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  • New York. Adams Rebukes National Guard Talk, Cites Crime Gains and Housing Push

    New York. Adams Rebukes National Guard Talk, Cites Crime Gains and Housing Push

    NYC News Mayor Eric Adams Pushes Back on National Guard Threat

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in an interview on Bloomberg’s Businessweek Daily, dismissed federal threats to deploy the National Guard, arguing crime is down and the city is already collaborating closely with federal partners. He highlighted more than 23,000 illegal guns removed and falling shootings and homicides, while casting blame on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s bail and cannabis policies for public safety setbacks. Adams rejected progressive rival Zohran Mamdani’s proposals to defund the police and shutter Rikers, defended limited bail reform, and sought to reassure parents that ICE will not appear in schools. Campaign controversies, he said, won’t overshadow his record on jobs, tourism, and his “City of Yes” housing initiative, which he calls the most ambitious rezoning effort in city history. Adams pledged to stay in the race despite weak polling, saying only election-day votes will matter.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on Bloomberg’s “Businessweek Daily”

    Myles Miller: And we’re sitting down with the mayor here in Gracie Mansion. And the first thing we want to talk about with the mayor is the National Guard. You know, Donald Trump said just yesterday, if these mayors can’t control their streets, we will. And he listed New York among the cities under review for National Guard deployment. Do you believe this is a real threat to New York?

    Mayor Eric Adams: Well, the partnership between the federal government and the city and state governments is extremely important. And I think there’s a role we need. My role is to make sure New Yorkers are safe and the numbers are showing we’re doing that. And the partnership of making sure guns don’t come into our city. And that’s what we want to continue to do with the federal government. We already collaborate with the federal government every morning, 10 a.m. [inaudible] city, state and federal authorities to go after shooters and those who bring guns into our cities.

    Miller: When he talks about the National Guard potentially coming here to New York and in the event that that happens, is there anything you can do to counteract that? I mean, you know, what would it look like if National Guard members you saw in D.C., 2,000 of them on the streets of Washington, if they were here, you know, on 90th Street?

    Mayor Adams: Well, the goal is the relationship between the federal government and D.C. is different than the relationship between New York City and the federal government. And again, our communications with the federal government is we got this. We removed over 23,000 illegal guns off our streets. We see it. We’re witnessing record levels of decreasing crimes, homicides and shootings in the first six months and shooting victims in the first seven months. 

    And so we are very clear, always have been. I have never moved away from the public safety as the prerequisite to our prosperity. And we’re going to continue to do an amazing job. And if the federal government wants to communicate with us and ask us to go to other municipalities and help them see what we’re doing, we’re willing to do that because the safe America is a safe New York City and we want to help any way we can.

    Miller: You know, I want to ask you about [the] November election as it relates to that. You know, one of your opponents, Andrew Cuomo, has said, if Mamdani gets in office, then Trump takes control of New York City. Then Trump does put the National Guard here. Do you think that could happen?

    Mayor Adams: Andrew would say anything to anyone to get elected. He created this. He passed the cannabis laws. I had to close down 1,500 cannabis shops because of the failed law he passed. He did the bail reform. That’s the revolving door criminal justice system that we’re looking at. He closed psychiatric beds. So every time you see someone push someone on the subway track because of severe mental health illness or stab three innocent New Yorkers, you have to ask yourself, why do we close those beds? 

    Raise the Age. We’re seeing young people are victims of crimes more and more and they’re shooters as well. These are all of his bills. I had to fix his mess. And so Mamdani’s call to defund police, his calls to legalize prostitution, his calls to cause the empty Rikers Island, they’re two of the same people. New York has come too far to go backwards with either one of them.

    Miller: When I heard the president talk yesterday about cashless bail, you know, I immediately thought of you because you have been one of the people who has talked about bail reform. Your police commissioner talked about bail reform on Friday with the friendly fire incident involving the officer. The president signing an executive order directing DOJ to look at these jurisdictions that have done cashless bail. What’s your take on that?

    Mayor Adams: Well, I have been clear and I don’t believe if someone steals an apple that we should hold them in jail because they can’t afford to get out. But if you are possessing an illegal weapon, you commit one of the seven major crime categories in our city. [And] you are repeatedly an offender. We need to look at the criminal justice system that allows you to continue to go back and you repeat the crime. 

    We saw what happened with the Customs Border Patrol agent. These are repeated offenders. We just had a shooting over the weekend. The individuals involved had several gun arrests. That just can’t continue to happen. And so using bail appropriately, I think it would help us deal with the public safety issue we’re facing in the city.

