February 13, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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Redistricting Hearings Draw Stream of Objections   (February 2012)  Hearings on proposed district lines draw outcry from lawmakers and community groups who say that LATFOR is provide an unfair advantage to Senate Republicans and splitting up communities.

Bloomberg's Budget Avoids Teachers Cuts   (February 2012)  The Mayor's proposed budget spares teachers and uniformed employees and avoids raising taxes but it features hefty cuts to a number of other programs.

Is the DEC Prepared For Hydraulic Fracturing?  (February 2012)  After major budget cuts is the Department of Environmental Conservation capable of overseeing hydraulic fracturing in New York?

Council Acts on Foreclosures   (February 2012)  Fulfilling pledges Speaker Christine Quinn made in last year's State of the City address, the Council passed two bills that will protect tenants of buildings facing foreclosure and add more transparency to contracts.

Controversial Video Sparks Outrage at NYPD  (February 2012)  New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly faces calls for increased police oversight after revelations about his participation in an anti-Muslim video that was used to train officers.

City Warns Against For-Profit Adult Education Scams   (January 2012)  A city-wide campaign warms New Yorkers away from for-profit education scams that can leave students in debt and without a job.

Stopping Apartments From Making Tenants Sick   (January 2012)  Poor conditions in apartments across the city lead to unhealthy tenants. A coalition of housing and health advocates have started a program to send health-care providers to tenants to treat housing-related illness.

City Hall and CCRB Negotiate Over Hiring Freeze   (January 2012)  Will City Hall grant an exception to the hiring freeze so that the Civilian Complaint Review Board can hire a lawyer and independently prosecute police misconduct?

The Guns on Our Streets   (January 2012)  Two familiar firearms were used in the shooting of NYPD Officer Peter Figoski. Chris Opfer takes a look at the guns New York's criminals prefer.

Politics Thwart Brooklyn Housing  (January 2012)  A housing project in Brooklyn that would provide 1,800 new apartments is delayed by political infighting.

Community Members Struggle With Stop and Frisk   (January 2012)  Community members try to find a nuanced voice in their critique of the NYPD's stop and frisk program while dealing with the stigma of speaking out against the police.

Queens Groups Are Divided Over District Lines   (January 2012)  Queens groups are split over how they want to see legislative districts drawn in their communities.

Council Defies Mayor on Parking Tickets  (January 2012)  With two passed bills heading for a mayoral veto and a newly introduced bill aiming to curb the Mayor's power, the City Council is taking a stand against the Mayor in a big way.

Council Bills To Curb Street Vendor Fines Moving to Committee   (January 2012)  Councilman Stephen Levin looks to help struggling street vendors who face "outrageous" fines for small infractions.

Cuomo Tries Out a New Role -- the Education Governor  (January 2012)  Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wants to be an advocate for students. What does his new-found focus on education policy mean for the city?

State of the City Address Tackles Teacher Unions, Promises School “Turnarounds”  (January 2012)  We take a look at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's State of the City address and examine what the city should expect in the coming months.

Selling Discounted Rides on a Metrocard a Fare Practice?   (January 2012)  A case of a man using his Metrocard to sell discounted rides to others makes it to the state's highest court. Emily Jane Goodman Explains what happened.

The Council Tackles Corporate Personhood, Transparency, and the Budget  (January 2012)  The Council takes on the U.S. Supreme Court and Citizens United, as well as addressing the budget and transparency issues.

How Will Cuomo's 2012 Plans Impact the City?   (January 2012)  Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out his plans for his sophomore year in his State of the State Address. We take a look at how they will impact New Yorkers and what observers think is missing.

Air Conditioner at Center of Legal Battle   (January 2012)  An air conditioner sparks a legal battle between a family and a housing cooperative. Were health reasons enough to help the family prevail? Emily Jane Goodman explains.

Top Stories of 2012   (December 2011)  Our roundup of prominent prognosticators make their picks for 2012.

Common Cause Helps the Public Get Involved in Redistricting   (December 2011)  Common Cause offers up their own district lines while providing citizens with the ability to tinker with the maps. Will this new transparency surrounding the redistricting process lead to real change?

The Council Addresses PCBs in Schools   (December 2011)  Nearly 800 schools are expected to have PCB contamination and while the city plans a ten-year clean-up of the dangerous chemical, a new City Council bill will give parents the right to know — now — if their school has tested positive for the dangerous chemical.

Will Community Bans on Hydrofracking Hold Up?   (December 2011)  Communities across the state have passed resolutions to outlaw hydraulic fracturing. Will home rule win out in the legal battles to come?

Layoffs "New Norm" For Budget Cuts   (December 2011)  With cuts to capital spending and labor concessions already in place experts say future cuts to the city budget seem likely to come in the form of layoffs.

Parental Involvement is Formula for Success in Brooklyn Schools  (December 2011)  Parents used to forge documents to get their kids out of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill schools. Now they are forging them to get their kids in.

When Will New York Have A Functioning Ethics Agency?   (December 2011)  When will New York have a functioning ethics watchdog? And why has it been such a struggle to create one?

The Council Overrides Veto in Stiff Rebuke to the Mayor   (December 2011)  The City Council overrides Bloomberg's veto of the Outsourcing Accountability Act. Is the Council getting tougher with the mayor in his third term?

New MTA Chair Faces First Test in Labor Relations   (December 2011)  Will the new chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority be able to overcome the divide with transit workers union?

Pizza as a Vegetable and Other Roadblocks to Proper Nutrition   (December 2011)  Congress' move to make pizza a vegetable only complicates the struggle to get kids to eat healthy. Even strict city regulations don't seem to be getting good food into student's stomachs.

New Program Lets Taxpayers Do More than Gripe About City Spending  (December 2011)  Residents of four city districts can now do more than just complain about government spending. A new program lets citizens decide how council members should divvy up their discretionary dollars.

City Council Acts to Slow Transportation Projects  (November 2011)  The City Council yesterday took steps to slow down a Transportation Department that some criticize for speeding in its drive to reshape New York's streets.

30 Years of Fighting AIDS: Much Progress, Many Losses  (November 2011)  After three decades, huge advances have been made, enabling many people with HIV to plan for their old age. That presents a reason for celebration and poses new challenges.

Aging with HIV: A Triumph with Challenges  (November 2011)  Few expected so many people with the AIDS virus would live to old age. Their longevity is a triumph but poses some problems as well.

In New York, the Police Police the Police  (November 2011)  Forty years after Frank Serpico blew the whistle on police corruption, New York lags behind other major cities when it comes to oversight of its crime-fighting force.

Crackdown on Protests Could Spark More Scrutiny of Police  (November 2011)  For the last decade, New Yorkers and their political leaders have all but deified the police and Ray Kelly. Will the crackdown on Occupy Wall Street and recent scandals change that?

Showdown Looms over Living Wage Bill  (November 2011)  The bill to create a living wage gets a hearing in City Council next week as both sides lobby furiously and wonder what Christine Quinn will do.

More Low-Wage Workers Become Their Own Bosses  (November 2011)  Tired of skimpy wages, some low-income workers have formed their own cooperative businesses. Can this help change New York's s poorer neighborhoods?

The Day at Zuccotti Park -- and Beyond  (November 2011)  The police crackdown on Occupy Wall Street set off a chain of events and sparked sharp rhetoric. We summarize what happened, highlight key coverage and round up the reaction.

After Police Clear the Park, A Range of Reactions  (November 2011)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly held a press conference Tuesday to explain why and how they cleared Zuccotti Park. But many officials questioned their actions.

Barriers Keep Many Disabled New Yorkers Trapped in Poverty  (November 2011)  Almost one third of disabled city residents live in poverty. Advocates blame systemic discrimination and barriers that keep many of these New Yorkers poor and unemployed.

Who Judges the Judges?   (November 2011)  Who judges the judges? Critics charge the group that has that responsibility operates in secrecy as it ignores serious offenses and dismisses too many complaints.

As Poverty Increases, Budget Cuts Tatter the Safety Net  (November 2011)  What is the city's response? Budget cuts.

Sharp Criticism Greets Bid to Limit Access to Homeless Shelters  (November 2011)  City Councilmembers Stephen Levin, Annabel Palma and Jumaane Williams sharply criticized the city's plan to tighten eligibility requirement for homeless adults to gain access to the city's shelters.

Immigrants Want Redistricting to Reflect the Changing City  (November 2011)  No matter how the state redraws boundaries for legislative and City Council seats, immigrant groups want to make sure the new districts reflect the city's changing population.

Police Found Not Liable for Failure to Protect Shooting Victim   (November 2011)  Police told a Bronx woman they would arrest her boyfriend. They did not, and a day later he shot her. Are the police liable? Emily Jane Goodman examines the case.

Bill Curtails City Role in Deportations  (November 2011)  A bill passed by City Council –- said to be the first of its kind in the U.S. -- will stop New York from routinely helping federal authorities detain and deport arrested immigrants.

Top Hospitals Offer Separate and Unequal Care   (November 2011)  The city's top hospitals offer blue-chip care to patients with private insurance, but people with Medicaid do not fare nearly as well. An advocate argues we must do better.

City Rules Could Transplant Gardens  (November 2011)  Community gardeners fear city regulations could force them to till new fields and leave some of the green growing spaces unprotected.

Is the Long Wait for a New Watchdog Nearing Its End?   (October 2011)  The state has been without a functioning ethics watchdog for months. Will the incoming commission be ready to start policing by December?

Disclosing Independent Expenditures   (October 2011)  The chair of the New York City Campaign Finance Board advocates for new rules requiring disclosure of independent expenditures made on behalf of a candidate

Making Bikes a Part of the Neighborhood   (October 2011)  Months from the start of a major bike share program Tom Angotti says the city needs to be ready to work with neighborhoods

Is the City Prepared to Help Returning Veterans?   (October 2011)  The city is set to welcome home thousands of veterans, is the city prepared to offer them the care they need?

To Help All Children Read, First do the Math  (October 2011)  The City should focus on helping students with reading disabilities says Susan Crawford in this commentary

Doctor Sued for Mixing Sex and Psychology  (October 2011)  The doctor was not a psychiatrist but acting like one landed him in court. Emily Jane Goodman explains.

Organized Occupiers Frustrate Mayor and Landlords   (October 2011)  Groups quickly coalesce to protect Occupy Wall Street-- forcing the authorities to reassess plans to clean Zuccotti Park.

Gates' Agenda and Money Shape City Schools  (October 2011)  The Gates Foundation has poured billions into U.S. schools, setting the education agenda and giving the Gateses enormous control over what goes on in New York City classrooms.

Workforce Program Helps People Find Jobs, Not Careers  (October 2011)  Tens of thousands of unemployed New York turn to workforce development centers only to find the programs can polish a resume but can't place people in jobs that do not exist.

Unions Find Room Under Occupy Wall Street's Umbrella  (October 2011)  Spurred by their members, many unions, including some representing New York City workers, have joined Occupy Wall Street, bringing people, clout and expertise.

On Fracking, the Cuomo Administration Must Slow Down  (October 2011)  The administration's rush to approve natural gas drilling raises concerns about whether it will protect New York's land, air and water, an environmentalist writes.

On Fracking, the Cuomo Administration Strikes a Balance   (October 2011)  As it seeks to establish a policy on natural gas drilling, the Cuomo administration has struck a sensible balance, an industry executive writes.

Council Acts to Rein in Contracts   (October 2011)  After millions in cost overruns, fraud and even crime, the City Council has stepped into the fray, passing a bill putting controls on city government's hiring of private companies.

Sex Education in the City  (October 2011)  High rates of AIDS and sexually transmitted infections prompted officials to once again require sex education classes. What does the city mandate do and does it do enough?

Beyond Needle Exchange: Some Say Addicts Need a Safe Place to Inject  (October 2011)  With its 'reality-based' approach, New York has reduced HIV rates and other health problems for drug users. But advocates look to Vancouver and urge the city to go a step further.

Groups Split, Rumors Fly as Redistricting Reform Remains Elusive  (September 2011)  As the clock ticks down for New York to redraw its districts, a key legislator mocks his foes, reform groups split, rumors fly and the question remains: What will Cuomo do?

New York's Pushout Crisis: Why Students Don't Graduate  (September 2011)  City schools suspend thousands of students a year, sparking a chain of events that compels many teenagers to give up on school. Three advocates argue New York must find a better way.

City Shuts the 'Box' to Open Job Opportunities  (September 2011)  The city government has "banned the box" on job applications — making it easier for people with criminal records to find work.

Citing 'Emergency,' Council Passes Animal Bill   (September 2011)  Many animal advocates celebrated as the City Council yesterday passed a bill expanding animal services, but others charge the measure is unfair to animals – and people.

Connecting Cuomo to the People   (September 2011)  The Cuomo administration today will unveil a website providing the public with unprecedented access to the governor's schedule, travel and more. A Gotham Gazette exclusive report.

In Case of Bank vs. Vet, Courts Rule for Service Member   (September 2011)  When an Air Force reservist returned to his job after a two-year deployment, his employer demoted him and cut his pay. He sued. Emily Jane Goodman explains what happened then.

As Deficits Loom, City Faces More Cuts  (September 2011)  With the city facing a yawning deficit, the mayor will likely make more cuts. Is there another way to stave off the red ink? Glenn Pasanen reviews the challenges and options.

The Service Is Public, but the Money Isn't  (September 2011)  New York City has increasingly sought out private donations to pay for public services. Is that any way to fund a government?

Schneiderman's Voice Needed in Foreclosure Talks  (September 2011)  With so many families affected by foreclosure, the attorney general wants to probe and prosecute banks. Karen Scharff of Citizen Action praises his decision to stand tough.

Foreclosures Leave Apartment Buildings in Need of Repair  (September 2011)  Foreclosure has put many apartment buildings throughout the city in limbo, leaving tenants to grapple with leaky roofs, insufficient heat, broken locks and other problems.

Can Obama's Plan Erase New York's Jobs Deficit?  (September 2011)  With more than 600,000 New Yorkers unemployed or underemployed, James Parrott examines the work crisis and how the nation, the city and state might help solve it.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter: 2011 Primary and Special Election  (September 2011)  As the nation looks to 2012, little appears on this year's ballots. But on Tuesday, New Yorkers will decide some closely watched contests and fill party posts. We run down the races.

A Decade after 9/11, Little Pakistan Bounces Back  (September 2011)  Facing suspicion and investigation, many south Asians left the city after 9/11. But since then, the community has started to bounce back.

Putting Housing Inspectors on the Guards  (September 2011)  The City Council passed legislation yesterday to step up enforcement of the city rules on window bars to protect young children.

9/11: 10 Years of Reporting  (September 2011)  Since Sept. 11, 2001, Gotham Gazette has covered the effects of the attacks and how New York has mourned, changed and rebuilt. A selection from our archives.

10 Years Later: Enumerating the Loss at Ground Zero  (September 2011)  Some sense of the almost incalculable impact of 9/11 can be gained from then numbers. Andrew Beveridge offers a statistical portrait of our losses – personal and economic.

After Delays, Fulton Street Transit Hub Takes Shape   (September 2011)  After delays and cost overruns that threatened to all but destroy the project, parts of the Lower Manhattan transit hub have started to open.

Fight Over Compensation for 9/11 Responders Shifts to Cancer Victims  (September 2011)  Those who rushed to the World Trade Center site right after the 9/11 attacks hope a new report will boost their demands to aid fellow responders who now suffer from cancer.

Senate Republicans in No Rush on Health Insurance Exchange   (September 2011)  New York has missed a key deadline for setting up the insurance exchanges required under the federal healthcare law, but State Senate Republicans don't see any reason to rush.

Out of Foster Care -- and Into What?  (August 2011)  Many young people turn up on the streets or in jail after they age out of the city's childcare system. The latest in our poverty series looks at efforts to change that.

In Tough Times, Food Stamps Leave Many Hungry  (August 2011)  More poor New Yorkers who don't get food stamps -- or whose benefits leave their cupboards bare – have turned to private groups for aid, leaving charities struggling to meet the demand.

Three Candidates Vie in a Special Special Election  (August 2011)  The contest to fill an Assembly seat in Bushwick features a battle between two political dynasties and a grassroots organizer

Helping Parents Behind Bars be Parents  (August 2011)  Thousands of city kids have parents in prison. Can their bonds survive the separation and stigma? The latest in our poverty series looks at efforts to keep families connected.

City Council Challenges Obama Administration on Deportations  (August 2011)  In a move that could irk the Obama and Bloomberg administrations, City Council members want the city to curtail detaining and spending that helps Washington deport illegal immigrants.

Council Seeks to Limits Conflicts Between Pray and Pay  (August 2011)  New Yorkers will find it easier to pray at work, take time off for religious holidays, and wear headscarves, turbans or yarmulkes in the office under a bill passed by City Council.

As City Leases Industrial Sites for Schools, Concern About Safety Builds  (August 2011)  As the city shuts Bronx New School after finding contamination there, other schools on leased property remain open and could pose a danger to the health of their students and staff.

Constitution Lets Public Health Trump Religion, Judge Rules  (August 2011)  In ruling on a Long Island case, a federal judge found the Constitution does not give parents the right to refuse to get their children vaccinated on religious grounds.

Gaps in Housing Program Leave Tough Choices for People with HIV   (August 2011)  The city program to help people with HIV/AIDS find stable housing still leaves some New Yorkers facing almost impossible choices. The latest in our series on poverty policies.

Under a New Name, Census Data Stands Ready for Perusal  (August 2011)  The 2010 census has been rolling out since February with New York state getting the first of its data on March 24 and more data releases during the summer.

As Redistricting Hearings Begin, Many Think They Shouldn't  (August 2011)  As the legislature's task force begins work, the key debate centers not on where the lines will be drawn but on who will draw them.

Public Cuts, Private Reluctance Could Slow Growth in Green Jobs  (August 2011)  Despite a push for environmentally friendly jobs and visions of a more sustainable city, the private sector has been slow to create new opportunities.

Commission to Call for New Rules on Lobbying in the City  (August 2011)  A commission will likely address that question in a report that could change the rules for advocacy and influence in New York City.

Advocates, Council Members Push City to Make More Data Public   (August 2011)  But advocates say New York needs to go beyond the cute and clever and join other cities in making masses of data available to the public – without delays or legal battles.

Tuition Hikes, Aid Cuts Threaten to Put CUNY Out of Reach  (August 2011)  Increases in tuition and cuts in financial aid may put City University, long a road to the middle class, out of reach for low-income New Yorkers. Part of our series on poverty.

With Money Tight, Will State Finally Overhaul Its Public Defender System?  (August 2011)  In, New York many public defenders barely talk to their indigent clients – let alone fight for them. The latest in our series on poverty policies highlights the efforts to change that.

City Council Votes for Local Food  (July 2011)  The City Council yesterday passed bills aimed at spurring the city to buy and serve food grown and processed in New York State.

Food Revolution Prompts Entrepreneurs to Make It in New York   (July 2011)  Inspired by the food revolution, city entrepreneurs are creating edible enterprises, replacing departed stalwarts like Stella d'Oro. Julia Vitullo-Martin examines the tasty trend.

Judge Rejects 'Genius' Testimony   (July 2011)  A multimillionaire enmeshed in a divorce argued that the judge should consider his 'innate' brilliance when divvying up the couple's fortune. Emily Goodman looks at the case.

U.S. Law Keeps Some Rights of Marriage from Same Sex Couples  (July 2011)  Overlooked amid the joy of same-sex weddings is the fact that the nuptials do not give couples the full rights of matrimony, particularly when one partner is an immigrant.

Food Policy Offers Tasty Morsels, Not a Complete Meal  (July 2011)  In its latest version, PlanNYC2030 serves up some tasty morsels for those promoting local food policy, but the city still hasn't put together a full meal.

School Boilers Set to Go from Filthy to Not Quite So Filthy  (July 2011)  The administration wants to eliminate highly polluting heating oil in private buildings -- but its own schools may have to make do with an interim step.

St. Vincent's Highlights Crunch for Hospitals Serving the Poor  (July 2011)  The closing of St. Vincent's created a void for some poor New Yorkers and highlighted the woes facing hospitals that serve them. The latest installment in our series on poverty.

Bloomberg Poverty Policies Cut the Public, Boost the Private  (July 2011)  On one hand, the mayor has cut city social services. On the other, he has launched private pilot projects to fight poverty – to little effect. Glenn Pasanen explores the disconnect.

Mayor Still Looks to Building and Zoning to Ease Housing Crunch  (July 2011)  With housing here reeling from the bubble and the bust, the mayor sees zoning as the key tool for creating affordable homes. Tom Angotti examines the city's latest plan.

Letting History Speak for Itself  (July 2011)  Michael Arad, the designer of the memorial at Ground Zero, discusses the evolution of what he calls the 'built equivalent of a moment of silence. '

9/11 Memorial Nears Completion, Ending Complicated, Contentious Process  (July 2011)  A complicated, often agonizing process will come to fruition soon as a memorial to victims of 9/11 opens on possibly the most complicated – and fraught – construction site on Earth.

City Plans to Build, Renovate Jails  (July 2011)  While Gov. Andrew Cuomo begins an historic effort to shut prisons all over New York state, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is building, reopening and renovating jails throughout the city.

As Cuomo's Prison Closings become Reality, Some Question the Specifics  (July 2011)  As Gov. Cuomo begins to make good on his pledge to close prisons, some question his decision to shut a facility on Staten Island.

Party Leaders Keep a Grip on Special Elections  (July 2011)  As the parties anoint candidate for Sept. 13's special elections, voters in most of the affected districts can do little more than sit on the sidelines and prepare their rubber stamps.

Making a Greener Economy a Fairer Economy  (July 2011)  In PlaNYC, the mayor missed a chance to create not only a more environmentally friendly city but a more economically equitable one too, argues this installment of 'Sustainability Watch.'

From Garbage Dump to Energy Source  (July 2011)  An international art and energy competition focusing on Freshkills could boost efforts to turn the one-time garbage dump into a fuel source and a world-class park.

Growing List of Park Rules Irks Some New Yorkers  (July 2011)  As New Yorkers clamor to go outside, the city has put new restrictions on what they can do when they get there.

Council Passes Budget, Taking a Bow for Saving Teachers, Fire Companies  (June 2011)  The City Council congratulated itself yesterday as it passed a budget that, while slashing some jobs and services, staved off the mayor's most draconian cuts.

Summer in the City: Beaches, Barbecues -- and Ballots?  (June 2011)  With New York in violation of a federal law aimed at helping military personnel serving overseas to vote, the state may move its primary from September to June.

Before Passing Marriage Bill, Senate Extended Rent Regulations and More  (June 2011)  Same sex marriage topped the headlines but in the legislature's closing hours, it also approved a rent bill, a big change for taxis and more. David King runs down the action.

Is Cuomo Losing Democratic Legislators?   (June 2011)  With deals in place on rent regulation and other issues, some black and Latino legislators fear the governor has left their city-based constituents in the dust.

For Parents Seeking School Choice, Boundaries Don't Apply  (June 2011)  Disgruntled parents across their city have taken school choice into their own hands, falsifying records and essentially lying to improve their children's educational options.

'Who's Your Daddy' and the Laws of Marriage  (June 2011)  An Albany woman recently asked the courts to erase from her birth certificate the name of the man her mother was married to when she was conceived and born.

Budget Cuts Could Strangle Sputtering Recovery   (June 2011)  With the recession-battered economy showing signs of weakening further, James Parrott writes, Mayor Bloomberg and budget slashers in Albany seem likely to make things even worse.

Pension Proposal: An Attack on Working People  (June 2011)  The head of the Civil Service Employees Association argues Gov. Cuomo's pension proposal is a move to impress millionaires at the expense of workers.

Pension Proposal: A Fiscal Remedy for New York  (June 2011)  The head of the Citizens Budget Commission argues Gov. Cuomo's pension proposal will help preserve valued government programs.

Failure of Redistricting Reform Could Bring Reprise of 2002's Fiasco  (June 2011)  Despite the efforts of Ed Koch and good government groups, chances for redistricting reform in New York seem to be fading. Andrew Beveridge examines what's at stake.

Council Opens Up Orders and Memoranda  (June 2011)  A law passed by City Council yesterday will make more official documents now all but hidden from public view readily available to ordinary New Yorkers.

Will Albany Allow the Rent Laws to Expire? Does it Matter?   (June 2011)  Will rent regulation expire on June 15? And then what happens? Some legislators see a crisis looming, while others say apartment dwellers would feel no immediate impact.

Cuts to City Day Care Still Worry Parents  (June 2011)  Although the city restored thousands of daycare slots it had planned to slash, parents worry about the reductions and changes still facing programs for the littlest New Yorkers.

End of Homeless Program May Send Families Back to Shelters   (June 2011)  The city's plan to eliminate a rent subsidy program for the homeless is the latest in a string of moves that could force thousands of New Yorkers into shelters.

Budget Cuts Could Beach Some City Swimmers  (June 2011)  Budget cuts could padlock four city pools this summer, leaving residents hot, dry -- and bored.

South Street Seaport Goes Back to the Drawing Board  (June 2011)  After more than 40 years of missteps, area aorund South Street girds itself for yet another effort to develop one of New York's oldest neighborhoods.

Ethics Deal Breaks Logjam But Leaves Key Issues Behind  (June 2011)  After years of debate, the governor and key legislators Friday agreed on a package to clean up state government. David King reports on the deal and how a logjam finally broke.

Officials Call for Holding the Line on Contracts  (June 2011)  Could New York save its teachers and fire companies if the city didn't pay out billions of dollars to consultants and private firms? Courtney Gross examines the issue.

Whatever the Science Shows, Banning Smoking in Parks Makes Sense  (May 2011)  The ban on smoking in parks may be more about making smokers pariahs than about clearing the air, but a public health expert argues, that doesn't mean it's not good public policy.

City Brownfield Program Cleans Sites, But Who Benefits?  (May 2011)  Under a city program, developers are cleaning up vacant land and building on it. While the projects improve the environment, some do little to serve other needs in their communities.

Council Approves Increase in Exam Age for Firefighters  (May 2011)  The court case that has put fire department hiring on hold has delayed the dreams of many who wanted to join New York's bravest. Yesterday the City Council gave them some hope.

As Races Begin, Councilpedia Tracks 2013 Campaign Donations   (May 2011)  The election is in 2013, but donors are already voting with their wallets. Go to Councilpedia -- now updated with the latest data -- to find out which industry funds what candidate.

Judge Defines Bullying in Case Involving City Schools  (May 2011)  When does teasing end and bullying begin? According to a recent court ruling, if it creates a hostile environment that interferes with a student's education, it's bullying.

Secure Communities Program: Should New York Stay or Go?  (May 2011)  Gov. Cuomo will soon decide whether New York will keep sending fingerprints of arrested immigrants to the U.S. government. But even if he wants to stop, it's not clear he can.

Trying to Create a More Permeable New York  (May 2011)  The Bloomberg administration not only wants a greener New York, it wants a more permeable one. Anne Schwartz reports how green infrastructure could cut costs and clean city waterways.

Despite Scant Results, Bloomberg's Anti-Poverty Project Goes National  (May 2011)  Mayor Bloomberg is taking his anti-poverty initiatives national, even though they have done little to change the lives of poor people in his city. Glenn Pasanen takes a closer look.

Bloomberg Pushes For Control Of Juvenile Justice System  (May 2011)  A bill expected to be introduced in the State Assembly today will remove city youth from the state's problem-ridden juvenile justice system and treat them near their families.

New Street Fair Rules Make Mozzarepas Harder to Find  (May 2011)  The city has cut back on street fairs to save money, but critics say this won't address the real problem with Nw York's summer staple: too many tube socks and sausage stands.

Council Approves Fines for Taxi Refusal  (May 2011)  The disputes between city government and cabbies continue as the City Council passed a bill raising fines for drivers who reject passengers on the basis of race or destination.

Participatory Planning: The Sustainability Plan's Missing Piece  (May 2011)  PlanNYC offers some outstanding proposals, but unfortunately it didn't involve the public very much in creating them.

Keeping Watch on the Plan for a Greener New York  (May 2011)  With the mayor renewing his plan for a greener New York, Gotham Gazette and Hunter College launch another series of articles about creating a more environmentally friendly city.

Bloomberg, Quinn Defend City Funding of Groups that Discriminate  (May 2011)  The Staten Island St. Patrick's parade openly excludes gays. But Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn say that's no reason it should not receive city funds.

Council Starts to Maneuver on Budget  (May 2011)  After 10 rounds of budget cuts, the Bloomberg administration is taking aim at teachers and fire companies. Can the City Council save them?

Cuomo Takes His Issues to the People   (May 2011)  Hoping to capitalize on his popularity, Gov. Cuomo wants New Yorkers to persuade their legislators to enact key parts of his agenda, including same sex marriage.

Taxi Choice Not the People's Choice  (May 2011)  In selecting a Nissan vehicle as the taxi of tomorrow, did the city reject the people's choice?

Concerns Raised over City Role in Deporting Immigrants  (May 2011)  New York City has come under increased criticism for helping the U.S. government incarcerate and deport arrested immigrants -- even ones found innocent of their alleged crimes.

Council Cracks Down on Pedicabs Again  (April 2011)  Tourists love pedicabs, but New Yorkers have doubts. Yesterday, the City Council passed bills to regulate human-powered taxis and to make parking easier for other vehicles.

Republicans Look to Trade Payroll Tax for Bridge Tolls   (April 2011)  The idea of charging drivers to cross the East River has returned to Albany, but this year it has a twist that dismays some transit advocates.

A Tightly Knit and Diverse Arts Scene Grows in the Bronx  (April 2011)  The borough's cultural scene has grown dramatically in recent years while managing to remain both diverse and close knit.

Census Wounded City's Pride but Probably Got the Numbers Right  (April 2011)  City officials squawked when the 2010 census that found growth here has slowed. New York's pride may be wounded but, Andrew Beveridge writes, the census probably got the numbers right.

Bloomberg Environmental Plan Offers Lots of Parts, Little Controversy  (April 2011)  Four years after unveiling an environmental plan that called for charging people to drive in Manhattan, Mayor Bloomberg yesterday set forth a new, less-controversial agenda.

Fracking Fight Sparks Intense Lobbying   (April 2011)  Albany has emerged as the latest front in the battle over natural gas drilling as industry steps up its lobbying efforts and opponents hammer away at possible environmental risks.

Putting the 'Public' in Public Meetings  (April 2011)  Despite New York state's open meetings law, city and state agencies vary widely over the kind of access and information they give citizens.

Despite Key Setbacks, Bloomberg Plan Has Made New York Greener  (April 2011)  Four years after Mayor Bloomberg announced his plan for a sustainable city, is New York a more environmentally friendly city? Courtney Gross reports on PlaNYC's wins and losses.

Court Allows Man Who Falsely Confessed to Murder to Seek Money from the State  (April 2011)  A recent ruling by New York's highest court will allow a mentally disabled man falsely convicted of a brutal murder to seek compensation from the state.

Plans to Boost Two-Year Colleges Fall Victim to Budget Cuts  (April 2011)  Two years ago, Mayor Bloomberg promised to boost community colleges as a door to the middle class. Now, critics say that effort has faltered because of budget cuts.

City Needs to Step Up Foreclosure Programs  (April 2011)  Councilmember Brad Lander argues the city should do more to help homeowners facing foreclosure and communities saddled with blight.

Education Mayor Takes a Hit  (April 2011)  In a stunning reversal, Mayor Michael Bloomberg replaced Schools Chancellor Cathie Black yesterday with a close deputy mayor. Will Dennis Walcott be able to accomplish the mayor's agenda?

Council Approves Bills to Regulate Snow Removal  (April 2011)  The City Council approved a blizzard of bills Wednesday, which outline how the city should respond to future snow emergencies.

Bloomberg's Budget Ignores Untapped Revenue  (April 2011)  The Bloomberg adminsitration has exaggerated the need for massive teacher layoffs and could stave off future cuts if it considered tax hikes, writes finance columnist Glenn Pasanen.

Are Tenants Advocates Out of Leverage?   (April 2011)  Since this year's state budget was sans rent regulation, tenant advocates now say it is up to Gov. Andrew Cuomo to throw his weight around.

As School Suspensions Soar, Many Seek a Different Approach  (April 2011)  As school suspensions soar, even some elementary schools kids are barred from class. The city says the policies keep classrooms safe, but critics want to see a different approach.

Bloomberg Loses Budget Battle  (March 2011)  The state budget may be on time, but according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and some advocates it leaves the city in the dust.

Taxi of Tomorrow Could Reduce Fleet Fuel Efficiency   (March 2011)  Within a month, the city plans to select a new taxi model for the next decade. That vehicle may be less fuel efficient than the city's current fleet on the whole.

Prosecutors Grapple with Marijuana Arrests   (March 2011)  Two years after Rockefeller drug law reform, prosecutors and state officials grapple with how to treat minor marijuana arrests. Should they send people for treatment, to jail or neither?

They Have a Budget Deal but Who Will Vote for It?   (March 2011)  State legislative leaders reach a budget deal but who is going to vote for it?

Malpractice Cap Emerges as Key Issue in Budget Debate  (March 2011)  The question of whether to limit amounts paid out in medical malpractice suits has emerged as a thorny issue in the debates over Medicaid and the state budget.

New York Needs Real Reform, Not Higher Taxes  (March 2011)  A tax on the wealthy will do nothing to bring about fiscal reform but will punish the very people who generate economic growth, writes Kathryn Wylde of the New York City Partnership.

New York's Wealthiest Need to Sacrifice a Little Too  (March 2011)  A millionaires tax would serve New York's neediest -- not the greediest, who helped get us into today's fiscal mess, writes Kenneth Brynian of the state Public Employees Federation.

Council Approves Naming Queensboro for Koch  (March 2011)  How's he doing? Not bad. City Council voted to splash the former mayor's name across the Queensboro Bridge despite objections from Queens loyalists and political opponents.

Administration Considers Waste-to-Energy  (March 2011)  As costs of garbage disposal and energy skyrocket, Mayor Bloomberg considers building a plant to turn trash into fuel. Can he pull it off? A Gotham Gazette exclusive.

Spending Cuts Could Threaten Women's Progress   (March 2011)  It's Women’s History Month, but government spending cuts threaten to undermine may of the gains women have made in the past few decades, write two social service advocates.

State Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages But Not Weddings  (March 2011)  Same sex marriage is recognized in New York State. -- just don't try to have the ceremony here. Andy Humm looks at the patchwork of laws.

Education Department Slashes Plans for Building More Schools   (March 2011)  The construction plan just released by the city dramatically scales back last year's proposal, reducing the number of new schools and places for students.

With IBM's Help, New School Hopes to Groom Students for Tech Jobs  (March 2011)  A new grade 9-14 school in Paul Robeson High School, launched with corporate support, will face challenges as it seeks to train students for technology careers.

As Advocates Push for Redistricting Reform, GOP Offers A Slower Way  (March 2011)  As good government groups step up their calls for changing the way New York redistricts, the State Senate Monday passed a bill that could delay change for years.

Threat to Close 105 Centers Worries City Seniors  (March 2011)  With cuts in state funding threatening to close 105 senior centers in the city, older New Yorkers worry about what it would mean to lose their "second home."

Slicing the Fire Department  (March 2011)  Does the mayor want to shut fire companies to save money -- or to shrink a department that now spends more time responding to heart attacks and less to battling blazes.

City Students Fall Short in Science  (March 2011)  With the city hoping to attract more cutting edge industries, a number of signs indicate city students may not have the skills to fill the new jobs.

In an Anti-Incumbent Year, City Legislators Kept Their Seats   (March 2011)  Pedro Espada lost his re-election bid last fall. But he was the exception: Voters gave another term to 96 percent of city state legislators who wanted to remain in Albany.

