Adams Defunds Universal Pre-K + Kristin Richardson Jordan Drops Out

May 22, 2023

The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.

Mayor Adams’ cuts to the Department of Education now include cutting off payments to providers of the city’s universal pre-K program, meaning many have had to shut down or lay off staff.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was vague about the legislature’s plans for the end of the session, but said there are no plans now to pass Good Cause legislation.
Following the exclusion of any housing reforms in this year’s State budget, more than 100 groups signed on to a letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams urging the City to act on social housing.
Mayor Adams abruptly reversed a plan to shelter asylum-seekers at public school gyms. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called on the city and state to use vacant market-rate apartments to house homeless New Yorkers and free up room in the City's shelter system for asylum-seekers.
Over a year after pledging to cover health care for undocumented immigrants, Governor Kathy Hochul finally sent a letter to federal officials asking for guidance on the program.
Anthony Annucci, who has been “acting commissioner” of the State Department of Corrections for ten years, announced his retirement after his nomination to the role on a permanent basis was blocked by Senators objecting to the death and abuse in New York prisons since he took over.

Democratic socialist City Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan (District 9, Harlem) suspended her reelection campaign, though her name will still be on the primary ballot next to her three challengers.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, who narrowly defeated Tiffany Cabán in 2019, is facing a primary challenge from a former NYPD official running to her right.
A new poll shows Mayor Adams holding a narrow polling lead over a generic Democratic opponent among City voters.

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