Bronx
Living Wage Law The Next Council Battleground?
Neil deMause |
Following the defeat of paid sick leave, unions and business group prepare to face off over tying wages to city development subsidies.
Education
Student Safety Act Passes City Council
Helen Zelon |
Third time’s the charm for the bill, which requires detailed reporting on school crime, arrests, suspensions and expulsions.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Business Owner: Paid Sick Leave Bill Not Bad Medicine
Maria de los Santos |
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn says she killed a bill requiring paid sick leave out of concern for small businesses. But at least one store owner says the idea would have been good for business.
News
City Council Endorses School Turnaround Zone
Helen Zelon |
The New York City Council passed a resolution this week unanimously endorsing the proposed School Turnaround Zone (STZ), a strategy designed to help struggling schools improve their performance and avoid closure. Developed by the parent-led Coalition for Educational Justice, the STZ would integrate school-improvement strategies with strong leadership, giving schools three years ‘in the zone’ to demonstrate progress.The STZ also has the support of Council speaker Christine Quinn and Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio. But the decision whether to adopt it ultimately rests with the Department of Education (DOE), which is independent of the City Council.If adopted, the STZ would represent a significant departure from the DOE’s current approach to struggling schools. To date, the DOE has closed 91 schools and is attempting to obtain court approval to shutter 19 more. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein has met with education advocates to discuss the STZ proposal, and has referred the matter to Deputy Chancellor Marc Sternberg, says Megan Hester, spokesperson for the Council for Educational Justice.DOE spokesman Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld would not comment directly on the Council’s resolution.
Bronx
Council's Angry Over Housing, But That Doesn't Pay The Rent
Eileen Markey |
After receiving prized Section 8 vouchers, then losing them, about 1,000 ill-sheltered grantees are still without a housing plan.
Bronx
Bronx Living Wage Battle Moves To City Council
Jarrett Murphy |
As the City Council takes up consideration of the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan, the developer and local pols are locked in a dispute that could derail the project.
Bronx
CITY LIMITS INVESTIGATES: A Week At City Council
Jarrett Murphy |
After the term limits vote and before the 2009 race heats up, the new issue of CLI takes a close look at the city’s legislature.
Bronx
Get Up, Stand Up: Council Ranked On Human Rights
Jarrett Murphy |
A new report looks well beyond potholes and street names to grade City Council members on their support for human rights.
Brooklyn
Mayor, Council At Odds Over Voucher Tenant Bill
Rachel Nielsen |
The administration squares off against City Council on protecting Section 8 tenants.
Bronx
Parents, Council Still Angry About School Grades
Helen Zelon |
Stakeholders vent, and the city’s Chief Accountability Officer parries, at a hearing on the controversial new Progress Reports.
