On January 4, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Dina Levy as the Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Mayor Mamdani also signed an executive order creating “Rental Ripoff” hearings, for New Yorkers to speak with relevant City agencies about challenges they face as renters.
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 01/05/26
This week- State Court To Hear Expert Reports in Congressional challenge; NYC Charter Commission To Consider Open Primaries & Non-Partisan Elections; Redistricting & Census on the Albany Agenda; February 3rd Redistricting CLE; Around the Nation- Utah, Maryland
NY Elections, Census and Redistricting Update 12/15/25
This week- State Court Hears Motion to Recuse Judge in Congressional Map Challenge; State VRA Litigation Activity; Governor Signs ERIC Interstate Compact Law; A Look at the N.Y. League of Women Voters, Around the Nation: Indiana
LITIGATION
Congressional Redistricting
Williams et. al v. New York State Board of Elections et. al
On October 27th, a complaint was filed in New York County State Supreme Court asking that the state legislature create a new district that … <Read More>
Day One, and Shortly Thereafter: A New Mayor’s Guide to a Successful Transfer of Power
By Stephen Louis
On January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani will become the Mayor of the City of New York. He will be busy from Day One. But to implement his policies, both big and small, what does he have to do on Day One, or shortly thereafter?
COMPLETE VIDEO: Policy Briefing with Presumptive City Council Speaker Julie Menin – 12/10
Today, December 10, 2025, the Center for New York City and State Law and Citizens Budget Commission co-hosted a policy briefing with Julie Menin, the presumptive next City Council Speaker. Ben Max, Program Director of the Center for New York City and State Law and Andrew Rein, President of Citizens Budget Commission spoke with Council Member Menin about her accomplishments in government, vision for leading the Council in 2026, and more.
To watch the video, … <Read More>
Three Ideas for the Next Mayor to Innovate Around Gig Work
By Mark Chiusano
New York City’s gig economy is staggeringly influential by almost every measure. Delivery bikers make close to 3 million takeout dropoffs a week. Ubers and Lyfts dwarf the 14,000 green and yellow taxis on city streets. Roughly 6% of all workers in the five boroughs rely on gig work as their main income, a number that is likely a significant undercount. Their labors have changed consumption patterns and powered restaurants, small … <Read More>