MTA Releases New $65 Billion Capital Plan + NYCHA Still Impacted by ERAP Delays
No. 393 | Monday, September 23, 2024
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The MTA announced a massive $65.4 billion capital plan for 2025–2029 to bring the system into a state of good repair, but Hochul and legislature will have to account for almost three quarters of its funding in the upcoming legislative session in order for the plan to move forward. The plan includes $2.75 billion to begin construction on the Interborough Express (IBX) light rail line between Brooklyn and Queens.
Interim NYPD Commissioner Thomas Donlon had his house raided by federal agents as part of an investigation allegedly related to classified documents he retained from prior work in the national security establishment. Donlon has been serving for just over a week, as his predecessor resigned due to a separate federal criminal investigation.
Federal investigators issued a subpoena to NYC’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, Molly Schaeffer. Schaeffer was allegedly in frequent contact with Tim Pearson, another top Adams administration official already under federal investigation. According to an investigation by THE CITY, Pearson delayed for three months a contract to provide caseworkers at migrant shelters at the beginning of this year.
The most recent Management Report from the Mayor’s office shows that sewer backups increased by 32% in the 2023–2024 fiscal year compared with the prior year, due to an increase in rainfall.
More than 70,000 NYCHA households are behind $487 million in rent, due in part to a delay in ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) funds being allocated to public housing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even with additional funds from State and Federal sources, NYCHA is anticipating a $300 million shortage in needed funds.
A new report from the Street Vendor Project estimates that 75% of over 23,000 street vendors across the city are vending without a permit, and over 10,000 vendors are on the waitlist for the limited number of vending permits that get issued each year.
The “Free to Pee” coalition rallied at City Hall this week in support of two bills that would increase the number of public restrooms across the city. Currently there is only one public restroom per 7,500 residents, and only two public restrooms in the city that are open 24 hours a day.
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