start By Changing the Rules (January 3, 2005) Jeremy Creelan writes that the rules governing the state legislature need to be changed; Dick Dadey adds that increased accountability must be the centerpiece of any real larger Albany reform
Campaign 2005 (December 24, 2004) 2005 is an election year in New York, which means that everything - from murders to budget negotiations to bus service - will be seen through the lens of the campaign.
What Will the Big Stories Be in the New Year? Fifth Anniversary Edition (December 20, 2004) Three dozen New Yorkers - including public officials, journalists, a former boxing champion, and a naked cowboy – predict the headlines for New York City in the new year.
Developing Affordable Housing and Jobs (December 13, 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
Create Conditions for Business to Thrive (December 13, 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
Reform the Building Code (December 13, 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is developing 20 New York City neighborhoods to create new commercial office and housing development. Three views on what the city needs.
Bloomberg's Development Strategies: Who Benefits? (December 13, 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hoping to create new offices and new housing in 20 New York City neighborhoods. Three views on what the city needs.
New Principles, Common Goals (December 6, 2004) New Yorkers will continue to benefit from Republican government, believes Congressman Vito Fossella. But he also thinks that many issues facing the city transcend partisanship.
The Citizen (November 25, 2004) In this December edition of The Citizen, we take a look at undocumented immigrants in the workforce, foreign students in New York, Russian immigrants' diverse political views, and this year's immigrant winners of the Union Square Awards. These and other articles from the Caribbean, Chinese, Russian, Spanish-language and Urdu press come via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
2 Columbus Circle And The Need To Preserve Preservation (November 25, 2004) The failure of the Landmark Preservation Commission to hold a public hearing about 2 Columbus Circle is, argues preservationist Kate Wood, a clear sign of an agency in serious need of reform.
Dance Reflects Our Common Humanity (November 22, 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
Nothing Matters More than the Collection (November 22, 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
A Seismic Change in Audiences Since 9/11 (November 22, 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theate
New Homes for the Arts (November 22, 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater.
Old Theaters Are the Best (November 20, 2004) Leaders of four top city cultural institutions tell why – and how -- they have expanded in a tough economic climate: Glenn Lowry on the Museum of Modern Art, Paul Kellogg on the New York City Opera, Barry Grove on the Manhattan Theatre Club and Linda Shelton on the Joyce Dance Theater
Debating Jobs and Economic Development (November 15, 2004) Eight City Council members debate the merits of a Brooklyn IKEA, a water filtration plant in the Bronx, and a West Side stadium.
The Citizen (November 1, 2004) n this November edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants and the election, the Muslim population in the city, Black and Korean get-togethers and complaints about fines and harassment by New York police -- articles from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
Former Senator Guy Velella: Convicted Felon, $80,000-A-Year Public Pensioner (October 25, 2004) Former State Senator and convicted felon Guy Velella was not only released early from prison after pleading guilty to public corruption; he is also eligible to collect an $80,000 a year pension, at taxpayers' expense. State Senator Liz Krueger wants to do something about that.
Working Class New York: Book Club Chat (October 16, 2004) A conversation with author Joshua Freeman on the history of the working class in New York, the city's immigration boom, and labor's role in the city's politics and finances.
Congress Acts to Protect New York's Water (October 11, 2004) U.S. Representative Ed Towns of Brooklyn reports on congressional efforts to protect the environment of eight upstate counties - and make sure New York's tap water continues to be the champagne of drinking waters.
The Citizen (October 4, 2004) In the October edition of the citizen we take a look at presidential election and immigrants, the right to speak Spanish at work, the Elderly in Chinatown and credit card scam targeting Hispanic immigrants. Articles this month from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard.
WTC Architects (September 28, 2004) The architects who have designed the master plan, the memorial, and the transportation hub for Ground Zero met in public together for the first time last weekend, to discuss their cooperation in designing the development of the World Trade Center site. Read a transcript of their discussion.
Clearing the Air (September 20, 2004) Dirty air threatens the health – and even the lives – of many New York children. Congressman Jose E. Serrano describes what government can do to clean the air and improve health care. But, he says, Washington seems to lack the will to take action.
Voting Arcade (September 13, 2004) New York's voting machines are so old that they were already out of date when the first video game, Pong, hit the market over three decades ago. Embark on a tour of New York's broken down voting system with a nostalgic journey thorough Gotham Gazette's versions of ancient video games.
