#WORLD #WORLDWIDE #USA #NewYork #NYC #thecity #newspaper #News #Journal #Update - THE CITY Scoop: Hochul’s Big Promises to Build, Build, Build — and Shore Up MTA

View this email in your browser

Dear New Yorkers, What’s on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s to-do list for her first elected term? Here’s what we know, according to her big State of the State address in Albany yesterday. Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams are in lockstep on housing policy. Both are promoting ways to spur a lot more development with changes to zoning and tax incentives. And, intending to fix the housing crisis in the five boroughs, Hochul is also pushing for ways to make it easier to build housing in the suburbs, particularly around transit hubs. What wasn’t in the speech: specifics on tax breaks for developers and calls for “good cause” eviction protections and investments in public housing — the latter causing ire among progressives and housing advocates. Read our rundown of the speech, with spotlights on public safety, climate change, the minimum wage and more. We also took a look at how the governor addressed the dire fiscal outlook for the city’s transportation network. In short: Hochul didn’t give many details, and transit advocates were left scratching their heads about how she would shore up the beleaguered MTA. Hochul also doubled down on her plans for the Interborough Express, saying light rail would be the best option for the proposed line between Brooklyn and Queens. Read more on Hochul’s transit plans here. Some other items of note: Longtime residents at the Cooper Houses in Brooklyn have successfully fought off new development in the complex and a proposed natural gas plant in their neighborhood. How? With a “secret sauce” that includes joy, our partner Capital B reports: a close-knit community that has stayed organized and engaged for decades. Managers at Montefiore Medical Center did not inform seven recently hired nurses of their right to strike alongside their new colleagues, according to a nurse and former union official.  See how New York City’s doing with our newsroom’s economic recovery tracker. For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations, testing rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker. Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Wednesday’s Weather Rating: 4/10. Warmer again today, with highs reaching back into the mid 40s. A storm system starts approaching the area tonight with clouds and a few spotty showers possible late this evening. No winter weather is on the horizon. The vibes are getting strange once again.   THE KICKER: Ice skating is out. Ice bumper cars are in. Starting this weekend, you can rent a bumper car on ice at Bryant Park and smash around the rink to your heart’s content. The fun will set you back $20 for a half hour — a small price to pay perhaps for 30 minutes of whirling and crashing. Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Wednesday. Love, THE CITY P.S. If you liked something about today's newsletter, or didn't, let us know at zshah@thecity.nyc THE CITY's work is made possible, in part, through the support of our sponsors. Interested in becoming a sponsor of THE CITY? Contact us here.

Copyright © 2023 THE CITY, All rights reserved.