Adams Pushes Gun Violence Plan + Redistricting Kicks into High Gear
The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.
NO. 255
Monday, January 31
Local News
Mayor Adams announced a plan to address gun violence, which calls for changing state law to allow prosecutors to try 16 and 17 year olds in adult criminal court, rolling back the state’s bail reform laws, and restoring a plainclothes “anti-crime” NYPD unit.
Adams’ plan would also expand "cure violence" groups, whose staff includes former gang members, which are largely opposed by the police.
President Biden will meet with Mayor Eric Adams this week to discuss rising gun violence in the City. The meeting comes after Adams asked the federal government for assistance since the fatal shooting of two NYPD officers last week.
Workers at the SoHo REI have filed for a union election and are seeking to be represented by Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). REI has chosen not to voluntarily recognize the union, instead sending out an anti-union message to workers.
The New York City Department of Education reduced the coronavirus quarantine period for students K-12 from 10 days to five, if they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours. No negative test is required, but students must "wear well-fitting masks."
NYCHA complexes that were turned over to private management in 2016 saw three times the rate of eviction as those that remained public, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.
Governor Hochul is once again seeking additional federal funds for the State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Her September request to the Treasury Department for additional aid came up mostly empty.
Although the NYPD agreed in 2016 to hire more civilian employees for administrative tasks, it is not clear if they ever did so, according to a report issued by City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Mayor Adams' brother received a waiver from the New York City Conflict of Interest Board to accept a role overseeing mayoral security for a salary of $1 per year.
Sheldon Silver, the longtime leader of the New York State Assembly who was convicted of corruption in 2015, died while serving a prison term.
A Human Rights Watch report shows that the New York City Housing Authority's shift to private management in thousands of apartments has led to an erosion of tenant's rights.
Elections
After New York's new Independent Redistricting Commission failed to produce new district maps, the process will go back to the State legislature, with both the Assembly and the State Senate set to vote on new districts submitted by a task force controlled by Democrats.
As the State Legislature gets set to vote on the new districts, civic groups are fighting to open the process to the public.
New York State Democrats released a set of congressional maps likely to be passed by the state legislature that would increase the number of safe Democratic seats across the state. In NYC, the map imperils Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ (R-Staten Island) path to re-election by incorporating parts of Park Slope, Gowanus and Sunset Park into her district.
Striving for a Better New York, a PAC tied to Mayor Adams, has raised more than $1 million from donors including real estate interests, Trump backers, and business people seeking an audience with the mayor. The PAC intends to spend on moderate candidates in the 2022 state elections.
New York Communities for Change endorsed Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in the gubernatorial primary.
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