Op-eds by stakeholders, policymakers and other citizens of New York. Want to submit an opinion piece? Email: Jeanmarie@citylimits.flywheelstaging.com.
“The Youth Justice & Opportunities Act would expand existing protections and limit the lifelong negative consequences that stem from prosecution for actions young people take before they reach full maturity.”
“Study after study has shown that stable housing is the linchpin for successful reentry and for creating strong social bonds. These outcomes, in turn, lead to a substantially reduced likelihood of facing a new criminal charge, which—contrary to the scare tactics of this bill’s opponents—will make our city at large safer, too. “
“We learned decades ago that institutionalizing people, or locking them away in state mental hospitals, was not the solution. This practice demonized people with mental health challenges, disappearing them, and led to facilities that were dirty, dangerous, and inhumane.”
“Democracies cannot function when entire groups of people are insulated from the realities of those they don’t understand. By reframing the issue as an urgent threat to democracy, we may become more motivated to change.”
“While record youth turnout across the country enabled Democrats to hold the U.S. Senate and make gains in swing districts barely won by President Joe Biden, the New York vote looked more like the pre-Trump era of apathy and disengagement.”
“Simply by re-designating Temporary Protected Status to include recent arrivals from Venezuela, thousands of asylum seekers would have their legal posture drastically altered, for the better. The Department of Homeland Security has the sole authority to make this change. It could happen with the flick of a pen.”
“For decades politicians have focused on reducing crime while communities end up with nothing that actually solves violence—and often with strategies that make it worse.”
“More housing at any income level lowers nearby rents. We progressives should therefore be fighting for new housing with every bone in our bodies.”
“A hearing in federal court could decide whether or not the city, under Mayor Eric Adams, will maintain control of Rikers. The feds should take over.”
“Reaching children at much earlier ages to teach them about healthy relationships and how to identify abuse will provide them with the foundations to safety and resiliency and provide our youngest New Yorkers with an additional layer of protection against harm.”
City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action.
Founded in 1976 in the midst of New York’s fiscal crisis, City Limits exists to inform democracy and equip citizens to create a more just city. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded by foundation support, ad sponsorship and donations from readers.
Support local, investigative journalism that has informed and empowered New Yorkers for 45 years.
Support local, investigative journalism that has informed and empowered New Yorkers for 45 years.
