City & State Budgets on Mostly Solid Ground, with Major Questions Looming
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The state budget remains far more precariously placed in the case of a downturn, even though one isn’t expected to hit soon.
The state budget remains far more precariously placed in the case of a downturn, even though one isn’t expected to hit soon.
A slew of election, campaign finance, and other reforms now seem all but assured to pass in 2019 (though few are counting any chickens before they hatch).
Mayor Bill de Blasio, who empaneled a charter revision commission last year that put the proposals on the ballot, argued that the proposals would strengthen democracy in the city.
‘Let’s be clear: universal rent control is not a radical idea. ‘
New York’s real-estate industry has long played a significant role in funding candidates of both major parties. But as voters focus on the housing crisis and the state’s broken campaign finance laws, some progressive Democrats have begun to reject real-estate money.
On a rent strike since before the October rally, all of the tenants of 431 Bleecker Street have been embroiled in multiple lawsuits, some still pending, and frustrating efforts to seek help from a variety of governmental entities responsible for oversight.
‘We cannot talk about the building and infrastructure needs without including those who will physically do the often dangerous work.’
In many ways, the stars are very much aligned. But the challenges are just as monumental as the opportunities.
‘Bus Ridership in New York City is on the decline, and the Fast Forward Plan will not reverse this trend unless its focus is changed to make it more passenger friendly.’
‘There should have been, but frequently was not, pushback when these draconian laws and policies were gathering steam. Now, the danger runs in the other direction.’