Cuomo Cultivates His Media Messenger  (March 2011)  The administration has no stauncher ally than The Post, which lauds him, slams his critics and gets access others in the media only dream about. David King examines the relationship.

Behind Bloomberg's Budget Surpluses  (March 2011)  At a time when most state and local governments must grapple with huge budget shortfalls, the mayor has managed to rack up surpluses. Glenn Pasanen looks it how he's done it.

Court Considers Who's Responsible for False Confession  (March 2011)  Douglas Warney admitted to a murder he did not commit. Now the Court of Appeals will determine who bears responsibility for that false confession.

Council Approves Bill to Regulate Crisis Pregnancy Clinics  (March 2011)  Amid rallies and rhetoric, the City Council passed a bill requiring pro-life 'pregnancy crisis centers' to disclose more about the services they do -- and do not -- provide.

CFB Faces Battle With Unions on Independent Expenditures  (March 2011)  With the Campaign Finance Board set to propose ways to monitor independent expenditures on behalf of candidates, some unions fear the rules could infringe on First Amendment rights.

Uncertainty at Empire State Development Corp. Continues   (March 2011)  Gov. Cuomo wants to boost the state's economy but it remains unclear what he has planned or what the state will, or can, to reverse the drop in private employment here.

Oscar Chorus Shows What Schools -- and Kids -- Can Do   (March 2011)  The P.S. 22 chorus closed out the Oscars Sunday. While most New York kids will never sing with Anne Hathaway, they should all get a chance, an advocate writes, to excel in the arts.

City Again Tries to Get New Yorkers to Board Ferries  (February 2011)  A new ferry service slated to launch this spring will mark the latest in a long line of attempts to get New Yorkers to commute on the water, rather than under or over it.

Push for Bike Lanes Hits Some Bumps  (February 2011)  As the administration seeks to make it easier for New Yorkers to bike around town, it faces a backlash from critics who want to slow down the cycling program -- and the cyclists.

'Doc in the Box' Touted as Solution to Healthcare Shortage  (February 2011)  The federal healthcare bill will allow many more New Yorkers to seek medical care. But where will they go to get it? Maybe Duane-Reade or CVS.

Building a Better Buildings Department  (February 2011)  The Department of Buildings had issued 13 violations for this Manhattan site where a 2008 crane collapse killed seven people.

Affordable Housing Policies May Spur Gentrification, Segregation   (February 2011)  Manuel Zuniga has lived in Greenpoint since 1982. Back then the neighborhood was plagued with high crime, vacant buildings and a shortage of basic government services.

Bloomberg Releases Preliminary Budget, Blames Albany   (February 2011)  Presenting his budget, the mayor again raised the specter of teacher layoffs, and closing senior centers and fire companies. This time, many officials say, it could actually happen.

Bike Bills Cruise through the Council  (February 2011)  As opposition to bike lanes increases, the City Council yesterday passed a package of bills that could lay the groundwork for slowing down the city's plans to encourage cycling.

Ms. Black Goes to Albany  (February 2011)  After weeks of preparation the chancellor stood up to questioning by the legislature. But her day in Albany did little to resolve big issues such as school funding and teacher layoffs

Quinn Takes on Spending, Pensions in State of the City  (February 2011)  The council speaker took on the city's rising debt, bloated contracts and shortage of affordable housing in a speech that many saw as an opening shot in her likely mayoral campaign.

Is Wal-Mart Worse?  (February 2011)  With the city peppered with big box stores, many New Yorkers still want to keep Wal-Mart out. What makes the world's biggest retailer different from its rivals?

Seniority Fight Highlights Rift Between City, Teachers  (February 2011)  As the fight over seniority and layoffs grows more rancorous, it highlights a deepening rift between the Bloomberg administration and teachers over an array of issues.

Promoting Pain as a Cure, Cuomo Presents His Budget  (February 2011)  Gov. Cuomo got down to budget details yesterday, calling for some deep spending cuts. His plan pleased many in business, appalled progressives and left the mayor calling for relief.

With More School Closings, Debate About Policy Continues   (January 2011)   With the city set to move ahead on shutting more schools this week, the debate about whether the strategy helps struggling students or neglects them grows increasingly heated.

Bloomberg Takes Out a New Budget Playbook  (January 2011)  The mayor's approach to balancing the budget has changed considerably since his first fiscal crisis. Glenn Pasanenen analyzes what's in Bloomberg's current playbook and what's not.

Glass Ceiling Persists in New York Government  (January 2011)  The Empire State has fewer women legislators than the national average, has no women in leadership positions in the Capitol and has never had a woman governor.

On the Waterfront Plan: Real Estate Dreams and Future Conflicts   (January 2011)  The city's plan for its shoreline has more to do with business development than recreation or nature, writes Tom Angotti. He examines what the blueprint does -- and doesn't do.

Bloomberg Pension Plans Could Face a Big Obstacle: Albany   (January 2011)  The audience applauded Wednesday when the mayor called for the state to slash public employee pensions and other benefits. Now he must convince the unions and Assembly Speaker Silver.

Bloomberg Targets Unions in State of the City  (January 2011)  Picking up on a national drive to cut public employee benefits, Mayor Bloomberg spent much of his State of the City speech vowing to do away with benefits that city workers hold dear.

Mayor to Propose Classier Black Cabs with Pick-Up Privileges  (January 2011)  Black cab or yellow cab? Metered fare or flat rate? The Bloomberg administration plans to bridge the taxi gap and establish a new system for car services in the outer boroughs.

Council Reins in Tied Up Dogs  (January 2011)  The City Council put budget battles aside yesterday and took up the more popular task of protecting New York's pets.

As Incomes Gap Widens, New York Grows Apart  (January 2011)  One percent of New Yorkers have 44 percent of all income here, the sharpest split in any big U.S. city. James Parrott looks at why we grow ever farther apart.

Beyond Resolutions: City Council Must Do More to Help Workers  (January 2011)  The City Council has spoken out strongly for improving workers' rights, but so far, an advocate argues, it has failed to pass laws that would make New York a fairer place to work.

With Housing in Turmoil, Cuomo Offers Few Clues  (January 2011)  With the housing market in turmoil and regulations set to expire, Gov. Cuomo has offered little clue of how he might keep the rent from getting even more damned high.

As 911 Modernizes, Bad Weather Trumps Technology  (January 2011)  The backlog of 911 calls during the snowstorm and the failure to get help to people in need has refocused attention on efforts to upgrade the city's emergency communications system.

Council Sets Stage for Snow(ball) Fight  (January 2011)  Top officials will be on the hot seat today as the City Council holds the first of several hearings on the administration's 'unacceptable' response to last month's blizzard.

Rough Road Ahead for City Budget  (January 2011)  The City Council and the mayor managed to stave off some controversial budget cuts for this winter. But the pain may only have been delayed.

Council Approves Safe Housing Act  (January 2011)  The City Council yesterday sharply expanded a program to fix New York's most dilapidated apartments and get some of the negligent landlords to foot the bill.

Cuomo Unveils Ambitious Agenda   (January 2011)  Gov. Andrew Cuomo set out an ambitious program in his State of the State address, as he finally got down to some specifics. Now comes the hard part.

Bill Seeks More Disclosure by Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers  (January 2011)  A City Council bill would require facilities that seek to dissuade women from terminating pregnancies to disclose more about the services they do and do not provide.

Census Brings Unpleasant Surprise for State Politicians  (January 2011)  The Census figures offered bad news for New York's congressional delegation and will likely set off two frenzied games of musical chairs. Andrew Beveridge looks at the numbers.

Cuomo Takes Charge   (January 2011)  Gov. Cuomo took office pledging to restore New York's economy and redeem its government. But after all the scandal and gridlock, few seemed in the mood to celebrate.

The Top Stories of 2011   (December 2010)  What will 2011 bring? Some of New York's most prescient prognosticators peer into the future to offer our annual roundup of predictions of next year's top stories.

2010 Ends Without a Woman Governor, Tax on Soda or Paid Sick Leave  (December 2010)  Cliff Lee did not sign with the Yankee, none of our teams won a championship and Spider Man did not open. What else didn’t happen in 2010.

Council Hopes to Block Service Cuts to Protect Children  (December 2010)  The budget ax is set to fall on the Administration for Children's Services, sparking outrage from some City Council member who say the move could put children's lives at risk.

Council Approves Bill to Require School Safety Reports  (December 2010)  A bill passed yesterday will require the Department of Education to provide the City Council with more data about crime, suspensions and other infractions in public schools.

2010 in Review: Scandals, Budget Cuts and Top-Level Changes  (December 2010)  Our not so fond look back at a year marked by scandals, budget cuts and education wars -- and a new governor.

With State Parks at Risk, Advocates Seek New Funding Sources  (December 2010)  Last spring, an uproar saved endangered state parks. But the reprieve may have been temporary, with more parks now slated to reduce hours, lose staff -- or shut down.

City Steps Up Efforts to Court Bioscience  (December 2010)  With the opening of a new center on the East Side, the city says it is poised to lure cutting-edge jobs to the five boroughs. But New York has a lot of catching up to do.

Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion on Crowded Civil Rights Agenda   (December 2010)  Same-sex marriage may top the civil rights agenda in Albany, but other concerns, including abortion rights, also loom large. One in our series on challenges facing Gov.-elect Cuomo.

Senate Gamble Could Send Horseracing into its Final Lap  (December 2010)  Few New Yorkers mourned when city betting parlors shut last week, but the closure could result in job losses, cost millions and doom thoroughbred racing in the state.

'Living Wage' Would Hurt Young, Unskilled  (December 2010)  The Living Wage will actually hurt the very people it purports to help -- the young and inexperienced -- contends a former Labor Department economist.

Experience Shows Living Wage Policies Work  (December 2010)  Bills in the City Council would require businesses getting city subsidies to pay a "living wage." An advocate argues that, whatever developers and the mayor claim, this approach works.

Will Cuomo Draw the Line on Gerrymandering?  (December 2010)  Since the first gerrymander in 1812, legislators have drawn district lines to suits themselves. Can Andrew Cuomo change that?

Parents, Officials Seek to Rid Schools of Toxic PCBs -- Now   (December 2010)  Toxic PCBs lurk in caulking and light fixtures at dozens of city schools. Parents and some officials want the city to get rid of them now, but cleanup could cost $1 billion.

Council Cracks Down on Sidewalk ATMs  (December 2010)  Say sayonara to your neighborhood sidewalk ATM. The City Council cracked down on the illegal machines Wednesday.

Once Again, a New Governor Vows to Clean Up Albany  (December 2010)  Monday's guilty plea by former State Sen. Leibell again highlights the sorry state of ethics in Albany. Is Gov.-elect Cuomo willing to do what it takes to change that?

Cuomo No-Tax Pledge Could Bring More Transit Cuts  (December 2010)  Andrew Cuomo has not said what he might do about the budget woes facing the MTA. Could congestion pricing rise again? One in our series on issues confronting the new governor

Homeless Cuts Take Aim at Families  (December 2010)  Another budget hole hits the city's homeless. After nine rounds of cuts, will Mayor Michael Bloomberg ever fulfill his promise to reduce homelessness?

City Bail System Punishes the Poor, Report Finds  (December 2010)  A Human Right Watch Report to be released today finds the bail system in the city sends many poor people to jail -- without being tried, let alone convicted.

Fights Over Medicaid Could Threaten New Administration's Health  (December 2010)   With the state spending $50 billion on Medicaid, Andrew Cuomo faces pressure to cut the program -- and opposition if he does. One in our series on issues facing the new governor.

Council to Expand Safe Housing Act  (December 2010)  Many New Yorkers live in places that, quite literally, make them sick. Yesterday, the City Council expanded a program designed to change that.

Landmark State Law Protecting Domestic Workers Takes Effect  (November 2010)  New York's Bill of Rights for Domestic Workers takes effect today. Whatever its shortcomings, its marks a shift in attitudes toward women who work in other people's homes.

Low-Income Locavores: City Council Seeks to Expand Access to Fresh Food  (November 2010)  As foodies reap the bounty of area farms for their holiday tables, city and state government look to step up efforts to bring local food to the kitchens of low-income New Yorkers.

Recession Could Provide Hidden Boost for the Arts  (November 2010)  With the real estate market down, some artists and arts groups hope to take advantage of all that empty property. Could this be the recession's silver lining?

Cuomo Could Shrink the Prison System His Father Built   (November 2010)  As governor, Mario Cuomo vastly expanded New York's prison system. Now his son must decide whether to shut jails and take a different approach to criminal justice.

Council and Mayor Clash Over Budget Cuts  (November 2010)  The mayor yesterday unveiled $1.6 billion in cuts that will shrink programs, reduce the city workforce and shut fire companies at night. The next move goes to the City Council.

Stated Meeting: Council Approves Agency Merger  (November 2010)  By approving the merger of two agencies dealing with young people, the City Council hopes New York will better serve troubled kids, save money and shut a notorious detention center.

Beyond the Mosque: Bloomberg and New York's Muslims  (November 2010)  As much as they applaud Michael Bloomberg's support for the mosque near Ground Zero, many city Muslims wish he would do more on other issues that concern them.

Assignments for the New Chancellor  (November 2010)  Whatever one thinks of Cathleen Black, she will find a lot to do at Tweed. Education experts and activists offer their to-do lists for the chancellor-designee.

Much of Transit System Remains 'Out of Service' for the Disabled  (November 2010)  Despite 20 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act, much of New York's mass transit system remains out of reach for people in wheelchairs and others with physical handicaps.

After Cuts and Firing, Can Agency Still Protect New York's Environment?   (November 2010)  The deep cuts at the state environment department have crippled the agency, some activists charge. They hope Cuomo will turn things around, but the governor-elect has sent out mixed signals.

City Report Largely Mute on Budget Cuts, Recession  (November 2010)  After rounds of budget cuts -- and with more on the way -- the city's report card offers lots of statistics but says little about the effects of the reductions and the recession.

The State's New Divorce Laws Take Effect  (November 2010)  Marriages in the Empire State can now just fail -- without anyone being at fault. Judge Emily Jane Goodman explains the new law that is changing the way New Yorkers divorce.

By Talking about Sexual Violence, Grassroots Effort Aims to Prevent It  (November 2010)  As rates of rape and other sexual assaults remain high, New York City activists have launched an ambitious effort to prevent these crimes by zeroing in on their root causes.

As Country Goes Red, New York Stays Blue  (November 2010)  On a night when the Democrats suffered key losses across the county, some results in New York gave them something to cheer about.

Albany Watches, Waits and Worries  (November 2010)  Albany nervously waits to find out who is in control

Voting Results -- 2010 General  (November 2010)  From the governor's race to the civil court in Brooklyn, Election Day's winners and losers.

Changing the Board of Elections  (November 2010)  The Board of Elections drew lots of criticism after September's primary and then fired its executive director. But some advocates say the board needs a more complete tune-up.

As Campaign Cash Flows, Ballot Measure Seeks to Disclose  (November 2010)  As anonymous donors expand their role in national politics, New Yorkers on Tuesday will decide whether to require more disclosure of who provides campaign cash in city elections.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter: the 2010 General Election  (October 2010)  As this long, ugly campaign draws to an end, we go beyond the talk of prowess and porn in our Guide for the Last Minute Voter. It's what you need to know before you go to the polls.

Stated Meeting: Council Unveils Domestic Violence Stats  (October 2010)  Following a recent rash of brutal hate crimes, the City Council moved to put statistics on bias attacks and domestic violence on line.

Queens Race Features Two Familiar Names  (October 2010)  Two years after moving the South Queens state senate district to the Democratic column, Joseph Addabbo campaigns to keep it there.

Cuomo Puts Labor in a Headlock  (October 2010)  The Democratic candidate has vowed to go head-to-head with public employees to cut the budget, but labor leaders say he must treat them as partners, not enemies.

The Charter Commission's Unfinished Business  (October 2010)  The latest effort to revise the City Charter barely scratched the surface, writes Scott Stringer, and so the mayor should name another commission. One in our series on Charter Choices.

The Race to Replace White  (October 2010)  Seven candidates, including Sean Bell's widow, a censured former council member and a Rikers Island imam, vie for a Queens City Council seat.

Silver's Shadow Looms Over Race in Northeast Queens  (October 2010)  The Assembly speaker's influence looms large in a contest for an open Assembly seat in northeast Queens.

College Student Seeks to Unseat Albany Insider  (October 2010)  A 20-year-old hopes to oust a long-term Assembly member and Albany insider in Bensonhurst.

Small Staff, Lack of Funds Hamper Donovan Campaign  (October 2010)  Dan Donovan has Mayor Bloomberg's support, a strong resume and a vulnerable opponent. Despite that, his campaign for attorney general seems haphazard, underfunded and even wounded.

Two Years After Narrow Win, Padavan Faces Another Tough Contest  (October 2010)  GOP Sen. Frank Padavan eked out a narrow win in 2008, fueling Democratic hopes of ousting the veteran lawmaker this year. Control of the State Senate could hinge on the outcome.

Once Again, Term Limits Goes to the Voters  (October 2010)  The Charter Commission took steps to undo the damage done by the extension of term limits, writes a commission member, but did not go far enough. One in our series on Charter Choices.

Creating Affordable Housing: How Koch Did It  (October 2010)  As New York emerged from the fiscal crisis, properties lay vacant and housing remained scarce. Ed Koch got the city building again. An excerpt from a new book tells how he did it.

Quinn Rejects Paid Sick Leave Bill  (October 2010)  In killing a bill requiring paid sick leave, the council speaker sided with business and against progressive forces that have made the measure one of their top priorities.

Stated Meeting: Council Tries to Plug Some leaks  (October 2010)  City Council tried to plug leaks in the city's water supply yesterday with a package of conservation bills. But several Republicans say they go too far.

Can a Comptroller -- Any Comptroller -- Fix New York State's Budget?   (October 2010)  Now that the former comptroller has pleaded guilty, the race for the post can center on the differences between the incumbent, Thomas DiNapoli, and his GOP challenger, Harry Wilson.

Bloomberg Administration Takes on Pensions  (October 2010)  It's a line in the sand. The Bloomberg administration has vowed to control the ballooning cost of employee benefits. Unions have pledged to fight back. A look at the battle ahead.

With Parking Tickets, New Yorkers Are Guilty Until Proven Innocent  (October 2010)  The American belief in innocent until proven guilty does not apply at the city Parking Violations Bureau. Emily Jane Goodman explains.

Now Obama Seeks to End Homelessness  (October 2010)  The Obama administration has embarked on a major push to end homelessness for families in 10 years. Can Washington succeed where New York has failed?

Making 'Fair Share' Fairer  (October 2010)  A proposal on the ballot in November would help spread polluting facilities more evenly around the city, Eddie Bautista writes. Part of our series on "Charter Choices."

The Real Power in City Planning  (October 2010)  It keeps a low profile, but from Yankee Stadium to Coney Island, the Economic Development Corp,, has put together most of New York's biggest and most controversial projects.

Tackling Fracking  (October 2010)  The battle over natural gas drilling in New York has gotten even hotter. On one hand, the lure of a billion dollars. On the other, the safety of the state's water.

Stated Meeting: Green Light!  (September 2010)  Shining a light on electricity usage, the City Council approved a package of legislation Wednesday that aims to increase efficiency, including a bill requiring commercial properties to use light sensors.

Rikers' Regulars  (September 2010)  The mentally ill account for a rising share of inmates on the island, and many return to jail again and again. Is the city meeting the needs of these people? We take an in-depth look.

Charter Proposal Gives Mighty Mayor More Clout  (September 2010)  Despite pleas to limit the mayor's power, the city charter commission opted to increase it in at least one area, Glenn Pasanen writes. The first in our series on charter choices.

City Poverty Rate Jumped as the Economy Slumped  (September 2010)  Some 100,000 more New Yorkers saw their incomes fall below poverty level in 2009, with more than one fifth of city residents officially poor. James Parrott examines the numbers.

Republicans See Opportunity to Retake the State Senate  (September 2010)  New York Republicans hope to retake the State Senate in November. A look at whether -- and how -- that could happen.

MTA Moves Toward a 'Smart' Way to Pay Fares  (September 2010)  The MTA hopes technology can liberate New Yorkers from balky turnstiles and vending machines. What does the agency have in mind and what will it mean for straphangers?

City Schools Gamble on Going Digital  (September 2010)  The city is betting on technology to fundamentally change education and prepare kids for today's world. Our in-depth report looks at the promise and the pitfalls.

Council Starts Silver Alert System   (September 2010)  The City Council yesterday created a system designed to help find seniors with dementia who go missing on New York's streets.

Census Likely to Offer Accurate Count of New Yorkers  (September 2010)  With the counting over, the 2010 Census in New York appears to have been a success .Demographer Andrew Beveridge explains how the government solved some thorny problems.

The Man Who Beat Espada  (September 2010)  Gustavo Rivera talks about his successful campaign against the Senate majority leader in our exclusive report from the Bronx on primary day.

Paladino, Schneiderman Win, Espada Doesn't  (September 2010)  Carl Paladino shook the GOP establishment yesterday, and Gustavo Rivera shook the Bronx. We report on the primary results and on how New Yorkers coped with their new voting technology.

Voting Results -- 2010 Primary  (September 2010)  The voters have spoken, and the unofficial primary results are in. Our table runs down the statewide races, as well as contests for Congress and the legislature in the five boroughs.

Controversy Over Islam and Mosques Spreads Beyond Park 51  (September 2010)  The controversy over the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero both reflects and fuels a new hostility toward Muslims and Islamic nine years after 9/11.

Charter School Debate Brings Money, Attention to Harlem Race  (September 2010)  The spirited contest for the State Senate seat from Harlem has focused on schools and who can best represent the community as it moves into the future.

Republicans Battle to Take on Heavily Favored Cuomo  (September 2010)  Before the GOP can take on Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand they have to try to settle their own messy disagreements in Tuesday's primary.

Governor Signs Bill to Combat Bullying  (September 2010)  It doesn't address cyberspace and won't take effect for two years, but supporters say the Dignity for Students Act signed by the governor will save kids from insults and attacks.

Experience Shapes Race in Inwood  (September 2010)  A multi-candidate race for an Assembly seat in Inwood focuses on ethnicity, alliances and whether having served in government is an asset or a liability.

And Now: The Bubble Election  (September 2010)  What to expect at the polls next Tuesday -- including a farewell to our old lever machines.

Down the Ballot: The Party Posts  (September 2010)  Wrapping up our voter guide, find out all you need to know about smaller offices set to appear on the ballot, including district leader and county committee.

Two Longtime Congressmembers Face Stiff Challenges  (September 2010)  Charles Rangel and Carolyn B. Maloney face stiff challenges next week. Find out what other representatives do here.

Filling Albany's Big Three  (September 2010)  Candidates face off this primary in the state's biggest races: governor and attorney general. For comptroller, you'll have to wait until November.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter: Primary 2010  (September 2010)  With less than a week until the election, Gotham Gazette's Guide for the Last Minute Voter runs down the races, candidates, how to vote in the post-lever machine era — and more.

East Side Incumbent Faces Challenge from Unions and the GOP  (September 2010)  Education has emerged as a key issue in an East Side assembly race where the UFT and the GOP both hope to topple the Democratic incumbent

Budget Cuts Reduce English Classes for Immigrants  (September 2010)  City cutbacks have reduced the number of English classes for adults, creating lengthy waiting lists and long-shot lotteries for thousands of immigrants.

Attorney General Candidates Struggle to Break Away From the Pack   (September 2010)  With less than two weeks until the primary, each of the five Democrats running for attorney general struggles to emerge from the pack. But are the voters listening?

Free Concerts Rocked the City as Controversy Rolled On  (September 2010)  This year's free performances brought funding challenges for organizers, angry disputes over noise and even a fight about prison labor. But most New Yorkers just enjoyed the show.

Ethics, Economy Dominate Upper Manhattan Race  (August 2010)  Ethics and the economy dominate the hard-fought contest in Upper Manhattan to replace State Sen. Eric Schneiderman.

Nunes Takes on Huntley in Queens  (August 2010)  Incumbent Shirley Huntley faces an opponent almost 50 years her junior in a State Senate race in southeast Queens. And age is hardly the only thing that divides them.

Agencies Almost Always Have the Last Word  (August 2010)  Courts have little power to overturn decisions by agency hearing officers -- as two evicted public housing tenants recently learned.

Council Approves Penn Plaza  (August 2010)  The Empire State Building will get some competition on the New York skyline now that the City Council has approved another very tall building just a few blocks away.

Bloomberg's Management Style Offers Some Surprises  (August 2010)  A report by Deputy Mayor Goldsmith suggests ways for New York to save millions and also puts a few holes in the image of the Bloomberg administration as a well-oiled machine.

Republicans Look to Pick Up a Seat in Queens  (August 2010)  Republicans have a rare opportunity to pick up an Assembly seat in the city as five candidates compete in northeast Queens.

Action Taken on Bullying in Schools and No-Fault Divorce  (August 2010)  

Behind the Hate Crimes on Staten Island  (August 2010)  As officials and residents grapple with bias-related violence on Staten Island, civil rights columnist Andy Humm takes the ferry to investigate the possible causes of the increase.

New York's Savior   (August 2010)  Gov. Hugh Carey saved New York from financial ruin in the 1970s. We take a look back via the new book: "The Man Who Saved New York."

Scandal Trumps Issues in Eastern Quuens  (August 2010)  Assemblymember Barbara Clark and challenger Clyde Vanel sit down with Gotham Gazette to discuss their race and the scandals that monopolize it.

Another Natural Gas Controversy  (August 2010)  Forget fracking for now. Another controversy over a natural gas pipeline is steaming in New York City. We take an in-depth look.

Anger and Issues in the Bronx's 76th Assembly District  (August 2010)  Luis Sepulveda challenges the record of 18-year-incumbent Assemblyman Peter Rivera, while Rivera insists Sepulveda is just a proxy for Sen. Ruben Diaz.

Charter Commission Approves Ballot Proposals  (August 2010)  After six months of hearings, the Charter Revision Commission has decided to put term limits on the ballot this fall. But many, many other issues were left off.

The City's New Dollar Menu for Bus Riders  (August 2010)  The administration thinks expanding dollar vans in the outer boroughs will ease the sting of service reductions. Critics say it's privatizing public transportation.

Fox and Hevesi Face Off in Queens  (August 2010)  Attorney Joe Fox is trying to channel the anti-incumbent sentiment sweeping the nation in a race in Queens. His competitor, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, isn't buying it.

Diaz Faces Rare Challenge in the Bronx  (August 2010)  The state senator has angered many with his fight against same same-sex marriage but he says voters in his home district love him. Challenger Charlie Ramos hopes to prove him wrong.

In Astoria, the Field Narrows  (August 2010)  After one contender dropped out, two candidates remain to vie for this seat in Queens -- even though no incumbent appears on the ballot for the first time in a decade.

As City's Temperature Rises, Air Quality Falls  (August 2010)  Another day of heat, humidity -- and haze. What makes summer air so dirty? And what do those Air Quality Alerts mean anyway?

In Student Loan Case, Court Rules Borrowers Have Rights Too  (August 2010)  In a case that could change loan agreements, a federal judge in New York threw out a student loan agreement for being unfair and depriving consumers of any bargaining power.

Full-Time Council Would Better Serve New Yorkers  (August 2010)  With many City Council members earning outside income, Councilmember Daniel Halloran proposes the city raise council pay and give New Yorkers the full-time public servants they need.

Stated Meeting: Council Moves to Increase Recycling  (July 2010)  The City Council passed several bills yesterday to boost New York's low recycling rate and keep trash out of the landfill. Members also OK'd two controversial development projects.

Ethnic Restaurants Worry They Won't Make the Grade  (July 2010)  Timothy Chuang has been in the restaurant business in Flushing for more than 20 years. He said it is hard to do business these days and the city's new sanitation inspection letter grade system is not helping.

Divisions in District Dominate Brooklyn Assembly Race  (July 2010)  A challenger in Brooklyn charges that the longtime Assembly member has neglected the poorer black and Latino residents of the district.

Challengers Emerge to Take On Espada   (July 2010)  With the Senate majority leader facing a criminal investigation and anger over last year's 'coup,' three Democrats hope to stage that rare act in New York and defeat an incumbent.

The Next Step for Domestic Workers' Rights  (July 2010)  Domestic workers scored a major coup when New York passed a landmark bill to protect nannies, cooks and cleaners on the job. Now comes the tough part: Enforcing it.

Creating Open Space Takes Politics and Planning   (July 2010)  Despite a lack of money and land, New York and other cities have created open space in the last decades. A new book looks at how urban areas can provide more green amid the gray.

Moonlighting Council Members  (July 2010)  City Council members get a base salary of $112,000. But that job still leaves some with ample opportunity to rake in other income. Our article and chart look at who made how much.

Outside Income by Member  (July 2010)  How much money did your council member make outside of City Hall lat year? Check out our member by member list.

Seeking a Greener Life After Wall Street  (July 2010)  Looking to an environmentally friendly future, a city program trains former Wall Street professionals to work in a green economy. Enthusiasm runs high, but will the jobs follow?

Term Limits Could Throw Out Council Members   (July 2010)  In the latest on term limits, some members who voted in 2008 to let their colleagues serve three terms could see themselves forced from office after only two. How would that happen?

The District is Brooklyn Heights, But Albany is the Issue  (July 2010)  As Downtown Brooklyn feels the effects of state budget woes, a State Assembly candidate says the incumbent should do more to protect the district. One in our series on key 2010 races.

City Hall's Budgetary Exuberance May Soon Fade Away  (July 2010)  When it passed the 2011 budget, City Council celebrated turning economic lemons into lemonade. But for those who rely on social programs, that drink could taste pretty bitter.

Will Angry Voters Throw Albany's Rascals Out?  (July 2010)  Amid all the talk of dysfunction in Albany, most incumbents seem likely to hold on as few face credible challenges. What happened? We kick off our 2010 campaign coverage.

As Voter Turnout Dwindles, Some Look to a Tiny Agency for Help  (July 2010)  As advocates and officials seek ways to increase meager Election Day turnout in the city, some say the solution could lie with a little-noticed and sparsely funded commission.

Claims of Dysfunction At City Clerk's Lobbying Bureau  (July 2010)  Four years after the city revised its lobbying law, efforts to cast light on who lobbies for what remain mired in delays, confusion and allegations of mismanagement.

Charting a Better Way for Planning and Community Boards  (July 2010)  With the City Charter under review, Tom Angotti argues it has helped create a land use process often seen as a rubber stamp. He offers ideas to put some teeth in the process.

Closing of Subway Booths Raises Safety Concerns  (July 2010)  The cash-strapped agency's efforts to shut token booths and lay off workers remains in the courts, caught up in confusion. Meanwhile riders worry about their safety.

State Budget Remains in Limbo  (July 2010)  Is it over? Do we have a budget? Everyone in Albany is asking those questions, and no one really knows the answer.

Council Gives Final OK on Budget  (June 2010)  After months of negotiations, the City Council yesterday passed the 2011 city budget, avoiding the 'doomsday' cuts some had feared while reducing spending for many popular programs.

Who Got What: FY2011  (June 2010)  When it comes to bringing home the bacon, some City Council members do a lot better than others.

Pressure Builds to Lift Ban on Gay Men Giving Blood  (June 2010)  The U.S. government still blocks any man who has had sex with another man from donating blood. Activists hope to change a policy they see as outdated and discriminatory.

Following Brutal Crime, Flushing Looks Out for Its Safety  (June 2010)  In the wake of a recent murder, Flushing residents are learning self-defense, organizing against crime and trying to overcome the reluctance of many immigrants to go to the police.

Bloomberg and Council Shake on Budget  (June 2010)  Facing the steepest cuts since 2002, the Bloomberg administration and the City Council reached a deal on the city budget last night with six days to spare.

Wind Project Off Rockaway Could Help Power New York's Future  (June 2010)  Now that the government has approved a major wind energy project in Nantucket Sound, Rich Kassel says New York should consider a similar undertaking off the Rockaways.

High Speed Internet Access Opens Another Digital Divide  (June 2010)  Unable to afford broadband, millions of New Yorkers are stuck in the slow lane on the information highway. Several initiatives now seek to bridge that digital divide.

Taxing Wall Street Would Ease Budget Cuts  (June 2010)  With just over a week before the budget deadline, two City Council members argue the city should tax wealthy New Yorkers and hedge funds to save crucial programs from the budget ax.

A New Tactic for the War on Rats  (June 2010)  The health department laid off 49 pest-control workers, but the city says a new technique of fighting rodents will mean fewer workers and fewer rats.

New York Looks to Board High Speed Rail  (June 2010)  Faster trains are picking up speed throughout the country, and so far New York remains stuck in the station. At least one state senator hopes to change that.

Pitting Parks Against Open Space  (June 2010)  State legislators were forced to choose between keeping popular parks open, on one hand, and preserving the state's wilderness and farmland on the other.

Bail Presents Tough Choices for Parents, Judge  (June 2010)  The case of a couple who lost their home when their son skipped bail illustrates how the system works and the tough choices confronting people whose loved ones face time in jail.

No ID? No Cell Phone  (June 2010)  A proposal to make it harder for possible terrorists to use cell phones could cut off service for undocumented immigrants and low-income people.

State Seeks to Expand DNA Database  (June 2010)  Gov. Paterson wants the state to keep a DNA sample from everyone convicted of a crime, no matter how minor. Supporters say this could help solve cases, but critics worry about abuse.

Council Cracks Down on Taxi Overcharges  (June 2010)  Following accounts of widespread overcharging by New York cab drivers, the City Council yesterday enacted measures to keep closer track of taxis.

Libraries 'Biggest Loser' in City Budget  (June 2010)  New York's libraries face the most severe cuts in their history. If City Council approves the mayor's budget, branches will close and hundreds of workers will lose their jobs.

After Delays, An Arts District Grows in Brooklyn  (June 2010)  Ambitions for a Brooklyn cultural district have faltered, and key parts of the plan have fallen by the wayside. But six projects remain and are set to open over the next two years.

Unions Pick Up Tab for Council Members' Fines, Legal Bills  (June 2010)  Legal defense funds financed by local unions have picked up the tab for at least three City Council members facing hefty penalties for violating city election laws.

Paterson Ups the Pressure for a Budget Deal   (June 2010)  The clock is ticking, money's running out, the state still has no budget -- and the governor has another scheme to try to force the legislature to accept his deep spending cuts.

With Homelessness Rising, City Looks to Trim Budget  (June 2010)  With homelessness at a record high, the mayor's budget reduces money for programs aimed at getting people out of shelters. Advocates see the cuts as devastating; the city denies that.

Proposal Could Shed Light on Who Helps Candidates  (June 2010)  Last year, labor and business called and canvassed to boost candidates but never had to reveal who did what for whom. Now an effort is building to close that gap in election law.

Can the City -- and the Oyster -- Save Jamaica Bay?  (May 2010)  For decades, Jamaica Bay's marshes have been vanishing. Now government and advocates have stepped up efforts to stem the destruction -- and a lowly bivalve could play a major role.

Creating a Plan to Connect New Yorkers and Their Harbor  (May 2010)  As New Yorkers flock to the water this weekend, our shore remains a work in progress. Roland Lewis of the Waterfront Alliance envisions what the harbor could be and how to get there.

Cabbies Urge State to Make Their Drives Safer  (May 2010)  A bill would increase the penalty for attacking a cabbie, something that happens all too frequently. Should the state single out certain jobs, however dangerous, for extra protection?

Deep Budget Cuts Spark Little Debate   (May 2010)  Mayor Bloomberg's plan to exact deep cuts in education and other city services, has prompted little debate and few alternative proposals. Glenn Pasanen reviews the process so far.

