Dear New Yorkers,
It’s nearly State Budget Eve; Big Ugly greetings to those who celebrate.
The financial plan for New York is due on Saturday, and ahead of the deadline, we want to get you up to speed on what’s going on in Albany with three stories:
First, read THE CITY’s guide on the biggest issues to watch — and where things stand between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the leaders of both the state Senate and Assembly. Among the thorniest debates between lawmakers: Bail standards, Hochul’s ambitious housing plan, the charter school cap and how the MTA will stay financially on track.
Second, we dug deeper on that last issue. What, exactly, is being proposed to fund the massive budget gap at the city’s transit agency? We break down the ideas — ranging from a tax on streaming services to a payroll tax hike — and spoke with transit experts about what’s best for the beleaguered MTA.
Lastly, we took a look at one particularly knotty issue in the capital right now: the future of the tax break for Madison Square Garden. Some say it should be nixed to raise money for transit. Meanwhile, MSG officials say the tax breaks — in place since 1982 — are no different than public subsidies doled out to other local stadiums and arenas. But a new report from the Independent Budget Office shows that’s not true.
Some other items of note: - Two years ago, Kathryn Garcia lost a bid to be the most powerful official in New York City. Now she’s one of the most powerful in the state. THE CITY got a unique glimpse of how Garcia spends her days — and who she’s meeting with — through a public records request for her schedule.
- A state-appointed group of environmental justice advocates have finalized a map of communities considered “disadvantaged” that will be prioritized for climate-related spending. A block in Hollis, Queens, where a family died during Hurricane Ida is included. But a similar block in Woodside isn’t on the final map.
- New Yorkers have until May 31 to submit the names of loved ones to MISSING THEM, THE CITY’s COVID-19 memorial project; send a note to memorial@thecity.nyc. May 31 is also the last day to see the MISSING THEM photo exhibit in The Bronx and Queens.
- We’re just getting started covering this year’s Council races (Primary Day is June 27!) and we want to make our reporting better with your help. What are your questions about voting, your ballot or local campaigns? Text “Election” to THE CITY’s team at (718) 215-9011 to get answers, or email us at ask@thecity.nyc with “Election” in the subject line.
- See how New York City is doing with our newsroom’s economic recovery tracker.
- For the latest local numbers on COVID-19 hospitalizations, positivity rates and more, check our coronavirus tracker.
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