    Miller: The president said, you know, crime has continued to rise when they have cashless bail. Is that something that’s happened here in the city?

    Mayor Adams: When you remove bail on those who commit serious crimes, it will impact your public safety. We are witnessing that over and over again.

    Miller: The school system comes back next week. Should parents fear for ICE to be in their schools? You know, in Washington, that was a big fear as they went back to school yesterday when ICE saying that they may come to some students’ schools. We saw a student in Queens, six years old, deported by ICE with her mother.

    Mayor Adams: With her family. And so we want to be clear. ICE has not been in our schools. ICE only way they could come into the schools with clear judicial warrants or if they are looking at a condition where someone is fleeing, running into the school, a dangerous person. But that’s the role of our police officers to do so. We have been extremely consistent around this. 

    Children should go to school. They’re not going to be fearful of having ICE come into their schools. Their directives indicate that as well. People should go to the hospital if they need medical care. They should call the police if they need police assistance. And I know personally what happens when you fail to do that. 

    My rookie year as a police officer, I had a Chinese immigrant that was afraid to call the police when he was being robbed. I took action while I was off duty, but he was extremely fearful. People can’t live in the shadows. That creates disorder. And we don’t want that.

    Miller: Let’s go back to your career in the transit police. It’s where you met Ingrid Lewis-Martin’s husband, obviously someone you’ve known a long time. I just– you know, we heard from you on Friday. But when you hear some of the allegations in the indictment and, you know, indictments just show a piece of what is being alleged, what did you make of some of the allegations that you heard?

    Mayor Adams: Well, first of all, let’s think about this for a moment. Like I said, Ingrid’s like a sister to me, and I’m pretty sure you have close relationships in your life. And the worst thing you want to do is not allow people their due process. And when you’re dealing with criminal cases, every word you say could harm that person who’s dealing with that case. 

    And I’m not going to do anything to harm someone that’s like a sister to me. I’m very clear. She’s in my prayers. She has an attorney. And anything that’s dealing with that case should be brought to her attorney. I would not do anything that’s going to be harmful to someone that’s like a sister to me.

    Miller: How would you say your week was last week? Because you had the situation with Ingrid, Jesse Hamilton as well. And then you also had the situation with Winnie Greco. What are your thoughts on what happened with Winnie Greco? And then also, you know, I saw by Friday, it was a week.

    Mayor Adams: Yeah. No, not to me. I had 237,000 migrants and asylum seekers. I inherited COVID. I inherited a city that was [inaudible] with jobs. I had thousands of illegal guns on our streets, ghost cars on our streets. Cannabis shops are open. People rode off New Yorkers. Not only was I dealing with those who were committing crimes, I had to deal with rats everywhere. Everywhere that we dealt with, we got up every day and we did the job. More jobs in our city– 

    Miller: But the red envelope in a potato chip bag. I mean, when you heard about this, what did you think of it?

    Mayor Adams: First, I want to go back more jobs in our city’s history. Twelve months of tourism, twelve months of Broadway, the best in the city’s history. Unemployment drop, crime drop, illegal vehicles off our street, all of those things. I’m not going to be judged by a red envelope in a [potato chip] bag. I’m going to be judged by how I improve the lives of New Yorkers. It was a stupid thing to do. I don’t understand the conversation you had with the reporter. 

    I don’t have the history of it. It’s not something that we would do in our campaign. I made that clear. I don’t know what that was about. And now she’s no longer volunteering or she was never an employee of the campaign and she [is] no longer in City Hall. So only the reporter and Winnie can explain to us exactly what that was about. I don’t know what it was about and it’s not acceptable behavior on my part.

    Miller: Let’s talk [about the] campaign, because we’ve talked about the campaign plenty of times. Private meetings, public meetings, you know, where have you. You’re polling in the single digits behind Mamdani. You know, I’ve heard you talk about, you know, the state of the race when you were running last time, but that was sort of during the primary. Now we’re in the general election. Tell me, so what’s your strategies to win in November and how you how you think you could pull through?

    Mayor Adams: Well, a couple of things, as I said over and over again, when you look at this distance from the primary to the election, the same time period, Mamdani was at one percent. No one called for him to step out of the race. And if we did, we would have been premature because he won the primary. And we need to be clear that that seems to be a fact that everyone is missing. [We’re] also missing the fact that I was in third place in 2021 behind Andrew Yang, who was beating me by double digits. 

    Some polls have me in double digits. Some polls have me in single digits. Polls had Andrew Cuomo up by 10 percent before the election. He lost by 12 percent. He was up 36 percent. So when you start to talk about the polls, the only poll that matters [is] on election day, who’s going to have the most votes? 