Reforming a Tax on the Middle Class (September 6, 2004) Bronx Congressman Eliot Engel argues that the Bush administration has put tax cuts for corporations and millionaires ahead of tax reform that would help thousands of middle-class New Yorkers.
The Citizen (August 30, 2004) In this September edition of the citizen, we take a look at immigration policy, immigrant driver's licenses, and more. Articles this month from the Caribbean, Chinese, Pakistani, Polish, Russian and Spanish-language via our partner, Voices That Must Be Heard
Budget Dollars for the Neighborhoods: Community Development or Political Pork? (August 23, 2004) Each year, New York City Council members claim to bring millions of budget dollars to their neighborhoods. But where does the money come from? Who decides where it goes? And do these grants really help a community, or are do they just help officials get re-elected?
From Lincoln to Bloomberg: The GOP in NYC (August 23, 2004)
Connecting Education and Voting (August 12, 2004) Only four percent of eligible New Yorkers between the ages of 18 and 25 voted in the last election. City Councilmember Eva Moskowitz argues that a new law requiring voter registration cards be handed out with high school diplomas can change that.
Bush Housing Policies Lack (August 9, 2004) The federal government is setting new requirements for people who live in public housing at the same time the Bush administration is cutting funds for another major housing program for the low-income families. Two members of Congress from New York City argue these changes will hurt poor.
The Community Service Stigma (August 9, 2004) The federal government is setting new requirements for people who live in public housing at the same time the Bush administration is cutting funds for another major housing program for the low-income families. Two members of Congress from New York City argue these changes will hurt poor.
The Citizen (August 2, 2004) In this August edition of the citizen, we take a look at a new system to cut waiting time at the immigration agency, a Turkish man running for city council and effort to help boost tourism in Chinatown. Articles from the Chinese, Polish, Spanish and Turkish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Eye on Albany Campaign 2004 (July 26, 2004)
All 89 New York City representatives to the New York State Legislature are up for reelection this fall. But because incumbents can raise large sums of money, have name recognition and many political allies, and can even draw their legislative districts to their advantage, it is difficult to unseat a sitting politician in New York.
Gotham Gazette looks at some of the most competitive races and what the candidates promise to do for their communities.
The Fight Over Manhattan’s Last Frontier (July 19, 2004) The plan to build a stadium for the Jets as part of the development of the far West Side remains locked in a war of words and statistics. In a transcript of a recent discussion sponsored by Citizens Union Foundation, Daniel Doctoroff, Christine Quinn and other experts present the pros and cons.
THE PARK AND THE PEOPLE (July 13, 2004) Elizabeth Blackmar, co-author of Park and the People: A History of Central Park, was the guest at the most recent meeting of Gotham Gazette's Reading NYC Book Club. Blackmar and members of the club discussed the Central Park Conservancy, protests on the Great Lawn, and what lies ahead for the park. Read an edited transcript of the meeting.
The Citizen (July 1, 2004) In this July edition of the citizen, we take a look at new bills targeting scam artists, immigrants’ request for an alternative test to the Regents Exams for newly arrived immigrant students, budget cut’s impact on Asian senior citizens and a protest against same sex marriages. Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Where's Our $21 Billion? (June 28, 2004) While President George Bush pledged $21.4 billion to New York City in post 9/11 aid, it is unclear how much has actually arrived. Representative Carolyn Maloney, who has been tracking federal rebuilding aid, writes about the differences between what has been said and what has been done.
A Mass Rally Could Destroy the Great Lawn (June 21, 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Why Protestors Need the Great Lawn (June 21, 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
The Peoples’ March (June 21, 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Beyond the Protest March (June 21, 2004) Thousands of anti-Bush demonstrators plan to take to the streets to protest this year's Republican convention in New York. Civil liberties advocates worry that First Amendment rights will get pushed out by concerns about safety in this summer of protest.
Homeland Security Funding (June 14, 2004) Representative Joseph Crowley comments on federal funding earmarked for Homeland Security in New York City -- how much was promised and how it was allocated, how much is needed, and how, he claims, it should be used.
The Republican Party's Diminishing Strength in New York (June 7, 2004) "Wherever I go around the country, people come up to me and ask "Do Republicans really exist inside New York City?" Jay Golub, a dentist and former Republican candidate for City Council, said at a party given for Ronald Reagan's 93rd birthday earlier this year. With the rest of the nation focused on the passing of a past Republican standard-bearer, and Republicans soon to hold the first convention ever in New York City, we offer several answers to the question.
