The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.
Local News
New York City office cleaning workers, represented by 32BJ SEIU, averted a strike after reaching a tentative deal with The Realty Advisory Board (RAB) negotiating on behalf of large commercial building owners. The workers have been fighting for a salary increase that factors in inflation along with maintaining strong benefits won during the previous strike in 1996.
Texas officials are now sending buses of migrants to NJ Transit stations, such as Secaucus Junction, to avoid penalties on charter buses transporting migrants to the city announced by Mayor Eric Adams.
2024 could see multiple casinos approved throughout the City.
Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed the Grieving Families Act, Wrongful Convictions Act, and a tropical deforestation bill, among others.
The MTA reported there were an estimated 335 million crossings of tolled bridges and tunnels in 2023, an all-time high despite increased public transit ridership.
The City is ending a Guliani-era nightclub raiding outfit called the Multi Agency Response to Community Hotspots, or MARCH, program that disproportionately targeted minority venues.
Eric Adams has given accelerated approval to a shelter for incoming migrants in a toxic site adjacent to the Gowanus Canal. The proposed Third Street migrant shelter would also be administered by a slumlord with little experience in providing services for at-risk populations.
Maimonides workers continue to fight back against the hospital’s plan to end an employee housing program, which would see them evicted from their homes.
The Mayor’s office released Eric Adam’s official 2023 schedules, leaving out many important disclosures and details.
City Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Brian Kavanagh are collaborating on legislation to create parity between rental and condo taxes.
City Limits reported on the prospects of New York meeting its offshore wind power aspirations despite a lack of funding and infrastructure.
Pro-Palestinian protesters stopped traffic into parts of JFK Airport in order to draw attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Citi Bike is increasing prices this month.
The New York Times published a list of New York laws that came into effect on January 1.
amNY profiled Silvia Pillajo, a migrant mother from Ecuador, and her struggle to survive in a city without aid and an actively hostile administration.
Cheers to the workers who must clean up the mess in Times Square after New Year’s Eve.
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