    I must do what I’m good at doing, campaigning, getting my information out to the public so they can see the success of where we were and where we are. This city has turned around. I mean, if we want to be honest about it or not, and I have to explain that to the voters.

    Miller: So the message is Eric Adams is staying in no matter what? 

    Mayor Adams: Yes. 

    Miller: You’re not signing any pledge?

    Mayor Adams: Yes. I’m staying in no matter what. Who created the pledge? Andrew. One candidate that was at 1 percent in the poll, all of a sudden said, whoever’s up by a certain number in September should win. That’s all Andrew’s creation. Trust me when I tell you, he creates these scenarios so that people can believe he’s doing the right thing. He lost the race, $35 million, up by double digits, didn’t get out in campaign, and he lost the race. People heard his message already.

    Miller: Let’s get to some Bloomberg topics here. One of your biggest accomplishments that you’ve stated has been City of Yes. Just tell me what it took to get that through, housing [is] a big issue for voters and for people who own homes here, who want to own homes here. You have a lack of places to put homes, but the City of Yes changed that. Just explain how that’s worked out.

    Mayor Adams: In so many ways, many people talk about affordability, but never use their offices to actually produce affordability. Like I said, five people running for office, three people don’t have a record. One person is running from his record. I have a record. City of Yes is going to produce housing throughout the city, because housing New Yorkers is not just Manhattan or Brooklyn or areas that were gentrified. It’s the entire city. Never before have we witnessed this most comprehensive of housing and rezoning policy in the history of our city. 

    We have built, renovated, and planned rezoning for 426,000 units of housing in the next decade. I mean, this is unbelievable when you think about it. We did it in three and a half years. That number is larger than twelve years of Bloomberg, eight years of de Blasio combined in three and a half years. We are the most housing forward administration in the history of this city. 

    And we got projects off the ground that many have tried, like Willets Point, 2,400 units of affordable housing. Flushing Airport, hundreds of units of affordable housing, union built. And so City of Yes is part of the overall package that we’re doing. Five rezonings in each borough, 50,000 units of housing that’s coming out of that. So we know New Yorkers must be housed. But you’ve got to match housing with using the resources of [the] city to make the city affordable. Decreasing the cost of child care, universal child care, no income tax for low income New Yorkers, none at all. What we have done– 

    Miller: Well, that sounds like no income tax for low income New Yorkers sounds a lot like a Mamdani proposal. And you know that that requires going to Albany to get that done. People may say, you’ve been in office for nearly four years. How come you haven’t been able to get that done? Just make the case for how you could get that done with four more years.

    Mayor Adams: Well, no, we already got it done. There is no income tax for low income New Yorkers. And then what you do is each year you go to Albany, they call it the Tin Cup Day for a reason. You go up there to beg for your proposal. But look at each year. Each year we got exactly the things we asked for. 

    Mayoral control, we got the no income tax, we got housing reform, renovating our office spaces into permanent housing, low income housing. We got the public safety initiative. We got the involuntary removal. So you’re seeing each year we brought back what we needed from the city. So in three years and eight months, we’ve done a great job of partnering with our Albany lawmakers.

    Miller: And that’s Mayor Eric Adams talking directly to Bloomberg Terminal customers and listeners all around the world.

    August 26, 2025 Manhattan, New York

    Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com

    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • New York Sees Major Drop in Retail Theft After Governor Hochul’s Crackdown

    New York Sees Major Drop in Retail Theft After Governor Hochul’s Crackdown

    New York Sees Major Drop in Retail Theft After Governor Hochul portret

    New York City retailers are breathing easier as shoplifting plummets by over 12% in 2025, with a 5% drop statewide, thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s aggressive anti-theft measures. Fueled by a $40 million investment in specialized Retail Theft Teams, tougher penalties for serial thieves, and new laws cracking down on the sale of stolen goods, the state is reclaiming its streets for shoppers and businesses alike. The 2025 budget also ups the ante with felony charges for attacking retail workers and a $5 million tax credit to help small stores beef up security, signaling a brighter, safer future for New York’s economy.

    Following Crack Down on Organized Retail Theft, Governor Hochul Announces Reduction in Retail Theft in New York City

    Following Post-Pandemic Spike, Retail Theft Has Declined More Than 12% Year Over Year in New York City, Down 5% Outside New York City. Governor Committed Over $40 Million for Dedicated Retail Theft Teams; Deployed Additional 100 State Police Personnel to Combat Retail Theft. Bolstered Criminal Penalties, Amended Larceny Charges To Hold Serial Perpetrators Accountable, and Made it Illegal to Foster the Sale of Stolen Goods.