The Short-Lived GOP Revival In NYC (June 7, 2004) With Republicans holding the first convention ever in New York, attention has focused on the GOP in the city. Although New York has elected a Republican for mayor in the last three elections, Republicans in New York remain sharply outnumbered by Democrats and often neglected by an increasingly conservative national party.
The Citizen (June 2, 2004) In this June edition of The Citizen, we take a look at the latest federal raid, prison abuse in Brooklyn, the Dominican election in New York and language barriers in public schools. Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Polish and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
Technology and Government: The Rise of the E-Citizen (May 24, 2004)
Global Warming and “The Day After Tomorrow” (May 24, 2004) In the new disaster film, "The Day After Tomorrow," Manhattan is flooded then frozen under a giant glacier. The culprit - global warming. What will global warming really do to New York? A climate scientist sifts through the research into "one of the most complex scientific challenges we've ever known" - and the far simpler solutions.
Keeping Ferry Service Afloat (May 15, 2004) Representative Anthony Weiner argues that water ferries – like buses and subways – need government money to be successful. And investing in water transportation, he argues, will ease traffic congestion and overcrowded trains.
May the Force Be With You (May 10, 2004) Since 9/11, terrorism has has an impact on every decision the police department makes. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly describes how the force is responding to the threat while continuing to remain vigilant on crime and friendly with the communities it serves.
The Citizen (May 4, 2004) In this May edition of The Citizen, we take a look at difficulties facing immigrants who need to drive, crimes against Chinese deliveryman, what Bangladeshis are watching on TV and an interview with Russian police officers . Articles from the Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
BUILDING TRANSPORTATION FOR THE NEXT CENTURY: WE CAN DO IT ALL (April 26, 2004) U.S. Senator Charles Schumer argues that a downtown train to the airport and the extension of the number 7 train on the west side must not get lost amid all of the debate over memorials and stadiums.
NEW YORK’S REPUBLICAN VALUES (April 19, 2004) GOP in NYC: State Senator Frank Padavan argues that Republican approaches to education, taxes, and crime can resonate with New Yorkers.
NEW YORK REPUBLICANS VS. NATIONAL REPUBLICANS (April 19, 2004) When the Republican National Convention comes to New York this summer, political consultant Joseph Mercurio says that local Republicans will have little in common with their national counterparts.
The Citizen (April 12, 2004) In this April edition of The Citizen, we take a look at unemployment among highly skilled immigrants, hate crimes against Chinese in Brooklyn , New York as Russian cultural center and poems through immigrants'eyes. Articles from the Chinese, French, Korean, Pakistani and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
HELPING 9/11 RESCUE WORKERS (April 5, 2004) Many Ground Zero rescue workers and residents of lower Manhattan continue to suffer from health problems related to 9/11. US Representative Carolyn Maloney describes her plan to aid those in need and continue to examine what the health effects have been.
Preventing Another Stansbury (April 5, 2004) Timothy Stansbury Jr., a young black student, was accidentally shot and killed by a New York City police officer in a Brooklyn housing project this year. Kenneth Ramseur, the attorney for the Stansbury family, which is suing the city for $600 million, offers four reforms the police department can make to prevent any more such tragedies.
Help Small Business, Not the Wealthy (March 29, 2004) New York has lost 230,000 jobs since President Bush came to office, but he persists with his failed economic plan. Instead, writes Representative Nydia M. Velázquez, Bush should stop the tax cuts and help the small businesses that form the backbone of the economy.
Inside Tweed (March 22, 2004) Mayor Michael Bloomberg once said he never wanted to see the members of the new Panel for Educational Policy in the newspapers. He had his wish until last week – when he fired two members of the advisory group to keep them from voting against his controversial policy on promotion of third graders. Susana Torruella Leval, one of the ousted members, discusses the promotion debate and casts light on the workings of the panel that replaced the Board of Education.
Helping Students Before It's Too Late (March 16, 2004) Last week's upheaval at the Department of Education could affect many of the sweeping changes launched by ousted Deputy Chancellor Diana Lam. But, argues Eva Moskowitz, chair of the City Council Education Committee, whatever the fate of other reforms, the planned policy to leave back thousands of third graders must be revamped to help students before they fail.
New York And Gay Marriage (March 8, 2004)
Bloomberg Must Speak Up on Gay Marriage (March 8, 2004) Since taking office over two years ago, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has avoided making a clear statement on gay marriage. Last week, the mayor's press officer said Bloomberg's opinion was "irrelevant." Last summer, the mayor said he believed that "the government should not get involved in who people marry."
