New York City Council
Coverage of New York City Council in the Nexus archive.
- Ocasio-Cortez signals Democratic intention to move on from woke era
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed inflammatory positions from the left flank of the Democratic Party when asked about them. She quoted a New York City Council member to make her point, stating, "Woke 1 was crazy," following comments made by Chi Ossé.
- New York City Council announces probe into prediction market platforms’ marketing strategies
The New York City Council has announced a probe into the marketing strategies employed by prediction market platforms. Speaking through letters to four such platforms, City Council Speaker Julie Menin noted that the council is actively considering new legislation to address these concerns.
- NYC Council proposes 17 bills aimed at cracking down on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters
The New York City Council is proposing 17 bills to address illegal e-bikes and e-scooters. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30 amid growing concerns over crashes involving these vehicles and pedestrians.
- Mamdani's 'this is only the beginning' announcement cracking down on food delivery tips sparks outrage
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces criticism for claiming credit for a $104 million increase in delivery worker tips, which critics attribute to a law passed before his tenure. The law required Uber Eats and DoorDash to make tipping more prominent, but opponents argue it exacerbates cost-of-living issues and that Mamdani is misrepresenting his role.
- Mamdani's 'this is only the beginning' announcement cracking down on food delivery tips sparks outrage
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces criticism for claiming credit for a $104 million increase in delivery worker tips, which opponents argue resulted from legislation passed before his term. Critics accuse him of exacerbating cost-of-living issues and taking credit for work done by prior administrations.
- Alternate side parking tickets could become stickers under proposed bill
A proposed bill in New York City would replace alternate side parking tickets with stickers, making them harder to remove if vehicles are not moved during street cleaning. The bill, heading to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's desk, aims to amend a 2012 city code and involve the Department of Sanitation and another department.
- Legionnaires' death toll rises to 6 in New York City outbreak
The death toll from a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in New York City has risen to six. Julie Menin, Speaker of the New York City Council, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
- Are City Hall pay raises fair? Citizens Union weighs in
The New York City Council approved 18.2% pay raises for elected officials, including the mayor and council members, amid a 30% rise in inflation since their last raise. The mayor's salary increased from $258,750 to $305,800, while council member salaries rose from $164,500 to $175,500. Citizens Union is assessing the fairness of the raises.
- NYC Council to weigh Legionnaires' hotline, other responses to UES outbreak
The New York City Council is considering measures such as a Legionnaires' hotline in response to an outbreak in the Upper East Side (UES). Council Speaker Julie Menin criticized the Mamdani administration's response to the outbreak as 'insufficient.'
- Envious Albany lawmakers eye giving themselves raises after self-serving NYC Council’s fat pay hikes
Albany lawmakers are considering raising their own pay following New York City Council's recent pay increases. Their previous pay raise already made them the highest-paid state legislators in the U.S.
- City Council aids struggling paraprofessionals with one-time $10,000 pay bump
The New York City Council approved a one-time $10,000 supplemental wage for paraprofessionals in public schools to address staffing shortages and low wages. The payment, known as the 'Respect Check,' aims to stabilize the workforce and improve support for students with disabilities.
- Mayor Mamdani said he won't accept raise after New York City Council approves pay hike
Mayor Mamdani stated he will not accept a pay raise following its approval by the New York City Council. Reporters questioned him about his decision to decline the increase.
- City council to debate horse carriage ban
The New York City Council is set to debate a potential ban on horse-drawn carriages following a tourist's death after being thrown from a carriage. The proposal faces opposition from a union representing carriage operators.
- Speaker Menin, Council Member Susan Zhuang introduce bills to cut red tape for small businesses
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Susan Zhuang introduced bills to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for small businesses by streamlining inspections, permitting, and approval processes. The Red Tape Relief Act aims to revive the Bloomberg-era New Business Acceleration Team program, while another bill proposes a Quadrennial Regulatory Review Commission to assess and improve business regulations.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani stonewalls audit of nearly $13B in no-bid NYC education contracts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is resisting an audit of nearly $13 billion in no-bid New York City education contracts. The City Council set a deadline for the Department of Education to provide documents by Wednesday or face a subpoena, citing delays and lack of transparency.