    Governor’s Record Investments in Public Safety Have Resulted in Reductions in Shootings, Murders, Robberies in New York City and Across the State

    Governor Kathy Hochul today was in Harlem to speak with local business leaders to highlight the state’s progress in combatting organized retail theft in New York City and across the state.

    Following a spike in organized retail theft in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Hochul announced new measures to crack down on these crimes that included over $40 million to support targeted law enforcement initiatives, stronger laws to hold perpetrators accountable, and new protections for frontline retail workers. Today, New Yorkers are seeing results from this comprehensive approach with retail theft declining more than 12 percent year over year — a decrease of nearly 5,000 instances — in New York City and 5 percent across the rest of the state.

    “Retail theft and quality-of-life crimes impact more than just the businesses who experience them — they impact entire neighborhoods. That is why I dedicated tremendous resources last year to fight the scourge of organized retail crime,” Governor Hochul said. “While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down. I remain committed to supporting our businesses and their workers to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for shoppers and store owners alike.”

    https://youtube.com/watch?v=fB0agF2UNDQ%3Fautoplay%3D0

    Audio

    Crime data shows a significant spike in retail theft crimes immediately following the pandemic in 2022 as business operations began returning to normal. To combat this spike, as part of the FY2025 State Budget, Governor Hochul signed into law initiatives to deter crime and protect businesses. These included:

    • Bolstering criminal penalties for anyone who assaults a retail worker by elevating it from a misdemeanor to felony. Any person who causes physical injury to a retail worker performing their job will be subject to this new felony.
    • Allowing prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when they file larceny charges and allowing retail goods from different stores to be aggregated for the purposes of reaching a higher larceny threshold when stolen under the same criminal scheme.
    • Making it illegal to foster the sale of stolen goods to go after third-party sellers. A person will be found guilty if they use any website or physical location to sell stolen goods.
    • $40.2 million for dedicated Retail Theft Teams within State Police, District Attorneys’ offices and local law enforcement, including 100 New York State Police personnel dedicated to fighting organized retail theft.
    • $5 million allocated to help alleviate the burden on small businesses for additional security measures. Funding provides a $3,000 tax credit for any small businesses who spend the threshold amount of money on retail theft prevention measures.

    Following Governor Hochul’s recent investments, New York State is now on track to see retail theft crimes drop to pre-peak levels. Additionally, New York City has seen a more than four percent reduction in index crime and an 11 percent drop in felony robberies. Shootings in New York City are down nearly 20 percent while murders are down 21 percent.

    “While today’s numbers represent significant progress in the fight against retail theft, we will not back down. I remain committed to supporting our businesses and their workers to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for shoppers and store owners alike.”

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    Manhattan Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Walker said, “In recent months, many storefront businesses have told us they feel the difference and that New York has turned a corner on bringing down crime and addressing retail theft. There is more work to do but we are thankful that Governor Hochul’s legislative policies on retail theft and discovery reform appear to be working as we had hoped.”

    Retail Council of New York State President and CEO Melissa O’Connor said, “Today’s announcement regarding the decline in retail theft throughout New York is a result of strong and consistent collaboration among retailers, law enforcement, prosecutors, community groups and Governor Hochul. Organized retail crime and habitual retail theft is more than just a financial loss for retailers investing in the state, it is a community safety issue that needs to be managed accordingly. I want to thank the governor for listening to the industry’s concerns several months ago, and importantly, for taking effective action. We will continue to partner with all stakeholders to ensure a safe and enjoyable shopping experience in New York State.”

    State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, “I congratulate Governor Hochul on her successful measures to combat organized retail theft. The $40 million investment to combat organized retail theft is yielding real results — with a more than 12 percent drop in retail theft in New York City and 5 percent statewide. By strengthening protections for retail workers, holding perpetrators accountable, and providing $5 million in tax credits to help small businesses improve security, the Governor is protecting both workers and consumers while restoring confidence in our local economy. These efforts show that strategic investments in safety can make our communities stronger while also protecting consumers.”

    Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “Whether an individual is a business owner, retail worker or customer, everyone deserves to have safe retail experiences in New York. Businesses are the backbone of New York and need the proper resources and attention to continue thriving. Investments in additional law enforcement, tax credits for small businesses and changes in criminal penalties, have shown to be an effective way of reducing retail theft throughout the State while increasing protections for retail workers. By cracking down on this issue, Governor Hochul is putting the safety of New Yorkers as a top priority, ensuring success for us all.”