Helping New Yorkers Vote (March 1, 2004) Suddenly, in a New York minute, both houses of the New York State legislature last week passed a sweeping array of bills aimed at improving the election system.
Election Day Voter Registration (March 1, 2004) Super Tuesday won't be very super to those voters who failed to register in time. Why can't eligible New Yorkers register on Election Day? Assemblyman Scott Stringer says it would require a constitutional amendment -- but it would be worth it.
URBAN ISSUES - POVERTY (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - MASS TRANSIT (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - IMMIGRATION (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HOUSING (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - HEALTH CARE (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - EDUCATION (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - CRIME (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ANTI-TERRORISM (February 23, 2004)
URBAN ISSUES - ECONOMY (February 23, 2004)
Urban Issues: Presidential Candidates in NYC (February 23, 2004) An issue-by-issue breakdown of the presidential candidates urban agendas: what they have to say about the economy, crime, mass transit, housing, and poverty.
A Minimum Wage Increase Will Hurt Small Business and the Working Poor (February 16, 2004) Raising the minimum wage is not the same as delivering more income into the hands of people with low-skill jobs.
New York Workers Need a Raise (February 16, 2004) Unlike a growing number of states, New York has failed to take action to fix the problem of a stagnant and inadequate federal minimum wage by increasing the state minimum wage.
The Governor's Misguided Health-Care Cuts (February 9, 2004) Governor George Pataki’s proposed cuts to health-care program would deliver a harsh blow to the elderly, the disabled, children and working families, argues Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, chair of the State Assembly Health Committee.
The Citizen (February 2, 2004) In this February edition of The Citizen, we take a look at visa problems facing foreign artists and investors, immigrant reaction to President Bush's immigration reform and an effort to revitalize Chinatown tourism. Articles from the Bengali, Caribbean, Chinese, French, Korean and Spanish press, including stories from the Independent Press Association's "Voices That Must Be Heard."
A Bill That Helps End Lead Poisoning (February 2, 2004) The mayor vetoed it, critics say it will unfairly burden landlords, but the new lead paint law that the City Council is likely to pass this week over the mayor's veto. And that, argue the lawyers who helped knock down the old law, is a good thing.
The Permanent Emergency For Homeless Families (January 26, 2004) Thousands of homeless New Yorkers long for something as simple as a clean, warm place to lie down. Homeless adults face new rules that could force some of them out of shelters – and into the streets. Homeless families with children confront crowding and bureaucracy at a massive city facility in the Bronx.
New Rules for the Homeless (January 26, 2004) Homeless adults face new rules that critics say could force some of them out of shelters, and into the streets. Homeless families with children confront crowding and bureaucracy at the one remaining "intake" center where they must go to ask for help.
Netting The Nets (January 19, 2004) Bringing world-class professional sports and a world-class arena to Brooklyn would tremendously benefit the borough, by boosting its profile around the nation and the world, by enhancing pride in Brooklyn, and by creating desperately needed economic development, jobs and affordable and middle-income housing for the Brooklynites who need them.
A Field of Schemes (January 19, 2004) While bringing the Nets to Brooklyn may sound like an intriguing idea, it has troubling fiscal, social, and economic implications for New York City as a whole.
Graffiti 2004 (January 12, 2004) It may no longer cover city subway cars, but graffiti thrives all over New York, according to those New Yorkers (including public officials) who are looking for new ways to fight it.
Passages of Light: Memorial Cloud (January 7, 2004)
The Chosen Memorial Design: Reflecting Absence (January 7, 2004) Reflecting Absence, a design that most prominently features two sunken pools where the Twin Towers stood, has been chosen for the memorial at the site of the World Trade Center.
Linda Stone Davidoff, 1941-2003 (January 5, 2004) When the Riverside South park opens on the Upper West Side in the spring, a portion of it will be called "Linda's Lawn." This is in tribute to Linda Stone Davidoff, the urban planner, activist and former director of Citizens Union and Citizens Union Foundation, publisher of Gotham Gazette, who died from leukemia on December 31, 2003 at age 62. Davidoff developed the plan that led to the creation of the new park, just one of many achievements in her more than 40 years of activism, as recounted in a memorial service held in Prospect Park yesterday.
The Citizen (January 1, 2004) In this January edition of The Citizen, we take a look at immigrants and New Year celebrations, online lottery visa confusion, immigrant children smuggling and protest against controversial video games. Articles from the Caribbean, Chinese, Irish and Spanish press.
The Big Stories of 2004? (December 22, 2003) More than two dozen headline makers - including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actress Janeane Garofalo, and the dj Moby - try to guess New York's headlines in 2003.