- From The Bronx to the Battery, More Funding for Free Swim Lessons
New York City Council allocated $1.5 million to Wave Makers, expanding free swim lessons for public school second graders from 6,000 to 9,000 students. The program, led by Wave Makers and Asphalt Green, aims to teach all 70,000 NYC public school second graders to swim through partnerships with 15 pools and creative scheduling at underused facilities.
- Unpaid NYC Council intern who says she was fired for labor organizing just sued the city in federal court for wages. Can she win?
Mina Farahmand, an unpaid New York City Council intern, sued the city in federal court for wages after alleging she was fired for organizing to demand pay for interns. She claims the city violated labor laws by using unpaid interns for tasks typically done by paid employees, seeking $17/hour minimum wage and arguing unpaid internships exploit workers.
- NYC elected officials could get 18% pay raise with council vote
The New York City Council is considering a bill to grant an 18% pay raise to the city’s top elected officials. Approval of the bill would result in a significant salary increase for these officials.
- City searching for ‘smoking gun’ to Legionnaires’ disease
New York City officials are investigating cooling towers as the source of an 18-case Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in three Upper East Side zip codes, testing 160 towers under a new law requiring more frequent inspections. Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin emphasized concerns about bacteria growth in hot weather, while officials stress proactive measures to identify and sanitize potential sources.
- NYC Council staffer allegedly assaulted by contractor at controversial battery storage site
A New York City Council staffer was allegedly assaulted twice by contractors at a controversial lithium-ion battery storage site in Queens. Councilman Phil Wong called for an investigation into the incidents at the construction site near 65th Drive in Middle Village.
- NYC City Council staffer detained by ICE breaks silence after months in custody
A New York City Council staffer detained by ICE for about five months is speaking publicly for the first time since his release, stating he is fighting to clear his name after being accused of being in the country illegally. He provided his first interview with a local news outlet.
- NYC budget gives every public school kindergartner $1,000 for college, restores education programs
New York City public school kindergartners will automatically receive $1,000 for college expenses through the NYC Kids Rise program, up from $100. The budget deal also restores education programs like a mental health initiative and a disability support program that were at risk of cuts.
- New York City Council staffer freed from ICE custody in after being detained in Bethpage
A New York City Council data analyst of Venezuelan descent, detained by ICE in January, was granted asylum in May and released on a $5,000 bond in June. The federal government has appealed his asylum status, challenging his legal right to remain in the U.S.
- NYC BUDGET: Still no handshake between Mamdani and Menin as CityFHEPS fight comes down to deadline wire
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have not reached a budget agreement as disagreements over funding for CityFHEPS, a rental assistance program, escalate near the June 30 deadline. Progressive Caucus and other council members demand increased funding for CityFHEPS, warning that delays force New Yorkers out of homes amid rising rents.
- NYC council staffer released from ICE custody after 150+ days, returns to City Hall
Rafael Rubio, a New York City Council staffer and Venezuelan national, was released from ICE custody after 158 days at Delaney Hall in Newark and has returned to City Hall.
- Immigration fight isn't over for NYC Council staffer, now free after five months
Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, a New York City Council employee, was arrested in January for overstaying his visa. After five months, he is now free, and a protest occurred at the Greater New York Federal Building following his arrest.
- Baseball should be free and easy to watch, NYC council member says
A New York City Council member is urging Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to make baseball games easier to access. Frank Morano, representing Staten Island, argues that finding the right channel or streaming service to watch baseball should not be complicated.
- New York City Council candidate is accused of forgery over AI-generated posts
A former New York City Council candidate has been charged with forgery for allegedly using artificial intelligence to post fake endorsements and news articles on social media.
- New York law doesn’t permit filming in NYPD precinct lobbies, court rules
New York's highest court ruled that citizens cannot film in NYPD precinct lobbies, despite state and city laws protecting the recording of public police activity. The decision, which dismissed a lawsuit by YouTuber SeanPaul Reyes, cited privacy concerns for crime victims and the legislative intent of the Right to Record Acts, which were not designed to cover filming inside police stations.
