Reading Library

 

This section will list articles, websites and legislation sorted by issue. For actions you can take, click here.  For trusted media sources, click here.

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Albany Legislative Update: 

Albany Budget Update

 


Affordable Housing


CITY OF YES

To read more details about the City of Yes, click HERE

The City of Yes Housing Opportunity Update


NYC Council’s zoning committee voted to approve a modified version of the plan after securing the last-minute funding demands from the Mayor. The final vote is expected on December 5. 

Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council have agreed to a deal on the "City of Yes," a major zoning proposal that would spur more housing construction throughout the five boroughs.  As part of the agreement, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams secured $5 billion from Mayor Adams to pay for the council’s housing priorities, which include funding for affordable housing construction, housing affordability and homeownership programs, infrastructure upgrades and increased staffing in relevant city agencies.

In addition, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced after the meeting that she has committed $1 billion to help the city fund the investments contained in the agreement. 

Modified Proposal:

  • $5B toward affordable housing and infrastructure projects
  • Created a tired system for parking mandates
  • Limit new units in flood zones
  • Deeper affordable housing requirements
  • Create 80,000 units of housing (reduced from 108,000) over 15 years
  • One of the changes was made to a proposal allowing developers to build at least 20% more housing as long as it is affordable, a policy known as “Universal Affordability Preference” (UAP). Under the change, builders constructing projects of 10,000 square feet or more with UAP would need to make that additional affordable housing available at 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Takeaway: The three zones of varying parking rules preserve parking requirements in many outer-borough areas, limiting housing growth in single-family districts. Supporters praised the effort to address NYC's housing crisis, while critics argue the plan compromises too much, prioritizing "neighborhood character" over citywide housing needs and already dense areas will bear the burden of increased housing.

Read sourced articles here:

 


next stop: community boards, New York Daily News article , April 2024

City of Yes, proposal by Mayor Adams


CONGESTION PRICING SECTION:

 

 

Sam Schwartz video: a recent meeting was held by Markers for Democracy, Downtown Nasty Women & Team Min with guest speaker Sam Schwartz.  He's the former commissioner of Transportation for NYC and presented on Congestion Pricing and answered many, many questions.  You can see the video HERE


LOCAL VILLAGE ISSUES

‘I’m a warrior’: In new book, Tom Fox tells the story of the struggle to create Hudson River Park, Village Sun article, May 2024

Politicians push state to hold firm vs. titanic 5G towers, Village Sun article March, 2024


BIKES!

 


NYC Elections 

For 2024 Election Information, click HERE

For VID candidates endorsement info, click HERE

 


NY History

In celebration of Black History Month, NY1 presents, Harlem's History: Past & Present. 

Click HERE for episode link

Black Gotham Experience Tours explore Black influence in colonial-era NYC 


NYC - Policy

 


Education

 


Environmental Issues

For more information see the VID Environmental Committee Reports HERE.

 


Healthcare and Hospitals

 


Casinos

City Council Sidelines Community Input for Casino Developments by Passing Controversial Zoning Bill

City Council Approves Casinos


Community Board News

Levine Shakes up CB5, article


Sanitation

New trash bins in NYC, NYT article, March 2024


"What Does a Secretary of State Do?" 

 The Conversation article February, 2024


Manhattan Democratic Party

"Will Manhattan Democratic Party boss Keith Wright start a political dynasty or trigger a rebellion?" Wright’s son is running to represent the 70th Assembly District, and the primary election could become a proxy battle for Wright’s rivals in the county party. City & State article, May 202