    A positive trend in retail crime reduction follows a successful operation to uncover a sprawling, multi-year, international operation that saw upwards of $2 million in retail goods stolen by organized crews. The case, announced in late 2024 by Governor Hochul and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and investigated by the Retail Theft Teams within the State Police, included the first-ever charges under New York’s strengthened retail theft laws.

    In addition to cracking down on organized retail theft, Governor Hochul continues to invest in broader public safety initiatives to keep New Yorkers safe, committing nearly $3 billion to public safety efforts to date.

    August 26, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Midtowm Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • NY schools go phone-free from bell to bell this fall (Video)

    NY schools go phone-free from bell to bell this fall (Video)

    Cellphones phones NY Stste News New York state BigNY Hochul Law

    On Aug. 25, 2025, in Albany, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Western New York school leaders said K-12 schools will limit smartphones all day, from first bell to last. The statewide rule bans unsanctioned use in class, lunch and study hall, while letting each school choose a simple way to store phones and giving parents a clear way to reach their kids. Families can check their district’s plan at ny.gov/phonefree, which already lists policies for about 99% of schools. The state set aside $13.5 million to help buy storage and built in common-sense exceptions: basic phones, school-issued devices for lessons, and access for medical needs, IEPs, translation, caregiving or emergencies. Niagara Falls and Lackawanna are already doing it—the goal is less scrolling, more learning, and better mental health.

    Governor Hochul and Western New York School Leaders Highlight Plans to Implement Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions This Fall

    Follows State Law for Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide. Students, Parents and Teachers Can Find Their School District’s Distraction-Free Policy at ny.gov/phonefree

    Website Includes Policies Published by 99 Percent of Schools Covered by Statewide Requirement.

    Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with Western New York school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall. The roundtable included representatives of the Niagara Falls and Lackawanna School Districts — both of whom have distraction-free policies in place. Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region, Central New York, the Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes.

    “Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York schools are ready for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “My team will continue working with school districts across the state as they implement distraction-free learning and deliver the best results for students, parents and teachers.”

    Governor Hochul also encouraged students, parents, and teachers to use ny.gov/phonefree as a resource to review their schools’ distraction-free learning plan and prepare for the upcoming school year. The website includes detailed plans for 1,070 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State that have published their distraction-free policy — representing around 99 percent of the public school districts, charter schools and BOCES covered by the statewide requirement.

    Niagara Falls City Schools Superintendent Mark Laurrie said, “It was an honor to have the governor in Niagara Falls to kick off such a critical policy for the mental health of our students. Her leadership on this topic is paving the way for a great start to the school year.”

    Lackawanna City School District Superintendent Nadia Nashir said, “‘Bell-to-bell’ gives students a healthy disconnection from social media and teaches them that there is a time and a place for everything. “When you are in school, the focus must be on teaching and learning, and families can trust that once students and staff are safe, our immediate priority is to communicate quickly, transparently, and in a language they understand. Parents and students also know how to reach one another at any time — through email, a call to the main office, the Remind App, or by visiting the school.”

    State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “The bell-to-bell law is a significant benefit to both students and teachers. With devices out of sight, students maximize learning and critical thinking, have more active discussions and better engagement with classmates and teachers. Even a few hours away from social media reduces the potential for cyber bullying and negative online messages. Teachers now have a consistent daily plan, resulting in fewer classroom disruptions and enhanced communication with their students.”

    “Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York schools are ready for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall.”

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Classrooms should be spaces where students are fully engaged in learning, and that’s become increasingly difficult in an era in which students are distracted by the constant pull of their phones. The new smartphone restrictions will help ensure that teachers can teach and students can focus. By creating consistent, distraction-free environments across our schools, we are setting our youth up for academic success, supporting educators in their work, and addressing the mental health challenges that can come with excessive smartphone use. I am proud to stand with Governor Hochul in supporting a commonsense measure that will benefit students and families in every classroom across New York State.”

    Assemblymember Bill Conrad said, “I’ve long stood in support of a transition to bell-to-bell, distraction-free learning. As a former teacher and the father of four young children, I know how detrimental excessive cellphone use can be; our young people are bombarded by notifications, exposed to online bullying, and left with difficulties socializing and sleeping. I was pleased to participate in the Governor’s earlier listening tour as we began crafting a school-day phone ban, and I certainly appreciate that this is a big change for everyone, not just the students. I am thankful for the collaboration of my fellow educators, and I am hopeful that with the right support from the state, this will prove itself a most significant policy, not just for its positive impacts on kids’ academic performance but on their overall wellness, too.”

