WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - Who to yell at to get something fixed in NYC, two CUNY colleges in Queens make drastic midyear cuts, Adams restores Summer Rising funds

 

Dear New Yorkers,

Say there’s a storm drain clogged on your block. Or maybe you really need an expedited passport. Or you’re sick of staring at those old bicycles chained to the fence around your subway station.

Who are you gonna call?

It can be really hard to find the right tree to bark up in New York City, especially since many problems have overlapping local, state or federal jurisdiction.

Maybe it’s your City Councilmember or state representative? Or maybe you’ll try a government agency directly? When should you try to get a member of Congress involved? And does calling 311 ever help?

THE CITY spoke to the people who actually get called with local problems — staffers at all levels of government in New York, with years of experience in constituent services — about how they handle queries on all of those issues and more.

Read THE CITY’s guide on who to yell at to get something fixed in NYC here. (First tip: you shouldn’t actually yell.)

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Tuesday's Weather Rating: 3/10. Snow and a wintry mix continue this morning, wrapping up by early afternoon. Take it slow out there. It is cold and damp, with highs only reaching the mid 20s. The vibes are really wintry out there today!

Our Other Top Stories

At least two CUNY colleges in Queens have slashed dozens of staff in the middle of the academic year — after the City University’s central administration mandated last month that eight campuses across the boroughs create “enhanced deficit reduction plans.” Last week, Queens College laid off 26 full-time faculty members slated to teach in the spring semester. And since mid-December, York College has let go of an estimated 75 part-time adjuncts and a number of non-teaching staffers. According to the schools’ faculty and union leaders, there could be more cuts to come. Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday that he was reversing budget cuts to Summer Rising, a pandemic-era, free summer school program that served roughly 110,000 students last year. The loss of funding would have required the popular program to scale back hours for some middle-schoolers — a change officials said they anticipated would no longer be necessary. The change occurs as the Adams administration estimates $2 billion more in tax revenue than previously expected.

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Thursday, Jan. 18: Open Art Space, a drop-in program for LGBTQ+ high school students interested in art-making. No experience necessary; Metrocards, snacks and art supplies provided. Free from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday, at the Museum of Modern Art’s Education and Research Building (4 West 54 St.) in Manhattan. Thursday, Jan. 18: “Moscow Moscow Moscow,” a modern interpretation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Three Sisters,” performed by the Herbert Von King Theatre Workshop. Free from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Herbert Von King Cultural Center in Brooklyn. Sunday, Jan. 21: An accessible, indoor garden Memory Tour for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Free (limited space, registration required) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

THE KICKER: An installation of 18 modernist horse sculptures — called the Nivola Horses, after the artist Constantino Nivola, who created them — have been restored to a public plaza within a historic NYCHA complex, reports West Side Rag. In 2021, the horses were cut off at their legs and taken away after a water main broke in the plaza.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Tuesday.

Love,

THE CITY

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