Stated Meeting: Fines for Unlicensed Plumbing  (May 2010)  The City Council approved a bill yesterday to increase fines for unlicensed plumbing and fire suppression work.

Court Sets High Bar for 'Egregious  (May 2010)  Committing adultery, getting pregnant and then telling your husband the baby is his isn't 'egregious' behavior -- at least when it comes to dividing marital property in New York.

Despite Budget Boost, Public Hospitals Face Cuts  (May 2010)  Unlike almost every other agency, the Health and Hospitals Corp. will get a budget increase this year. But its leaders are still making cuts and anticipate tough times ahead.

The Price of Increased Surveillance   (May 2010)  The 82 police cameras in Times Square didn't thwart the May 1 bomb attempt. But in response, the mayor called for more cameras. Will technology keep us safe? Take away rights? Or both?

No-Fault Divorce Creates Strange Bedfellows  (May 2010)  A bill moving through the legislature would let New York, like every other state, grant no-fault divorces. The Catholic Church and NOW hope to block the change.

Advocates Contest AIDS Caseworker Cuts  (May 2010)  As budget battles continue, administration officials propose slashing 248 AIDS workers to trim costs and reduce duplication. Advocates see the cuts as illegal and ill advised.

Poor Preparation, Confusion Lead Many to Fail GED Test  (May 2010)  More than half the people who take the city's high school equivalency test fail it, and proposed state cuts could further harm a system widely seen as chaotic.

Campaign Finance Decision Could Hamper Efforts to Tighten New York's Laws  (May 2010)  The Supreme Court's decision on corporate election spending will have little effect on New York's lenient laws, but it could complicate efforts to set stricter limits in the state.

Housing Project Cats Face Eviction -- or Worse  (May 2010)  Residents, animal advocates and housing officials are grappling with what to do with 6,000 feral cats at a Queens project. What happens to them could set the pattern for the whole city.

Council Approves Business Bill of Rights  (May 2010)  The City Council gave businesses their own bill of rights yesterday, attempting to snip away bureaucratic red tape.

Bill Would Change How the State Draws Districts   (May 2010)  Redistricting in New York echoes Shakespeare as legislators use pens to punish enemies and exact revenge. Last week, a State Senate committee OK'd a bill to change the drama.

For Budget Buses, Chinatown's Clogged Streets Are Wide Open  (May 2010)  Cheap Chinatown buses delight budget travelers. But with few rules controlling them, the bus boom has sparked battles over the community's curbs, sidewalks and air.

New Healthcare Law Offers Little to Undocumented Immigrants  (May 2010)  The new healthcare law offers little help for undocumented immigrants, so those in New York will continue to rely on local rules that guarantee some care for people without papers.

Cuts Burn Fire Department   (May 2010)  Labor officials and City Council members are raising the alarm over the mayor's proposal to close 20 fire companies.

Severe Recession Hangs on in Much of the City  (May 2010)  This economic downturn has depressed wages, put tens of thousands of New Yorkers out of work and shows few signs of ending. James Parrott examines the numbers and the outlook.

Bloomberg Blames Albany for Fiscal Woes  (May 2010)  Mayor Bloomberg's budget released yesterday would cut more than 6,400 teachers and shut senior centers and fire companies. But the mayor says it's not his fault. It's Albany's.

A Month After the Deadline, State Budget Nowhere in Sight   (May 2010)  As the state's finances get worse and localities, including the city, work on their own spending plans, legislators show no sign of nearing agreement on a budget.

Budget Cuts Threaten Dozens of After-School Programs  (May 2010)  The mayor's budget would close 33 after-school programs serving thousands of children, leaving kids home alone and parents scrambling to find childcare.

City Garbage Plan Falls Short of Goals  (May 2010)  Four years after approving a solid waste plan, the city hasn't come close to meeting its recycling goals, and the cost of dealing with New York's trash continues to climb.

Cleaning New York's Soot-Spewing Buildings  (May 2010)  Some of the city's toniest residences belch out particulates that foul the air and contribute to health problems. Rich Kassel explains how to clean up New York's polluting buildings.

Tour Buses Silenced  (April 2010)  New Yorkers tired of local lore and corny quips blaring from tour buses got some relief from the City Council yesterday. Guides likened it to using a sledgehammer to kill an ant.

Can the Next Attorney General Fix Albany?   (April 2010)  With corruption rampant in Albany, why haven’t state attorney generals brought more criminal cases against state politicians? Candidates for the office tell us what they would do.

Council, Courts End the 'Tenant Blacklist'  (April 2010)  For years, tenants sued by a landlord could find themselves on a blacklist that made it difficult for them to rent another home. Now courts and City Council have erased the stigma.

A Harlem Middle School Bets on Technology  (April 2010)  A Harlem middle school stands on the frontlines of using technology to engage students. With the city hoping to expand this program to 81 schools, Andrea Gabor visits Global Tech.

Now, Some Good News About the City's Budget  (April 2010)  The city's budget shows a surplus, and things look pretty good for the long term too. Revenues have rebounded, and job losses have been less severe than expected. What happened?

How 'Transit-Oriented Development' Will Put More New Yorkers in Cars  (April 2010)  For all its talk of 'transit oriented development,' the Bloomberg administration, a critic contends, has created a lot of parking spaces without offering people much incentive to ride the subway.

Spending Freeze Deals Another Blow to Ailing Roads and Bridges   (April 2010)  With New York's bridges and highways crumbling into disrepair after years of neglect, the state budget crunch threatens to bring plans to fix them to a screeching halt.

New Yorker Accused of Helping al-Qaida About to Go on Trial  (April 2010)  With a New Yorker accused of aiding al-Qaida set to go on trial here, his supporters are calling attention to the extreme form of solitary confinement he has lived under for 31 months.

Council Tries to Rein in Horse Carriages   (April 2010)  City Council approved legislation to whip the horse carriage industry into shape. But advocates say the new rules do not do enough to protect the animals.

Vendor Rules Promise Less Art, More Cupcakes in City Parks  (April 2010)  This could be the spring of discontent for New York's street vendors, as they face new city regulations, $5 milkshakes and 'timed' bathroom breaks.

Subsidies in the City: Part II  (April 2010)  Part II of our story on how the city hands out taxpayer subsidies.

Subsidies in the City: Part I  (April 2010)  An obscure city agency gives businesses tens of millions in tax breaks every year. Who gets the money, and what do New Yorkers get in return? An in-depth look by Courtney Gross.

PlaNYC at Three: Time to Include the Neighborhoods  (April 2010)  With the mayor's blueprint for a more environmentally friendly New York at a crossroads, Tom Angotti urges the city to make the plan stronger by going back to the grassroots.

Council Contests 'Across the Board' Cuts  (April 2010)  As New Yorkers steel themselves for bad news in the mayor's 2011 budget, the City Council urges him to take a more surgical approach to saving funds and to put public safety first.

Early Steps -- and Bumps -- on the Road to a Greener City Economy  (April 2010)  The Bloomberg administration wants to create jobs that help the environment. Eager entrepreneurs would like that too but say city regulations and high costs could stand in the way.

Punching, Kicking and Wrestling for Revenue  (April 2010)  Thousands of fans recently turned out for mixed martial arts matches in New Jersey. Now, the governor and some legislators want New York to cash in on all that bloodlust.

Police Need New Approach to Deal with the Mentaly Ill  (April 2010)  Encounters between New York City police and people with mental illness all too often end in injury or even death. An advocate argues the department can -- and should -- change that.

Will Electric Cars Give New York a Charge?  (April 2010)  A switch to electric cars could cut pollution and greenhouse gases in New York. But despite that, some experts question whether the city can -- or should -- encourage their use.

Artists Offer a Visual Dialogue on a Changing Brooklyn  (April 2010)  Artists often form the first 'upscale' wave in an area, then find themselves pushed out as richer people move in. In Brooklyn, artists look at gentrification and their role in it.

GOP Faces Election with Big Hopes but Few Candidates  (April 2010)  Some Republican leaders are betting on Democrat Steve Levy as their best hope for winning the governorship, retaking the state Senate -- and surviving.

Elder Abuse Programs Must Be Saved  (March 2010)  The proposed city budget calls for eliminating programs to help elderly victims of abuse. Two advocates argue the cut would threaten frail, isolated people with no place to turn.

Dozens of Parks Would Close Under Paterson's Budget  (March 2010)  For the first time in its history, the state plans to shut parks. The governor's budget would close 91 parks and cut services in many more. Anne Schwartz looks at the likely effects.

Restoring Balance to New York's Finances  (March 2010)  An end to the recession will not fix New York's budget crisis, writes Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch. He offers his ideas on how to correct a problem that has been years in the making.

Making Sure Process Servers Really Deliver  (March 2010)  Many New Yorkers don’t know they're being sued until it’s too late. The legal papers went in the trash or down a drain -- and never reached them. A new law seeks to change that.

Sick Leave Back at the Council   (March 2010)  Will a new bill, being introduced today, and a new City Council make paid sick leave a reality in New York?

As Big Change in Voting Approaches, Election Board Lacks a Leader   (March 2010)  Just months before New York finally gets new voting machines, the Board of Elections has no director and will not disclose anything about its efforts to find one.

Bill Aims for 'Pork Equality'  (March 2010)  Some legislators bring home far more bacon than others. Malcolm Smith raked in almost $6 million in member items in 2009, while Andrew Lanza got $250,000. Is it time to even things up?

Suits Would Burden Foster Parents, Court Rules  (March 2010)  Should we expect foster parents to remain ever vigilant. protecting children in their care from most accidents and injuries? A state appeals court recently took up that issue.

Endorsements Trump Issues in Brooklyn Council Race  (March 2010)  The ballot challenges have ended, leaving two Democrats and one Republican competing for Simcha Felder's old seat in the City Council

Disabled Fear Cuts to Van Service Will Force Them to Stay Home  (March 2010)  Access-a-Ride provides the disabled with a pokey, cumbersome way to travel, advocates say. Now they fear the MTA's proposed cuts will make the service virtually useless.

Helping All Students Get a Meaningful Diploma  (March 2010)  Now that city graduation rates are at an all-time high, will tougher requirements change that? A teacher suggests how to help students finish school with a diploma that means something.

Fewer Prisoners, Fewer Prisons?   (March 2010)  Upstate prisons with full staffs but a dwindling number of inmates offer a tempting target for budget cutters. For years, political muscle has kept the jails open. Will the fiscal crunch change that?

Lawmakers Seek to Crack Down on Illegal Hotels  (March 2010)  Upper West Side apartment buildings lure budget-minded travelers from around the world. The visitors boost landlord profits, but many low-income tenants feel threatened.

What the Mayor's Management Report Does Not Say  (March 2010)  The recent Mayor's Management Report has lots of numbers and good news, but little to say about many key issues. Glenn Pasanen looks at what the administration left out.

Day Care Dumped  (March 2010)  To close a gaping budget hole, the Bloomberg administration is proposing to shutter 16 day care centers, many in gentrified areas. But the centers aren't going without a fight.

Monserrate Fights for His Old Job -- and 'Traditional Values'  (March 2010)  To win back his old job, the former state senator, expelled from office after a domestic violence dispute, is campaigning as a defender of family values.

State Budget Puts Spinal Cord Injury Research in Jeopardy   (March 2010)  Advocates say the state's plan to eliminate a program on spinal cord injury started by a police officer shot on duty will threaten efforts to help victims lead independent lives.

Doubts Grow About City's Capital Spending  (March 2010)  The capital budget has almost doubled during Bloomberg's tenure. Budget experts now wonder whether that was such a smart investment.

Labor Dispute Silences Spanish at E-ZPass Center  (March 2010)  Some politicians want the government to intervene in a heated labor dispute at a privately run E-ZPass center that has cost 14 workers their jobs and cut off service in Spanish.

Bloomberg Moves to Change the City Charter — But How?   (March 2010)  In naming a commission to revise the City Charter, the mayor put everything on the table. That means term limits, but what else? Douglas Muzzio looks at charter change past and present.

Charter Commissions Since 1989  (March 2010)  Placeholder

How to Fix New York's State Police   (March 2010)  First, Troopergate. And now, the scandal of Gov. Paterson and his top aide has again put the state police at the center of controversy. Can New York separate its police from politics?

Council Increases Penalty for Dumping  (March 2010)  The City Council approved bills to improve New York's environment, including one increasing penalties for dumping in the waterways and another encouraging green technology.

New Voting Machines Are on the Way -- Probably  (March 2010)  New York's clunky lever voter machines should fade into history before September's primary -- unless a federal probe and a lawsuit stymie the switch to a new technology.

Data on Bullying Remains Scant, as City Touts Its Efforts  (March 2010)  A new programs aims to teach students to stop harassing and begin respecting one another. The administration hails its success, but some experts have their doubts.

Now Out of Race, Can Paterson Hold On and Govern?  (March 2010)  David Paterson has pledged to stay in office until January, but many worry the state cannot afford to have a lame-duck, scandal-tainted, never-elected governor during a fiscal crisis.

Brooklyn Community Splits Sharply Over Proposed Mosque  (March 2010)  In the late 1980s, Mayor Ed Koch chanted in Arabic, hailing the building of a mosque in Manhattan. A controversy in Sheepshead Bay reveals how much has changed since then.

Animal Rights Activists Split Over Bill to Save 'Oreos'  (February 2010)  

The sad story of Oreo the dog made headlines last year. Now her unfortunate death may spur a change in state law that could, supporters believe, ultimately lead to saving more animals from being put to sleep.

Census Could Set Off Major Redistricting in State  (February 2010)  The GOP managed to stave off a massive redistricting after the last census. This time around, they may have no choice but to accept the demographic realities -- and a loss of power.

Richard Ravitch's Latest, Greatest Challenge  (February 2010)  Can Richard Ravitch save New York one more time -- and will Gov. David Paterson let him try?

City Turns Deaf Ear to Noisy Neighbors  (February 2010)  City laws have muffled jackhammers, bar bands and even Mr. Softee, but, to the distress of sleep-deprived New Yorkers, the code does nothing to silent noisy neighbors.

MTA Tries to Catch Up With Its Finances  (February 2010)  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's service cuts are still full steam ahead. But advocates wonder whether there will ever be a permanent solution to its financial woes.

Quinn Promises to Create Jobs  (February 2010)  In her fifth state of the city, Council Speaker Christine Quinn said she would hone in on one thing in 2010: jobs.

After Escaping Domestic Abuse, Survivors Confront the Housing Crisis  (February 2010)  New York has made big advances in dealing with domestic violence, but women all too often must confront a choice between going back to their abusers and being homeless.

Charter Schools Enter Uncharted Waters   (February 2010)  The administration's push to expand the number of charter schools has ignited bitter fights over real estate, power and jobs. A look at what's at stake for the city and its children.

Famed Scout Camp Threatened by Public, Private Budget Crisis  (February 2010)  Strapped for money, the local Boy Scouts may sell their storied camp on Staten Island -- just as the state seeks to divert funds intended for wilderness preservation to other uses.

Problems at St. Vincent’s Reflect Health Care System's Woes  (February 2010)  The death of St. Vincent's Hospital, on life support from the state, would threaten heath-care delivery in lower Manhattan and beyond, dealing another blow to an overburdened system.

Council Targets Gang Initiations  (February 2010)  The City Council approved legislation to crack down on gang initiations. But will it target innocent minority youth instead?

City Emergency Response Team Had Key Skills for Haiti Mission  (February 2010)  After the earthquake in Haiti city police and firefighters flew to Port-au-Prince, where they saved six people from the rubble. How was that mission organized and how did it operate?

After Heated Closed-Door Debate, Senate Expels Monserrate   (February 2010)  The State Senate last night voted to immediately oust Hiram Monserrate -- a move that left bitter feelings among Senate Democrats and cut their margin of control to a single seat.

Teaching and Electioneering Don't Mix, Court Finds  (February 2010)  The teachers' union has lost a legal battle with the city over whether its members can wear political buttons in class.

Pioneering E-Waste Bill Remains Stuck in Legal Limbo  (February 2010)  n 2008 New York became the first U.S. city to pass a law requiring manufacturers to dispose of old computers and other electronics. So why is the toxic trash continuing to pile up?

A Barrage of Bills  (February 2010)  Former Councilmember Alan Gerson introduced more legislation than any other councilmember in the last session.

Penning Legislation: The Winners and Losers  (February 2010)  Find out who has sponsored the most bills in the last session at the City Council -- and who has the least.

Schools Arts Program Range from Four Star to Nonexistent  (February 2010)  Despite some strong programs, arts education in New York City schools must still struggle against the focus on testing and a shortage of funds,

Stated Meeting: Council Creates Path to Citizenship  (February 2010)  The City Council is considering a proposal aimed at helping some immigrant children in foster care remain in the country.

Eminent Domain Changes Seek to Limit State's Power to Seize Property  (February 2010)  Several politicians want to rein in New York's authority to seize a person's property to make way for private development. Can they succeed in a state where real estate rules?

Talking Trash  (February 2010)  What parts of the city have the filthiest sidewalks and dirtiest streets? To find out, we asked readers to pick New York's nastiest neighborhoods and analyzed the city's cleanliness scorecards.

Pedicab Industry Grapples with Rules, Recession and Rain   (February 2010)  Two months after city laws on pedicabs took effect, drivers and owners still feel the pain of a dismal holiday season and wonder what effect the new regulations might have.

Bloomberg's Bluff  (February 2010)  The mayor warns that Gov. Paterson's budget would force the city to cut 8,500 teachers, reduce police to 1985 levels, and end street cleaning. Scary stuff, but maybe that's just the point.

Paterson's Plan for CUNY and SUNY Draws Criticism  (January 2010)  The governor wants to give the city and state universities more autonomy. School officials like the idea, but some politicians say it could hurt low-income students.

Haitian's Case Focuses Attention on Deportations  (January 2010)  The case of a Haitian immigrant convicted of drug dealing in the 1980s has focused attention on other long-ago offenders who face deportation.

Food Deserts Could Bloom if City Hall Helps  (January 2010)  Corn from Corona? Canarsie cantaloupe? Tottenville tomatoes? City grown produce, along with public markets and better bodegas, could help New Yorkers eat better -- with a boost from City Hall.

Court Rejects Bid to Extend Grounds for Divorce in New York  (January 2010)  Under New York's divorce law, breaking up is hard to do. And a recent ruling by a Brooklyn court does nothing to change that

'Nanny' Mayor's Anti-Salt Drive Ignores Sense and Science  (January 2010)  The mayor's push to limit salt intake seems like food fascism -- and is not even backed up by science, writes an opponent of the proposal.

Cutting Back on Salt Will Save Lives  (January 2010)  The city's drive to encourage restaurants and food processors to use less salt will help Americans cut back, two doctors write, and that could save lives and even help restaurants.

Latest Round of School Closings Sparks Heated Opposition  (January 2010)  Standing in front of a crowd at Abyssinian Baptist Church, Danisha Williams spoke about how she had continued on after losing her mother and father.

Stated Meeting: The Council's New Order  (January 2010)  Kicking off a new term, the City Council finalized its new committees yesterday -- but not without drama. See who is in and who is out.

In Kingsbridge: Will Derailing a Bad Project Lead to a Good One?  (January 2010)  Years of organizing by the community defeated the administration's plan for a shopping mall in Kingsbridge. Joan Byron reviews the battle and what might happen next.

Bloomberg Delivers Muted State of the City  (January 2010)  The State of the City was a speech not an extravaganza this time around, but the mayor did offer plans to improve juvenile justice and help New Yorkers weather the recession.

Targeted Cuts, Improved Productivity Could Save City Services  (January 2010)  Wall Street's reversal of fortune could help those suffering on other city streets -- if the city adopts a creative budget strategy.

9/11 Health Care Bill Could Get Boost in Congress  (January 2010)  Advocates for those who became sick or who died from working at Ground Zero want aid from Congress and recognition from City Hall.

Living Wages by Councilmember  (January 2010)  Want to know where your councilmember stands on the living wage issue? Check out Gotham Gazette's survey.

The Living Wage After Kingsbridge  (January 2010)  In the aftermath of the Kingsbridge Armory debate, a more widespread bill on living wages may not come as easily as some expect.

Albany's Ethics Bill: First Step or Missed Opportunity?  (January 2010)  With Albany under fire, some advocates say bills on lobbying and elections could help clean up the ethically challenged capitol. Others charge the legislation falls short.

To Reunite Families, Agencies Try a Holistic Approach  (January 2010)  To keep parents and children together, social services agencies try an approach that takes on a range of problems including poverty, mental illness and violence.

'Culture of Violence' Plagues New York's Juvenile Prisons  (January 2010)  Forcible restraint remains too common and therapy too rare in homes for juvenile offenders, according to several recent investigations. Is change finally on the way?

Fighting Complacency on Same Sex Marriage   (January 2010)  The gay community needs to overcome the sense that legalization of same sex marriage is inevitable and mobilize a movement to make it happen.

Stated Meeting: 2010 City Council's First Day  (January 2010)  The new City Council, flush with 13 new members, re-elected Council Speaker Christine Quinn. But the vote was not without emotion and drama.

Senate Democrats Look to Repair the Damage -- Before It's Too Late  (January 2010)  As the state legislature returns, its members confront a budget crisis, gloom at the MTA and last year's broken promises. And it's campaign season.

Bloomberg: Take III  (January 2010)  Can the mayor escape the curse of the third term? How will he deal with more combative public officials and a feistier City Council? And what does he plan to do in the next four years anyway?

City's Muslims Report Harassment by Police  (January 2010)  In Rockefeller Center, on the way home from school and even in their own homes, the city's Muslims say police harass them, threatening the ties between law enforcement and the Muslim community.

The Year That Wasn't: What Didn’t Happen in 2009  (December 2009)  Bloomberg didn't move to the Oval Office, Giuliani didn’t run, Spitzer didn't vanish -- and the Nets did not stumble into Brooklyn. A look at some big stories that did not happen in 2009.

Stated Meeting: Broadway Triangle Approved by Council  (December 2009)  The City Council approved a controversial rezoning, which community members cast as a political deal despite its promise of affordable housing.

The Top Stories of 2010  (December 2009)  How many legislators will be indicted? Are the Nets on the way to Moscow? Who will run for what? And who will be the funniest City Council member? Our experts look to the future.

Turmoil and Term Limits: Top Stories of 2009  (December 2009)  Turmoil in Albany, budget and economic woes, angry voters and crime in high places all made headlines in 2009. We look back.

Job Creation Bills to be on Washington's Agenda in 2010  (December 2009)  The recovery act helped stave off economic disaster but, with spending and employment remaining anemic, Washington will consider further action in the new year.

Ban on HIV Positive Immigrants Lifted  (December 2009)  President Obama lifted the ban on immigration by people who test positive for the AIDS virus, giving hope to those who must confront their medical condition along with being denied the opportunity to live illegally in the U.S.

MTA Cuts Produce Deja Vu Along with Outrage   (December 2009)  Seven months after a state rescue package supposedly staved off massive service reductions, the MTA's cuts to plug a $400 million deficit have sparked anger, suspicion and another round of the blame game.

New York City Council Races Get More Competitive  (December 2009)  Incumbency remained a huge advantage in the 2009 City Council contests, but it was not quite the ticket to victory it once was. Just ask five defeated council members and several others who managed to eke out only narrow victories.

Stated Meeting: Kingsbridge Armory Defeated by the Council  (December 2009)  In a rare move against a major project, the City Council rejected a proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, putting the debate over paying living wages under a citywide spotlight.

National Test Scores Renew Questions About Mayor's Education Reforms  (December 2009)  Results of a national math examine cast still more doubt on the Bloomberg administration's claims it has made huge advances in city schools, writes Assemblyman James Brennan.

Republicans, A Call to Arms  (December 2009)  When City Council returns next month, it will have five Republicans -- up from three. That's still less than 10 percent of members but Minority Leader James Oddo thinks they could wield influence that far exceeds their numbers.

Sour Holiday  (December 2009)  Despite city efforts to revitalize commercial districts and signs of economic improvement, many small businesses in the city are not ringing up sales. Our slideshow visits shopkeepers facing a sour holiday season.

Stated Meeting: Green Building Bills Approved by the Council  (December 2009)  The City Council passed legislation requiring energy audits for large buildings -- a move that some critics say weakens a key part of the mayor's sustainability plan.

Illegally Divided Homes Pose Dangers but Fill a Need  (December 2009)  Illegally carved-up homes endanger their residents, crowd neighborhoods and have caused fatal fires. But these cramped quarters also house thousands of people who otherwise might have no place to go.

Syphilis Rate Rises Despite Public Health Efforts   (December 2009)  After falling for decades, the incidence of syphilis in New York City since 2000 has increased sharply. Experts blame a complicated combination of factors.

Campaign Finance Laws Fill Coffers for Cars, Coffee and Court  (December 2009)  In Albany, money doesn't talk -- it roars. State law lets politicians collect cash from virtually anyone and use it almost as they please. So, critics ask, is it any wonder the state has problems?

Courts Consider When a Rioter Stops Rioting  (December 2009)  One of the men arrested for the rioting that followed the New York parade in 2000 has challenged his conviction and could take his novel argument all the way to the nation's highest court.

Stated Meeting: Clearing the Way for Open Grills  (December 2009)  The City Council yesterday banned those opaque sheets of metal used as security gates on businesses around the city, but the measure will not go completely into effect until 2026. Council also approved its final legislative response to the deadly fire at Deutsche Bank in 2007.

Washington Considers Funding Parks to Rebuild Cities  (November 2009)  As Congress considers a bill to provide federal funding for urban parks, Washington seems to have learned a lesson from New York: Improved open space has the power to transform communities.

Cutting Spending as Revenues Rise   (November 2009)  The mayor's demand that agency heads make further cuts to their budgets and possibly lay off staff comes as the administration anticipates an increase in tax revenues.

Foreclosures Continue to Threaten Neighborhoods   (November 2009)  Long after the sub-prime mortgage crisis wreaked havoc across the country, it has hit parts of New York hard, and despite government efforts, shows no signs of abating.

Is New York Ready for Instant Runoffs?  (November 2009)  Only 241,000 New Yorkers cast ballot in September's runoff election but it cost the city $15 million. Is it time to change the way we vote?

Death by Car  (November 2009)  After several horrific accidents, the state has passed a law cracking down on intoxicated drivers. While hailing the move, many experts say we also must take steps to keep sober motorists from crashing and killing.

School Holiday Issue Sends Muslims to City Hall  (November 2009)  With about 100,000 Muslim students, the city schools are coming under increasing pressure from newly organized Muslim parents to cancel classes on Islam's holiest days in Islam.

New Website Lets New Yorkers Talk Back to the Senate  (November 2009)  A new website launched by the State Senate enables people not only to find out about legislation but also to comment on it.

Stated Meeting: Easing Parking Rules and Opposing Gas Drilling  (November 2009)  In its first meeting since the election, City Council took aim at the administration's policies on issuing traffic tickets, passing four bills, including one the mayor has vowed to veto. The council also approved a new police academy and went on record against drilling for natural gas in the city's watershed.

Cutting the Deficit Gets Ugly   (November 2009)  With the state running out of money and facing a $7 billion spending gap for next year, last week's special legislative session demonstrated that many legislators still oppose making serious budget cuts.

The Citizen  (November 2009)  John Liu's victory, rising crime among young Koreans, the fight to save the garment industry, Filipino stay-at-home dads and more from New York's immigrant and foreign language press, via Voices that Must be Heard.

The Fight over Paid Sick Leave  (November 2009)  Amid worries about H1N1, City Council considers a bill requiring employers to give workers paid sick leave. Is this a needed public health measure or another burden on struggling city businesses?

Court Ruling Settles Key Question for Tenants, Landlords  (November 2009)  In a ruling with huge ramifications for real estate in New York, the state's highest court has said landlords cannot decontrol apartment rents while accepting tax breaks from the city.

Plan's Move to Senate Presents Challenges for New York  (November 2009)  The version of health care reform proposed by the Senate Finance Committee would punish states like New York that have taken the lead in health care.

Kingsbridge Armory and the Dance Around ULURP  (November 2009)  The controversy over the Kingsbridge Armory features the living wage, a suburban-style mall in the city, community concerns -- and the city's land use process.  Tom Angotti explains the fancy footwork.

A Floor Not a Ceiling for Health Reform  (November 2009)  Any federal bill must allow states to fill gaps in the national law and offer health programs that meet the needs of their citizens.

An Option the Public Needs  (November 2009)  Creating a government insurance plan will help those who have been shut out of our health care system for far too long.

Fixing a Broken System  (November 2009)  New York and the rest of the country can't afford to let this moment pass without addressing our health care crisis.

New York: Model or Warning?  (November 2009)  The state's effort to provide health insurance to all its residents should offer a cautionary tale for Congress as it crafts a health care bill.

Bloomberg and Quinn: Chapter 2  (November 2009)  For four years, the mayor and speaker have played as a team. Now, though, some members want City Council to be more assertive. Can Quinn lead them in this new era?

New York and the Health Care Debate  (November 2009)  With Congress about to vote on a bill, experts discuss what it could mean for New York. Whatever their differences, they agree the legislation could have a huge impact -- for better or worse.

2009 General Election Results  (November 2009)  Who won and who lost on Nov. 3.

Seven Years of Mayoral Control  (November 2009)  No one can deny the mayor has made big changes in the New York City school system but debate still swirls around how effective his policies have been.

Where and How to Vote  (November 2009)  Casting your ballot

Bloomberg's Shadow Looms over Bay Ridge  (November 2009)  A Republican hopes he can ride the mayor's coattails and defeat a Democratic incumbent in District 43.

Bayside Race Features Race, Religion -- and Some Issues  (November 2009)  The candidates say issues are paramount but seem to have focused more on race, religion and each other's tactics

The Other Races  (November 2009)  Elsewhere on the Ballot: Voter will chose the public advocate, comptroller, borough presidents and judges and vote on two ballot questions on Tuesday.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter  (November 2009)  Our comprehensive election coverage including the mayoral campaign, an in-depth look at the Bloomberg record, hot City Council races and more.

As Money Runs Out, Can Albany Avoid the 'Pain'?  (November 2009)  With the state government about to run out of money, advocates and legislators continue to resist the governor's proposed budget cuts. Will a Wall Street rebound avert disaster?

Vann Gets a Challenger  (November 2009)  Bed-Stuy's staple, Al Vann, faces a challenge from activist and policy advocate, Mark Winston Griffith.

New Efforts Fail to Reduce Homelessness  (November 2009)  Despite the mayor's pledges and new programs, the number of families in city shelters continues to climb.

A Better Picture for the Arts  (November 2009)  Even in the face of the faltering economy Mayor Michael Bloomberg has taken steps to insure New York's cultural institutions survive and thrive.

Moving the City Along the Road to Sustainability  (October 2009)  The announcement of PlanNYC 2030 in 2007 heralded a new emphasis by the Bloomberg administration on reducing pollution and confronting climate change.

Stated Meeting: Hines Midtown Tower Approved  (October 2009)  The City Council approves a 1,000 foot tower in Midtown, which will include additional space for MoMA, a hotel and luxury residences. The council also took aim at mortgage foreclosure consultants.

State Budget Cuts   (October 2009)  

The Council's Youngest Member Faces a Veteran  (October 2009)  Erich Ulrich won a surprise victory in last year's special election from District 32 and became the council's youngest member. Now he must survive a one-on-one race with a veteran area activist.

Improving Transportation -- Above Ground  (October 2009)  Michael Bloomberg has made major steps to improve transportation in the city -- except when it comes to the subway system.

Two Familiar Names Vie in District 30  (October 2009)  A stalwart of city Republican politics hopes he can win the traditionally GOP seat back for his party.

Campaign 09: Fact or Fiction  (October 2009)  The claims and charges are flying from Bloomberg to Thompson and back again. A look at the fact -- and the fiction -- behind the rhetoric.

Making New York 'Immigrant Friendly'  (October 2009)  Always a supporter of immigrants, Michael Bloomberg has announced more initiatives to aid the foreign born during this election season -- and advocates will be watching to make sure these go beyond campaign promises.

An Innovator Takes a Fairly Conventional Approach  (October 2009)  James Parrott looks at the last eight years and finds that, despite the mayor's huge success as an innovative businessman, his management of New York City's economic fortunes has been pretty conventional.

Senate Ponders What to Do About Monserrate   (October 2009)  After being convicted of misdemeanor assault Sen. Hiram Monserrate's future as a state senator is in the hands of his colleagues.

Bloomberg on Poverty: A War or Small Skirmishes?  (October 2009)  Michael Bloomberg won widespread praise for his push to change the way governments measure poverty. Reactions to what he has done after are less effusive.

A Top-Down Program Creates More Parks  (October 2009)  Recognizing the importance of parks, the mayor has expanded and improved New York's open space -- but critics wish he had consulted more with communities along the way.

Bloomberg and the Budget: A Story in Three Parts  (October 2009)  Reflecting a changing economy, the mayor's fiscal policies have changed while the city has gone from bust to boom and back again.

Another Term Awaits  (October 2009)  Personalities and politics have dominated the mayoral campaign, but the two top candidates have positions on a range of issues. We look at what each man has said he would do as mayor.

Making the Rules on Running and Ruling  (October 2009)  Michael Bloomberg's handling of issues involving elections and governance raises the question: Is he above politics or a politician whose wealth lets him play the game in a different way?

Taking the Temperature on City Health Policies  (October 2009)  The Bloomberg administration has garnered attention for restricting smoking and trying to get New Yorkers to eat well, but its actions on health policy go far beyond that.

Where They Stand  (October 2009)  Personalities and politics have dominated the mayoral campaign, but the two top candidates have positions on a range of issues. We look at what each man has said he would do as mayor.

Stated Meeting: Council Bans Flavored Tobacco   (October 2009)  Just weeks after the federal government banned flavored cigarettes, the City Council goes a step further.

Crime Falls, but Why -- and at What Cost?  (October 2009)  Crime has hit new lows under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but experts wonder if he deserves the credit and some critics charge that new police practices infringe on the rights of New Yorkers.

Bloomberg's Calmer -- But Still Divided -- City  (October 2009)  In eight years in office, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has quieted the racially charged atmosphere of the Giuliani years but done little to address housing disparities and other divisions that remain.

Unions Flex Their Political Muscles  (October 2009)  Labor has long wielded influence in heavily unionized New York. But last month's Democratic primary raised hopes -- and fears -- that the city's unions may be more powerful than ever.

A Changing of the Guard on Staten Island  (October 2009)  After two lost elections, Deborah Rose appears on the verge of being elected to City Council and becoming Staten Island's first black lawmaker.

The City Grades Itself on Schools, Homelessness  (October 2009)  Glenn Pasanen checks out the Mayor's Management Report and tells us what it says -- and does not say -- about the Bloomberg administration's performance in education and homelessness.

Museums Struggle to Maintain Programs and Projects  (October 2009)  Many museums have had to reduce staff and cancel exhibitions during the recession. But increased attendance has provided some welcome good news to offset the financial gloom.

Affordable Housing Not Included  (October 2009)  A key part of the mayor's plan to provide moderately priced housing has collided with the collapse in real estate. The first in our new series examining the Bloomberg record.

Re-enfranchising New Yorkers  (October 2009)  Turnout was low in last month's primary and even lower in the runoff. Should we give nonpartisan elections another look?

Tracking Building Inspectors  (October 2009)  A GPS system lets the city know where its inspectors are -- but, critics say, not necessarily what they are doing while they are at a construction site site.

Is Anyone Willing to Cut the State Budget?   (October 2009)  Months of tough talk from Gov. David Paterson about cutting the budget to reduce the state's escalating multi-billion dollar budget deficit has yet to lead to a concrete plan.

Stated Meeting: Graffiti Cleanup and Rezoning Sunset Park  (October 2009)  The City Council attempts to make graffiti cleanup faster and rezones a large swath of Sunset Park.

