Opponents of the city’s new district maps got their wish for another round of public hearings thanks to Assemblymember Vito Lopez, though confidence significant changes will be made remains low. When the city’s Districting Commission unveiled the maps on November 16, District 34 was redrawn to include the residence of the embattled assemblymember, reportedly at [...]
A state lawmaker is looking to take his legislative know-how to City Hall. Assemblymember Rory Lancman officially announced his candidacy for City Council on Monday, November 19. The Democratic hopeful will seek to head the 24th Council District, which currently stretches from Fresh Meadows to Jamaica and is led by outgoing Councilmember James Gennaro. “The [...]
The borough’s two Republican city legislators will attempt to keep their seats in City Hall next year, after falling short in their contentious bids for higher office. Councilmembers Eric Ulrich and Dan Halloran said they would seek re-election in their respective City Council districts after last Tuesday’s election dealt them crushing defeats. “I feel very [...]
Following a record number of disputed water bills, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio introduced legislation today that prevents late fees, liens and foreclosure on home and business owners fighting the charges. He made the announcement at a Queens Chamber of Commerce small business forum that was held this morning at the Queens Library Flushing branch. [...]
A handful of political hopefuls in northeast Queens are already mulling over a chance to join the city’s lawmaking body next year. The draw of taking over one vacant city council seat and possibly ousting one of the borough’s only two Republicans in another district has been luring in a number of interested candidates. Councilmember [...]
The City Council unanimously voted last week to pass a bill which would allow a task force to address rising sea levels and a recent increase in high-intensity rain storms throughout the five boroughs. These long and short term problems stemming from climate change would be tackled by a panel of mayor-appointed climate impact scientists, [...]
Communities split by redistricting a decade ago are calling for unification as another round kicked off in Queens. Every 10 years, to account for fluctuations in the census, the city holds redistricting hearings to adjust council lines. The redistricting commission came to Queens for a public hearing at Flushing Library, allowing residents to express how [...]
Some Queens residents will soon have another say in where their tax dollars go. The city’s second year “participatory budgeting” initiative will allow eight City Council districts — including three in Queens — to choose which physical infrastructure projects they will fund in their neighborhoods this year. The $10 million budget, officials said, is completely [...]
In our current economic climate, members of the City Council must make difficult decisions as they develop and approve the city budget. This budget season, District 26 City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer has once again shown himself to be a tireless advocate for the needs of our community. Thanks to Van Bramer, Speaker Quinn and [...]
Organizations in Council District 30 may need to learn to stretch a dollar after Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley lost almost $300,000 in discretionary funding this fiscal year. Crowley received just $378,321 to dole out to area institutions — more than $35,000 less than any other Queens councilmember — after spending more than $660,000 a year ago. [...]