    The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-26 school year.

    Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:

    • Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
    • Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
    • Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
    • Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
    • Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
    • Preventing inequitable discipline

    Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.

    Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.

    Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:

    • Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
    • Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
    • Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
    • Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
    • Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
    • An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
    • Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming

    August 25, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune New York State News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul’s four-year report: lower taxes, safer streets, stronger schools, 812,000 jobs, and clean-energy gains

    Gov. Kathy Hochul’s four-year report: lower taxes, safer streets, stronger schools, 812,000 jobs, and clean-energy gains

    Albany NY News New York state BigNY Katy Hochul

    ALBANY, N.Y. — Aug. 25, 2025: Gov. Kathy Hochul’s four-year memo highlights middle-class tax cuts at 70-year lows, a minimum wage tied to inflation, a tripled Child Tax Credit, an insulin copay ban, and a $25B plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes. Public safety steps include $2.6B for law enforcement, tighter gun laws, a 53% drop in shootings since the pandemic peak, and transit crime below pre-COVID levels. Schools see record aid, universal free meals, a distraction-free learning policy, and free community-college pathways for adults. The economy added 812,000 private-sector jobs since August 2021, powered by Micron’s $100B chip campus, the Empire AI initiative, and a $1B Chobani expansion. Rights protections cover reproductive health and the Equal Rights Amendment. Infrastructure advances include Grand Central Madison, the Interborough Express, Second Avenue Subway progress, and the nation’s first congestion pricing. Energy moves hit New York’s 6-GW solar goal early, launched a utility-scale wind farm, and directed a new advanced nuclear plant.

    Memo: Four Years of Governor Hochul,
    Four Years of Delivering for New Yorkers

    Putting Money Back in Families Pockets by Cutting Middle Class Taxes, Tripling Child Tax Credit and Increasing Minimum Wage. Keeping New Yorkers Safe Through Landmark Legislation and Investments in Law Enforcement and Public Safety. Fighting for New York’s Families With Record Investments in Education, Universal Free School Meals and Distraction-Free Learning. Generating New Economic Opportunities for New Yorkers With More Than 812,000 Jobs Created Since August 2021. Protecting New Yorkers’ Fundamental Rights Through Nation-Leading Legislation. Transforming the State’s Infrastructure To Modernize Transportation Landscapes, Limit Congestion and Make Public Transit More Accessible. Securing New York’s Energy Future by Making the State a National Leader in Solar Power; Advancing Nuclear Power Plant To Power One Million Homes and Businesses.

    On August 24, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul took her oath of office as the 57th Governor of New York. In Governor Hochul’s inaugural address, she laid out a clear vision: make New York more affordable, safer, and fairer for every family. The Governor pledged to take on the State’s toughest challenges head-on and invest in what makes New York, New York.

    Four years later, Governor Hochul has delivered on that promise, putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, keeping communities safe, defending fundamental rights from Washington’s attacks, and fighting for hardworking families. And she’s just getting started.

    Making New York More Affordable

    Keeping New Yorkers Safe

    Fighting for New York’s Families

    Creating New Economic Opportunities

    • Secured Micron’s $100 billion investment in Central New York — the largest private investment in New York’s history, creating 50,000 jobs
    • Launched Empire AI, a first-of-its-kind partnership with New York’s top universities coming together to establish a world-class AI computing center
    • Landed a $1 billion investment from Chobani, the largest food manufacturing investment in the nation
    • More than 812,000 private sector jobs since August 2021

    Protecting New Yorkers’ Fundamental Rights

    Transforming New York’s Infrastructure

    Securing New York’s Energy Future

    August 25, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Sources: Governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune News New York

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • CLUBHOUSE CURE! Adams touts 13 new mental-health hubs on WBLS, blames NYCHA receivership for 5K empty apartments, vows fix for trash-pail blues

    CLUBHOUSE CURE! Adams touts 13 new mental-health hubs on WBLS, blames NYCHA receivership for 5K empty apartments, vows fix for trash-pail blues

    On Aug. 24, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams hit 107.5 WBLS’s “Hear From the Mayor” to hype the clubhouse model—free, open 365 days, and aimed at jobs, housing, and belonging—with 13 newly contracted sites citywide targeting 6,600 members by 2027. Joined by Venture House Bronx’s Faqueni Ravel, Adams praised recovery-through-work while callers torched City Hall over more than 5,000 vacant NYCHA units; he said control is limited under receivership and an ~$80B repair backlog. Another listener griped about disappearing DSNY pails, and Hizzoner vowed to crack down and get bins put back where they belong.

