CITY WIRE: THE BLOG
Hugh Carey, 1919-2011
Jarrett Murphy |
The former congressman who guided New York State through the 1970s fiscal emergency as governor, was 92. A 2010 biography reassessed Carey’s role during the days of crisis.
Economy
Report: Young NYers Face Higher Barriers To Public Assistance
Neil deMause |
A study of low-income New Yorkers under the age of 24 indicates they have trouble getting welfare benefits to which they are entitled. City officials say the report—and others that raised similar questions—suffers from poor methodology.
ARTS and CULTURE
In A Bad Economy, Even Opera Vocalists Sing The Blues
Arturo Conde |
The soft labor market is a challenge for all job seekers. But young people who have trained for artistic careers—who help make New York a cultural capital—face unique obstacles. Do they also possess special tools to survive?
Bronx
In Debate Over New Jail, City Says An Aim Is To Prevent Violence
Kelly Virella |
Hoping to reduce fights, prevent suicide and help inmates avoid returning to jail, New York is changing the way it evaluates new prisoners—and building a new jail. Advocates are split on whether that will solve the problem.
Bronx
Albany Bill Would Let Check-Cashers Provide Loans
Diana Scholl |
The Senate and Assembly banking committees have both approved a bill to permit check-cashing outlets to provide short-term loans. Backers say it offers financing to those whom regular banks don’t serve. Critics say it would permit exploitative “payday” lending.
Activism and Volunteerism
Male Guards, Female Inmates And Sexual Abuse In NYS Prisons
Kelly Virella |
Several New York State prisons ranked high in a recent federal survey of inmates reporting staff sexual abuse. A City Limits investigation finds that sexual misconduct in New York’s prisons eludes stereotypes—and, sometimes, detection.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Why I'm Fasting To Protest Budget Cuts
Heidi Hynes |
As leaders in Washington, Albany and City Hall have contemplated huge funding reductions, advocates have mounted protests, written letters and pleaded through the press. Now some are giving up food. One Bronx leader explains why.
Bronx
Senate, Assembly Resist Cuomo Cuts To Services
Jarrett Murphy |
Legislators want to restore many human services that Gov. Cuomo proposed cutting. But the Senate and Assembly still differ by tens of millions of dollars on social funding, and some programs still face elimination.
Government
Critics Of Homeless Program Fight To Save It
Diana Scholl |
Advocates for the homeless have long criticized the Bloomberg administration’s approach to getting people out of shelters. But with the state threatening to end funding for the program, most advocates have joined the city to oppose the cuts.
Activism and Volunteerism
Obama's Urban Policy: Slow Start. Sustainable Finish?
Jarrett Murphy |
The president’s campaign pledge to pay attention to cities got some tough early reviews. But now communities around the country are getting federal help to plan for the future.
