Council Leadership, Committees Announced + Hochul Raises Record Funds
The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.
NO. 252 Monday, January 23, 2022
Local News
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (District 28, Jamaica) announced her appointments to City Council chair and serve as members on various committees. Additionally, Council Members Diana Ayala (District 8, East Harlem, Mott Haven), Keith Powers (District 4, Yorkville, Central Park South, Murray Hill), and Selvena Brooks-Powers (District 31, Far Rockaway, Laurelton) will serve as Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, and Majority Whip, respectively.
After a string of corruption, conflict of interest, and nepotism concerns dogged many of Eric Adams’s early appointees, the Mayor’s appointment process has fallen into disarray.
Mayor Adams announced a reorganization of the City’s tech agencies under a new Office of Technology and Innovation, which will oversee the work of existing agencies.
In an attempt to root out "fraud and mismanagement," Mayor Adams plans to require city agencies to cut costs.
City Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of the New York Police Department, which showed they haven't hired the civilian employees needed to fill the over four hundred administrative positions currently held by uniformed officers. A 2002 audit by the comptroller’s office showed that the delay cost the city about $24.5 million a year.
Thousands of tenants have applied for emergency rental assistance one week after the statewide eviction moratorium expired.
Applications are available for community board positions throughout the boroughs. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine added a question about car ownership to applications, looking to balance community board perspectives on streets and transportation issues.
The New York State Health Department recalled 250,000 free masks given to teachers and libraries due to quality concerns.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stood by a policy memo encouraging prosecutors to view prison time as a last resort and committing to reducing pre-trial detention. Bragg attributed blowback in conservative outlets to an insufficient communications strategy.
State Senator Liz Krueger (District 28, Midtown, Upper East Side) and Assembly Member Nily Rozic (District 25, Flushing) plan to introduce a bill to reform the NYC Board of Elections.
Musician Cardi B announced that she will cover the funeral and body repatriation costs for the 17 victims of the deadly Bronx fire that swept an apartment building last week.
Elections
Governor Kathy Hochul has raised a record-setting $21.6 million for her gubernatorial campaign over the past five months, largely from real estate and other special interests.
After months of speculation, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he is not running for governor.
Former Charles Barron (City Council District 42, East New York) staffer Keron Alleyne has received the Working Families Party endorsement in a special election for Assembly District 60 (East New York) next month. The seat is currently vacant, but was occupied by Barron until he was re-inaugurated back into City Council in January, succeeding his wife, Inez Barron, in both his City Council and Assembly seats. Alleyne will face Nikki Lucas, who was nominated by the Democratic County Committee.
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