The Lead Paint Bill (December 13, 2003) The new lead-paint bill, Julia Vitullo-Martin argues, actually ignores many health risks and offers a tough approach to landlords that could slow the pace of housing renovations.
A Bridge Back Home (December 8, 2003)
Reforming Foster Care (December 8, 2003) How much success has the city had in its effort to help thousands of foster families meet the daunting challenges of parenting other people’s abused and neglected children?
The 'Tina' Habit (November 17, 2003) It is called crank on the West Coast, where it was popularized by the Hell's Angels in the 1960s. It is a huge problem in rural America, according to the National Institutes of Health. But in New York, crystal methamphetamine is called tina, and it is almost exclusively a phenomenon among gay men.
Nightclub Act II (November 17, 2003) A new wave of nightclubs is washing over the city, some in the same sites where their notorious predecessors were shut down just a few years ago for drug use, or noise, or being a nuisance. This time, though, there is severe new federal legislation, pending city bills, and thus, understandably, an apparent new approach by the club owners.
Honor Andrew Haswell Green! (November 10, 2003) A century ago this week, a delusional furnace tender ended the life of "the greatest civic hero in New York City history." But the assassination of Andrew Haswell Green -- responsible for everything from Central Park to the New York Public Library to the Bronx Zoo -- was not the worst injustice committed against him, says Michael Miscione, who wants more named after him than just a park bench.
2003 General Election Results (November 4, 2003) Results from City Council races, ballot questions, and judicial races in New York City's 2003 General Election.
Campaign War Chests (November 3, 2003) Few incumbents are in danger of losing in New York City's elections this week, but that hasn't stopped them from continuing to stuff their campaign war chests with contributions -- and taxpayer money.
Making Contracts Work (October 20, 2003) On Election Day, New Yorkers should vote "no" on ballot proposal number four that will amend the city's purchasing rules.
Guide to New York City's 2003 Ballot Proposals (October 20, 2003) Forget the candidates. The real action this November is on six California-style ballot proposals that would amend the city's charter. (Click here for 2005 ballot proposals)
Guide to New York City's 2003 Ballot Proposals (October 20, 2003) Forget the candidates. The real action this November is on six California-style ballot proposals that would amend the city's charter.
The Business of Government: The Charter Commission’s Proposal to Revise the City’s System of $9 Billion in Annual Purchases (October 20, 2003) Effective and efficient government service delivery must be supported by a purchasing system that embraces both modern demands and technological advances.
Natural Gas (October 11, 2003) Once viewed as a pesky nuisance, natural gas has become more and more in demand - and more and more expensive. Sam Williams follows the journey that gas makes from prehistoric swamp to the grills, stoves, furnaces, clothing dryers and power plants of New York City.
Learning from L.A. (October 6, 2003) New Yorkers like to say that the only advantage to Los Angeles is being able to make a right turn on a red light. Not true, argues David Halle, who says the nation's two largest cities can learn from each other's errors and innovations.
Suing for Gun Control (September 22, 2003) The fatal shooting of Councilmember James Davis in City Hall has focused attention on gun violence in the city, and prompted a series of new gun control bills, including one that would give family members of victims the right to sue gun manufacturers for damages.
What Made The Blackout Inevitable (September 15, 2003) While the causes are still being investigated, Richard Hirsh argues that deregulation was a likely culprit, and Mike Misner explains why it was in some ways a good thing -- blackouts make environmentalists such as himself feel less guilty.
My Own Private Blackout (September 15, 2003) Mike Misner explains why the Blackout of 2003 was in some ways a good thing -- it made environmentalists such as himself feel less guilty.
Campaign 2003 - Primary Day: Guide to the Last Minute Voter (September 8, 2003) A step-by-step guide to voting in New York’s Primary Election on Tuesday, September 9th: Who is running? What is at stake? Which Races Are Competitive? Where to Vote? Then look for election results beginning Tuesday evening.
Citizenship and Voting (August 25, 2003) Over a million New Yorkers live, work, and pay taxes in the city, but they can not vote because they are not legal U.S. citizens. There is a movement afoot to give such non-citizens the right to vote in local elections.
After The Blackout - Going Back To The Experts (August 18, 2003) Three days after we first posted our article ("Studying How To Avoid Blackouts") about the effort Con Edison was making to avoid blackouts in New York, New Yorkers were among the victims of the largest blackout in the nation's history - and it had nothing to do with the research Con Edison was conducting.
