For the VID archives, click HERE.
This section will list articles, websites and legislation sorted by issue.
Helpful NYS legislation tool: Reinvent Albany
Helpful NY redistricting interactive map from CUNY
Helpful media tool: Media and Democracy Project
Black Gotham Experience Tours explore Black influence in colonial-era NYC
Grassroots Activists Newsletters. A daily go-to for updates and optimism:
Robbert Hubbell, Today's Edition
Heather Cox-Richardson, Letters from an American
Simon Rosenberg, Hopium Chronicles
Chop Wood, Cary Water, Jessica Craven - easy daily actions
NY Focus, an independent nonprofit newsroom investigating power in the Empire State
The States Project Video Video
More Go-To Grassroots News Sources
Read it and weep. Or get motivated. People! We have work to do. Read all about Trump's "Imperial Presidency" plans in Time Magazine.
Flip the Ballot! Pass ERA!
The New York legislature has passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) S108A for the second consecutive session, paving the way for its inclusion on the 2024 November ballot. The essentials in this long-fought-for legislation aim to prohibit discrimination by the government based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes. Critical issues such as reproductive autonomy and access to healthcare are also addressed.
NY must update the state’s constitution to protect historically marginalized groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, immigrants, and those with disabilities. With the threat of federal rollbacks on rights, the ERA is crucial to ensure equality for all New Yorkers.
We must spread the word! NYers must flip their ballots in November and vote YES for the ERA. Start talking about it NOW with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Check out this video here of Liz Kruger after the second passage of the ERA, or read the press release from her office here.
Source: NYCLU, ACLU of NY
Albany Budget Update
As details of the 2024-25 NY Budget emerge, we will update the VID Reading Library accordingly. Be sure to check for updated NY Budget analyses.
- News 11: New York lawmakers pass a $237 billion budget addressing housing construction and migrants here.
- NY Focus: Assembly Spikes Biggest Climate Proposal in NY Budget here.
- NY Focus: Your One-Stop Guide to the 2024 New York State Budget here.
- NY State Assembly: 2024-35 State Budget here.
- NY State. Gov: Governor Hochul Announces Historic Investments of FY 2025 State Budget here.
- NY State Senate: The statement from NY State Senate is here.
- NYT: New York Has a $237 Billion Budget. Here Are 5 Things to Know here.
- NYT: In Late-Stage Budget Talks, Hochul Wins Concessions From N.Y. Lawmaker here.
- Village Preservation: Mixed Results in Albany’s Housing Deal — The Battle Continues here.
- WNYC: NY Budget and Climate, listen here.
One-Stop Guide to the 2024 New York State Budget HERE.
May, 2024
Budget Analysis:
NY HEAT Act was not in the budget, a victory for the fossil fuel industry. Lisa Marshall of New Yorkers for Clean Power says the measure is key to meeting the state’s climate protection act goal of net zero emissions by 2050. But she says the New York state Assembly leadership prevented it from becoming part of the budget. “The Assembly is where climate bills go to die,” Marshall said. Liz Moran with Earthjustice agrees. “The Assembly ultimately didn't come to the table in good faith on this,” Moran said. (Source: NCPR). Form more on the breakdown of why the NY HEAT was not in teh budget read here.
Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act was in the budget. This legislation addresses the urgent need to achieve the State’s clean energy goals. The budget includes the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment (RAPID) Act, which will create a one-stop-shop for environmental review, permit electric transmission, and improve the interconnection process. The state’s transmission permitting process will now feed into a clear statutory framework that balances transparency and environmental protection with the need for fast decision-making. Critically, this process will be responsive to community and stakeholder feedback while bolstering the reliability and resiliency of the state's electric grid. More on the bill here.
CLICK HERE FOR CLIMATE (AND OTHER) ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE.
Affordable Housing
NY1 Inside City Hall segment featuring NYC Council-member Crystal Hudson (Brooklyn D-35) discussing a new framework tool that surveys the community in helping to determine ACTUAL affordable housing.
CONGESTION PRICING SECTION:
April 28, 2024
Starting June 30, 2024, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street—will be charged a toll. SEE NEW CONGESTION PRICING WEBSITE HERE.
The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. For example, passenger vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $15 in the peak period and $3.75 overnight, once daily. Visit the MTA website for more details on toll rates.
E-ZPass is the best and cheapest way to pay the toll. Most drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass tag and account. If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up to date with your current license plate number as this will be needed for appropriate discounts, exemptions, and crossing credits. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one on the E-ZPass website.
For more information, please see the press release HERE regarding the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) - a/k/a Congestion Pricing
Applications for Discount and Exemption Plans Now Available Online
The congestion pricing program has become a contentious issue for Lower Manhattan. So, we need to be well-informed and understand this new policy. Proponents have promised transparency and constant monitoring of the new program to ensure effectiveness and fairness for downtown residents. We must hold them accountable by staying on top of the issue and our elected officials. Important updates and information will be added to the Congestion Pricing section. Please check back for updates.
