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Today's Lead:


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Mayor Bill de Blasio set aside $5.4 million a year in the budget to pay for space in private buildings for three Success Academy charter schools over the next four years. That amounts to more than $11,000 in rent for each child expected to be enrolled next year, but becoming less per student as the schools add enrollment. The de Blasio administration's initial rollback of these charter schools, part of a network founded by Eva Moskowitz, led Albany to pass a law mandating that the City find space for charter schools at public buildings or pay their rent in a privately-owned location. Currently, 183 charters serve 70,918 students.

New from Gotham Gazette
Kallos Seeks Overhaul Through Open Source
Kristen Meriwether's exclusive report on new legislation being introduced by Council Member Kallos on Thursday that would require city agencies to use open source software when possible.

The Case Against Solitary
In an op-ed, Lucas Anderson argues against the use of solitary confinement, citing its long-term effects on inmates, among several other reasons for opposition.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
As Party Fractures, Cuomo Ascends
David King examines the breaks within the New York State Democratic Party as the governor and other elected officials seek reelection, some of whom are being primaried from within the party.

 

For Richer and For Poorer: Tying the Park Equity Knot
Our deep-dive into the issue of New York City 'park equity' frames the current debates and gives important background information.

Other Stories We're Following

Special Clinics at Hospitals Vie for Hesitant Patients: Men (NY Times)

Trying to Exact a Democratic Ascension in Albany (NY Times)

Bronx Council Member Misses Ethics Report (Capitol Confidential)

Port Authority Abandons Financing Plan for 3 WTC (Crain's)

Both Sides Dig in on Downstate Energy-Regulation Fight (Capital)

Senate Offers 25 Bills to Fight Heroin Abuse (Times Union)

Summer Construction Season in the Rockaways (WNYC)

State Launching Effort to Boost Job Skills in Bronx (Daily News)

Students, Professors Sue Cooper Union Over Tuition Charge (DNAinfo)

Council Votes Today on Bills to Reduce Traffic Deaths (NY Post)

Don't Let NYC be Caught Off-Guard by Another Sandy (am New York)

 

Today's Lead: De Blasio Press Policy Study Shows Limited Access


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In his first five months in office, Mayor Bill de Blasio has barred media access to 53 events and limited it to 30 more, according to the Associated Press. On some days his entire schedule has been off limits; more than 20 percent of his listed events have been closed to the news media. In response, de Blasio said his office should do more to accommodate the press, but defended limiting media access when there are space constraints or when event hosts make such requests. The administration often releases transcripts of speeches given at private events and does so for virtually all public ones. De Blasio committed to disclosing any "substantive conversation" with a lobbyist, but has yet to implement the voluntary practice, like he did as public advocate.

The latest from Gotham Gazette
As Party Fractures, Cuomo Ascends
David King examines the breaks within the New York State Democratic Party as the governor and other elected officials seek reelection, some of whom are being primaried from within the party.

For Richer and For Poorer: Tying the Park Equity Knot
Our deep-dive into the issue of New York City 'park equity' frames the current debates, gives important background information, and previews this week's city council parks committee budget hearing.

The Week Ahead in New York Politics
Our weekly preview of what to look for in New York City and from Albany.

Other Stories We're Following

Prosecutor Asks Legislature to Preserve Moreland Records (Times Union)

NYPD Surveillance of Political Activism Questioned (WSJ)

Judge Asks Lawmakers to Seal Old Criminal Records (Capital)

Job Growth in Brooklyn Highest in City (Crain's)

City Cyclists to NYPD: Back Off! (Daily News)

City's Restaurant Policy Lowering Revenue From Fines (WSJ)

Student Athletes to Protest Uneven Sports Funding (WNYC)

Assembly Backs Use of Marijuana for Illnesses (NY Times)

De Blasio Decides Against Bid to Host 2024 Olympics (WSJ)

De Blasio Asks Working Families Party to Back Cuomo (Daily News)

UberX Drivers Can Earn $90,000 a Year, Says Company (Washington Post)

Complex Changes in Low-Level Arrests Under de Blasio (City Limits)

Today’s Lead: State Eliminates Political Donation Limits For Individuals


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State Board of Election voted unanimously to lift the existing $150,000 limit on campaign donations by individuals, citing recent rulings by the United States Supreme Court. Individuals will now be able to fund as many candidates and political groups as they choose. New York laws have long been criticized for making it easy for corporations to funnel unlimited cash to parties and candidates. The lifting on the individual restriction comes just before the high-stakes statewide elections and while Gov. Andrew Cuomo is involved in intense negotiations with the Legislature over campaign finance reform.

New from Gotham Gazette

The Week Ahead in New York Politics
Our weekly preview of what to look for in New York City and from Albany. Get prepared for the week upon us!

As Party Fractures, Cuomo Ascends
David King examines the breaks within the New York State Democratic Party as the governor and other elected officials seek reelection, some of whom are being primaried from within the party.

For Richer and For Poorer: Tying the Park Equity Knot
Our deep-dive into the issue of New York City 'park equity' frames the current debates, gives important background information, and previews this week's city council parks committee budget hearing, at which the committee will continue to push for more funding toward creating better equity among the city's parks.


Other Stories We're Following

Cuomo to Press Senate Republicans on Campaign Finance (Daily News)

Advocates Seek Audit of Police Surveillance (NY Times)

Advocates Seek to Make Courthouse Off Limits to Immigration Officials(NY Times)

De Blasio Wants to Help Homeless Veterans (NY Times)

Councilman Wants City to Post Notices on Its Website (Daily News)

Union Run By De Blasio’s Cousin Gave to Group That Supported Mayor’s Campaign (Daily News)

State Workers Earning More Than $100k Jumps in 2013 (Lower Hudson Journal)

Citi Bike Asked to Pay Lost Parking Revenue (WSJ)

Mayor;s Fund Goals Start to Take Shape (Capital)

Doubts As Working Families Party Prepares to Meet (Capital)

Citi Bike Marks One Year Anniversary (NY 1)

Municipal Identification Card May Help Immigrants, Homeless (Times Union)

Pricey Beach Bathrooms Won’t Be Installed In Time For Summer(DNAinfo)

Right-Sizing Housing is Tricky Business (Crain's)



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