The Power Broker Revisited (August 18, 2003) In the debate over current NYC projects, from the rebuilding of Ground Zero to the bid for the 2012 Olympics, Robert Moses' influence is felt above all others -- a man who has been dead for more than two decades.
A Community Plan for Moses’ ‘Highway to Nowhere’ (August 18, 2003) Community groups in the Bronx have a plan for Moses' Sheridan Expressway, a 1.25 mile stretch of highway that has been called a "road to nowhere." They want to tear it down.
Studying How To Avoid Blackouts (August 11, 2003) On stifling summer days, New Yorkers worry about power overload and power failure. Con Edison has opened a new research lab -- a mock manhole in the Bronx -- to study the problem. But critics say it could do more.
Dog Days For Summer School (July 28, 2003) This year, the city has cut way back on summer classes, and school officials seem to have lost interest in them, a difficult situation for those who really need the extra help.
Taking Back the Park from Crime (July 21, 2003) Central Park is now probably the safest and the most beautifully restored of the world's great parks. But only constant vigilance will keep it that way.
Welfare Reform (July 14, 2003) Life for welfare recipients was supposed to get easier under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But now, Jonathan Hafetz writes, the mayor has attacked training programs that could help poor people find good, permanent jobs.
The Case Against Car Alarms (July 7, 2003) The New York City Council is considering a ban on car alarms. Aaron Friedman of the group Silent Majority ("Citizens Against Car Alarms") cries hooray.
Housing Court As Landlord Collection Agency (June 23, 2003) Housing Court was established to force landlords to repair their buildings, says Joe Lamport, but instead it has turned into a collection agency for landlords. And the newly-passed rent regulation laws, he says, will only make things worse.
Instead of Non-Partisan Elections, Consider Some Real Reforms (June 16, 2003) Mark Green criticizes Mayor Michael Bloomberg's attempt to put the issue of non-partisan elections on the ballot in November, explaining why he calls it "the wrong answer to a non-problem," and suggesting some real "pro-democracy reforms" for Bloomberg's charter commission to consider.
An Appalachian Trail Through The Heart Of NYC (June 9, 2003) It took New Yorkers to come up with an idea as big as the East Coast Greenway, a trail that would extend from Maine to Florida. And, though it is now almost a reality, it could take just a few minor, shortsighted decisions by the City of New York to short-circuit the route in the city, sending it instead over the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey.
It Is Time For Non-Partisan Elections In NYC (May 26, 2003) Voters in most of the country's largest cities choose their mayors in elections in which candidates run not as Democrats or Republicans but as individuals. Frank Macchiarola, chair of the mayor's Charter Revision Commission, writes that it is time for New York to join this group. Changing the election rules, he argues, would encourage greater voter turnout and lead to a larger number of qualified candidates vying for office.
Hallelujah - for Now (May 19, 2003) On May 14 2003 Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Louis York ordered the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to roll back the fare increases on city subways and buses, the Long Island Rail Road, MetroNorth and Long Island Bus by May 28 and to hold a new round of public hearings.
Transportation And Lower Manhattan: Where Do We Go From Here? (May 12, 2003) In 2015, if all goes as planned, people will be able to move easily to and from lower Manhattan by commuter trains and subways, and even take a one-seat ride to the airport. This vision of the future contrasts sharply with the realities of transportation in lower Manhattan today. Jeffrey Zupan explains what is planned and the decisions that must be made.
NYC Subway Token, 1953-2003 (April 28, 2003) For 50 years the subway token has been a symbol of New York City, made into keyrings and ashtrays, adorning dresses and Frisbees. Starting Sunday, the only thing the New York City subway token will no longer be used for is to get you onto the subway.
Transportation as Civil Rights for the Disabled (April 21, 2003) Thirteen years after the federal government made it the law that public transportation must be accessible to the disabled, New York City lags behind other American cities in what advocates see as a major local civil rights issue -- the right to get around.
An Alternative to Suicide By Budget (April 14, 2003) The Budget for a Livable NYC Coalition has come up with an alternative revenue budget to the executive budget the mayor releases this week - an alternative budget, writes Bonnie Brower, that, unlike the mayor's budget, does not rely too much on the kindness of strangers in Washington and Albany, and does not hit hardest the New Yorkers who can least afford it.
Teachers Who Quit (April 7, 2003) Every year more than 11,000 New York City public school teachers leave their jobs. Some retire, some find other jobs -- but other simply cannot take it anymore. Three teachers tell why they quit teaching in city schools. It's not all about money.