Moynihan Station Moves Forward  (September 2009)  After decades of discussion, the plan to restore Penn Stations' grandeur moved has inched a bit forward but hurdles remain. Graham T. Beck reports on where the project stands now.

Switch It On!  (September 2009)  With gadgets guzzling electricity, New York faces a looming energy gap. How would you fix it? Ban air conditioning? Harness the tides? Go nuclear? Play Gotham Gazette latest game and plan our energy future.

Going for the Gold  (September 2009)  New York has never hosted the Olympics. In an excerpt from her new book, 'Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power Politics,' Times reporter Joyce Purnick relates how Bloomberg tried to change that -- and failed.

Staycationing in the City Parks  (September 2009)  New spaces, more concerts and programs for kids sent recession-weary New Yorkers flocking to parks this summer -- despite the rain.

Colleges Prepare for an Influx of Veterans  (September 2009)  With a new more generous GI Bill in effect, area colleges expect more veterans to enroll in school. Are the schools ready to meet their needs?

New Law Protects Assets During Divorce  (September 2009)  A law, which went into effect this month, automatically orders the freezing of assets during a divorce, making it hard for a rich spouse to sell off assets to keep the less affluent partner from getting a fair share.

Amid Talk of Recovery, Jobless Rates Reach Double Digits   (September 2009)  The banking crisis may seem to be over and big bonuses are back. But with unemployment in the double digits, writes James Parrott, Americans will be reeling from the effects of the "Great Recession" for some time.

The Next Round   (September 2009)  The races for public advocate and comptroller have come down to head-to-head contests, with the results likely to hinge on who actually turns out to vote on Sept. 29.

Mentally Ill Seek More Independence  (September 2009)  Since it shut its large mental institutions, New York has put disabled adults in for-profit 'homes.' Recently a judge ruled that isolating people that way constitutes illegal discrimination. What happens now?

Stated Meeting: Sitting in Smog on the Way to School  (September 2009)  The City Council approved a bill yesterday making a student's ride to school a little cleaner. Check out that and more in this week’s Searchlight on City Hall.

Primary Results  (September 2009)  

Rockaway Incumbent Faces Five Challengers  (September 2009)  Incumbent James Sanders' record is one issue in a district concerned about housing foreclosures, jobs and crime.

In East Flatbush, the Incumbent is the Issue  (September 2009)  Five candidates are vying to replace Kendall Stewart in the 45th district -- and some think such a crowded field could propel the beleaguered council member to victory.

Words (and Punches) Traded in District 28   (September 2009)  A former councilmember, a community board member, local businessman and more trade words and attacks in this eastern Queens district.

A Heartbeat Away -- But What is the Public Advocate?  (September 2009)  What's a public advocate -- and why do we have one?

Real Estate's Last Stand  (September 2009)  The real estate market is reeling but that has not stopped the industry from doling out $2.5 million to candidates for citywide office this year and more to various council contenders.

Three Remain on Ballot to Challenge Jackson  (September 2009)  Some well-known politicians decided against challenging Robert Jackson, but the incumbent will still face three opponents who hope to gain traction in this primarily Hispanic district.

Seabrook Aims For Another Term   (September 2009)  Two challengers question incumbent Larry Seabrook's ethics and commitment, but he counters that he has accomplished a lot for his Bronx district.

Health Care, Development Dominate Debate in Forest Hills  (September 2009)  Hospital closings are a major concern in this campaign, where six Democrats, including a former City Councilmember, are seeking to replace Melinda Katz.

It's Down to One Opponent for Comrie  (September 2009)  The head of the Queens delegation faces a political newcomer.

Brownsville's Dynasty Looks for a Comeback  (September 2009)  One-term Councilmember Darlene Mealy faces a stiff challenge from a local business owner and activist, and from a member of the area's politically powerful Boyland family.

The Maria Baez Revolt  (September 2009)  Resident of District 14 say they rarely see their council member, but Maria Baez remains confident she can beat her two challengers and win a third term.

Housing Project Splits Bushwick District  (September 2009)  Politics and a controversial plan to build affordable apartments are inextricably linked as Diane Reyna fights to hold on to her council seat.

In Flatbush, the Campaign Turns Negative  (September 2009)  Incumbent Mathieu Eugene, a blogger and a neighborhood activist, are locked in a nasty fight over who can best serve this Brooklyn district.

Mendez Vows to Keep Fighting  (September 2009)  If Councilmember Rosie Mendez wins second term -- as seems likely -- she says she will continue to focus on preserving neighborhoods facing development.

Koppell Fights for a Third Term  (September 2009)  The northwest Bronx’s political stalwart and a pro bono attorney disagree over whether the district really is changing and whether it needs a change.

In East New York, an Outspoken Incumbent Faces Challengers  (September 2009)  Councilmember Charles Baron has won attention for controversial comments but his challengers argue that someone a bit less confrontational might better serve the district.

The Citizen  (September 2009)  As jobs remain scarce, immigrants protest a rise in workplace abuses. Also, candidates on Facebook, fear of foster care, looking for love -- and more from the immigrant and foreign language press.

Guide for the Last Minute (Primary) Voter  (September 2009)  Who’s running for what in the Sept. 15 primary? Our comprehensive guide to the election, with information on contests, candidates, how to vote -- and more.

Comptroller Candidates Count on Voters Taking Notice   (September 2009)  Four City Council members are locked in a tight -- and expensive -- race for the important but often obscure citywide office.

Racing to Represent Long Island City  (September 2009)  The three candidates seeking to replace Eric Gioia grapple with how to deal with the changes in what was once an industrial area.

A Diverse Group of Candidates Competes in a Diverse District  (September 2009)  Five candidates -- four of them immigrants -- hope to replace John Liu as Flushing's representative on the City Council.

Booing the Yankees in the Bronx  (September 2009)  Incumbent Councilmember Helen Foster and her challenger agree the new baseball stadium has not been good for the 16th district. They're on opposing teams, though, when it comes to whether Foster deserves a third term.

Serving Up the Public Advocate   (August 2009)  Four Democrats are vying in a spirited contest for an office that some officials hope to abolish.

In Eastern Queens, A Weprin Wants to Change Jobs  (August 2009)  A state legislator from a prominent political family wants to leave Albany and represent the 23rd district at City Hall, but his two opponents say they could better serve this area of Queens.

Housing Bias Persists, Fueled by the Internet  (August 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 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.

The 63rd Senator   (August 2009)  The mayor won the school control battle and seems poised to scuttle a bill on public authorities. Has he finally figured out how to get his way in the state capitol?

Drumming Up Support in the Heights  (August 2009)  The resignation of disgraced Councilmember Miguel Martinez creates an opportunity for a political newcomer in upper Manhattan.

Debating Who Can Best Preserve Northeast Queens  (August 2009)  In rapidly changing District 19, candidates vying to replace Tony Avella all base their platforms on methods of curbing and regulating what many see as overdevelopment.

Closed Hospital Plays Key Role in Jackson Heights Race  (August 2009)  Incumbent Helen Sears faces two challengers who question whether she has done enough to provide adequate health care in the 25th district.

Museum of Chinese in America Gets a New Home   (August 2009)  When the Museum of Chinese in America officially opens its new home next month it will take a major step toward creating a national center on the immigrant experience and Asian-American culture.

Stated Meeting: City Council Requires Pharmacies to Translate  (August 2009)  Handing out its own prescription for language access, the City Council approved legislation Thursday requiring large pharmacy chains to provide translation services in the city's most popular languages.

State Now Protects Jobs of Domestic Violence Victims  (August 2009)  A new state law that makes it illegal to discriminate against victims of domestic violence in the workplace is designed to help people break free of partners who abuse them.

In Lower Manhattan, an Incumbent Fights for His Seat   (August 2009)  The extension of term limits has proved a double-edged sword for City Councilmember Alan Gerson. On one hand, it has given him a chance at four more years; on the other, it has provided his opponents with a political weapon to use against him.

Eight Candidates Run in a District Marked by Change  (August 2009)  Sweeping along the Brooklyn waterfront, District 33 has seen dramatic development and massive rezoning. A slew of candidates offer different prescriptions for what to do next.

Two Challengers Take on the Speaker  (August 2009)  With her power and prominence, Christine Quinn should have an easy path to re-election. But her opponents say some voters may balk at the speaker's close ties to the mayor and some of her stands on the issues.

Atlantic Yards Dominates Debate in District 35  (August 2009)  The race between Councilmember Letitia James and her leading opponent may shape up as a referendum on the controversial development plan for downtown Brooklyn.

Gowanus Canal Looms over District 39 Race  (August 2009)  This Brooklyn district includes some of the city's most gentrified blocks -- but a key issue in the City Council campaign harkens back to the area's far grittier past.

Democratic Mayoral Candidates Would Plan from the Bottom Up  (August 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.

Tunnel Vision  (August 2009)  After three tries, a new Mass Transit Tunnel linking New Jersey and New York has broken ground. But advocates question whether this proposal will really ease traffic under the Hudson.

A Public-slash-Private Park  (August 2009)  The city has created a new plan for the ball fields on Randall's Island. Critics, though, are calling foul.

National Parkland Not on Radar   (August 2009)  Our parks columnist explores the national parkland along the New York Harbor -- an area most New Yorkers have never heard of.

Waiting to Wade  (August 2009)  More people are taking to the water, but has our access really improved? Check out this and more in Gotham Gazette's series on all things waterfront.

Communities Drowned Out  (August 2009)  As planners and developers eye the water's edge, are grassroots and community advocates losing their say?

The Comptroller Reality vs. the Chancellor's Reality  (August 2009)  While the State Assembly left mayoral control of schools largely intact, the changes it did make could increase oversight of the Department of Education and provide more insight into how well the schools are really doing.

Albany Aftershocks  (August 2009)  Now that the state Senate has calmed, what can be done to prevent another stalemate from shaking Albany? Our David King finds out.

New York's Now Beleaguered Financial Workforce - Tables   (August 2009)  

New York's Now Beleaguered Financial Workforce  (August 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.

Stated Meeting: Coney Island Gets a Facelift  (July 2009)  In an attempt to revitalize an area long known as "America's playground," the City Council approved a 27-acre redevelopment plan to turn Coney Island into a year-round destination, full of retail, hotels and entertainment.
Call it Las Vegas a la Brooklyn.

Closing the Landmarks Loophole  (July 2009)  The city's preservation law essentially allows the buildings departments and landmarks commission to ignore -- and even contradict -- one another. Several bills in City Council seek to change that.

Tony the Stowaway  (July 2009)  Despite a miniscule budget and little name recognition, Tony Avella thinks he can parlay his maverick reputation into victory in the Democratic primary for mayor. Most experts think that’s laughable.

A Rough Ride Awaits New MTA Chief  (July 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?

Dividing Albany's Pork Pie  (July 2009)  However disorganized they might seem, State Senate Democrats have managed to hand out millions of dollars to pet projects in their home districts. We look at who got what.

Bringing Home the Pork   (July 2009)  

As Trade Center Plans Falter, City Could Have a Sense of Deja Vu  (July 2009)  As the main players in the redevelopment of the World Trade site seem locked in a never-ending drama, Tom Angotti cautions that New Yorkers face the possibility that what is eventually built at Ground Zero will echo the worst attributes of the old trade center.

A Legal Victory for Tenants  (July 2009)  New York judges ruled a landlord could not throw a woman out of her rent-regulated apartment simply because she had left the city to care for her ailing parents.

The Race to Fill Morgenthau's Shoes  (July 2009)  Three Democrats vie to replace the legendary district attorney and consider how to bring change to an iconic office.

Parents in Prison, Children in Foster Care  (July 2009)  Mothers who go to jail risk losing their children to the foster care system. Even if the families finally reunite, it can take years to repair the breach.

Replacing Miguel Martinez  (July 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.

Unlocking the Apartment 'Warehouse'  (July 2009)  By some counts, the city has enough boarded up apartments to house all New York's homeless. Activists and public officials are pursuing a variety of strategies to spur building owners to put those warehoused apartments out on the market.

An Outer Borough Drought  (July 2009)  Gotham Gazette and Huffington Post asked readers how easy it was to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Those of you in affluent areas of Manhattan say veggies are ripe for the picking, but pockets in the outer boroughs are still struggling to get fresh produce.

A Fractured Senate Takes on Mayoral Control of Schools  (July 2009)  The fractured state Senate is unlikely to move on many controversial issues, but mayoral control of city schools seems to be the one they can't ignore.

The Citizen  (July 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.

Bump the Birds  (July 2009)  Candidates have until Thursday to file petitions to get on the primary ballot. Do you have what it takes to get on the ballot and stay there? Play 'Bump,' our latest game, and find out.

Recession Adds New Meaning to 'Struggling Artist'  (July 2009)  As galleries close, nonprofits cut back and even temp work becomes scarce, New York's creative people look for new ways to support themselves and their work.

Saving Arts Education from Politics  (July 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 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?

After the Deadline...  (July 2009)  As June 30 ended, the State Senate remained mired in chaos. The city did not get its sales tax hike, and mayoral control of schools has sunset. What happens now?

Forgiving Penalties, Observing Muslim Holidays   (July 2009)  

Holidays were the topic of conversation at the City Council yesterday, with the body approving a three-month penalty forgiveness period for environmental fines as well as a resolution that urges the city schools to give students two Muslim holidays off.

Getting on the Ballot in Other Cities  (June 2009)  

'Political Intrigue' in a Personal Injury Case  (June 2009)  In a case recently heard in the Bronx, an undocumented immigrant tried to collect damages for wages he might lose in the future -- a future that might find him in Kosovo, not the U.S.

Understanding the Labyrinth: New York's Ballot Access Laws  (June 2009)  Has a politician asked for your signature lately? No wonder. Getting on the ballot, staying there and knocking opponents off has become a political blood sport.

Unemployed in New York   (June 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?

The King of Discretionary Dollars  (June 2009)  Who's the king (or queen) of pork this year? It’s time for our annual look at which City Council members got the most funding for their district, borough or favorite cause.

Coming Soon: Deeper City Deficits  (June 2009)  A look at the numbers makes it clear the city faces deeper deficits in the years ahead -- and fewer tools to fill the gaps.

Good Parks Are Good for the Economy  (June 2009)  Along with providing relief from concrete and places for reflection and recreation, parks offer an array of economic benefits and can even save taxpayers money.

As Time Runs Out, Paterson Tries to End the Deadlock  (June 2009)  With the chamber mired in acrimony and facing deadlines on key issues, the governor makes a move.

Band-Aid Budget  (June 2009)  Contrary to expectations, the new city budget does not include massive spending cuts or huge tax cuts. Good news -- or did officials just postpone the inevitable until after the election?

Foreclosure Threat Looms over Thousands of City Apartments  (June 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.

City Left on the Sidelines as Senators Feud  (June 2009)  With the State Senate mired in tragedy, soap opera and farce, reforms, budgets and more hang in the balance. We report from Albany and City Hall on the policies at stake.

Doling Out Pork  (June 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.

Who Got What - FY 2010  (June 2009)  

Documenting the Undocumented  (June 2009)  The U.S. Census Bureau wants to count undocumented New Yorkers next year, but some want real immigration reform first.

Council and Mayor Reach Budget Deal   (June 2009)  

The City Council and the Bloomberg administration reached a budget deal last night, which will preserve the city's six-day library service but also raise the sales tax.

Though the agreement, which was solidified with the quintessential handshake, was announced two weeks before the city's budget deadline of July 1, it comes with a cloud of uncertainty since all of the city's proposed tax increases, worth a total of $887 million in revenue, need approval from the State Legislature. Though city officials say the state Assembly is ready to move the legislation forward, the State Senate is mired with political infighting over which party is in control, and it is in the process of settling the dispute in a courtroom.

Senate Turmoil Puts Everything in Doubt  (June 2009)  With the State Senate mired in tragedy, soap opera and farce, reforms, budgets and more hang in the balance. We report from Albany and City Hall on the policies at stake.

40 Years After Stonewall: New York's Role in the Movement  (June 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.

Calling Home -- and Losing Minutes  (June 2009)  Many New Yorkers rely on calling cards to keep in touch with family overseas. All too often, they end up paying more and talking less than they had planned.

Stated Meeting: Dumbo's Dock Street Project Approved  (June 2009)  In a rare move, the City Council approved a development project despite the vocal opposition of the local council member. Councilmember David Yassky opposes the project, known as Dock Street Dumbo because, he says, it will permanently taint the view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Endangered Community Boards  (June 2009)  Those 59 local groups face funding and staff cuts, but some fear the worst is yet to come. Will Mayor Michael Bloomberg try to restructure or even eliminate the boards?

Staying Out of Jail -- and in Upper Manhattan  (June 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.

Legal Ruling Puts a Cork on the Bottle Bill  (June 2009)  The latest effort to expand the state's law on beverage deposits sputtered to a halt when bottled water companies filed suit to block it. Will the bill survive the challenges, legislative inaction -- and opposition from a prominent environmentalist?

Council and Mayor Reach Revenue Deal   (June 2009)  

The City Council and the Bloomberg administration have reached an agreement on a tax revenue package, which will increase the city's sales tax by .5 percent and tax clothing purchases over $110.

The move represents the first step towards a budget agreement at City Hall, which must be approved by the City Council by July 1. The administration and the council have not yet agreed on a spending plan , which could reduce the city's workforce by 13,541 positions and slash spending at all city agencies, from the Police Department to the Fire Department.

Breaking Down Barriers in the Fight Against Domestic Violence  (June 2009)  Abusive homes exist throughout U.S. society, but cultural patterns and fear of going to the police make this kind of violence a particular challenge in immigrant communities.

Pedro Espada's New Clout  (June 2009)  Rent control's fate could hinge on Sen. Pedro Espada -- although he's being investigated by the attorney general, hasn't paid campaign fines from 2001 and may not live in his district.

The Citizen: Sotomayor's Impact  (June 2009)  

Public Hospitals in Critical Condition  (May 2009)  Four clinics are set to shut, four mental health programs in New York City public schools won't be around next year, and three satellite pharmacies are about to fill their last prescriptions.

Zoning without Planning  (May 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.

Toxic Town  (May 2009)  New Yorkers see the smog in the air and garbage on the street. But many of the city's most polluted areas struggle for notice and cleanup. We look at three of them.

On the Gowanus, Say 'No' to Superfund  (May 2009)  David Von Spreckelsen, a senior vice president of Toll Brothers, which hopes to build along the Gowanus canal, argues the city has a better plan.

Brooklyn's Lavender Lake Needs Superfund  (May 2009)  Joshua Verleun, an attorney with Riverkeeper, writes that the Gowanus Canal area should be designated a Superfund site.

The Brooklyn-Queens Border: As Polluted as Ever  (May 2009)  The estuary separating Brooklyn and Queens has earned the dubious distinction of being one of the country's most polluted waterways. Residents, advocates and others have long pleaded for a cleanup -- to no avail. Is that finally about to change?

Staten Island's Toxic Stew  (May 2009)  This area of approximately 5.2 square miles includes more than 20 sites the government or residents consider contaminated -- many of them close to apartment buildings and houses. In March, the community learned of further dangers.

Court Limits Aid to Aged and Disabled  (May 2009)  New York's highest court has ruled legal residents who are not citizens are not required to receive the same disability benefits that citizens do.

Stated Meeting: Keeping Eyes on the Tenant Watch List  (May 2009)  Patrick and Tari Kelly had no idea they were blacklisted.
They were Midtown subletters for two years, until their temporary landlord decided to renovate the building. They moved to Queens and six years later tried to relocate again to Washington Heights.

The Regressive Effects of a Sale Tax Increase  (May 2009)  In opting for a hike in the sales tax and rejecting an income tax increase for wealthy New Yorkers, the mayor has chosen to largely spare the rich and tax the rest. Glenn Pasanen looks at the numbers and at Bloomberg's reasoning.

The Department of Education's Power Grip  (May 2009)  Under the current system, the schools resemble a bunker where students' rights can be violated, the advocacy director for the New York Civil Liberties Union writes. The group proposes measures to promote more transparency and involvement.

In Charge and Unaccountable  (May 2009)  The current system has shut out debate and dialogue, leaving the mayor and chancellor answerable to no one as they run a $18 billion department, contends the chairman of the City Council Education Committee.

The Great School Debate  (May 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.

Making Joel Klein Behave   (May 2009)  The Department of Education promises it will improve, but it continues to shut out parents and others, according to this former assistant principal and current member of the state Assembly. He offers suggestions for how the department could change its ways.

The Limits of Democracy  (May 2009)  While arguing they want to promote more democracy, opponents of mayoral control seek changes that would return us to the bad old days when no one was responsible for the schools, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute argues.

Beyond Governance -- Creating a Constitution for City Schools  (May 2009)  

New York's Gun Battle  (May 2009)  Despite police crackdowns, guns still wreak havoc in many New York neighborhoods. Will the killings in Binghamton prompt the state and federal governments to enact tighter controls?

Where Is New York's Lieutenant Governor?  (May 2009)  The post of lieutenant governor has remained vacant since David Paterson became governor more than a year ago. And it will remain that way until January2011. DeNora Getachew reviews the situation and how the state might fix it.

Gold from the Faucet  (May 2009)  The city's Water Board could increase rates another 14 percent this Friday. But why is our water getting so expensive?

Will the Bailout Plan Save the MTA?  (May 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.

Bill Thompson Hopes for an Upset  (May 2009)  Can an affable but quiet career politician topple a popular mayor with billions of dollars at his disposal? Bill Thompson thinks he can. But how?

Bills Seek to Help Women Prisoners Rebuild Lives  (May 2009)  The number of women in jail in New York State has increased sharply, and the vast majority are mothers caring for children. Now, advocates hope the state legislature will enact a series of bills addressing the unique problems of women prisoners -- and their families.

Stated Meeting: Scratching Out Etching Acid  (May 2009)  Carving out another obstacle for graffiti "vandals," the City Council approved legislation Wednesday requiring that merchants selling etching acid keep purchasers' personal information for a year.

A Retreat on False Arrests from Chelsea to Bushwick  (May 2009)  The police have had to back off from their arrests of gay men at adult bookstores and teens on their way to a wake in Brooklyn. Andy Humm updates the stories.

Bloomberg's Budget Revival  (May 2009)  The mayor's new budget sounds some familiar themes and gives a starring role to the sales tax. Will election year critics give it a thumps up or a thumbs down?

A Cliffhanger for New York's Film Industry  (May 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.

Role Reversal: Contributions from Candidates  (April 2009)  

Just two candidates currently running for public advocate or city comptroller contributed to the Working Families Party last year, according to the Campaign Finance Board. Coincidentally, they were the same two candidates who received the party’s endorsement.

Council members John Liu, a comptroller candidate, and Bill de Blasio, who is running for public advocate, each doled out $10,000 to the third party last October, both saying it to went to fight against the extension of term limits.

About six months later, though, their contributions may have been rewarded with an influential endorsement from the group, opponents allege. A Working Families Party spokesman said the donations did not curry any favor at the endorsement table. The group based its decision on merit, said spokesperson Dan Levitan, calling Liu and de Blasio brave for standing up against the term limit extension.

On the MTA, Leaders Will Take What They Can Get  (April 2009)  As negotiations for an MTA rescue plan wear on, everyone seems to be lowering their expectations, wondering if the Senate can pass even a weak, short-term plan.

The End of the Rockefeller Era  (April 2009)  For years New York's harsh drug laws put all power in the hands of prosecutors and favored punishment over treatment. This month, that changed. A state Supreme Court judge examines the shift.

The Mayor's High Stakes Test  (April 2009)  After all the reports and rhetoric on mayoral control of city schools, it soon will come down to the only grade that matters -- the one from the state legislature.

Why Property Taxes Rise While Real Estate Falls  (April 2009)  How can property tax revenues rise as property values fall? When is a condo like a rental unit? Glenn Pasanen looks at the strange structure of New York's property tax system.

City Gears Up for Green Buildings  (April 2009)  

Perfectly timed for Earth Day, the Bloomberg administration and the City Council introduced a package of legislation yesterday that seeks to improve energy efficiency in large commercial buildings and could require about 20,000 buildings to improve their use of electricity.

The plan hopes to reduce the city's carbon footprint by 5 percent -- roughly comparable to the carbon emissions generated by Oakland, Calif.

A combination of updating the energy code and creating efficiency and lighting benchmarks, the energy plan already has racked up criticism from a wide array of interest groups, including the real estate industry and tenants rights advocates. Many are concerned over the financial impact of the legislation.

Summer Concerts Plan to Play On  (April 2009)  Free outdoor performances are a hallmark of summer in the city -- and so far it seems the recession will not change that.

Making Bikes a Key Part of New York's Transportation Mix  (April 2009)  A new city report sets out a plan for making bicycles a major part of New York's transportation system. Graham T. Beck detal the proposal that would let New Yorker pick up and drop off bikes all over town.

The Citizen  (April 2009)  Preparing for the 2010 census, coping with the worsening economy, finding an immigration lawyer and bridging potholes on 32nd Street. These and other stories from the ethnic and foreign language press. Also: Gentrification and roast pork buns

Chinatown Looks for a Way to Survive and Thrive  (April 2009)  Gentrification has come to the winding streets of the renowned neighborhood.

Failed Justice: Convicted but Innocent   (April 2009)  Alan Newton is one of the many New Yorkers who have spent years in prison for crimes they did not commit. What can we do to stop sending innocent people to jail?

The Politics of Same-Sex Marriage  (April 2009)  Whatever it does for civil rights, Gov. David Paterson's bill likely will cause headaches for state Democrats and give Republicans an issue in upstate districts where gay marriage remains unpopular.

Cleaning Up Pollution at New York's Ports  (April 2009)  The solution to reducing pollution from the area's vital shipping industry does not stop at the water's edge.

The Legislature Takes on Election Reform  (April 2009)  The state legislature has won few points for legislative activism these past few months, but one area where it might take action is election reform.

Yankee Stadium Is Opening but Not the Parks   (April 2009)  While the Yankees celebrate their new stadium, student and amateur athlete in the Bronx are still waiting for the new parks they were promised.

Even in Hard Times, Albany Offers a Feast of Pork  (April 2009)  The state may face a budget crisis and talk of fiscal austerity may fill the air but Albany legislators still love those member items -- or pork -- that let them deliver goodies to the folks back home. What they do not like is making telling the public which legislator got what -- and how the money will be used.

A Tangle of Problems Links Prison, Foster Care  (April 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.

The Bronx Family Feud  (April 2009)  

The call of "Don't forget to vote on April 21st" practically overpowers the latest Hot 97 hits pulsing from an audio store on the corner of Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue in the west Bronx.

Evening rush-hour riders depart from the screeching number 4 train, slide down two flights of stairs to the street to get a flyer, a handshake and a wide, mustached smile.

"I am running for Bronx borough president in two weeks," Assemblymember Ruben Diaz Jr. says, stretching out his hand.

Running might be an overstatement. For Diaz, who practically has a set of keys to borough hall already, walking would be a better characterization.

New Bills: Tracking Stimulus and Unattended Idlers  (April 2009)  

Fiscal crises don't stop the legislative process, which can be fueled at a faster rate in an election year.

Here is a sample of bills introduced at the City Council lately, some of which are destined to drift about in legislative purgatory The council is ready to consider bills that include requiring food inspector grades be posted to mandating a super majority for tax hikes.

Learning Another Language  (April 2009)  Even in diverse multicultural New York City, many students do not learn a language other than English.

Home Shops: 'One Stop' on the Road to Foreclosure  (April 2009)  One-stop shops dangled promises of quick, easy and inexpensive home ownership. Many New York families that succumbed to those promises now face financial ruin. Will government help?

City Faces a Rising Demand for Food Stamps  (April 2009)  With more and more New Yorkers needing help to buy food, many residents who would qualify for food stamps do not get them. The city says it is working to get the word out, but some experts say it could do more.

Breaking the Feast or Famine Tax Cycle  (April 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.

Stated Meeting: Council Moves to Protect Access to Clinics  (April 2009)  In an attempt to clear a path for patients at reproductive clinics, the City Council approved legislation strengthening the city's clinic access law, allowing police to arrest protesters that harass those seeking medical care.

What the State Budget Means for the City  (April 2009)  Whatever the many criticisms of the new state budget for better or worse it does restore substantial amounts of aid to New York City and will stave off any teacher layoffs, at least for now.

Small Business: Suffering in Good Times and Bad  (March 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.

In Albany, Budget Battles Behind Closed Doors  (March 2009)  Despite new leaders, promises of openness and a dire financial situation, it was business as usual in Albany where leaders negotiated in secret to reach agreement on a new state budget.

Punishing Drivers Who Kill   (March 2009)  Drivers who kill pedestrians on New York City streets often go virtually unpunished. Advocates think it's time for lawmakers, police and prosecutors to change that.

Council Extends Rent Stabilization  (March 2009)  

Rent stabilized tenants can rest assured their apartments will remain on regulated rolls for another three years.

The City Council approved a three-year extension of rent stabilization by a vote of 48 to 2 on Tuesday -- action that has been pro forma since the 1960s. Council members Jimmy Oddo and Vincent Ignizio, both Republicans from Staten Island, voted against the extension.

City, State Do Little to Address Female Genital Cutting  (March 2009)  Thousands of women in New York, immigrants from parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, have undergone female genital cutting or face the risk of it here. Yet the city and state does little to help these women or to prevent cutting from taking place.

Keeping New York Afloat  (March 2009)  What can city government do to help New York emerge from the recession? A variety of experts offer their prescriptions, while small-business owners discuss how the downturn affects them.

Finance for the Future  (March 2009)  

Cutting Back -- Except for Transit  (March 2009)  

Keeping the Middle Class  (March 2009)  

Working to Help New York Recover  (March 2009)  

Tax Justice in a New Economy  (March 2009)  

Using Tax Incentives Wisely   (March 2009)  

How to Plug the Growing Budget Gap  (March 2009)  The city's fiscal plight may be even worse than feared. So where can the mayor and City Council find an extra billion dollars or so? Glenn Pasanenen reviews the projections and the options.

The Citizen  (March 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.

Court Limits 'Today Only' Plea Bargains  (March 2009)  In an unusual decision, a state appeals court reversed the conviction of a dentist who pleaded guilty so he could remain out on bail.

With Clock Ticking, Senate Plan Does Little to End MTA Impasse  (March 2009)  With only a week to go before the MTA has said it will have to begin raising fares and slashing service, the Senate has come up with a proposal critics assail for being slapdash, ridden with bad math and shortsighted.

Priced Out: Council Looks to Keep Apartments Affordable  (March 2009)  

The signs of eviction -- abandoned furniture dotting the hallways, renovation crews climbing stories with paint cans in tow -- characterize the latter years of Terry Bocanelli's stint on the West Side of Manhattan.

A resident there for more than 15 years, Bocanelli's 31st Street apartment building has become a revolving door: rent stabilized tenants leave and higher income residents swoop in. The newer transplants bring more than their belongings. They bring with them higher rents.

New Debates Over Church, State, School and Charters  (March 2009)  Several parochial schools could reopen next September as public charter schools. A Hebrew language charter was just approved. Does this blur the line between secular and religious education?

How to Fight an International Landlord  (March 2009)  Tenants in East Harlem used consumer law and forged international alliances in their fight to protect residents of rent-stabilized apartment. Would these tactics work for other New Yorkers concerned about gentrification?

Cutting Back on Democracy  (March 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.

Council Takes a Bite Out of Bed Bugs  (March 2009)  

The City Council tried to bite bed bugs back Wednesday when it unanimously approved legislation spurring the city to investigate the epidemic.

The bill requires the city form a task force to make recommendations on how to stop infestations currently ravaging apartments citywide.

The council also approved legislation requiring the registration of debt collectors, the reinstatement of a waterfront advisory board and an increase in fees for waste transfer station operators.

The Tough Battle to Repeal Tough Drug Laws  (March 2009)  The stars seemed perfectly aligned in Albany for repeal of New York's harsh Rockefeller drug laws. But the Assembly has passed a bill that would preserve several key aspects of the law, the Senate might not pass even that, and Gov. Paterson seems to be retreating from his previous position.

Council Committee Frequency  (March 2009)  

Stimulating a Cleaner Environment  (March 2009)  The federal stimulus package provides billions of dollars to help New York State improve its environment and expand the use of alternative energy.

A City Council Scorecard: Who's Engaged and Who's Not?   (March 2009)  Which City Council member skips a third of all meetings, and who never misses one? Who is the chamber's top naysayer? And which committee chair held just six meetings in three years?

Special Elections: Better than the Alternative?  (March 2009)  With three special elections just completed and another on the way, Andrea Senteno looks at how New York City replaces elected officials who leave office mid-term.

Plan to Toll Bridges Encounters More Roadblocks  (March 2009)  Legislators raise a new round of objections to plans to charge a toll to cross New York City's bridges. Can this rescue plan be saved?

A Food Policy for New York  (March 2009)  While the city tries to come up with ways to curb obesity and diabetes, one official proposes an overall food policy.

Budget Takes an Ax to Programs for Open Space  (March 2009)  While just about every area of state spending will take a major hit in next year's budget, the fund that provides money for parks and open space is set to bear a particularly heavy burden.

Rural Legislator, City Issue: How Upstaters Decide  (March 2009)  From Nesconset to Niagara, all legislators in the state get to rule on matters affecting only New York City. So what influences their votes? It's not as simple as you might think.

Court Upholds a Hole in 'Safety Net'  (March 2009)  In a case brought by two women who later were evicted from their homes, New York's highest court has ruled the state's housing allowance does not have to be generous enough to actually pay the rent.

Trying to Keep Abusive Teens from Becoming Abusive Adults  (March 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.

Stated Meeting: Clerk Battle and Food Allergies  (February 2009)  In a borough against borough battle over a well-paid political patronage position at City Hall Thursday, Queens won when the City Council approved the appointment of a Woodside resident to the post of city clerk.

Recession Dims American Dream for Business Students  (February 2009)  The recession and tighter government restrictions have made it hard for international business students to find jobs and remain in the U.S. But despite the downturn, American business schools and Wall Street career still hold allure.

Offering New Businesses a Place to Grow  (February 2009)  To help rescue displaced Wall Streeters, Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to create spaces where entrepreneurs can set up and nurture new businesses. The city already is home to number of such incubators. How do they work and how successful are they?

New York and the Fight Over the 2010 Census  (February 2009)  How the country conducts next year's national headcount will determine how many congressional seats New York has -- and how much federal money it gets.

Confronting the Condo Glut  (February 2009)  The economy deserves most of the blame for all those empty apartments around town. But did the city contribute to the problem? And can it do anything to fix it?

The Citizen  (February 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.

Taxing the Rich: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?  (February 2009)  With Wall Street millionaires the people America loves to hate, and the state facing a huge budget deficit, it would seem the ideal time to up the income tax on the wealthiest New Yorkers. But Gov. Paterson and leaders of the State Senate have their doubts.

Creative Ways to Tax and Cut  (February 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.

Another State of the City  (February 2009)  

Council Speaker Christine Quinn, quite out of character, opposed the Bloomberg administration on two issues last week.

First, she led the council in overriding a mayoral veto of residency requirements for the city's largest municipal workers union. A day after, Quinn announced a plan to solve the city's fiscal woes: increase income taxes for the richest New Yorkers.

The proposal puts the speaker at odds with her governing partner, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who suggested in his preliminary budget that the city increase and broaden the city sales tax to close a $4 billion deficit.

So far, it seems Quinn has a more crowded corner.

For the past three budget cycles, the mayor and the speaker have had relatively mild-mannered -- even affable -- budget negotiations. With about five months to go in the negotiation process, they are already at odds.

