After-School Gymnastics

|

Governor Pataki has included plenty of social service cuts in his proposed budget, but an increase to an education program has Democrats just as miffed.

My Favorite Martin

|

Shhh. The mayor’s newest commissioner, Department of Homeless Services boss Martin Oesterreich, is getting a reputation as an accessible, open, honest guy.

Welfare Checkmate

|

New York City’s 209,000 welfare families should see a substantial boost in their checks, thanks to a May court decision in a lawsuit that had been bouncing between state courts for 12 years.

Latino

Race Politics

|

A feud between a congresswoman and an assemblyman is a sign of politics to come, as an unusually charged Civil Court judge race has Brooklyn’s major players jockeying for position.

Card Sharks

|

The latest phone scams rip off poor New Yorkers with dud cards and losing schemes.

Times Square

Cold Comfort

|

“Supportive housing” provides support services along with a room, setting thousands of residents on the road to self-sufficiency. But with some landlords, it’s their way or the doorway.

David Dinkins

Eight Lessons We Can Learn From LA, Part One

|

Palm trees, surf and endless summers aren’t the only reasons to envy La-La Land. Some of its urban policies aren’t bad, either. From a thriving manufacturing sector to a living-wage law and a child welfare system that focuses on keeping families together, Angelenos are doing quite a few things right.