CityLaw

Congressman Goldman Outlines Solutions to Lack of Public Trust in Government

By Ili Pecullan

According to Congressman Dan Goldman, a second-term Democrat representing New York’s 10th Congressional District, the fundamental principles of American democracy are being tested like never before. But even as he identifies abuses of power by President Donald Trump and the self-inflicted fraying of checks and balances thanks to decisions by Republicans who have the majority in both houses of Congress and decisions by the conservative-led Supreme Court, Goldman also sees bipartisan problems … <Read More>

New York’s Green Light Law Hits Flashing Yellow

By Stephen Louis

On September 21, 2007, New York Governor Elliot Spitzer and Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts announced administrative changes that would allow applications for driver licenses without regard to immigration status. After a long and winding road, undocumented immigrants began to legally obtain driver’s licenses in New York in 2019, after the “Green Light Law” was passed by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. But it now faces … <Read More>

Manhattan Borough President Candidates Debate Land Use Issues

By Ili Pecullan

Weighing in on land use decisions is one of the key responsibilities of a borough president in New York City, and several land use themes came up in a recent debate among the three Democrats running this year to become the next Manhattan Borough President.

The debate among Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Keith Powers, and Calvin Sun was hosted June 3 at New York Law School by its Center for New York City and … <Read More>

The Albany Agenda: What Democratic Candidates for Mayor Want From The State

By Mark Chiusano

Being mayor of New York City comes with a lot of advantages, from the media-capital bully pulpit of the Big Apple to a built-in workforce that numbers over 300,000. But the uncomfortable secret of becoming mayor is that for lots of big swings, you need Albany. 

That’s because of how much authority the state has over city issues, on aspects of taxation, housing, transportation, and even law enforcement. Yet the city is … <Read More>

‘It Doesn’t Just Magically Happen’: Major Effort to Make a Public Plaza Work

 

By Mark Chiusano

What the visitor to Bogardus Plaza sees is the welcoming kiosk selling pasteis de nata, the tables and egg-shaped seats, and the raised platform that hosts a dog show, one of 8-10 events in the plaza each year. The passerby may notice the elegant paving stones, the antique 17-foot cast-iron clock, and the way that this plaza carves some public recreational space out of what used to be part of Hudson … <Read More>

Democratic Mayoral Candidates Talk Parks Priorities

By Mark Chiusano

New York City’s parks are touchstones for all residents – including candidates for mayor. 

Among those 30,000 acres are “where my kids learned to walk,” said Comptroller Brad Lander, and where State Senator Zellnor Myrie biked and got a “reprieve” from his asthma. Former comptroller Scott Stringer’s children practically “live in the parks,” he said, summing up the prevailing view: “The way our parks will go will define how our city goes.”… <Read More>