A Budget Expert Looks at the Numbers  (February 2009)  

Complicated Calculus in Race to Replace Monserrate  (February 2009)  

Personality, Not Policy Marks Debate in South Queens  (February 2009)  

On the North Shore, Candidates Seek to Ease Traffic  (February 2009)  

Stated Meeting: Residency Redux and Inspecting Water Tanks  (February 2009)  In a rare disagreement with the Bloomberg administration, the City Council Wednesday overrode a mayoral veto of a bill that would allow certain municipal employees to live outside of the city after working for two years.

A Call for Tighter Ethics Laws  (February 2009)  With Joseph Bruno under indictment, good government groups want a series of reform that they say would tighten the ethics rules governing the state's politicians while opening them up to increased scrutiny. Not surprisingly, it could be a tough sell.

Meet the Independent Budget Office  (February 2009)  Have any questions about the administration’s new preliminary budget? Ronnie Lowenstein of the Independent Budget Office will join Gotham Gazette City Hall reporter Courtney Gross to answer your questions live. Check back here at 2 p.m. to participate.

Bike Lanes Run into Opposition  (February 2009)  In the never-ending fight for space in the city, bike lanes run into opposition.

Fix the Budget  (February 2009)  Play Balance, Gotham Gazette's new game and see if you can fill New York's $4 billion budget gap. Cut, tax or spend -- as long as you make it balance.

Free Buses, Cheaper Subways -- and a Solution to New York's Traffic  (February 2009)  Free buses, cheap subways -- and money to pay for them

Trying -- Again -- to Change the Drug Laws  (February 2009)  For decades, activists have pressed the state's leaders to totally overhaul or repeal New York's harsh Rockefeller drug laws. Now Gov. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Silver have called for major changes, but Senate Democrats have yet to take a firm stand on the issue.

Finding a Converter Box Before the Big Switch  (February 2009)  Consumers encounter a myriad of problems as they seek to ensure their televisions will work after the scheduled switch to a digital signal on Feb. 17. Is the city doing anything to help?

Paterson's Bitter Pill   (February 2009)  Gov, David Paterson's proposed budget hits New York City harder than other localities in the state -- and Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn't like that one bit.

How to Balance the State Budget  (February 2009)  Tax and balance: Where can New York find the fist full of dollars it needs to fill its gaping budget gap?

An Election Year Budget  (February 2009)  The mayor calls for job cuts, a higher sales tax, hundreds of teacher layoffs and all-around slashing. How will such a gloomy plan play out in an election year?

Police Charged with False Arrests of Gay Men at Adult Video Stores  (February 2009)  A spate of arrests for prostitution at gay video stores is prompting outrage and charges of police misconduct.

Stated Meeting: Shutting Engines At Schools  (January 2009)  If you're idling you car engine near a school, City Council wants you to shut it off. That's the message the council sent Wednesday when it passed two bills bolstering the city's ability to issue tickets for engine idling citywide and reducing the time a driver can idle near school grounds. The council also passed legislation that enables the city to track construction contractors' safety records and requires safety managers at sites with problem contractors.

Making Voting Easier  (January 2009)  A number of changes could make it easier to vote in New York State and increase the number of people who cast ballots.

Will the State Senate Save Rent Control?  (January 2009)  Tenants groups had hoped a Democratic majority in the State Senate would tighten New York's rent control laws and usher in a new era of pro tenant legislation. But then came the revolt by the 'gang of three.' So, what is the outlook for housing issues now?

Scaling Back Free Parking Privileges  (January 2009)  The administration vowed to sharply limit parking privileges for its employees. A year later, how much have things changed?

What's Happened to the Plant in the Park  (January 2009)  In four years, the cost of building a controversial water filtration plant has tripled. The city defends the deal, while critics maintain they were right all along.

New Bills: From Parking to Playgrounds  (January 2009)  

More than 230 pieces of legislation were introduced in 2008, most of which won't ever become law.

We waded through some of those bills to give you a roundup of those that were proposed more recently. Council members have proposed legislation spanning the policy spectrum, from banning the sale of dust remover to minors to regulating parking permits for teachers.

Protection for Abuse Victims  (January 2009)  In a recent ruling in Housing Court, a judge stopped a landlord from evicting an abused woman, putting into action a federal law prevents that a person from being punished for being battered.

The Obama Stimulus: An $825 Billion First Step  (January 2009)  

The Citizen  (January 2009)  Job losses hit many immigrant communities, prompting some to ponder whether to stay or go. Also organizing taxi drivers, spreading the Gospel and more from the foreign language press.

Paying Attention to Cities  (January 2009)  

Infrastructure Investments that Make Sense  (January 2009)  

The Senate Looks at How It Operates  (January 2009)  With their majority finally solidified, the State Senate Democrats last week passed rules changes, which they say, are designed to create more legislative transparency and to balance the power rift between the majority and the minority. Even though the Democrats had moved on reform issues after years of pleading for the same courtesy from the Republican leadership, their actions were greeted with derision by some and a tempered optimism by others.

From Gas Guzzling Cars to Clean Buses  (January 2009)  

Using This Crisis to Prevent the Next One  (January 2009)  For all the pain it is causing, the sagging economy presents us with the chance to rebuild our economy in a way that prevents similar economic crises in the future. The federal economic stimulus package before Congress offers an opportunity to build a greener and more equitable economy.

Can Obama Help Save New York?  (January 2009)  With New York battered by the recession, several experts offer ideas about what the new administration might do to spur investment here, repair our infrastructure and create good jobs.

Asian Americans: A Growing Force in City Politics  (January 2009)  As John Liu gears up to run for a citywide office, a new group of Asian American politicians look to fill his post and other elected offices around the city.

A Recovery Package From Bloomberg  (January 2009)  

Trumpeting, both literally and metaphorically, New Yorkers' ability to get through tough times, Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed a nine-part "recovery package" during his annual State of the City address Thursday, confirming to many attendees that the 2009 campaign season has started.

Meticulously orchestrated and equipped with its own theme ("New Yorkers. Together."), the mayor's address was accompanied by came with a small marching band brandishing the Brooklyn Dodgers label, a chorus from a Brooklyn elementary school and a documentary short courtesy of Ric Burns, which retold stories of triumph against tragedy in New York City.

The address, which the mayor usually uses to lay out his policy agenda for the coming year, focused primary on getting the city through the current recession, including a j proposal to bring in 400,000 positions. The mayor also focused on quality of life crimes, in an attempt to keep the city from reverting back to the 1970s, when core city services were cut amid an economic downturn.

The Budget Outlook Goes from Bad to Worse  (January 2009)  The city's November budget projections now read like ancient history as the deepening recession has already led to major job losses and plummeting revenues.

Mixing Gas and Water: Drilling in the City's Watershed.  (January 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?

The Democrats Take Albany  (January 2009)  The shifts in the capital should boost city issues, but following the governor's State of the State, many activists wonder whether the new Albany will look a lot like the old.

Stated Meeting: Council Approves Firearm Reporting  (January 2009)  If police officers pull their triggers the City Council will now be put on notice under legislation passed unanimously by the council on Wednesday.

The 2009 Race: How Term Limits Changed the Political Landscape  (January 2009)  The extension of term limits uprooted the 2009 political landscape. Or did it? Many incumbents may now face challengers who hope anger over the extra term will work to their advantage.

A New Name for Our Premier Waterway  (January 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.

Going Beyond the Maximum in a Gun Case  (December 2008)  Gun trafficking in Brooklyn presents a greater danger to the public than the crime would in many other parts of the country -- and so justifies a harsher sentence, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Looking Ahead to the New Year  (December 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?

Top New York Stories of 2008  (December 2008)  In December 2007, Clinton dominated the polls, Spitzer lorded over Albany, and Wall Street traders cashed their bonus checks. What a difference a year makes. We look back at 2008.

A Federal Stimulus for City Parks  (December 2008)  Advocates hope the Obama administration and its stimulus package will put urban parks back on the agenda as it moves to invest in a greener future.

The Council Passes Budget Cuts  (December 2008)  

After six weeks of debate, the City Council approved a 7 percent property tax hike and approximately $500 million in spending cuts on Thursday to address a budget deficit that continues to widen as an economic recession grips the nation.

The property tax hike was approved by a vote of 33 to 18 with critics arguing a tax increase would further fray the empty pockets of New Yorkers.

New Yorkers Rate Their Government   (December 2008)  As the mayor and City Council fight over budget, they might want to turn to a new public survey on what New Yorkers think of how their government spends their money.

Cultural Groups Wonder Just How Bad Things Will Get  (December 2008)  Arts organizations rely on government funds, private contributions, and ticket sales. The current recession threatens all three.

Paying for Transit: Fares or Fees, Tolls or Taxes?  (December 2008)  Three plans offer three very different ways of plugging the MTA's the budget gap. Graham Beck examines the proposals.

From Wall Street to Taxi Stand: The Recession Trickles Down  (December 2008)  

Stated Meeting: Tax Bills on the Floor  (December 2008)  The City Council has its own solution to New York's fiscal crisis: Don't tax New Yorkers. Tax tourists.

Can Private Methods Save Public Housing?  (December 2008)  Can higher rents and a different management approach help New York's housing projects survive? Nicholas Dagen-Bloom looks at the legacy of housing authority chairman Tino Hernandez.

Delivering Better Pay  (December 2008)  Deliverymen careening hurtling through city streets to bring you coconut sticky rice and fried wonton with plum sauce have gone to court to get better pay -- and, so far, they're winning.

The Citizen  (December 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.

Avoiding Charities With Coal-Filled Stockings  (December 2008)  

The Fight Over Broadcasting's 'White Space'  (December 2008)  With the switchover to digital television, a major swath of the television band will become available. Who will get it -- and what could they do with it?

Advancing Rights  (December 2008)  The changes in Albany – and the overall political climate – will dramatically alter the landscape in New York for civil rights issues, including same sex marriage and reproductive rights.

A Changing Climate on Global Warming: What the Election Means  (December 2008)  A recent speech by President-elect Obama heralded a major shift in efforts to combat global warming. Rich Kassel looks at some specifics and what they mean for New York.

Budget Battle: Round 1  (December 2008)  As the economy collapses, the mayor wants to cut spending now and end a tax rebate. City Council has balked, offering a preview of future fiscal fracases.

The Mayor's Budget-Cutting Strategy  (November 2008)  Balancing the city's budget promises to get far more difficult in the next couple of years. As New York's fiscal condition worsens, what approach will the mayor take?

Working for a Greener Harlem  (November 2008)  A Harlem activist group seeks to use the mayor's sustainability plan to improve health and the environment in northern Manhattan

The Public Speaks on Budget Cuts  (November 2008)  

For David De Porte, the Department for the Aging's intergenerational program doesn't just provide him with companionship. It gives him a set of eyes.

De Porte, a blind lifelong resident of the West Village, meets with teenage volunteers who help him shop for groceries, fill out paperwork and check prescriptions at the drug store.

The Senate's Demographic Shift  (November 2008)  If the Democrats can keep their edge in the State Senate in the 2010 elections, they stand to hold their grip on the legislature for years, if not decades, to come.

From the West Side: A 'Roadmap' for City Streets  (November 2008)  A new proposal for the Upper West Side calls for more greenery, bike friendly streets, places to sit and slower traffic. But will residents agree to give up their parking spaces?

Where the Cuts Come From  (November 2008)  

Stated Meeting: Trendy, Endangered Neighborhood Rezoned  (November 2008)  New York City's most "endangered neighborhood" was rezoned by the City Council today in an attempt to stave off gentrification and boost affordable housing.

After the Meltdown: New York's Future  (November 2008)  Things look grim now -- and will probably get worse -- but the city still faces a fairly bright future, if government makes the right decisions.

Queens Development Plans Approved  (November 2008)  After much debate and opposition, the City Council Thursday approved a plan to develop Willets Point, a polluted industrial area of Queens. To win support, the administration agreed to provide more affordable housing on the site and to protections for local businesses.

Choosing Sides in the Fight Over Schools   (November 2008)  Another term for Mayor Bloomberg would let him run city schools for four more years-- if the legislature extends mayoral control. Look for a tough fight with warring statistics, rival reports and lots of spin.

Stimulus Money: The Downturn's Silver Lining?  (November 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 Council's Income  (November 2008)  

The Conflicts at the Conflicts of Interest Board  (November 2008)  As the steward of City Hall integrity, the Conflicts of Interest Board was thrust into the limelight during the term-limits debate. A look at how it balances government ethics and private interests.

The Other Power Shift  (November 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.

Longtime Incumbent Seeks Two More Years  (November 2008)  

Staten Island 61st Assembly District: Titone Tries for a Full Term  (November 2008)  

Staten Island 60th Assembly District: A Swing Seat  (November 2008)  

Bronx/Manhattan 28th Senate District: A Serrano in the Seat  (November 2008)  

Staten Island 24th Senate District: Seeking Re-election in a GOP Stronghold  (November 2008)  

Election Results 2008 - General  (November 2008)  

Term Limits Extension Gets Final Signature   (November 2008)  

Scores of New York City residents filed into the mayor's side of City Hall -- a rare space for such a public spectacle -- for the city's final hearing on term limits Monday morning.

Despite the relentless opposition and at times piercing criticism, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as expected, signed a term limits extension into law just before 2 p.m., effectively allowing dozens of term-limited officials, including himself, to seek another four years in office.

Bronx 84th Assembly District: Arroyo Seeks Another Term  (November 2008)  

Bronx 82nd Assembly District: A Three-peat in the Northeast  (November 2008)  

Staten Island 63rd Assembly District: Running on Four Lines  (November 2008)  

Staten Island 62nd Assembly District: Going for a Full Term on the South Shore  (November 2008)  

Bronx 32nd Senate District: Running from Both Sides of the Fence  (November 2008)  

Bronx/Manhattan 31st Senate District: Surviving in a Different District  (November 2008)  

Bronx/Manhattan 31st Senate District: Surviving in a Different District  (November 2008)  

Queens 30th Assembly District: Running from a Flower Shop  (November 2008)  

Queens 28th Assembly District: A Republican Tries Again  (November 2008)  

Queens 26th Assembly District: A Low-Budget Race in Bayside  (November 2008)  

Queens 23rd Assembly District: Running Against Albany  (November 2008)  

Queens 12th Senate District: 25 Years in Albany  (November 2008)  

It's the Economy  (November 2008)  The plummeting economy hits New York's immigrant communities. Also, the lost campaign issue, wages for deliverymen -- and more from the foreign language press.

Immigrants Confront the Recession  (November 2008)  Workers in service industries and construction stand to face tough times as the economy spirals down.

Brooklyn/Staten Island 24th Senate: Red Borough, Blue District  (November 2008)  

Bronx 81st Assembly District: A Challenger Hangs On  (November 2008)  

Bronx 80th Assembly District: Rivera Faces Two Opponents  (November 2008)  

Bronx Assembly District 78: Rivera's Easier Contest  (November 2008)  

A Third Round in Highbridge  (November 2008)  

A 22-Year-Old Seeks to Topple a Veteran  (November 2008)  

Kavanagh Seeks to End the Turnover  (November 2008)  

GOP Hits Snags in the Silk Stocking District  (November 2008)  

Party Leader Runs Again  (November 2008)  

Jeffries Seeks a Second Term  (November 2008)  

Former Councilmember Seeks to Remain in Assembly  (November 2008)  

A Familiar Contest in Bushwick  (November 2008)  

Challenging the Party Chief  (November 2008)  

Schools, Environment Issues in Brownstone District  (November 2008)  

A Three-Way Race in Sunset Park  (November 2008)  

Party Activist Looks for Upset  (November 2008)  

Businesswoman Challenges Incumbent  (November 2008)  

More than $1 Million for an Easy Race  (November 2008)  

Veteran Challenges Former Teacher  (November 2008)  

Challenger's Campaign Fades  (November 2008)  

A Property Tax for Parks?  (October 2008)  The existence of a good park can enhance the value of property in adjacent areas. Now some advocates want to use part of that extra money to fund park programs.

First Amendment Rights and the Classroom  (October 2008)  Can New York City teachers wear their McCain or Obama buttons in the classroom? The judge's ruling was the latest in a string of decisions involving political speech in schools.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter  (October 2008)  The presidential candidates will not be the only ones on the Nov. 4 ballot. Our guide zeros in on State Senate and Assembly races and other vital election information.

Brooklyn State Assembly District 46: Former Staffer Challenges an Incumbent  (October 2008)  Brooklyn State Assembly District 46

Bronx Assembly District 76: A Frequent Candidate Tries Again  (October 2008)  Bronx Assembly District 76

Manhattan Assembly District 68: Powell Faces Two Challengers  (October 2008)  Manhattan Assembly District 68

Manhattan Assembly District 67: A Former Nadler Aide vs. a Former Nadler Opponent  (October 2008)  Manhattan Assembly District 67

Manhattan Assembly District 65: New Incumbent Seeks a Full Term  (October 2008)  Manhattan Assembly District 65

Manhattan Assembly District 44: Longtime Incumbent Faces a Party Activist  (October 2008)  Manhattan Assembly District 44

Brooklyn Assembly District 43: Trying for a Full Term in Crown Heights  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Assembly District 43

Brooklyn Assembly District 41: Going for Three Decades in Office  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Assembly District 41

Brooklyn Senate District 17: A Second Round in Northern Brooklyn  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Senate District 17

Bronx Senate District 36: Rematch in the Bronx  (October 2008)  Bronx Senate District 36

Bronx Senate District 34: Klein Goes for Three  (October 2008)  Bronx Senate District 34

Bronx Senate District 33: Espada's New Clout  (October 2008)  Bronx Senate District 33

Manhattan Senate District 32: Duane Faces Little Known Challenger  (October 2008)  Manhattan Senate District 32

Brooklyn Senate District 27: Brighton Beach's $1.8 Million Man  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Senate District 27

Manhattan Senate District 25: A Republican Tries to Beat the Odds  (October 2008)  Manhattan Senate District 25

Brooklyn Senate District 20: Adams Seeks Re-election  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Senate District 20

Brooklyn Senate District 19: Sampson Seeks Another Term  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Senate District 19

Brooklyn Senate District 18: Looking for a Landslide?  (October 2008)  Brooklyn Senate District 18

Queens Senate District 11: A GOP Incumbent Seeks to Turn Back a Democratic Tide  (October 2008)  Queens Senate District 11

And the Winner Is ...   (October 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.

A Shift in Albany Could Avert Higher Rents  (October 2008)  With fewer and fewer rent regulated apartments in the city, this year's state election could stop the erosion of rent stabilization in New York City?

City Council Approves Term Limits Extension  (October 2008)  In its most divisive vote in recent memory, the City Council approved an extension of term limits clearing the way for nearly two thirds of its members, several borough presidents, the comptroller, public advocate and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to run for a third term.

Thursday afternoon’s vote reverses two referenda approved in the 1990s and drastically changes the circumstances for next year's city elections.

A President's New York Prosecutors  (October 2008)  A new administration in Washington could mean new top federal prosecutors in New York City.

Candidates Offer Different Plans to Cool Climate Change  (October 2008)  The economy and national security have drowned out much discussion of climate change in the campaign, but the candidates have staked out positions on climate change that are worth noting.

The Candidates' Prescriptions  (October 2008)  With most Americans worried about health insurance, McCain and Obama suggest very different cures. What would the plans mean for New Yorkers?

Amid Economic Turmoil, the Candidates Talk Taxes  (October 2008)  As the city tries to grapple with the effects of the economic turmoil, the presidential candidates and local officials debate who to tax and how to spend.

Educating Children with Special Needs  (October 2008)  

What The Candidates Can't Do  (October 2008)  2008 Essay Contest Finalist

Beyond the Rhetoric of Change  (October 2008)  2008 Essay Contest Finalist

Sad Times Call for a Bit of Optimism  (October 2008)  2008 Essay Contest Finalist

The Fading of the American Dream  (October 2008)  2008 Essay Contest Finalist

The McCain-Obama Mismatch on Urban Policy  (October 2008)  Barack Obama has an urban policy that extends beyond cities to entire metropolitan regions, while his opponent, John McCain, has largely ignored the issue.

For Council, Another Term Holds Risks and Rewards  (October 2008)  Would voting to extend term limits enhance City Council's power -- or reinforce its image as a band of marionettes?

Small Town Values in a Big City Election  (October 2008)  McCain and Obama debated three times without ever discussing cities. Why do national politicians seem to think we all live in small towns? And for those of us who don't, a look at where the candidates stand on urban issues.

Term Limits as a Voting Right Issue  (October 2008)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg's effort to ignore the results of two referenda on term limits and run again raises a number of civil rights issues, but advocacy groups remain divided on the controversy.

A City's New Poverty Guidelines  (October 2008)  The administration has a new way of calculating who is poor in New York. What effect will that have on the millions of New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet?

Tackling Campaign Finance Reform  (October 2008)  It's an election year -- and in New York State, candidates have a virtual license to raise as much as they can any way they can. Is there a better way?

Brooklyn's Retail Boom  (October 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.

Stated Meeting: Waterfronts and East Harlem  (October 2008)  All of the city's attention may be turned to term limits, but at its stated meeting on Tuesday -- in addition to introducing legislation that would extend the limit from two to three terms -- City Council unanimously approved a bill to develop a master plan for the city's waterfronts.

Federal Transportation Spending: Pork or Priority?  (October 2008)  In the first of our series on key urban issues in this year's election campaign, Graham T. Beck looks at what an Obama or a McCain administration might do to fix the nation's ailing highways and over-crowded buses and trains.

Comparing Proposals on Term Limits  (October 2008)  

Economic Fallout  (October 2008)  

Make That Three: Bloomberg's Reelection Bid  (October 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?

Poll: Should Bloomberg Seek a Third Term?  (October 2008)  

Looking at the Record: Taxes and Homelessness  (September 2008)  Three recent reports examine key tax issues and the city's record on homelessness and provide one way to measure the Bloomberg administration's performance.

Stated Meeting: Tax Breaks for Industry  (September 2008)  Looking to save millions –albeit years from now – the City Council approved legislation on Wednesday that revises the city’s industrial and commercial development incentive program to further limit what type of projects can receive a tax break.

A New Push to Let Non-Citizens Vote  (September 2008)  Advocates have revived their efforts to let legal residents of the city who are not yet citizens vote in municipal elections.

Preparing for the Great New York Earthquake  (September 2008)  Many New Yorkers see an earthquake here as about as likely as a UFO invasion. But scientists say we may not be as safe as we thought.

The Citizen  (September 2008)  Will immigrant voters make a difference this year? What issues concern them? "The Citizen" looks at Campaign 2008.

Also: Voting without Citizenship

Rights and Recognition for Same-Sex Marriage  (September 2008)  New York's courts and governors have said, if you're married in another state you're married here, whatever your sex and that of your spouse.

The Fight for New York Televisions  (September 2008)  As Verizon moves in to the New York cable television market, Time Warner and Cablevision battle to preserve their turf. What does it mean for customers?

From Parking Space to People Place  (September 2008)  In the year since the first National Park(ing) Day, New York City has stepped up efforts to transform roadways and parking spaces into plazas and parks.

Disclosure Bill's Uncertain Future  (September 2008)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg's disclosure bill went pretty much unnoticed when it was introduced in June.

The Long Fight to End Homelessness  (September 2008)  With a year to go, Mayor Bloomberg has not met his ambitious goals for reducing homelessness. Several experts weigh in what's gone right, what's gone wrong and what needs to happen.

Getting Families Out of Shelters and Into Homes  (September 2008)  While this week's legal settlement was historic in that he enshrined the right to shelter for city families, New York must do far more to lower the homeless population, say the executive director and senior policy analyst at the Coalition for the Homeless.

Fighting Homelessness in Miami  (September 2008)  In the early 1990s, Miami was overrun with homelessness. Now, thanks to a one-cent tax on certain restaurant meals, the area has become a national model getting people off the streets and into housing and other programs.

Handing Out to the Homeless   (September 2008)  Gotham Gazette rides with a group of volunteers distributing meals to Lower Manhattan's homeless.

On Track to Ending Homelessness   (September 2008)  The president and founder of the Doe Fund writes that no administration has been more innovative, forward-thinking and successful than Mayor Michael Bloomberg's at tackling the challenges of homelessness.

For Homelessness, Prevention is the Best Medicine  (September 2008)  The chair of the City Council's General Welfare Committee suggests several ways to better combat homelessness, such as investing more funding in prevention.

The End of Wall Street as We Know It   (September 2008)  The recent turmoil means the end of Wall Street as we know it. Now what? James Parrott offers a program for change.

The Downside of Low-Cost Buses  (September 2008)  The intercity buses save New Yorkers energy and money. But the boom in bus travel also clogs streets, jam already crowded sidewalks and pollute the air.

Cutting the High Cost of Housing  (September 2008)  Housing is so expensive in New York partly because it costs so much to build here. Rosemary Scanlon and Hope Cohen suggest what state and local government can do about it.

Third Term's The Charm   (September 2008)  

term limits illustration
Once again, city officials are flirting with the idea of extending term limits from two to three terms. How could they go about changing the law, and what might be the consequences?

A Vanishing Culture?  (September 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 2008)  

The Question Mark Over Fiterman Hall  (September 2008)  

2008 Primary Results  (September 2008)  

Rebuilding Ground Zero: Long-term Costs of Short-term Planning  (September 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.

Seven Years Later  (September 2008)  What has happened to the rebuilding effort since the 9/11 attacks? Our timeline tallies what has and has not been done. Also the planning process, health effects -- and what about the arts?

Meeting the Gray Wave  (September 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.

Stated Meeting: Crane Safety Beefed Up  (September 2008)  After a fatal accident the same day, the City Council passed several bills to increase safety at construction sites that operate cranes.

The Three C's: Condos, Classrooms and Crowding  (September 2008)  Young affluent families are moving to the city and putting their kids in public schools. It may be too much of a good thing.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter: The 2008 Primary  (September 2008)  

A Feud in Flushing  (September 2008)  

A Long-time Incumbent in a Changing District  (September 2008)  

A Battle for the Ballot in Flushing  (September 2008)  

The Return of Allan Jennings  (September 2008)  

Filling a Last-Minute Vacancy  (September 2008)  

A Factional Split in the Southeast Bronx  (September 2008)  

Going Head to Head in Morrisania  (September 2008)  

The Organization Chases a Rainbow  (September 2008)  

A Second Chance in Canarsie  (September 2008)  

Taking on the Brownsville Dynasty  (September 2008)  

Running Under Indictment in the West Bronx  (September 2008)  

A Longtime Incumbent Faces Another Challenger  (September 2008)  

The Citizen  (August 2008)  

Harlem's Shifting Population  (August 2008)  Townhouses in Harlem sell for millions of dollars and Columbia University continues to expand there, as the city foresees even greater changes again. Andrew Beveridge examines what it could mean for the future of America's most famous black community.

An Affluent, White Harlem?  (August 2008)  Townhouses in Harlem sell for millions of dollars and Columbia University continues to expand there, as the city foresees even greater changes again. Andrew Beveridge examines what it could mean for the future of America's most famous black community.

Reshaping the City: Who's Being Heard -- and Why?  (August 2008)  To meet the post-industrial age, the Bloomberg administration has rezoned one sixth of New York's land. The changes lead to more housing -- but do they ignore the people who already live here?

GOP Divisions Could Make Staten Island Blue  (August 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.

Encouraging New Yorkers to Park -- and Drive  (August 2008)  New York City zoning rules that require developers to create parking places could negate much of the good work the Bloomberg administration is doing to fight traffic congestion, a new report concludes.

Bringing 'Green Collar' Jobs to the South Bronx  (August 2008)  Residents of one of New York's poorest areas would like to see the city work with local groups to promote sustainable neighborhoods, a cleaner environment and "green collar" jobs.

Finding Your Way Around New York's News  (August 2008)  You managed the subway system, it's time to take on the media.

English Learners Left Behind  (August 2008)  

Stated Meeting: Cooling City Streets  (August 2008)  The burst of cool air aimed at luring impulse buyers off of city streets will now come with a cost.

A New New Yorker's Reference Guide   (August 2008)  School is back in session and demographers say urban flight is reversing. In anticipation of New York City's fall migration, Gotham Gazette has assembled a comprehensive guide to the Big Apple's policies and politics.

Climate Change Could Threaten a Green Willets Point  (August 2008)  Over the objections of many in the community, the Bloomberg administration plans to build the city's first green neighborhood at Willets Points. But climate change could wash it all away.

At Law School, Middle School Students Get on the Case  (August 2008)  Working with the St. John's University law school, middle school students in Queens are researching an important but forgotten school desegregation case.

In East New York, Corruption Creates an Open Seat  (August 2008)  

In Queens, a Race to Control the Senate  (August 2008)  

Invasion of New York  (August 2008)  Arriving in airports and the hulls of ships, alien plants and animals come to our city and stay, sometimes decimating local wildlife. Can they be stopped?

Know Your Invasive Critters  (August 2008)  

Prayer or Violation? The City Council's Invocation  (August 2008)  

Fighting the Asian Long-Horned Beetle  (August 2008)  The Asian long-horned beetle represents a major threat to Mayor Bloomberg's goal of creating a greener, leafier city.

In the Face of Fiscal Uncertainty, the City Stays Calm  (August 2008)  The federal and state government face huge fiscal problems, according to press accounts and expert opinions. But no one seems nearly as concerned about the state of the city economy. Glenn Pasanen examines why.

When Foster Children Become Pregnant  (August 2008)  What happens when children in care have children of their own?

Lost in the PDFs: Getting City Data  (August 2008)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said government data should be available with a few clicks of the mouse. But a review of agencies indicates the city's information sharing could be due for an upgrade.

Those Restaurant Calorie Counts: Too Good to Be True?  (August 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.

Giving Foster Teens a Place to Call Home  (August 2008)  Teens present particular challenges for foster parents. What are city agencies and private organizations to help old youngsters in the foster care system stay with families and out of institutions?

New Bills: From Saving Energy to Preventing Choking   (August 2008)  

In New York, Those in Power, Stay in Power  (August 2008)  With New York's primary less than six weeks away, few incumbent legislators face anything resembling a credible challenge.

The State of Civil Liberties  (July 2008)  As New Yorkers enjoy their freedoms, many see a need for vigilance so we can protect the liberties we have and expand civil liberties in our city and our nation.

Guns, the Supreme Court and New York  (July 2008)  The Supreme Court struck down Washington, D.C.'s tight gun law. Will New York's be next? Emily Goodman examines what the Supreme Court did -- and did not -- say.

Coney Island's Latest Roller Coaster Ride  (July 2008)  

Stated Meeting: Construction Legislation Moves Forward  (July 2008)  The City Council approved three additional construction safety items last week in an effort to improve conditions at works sites across the city.

From Yesterday's Supper to Tomorrow's 'Black Gold'  (July 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.

Whistle While You Work  (July 2008)  

The Bronx's Secret Shore  (July 2008)  

On the Beaches  (July 2008)  What are city beaches really like? Our audio slide show tours the shore from the Bronx to the Rockaways, as beach-goers weigh in on cleanliness, accessibility -- and jellyfish.

Language Barrier Begins to Fall at City Hospitals  (July 2008)  New regulations require hospitals to provide translations and other language services to their patients who do not speak English. The rules appear to be working -- at least for Spanish speakers.

Keeping City Beaches Safe and Clean  (July 2008)  

Where the City Can Find $200 Million  (July 2008)  

New York's Best and Worst Beaches   (July 2008)  

The City Economy: Facing the Nation's Woes  (July 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.

The Future of Ridgewood Reservoir: Birds or Baseball?  (July 2008)  A former Queens reservoir, reclaimed by woods and wetlands, birds and dragonflies, lies at the center of a debate over parks planning in New York City.

Making Way for New York's Scooter Surge  (July 2008)  With gas prices rising, more New Yorkers are riding nimble, energy efficient scooters. Should the city encourage their use?

Let the Challenges Begin  (July 2008)  

A Battle Over Reform in Manhattan and Brooklyn  (July 2008)  

On to the Primary  (July 2008)  Candidates for state legislature and Congress have now filed petitions to get on the ballot. For the latest on the match-ups, see our expanded "Who's Running for What," plus stories on key contests.

Measuring Constituent Complaints: Round One  (July 2008)  

In Flatbush, Running with Baggage  (July 2008)  

Mayor Bests the Council in Latest Budget Battles  (July 2008)  In the negotiations over the recently passed 2009 budget, property owners and the mayor won, while City Council and social programs lost out.

Discretionary Spending: FY09  (July 2008)  

The Perks of Leadership: Who Got What in 2009  (July 2008)  Dominic Recchia sponsored more funding for capital projects than any other council member. For the first time, the council disclosed which members backed what projects -- and we tally the results.

Saving Energy, Affordable Housing -- and the Planet  (July 2008)  Property owners have little incentive to retrofit aging buildings to save energy. Why trade in your SUV if someone else fills the tank?

How the City Has Reduced Soot   (July 2008)  A series of measures have reduced soot in the city, so much so that the metropolitan area may soon meet federal standards for this type of air pollution for the first time ever. Rich Kassel reports on what's happened -- and what still needs to be done.

Facing Evictions -- Without the Right to Counsel  (June 2008)  Poor people involved in civil cases have no right to counsel -- even if they faces eviction or loss of their home.

Forgotten Handshakes: The '09 Budget  (June 2008)  This year's budget may have kept cuts out of classrooms, but other social service programs did not fare as well.

Running Against Albany on Manhattan's Lower East Side  (June 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.

Voter Identification Laws: Safeguard or Barrier?  (June 2008)  The State Senate recently passed a bill requiring all people to show proof of citizenship when they register to vote. The move represents a growing trend toward stricter laws on voter identification.

The School Divide Starts at Kindergarten  (June 2008)  Students who attend private elementary schools or the public and gifted talented programs are far more likely to be affluent, white and living in Manhattan than most city school kids.

Preserving Public Housing that Works  (June 2008)  Public housing in the New York, home to over 400,000 people, faces rising costs and federal cutbacks. The author of a new book on public housing examines why the city government should step in -- and what it should do.

New Bills: Street Vending to School Parking   (June 2008)  

In the Heights: Vitality and Diversity at Manhattan's Tip  (June 2008)  The musical has focused attention on one of the city's most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods.

A House Divided in Washington Heights  (June 2008)  

A Tougher Year for Incumbents  (June 2008)  

Albany Puts the Brakes on Faster Buses  (June 2008)  In the wake of effectively dooming congestion pricing, at least for now, the State Legislature looked at another measure to ease traffic on city streets. As Graham Beck reports, the mayor and transportation advocates did not fare any better this time around.

The Quest for Childcare: Few Spaces, Little Information  (June 2008)  Most parents struggle to find safe, reliable daycare for their young children. For immigrants, many of whom have low incomes and cannot speak English, the search is even harder.

Keeping Former Prisoners Out of Prison  (June 2008)  As many as 40 percent of former prisoners go back behind bars within three years. A range of new programs seeks to keep them out of jail for good.

Juggling the Budget Surplus  (June 2008)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg has used budget surpluses to increase his power over city spending. Glenn Pasanen looks at what he has done and what the effects -- good and bad -- have been.

Stated Meeting: First Steps for Building Revisions  (June 2008)  Moving on the first pieces of legislation since a package of proposals was introduced last week, the City Council unanimously approved a bill requiring the city publish construction fatalities on its web site and notify the state of disciplinary action against industry professionals.

Public Money, Private Property: The Council's Capital Budget  (June 2008)  The City Council gives millions of dollars to non-profit groups to construct and renovate offices and other facilities -- on private property. Until now, the process has been virtually secret.

Can Planners Help New Yorkers Eat Better?  (June 2008)  As supermarkets shut down, millions of New Yorkers no longer have ready access to affordable, healthy food. Tom Angotti looks at tools for bringing good food to all neighborhoods.