New York Stock Exchange Barred Al Jazeera Reporter (March 25, 2003) From Al-Jazeera and Reuters. The New York Stock Exchange arbitrarily prevented the Al Jazeera network's financial analyst from its trading floor, as the television channel faces criticism in the United States for its coverage of the American and British attack on Iraq.
HAVA Heartburn (March 24, 2003) Jillian Matundan of Citizens Union Foundation explains why New York will be uniquely affected by the new federal Help America Vote Act, probably for the worse.
Will Albany's Scandals Lead To Reform? (March 24, 2003) A Pataki appointee indicted, charged with taking bribes. A corporation receiving the largest fine in the state's history for giving gifts to lawmakers. Contracts given for rebuilding lower Manhattan to major campaign contributors. These recent scandals are not isolated incidents, says Rachel Leon of Common Cause New York, who argues that there is a chance this year to begin to end the corrupt, scandal-breeding culture of Albany.
A Western Expert Denies Iraqi Arson In Oil Fields -- From Al-Jazeera (March 21, 2003)
President Bush's Speech On The Beginning Of War With Iraq (March 20, 2003)
Transcript of President Bush's Speech on Iraq (March 17, 2003)
The New York City Council And War (March 17, 2003) Last week, the New York City Council joined over a hundred other cities across the country and passed a resolution stating that a war with Iraq should be a last resort. Excerpts from the liveliest council debate of the year.
Final Draft Of The City Council Anti-War Resolution
Approved March 12, 2003 (March 17, 2003)
The First Draft Of City Council's Anti-War Resolution
Submitted October 22, 2002 (March 15, 2003)
Waterfront Housing For Everyone (March 9, 2003)
Critiquing The Mayor's Housing Plan (March 9, 2003) In December, when Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined his plan to build or renovate 65,000 homes over the next five years, he was widely praised for his ambition. But as the details of the plan become clearer, critics say the mayor's plan falls short in several areas. Last week, the New York City Council scrutinized the mayor's plan in its first round of budget hearings and questioned why only a third of the housing will be "affordable." Others warn that reforming the city's zoning and building codes is a monumental task. And local neighborhoods are already fighting to make sure they have a say in what gets built in their community.
The Individual Artists (February 24, 2003) Individual New York artists have enough to overcome without having to compete with major cultural institutions in the city such as museums and theaters. But that is what is happening, as Justin Glanville reports, because the funds from government and private foundations are more and more going to non-profit organizations rather than individual artists.
Felons and the Right to Vote (February 17, 2003) Under New York State law, tens of thousands of New Yorkers cannot vote because they are in jail on felony convictions. Three lawyers seeking to change the law say it illegally discriminates against black and Latino communities because, in New York, race and ethnicity have a lot to do with whether a person gets sent to prison.
Keeping Welfare Recipients Out of College (February 10, 2003) A college education, not a menial job, offers the best road out of poverty, but regulations keep thousands of New York welfare recipients from attending college. The city seems inclined to change this policy, but Washington might make the rules even tougher than they are now.
Governor Pataki's 2003 Budget Address (January 29, 2003)
The Pro-Life Agenda (January 27, 2003) While much of the battle over abortion takes place in federal courts, advocates on both sides of the issue also pursue a state and local agenda. As the nation marked the 30th anniversary of the Roe V Wade decision legalizing abortion across America, a pro choice and a pro life advocate present their agendas for New York.
A Pro Choice Agenda for New York City (January 27, 2003)
Looking To History (January 23, 2003) Eighteen days after the attack on the World Trade Center, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani appeared on Saturday Night Live. Flanked by his police and fire commissioners, and surrounded by a group of the city's rescue workers, the mayor looked into the camera and said: "On September 11th, more lives were lost than on any other single day in America's history - more than Pearl Harbor, and more than D-Day."
2003 Economic Stimulus Plan (January 13, 2003)
How Should the City Close It's $5 Billion Budget Deficit? (January 13, 2003)
Bush Plan Doesn't Add Up (January 13, 2003) Last week, President George W. Bush unveiled his $674 billion economic plan, which gives tax cuts to consumers and investors, but offers little aid to local governments. Reacting to the president's proposal, New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller writes that it is nothing more than "cynical shell game" that leaves New York drowning in red ink.
2003 State of the State Address (January 13, 2003)
Is Gangs of New York Historically Accurate? (December 23, 2002) On Friday, December 20 Gotham Gazette's NYC Book Club had a live chat with Tyler Anbinder, author of Five Points, and Jay Cocks, screenwriter of Gangs of New York. They talked about the fact and the folklore behind the movie Gangs of New York and what the Five Points area was really like.
