City to Restart Indoor Dining September 30th

Restaurants will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity. On September 9, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that restaurants may resume indoor dining on September 30th as long as they meet specific requirements. Indoor dining has been shut down since last spring at the start of the pandemic, and restaurants have been limited to take out and outdoor dining. 




The Ins and Outs of the Legislation Side of the New York State Budget Process

By Liz Fine

The new year. A time for celebrations, for resolutions – and in Albany, for the launch of the State budget process. Far more than in most states, a year’s worth of policy making will get crammed into several weeks of work and thousands of dense legislative and budget pages. 

I have had a long career in government. I worked in the White House, Congress, and as General Counsel to the New York <Read More>


Council Approves City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On June 6, 2024, the City Council voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment is one of three City of Yes zoning text amendments proposed by the Adams administration to address outdated provisions within the zoning text that unnecessarily restrict or limit housing, the implementation of green technology and infrastructure, and economic development. 


City Planning Commission Votes to Approve City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Amendment

On March 6, 2024, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The amendment, the second of Mayor Eric Adams’ three City of Yes proposals, is a collection of eighteen changes to the zoning text designed to remove obstacles for small businesses looking to expand and create more vibrant streetscapes.