The Autism Gap   (June 2008)  As the number of children diagnosed with the disorder increases, parents scramble to find services, raising issues involving education, equity -- and economics.

The Past and Future of Sustainability  (June 2008)  Will be mayor's long-term plan for a greener city survive and help create a sustainable city? Hunter College professor Tom Angotti discusses how the mayor can improve the odds.

Safety on Site -- or In Sight?  (June 2008)  

Puffing Up Marijuana Charges  (June 2008)  Marijuana arrests in New York have gone up sharply in the past decade -- landing tens of thousands of young back and Latino men in jail for the night and with arrest records for life.

Protecting Incarcerated Gay and Lesbian Youth  (June 2008)  Young people with different gender identities have a tough time everywhere, but particularly in corrections facilities. A new policy aims to address that. Also New York makes crime pay -- for the state.

Can New York Break Its Incarceration Habit?  (June 2008)  Crime is down and so is the number of prisoners. Despite that, New York keeps its prisons open and spending money that could go to improve other parts of the crimnal justice system, such as parole.

Rating Health Care Behind Bars  (June 2008)  The city recently renewed its contract with the company that provides health care on Riker's Island -- even though the provider has repeatedly failed to meet the city's own standards.

For Juveniles, Alternatives to Incarceration  (June 2008)  In six years, New York City has greatly reduced the number of young offenders held in detention. The city's director of juvenile justice describes what's been done and what the administration plans to do next.

Stated Meeting: A New Fire Code and Surplus  (June 2008)  After a three-year review, the City Council unanimously approved a revised fire code on Wednesday. The code was last revised in 1913. In response to changing times, the update requires more informative evacuation plans and includes construction sites into fire safety management.

Looking at Incarceration  (June 2008)  Despite falling crime rates, tens of thousands of New Yorkers -- adults and juveniles-- remain incarcerated in New York. Articles this week look at reform efforts, health care and protections for a particularly vulnerable group of offenders.

Another Special Election  (June 2008)  

Taking the Next Steps in Juvenile Justice  (June 2008)  While applauding steps the city has made to improve its ways of dealing with young offenders, much remains to be done, an advocate writes. Now, she argues, the city must close detention facilities and reduce the glaring racial disparities in the system.

What the Verizon Deal Does -- and Doesn't -- Do  (May 2008)  The city is rushing to approve a deal with Verizon that will give the giant company access to the largest cable market in the country and determine how New Yorkers watch TV, make phone calls and use the Internet for the next 20 years

Reinforcing Voting's Front Line  (May 2008)  With new voting technology on the way, the Board of Elections is seeking to add poll workers and ensure that they are more competent and better trained<

A Community Plan for the 'Highway to Nowhere'  (May 2008)  

Anger and Accusations Greet Budget Cuts  (May 2008)  

A Better Budget Outlook… To Some  (May 2008)  

A Smoother Ride for Cycling in the City  (May 2008)  To mark spring and National Bike Month, Rich Kassel celebrates what the city is doing to promote cycling and looks at what else it could do.

The View from Fit City 3  (May 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.

Without Major Action, Housing Crunch Will Only Get Worse  (May 2008)  After five years of writing our Housing column, Joe Lamport leaves for Ghana and reflects on the worsening housing picture here. We thank him for his fine contributions and wish him luck.

Can Co-ops Help Close the 'Grocery Gap'?  (May 2008)  With fresh, healthy food hard to come by in many city neighborhoods, many residents view an old idea-- food co-cops -- as a way to bridge the "grocery gap."

Stated Meeting: The Next Round on E-Waste  (May 2008)  With the City Council in the thick of budget hearings, there were not many bills to vote on at the May 15 stated meeting. The measures the council did pass, though, dealt with three persistent city problems: solid waste, traffic and construction safety.

The Blending of Church and Real Estate  (May 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.

The Budget Maze  (May 2008)  As politicians debate city spending for 2009, what can advocates do to fight school cuts or fund a neighborhood sports program? Our new game takes through to the budget labyrinth.

Going Online, Digital and Interactive at the Library  (May 2008)  The New York Public Library has ambitious plans to remain relevant and engaging in an era when many see traditional books and paper as almost obsolete.

Housing Squeeze Shows No Sign of Easing  (May 2008)  As housing cost rise, rent consumes a growing percentage of the income of less affluent New Yorkers.

Checking on How Government Spends Your Money  (May 2008)  The ongoing furor over the City Council's allocation of its discretionary funds is not simply embarrassing for the council, but raises fundamental questions about the effectiveness of fiscal oversight in this city.

Promoting Transparency, Protecting Non-Profits  (May 2008)  

Once Again, Quinn Tries to End the Funding Furor  (May 2008)  Faced with rebellious members and continuing reports about alleged abuses in the way City Council uses its discretionary funds, the speaker last week came up with a new plan. Will it end the furor?

With Rallies and Protests, Many Overseas Chinese Back the Olympics  (May 2008)  As protesters calls for boycotts of the Beijing Olympics, many Chinese in New York have become increasingly outspoken in support of the Chinese government and its Olympic Games.

Can New York Avoid a Foreclosure Crisis?  (May 2008)  More than 3 percent of all New Yorkers could face foreclosure on their homes over the next few years according to one study. If the figures hold, it could spell disaster not only for the homeowners but for their neighbors, for government and for lenders. What can the city and state do to avoid the crisis?

Bridging Mass Transit's Budget Gap  (May 2008)  The transit system faces a struggle to meet operating expenses and a $17.5 billion deficit in its five-year capital program.

The 2009 Budget: Drawing the Battle Lines   (May 2008)  The mayor told New Yorkers to pray for Wall Street as he presented his 2009 spending plan. An examination of the winners, losers and controversies.

Stated Meeting: Harlem Rezoning Approved   (May 2008)  Harlem's low-story buildings and epic institutions will now get a so-called facelift -- at least in the view of city officials and some developers -- as the City Council approved a rezoning plan for the neighborhood's busiest boulevard last week.

Grading New York's Public Schools  (May 2008)  

Batterers, Their Victims and the Right to Confront Witnesses  (April 2008)  Battered women often refuse to testify against their abusers. A recent court decision allows some of them to be convicted anyway.

Making Black Cars Green  (April 2008)  Though the city's new gas mileage standards for its black car fleet is admirable, one advocate argues their entire carbon footprint should be regulated.

New Bills: Allergens to Parade Rules   (April 2008)  

An Unknown Urban Forest   (April 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 2008)  How can the city clean up its brownfields when Albany has all of the authority? Two advocates discuss the options.

Real Estate Slump Hits New York  (April 2008)  

Blocking the Sun: Solar in the City  (April 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 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 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.

Putting Public Money into Politics  (April 2008)  

As the Economy Worsens: Helping People Find Jobs  (April 2008)  The city's workforce development system has helped meet business' needs and placed thousands of workers in jobs. But it sill does not address the needs of many struggling New Yorkers.

Meeting Amid Scandal  (April 2008)  

The Need for a Parks Plan  (April 2008)  PlanNYC was full of good news for New York's parks but the city still sorely needs a comprehensive plan for its green spaces.

As City Grows, Affordable Housing Shrinks  (April 2008)  A city cannot be truly sustainable if people do not have safe, healthy and affordable places to live, but New York City has seen a rapid erosion in the supply of housing for low-income households.

Making Zero Waste Part of the Plan  (April 2008)  Amid the pages of proposals in PlaNYC, there is barely a mention of solid waste. But various ideas for preventing waste would address an array of important environmental concerns.

Jumpstarting the Greenways System  (April 2008)  Despite the benefits of walking and cycling, the city's effort to create a 350-mile system of bicycles and pedestrian walkways, separated from roads, has been advancing very slowly. Will the new transportation commissioner be able to change that?

Bridging New York's Transit Gap  (April 2008)  By making use of the infrastructure we already have -- our streets -- bus rapid transit can bridge the yawning gap between New York City transit's haves and have nots.

Why a Bioheat Mandate?  (April 2008)  Why a Bioheat Mandate?

The Dirty Side of Biodiesel  (April 2008)  

Is the Long-term Sustainability Plan Sustainable?  (April 2008)  The problems Mayor Michael Bloomberg has encountered in enacting parts of his PlanNYC may have as much, if not more, to do with the way the plan was devised than the specifics of his proposals.

Reversing the Tide Against Protest  (April 2008)  In the past few years, the city government has made it harder to take to the street -- or the parks -- and protest. Now, some City Council members hope to change that.

Fiber Optics: Bringing the Next Big Thing to New York  (April 2008)  Verizon announced yesterday it would apply to the city to offer video service in New York. If it gets approval, the communications giant probably will begin installing a fiber optic network throughout the city that could transform the way we use the Internet.

Unanswered Questions: City Council's Phantom Funds  (April 2008)  Speaker Christine Quinn moved Friday to reform the way City Council distributes its "discretionary funds." But questions remain about how millions of those dollars were budgeted for phony organizations and who did it.

Clearing New York City Streets  (April 2008)  

A Serious Solution for a Serious Problem  (April 2008)  

How to Fix Our Transportation Woes -- Without the Fee  (April 2008)  

Bringing Customer Choice to Food Pantries  (April 2008)  As demand on city food pantries rises, a handful are givig clients more choice about the foods they take home.

Document Jam Could Keep Immigrants from Voting  (April 2008)  Massive delays in processing citizenship applications could keep thousands of legal immigrants from voting in November's presidential election.

On the City Budget, Agreeing Not to Disagree  (April 2008)  Despite the worsening economic situation, the city seems headed for a relatively controversy-free budget season.

Bogus Groups in the City Budget  (April 2008)  

Reclaiming New York's Blighted Waters  (April 2008)  Arthur Kill, the country's busiest industrial waterway, now offers a home to herons, egrets and turtles. What does this mean for New York's other rivers, creeks and canals?

Street Closures and the Battle of Prince Street  (April 2008)  Closing streets to cars can make an area more inviting and pleasant for people -- but residents of SoHo worry it could turn their already crowded neighborhood into a street fair for tourists.

Tracking Crime in the Parks  (April 2008)  New York City parks today have far less crime than they once did, but police have not complied with a requirement that would tell all New Yorkers just how safe -- or dangerous -- their parks are.

Stated Meeting: An End to E-Waste  (March 2008)  In a rare sign of confrontation with the Bloomberg administration, the City Council at its Stated Meeting Wednesday overrode a mayoral veto prohibiting income discrimination in housing and approved electronic waste legislation the mayor is known to oppose.

The High Price of Counterfeit Goods  (March 2008)  While the police have cracked down on counterfeit goods in New York, law enforcement officials and manufacturers must win the hearts and minds of New York's bargain hunting consumers if they hope to stymie this multi-billion dollar industry.

Musical Chairs: Shuffling Seats in City Government  (March 2008)  

Taking a New Look at Discrimination in New York  (March 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.

Advocates Find Hope in Albany, Fear in D.C.  (March 2008)  Many housing advocates see David Paterson as an ally who may help them advance their agenda. Whatever happens in Albany, though, the outlook for affordable housing remains grim in Washington, where the federal government has cut billions from a rent subsidy program.

Ending Another Form of Discrimination  (March 2008)  Today, the City Council is expected to override the mayor's veto and make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to a people simply because they receive federal housing assistance.

One Person's Vandalism Is Another One's Art  (March 2008)  Officials see street art and graffiti as a blight on New York's cityscape landscape. But while the City Council and police continue to wage war on street art, the works themselves have gained increased acceptance.

Breaking the Gridlock on Congestion Pricing  (March 2008)  Now that the governor has come out for charging people to drive in Manhattan, the time has come for City Council and the legislature to approve or reject the plan. A look at the issues and the politics.

Cleaning Up an Agency and an Accident  (March 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.

The Council and Congestion Pricing: Part II  (March 2008)  

Follow the Count, Super Tuesday Votes Revisited  (March 2008)  When primary election night results found Illinois Sen. Barack Obama without a single vote in some of the city's African-American neighborhoods, reporters, the public and some politicians got suspicious. Andrea Senteno looks at what happened and how those "unofficial results" are tallied.

New Rules Clean Up Dirty Ships  (March 2008)  The cargo ships and ferries we all need still run on dirty diesel engines. But new rules from the federal and city governments are about to change that.

Ten Reasons We Don't Have the Economy We Thought We Had  (March 2008)  As we "wake up to the recession," James Parrot finds some things we thought were true about the economy have turned out not to be. For example: Huge Wall Street bonuses are good for New York City

Stated Meeting: Budget Cuts and E-Waste  (March 2008)  Following the Bloomberg administration's lead, the City Council approved a 4.3 percent cut in its operating budget for fiscal year 2009 in response to a looming budget deficit and trying fiscal times.

Aging in a New Era   (March 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.

And Now: The Paterson Administration  (March 2008)  From the budget to cleaning up Albany, the new governor faces some daunting challenges. What can New Yorkers expect him to do?

Same-Sex Marriages, Death and Taxes  (March 2008)  If same-sex couple wants to marry in New York, they should visit Canada first and their tax accountant soon after.

The Tough Budget Choices Ahead  (March 2008)  Tough fiscal times lie ahead- not today, not tomorrow but soon. Glenn Pasanen reviews some of the options - and the tough political choices - the administration has to keep the city on a sound fiscal footing.

A City by the Sea -- or Under It?  (March 2008)  Increased flooding, brought by climate change, could threaten some of New York's biggest development projects. What is being done so all the new construction can survive the warmer, wetter future?

New Bills: Bed Bugs to Base Jumping  (March 2008)  

New Year's Show Sparks Controversy  (March 2008)  A Chinese New Year's show at Radio City Music Hall has sparked controversy for its ties to the Falun Gong spiritual movement.

The City Responds to the Foreclosure Crisis  (March 2008)  With the number of housing foreclosures in the country having hit an all-time high, a new center here hopes to keep New Yorkers in their homes and change the system that created the current crisis.

Time Out for Phys Ed  (March 2008)  The Department of Education has implemented a FitnessGRAM so parents can help their kids shape up. But in an era when standardized tests influence so much of the school day, traditional phys ed classes often fall victim to a lack of time and space.

Stated Meeting: Green Carts Come to Town  (March 2008)  Though it scaled back a bill to create green carts, the City Council approved legislation Wednesday creating this new class of street vendor.

Fighting the Obesity Epidemic  (March 2008)  As obesity and diabetes rates soar, how is the Bloomberg administration faring in its drive to have us slim down and shape up?

Fresh Food and Fresh Ideas  (March 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

Opening the City's Greenmarkets  (March 2008)  City and state efforts seek to make the bounty of city farmers markets available to low-income New Yorkers.

Creating Healthy Bodegas  (March 2008)  The city would like small grocery stores to stock apples and lettuce, along with beer and chips. While everyone agrees on it's good to eat fresh produce, not everyone has embraced the health department's efforts.

Making Fast Food A Little Healthier  (March 2008)  Calories mount up quickly at fast food restaurants, and the Bloomberg administration hopes people will scale back--once they know just how fattening their favorites burgers are. But restaurant owners are fighting back.

Concerns Grow but the Grass Doesn't  (February 2008)  A growing number of critics question whether the city's move to replace grass with artificial turf could create health and environmental problems and make the warming city even hotter.

Court Rules Tenants Can't Waive Their Protections   (February 2008)  When a landlord and a tenant enter an agreement that works for both sides, but happens to be illegal, litigation is sure to follow. Find out who won in this case involving a Riverside Drive apartment.

Housing Market Faces Anxiety from Many Sources  (February 2008)  The increase in foreclosures, rising construction costs and a continuing erosion in the supply of affordable homes are creating anxiety in people involved in housing in the city, from renters to developers.

Counting Down to the Great Television Turnover  (February 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.

A Permanent Address: Regulating Residency Requirements at the City Council  (February 2008)  

Changing the Way the City Does Business  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

How to Deal with Declining Revenues  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

Three Steps to Keep the City's Economy Moving  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

Preparing for the End of the Boom  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

Preventing Cuts in Education  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

After the Boom: Looking Ahead to Tougher Times  (February 2008)  As the U.S. economy slows down, city comptroller candidates offer plans to help New York City weather the downturn. Commentaries by Jim Brennan, Adolfo Carrión, Melinda Katz, David Weprin and David Yassky.

Signs of a Sea Change In Voting  (February 2008)  This fall will mark the first time ever that disabled New Yorkers will be able to vote privately and independently, without the help of a friend or poll worker. But it's taken the state a long time to reach this point, and much more remains to be done.

Delving the Murky World of Police Informants   (February 2008)  Narcotics detectives in Brooklyn sparked a scandal last year when they paid informants with cocaine, clearly breaking the law. But even when police follow regulations, dealing with informants raises a host of concern.

Bringing Insurance to Small Business  (February 2008)  

A Seafaring Commute  (February 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.

Stated Meeting: Wasting Electronics  (February 2008)  After two years and tons of computers strewn to the curb, the City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation that requires manufacturers to recycle certain types of electronic waste.

A Battle Brews Over Who Controls the Schools  (February 2008)  The state put the mayor of New York City in charge of public schools – but only until 2009. What happens then? The battle has already begun.

The Race to Develop a Toxic Waterway  (February 2008)  Real estate investors are rushing to the shores of the Gowanus Canal, one of the city's most polluted waterways. Can this development save an area known largely for its stench and contamination, or will all the new construction make things even worse?

A Religious City  (February 2008)  Contrary to their popular image, New Yorkers are more religious than people in many other parts of the country.

New Bills: Ringing in the New Year With Legislation   (February 2008)  

The Crackdown on New York City Students  (February 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.

Barred Medicine: Health Care on Rikers Island  (February 2008)  The city just renewed a private company's contract to provide medical help on Rikers Island. Is that care adequate for such a transient and, in some respects, vulnerable population?

Tax Breaks - Who Wins and Who Loses?  (February 2008)  With the economy slowing and revenues declining, Glenn Pasanen examines a little noticed but big-ticket item: government tax breaks.

Helping Old New Yorkers Get Around Town  (February 2008)  Everyone walks in New York but getting up curbs and across streets can present a challenge to thousands of elderly New Yorkers. The city has a plan to make it easier.

Trouble on the "Immigrant Express"  (February 2008)  The Number 7 subway serves people from dozens of nations who now make their homes in Queens. But riders say a trip on the "immigrant express" can be crowded, delayed - and smelly.

Stated Meeting: Housing Discrimination  (February 2008)  A simple search on Craigslist reveals that many apartments across the five boroughs will not accept applicants if they pay their rent with government assistance. "No programs," reads a listing for a one-bedroom apartment in an elevator building near Prospect Park.

Urban Issues: Where the Republican Candidates Stand  (February 2008)  With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?

Urban Issues: Where the Democratic Candidates Stand  (February 2008)  With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?

Language Barriers at the Drugstore  (February 2008)  Many pharmacies do not provide translation services, creating a health risk for people who do not speak English.

The Candidates and the City  (February 2008)  With New Yorkers and other city residents finally getting the chance to vote on their preferred presidential candidate, where do the six remaining contenders stand on urban issues?

A Campaign to Strengthen Housing Laws  (January 2008)  Housing advocates have launched a major campaign to change New York's laws on rental housing. To accomplish that, they plan to help Democrats capture the State Senate in November.

A Legal Tool for Tenants  (January 2008)  A bill being considered by the City Council would give tenants a new legal tool: the ability to sue their landlords for harassment.

Stimulating the Economy  (January 2008)  As Congress and the administration try to hammer out a plan to spur the economy and avert a recession, James Parrott examines what kind of federal stimulus works best and the effect various proposals would have on New York.

A Bad News Budget   (January 2008)  After years of budget surpluses, the mayor released a spending plan last week that calls for chopping expenses. The question on everyone's lips: How bad will it get?

No Party Changes Allowed  (January 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 Fight Against Street Harassment  (January 2008)  For many women walking city streets is akin to running a gauntlet of catcalls, whistles and worse. What can and should be done about the harassment?

Next Steps for Congestion Pricing  (January 2008)  The congestion pricing panel's interim report offered five options for cutting traffic in the city. Rich Kassel looks at the various ideas and what effect they might have.

The Ferry Point Fiasco  (January 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?

State of the City  (January 2008)  Maybe his thoughts are elsewhere but in his speech Mayor Michael Bloomberg offered many familiar proposals but few major new ideas for New York City.

Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health Care  (January 2008)  Cultural and language barriers and a shortage of resources keep many troubled teens in poor and immigrant communities from getting the mental healthcare they need.

Speeding New York's Buses  (January 2008)  Is Bus Rapid Transit an oxymoron?

Recycling Stops and Starts  (January 2008)  

Investing in Higher Education  (January 2008)  The city and state universities in New York have educated hundreds of thousands of immigrants looking for a brighter future. Will SUNY and CUNY be able to continue in this role?

Measuring the Garbage Glut  (January 2008)  Thousands of you have played our Garbage Game. What did you do about all that trash? We look at your responses to the game and at what city officials are doing.

Bagging Plastic Pile-Ups  (January 2008)  

Race Matters in New York  (January 2008)  With an African American a leading contender for the White House, many Americans think of racism as a thing of the past. But an extensive new report finds that, in New York City at least, huge racial disparities persist.

2008: The Year the Good Times Ended?  (January 2008)  The economic slowdown and the mortgage crisis' effect on Wall Street will almost certainly meet a decline in city revenues that could threaten further tax cuts and the city's spending plans.

Setting Standards for Green Neighborhoods  (January 2008)  Efforts to encourage a more environmentally friendly city have gone beyond individual buildings to setting standards for entire neighborhoods. Is this a marketing play by developers or a genuine effort to create sustainable communities?

Expanding Wi-Fi Beyond Manhattan  (January 2008)  As the city seeks to expand internet access to all New Yorkers, wireless -- or Wi-Fi -- could play an important role.

Filling New York's 'Vacancies'  (January 2008)  Despite the real estate boom, desolate lots and abandoned buildings pepper the city, blighting neighborhoods. Why do the yawning gaps exist, and what should be done about them?

A Simpler Alternative to Congestion Pricing  (January 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 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.

New Bills: Green Carts to Horse Carriages   (January 2008)  

How City Council Expresses Its Opinions  (December 2007)  Council members make resolutions all year-round. But the council's resolutions often have no more impact than the promises the rest of us make for the New Year.

Stated Meeting: Columbia Gets Approval  (December 2007)  In what some called a rush to approval, the City Council lifted the final obstacle for Columbia University to expand its campus into Manhattanville in West Harlem at its stated meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Next Year's Top Stories  (December 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.

Will the 2010 Census "Steal" New Yorkers?  (December 2007)   Proposed changes in counting methods for the 2010 Census could show a leveling off or even a decline in New York's population, costing the city money and power.

Is 'Nalgene' Hazardous to Your Health?  (December 2007)  Just when you thought pouring New York City tap water into a Nalgene bottle was the safe, eco-friendly thing to do, along come reports that Nalgene can be hazardous to your health.

Reviewing 2007, Looking Ahead to 2008  (December 2007)  A unified tenant movement and the new administration in Albany helped housing advocates win some battle in 2007, but the shortage of affordable homes remains at crisis levels.

New Voting Machines May Not Meet State Standards  (December 2007)  The U.S. Department of Justice wants New York State to have new voting machines by November’s election. But some advocates worry that replacing the old lever machines right before the presidential election could cause major problems.

Could Wall Street’s Woes Be Good for New York?  (December 2007)  Wall Street drives the New York City economy, so the market’s latest woes understandably have caused alarm in City Hall and the State Capitol. James Parrott, though, sees some silver linings in the implosion of the Wall Street bubble machine.

Who's Stopped? Who's Frisked?  (December 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.

The Big Stories of 2007 that Did Not Happen  (December 2007)  

Top Stories of 2007  (December 2007)  The year was relatively peaceful in the city, while two New Yorkers on the presidential campaign trail and seemingly endless controversy in Albany made headlines.

Could Wall Street’s Woes Be Good for New York?  (December 2007)  Wall Street drives the New York City economy, so the market’s latest woes understandably have caused alarm in City Hall and the State Capitol. James Parrott, though, sees some silver linings in the implosion of the Wall Street bubble machine.

A Treatment that Follows Drug Users  (December 2007)  Traditional drug treatment for teens takes place far from the homes and streets where they got into trouble in the first place. A new program tries to change that.

Stated Meeting: Savoring the Brooklyn Sugar Plant  (December 2007)  The sign is iconic, rising above the East River reminding passersby that 3 million pounds of sugar were once produced there on a single day.

After the ‘Financial Emergency’  (December 2007)  The Financial Emergency Act, enacted during the city’s 1975 fiscal crisis, will expire in about six months. Glenn Pasanen examines the issues at stake.

A Minor Case Changes Police Practices  (December 2007)  In a seemingly minor case that could alter police conduct, New York State’s highest court has ruled a person cannot be arrested simply for standing on the sidewalk.

Daniel Doctoroff's Legacy  (December 2007)  Looking back on Daniel Doctoroff's six year as deputy mayor, Tom Angotti finds Doctoroff was no Robert Moses but that he did have a major effect on development and planning in New York -- for better or worse.

After the Theater Strike  (December 2007)  Now that Broadway is back, skeptics question whether the estimates of the strike's economic impact was overblown. Did the walkout really hurt the city? Is Broadway, for that matter, really crucial to the city’s economy?

New York Shopping: Chains and Bargains  (December 2007)  

Getting Paid: Debating the Council's Outside Income and Salaries  (December 2007)  

Feeding the Holiday Economy  (December 2007)  

Tackling E-Waste  (December 2007)  

Committee Assignments and Stipends  (December 2007)  

What Three Million Immigrants Do  (December 2007)  Contrary to the popular image that immigrants do low-skill, low-wage jobs -- if they work at all -- a new study finds newcomers to the country play ac active role throughout New York's economy.

Where The Funds Stand  (December 2007)  

Blurring the Line Between Government and Charity  (December 2007)  

Stated Meeting: Capping Carbon  (December 2007)  Watch out exhaust-spilling sports utility vehicles. Move over inefficient light bulbs. The New York City Council wants to replace you with more energy efficient technology.

Creating People-Friendly Streets  (November 2007)  Can the streets of the Upper West Side become people places instead of car corridors? Anne Schwartz reports on a new campaign in the area that, coupled with PlaNYC 2030, could make calmer, greener streets a reality.

Will Technology Kill Privacy?  (November 2007)  The congressional fight over wiretaps without warrants and the recent New York City taxi strike are just two skirmishes in the ongoing war over privacy in the digital age.

Opening the GOP Primary  (November 2007)  Following a heated controversy in 2000, New York’s Republican Party has made it far easier for contenders get on the presidential primary ballot, creating the party’s most democratic contest in memory.

The End of ‘White Flight’?  (November 2007)  Many of the trends in New York City’s population that marked the latter half of the 20thcentury, including an increase in foreign-born New Yorkers and a decline in the number of whites, appear to have halted, and some even have been reversed

Problems With Pigeons  (November 2007)  An array of animals makes their homes in the city. Some, such as Pale Male, are treated as honored citizens, but many more find themselves targeted by exterminators and even city lawmakers.

New Yorkers vs. the Rat  (November 2007)  

Testing Fails the Arts  (November 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 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.

Housing as a Human Right  (November 2007)  Advocates are increasingly trying to advance the case the right to a decent place to live be considered a basic human right. Joe Lamport examines the movement and what effect it could have in New York

Harnessing Change in Bed-Stuy  (November 2007)  As Bedford-Stuyvesant confronts the promise and the peril of being the next hot Brooklyn neighborhood, community groups hope to shape the change that has irrevocably altered so many city communities.

Breathing Easier in 2030 and Beyond  (November 2007)  The mayor’s plan for New York’s future promises to give us the best air of any big city in the country? Can we do that – and how?

Stated Meeting: Restricting Council Ads  (November 2007)  Members of the City Council can say goodbye to their "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah" holiday greetings in local media. Under new rules approved by the City Council at its stated meeting on Thursday, members will no longer be able to give well wishes in the local media at the taxpayer's expense, which some groups contend only boosts a member's visibility and serves no public purpose.

The Fight Against Drunk Driving  (November 2007)  New tough laws on drunk driving just went into effect in New York, but advocates say government could more.

Gun Laws Confront Legal Challenges  (November 2007)  The federal appeals court for Washington, D.C. has ruled the Constitution guarantees that a person can own a gun, but a judge in Brooklyn says that reasoning does not apply in New York City.

Managing Billions in City Contracts   (November 2007)  A report on city contracts offers lots of numbers but little indication of how well, or how poorly, the administration manages its massive procurements.

Greening City Schoolyards  (November 2007)  Hundreds of school playgrounds remain off limits after school lets out. The administration wants to make them community parks, but will they be green oases or worn patches of artificial turf?

New Bills: Stormwater Fixes  (November 2007)  

The Garbage Glut  (November 2007)  How would you keep New York City from drowning in its own refuse? Play Gotham Gazette's new Garbage Game -- and decide what to do with more than 3 million tons of trash a year.

New York Plays Key Role in Fight for Transgender Rights  (November 2007)  The debate over granting civil rights protection to transgendered people has heated up in Albany and in Washington. But, writes Andy Humm, even in New York City, where the law does protect them, transgendered people face persistent discrimination.

Helping Abuse Victims Keep Their Children  (November 2007)  The city used to routinely take children away from parents who were themselves victim of spouse abuse, but a lawsuit and new attitudes are changing the way the city deals with this life and death issue.

Wall Street’s Binge, Workers’ Hangover  (November 2007)  In the last couple of years, average New Yorkers finally began seeing their incomes and wages rise from the economic boom. Can those gains survive the latest turmoil on Wall Street?

November 6, 2007 General Election Results  (November 2007)  

Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2007 General Election  (November 2007)  

Bagging Plastic Bags  (November 2007)  

Latest License Plan Angers Almost Everyone  (November 2007)  Facing a furor over his move to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, Governor Eliot Spitzer came up with a new plan that has managed to alienate those who supported the original proposal and those who opposed it.

Counting Convicts  (October 2007)  The Census includes prisoners as residents of the county where they are serving time, skewing congressional and legislative districts and giving residents of some counties more political power than others.

Stated Meeting: Preserving Neighborhoods   (October 2007)  Residents of two very different neighborhoods can look to the City Council this week with either appreciation or dismay after it approved a landmark designation for the private courts and row houses of Sunnyside Gardens and a rezoning for the brownstones of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

Saving Arlington Marsh  (October 2007)  The city has announced it will preserve New York’s last major unprotected wetlands, but Arlington Marsh could still face threats.

Stated Meeting with a State Agenda  (October 2007)  Council Speaker Christine Quinn called an unannounced City Council meeting Tuesday morning, rushing council members into the chamber to give the state Legislature the go-ahead to approve a tax credit for small business owners.

Censored by Verizon  (October 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.

College Boom  (October 2007)  New York's colleges and universities are thriving and boosting the city's economy to the delight, it seems, of everyone -- except their immediate neighbors.

Workers Speak Out About Homeless Program  (October 2007)  A new city policy making it more difficult for families to get emergency shelter draws attention to difficulties plaguing the city’s overall policy on homelessness.

Teaching Kids About Sex  (October 2007)  Sex is a fact of life for many teens in New York, but the state does not require schools to teach students about sexuality, contraception or safe sex.

Stated Meeting: Con Edison Rates and Reporting on Pesticides  (October 2007)  In its latest evidence of displeasure with Con Edison, the City Council approved a resolution endorsing Council Speaker Christine Quinn's efforts to become an active party in the debate over the utility's proposed rate hike. At its stated meeting on October 17, the council also approved stricter reporting standards on the city's use of pesticides, closed a tax exemption loophole for a housing program and approved several modifications to the budget.

Paying the Price for Living in New York  (October 2007)  New Yorkers already pay a high price to live here, and the cost of everything from a subway ride to tap water keeps going up.

Good News About Asthma  (October 2007)  The chronic lung condition sends far fewer kids to city hospitals now than 10 years ago, but no one seems to have noticed.

Grading the City's Public Hospitals  (October 2007)  New data on the city’s 11 public hospitals indicate the quality of care is equivalent to that at private hospitals, but even at city-owned hospitals, people in poor areas do not fare as well as those from richer neighborhoods.

Police Limit ‘Hanging Out’  (October 2007)  Police in New York have essentially ended one of the cherished rituals of being a teenager: hanging out around school.

The Mayor Offers a Barrage of Numbers  (October 2007)  The Mayor’s Management Report provides useful information about city government but the 202-page document largely ignores any discussion of what works, what doesn’t work – and why.

The Mayor Offers a Barrage of Numbers  (October 2007)  The Mayor’s Management Report provides useful information about city government but the 202-page document largely ignores any discussion of what works, what doesn’t work – and why.

Adding Up: How Much Members Spend on Ads?  (October 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.

Cleaning Up New York’s Buildings  (October 2007)  It’s not cars or factories – but buildings. Do city government and businesses have the will to cut energy use and reduce emissions?

Burial Ground Bears Witness to a Segregated City  (October 2007)  The opening of the African Burial Ground Memorial serves as a reminder of residential segregation and displacement in New York.

Driver's Licenses for the Undocumented  (October 2007)  A heated debate revolves around Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan for New York to issue driver's licenses to immigrants who may not be here legally.

Alarms for the Police  (October 2007)  Despite low crime rates and high approval ratings for the commissioner, the New York City Police Department still has a difficult relationship with the city it patrols. Read more

Stop and Frisk – Who's Being Searched?  (October 2007)  

New Bills: Biking On The Boss's Dollar  (October 2007)  

A Dwindling Police Presence  (October 2007)  

A Tougher Policy on Protest  (October 2007)  

The Failure of Civilian Oversight  (October 2007)  

Policing the Police  (October 2007)  As the number of complaints made against the police rises, two civil rights lawyers charge they were mistreated by officers on a Brooklyn street.

Along the Shore, A Turning Point  (October 2007)  This is a key moment for the area's 700 miles of coastline.

Ms. Lopez Torres Goes to Washington  (October 2007)  Emily Jane Goodman reports from Washington where the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday heard arguments in a case from Brooklyn that could change the way New York chooses its State Supreme Court justices.

Taking Stock of New York’s Housing  (October 2007)  Directors of the Furman Center at NYU discuss the latest information on the city’s communities and homes.

Stated Meeting: Replacing Street Signs to Taking Recyclables  (October 2007)  At its stated meeting on September 25, the City Council cracked down on the lax replacement of missing and damaged street signs as well as the unauthorized removal of curbside recycling.

A One in Five Shot: Passing City Council Bills  (October 2007)  Some City Council members see many of their proposed bills become law, while others watch their ‘intros’ fade into oblivion. Which members do best – and worst?

A Modern Slavery  (October 2007)  The state government has approved a new law to end human trafficking but the shadowy business presents unique challenges for law enforcement.

Proposed Legislation by Council Member  (October 2007)  

Reviewing Federal and City Tax Cuts   (September 2007)  While their motives differed, both Washington and City Hall cut taxes recently. What effect have the tax policies had?

Brooklyn Judge's Battle Reaches Washington  (September 2007)  The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in a case challenging the way New York selects its state Supreme Court justices.

Earth Day for the Internet  (September 2007)  One Web Day celebrated the Internet and called attention to the threats facing on-line communication and access to information

Feeling the Effects of a Housing Bust  (September 2007)  As the housing bubble seems about to burst, low-income people with mortgages have the most to lose, but most New Yorkers will feel some effects of any real estate collapse.

Next Round in the Cell Phone Fight  (September 2007)  

Storm Warnings  (September 2007)  Some experts predict a major hurricane will roar into New York sometime soon. Can this coastal city of 8 million prepare for 100 mile per hour winds and surging waves?

The Catch-22 of Subsidized Day Care  (September 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.