    Transcript: Mayor Adams Hosts “Hear From the Mayor” Radio Show

    Gary Byrd: As you know, each and every second Sunday of the month, normally WBLS is proud to welcome the 110th mayor of New York City and second mayor of color, first hip-hop mayor in the city’s history. But we’re on an extended schedule this month and proud to bring back our mayor, Mayor Eric Adams on 107.5 WBLS. Mr. Mayor, good morning and welcome.

    Mayor Eric Adams: Hey, thank you, Gary. And yesterday was a really somber but powerful moment for a good brother, Brother Lloyd Williams. And he just meant so much to so many people in general, but specifically he meant a lot to me. And so I was happy just to celebrate a life well lived. So I want to say to the audience, welcome back. 

    This is Hear from the Mayor, your mayor, Eric Adams, and if this is your first time tuning in, the purpose of this show is just to have a dialogue and hear directly from you. So listeners should give me a call and hear directly from your mayor on what we are doing to build a better New York. And you can sign up to hear more from me by visiting nyc.gov/HearFromEric. You can sign up on our website to text with Eric and talk with me on WhatsApp. 

    For today, though, please feel free to call in 212-545-1075. I want to say happy Sunday to everyone. And really, this is such an important topic that we’re going to have today. I have an amazing sister here, Faqueni Ravel, director of Venture House Clubhouse in the Bronx. And many people say, what is a clubhouse? What does that mean? And I didn’t even know what it was until I got into the Mayor’s Office. 

    I was hearing about it when I was campaigning and just really impressed with clubhouses. And we’re going to let sister Ravel just share with us the foundation of it. But let me say this. Everyone is going through some form of mental concern, I would like to say. Some is more severe than others. All of us feel a level of sadness sometimes, a level of depression sometimes. Some is more severe. And we need to be there for our fellow New Yorkers as they experience a level of mental illness. 

    But it’s nothing to be ashamed about. And you should not feel as though you cannot communicate with those who understand how to cycle us out of those moments. And that is what we believe clubhouse, the model, is one method that should be used. So I want to really celebrate this administration and what we have done. 

    We opened the first time in nearly 30 years, we’ve opened up a process for new clubhouses to be opened. And as a result, our administration has opened 13 newly contracted clubhouses across the five boroughs to serve adults living with severe mental illness. And the numbers are impressive, 6,600 members by 2027 is our goal. And our guest today is going to really break this down for you. So Faqueni, can you just first tell us, what is a clubhouse? The ABCs of a clubhouse.

    Faqueni Ravel, Director, Venture House Bronx Clubhouse: ABCs. Well, good morning, everybody. I’m excited to be here. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for inviting us over and for your leadership in New York. We’re proud and we’re very excited to be here and to talk about the best kept secret, right? It’s been the best kept secret for such a long time until the Mayor Adams administration has put a spotlight on it. And the clubhouse model is good news for people with mental health issues. 

    It’s like the gospel of it. It’s a community-based model that helps individuals work side-by-side and gain access to employment, housing, civic engagement, the arts. They work and help us run the clubhouse side-by-side. We have units devoted with goals, a mission, and a vision. We have a commercial kitchen where members come and they work with us. 

    You have the administration unit, you have an education and employment unit, and the clubhouse model is to help focus on the strengths rather than the illness, right? So members are much more engaged and they’re able to apply their talents in the work that they like to do. So it is rooted in the concept that work is restorative. 

    So there’s conventional ways of treatment and therapy and that helps, right? We want to get our therapy, we want to take our prescribed medications, but then what happens later when a person leaves their psych office and doesn’t have a place to be? So they come to the clubhouse.

    Mayor Adams: And that’s what I enjoyed about the clubhouses that I have visited. And I think the best way, in my layman analysis, is that when you’re dealing with severe mental health illness, you go to your medical professional for your help. And then when you leave that medical professional’s office, who is there to support you as you find your way to continue being part of society. 

    So when you walk inside the door of a clubhouse, you’re not judged, you’re not afraid to state what you’re going through to help you get through what you’re facing. And that’s what I saw. When I was up in the Bronx, at Venture, I saw people who came in shy, afraid to talk about their mental health illness. But then the clubhouse, all of a sudden, said, you’re not alone. And you do it in a creative way, such as cooking. How does that help people reintegrate themselves?

    Ravel: Absolutely. So like I said before, when they walk in, and thank you, Mayor Adams, for saying that, they walk in sometimes highly medicated, right? Or sometimes they walk in and do not want to speak with anybody. And once they feel the energy, the clubhouse, each clubhouse has its own culture. And they’re introduced through a tour. And once they start working in a unit, first, in their minds, they’re stigmatized. They’re also marginalized. 

