Council Passes Bill to Provide Small Businesses with More Financial Information

On September 14, 2023, the City Council passed Int. No. 969-A, which requires the Department of Small Business Services to provide information on local community development financial institutions on the city’s one-stop shop business services portal. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, community development financial institutions are financial lenders that help, “promote access to capital and local economic growth in…low-income communities… through monetary awards and the allocation of tax credits.”



Council Bill Proposes Increased Safety and Responsiveness Requirements for Tree Risk Management

On September 14, 2023, New York City Council Member James Gennaro introduced Int. 1169 to set stricter safety standards, timelines, and procedures under the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Tree Risk Management Program. The bill amends Local Law 20 – passed by the City Council on January 9, 2022 – that governs tree inspection and health assessments by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Pursuant to Local Law 20, a member of the general public … <Read More>



City Council Votes to Approve Additions to DOT Master Street Plan

On October 19, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int. 1164A-2023. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers. This bill seeks to make additions to the Department of Transportation’s Master Street Plan by, in the words of Council Member Brooks-Powers, adding equity through “an investment roadmap to the streets plan law.”