How Clean (or Dirty) Is Our Air?  (September 2007)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg has promised to make New York the "cleanest big city in America", so how does New York City’s air measure up now?

Replacing Parking with Parks  (September 2007)  Some New Yorkers have envisioned new uses for an often neglected public space – the thousands of square feet of curbsides now reserved for cars.

September 18, 2007 Primary Election Results  (September 2007)  The following Primary Election results are based on the unofficial vote tally as reported by the New York City Board of Elections. The results below are subject to change as the official count is made public.

Making Coney Island Green  (September 2007)  Despite its honky-tonk image, Coney Island could become a model of sustainable development -- if the city takes an active role.

Making Coney Island Green  (September 2007)  Despite its honky-tonk image, Coney Island could become a model of sustainable development -- if the city takes an active role.

New Bills: Curbing to Cutting Trees  (September 2007)  

Insuring New York's Children   (September 2007)  New regulations proposed by the Bush administration leave some wondering whether many New York City children will be left without health care.

Guide for the Last Minute Voter  (September 2007)  Yes, there was a primary on Tuesday – with elections for judges in Brooklyn and for party posts throughout the city. Read our rundown of the races, updated to include who won.

New York’s Family Treatment Court  (September 2007)  Half of kids in foster care have parents who abuse drugs or alcohol. A special court helps those adults stay clean and sober and get their children back.

Stated Meeting: Rezoning Jamaica  (September 2007)  With the exception of three Queens council members, the City Council overwhelmingly approved a rezoning plan for Jamaica, Queens on Monday. Councilmember Thomas White, who represents part of Jamaica, did not attend the meeting. A staffer said White is out of town, and their office was unaware the vote was coming up.

  (September 2007)  

A City ID Card for All  (September 2007)  Some City Council members want the city to issue an identification card available to all New York residents, regardless of immigration status.

Worrying About Wall Street  (September 2007)  What could the turmoil in the housing market and the stock market mean for New York City? Are the good times ending?

The Real Foreclosure Crisis  (September 2007)  

Will the Sub-Prime Crisis Reach Manhattan?  (September 2007)  What could the turmoil in the housing market and the stock market mean for New York City? Are the good times ending?

New York’s 'Ring of Steel'  (September 2007)  The police department says a plan for high-tech security downtown is simple common sense, but critics see it as a waste of money and an invasion of privacy.

New Bills: Paralyzing Peeping and Blasting Explosive Regulations  (September 2007)  

A Fair Deal for The New Workforce  (September 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.

A Fair Deal for The New Workforce  (September 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 2007)  

Looking at the Four-Year Financial Plan  (August 2007)  Three fiscal monitors examine the city’s four-year financial plan and generally like what they see.

When Conviction Records Can Be Sealed  (August 2007)  The arrest of a 17-year-old on graffiti-related charges has lead to changes in New York’s procedures for revealing information about convictions.

Cash Incentives for the Poor  (August 2007)  Mayor Bloomberg wants to pay poor people to take their children to the doctor and make sure they go to school. Is this a bold new approach or a policy rooted in cynicism?

Lessons from Deutsche Bank  (August 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 2007)  

Stated Meeting: Making Room in Litter Baskets  (August 2007)  New Yorkers will have to keep their residential trash out of public litter baskets or face a fine of up to $400 under legislation unanimously approved by the City Council.

Citizens Grading Government  (August 2007)  City Hall wants to know how you rate public services. It's part of a growing effort to measure government successes and failures.

The New Battle Against Gentrification  (August 2007)  Across the city groups are fighting to preserve diversity, character and history – one neighborhood at a time.

Poll Site Access for the Disabled  (August 2007)  Millions of disabled New Yorkers still face obstacles to voting independently and privately.

Aging with AIDS  (August 2007)  Now that drug cocktails are keeping people with AIDS alive for decades, health providers and others must educate and treat a group many thought they would never see: older people with HIV and AIDS.

State of Cycling  (August 2007)  The plans for a more environmentally friendly New York include a number of ideas to make bicycling easier and safer.

The City Clerk – Wait, Who?   (August 2007)  

Hard Times in the Projects  (August 2007)  Declining subsidies and increasing costs have increased rents and slashed services for the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who live in public housing.

Reopening the 19th Century High Bridge  (August 2007)  A 19th century engineering marvel and tourist attraction is being restored as a park for 21st century New Yorkers.

A Report Card from Students  (August 2007)  The Department of Education has asked students to rate their schools, but as one high school participant writes, students were unsure as to how to view the exercise.

Crumbling Systems  (August 2007)  Subways flood, pipes explode and electricity fails. Can New York’s infrastructure meet the challenges of climate change and a growing population?

Bringing Diversity to New York Elite High Schools   (August 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.

Searchlight: Land Use and an Indicted Council Member  (August 2007)  

The Legislature Acts, Doesn't Act and Reacts  (August 2007)  While the legislative session saw advances for same-sex marriage, 2007 was at best a mixed year for advocates of civil rights and liberties, reports Andy Humm.

Neighborhoods and the Fiscal Boom  (August 2007)  New York City’s fiscal economy has been booming, sending tax revenues soaring and creating multibillion dollar budget surpluses. But is this prosperity boosting economic well-being in city neighborhoods? James Parrott examines the evidence.

A Divided Council Confronts Congestion Pricing  (August 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.

Immersed in English  (August 2007)  A program at CUNY provides intensive language training for immigrant students who need something beyond a conventional English as a second language class.

When Students Need 'Someone to Talk to'  (July 2007)  Facing the stress of growing up in New York City, many young people need someone to talk to, but few schools offer adequate mental health services.

Protecting New York's Teens  (July 2007)  

After-School Programs Lose Funds  (July 2007)  

Trying to Break the Cycle of Violence  (July 2007)  

Stated Meeting: Cell Phones, Yes, Markers, No  (July 2007)  In muted gesture of defiance of the Bloomberg administration, the City Council last week approved legislation guaranteeing a student's right to take a cell phone to and from school, despite a Department of Education ban on the devices inside school property.

Hanging Out and Hurting Business  (July 2007)  

Taking A.C.T.I.O.N. at The Point  (July 2007)  

Police in Schools  (July 2007)  

Programs for Safer Homes  (July 2007)  A variety of government programs have helped tenants rid their apartment buildings of illegal activities from drug dealing to cockfighting.

The Campaign Fundraising Begins  (July 2007)  New restrictions on campaign fundraising, not yet in effect, will give a boost to candidates who have already begun collecting money for the 2009 city campaigns.

Candidates for Citywide And Boroughwide Office I  (July 2007)  

Candidates for Citywide And Boroughwide Office II  (July 2007)  

Compromising on Congestion and Campaign Cash  (July 2007)  After days of horse-trading, Albany leaders announced a deal on congestion pricing, campaign finance and maybe other things. What does it all mean for New York City?

Quinn’s Rule  (July 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.

Albee Square: When the Mall’s No Longer Home  (July 2007)  One more piece of downtown Brooklyn, this time the 1980s hip-hop hangout of Albee Square, seems poised to become yet another luxury condo and retail development.

Guaranteeing Access to Abortion in New York  (July 2007)  Laws restricting late-term abortions have remained on the books for 37 years in New York. Now the governor, some legislators and activists want to change that.

Poor Grades for a School ‘Contract’  (July 2007)  After years of litigation, the city is getting some additional state money for education. Now the disagreement centers on what to do with it.

The Brave New World of Ticket Sales  (July 2007)  Facing a hot market for resold tickets online, New York has basically legalized scalping. What effect will this wide-open market have on ticket prices?

Mixed News in a ‘Good News’ Budget  (July 2007)  Despite huge budget surpluses, the new city budget does not redress some inequities in city taxes – or ensure long-term financial instability, writes Glenn Pasanen.

Taking Aim at Illegal Guns  (July 2007)  The mayor has taken his fight against gun violence to Congress and Southern gun dealerships. Has his crusade done anything to stop the shooting?

New Bills: Clean Energy to Cough Syrup  (July 2007)  

Keeping Felons from Voting  (July 2007)  By not allowing people convicted of felonies to cast ballots, the writers argue, New York State perpetuates the racial injustices of the past.

Access to the HPV Vaccine in NYC  (July 2007)  A new--and expensive--vaccine could prevent thousands of fatal cases of cervical cancer. Is the shot getting to the young women in New York who need it most?

‘Imperfect’ Campaign Finance Bill Wins Approval  (July 2007)  

Moving Ahead on Immigration Reform?   (July 2007)  

New ID Could Cost Immigrants Their Licenses  (July 2007)  Critics want New York State to reject the REAL ID, a new kind of super identification card, that, some say, could cost immigrants their driver’s licenses and let the government keep tabs on all Americans.

Summer Reading: Experts Pick Their Favorite New York Books  (July 2007)  In the second half of our summer reading issues, experts on the city and artists pick their favorite books about New York – and come up with some intriguing suggestions.

A Tough Month for Housing Advocates  (June 2007)  After suffering setbacks at the Rent Guidelines Board and in Albany, many housing advocates blame the mayor for not doing more to preserve the city’s dwindling supply of affordable housing.

Encouraging Young New Yorkers to Vote  (June 2007)  A number of measures and programs seek to encourage young people to register to vote. But will they be enough to get New Yorkers aged 18 to 24 to the polls in 2008?

Tracking and Video: Coming Soon to a Taxi Near You  (June 2007)  By next year all taxicabs are to be equipped with tracking systems and video monitors. The taxi commission hails this as a “revolutionary” move to make travel safer and more pleasant. Drivers disagree.

Electricity, Gas – and Broadband  (June 2007)  New York City officials have yet to determine whether high-speed Internet access is a utility – almost as essential as electricity or gas – or a luxury.

Dividing the Wealth: Who Gets the Council’s Discretionary Funds?  (June 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.

New Books About New York  (June 2007)  

Summer Reading: Best Books About New York  (June 2007)  Leaving the city for vacation, but want to take a piece of it with you? In our summer reading issue, people who make their living from books recommend their favorite works about New York.

Who Got What  (June 2007)  

Breaking Up is Hard to Do  (June 2007)  Several recent court cases make it clear that ending a relationship in New York can be more difficult than starting one. Judge Emily Jane Goodman explains.

Income Numbers Show a Changing City   (June 2007)  The Bronx is booming, while New York City residents are narrowing the income gap between them and their suburban counterparts. James Parrott finds some surprising information in a new set of Commerce Department figures.

No Quick Riches for New York’s Twentysomethings  (June 2007)  Overall, today’s recent college graduates in New York are not making as much money as their parent’s generation did, with men’s wages falling substantially and earnings for women increasing slightly.

Sealed with a Kiss: The 2008 Budget  (June 2007)  Basking in the hefty surplus, the mayor and City Council smoothly reached agreement on taxes and spending. But as with any budget, some groups were left out.

Latest Round in the Garbage Wars  (June 2007)  Opposition to a recycling facility in Manhattan threatens to derail the city’s solid waste plan. Is it NIMBY or not?

Coney Island’s Summer of Reckoning  (June 2007)  After years of decline, Coney Island and the Rockaways could boom again as developers devise new projects for New York’s southern coast. But will these schemes destroy the character of our working class playgrounds?

What the Campaign Finance Bill Would Do – and Not Do  (June 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?

Change Reaches the City’s Edge  (June 2007)  

With Pizza, Pinball and Panache, Boardwalk Vendors Face Changes  (June 2007)  

Questions Remain About the 2008 Budget  (June 2007)  With budget negotiations in their final weeks, questions remain about how to use the city’s multi-billion dollar surplus – and just how big that surplus is.

Foster Care System Gives Parents a Bigger Role  (June 2007)  The foster care system has often treated birth parents as adversaries but now the Administration for Children’s Services is giving these parents a bigger role in the child welfare system.

Atlantic Yards and the Sustainability Test  (June 2007)  The developer of the Atlantic Yards megaproject in Brooklyn promise is will be environmentally friendly. But does it truly pass the sustainability test?

New Yorkers and the Immigration Bills  (June 2007)  While some New Yorker think proposed changes in immigration law could help them, a number of advocacy groups have major criticisms of the bills now in Congress.

Education’s Difficult Stage  (June 2007)  Despite the rise in eighth-grade test scores, New York City’s middle schools represent the weakest part of the system. Why is it so hard to fix them?

Stated Meeting – Street Names Sparks Heated Debate  (June 2007)  Despite a demonstration on the steps of City Hall and apparent racial division among its members, the City Council excluded the revered and rebuked Sonny Carson from a street-naming bill at its stated meeting on May 30, turning a normally routine procedure into a controversy. The council also – and much less contentiously – adopted a bill to strengthen the repair process for the city's most dilapidated buildings and a measure requiring building owners to submit up-to-date floor numbering lists to the fire department.

A New Program to Fight Homelessness  (May 2007)  The city has unveiled yet another program to help homeless families but critics fear it will repeat the mistake of the existing, unsuccessful effort.

Election Reform: Big Changes, Little Notice  (May 2007)  Governor Eliot Spitzer has proposed reforms that could fundamentally change how New Yorkers run for office and vote, but the sweeping plan has attracted little attention.

Needed: Campaign Finance Reform  (May 2007)  New York has some of the weakest campaign laws in the country and, writes Dick Dadey of Citizens Union, that must change – now.

Name that Street  (May 2007)  City Council has split over whether to rename a street for black activist Sonny Carson, fueling a debate over the names of city roads, parks and schools.

Grading Neighborhood Parks 2007  (May 2007)  Conditions at New York City’s neighborhood parks vary widely, and overall, they are in worse shape than last year, according to survey by the group New Yorkers for Parks. The commissioner, however, calls the report card a case of “grade deflation.”

Co-op Disclosure Bill Stalls in Council  (May 2007)  A bill to require co-op boards to explain why they reject a potential buyer seems unlikely to pass – even tough a majority of council members support it.

New Bills: Rights in Restaurants, Banning Markers  (May 2007)  

The Move to Expand DNA Testing  (May 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.

Breaks for Big Business  (May 2007)  JPMorgan Chase says it will leave town if it doesn’t get millions in city and state aid. Are such corporate subsidies a good deal for New York – or corporate welfare?

Have Laptops Flunked the Test?  (May 2007)  Programs to give all students laptop computers could fall victim to the prevailing attitude that the only worthwhile learning is what can be measured by a standardized test.

Upholding the Cell Phone Ban  (May 2007)  The state Supreme Court hung up on parents who argued that the school system’s ban on cell phones is an improper intrusion into family matters.

Behind The Low Unemployment Rate  (May 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.

Stated Meeting: Protecting Fire Fighters  (May 2007)  At the city council’s stated meeting on May 9, the council members unanimously approved a bill requiring that the fire department be notified of any substantial changes in existing buildings. During the meeting, which also featured the long-delayed swearing in of new City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene and continued debate over whether to rename a street for black activist Sonny Carson, the council passed a resolution in favor of a federal program that would provide money to help those who responded to and worked or lived near the World Trade Center collapse on September 11, 2001. A number of new bills were announced as well.

Reconstructing New York’s Building Code Overhaul  (May 2007)  New York City has proposed the first overhaul of its building code in nearly 40 years. Will it make structures in the city safer and more affordable?

A Sustainability Test at Willets Point  (May 2007)  The mayor’s plan for Willets Point, the Iron Triangle of Queens, raises questions about the city’s vision of sustainable development.

Will the Critics Kill Congestion Pricing?  (May 2007)  Transportation: Politicians are lining up to oppose congestion pricing but, writes Bruce Schaller, that could change as the public learns more about its costs and benefits.

Getting the Most from Congestion Pricing  (May 2007)  Along with charging motorists a fee, the city has a number of other tools available to reduce traffic on our roads – and some of them could be instituted quickly.

Improve Transit Before Congestion Pricing   (May 2007)  Political and technological issues could stall congestion pricing, but there are many transit improvements the mayor can make in the meantime.

The High Costs of Driving - and Parking  (May 2007)  Faced with likely opposition to his laudable plans for congestion pricing, Mayor Michael Bloomberg should also try to raise the cost of parking.

Taking on the Traffic  (May 2007)  Motorists cost the rest of us billions of dollars a year. Congestion pricing aims to correct that.

The Hard Choices Ahead  (May 2007)  The mayor has taken a good start on the road to a sustainable energy future, but tough choices lie ahead, including whether to have electricity cost more.

On Energy, Consider the Alternatives   (May 2007)  If New Yorkers are really going to use less energy and cleaner energy, more must be done to educate the public and promote alternative sources of energy.

Waterfront Development or Neighborhood Displacement?  (May 2007)  While the mayor sees Williamsburg-Greenpoint as a model for development elsewhere in the city, the rezoning there has changed the character of the area and forced out many long-time residents.

Building In The Wrong Places   (May 2007)  City Hall's proposal would allow subsidies for development in waterways and floodplains to continue--increasing storm, flooding and habitat risks.

Developing Brownfields The Right Way  (May 2007)  The plan to clean up and develop contaminated areas could provide needed land and eliminate health hazards – if it’s done right.

What plaNYC Does Not Do  (May 2007)  Any plan for a bigger, more environmentally friendly city needs to include more parkland and encourage community gardening.

Making Growth Work for All New Yorkers  (May 2007)  The mayor’s vision must include a focus on good jobs with decent wages if growth is to benefit all New Yorkers.

Passing the ‘Do-Ability’ Test  (May 2007)  In a city where grand visions often falter, Mayor Bloomberg confronted budget issues head-on, helping his plaNYC pass the “do-ability test”.

Stated Meeting City Council April 23, new bills  (May 2007)  At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.

Data to the People  (May 2007)  In an on-line chat with Gotham Gazette, Gale Brewer discusses how technology can improve access to government.

Debating a Greener Future  (May 2007)  The 2030 Plan and Beyond From praising congestion pricing to calling for more parks, an array of experts react to specific proposals in Mayor Bloomberg’s plan for a greener and greater city.

Fiscal Impacts of PlaNYC 2030  (May 2007)  

Going Green, Saving Green  (May 2007)  A new apartment complex in the Bronx aims to prove that housing can be both friendly to the environment and the pocketbook.

Planning for a Bigger, Greener City  (April 2007)  From congestion pricing to a million trees, Mayor Bloomberg’s plans for New York in 2030 are sweeping and controversial. This week, we launch a series analyzing, monitoring and commenting on the move for a more sustainable city.

Stated Meeting - Bicycle Taxis, Baseball Bats, and Budget Boom  (April 2007)  On April 23, the New York City Council overrode two mayoral vetoes and so instituted new restrictions on pedicabs and banned metal baseball bats from high school sports leagues. In addition to these somewhat contentious votes, the council had the pleasure of doing what some say it does best: spend money. The members voted unanimously to approve an additional $1.8 billion in spending in this year’s budget. They also passed resolutions on the 9/11 cleanup, school funding and the Virginia Tech massacre.

Will Voting Reforms Discourage Minority Voting?  (April 2007)  Efforts to stop voter fraud – an often exaggerated problem – may prevent legitimate voters from casting ballots, write Doug Island and Andrea Senteno.

Predatory Lending Fuels Rise in Foreclosures  (April 2007)  High-interest loans with hidden terms are behind the surge in housing foreclosures in the city, writes Joe Lamport.

New Bills: Housing Repairs and a Street Fight  (April 2007)  

Catching Up On Recycling  (April 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.

Protecting New York’s Wetlands  (April 2007)  Coastal areas, marshes, ponds and the like are key to New York City's rich ecosystem. But development and pollution threaten to wipe out many of these areas

Judges' Stagnant Salaries  (April 2007)  The state’s judges hope they can revive efforts to give them their first pay hike in eight years.

Helping Foster Children Become Better Parents  (April 2007)  By educating teenage foster children on how to be better parents, several city programs hope to stop the cycle of abuse.

Future of Pedicabs Remains Uncertain  (April 2007)  The mayor’s veto of a pedicab bill continues the debate over what role the cabs can play in the city’s transportation mix.

A Promise to Shake Up State Human Rights Division  (April 2007)  New Yorkers who complain to the State Division of Human Rights have had to wait three or more years for a case to be resolved. But in an interview with Andy Humm, Kumiki Gibson, the new head of the agency, promises that that is about to change.

Saving New York’s Middle Class  (April 2007)  As New York City’s rich grow even richer, public officials debate why the middle class is being squeezed and what might relieve the pressure.

Stated Meeting -- Protecting   (April 2007)  The City Council last week passed a bill that would protect "educational whistleblowers", setting up another conflict with Mayor Michael Bloomberg just two weeks after he rejected its plan to regulate pedicabs.

Noxious New York  (April 2007)  

Jittery Wall Street, Calm City?  (April 2007)  If Wall Street sneezes, will New York catch pneumonia? Many parts of the economy continue to be robust, suggesting that New York City’s economy may slow but it won’t turn down unless Wall Street settles into a sustained slump.

Sunnyside Fights Over What to Preserve  (April 2007)  A dispute over whether to make part of Sunnyside a historic district is partly an argument over what in the area deserves to be protected.

Language Barriers Silence Immigrant Tenants  (April 2007)  Housing services don’t reach many of the immigrant families that need them most.

The Many Ways to Spell ‘Tax Relief”  (April 2007)  

The Council's Budget Response  (April 2007)  

A ‘Customer’ Survey for the City  (April 2007)  City officials may be in for some surprises when they ask New Yorkers what they think of public services in the city.

Broadband Haves and Have Nots  (April 2007)  With New York lagging behind many other cities on broadband access, a new effort seeks to bring high-speed Internet to low-income New Yorkers.

Stated Meeting -- Maintaining Mitchell- Lama  (April 2007)  The City Council passed bills intended to keep affordable housing available, and to protect the safety of construction workers at its most recent stated meeting on March 28, 2007. It also approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Criminal Justice Under Eliot Spitzer  (April 2007)  With the crime rate down, New York could move to reduce sentences, provide more education to prisoners – and even shut down prisons.

A Platform to Preserve Housing  (March 2007)  Political changes have spurred housing advocates to aggressively push the state government for changes that would help preserve affordable homes in New York.

Change of Venue In the Sean Bell Case   (March 2007)  The Sean Bell case should be tried in Queens, where he was shot, argues attorney Ken Ramseur.

AUXILIARY OFFICERS ASSISTANCE PLAN  (March 2007)  

Staten Island’s South Shore: Mulia, Tobacco and Tabacco  (March 2007)  

Central Brooklyn: A Not-So-Instant Replay  (March 2007)  

Staten Island’s North Shore: A Heated Three-Way Contest  (March 2007)  

New Bills -- Government on the Web, Parking, and Illegal Hotels  (March 2007)  

Auxiliary Police  (March 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.

Voting, Yes. Democracy, Maybe.  (March 2007)  It isn’t even an election year but the special elections continue Tuesday as Staten Islanders choose two Assembly members. Does all this voting have much to do with democracy?

Tax Cuts For Tenants And Other Budget Debates  (March 2007)  The city’s spring budget process looks to be an especially interesting one, with proposals for tax cuts for renters, rainy day funds, and a big hike in education funds.

Women of New York City  (March 2007)  Women in New York City are much more likely to be single, earn more money, and have more education than women living in the rest of the United States. In most fields, New York men out-earn New York women, but in three fields, it's the reverse.

Government by Contract  (March 2007)  Contracts play an increasing role in city government, but the recent furor over changes in school bus routes has highlighted questions about the practice.

Metal Bat Ban, Benefits for Domestic Patners, and Chocolate Milk  (March 2007)  

The Price of Progress?  (March 2007)  Can New York's historical places withstand the city's thirst for development?

NYC V. Fast Food  (March 2007)  From rats to fats, city officials are battling the unhealthy ways of the fast food industry.

Finding A Parking Space  (March 2007)  As much as 45 percent of traffic on the city’s streets consists of cars searching for a parking space. Bruce Schaller explains one "rock star's" solution -- “market rate pricing of metered spaces.”

Helping Young Mothers Help Their Babies and Themselves  (March 2007)  The Nurse Family Partnership tries to help at risk children – before they are even born.

Atlantic Yards: A “Done Deal?”   (March 2007)  Is Atlantic Yards inevitable? A new movie, Brooklyn Matters, “uncovers a deepening vein of displeasure with the project that spans a wide political spectrum,” writes Tom Angotti, who explains how, and why.

Nightlife, Pedicabs, and the N-word  (March 2007)  

In Danger: Men At Work  (March 2007)  As the construction industry booms, its workers face increasing peril, leaving city and state officials looking for ways to respond.

Breaking Ground  (March 2007)  

Putting Limits On Pay To Play  (February 2007)  People who do business with the city and state governments have long been expected to fork over political contributions to influential officials. But an increasing number of politicians say it may be time to limit the quid pro quos known as “pay to play.”

City Council’s First Haitian Member  (February 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.

Housing’s Impact: Need For New Research  (February 2007)  How important is housing to a child’s success at school? Does housing stability affect people’s health? The MacArthur Foundation has committed $25 million to conducting new research, Joe Lamport writes, “aiming for a more profound shift in how people think about housing.”

Is Albany Odious?  (February 2007)  Will New Yorkers feel less tormented by Albany once it "reforms"?

Government's Annual Reports  (February 2007)  In their State of the City speeches, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Christine Quinn presented somewhat different visions of New York.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz 2007 State of the Borough Address  (February 2007)  

Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall 2007 State of the Borough Address  (February 2007)  

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer 2007 State of the Borough Address  (February 2007)  

Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro 2007 State of the Borough Address  (February 2007)  

Bronx Borough President 2007 State of the Borough Address  (February 2007)  

Speaker Christine C. Quinn: State of the City Address: February 15, 2007  (February 2007)  

Sustainable Transportation for 2030  (February 2007)  Transportation plays a central role in all of the central challenges that Mayor Michael Bloomberg says is facing in the next 25 years, writes Bruce Schaller, who explains some of the Bloomberg administration’s ideas – and some of his own.

New Bills -- Domestic Partnerships, Wetlands, and Skinny Models  (February 2007)  

Many Issues, Many Nationalities in Central Brooklyn  (February 2007)  

It’s the Development, Stupid, on Staten Island  (February 2007)  

Special City Council Elections  (February 2007)  Residents of two districts will go to the polls next week to elect new City Council members. The race in central Brooklyn features ten candidates, many of them immigrants, and a range of issues. But on Staten Island, the two-man contest focuses sharply on overdevelopment.

Confronting the Congestion Crisis  (February 2007)  Councilmember Gale Brewer on how city officials should keep traffic in city streets from grinding to a complete halt.

Bigger Media, Less Local Democracy  (February 2007)  “Just as Starbucks knocked out independent coffee shops and Wal-Mart killed the corner store, media conglomerates have devastated locally produced newspapers, television stations, and radio programs throughout the country.” A talk with Eric Klinenberg, who explains how this has affected New York.

Cell Phones To The Rescue  (February 2007)  If Mayor Bloomberg's claim is untrue that his new plan to enable 911 to receive photographs and images from cell phones is available in "no other city in the world", it is still a brave new world for those for whom the plan raises uncomfortable questions.

Tax-And-Spend No More  (February 2007)  In his preliminary budget for the next fiscal year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a billion dollars of tax cuts, the squirreling away of billions in reserve funds, and a four-year plan that, with the exception of education, caps discretionary city spending.

Plan NYC 2030  (February 2007)  The mayor has announced plans for a unique planning effort for a more populated New York of 2030. But, Tom Angotti asks, is the plan itself sustainable beyond 2008, when voters will elect a new mayor?

Do-It-Yourself Regulation: Stated Meeting 2/1/2007  (February 2007)  New construction is often regulated only by the companies doing the building. The City Council is trying to cut down on abuses.

The Battle for Comptroller  (February 2007)  With the state government working to enact a budget and consider sweeping financial changes proposed by Governor Eliot Spitzer, the job of the state fiscal monitor remains vacant.

Where Is The Civil Rights Agenda?  (February 2007)  “There seems to have been a shift – and a reduction -- in rhetoric around civil rights from New York’s leaders,” Andy Humm writes. “But does this mean they do not care about racial and other kinds of discrimination?”

Arts Funding, Transformed  (January 2007)  The mayor’s preliminary budget proposes changes to funding for the arts that are making normally glum arts advocates do a little dance.

The New Governor’s Mystery Agenda  (January 2007)  No one is sure what Governor Eliot Spitzer will do about the housing issues in New York City.

2008 BUDGET: ROUND ONE   (January 2007)  The city has a $3.9 billion surplus as the budget season begins. So why does the mayor seem so worried?

Private Partnerships For Public Parks  (January 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.”

Voting Machine -- The Four Finalists  (January 2007)  A look at the four voting machines that are in the running to replace the lever machine with which New Yorkers have been voting since 1962.

Juvenile Injustice  (January 2007)  The mayor’s announcement of “the most significant restructuring of our juvenile justice system in decades” gets a mixed response from some people who know the system best.

Tax Relief, But Who's Relieved?  (January 2007)  The mayor says his property tax relief plan will benefit individual New Yorkers and spark the economy, but economists say it will hardly be noticed.

Reorganizing the Schools (Again)  (January 2007)  After four year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is reorganizing the schools again, but do the changes address the problems that still persist in the city’s public schools?

New Bills -- Bike Safety, Public Housing, Subsidized Transportation  (January 2007)  At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws. As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.

Mayoral Agenda 2007  (January 2007)  

Charting New York’s Health  (January 2007)  Which New York City neighborhood has the most binge drinking? Which the highest rate of obesity? Which the most deaths from heart disease? The answers are in the health department’s Community Health Profiles. Cari Olson of the health department explains what the numbers tell us and how citizens can use them.

The Internet From Your Electrical Outlet  (January 2007)  A look at the possibility that New Yorkers will start getting Internet access from regular electrical power lines – a practice already common throughout Europe and in cities like Cincinnati.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S 2007 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS  (January 2007)  

Lessons From The Number 7 Train Extension  (January 2007)  Financing is in place for the construction of the No. 7 subway line. Bruce Schaller looks at the lessons for getting other big transportation projects done.

Hillary, Rudy, And George, But Not Mike ( Or So He Says)  (January 2007)  The Democratic Convention won't be held in New York, but four New Yorkers are still looking to dominate the race in 2008. What does the city stand to gain?

Council's First Meetings of 2007: Environmental Issues and City-Owned Buildings   (January 2007)  

Property Tax Reform -- NOT  (January 2007)  Why nobody wants to touch the complex and, Glenn Pasanen writes, fundamentally unfair system of property taxes in New York City.

Health Problems Among Caribbean Immigrants  (January 2007)  Caribbean women immigrants are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of cervical cancer than black women born in the States. Experts say a lack of funds and serious cultural barriers prevent Caribbean women immigrants from getting gynecological checkups.

Military Recruiters In High Schools  (January 2007)  Critics have been complaining loudly about the direct presence of military recruiters in city high schools, especially in poor neighborhoods.

Cracking Down on Corruption  (January 2007)  In his first few days in office, Governor Eliot Spitzer vowed to change the culture of corruption in the state capital. Everyone lauded his goals but can he really get the job done?

Drivers’ Licenses for Immigrants   (January 2007)  With a new administration in Albany, many immigrant New Yorkers are hoping that a policy that has denied drivers’ licenses to hundreds of thousands of state residents who lack immigration status will be reversed. Many are now wondering what kind of driver’s license proposal they can expect to see from the new governor.

Advising Spitzer  (January 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.

Eliot Spitzer, Governor  (January 2007)  

Governor Eliot Spitzer's Inaugural Address  (January 2007)  

Tax Breaks For Affordable Housing  (December 2006)  Developers in many parts of Manhattan and the Brooklyn would get a property tax exemption only if one fifth of the apartments in a new project are affordable, according to a bill passed by the City Council this month and awaiting the mayor's signature, and approval by the state legislature. The law would also create a fund to finance affordable housing.

Energy-Efficient Appliances  (December 2006)  Buying a better refrigerator not only saves money; it helps save the world. The government of the City of New York has been doing its part to promote energy efficiency in several ways. New York City shoppers can as well.

The Big Stories That Did Not Happen in 2006  (December 2006)  

Top 10 Stories of 2006  (December 2006)  Spitzer’s victory, gains by other state Democrats and health issues captured New York City headlines during a year dominated by news from Iraq.

Predicting The Big Stories in 2007  (December 2006)  Two dozen New Yorkers look at what the city's fortunes may be in 2007.

New Bills – The 421-a and Affordable Housing Debate   (December 2006)  

Housing And The Feds  (December 2006)   How realistic are hopes that Congress will address the housing crisis in New York City and throughout the country? And what would it take to make that happen?

Congestion Pricing And The Future Of NYC: Addressing The Objections  (December 2006)  If mayor’s speech about the city’s major challenges for the future specifically mentioned traffic congestion, it was left to the panelists afterwards to bring up one way of reducing it -- congestion pricing, charging a fee for using busy roadways. Bruce Schaller addresses the arguments being made against this solution.

Long Term Planning in New York City -- Challenges and Goals   (December 2006)  Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined the major challenges facing New York City as it tries to develop a 25-year sustainability plan, and its goals in forming such a plan, in a speech at the Queens Museum of Art on December 12, 2006.

Wireless And Emergency Response  (December 2006)  With the Citywide Wireless Mobile Network, which launches next month, New York City is investing $500 million to ensure that the communications breakdowns that occurred on September 11, 2001 do not happen in any future emergency.

New Bills -- Fake IDs, Commuter Vans, Rescue Workers  (December 2006)  

Stated Meeting – Cleaner, Accessible Taxis; Faster Lobbying Reform  (December 2006)  The City Council passed four bills designed to make taxis accessible to disabled riders and less harmful to the environment at its stated meeting on December 6, 2006. Council members who spoke in favor of the bills said their long-term goal is for every single taxi in the city to be environmentally friendly and accessible to the disabled. Today, less than one percent of all the city's taxis are so-called clean air vehicles – either hybrid-electric models, or vehicle that use efficient compressed natural gas as fuel. Only 81 of the more than 13,000 taxis in New York are wheelchair-accesible.

Twin Crises In Health Care  (December 2006)  New York State is trying to save its hospital system from financial collapse, while also finding a way to provide health care tothe millions of New Yorkers who are going without.

Tough Times for Transit Workers  (December 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.

High Revenue, Obscure Spending  (December 2006)  City Hall cannot be blamed for boasting about an increase in revenue to government coffers. But it is rightly criticized for obscuring information about how it spends the money -- specifically, its more than $11 billion in contracts with organizations outside of government.

Congestion Pricing: An Incomplete Solution  (December 2006)  Tom Angotti argues that what is missing in New York City isn’t just congestion pricing – charging drivers for entering the most traffic-clogged parts of the city -- but long-term planning for traffic reduction

Cops In High Schools  (December 2006)  High school students have a mixed view of police presence, especially in the so-called Impact schools.

50 Bullets, Many Issues   (December 2006)  The shooting of Sean Bell on his wedding echoes other shooting of unarmed black men by police. A look at the reactions, the issues raised and what some say should be done to prevent similar tragedies.

Stated Meeting: Electrical Code, Property Taxes  (December 2006)  The City Council passed a bill making various changes to the electrical code at its most recent stated meeting on November 29, 2006. Under the bill, balconies, decks and porches would be required to have outlets, a safety measure intended to cut down on the dangerous practice of stringing extension cords from indoor outlets. The expiration of electricians' licenses would be staggered to avoid the annual backlog that starts December 31, when every single license in the city expires. Several other changes would also be made regarding the processing of applications and other documents, and the operation of emergency generators.

Small Schools Exclude Many Immigrants  (December 2006)  The school reform efforts by Mayor Michael Bloomberg have dismantled large, failing high schools and created nearly 200 new small high schools to replace them. But there is one group of students for whom small schools are not as beneficial as they could be – immigrants and students who are English-language learners -- because many small schools do not accept them.

