NYC Politics News

Mamdani Unveils $124.7B NYC Budget Plan

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has released a $124.7 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget focused on stabilizing the city’s finances while expanding investments in housing, child care, public safety, libraries, parks, NYCHA, mental health services, and affordability initiatives. The administration says the budget closes major fiscal gaps through savings measures, state support, and new tax revenue without raising property taxes or cutting essential services. The plan also includes major capital investments in affordable housing and NYCHA renovations, alongside expanded support for working-class New Yorkers across all five boroughs.

Chris Banks Law Aims to Prevent Evictions

New York City Council Deputy Leader Chris Banks announced that Local Law 155 of 2025 officially went into effect on May 8, alongside the launch of a new educational social media campaign designed to inform residents about the law’s protections for emergency assistance grant applicants. The legislation creates digital notification requirements for both applicants and landlords when emergency housing assistance grants are approved, helping to prevent evictions caused by delayed or lost mail. The law was inspired by a constituent in Brooklyn’s 42nd Council District who was evicted after a grant payment check never reached her landlord.

NY Approves 32 New Adult-Use Cannabis Licenses

New York’s Cannabis Control Board has approved 32 new adult-use cannabis licenses as the state continues expanding its legal cannabis market. The latest approvals include cultivators, distributors, microbusinesses, processors, retail dispensaries and branding licensees, reflecting continued movement across the state’s cannabis supply chain.

Mamdani Launches Bed-Stuy Housing Plan

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, alongside the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Social Services (DSS), announced the start of a public engagement process for Fulton-Howard West, a major new affordable housing and community services project in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The proposal would transform City-owned land on Fulton Street into a mixed-use development featuring 100% affordable housing, upgraded community spaces and expanded social services for local residents.

Jeffries, Velázquez Secure $1.85M for Broadway Corridor

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez have secured $1.85 million in federal funding to support the long-awaited reconstruction of Brooklyn’s Broadway Corridor. The investment will fund critical roadway and pedestrian safety improvements along a heavily trafficked stretch connecting Williamsburg to East New York. Local leaders say the project addresses years of infrastructure concerns and aims to improve conditions for residents, small businesses, and commuters who rely on the corridor daily.

Mamdani Unveils Brooklyn School Bike Safety Plan

New York City Mayor Mamdani joined families and students riding with the Bergen Bike Bus in Brooklyn to unveil a series of safety improvements designed to make biking to school safer and more accessible. The announcement highlights the city’s continued investment in protected bike lanes, traffic calming measures, and family-friendly street design, reinforcing a broader push to support sustainable transportation while prioritizing the safety of children and caregivers across New York City.

Zinerman Unveils Deed Theft Eviction Legislation

Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman has unveiled new legislation aimed at protecting homeowners from eviction while property ownership is being disputed in court. The proposed Deed Theft Eviction Protection Act seeks to prevent families from being displaced during ongoing legal challenges, addressing a growing crisis impacting generational wealth and housing stability. Zinerman is also calling on state, city, and judicial leaders to take immediate, coordinated action before the legislative session ends.

CUNY Dean Named to National Education Panel

The City University of New York announced that University Dean for Education, Ashleigh Thompson, has been appointed by Kathy Hochul to serve on the Education Commission of the States. The appointment places Thompson among a select group of national leaders shaping education policy, with a focus on issues like college affordability, teacher pipeline development, and student success. Her selection highlights CUNY’s growing influence in education policy discussions at both the state and national levels.

Stefani Zinerman Unveils Brooklyn Affordability Plan

Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman has introduced a sweeping affordability plan aimed at stabilizing housing, increasing incomes, and reducing everyday costs for residents in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. The proposal outlines targeted actions to prevent displacement, strengthen tenant and homeowner protections, and expand economic opportunities, while addressing broader cost-of-living pressures facing families across Brooklyn’s 56th District.