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MTA Congestion Pricing Info. HERE (a/k/a Central Business District)
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Testimony by Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, District 74. He presents the rationale and asks for (a) further exemptions from the congestion pricing tolls for low-income individuals among his constituents, (b) mitigation for areas that will see increased car traffic and, therefore, increased pollution as a result of new traffic patterns due to congestion pricing and (c) specific needed improvements in public transportation. See full testimony here.
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Congestion Pricing Q&A, Curbed article, March 2024
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MTA's summary of the actual tolls
https://new.mta.info/document/129191
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Congestion Pricing Moves Ahead -- details about the MTA's summary
WNYC - Mar 29, 2024 The Brian Lehrer Show
Transcript or 20 min listen
https://www.wnyc.org/story/congestion-pricing-moves-ahead?tab=transcript
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Congestion pricing one step closer to reality in Manhattan -- more Q&A about details
WNYC -- 10 min listen --
Mar 29, 2024 · by Stephen Nessen and Clayton Guse
https://www.wnyc.org/story/congestion-pricing-one-step-closer-reality-manhattan
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Four City Council Members (Carolina Rivera, Chris Marte, Erik Bottcher, and Keith Powers) have issued a letter addressing concerns about the Central Business District Tolling Program in NYC, stressing the need for fairness for residents below 60th Street. It suggests a residential discount program and emphasizes the importance of using generated revenue to improve transit infrastructure, citing recent subway issues. The representatives urged the MTA to consider these recommendations for the program's successful implementation, offering further discussion for a solution benefiting all New Yorkers, particularly those in the CBD. See full letter HERE.
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From Stephen Nessen, Gothamist:
Many people believe the MTA is secretly wasting money. Here’s a few tips on how you can track the MTA’s spending of your taxpayers dollars.
The Construction and Development department for example, has revamped its website and listed most projects underway, costs and timelines. Here you can see MTA contracts and procurements. You can also dig into the MTA’s yearly operating budget and capital plan here. Of course the agency could do better. There’s state legislation to force the MTA to include details in the capital projects dashboard about all sources of funding for each project and specify whether it’s related to accessibility or resiliency.
But to try to directly answer your question, we came close to the MTA actually running out of money in the pandemic. The federal government, led by Senator Chuck Schumer, came to the rescue with $16 billion to keep the system running and in a state of (relatively) good repair.
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NYC Is About To Screw Up Congestion Pricing September, 2023 Vice article
"What Does a Secretary of State Do?", The Conversation article February, 2024
LOCAL VILLAGE ISSUES
Politicians push state to hold firm vs. titanic 5G towers, Village Sun article March, 2024
BIKES!
What Happens When Speedy Mopeds Crowd Bike Lanes? The Brian Lehrer Show podcast, Aug. 2023
E-Bike Charging Pilot Program in the East Village - Village Sun article, March, 2024
Why Bicycle Deaths in NYC are at a 24 Year High - NYT article, March 2024
NYC Elections
The City Council race on the east side heats up
NY History
In celebration of Black History Month, NY1 presents, Harlem's History: Past & Present.
Click HERE for episode link
NYC - Policy
City of Yes, proposal by Mayor Adams
When Did New York's Streets Get So Hollow - NYT
Environmental Issues
Governor Hochul's proposed Cap-and-Invest Program is a strategy aimed at curbing pollution, bolstering community investment, fostering job creation, and maintaining competitiveness. However, there are downsides to this program. The initiative, a variation of Cap and Trade, is designed to align with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's greenhouse gas emission reduction mandates. For a deeper dive into the pros and cons of this legislation, check out the following articles:
Cap and Trade Basics: What It Is, How It Works, Pros & Cons
Gov. Hochuls Summary of Cap and Invest Program and 2023/2024 Press Release and Announcements.
2023 Reuters Eight Takeaways from a Sneak Peak of NY Cap and Invest Program and March 2023 Reuters Update.
NEW YORK LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 2023 NYC COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL Scorecard
NYS Legislators Introduce New Bill to Ban CO2 Fracking & Drilling for Gas - click HERE for info.
PACKAGING REDUCTION AND RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE ACT, Background article: Inside Climate News
Help NY Save Tax Dollars, Cut Packaging by 50% & More! Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act. Click HERE to EASILY contact your representatives and encourage them to support this Bill.
Many Environmentalists Don't Vote - article
For more information see the VID Environmental Committee Reports HERE.
Healthcare and Hospitals
The Village Sun - Court orders a halt on Beth Israel Hospital closure plan
Beth Israel - stops taking stroke and cardiac patients - Gothamist article, March, 2024
VID Resolution to Save Beth Israel VID unanimously approved a Resolution to Save Beth Israel Hospital and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, presented by VID co-Vice President David Siffert. For a detailed summary of the status of saving Beth Israel, click HERE. You can see the resolution HERE.
Bitter pill to swallow: Pols slam plan to close Beth Israel Hospital - Village Sun article, March, 2024
No More 24
24-hour home-care workers to hold hunger strike outside City Hall - Village Sun article, March 2024
Home Care Aides Fight to End 24-Hour Shifts: ‘This Work Is Killing Them’ - NYT article, March 2024
Proposed NYC Council legislation HERE
For more information, see the VID TAKE ACTION section.
Casinos
City Council Sidelines Community Input for Casino Developments by Passing Controversial Zoning Bill