The Idle Rich  (November 2006)  They inspire resentment and fascination, but little is known about the "idle rich" -- New Yorkers who live off investment income. Andrew Beveridge pieces together an admittedly incomplete profile of them based on new census data.

Smart Meters  (November 2006)  What if residents of every apartment also had access to real-time information about their own electric consumption? Would it change their behavior – and benefit the city as a whole? This is the promise of what are being called smart meters.

After Prison  (November 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.

New Bills -- Nightlife Legislation, Tighter Agency Oversight, and Disclosure on Slavery  (November 2006)  

The Last Word in School Funding?   (November 2006)  The state’s highest court has issued what could well be the last word in the long legal battle over funding for New York City schools. But a new political fight is about to begin.

Artist Displacement  (November 2006)  Artists move in; neighborhood turns expensive; artists are pushed out. Several recent conferences have discussed solutions to the continuing problem, including homeownership for artists.

The Challenge of Eating Healthy  (November 2006)  New Yorkers go to the world's most famous grocery stores to shop for Thanksgiving dinners. For others, there isn't a single store in sight.

The City Council Votes Itself A Raise  (November 2006)  The City Council voted to give elected officials raises last week, over the objections of those who argue that reforms should have been part of the deal.

A Greener Governor?  (November 2006)  Parks advocates expect Eliot Spitzer to continue his support for open space in New York City, while they hope the new Congress will increase funding for urban parks.

Civil Liberties and the Election  (November 2006)  The Democratic sweep in Congress and in the New York Statehouse may result in little more than a change of tone, rather than concrete legislative change, when it comes to civil liberties.

Hundreds Of Millions Of New Dollars To New York?  (November 2006)  The ascendant Democrats in Washington and Albany could deliver big to New York City in tax relief and tax dollars. On the other hand, the U.S. President, and the New York State Senate, are still Republican.

Looking for Government Help on Housing  (November 2006)  Activists hope Democrats in Congress will take steps to address the city’s housing crunch, but worry about Eliot Spitzer’s ties to the real estate industry.

New Congress Will Move On Transportation  (November 2006)  

What Does It Mean for New York?  (November 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.

After The Election -- What Will Be Different Now?  (November 2006)  

The Sheriff of State Street  (November 2006)  

New Help For the Working Poor?  (November 2006)  If they want to help the working poor, newly elected Democrats in Albany and Washington could take bold steps to improve education and housing, says Nancy Rankin of the Community Service Society.

The Staten Island Ferry Crash Three Years Later  (November 2006)  Three years later, the crash that killed 11 people remains a continuing and costly drama for those involved, including City Hall.

Obesity, Asthma, and Public Health: What Can Planners Do?  (November 2006)  Tom Angotti explores how urban planning – better building codes and zoning codes -- could create a healthier environment. For example: “the Zoning Resolution restricts the location of sex shops in the city, so it could also limit the location of fast food outlets, keeping them away from schools.”

2006 Election Results  (November 2006)  

Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2006 General Election  (November 2006)  

New Bills -- Pay Raises, Veterans and the Police Department, Bicycle Lanes  (November 2006)  At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.

Contested Races  (November 2006)  

2006 New York Comptroller Candidates Grid   (November 2006)  

2006 New York Attorney General Candidates Grid  (November 2006)  

2006 New York Gubernatorial Candidates Grid  (November 2006)  

Stuyvesant Town, Queens West And The Debate Over Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses  (November 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 2006)  

Teen Court Days  (November 2006)  New York City foster youth would like a great voice, and presence, in family court.

Legal Lexicon  (November 2006)  Legal definitions, from "abatement" to "youthful offender"

Back In The Spotlight  (November 2006)  Norman Eng explains the recent events that have helped bring attention back to immigrant issues.

Tenant Organizing For 36 Years  (October 2006)  Joe Lamport interviews Michael McKee, the longest-serving tenant organizer in New York City on the tenant movement, the housing picture, and what keeps him from retiring.

Economic Incentives, for Council Members and Businesses; City Council Stated Meeting, Oct. 25, 2006  (October 2006)  

Yankee Stadium/Parks Exchange Underway  (October 2006)  Construction of Yankee stadium is on schedule, but, Anne Schwartz writes, “the building of the promised interim and replacement parkland has gotten off to a slower start. Now residents are wondering when – and if – the new parks will be built.”

Bias Murder -- The Death Of Michael Sandy In Context  (October 2006)  Twenty years after thousands of people marched to protest a bias killing in Howard Beach, a similar killing of Michael Sandy, a gay African-American New Yorker, has produced no march through Sheepshead Bay. Andy Humm explains what's changed.

The Attorney General  (October 2006)  In a campaign marked by personal attacks, Andrew Cuomo and Jeanine Pirro are aggressively seeking a job once held by Aaron Burr, Martin Van Buren and Eliot Spitzer. But what actually does the state’s top lawyer do?

Business Improvement Districts  (October 2006)  There are 55 business improvement districts, or BIDs, in New York City, more than any other municipality in the world. What they promise is a revitalized area at little cost to City Hall. But critics see them differently.

New Bills – Saving Middle-Income Housing and Improving Nightlife Safety  (October 2006)  

The Forgotten Attack On NYC  (October 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.

Municipal Television – A Clash Of Vision  (October 2006)  Marcus Banks explains the difference of views on New York City’s municipally owned television channels, and how to make government programming must-watch TV.

Using City Tax Policy To Help The Working Poor  (October 2006)  The $42 million proposed child care tax credit is the only sign thus far of any new public funding for anti-poverty programs. But there are at least three other ways, Glenn Pasanen argues, that City Hall could use a change in tax policy to help the poor

Faster Buses, Safer Cycling, Better Pedestrian Protection And Other Plans For The Future  (October 2006)  New York City's Transportation Commissioner talks about what improvements her agency is instituting.

Putting Cars Behind  (October 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.

The Poverty Commission: Measuring Up?  (October 2006)  How many poor people live in New York? How do we determine who is poor? Is that accurate? A member of the mayor's poverty commission answers key questions on the shape of poverty in the city.

Stated Meeting – Helping Low-Income Homeowners – 10/11/2006  (October 2006)  The council unanimously expanded an existing law that reduces property taxes exemption for low-income senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers who own their homes. Currently, seniors and disabled people must have incomes must have incomes of less that$32,400 to be exempt from paying part of their property tax. Council now has raised that limit to $34,400 for this year and will gradually increase that to $37,400 in 2009. To receive the maximum benefit, the homeowners have to have income of $24,000 or less now. That will go up to $29,000 in 2009.

The Poverty Commission: Measuring Up?  (October 2006)  How many poor people live in New York? How do we determine who is poor? Is that accurate? A member of the mayor's poverty commission answers key questions on the shape of poverty in the city.

MTA Debt  (October 2006)  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing ballooning debt, but has postponed dealing with it, Bruce Schaller writes.

Long-Term Planning At City Hall  (October 2006)   With the creation of a new Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, and a report envisioning a New York in 2030 with 400,000 new apartments, City Hall has an ambitious agenda for future growth, says Tom Angotti.

Can Small Stores Survive in New York?  (October 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.

Special Ed: Needs Improvement  (October 2006)  The Department of Education says it has strengthened services for students with disabilities, but a new state report gives the city’s program low marks.

No-Fault Divorce: Feminists Clash  (October 2006)  With feminists divided on the issue, no-fault divorce could be one of the more divisive debates in the state.

New Council Bills -- Nightlife Safety and Property Tax Breaks  (October 2006)   At each of the City Council's stated meetings, council members introduce bills, most of which will never become laws (for the process by which bills become laws, click here). As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette discusses some of the legislation proposed at each meeting.

Hospital Communication  (October 2006)  New regulations attempt to tackle the barriers to communication in hospitals.

Green Construction  (October 2006)  From the proposed Atlantic Yards development in downtown Brooklyn to the water filtration plant in the northern Bronx, critics almost always complain not just about the project itself, but about the inconvenience, pollution and noise they will face during its construction. But another way is emerging.

Good Government Speaks Many Languages  (October 2006)  In a city where one in four New Yorkers is still in the process of learning English, City Hall is failing to take its own advice.

Independent Voters  (September 2006)  There are more independent voters in New York City than there are registered members of the Republican, Conservative, Working Families and Independence parties combined. Yet, efforts to involve unaffiliated voters in the political process are happening…elsewhere.

HIV 25 Years Later   (September 2006)  Jarel Melendez looks at how AIDS affected the city’s foster care system, and why it continues to affect our teens today

New York City Council Stated Meeting -- September 27, 2006  (September 2006)  

Waterfront In Fits And Starts (And Stops)   (September 2006)  Pat Arnow updates the progress – or inaction, or reversals – in several waterfront projects, including Hudson River Park, East River Park, Belt Parkway Bath… and why the Statue of Liberty can still gaze lovingly at the statue of Minerva in Green-Wood Cemetery.

Is Homework Necessary? Also: A Truce Over Teaching Math  (September 2006)  The fight over how to teach math seems to be calming down. But a new debate is heating up over whether to give homework.

How the Estate Tax Helps New York  (September 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.

Fighting Poverty  (September 2006)  

The Many Faces of Poverty   (September 2006)  

New City Council Bills -- Commuting, Smoking, and Drinking   (September 2006)  

Housing Activists’ Fall Agenda  (September 2006)  Housing advocates aren’t just pushing for more affordable housing. Some are lobbying for new city legislation that they say will make life easier for embattled tenants, such as the establishment of a Repair Board, and the creation of new rights – the right to counsel in housing court for senior citizens, the right to sue landlords for harassment.

Housing In New York City -- Figuring Out The Big (And Little) Picture  (September 2006)  A spate of reports on the city's housing details what most New Yorkers already knew -- but with some surprises, and plenty of mysteries.

Fast Track From Poverty?  (September 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.

Foreign, Battered and Denied Aid Unconstitutionally   (September 2006)  A federal judge rules that New York has been unconstitutionally denying aid to battered immigrant women.

Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, Then and Now  (September 2006)  The news of the proposed sale of two of the last bastions of middle class housing in New York City, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, prompted Andy Beveridge to look at the demographics of the residents in 1950, and see how they changed by 2000.

New York City Council Stated Meeting -- September 13, 2006  (September 2006)  

Election Results: Minor Races  (September 2006)  

Putting City Hall’s Documents Online  (September 2006)  Though city agencies have been required since 2003 to post their official documents online, few are fully complying with the law.

2006 Primary Election Results  (September 2006)  

Transit Riders – More For Work, Fewer For Fun  (September 2006)  Bruce Schaller analyzes recent census data to show that, while more New Yorkers are taking public transportation to work, fewer are taking the bus or subway for fun.

9/11 Health: Help at Last?  (September 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?

Contested State Assembly Seats  (September 2006)  

Contested State Senate Seats  (September 2006)  

A Guide for the Last Minute Voter, Primary 2006  (September 2006)  

Asthma, Poverty and Pollution  (September 2006)  Asthma affects children in poor neighborhoods in New York City at a much higher rate than in the rest of the city, and the rest of the country. Why? Some attribute it to pollution.

The Mayor's Legacy: Educational Improvements and Poverty Reduction, Or Bold Budgeting and Economic Development?  (September 2006)  "Public officials cannot usually control how they are viewed by history," Glenn Pasanen writes, "and, while much can happen in the more than three years left to the Bloomberg administration, events over the past few months may wind up helping determine what ultimately will be seen as this mayor's main accomplishments."

Inclusionary Zoning  (September 2006)  It has now become an “accepted norm throughout the city” Tom Angotti writes, to create “inclusionary zoning,” which allows real estate developers to construct bigger buildings in exchange for allocating a portion of them to people with modest incomes.

9/11 + 5  (September 2006)  Five years after 9/11, has New York moved on? Or will it have to wait until Ground Zero is rebuilt to do so?

Noise In New York  (August 2006)  By many measures, noise (especially from nightclubs and car alarms) has become New Yorkers’ biggest concern.

What New Yorkers Are Like Now – First Results of the American Community Survey  (August 2006)  Andrew Beveridge looks at newly released census data – which reveals that there are more educated New Yorkers, fewer black people in the city, a slower increase in immigrants, etc. – and the new American Community Survey from which the information comes.

Subway Searches  (August 2006)  A federal appeals court has ruled the random subway searches constitutional.

The 13th Senate District Debate   (August 2006)  

Abortion in New York City  (August 2006)  No matter what happens with Roe v. Wade, New York City is likely to remain “the abortion capital of America.”

A Low-Key Race for An Open Seat in Staten Island  (August 2006)  

Barging Back  (August 2006)  Barges, once ubiquitous on the waterfront, are poised for a comeback – moving garbage, and moving containers.

New City Council Bills -- Conserving Energy, Limiting Noise   (August 2006)  

Fringe Benefits  (August 2006)  Even many artists who do not participate in New York’s annual fringe festival find themselves living on the fringe, without the basic benefits that come from more traditional employment.

Assembly District 22 (Flushing, etc.) Debate Transcript  (August 2006)  

Transportation And The New Governor  (August 2006)  Bruce Schaller looks at how New York City’s transportation system might fare under a new governor.

The Homeless Pledge  (August 2006)  The mayor is promising to reduce by two-thirds the number of homeless people in New York City by the time he leaves office. But advocates are skeptic.

The Homeless Pledge  (August 2006)  The mayor is promising to reduce by two-thirds the number of homeless people in New York City by the time he leaves office. But advocates are skeptic.

Assembly District 74 Debate Transcript  (August 2006)  

Bringing the Money Back from Albany  (August 2006)  

State Races And Incumbency – How New York Is Not Connecticut  (August 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 2006)  

Ethnic Politics in Changing Flushing  (August 2006)  

New York City Council Stated Meeting -- August 16, 2006  (August 2006)  Every two weeks the New York City Council meets for its Stated Meeting to introduce and pass legislation. As a regular feature, Gotham Gazette covers these meetings and posts a summary of the bills passed.

Open Space in the Atlantic Yards Development  (August 2006)  Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.

Open Space in the AtlanticYards Development  (August 2006)  Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.

Open Space in the AtlanticYards Development  (August 2006)  Anne Schwartz looks at the plans for parkland and open space at the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, and at the debate over whether the open space lives up to the developer’s promise; whether it will be accessible to the public; how it will be managed; whether there will be enough.

Parades, Permits And The Right To Protest  (August 2006)  Andy Humm looks at the effect a proposed new police rule regarding parades and demonstrations would have on the right to protest – a rule that is itself being vehemently protested.

Summer Jobs  (August 2006)  

Teen Activists  (August 2006)  Several thousand New York City teenagers spend their summers working to change the world, or at least their communities.

Succeeding Green in Fort Greene – and Beyond  (August 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 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.

The Padlocked Playgrounds  (August 2006)  In a city starved for recreational space, hundreds of school playgrounds remain locked and off limits during the summer and on weekends.

Single Mothers: Working, But Still Poor  (August 2006)  One of the members of the mayor’s poverty commission, which is scheduled to release its first recommendations soon, examines the issue of the high rates of poverty for single mothers who work.

Housing Code Enforcement in Need of Repair   (August 2006)  

After The Adopted Budget, Some Tinkering  (August 2006)  The city’s adopted budget got generally good marks from fiscal monitors, but it was being tinkered with almost as soon as it was passed, Glenn Pasanen writes, with “two big moves” – both involving development on the West Side of Manhattan – that have “unknown implications for the city’s future financial condition.”

The 2006 Blackout – Too Easy Just To Blame Con Edison   (August 2006)  It would be difficult to find any New Yorker lately who thinks Con Edison deserves our thanks. But, as Marcus Banks argues, the utility can shoulder only part of the blame for the July blackout and the August power outages.

Funding the Parks Boom  (August 2006)  The city is adding new parks and renovating old ones. While everyone welcomes the green space, some question the way the city is paying for it.

Going Green: Three Parks Face The Future  (August 2006)  

The Aging City  (July 2006)  The recent blackout was just the latest sign that many of the systems New Yorkers rely on – from electricity to sewers to subways – may be too old to meet the demands of a 21st century city.

How Will Power Shift To The Principals?  (July 2006)  The Department of Education wants to transfer power to principals and away from regional offices and superintendents, but arranging the shift by the time school starts in September could be tricky.

New City Council Bills  (July 2006)  

City’s New Waste Plan and the Neighborhoods  (July 2006)  Tom Angotti takes a look at the newly passed solid waste management plan, which in many ways follows a plan generated by neighborhood groups.

Taking the Public Pulse  (July 2006)  As governments, including New York City's, find new ways to assess their performance, some experts say that officials often ignore a key piece -- what the people who are supposed to benefit from government services think of those services.

Beyond 311: Listening to New Yorkers  (July 2006)  Talking to citizens can provide government with a better understanding of how satisfied citizens are with city services.

What Residents Can Tell Government  (July 2006)  Citizen surveys can tell government a lot about how well city services are working.

The Way in San Jose  (July 2006)  An official from the California city explains how it surveys residents and what it has learned from those surveys.

The Web Site, 311, Surveys and Focus Groups  (July 2006)  The director of the Mayor's Office of Operations on how the city learns what citizens think.

Parents Grading Schools  (July 2006)  An education department official describes the school system's plan to start asking parents, teachers and students how they rate city schools.

Creating a Healthy Future for Harlem and New York City  (July 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.

New York City Council Stated Meeting – July 19, 2006  (July 2006)  

Counting The Empty Buildings  (July 2006)  Joe Lamport details a new effort to find all the empty buildings in the city, in hopes of turning some of them into affordable housing.

Biking It  (July 2006)  The death of three bicyclists in separate traffic accidents has renewed attention to bicycling as a form of transportation. Bruce Schaller explores.

Community Gardens  (July 2006)  A 2002 agreement saved hundreds of cherished community gardens, but many others still face an uncertain future, endangered by New York's development boom and need for housing.

A Public Defender's Case  (July 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.

Drowning and Rescue in New York  (July 2006)  Even though New York City is a city of islands and rivers, remarkably few people drown here every year.

Budget Offers Little That's New   (July 2006)  The 2007 budget, a product of cordial negotiations between the mayor and council, has garnered lots of praise, but Glenn Pasanen writes, it offers few, if any, new initiatives.

Gay Marriage Ruling Highlights a Changing Court  (July 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 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 - and Not Reforming - the Budget Process  (July 2006)  Each year lawmakers dole out hundreds of millions of dollars for pet projects. Much of the money goes to worthy causes, but many say it's time to change the way officials decide – or hide – their budget choices.

Helping Men Be Fathers  (July 2006)  With more than half of all black children growing up without their fathers, an East Harlem program tries to break the cycle of absent dads.

Recreation Centers: For Members Only  (July 2006)  The city's six remaining free recreation centers began charging fees this month. David Jones discusses the possible impact this will have on some of New York's poorest residents.

Giving the Newest New Yorkers the Vote  (July 2006)  City Council is again considering a bill that would give legal immigrants who have lived here for at least six months the opportunity to vote in city elections.

State Removes Statute Of Limitations For Rape Cases   (June 2006)  Spurred by the emergence of DNA evidence, New York has ended the statute of limitations for rape, allowing prosecutors to bring cases many years after the crime.

New York City Council Stated Meeting – June 29, 2006  (June 2006)  

Who Decides When The Patient Can't?   (June 2006)  For the 14th year in a row, the legislature could not pass a bill giving New Yorkers the right to make medical decisions for incapacitated family member.

Off the Farm and Into the Faucet  (June 2006)  A program to help upstate farmers protect their land helps keep New York City drinking water clean – and could save billions in filtration costs.

Hitting the 9 Million Mark  (June 2006)  Some experts predict there will be 9 million New Yorkers by 2030. But are such forecasts reasonable? Andrew Beveridge examines the numbers.

New York City's Tourism  (June 2006)  Record numbers of tourists are coming to the city this summer, which means either wheelbarrows full of cash or months of annoyance, depending on who you ask. A photographic look at the city's tourism industry.

Zoning Versus Planning in Manhattanville  (June 2006)  Community residents and Columbia students opposed to the university’s massive expansion plans have their own proposals for the neighborhood.

Giving Principals More Control  (June 2006)  After fours years of centralization, the Department of Education wants to give principals a lot more power. Clara Hemphill reports on what some are calling a ‘180 degree turn’ in the school system.

New City Council Bills - June 13, 2006  (June 2006)  The New York City Council introduced 20 new bills, including efforts to rid the city of illegal guns, clean-up graffiti, lower gasoline taxes, and protect the city’s drinking water.

Rent Hikes Create Need for Special Housing  (June 2006)  Rent hikes for rent stabilized apartments and efforts to provide supportive housing for homeless New Yorkers are not unrelated issues, Joe Lamport writes.

Reforming Public Authorities  (June 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.

Fighting Poverty and a Decade of Welfare Reform   (June 2006)  The number of New Yorkers on welfare is the lowest it has been in 40 years, but poverty in the city is on the rise. Can Mayor Bloomberg's new task force on poverty reconcile these two trends?

Every Day Is Father's Day  (June 2006)  For decades, low-income men who have little or no connection with their children have been seen as one of the daunting problems of poverty that policymakers have been unable to address. But Father's Day in New York is a time when government is increasingly looking to the same men as part of the solution to society's most difficult problems.

Unknown (Unused) Beaches of NYC  (June 2006)  Though they are little-known, hard to find, often harder to get to, there are at least a dozen “natural sand beaches” in New York City

Faster Buses?  (June 2006)  “What will be required to make buses move faster, reduce the waits at bus stops and make the entire experience more comfortable and reliable?” Bruce Schaller asks. The answer, some suggest, is bus rapid transit, or BRT.

City Council Stated Meeting - June 13, 2006  (June 2006)  

Wireless Access  (June 2006)  Unlike other cities, New York's effort to create wireless access is focused on our parks. Even this, critics are saying, is moving too slowly.

Salaries For Elected Officials  (June 2006)  New York City’s elected officials may get their first pay raise in seven years. Do they deserve one? Who should decide?

A Unique Time And Place  (June 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?

Non-City Income for New York City Council Members  (June 2006)  

2006 City Council Stipends   (June 2006)  

Childstat  (June 2006)  A new program called “Childstat” is just one of the reforms that the Administration for Children’s Services is putting in place after the death of seven-year-old Nixzmary Brown. A transcript of an online chat with ACS Deputy Commissioner Jan Flory, in charge of Childstat.

Building Stadiums, Losing Revenue  (June 2006)  A financing plan for the new Yankee and Mets stadiums could cost the city tens of millions of dollars and set an expensive precedent.

Enabling Voters With Disabilities?  (June 2006)  Unable to comply fully with the federal requirements, New York’s board of elections has agreed to improve the ability of the disabled to cast an independent and private vote on Election Day. But will “Plan B” be effective?

Grading Students, Grading Schools  (June 2006)  Our new series on measuring city services looks at the Department of Educationís new initiative to gauge how the public schools are doing. Will it improve education or just create more tests?

Regents Exams and English Language Learners  (June 2006)  Fewer high school students who are in the process of learning English take the Regents exams, those who take the exams are more likely to fail, and those who do pass are more likely to pass the exams with lower scores. That is why New York is offering the tests in several native languages.

New City Council Bills  (May 2006)  

Harvesting the Rain  (May 2006)  Fledgling efforts to collect rainfall save water, reduce pollution – and could change the way we think about our most precious natural resource.

Nursing Homes And Alternatives  (May 2006)  New York State has more nursing homes than any other state. As advocates and policymakers develop programs to allow more seniors to live at home, some worry that the most vulnerable New Yorkers will end up worse off.

Conventions Create A Diverse Judiciary  (May 2006)  

Selecting the Most Qualified Judges  (May 2006)  

Giving Voters Real Choices  (May 2006)  

Picking Supreme Court Judges New York  (May 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.

American Idyll (For Foreign Artists)?  (May 2006)  “Taylor and Kat and Ace and Mandisa and Bucky knew what it took to become an American Idol,” Jonathan Mandell writes. “ But for Dusanka and Illana and Valeria and Nao and other foreign artists, the rules for becoming an American – or even just performing in America – can be excruciating.”

City Council Stated Meeting - May 24, 2006  (May 2006)  

Ex-Prisoners and Jobs  (May 2006)  Ex-prisoners with job skills are often prevented by law from being employed in some of the very occupations for which they were trained while in prison.

Rent Regulation and The Division Of Housing and Community Renewal  (May 2006)  Tenant advocates are attacking – and landlord groups are supporting – the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the state agency charged with enforcing the laws that apply to rent regulated apartments.

Cell Phone Ban Angers Students  (May 2006)  The city's decision to enforce its once largely ignored policy against electronic devices in schools has prompted students to circulate petitions and consider school walkouts.

Hanging Up on Parents?  (May 2006)  The furor over the ban on cell phone in city schools has highlighted concerns that the Department of Education no longer consults with parents on key issues. But would changes improve education?

Coming Out of The Shadow  (May 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 2006)  

A Laptop For Every Student?  (May 2006)  A pilot program is providing a laptop to each and every student in seven middle schools on the Upper West Side, with hopes that this will become the norm throughout the city.

Prisoners And The Right To Vote  (May 2006)  A federal court has ruled that inmates in New York have no right to vote

New City Council Bills  (May 2006)  At its most recent meeting, City Council members proposed 27 new bills, including measures to create handicap accessible taxis, give out more food vendor licenses, require the mayor to share data from 311-call line with the public, and to ban politicians from using taxpayer money to buy ads in local newspapers.

2007 Executive Budget -- The Mayor Expands His Budget Powers  (May 2006)  The executive budget that the mayor released this month shows his "ever-expanding domination of the budget process," Glenn Pasanen writes.

Closing The Park Loop Drives To Cars?  (May 2006)  Bruce Schaller debates the merits of a City Council bill that would close the drives in Central Park and Prospect Park to cars during the summer.

Can Fathering Be Taught?  (May 2006)  In a new - and modest - approach to addressing poverty, government is trying to get low-income dads more actively involved in the lives of their children.

Fighting Pollution and High Fuel Costs   (May 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.

Greenpoint Waterfront Fire  (May 2006)  People fighting for the character of Brooklyn's waterfront see a tragedy -- and suspect a crime -- in the spectacular fire that engulfed 15 abandoned industrial buildings on Greenpoint's waterfront.

City Council Stated Meeting - May 10, 2006  (May 2006)  

Same-Sex Marriage Showdown  (May 2006)  New York State's highest court will hear a group of cases on May 31st arguing for gay marriage. Andy Humm reports.

New York's Asians  (May 2006)  Andrew Beveridge looks at the characteristics of a "racial group" that comes from several continents and speaks many different languages.

Mafia: Rise, Fall and Resurgence  (May 2006)  Has the time of New York's Mafia come and gone?

Drawing the Line: Redistricting and Non-Competitive Elections in New York State   (May 2006)  

Drawing the Line: Redistricting Reform  (May 2006)  There is growing momentum for changing the way districts are drawn in New York State, with all four gubernatorial candidates on board. What is wrong with the current system, and what would a better way look like?

Should 16-Year-Olds Have The Right To Vote?  (May 2006)  High school student (and current non-voter) Desiree Bailey weighs a City Council bill that would lower the voting age for local NYC elections to 16.

New City Council Bills  (May 2006)  The City Council introduced 57 new bills, including measures to prevent gas stations from changing prices several times a day, create a more ethnically diverse Fire Department, and ban the sale of violent video games to minors.

Health Insurance -- Looking For A Model  (May 2006)  As they develop policy here to address the widespread lack of health insurance, New York officials have been watching more ambitious plans in other states, especially Massachusett's plan for "near-universal health coverage."

Mayor's Summit On Illegal Guns  (May 2006)  Part photo op, part strategy session, mayors from fifteen cities met at Gracie Mansion for a summit on illegal guns. "The important question," David Dean writers, "is whether the mayor's coalition-building will do any good."

Jane Jacobs and New York  (May 2006)  Tom Angotti looks at the legacy of Jane Jacobs, “one of the greatest advocates of New York City’s urbanism” who died last month at the age of 89.

Running for Brooklyn’s Open Seat  (May 2006)  

U.S. Congressional District 10 – Taking On Ed Towns  (May 2006)  

New York on Capitol Hill  (May 2006)  The 13 members of Congress from New York City, 12 of whom are Democrats, have limited clout in Washington. But many hope this year’s elections will change that.

Immigrant Services And Their Funding  (May 2006)  As negotiations continue over New York City’s next budget, immigrant advocates are looking closely at the funding given for what is called the Immigrant Opportunities Initiative, which gives money to more than 100 non-profit organizations for two services specifically geared to immigrants -- English classes and legal services.

City Council Stated Meeting - April 26, 2006  (April 2006)  

Job Seekers And Technology  (April 2006)  Several city agencies provide services to New Yorkers seeking jobs – and all could be helped with an increase in technological services.

Parks Budget For 2007  (April 2006)  This year, the mayor’s preliminary budget eliminates $14 million for 600 seasonal park employees, the entire street tree pruning effort, and an after-school program at the recreation centers.

Predicting The Unpredictable -- Planning Future Hospital Beds, Classrooms, Jail Cells Etc.  (April 2006)  How does the city know how many classrooms, jail cells and hospital beds it will need ten years from now?

Brighter Budget = Unique Opportunity  (April 2006)  The good news about the budget keeps on getting better, Glenn Pasanen writes, offering a "unique opportunity for the mayor and council to design a longer-term budget plan and process that does away with the annual budget-negotiation angst and lack of transparency."

The City’s Resistance to Cutting Class Size  (April 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.

Voting Rights Revisited  (April 2006)  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is as relevant in New York City as in Alabama or Mississippi -- and provisions of it expiring next year are about to be hotly debated.

Buildings, But How About Books?  (April 2006)  The long battle over construction funds for New York City schools appears at an end. But the fight over money for teachers, books and supplies continues.

Homeless Prevention Programs A Year Later  (April 2006)   Joe Lamport looks at three programs launched last year to prevent homelessness – two widely viewed as “promising,” one “a mess.”

Dredging In New York Harbor -- Economy vs. Environment?  (April 2006)  Will the Army Corps of Engineers clean up as they deepen channels?

Residency Requirements  (April 2006)  A Brooklyn principal recently lost his job because he lived in New Jersey and lied about it. Does it make sense to limit where city workers live, or is it an idea whose time has passed?

Staten Island's New Decongestant Plan  (April 2006)  Bruce Schaller looks at the new plan to address the transportation problems on Staten Island, the most car-dependent borough of New York.

Finding Space for a Million More New Yorkers  (April 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.

New City Council Bills  (April 2006)  

Green Is Gold (Though Not Yet In NYC)  (April 2006)  Those attending an event known as the Green Trading Summit in midtown this month had two unshakeable convictions, one backed by science, the other by finance: Global warming is doing damage to the environment, and efforts to reduce its severity have proven lucrative; green, they say, is gold -- everywhere (so far) but here.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren  (April 2006)  The nation’s first public development exclusively for grandparents raising grandchildren, right here in the Bronx, shows the way towards solving the problems involved in a growing trend.

How To Make It In NYC As An Artist  (April 2006)  It is still possible to thrive as an artist in New York City, according to several recent reports, conferences and hearings, as long as artists follow some simple guidelines. (e.g. Never Get Sick)

Harlem's Heyday  (April 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.

Willets Point: A Defense  (April 2006)  Tom Angotti argues against the city’s plan for a “multi-billion dollar project” at Willets Point, Queens, in the shadow of Shea Stadium, saying that the proposal would destroy “the kind of bustling business district that economic development experts across the country keep trying to re-create.”

Stadiumania: Snapshots of an Obsession  (April 2006)  

Immigrant Organizing  (April 2006)  A growing number of community-based organizations for immigrants in New York City are both providing services (such as English classes) and spurring political engagement (such as the recent demonstrations).

New York City Council Budget Response  (April 2006)  

Undocumented Immigrants  (April 2006)  Andrew Beveridge looks at the demographics of those immigrants who have no legal authorization to live here, and the differences between New York City and elsewhere in the United States.

City Council Stated Meeting - April 5, 2006  (April 2006)  The New York City Council approved construction of a new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Injured, Undocumented – And Legally Protected  (April 2006)  Can construction workers who claim injury on the job sue even if the workers are “unauthorized aliens” with no legal right to work, or even live, in the U.S.? The highest court in New York has ruled yes. Justice Emily Jane Goodman details the ruling.

Legalization and De-Legalization  (April 2006)  Why are some immigrants attending unprecedented mass demonstrations against pending new federal legislation, and others labeling it a victory for immigrants? Aarti Shahani of Families for Freedom sorts out the bills, and explains the protests.

Budget: More Cops, More Surveillance; Less Crime?  (April 2006)  David Dean details a proposed crime budget with the largest city-funded expansion of the police department’s uniformed force since 1993, and asks what if anything it will accomplish.

Education, Housing, Health...And The 2007 Budget  (April 2006)  This budget season there is plenty of talk about money for police, schools, and children’s services. But how do the city’s budget priorities match up to the concerns of everyday New Yorkers?

Rockefeller Drug Laws: An Ex-Prisoners View  (March 2006)  

New City Council Bills  (March 2006)  

Subsidized Housing   (March 2006)  The loss of subsidized housing in New York City is affecting mostly low-income tenants and families of color, says David Jones of the Community Service Society.

Gay Bars  (March 2006)  Boisterous lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are clashing with Christopher Street residents. It’s just the latest in a long history of conflict on the iconic street.

New York Nights  (March 2006)  A recent murder has brought increased scrutiny to the city's bars and clubs, an industry that is already rife with conflict.

The Rockefeller Drug Laws: A Prosecutor’s Perspective  (March 2006)  A narcotics prosecutor argues that recent changes in the state’s drug laws could threaten communities once ravaged by drugs.

London and NYC Compared On Surveillance, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, etc.  (March 2006)  The announcement that more than 500 surveillance cameras will be installed throughout New York City is just the latest example of the ways in which New Yorkers are taking or advocating ideas that come from London. Many involve civil liberties.

City Council Stated Meeting - March 22, 2006  (March 2006)  The City Council proposed a $50.7 million operating budget to cover the body's salaries and expenses. It also remembered former Councilmember Robert Dryfoos.

Diabetes in NYC  (March 2006)  The Bloomberg administration is taking some unprecedented steps to curb the one major health problem that is getting worse in the city -- diabetes.

Yankee Stadium Parkland Swap  (March 2006)  The taking of parkland for Yankee Stadium, Anne Schwartz writes, raises a number of issues involving the public health, the environment, and whether what the community is getting in return is a fair trade.

Stem Cell Research: Medical Miracle or Moral Morass?  (March 2006)  With the federal government refusing to fund stem cell research, some doctors, patient advocates and researchers want New York to support the field that they say could revolutionize medicine.

Behind the Dropout Rate  (March 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.

Hiding Behind the Numbers  (March 2006)  Fire department response times are slower. More students are dropping out. It costs millions more to throw out the garbage. The city is hoping, Glenn Pasanen argues, that New Yorkers don’t notice.

Back From Iraq  (March 2006)  Three years after the beginning of the war in Iraq -- it began March 19th, 2003 -- some veterans returning to New York are suffering from physical wounds, emotional trauma, financial insecurity, and homelessness. But as one veteran told Joshua Brustein, "we've been trained that asking for help is an admission that you've failed.."

311 + 3 : Adding Social Services  (March 2006)  On its third anniversary, 311 will now include referrals to private, non-profit social service agencies.

Congestion Pricing  (March 2006)  Bruce Schaller revisits the debate over "congestion pricing" -- making drivers pay to enter the central business district -- in light of new information.

In Defense Of Big Schools  (March 2006)  The closing of Seward Park High School is the sad result of the city’s misguided rush to small schools, say author Samuel Freedman and former Seward teacher Jessica Siegel.

New York's Port, Beyond Dubai  (March 2006)  Whether or not the fraca