What Happened To My Middle School? (November 25, 2002) When I came up with the idea for a middle school focused on journalism -- the first such middle school in the nation -- I got the same strange reaction again and again.
Gotham at War (October 28, 2002) Long before September 11th, the threat of terrorist acts kept New Yorkers in a panic and local authorities in a state of alert -- though not alert enough.
Gotham at War (October 28, 2002) Foreign soldiers haven't set foot in New York City since the Revolutionary War, but each of America's wars have made their mark on Gotham. Now, amid talk of going to war with Iraq, historians and curators are looking back at New York City during wartimes past. Three books on New York during wartime have just been published, a downtown exhibition compares the city's rebirth after the revolution to the recovery after 9/11, and a new Martin Scorsese movie takes place in Civil War New York. A look at New York City, war by war.
The Tax Whose Time Has Gone (August 12, 2002)
Bringing Back The Commuter Tax (August 12, 2002) Facing the worst fiscal crisis in two decades, some in New York City are looking to the suburbs for help -- by bringing back the commuter tax that was repealed in 1999. But not everyone agrees. Glenn Pasanen argues that reinstating the commuter tax is a matter of fairness. "New York City is the economic engine of the entire region," he says, and suburbanites who work here should "pay for some of the fuel." E.J. McMahon counters that the commuter tax and "the notion that non-resident workers are a bunch of well-paid freeloaders" should be a thing of the past. If the city wants to recover, he says, it can not afford to give workers and their companies one more reason to leave the city.
Involvement and Accountability (June 17, 2002) With Mayor Michael Bloomberg having won control of the New York City school system, his deputy mayor for policy, Dennis Walcott, explains why this will make a difference to New York's 1.1 million public school students. Now, says Walcott, the challenge is to involve parents and the community in improving each individual local school.
Elect The Board Of Education (May 20, 2002)
School Control (May 20, 2002) With Mayor Bloomberg and the state legislature negotiating whether to give the mayor control of the city's schools, Board of Education member Irving Hamer argues that a switch in governance will not solve the system's problems. Mayoral control has not done any good in the many cities that have tried it, Hamer says. More money, not political deals, will boost achievement in the city's classrooms. Jill Levy, president of the principal's union, agrees and calls for a truly independent -- and elected -- school board with its own source of money.
Naming for Dollars (May 13, 2002)
The New York State Legislature: How Albany Controls the City (January 29, 2001) New York City may think it is the most powerful city in the world. But when it tries to change the school system, taxes, or rent regulation, as Alan Rothstein explains, the city must go hat in hand to Albany, to the New York State Legislature, where the real political power lies.
Polls (October 17, 2000) The way the news media use the endless polling during campaign season is not just inaccurate, but wrongheaded, says Steve Ross, who explains there is a better way.
Favorite Books About New York (September 25, 2000) You've heard of The Power Broker, and the Encyclopedia of the City of New York, perhaps. But do you know about the six-volume Iconography of the Island of Manhattan, or The Mole People? Here are favorite New York books by historians, librarians, booksellers, filmmakers, a museum director, a politician, and the director of the Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling for the Department of Sanitation.
Community Boards (September 20, 2000) What are they, what do they do, how did they come to be? And what is ULURP anyway?
More Than a Cosmetic Change? (September 11, 2000) Incumbency isn't what it used to be. Philip Lentz explains why four congressmen from New York are running scared this week, and why this is just the beginning.
City Council Senior Class (August 14, 2000) Few members of the City Council seem happy about what's going to happen next year when term limits disqualify 36 of the 51 members from running again. Six of the 15 who remain eligible for re-election discuss what they think the New City Council will be like, and what issues each wants to focus on if he or she is re-elected.
Pest or Pet? (July 24, 2000) City Councilman Bill Perkins explains what should be done about "the epidemic of rats in our city." Elaine Sloan of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urges us to warm up to their "pink noses and twitching whiskers."
When Sleep Becomes Speech (July 10, 2000) New York State Supreme Court Justice Emily Jane Goodman explains a recent federal court decision that turned sleeping on a city street into free speech
What Government Does Well/What Government Does Badly (June 25, 2000) By former Massachusetts Governor (and possible future New York gubernatorial candidate) William Weld.
New York City Council Term Limits (February 21, 2000) Indispensable guide to who can and can't be re-elected in 2001.