- Op-Ed | New York City cannot afford to lose another generation of families
New York City is experiencing a decline in working families due to rising housing costs, childcare expenses, and daily living costs, threatening neighborhood stability and political influence. The city's leadership has focused on affordability initiatives, but the article argues long-term solutions like generational wealth-building through programs such as baby bonds are needed to retain families.
- Op-Ed | The FARE Act’s negative impact on small property owners
New York City's FARE Act, which prohibits tenants from paying broker fees, has led to increased rents as landlords bake former fee costs into leases. Small property owners face financial strain due to reduced leasing efficiency and vacancy periods, while market transparency has declined as some landlords limit apartment listings.
- ‘Keep your promise’: Why NYC housing advocates want Mamdani to fund, not fight, billion-dollar CityFHEPS voucher expansion
NYC housing advocates and City Council members demand Mayor Zohran Mamdani fulfill a campaign promise to expand the CityFHEPS voucher program, which was approved in 2023 but delayed by legal challenges. The expansion aims to ease work requirements, increase income eligibility, and allow eviction-affected residents to qualify, but the administration cites cost concerns and seeks program reforms. Advocates argue the expansion would prevent evictions and save costs, while analyses from groups like the Citizens Budget Commission and Independent Budget Organization highlight financial uncertainties.
- NYC budget: City Council demands Mamdani allocate $4M for investigation into 9/11 air quality files
New York City Council demands $4 million for an investigation into the city's handling of air quality information in Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks. The Department of Investigation (DOI) requires the funding to hire an outside firm to track and analyze city records, which advocates claim have been withheld for years. The mayor’s office has not yet committed to the request.
- NYC Dem socialist Councilwoman Shahana Hanif condemns Muslim organizers to hell in vile post slamming pro-Israel protest
NYC City Council member Shahana Hanif condemned Muslim organizers of a pro-Israel protest at Gracie Mansion, expressing a wish that they go to hell. The statement was described as vile and sparked controversy.
- Tenants will suffer again under City Council’s outrageous plan for apartment buildings
New York’s City Council is pushing a plan that allows nonprofits to acquire apartment buildings even if owners oppose the sales, which critics argue will harm tenants. The policy aims to prioritize nonprofit housing but raises concerns about forced sales and tenant displacement.
- NYC Republican lawmaker slams Mamdani antisemitism office as a ‘black hole’ lacking public-facing resources
New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Office to Combat Antisemitism for lacking public-facing resources and failing to effectively combat antisemitism. The office has no website, phone number, or resources, leaving the Jewish community without support. Recent antisemitic incidents in NYC have sparked concerns about the mayor's response.
- NYC lawmaker slams Mamdani over response to antisemitic graffiti, synagogue clashes: 'Not a leader'
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faces criticism over his response to antisemitic incidents, including graffiti and a protest outside Park East Synagogue. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino accuses Mamdani of condoning the behavior. The incidents have drawn national attention and condemnation.
- Menin’s Fair Fares push tests Mamdani
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin proposes expanding Fair Fares to provide free bus and subway rides to hundreds of thousands of low-income New Yorkers, contrasting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. Menin criticizes the current program's enrollment process, while Mamdani's administration reviews proposals to make transit more affordable. The City Council seeks to improve enrollment and make it automatic.
- NYPD releases footage of 4 suspects wanted in hate-fueled graffiti spree defacing homes, Holocaust memorial
The NYPD has released surveillance footage of four suspects wanted in connection with an antisemitic graffiti spree in New York City's Jewish community, targeting homes, synagogues, and a Holocaust memorial. The incident is under investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force. The city's officials have condemned the act, vowing to hold those responsible accountable.
- Anti-Israel agitators clash with NYPD officers near synagogue
Anti-Israel agitators clashed with NYPD officers near a Manhattan synagogue, with the anti-Israel group shouting slogans and waving Palestinian flags, while pro-Israel demonstrators waved Israeli and American flags nearby. The incident led to the enforcement of barriers around synagogues to protect congregants from protesters. Anti-Semitic incidents have been on the rise, with 2025 marking one of the most violent periods for American Jews.