    They have been told that they’re unable. And once they start working in something that’s meaningful, and they start connecting with others that have, they might have the same diagnoses. So they’re working side by side with a member and a staff. They’re able to not just reintegrate into the clubhouse overall, and they start running and they start taking initiatives. They start taking leadership. They become stakeholders of every work that we do there. And they start to have that voice that was taken away from the mental health issue that they might be living, right? 

    So they speak on these things, and the recovery is seen throughout their attendance and their participation in the clubhouse community. And they just slowly but surely, organically, they integrate. And it shows, and it equals to recovery overall. When someone is out there, I mean, you could be completely sane and not have a job, and you feel like you’re coming down with something, right? So the minute that you feel that you have purpose and you have value, and you’re able to identify your own strength and be attached to a specific meaningful task, then that’s recovery, that’s reintegration.

    Mayor Adams: You know, it is as though when I visit the clubhouse, particularly up in the Bronx, it is as though people are invited and they’re saying, it’s okay not to be all right, because we’re going to help you be all right. You know, and finding ways to do that. 

    Now, I know I saw the cooking, they were preparing their own meals, and the food was excellent. What are some of the other things that they do to take a person from that shyness, that feeling as though that no one understands what they’re going through, to, okay, you’re fitting, you have a home here?

    Ravel: Absolutely. So we tried, this is a person-centered care approach. And the first thing we want to let the individual know is that we know that you’re here, we’re all in this together, let’s work together. So besides the commercial kitchen that we run, there are other units devoted into certain tasks, like education and employment. And we have members there that are seeking employment and helping other members to seek employment and seek education. 

    We have members helping other members, you know, seek housing and obtain housing as well through these units. We have members working in the newsletter, publishing the outcomes that are happening in the clubhouse, spreading the news, right, presenting the model also to other CBOs and other entities, spreading the good news of this psychosocial rehabilitation model. 

    So they’re getting engaged. They’re also building these meaningful relationships, which helps members find themselves, right? And they’re able to say and apply what they have learned and also apply their strength in making sure that the clubhouse is working in a sense that that brings recovery overall and rehabilitation.

    Mayor Adams: And you know, I think about that song, I never thought I’d be quoting Barry Manilow, but I think about that song, I made it through the rain. And basically, I got my respect from those who made it through the rain too. And so people who are in the clubhouse, the senior members or members who have been there and made that transformation, they made it through the rain. And now they’re helping others make it through the rain too. And it means a lot. Absolutely.

    Ravel: Absolutely. Because you have these people that it’s hard for them to sustain relationships. It’s hard for them to make friendships. It’s hard for them to keep a job. It’s hard for them to have a job. So when they come and they make it through the rain, right, and they see someone else that came out of that rain, they build that connection. And membership is for life. 

    So with membership being for life, it’s a clear indication that their relationship might be for life, right? And usually people that are living with mental health issues, right, because you hear voices or you’re depressed, statistics show that it’s really hard for them to sustain a relationship, right? 

    So some members just come in and they don’t want to do work. And they just, I just want a place to be. I just want to be here. And we make sure that we help them feel wanted, expected, and needed. And they are needed because we are unable to run the clubhouse without their help. And we’re understaffed on purpose. If we do the work, then we’re taking recovery from them. 

    So we promote the sense of urgency that, and then they say, okay, you know what? I’m good at cooking. I’m going to go cook. And you know what? I’m good at speaking. I’m going to go speak about this model. I’m good at doing administration things. You know what? I’m going to be a receptionist. And they welcome the other members. And we all, if the cloud rains on one member, it rains on all of us, right?

    Mayor Adams: I love that. And that energy. Now, let’s say if we were to remove our clubhouses, then a person is home, often home alone, or sitting in a dark place somewhere, not feeling as though they have a purpose. And so absence of the clubhouse, you are dealing with a lot of the issues of loneliness. Loneliness is a very important social determinant to help when people feel lonely. And so we’re going to be back. 

    We’re going to take a break now. But we’ll be back to field your calls. You can ask anything you want about the clubhouse or any other topic that we’re hearing. Faqueni is here to really share that experience. So you can call 212-545-1075, 212-545-1075. We’ll speak to you on the other side of the break.

    Byrd: The program is Hear From the Mayor. And as you hear, the mayor wants to hear from you. 212-545-1075 is the number to call. Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester, wherever you are, 212-545-1075. We’ll come back right after these messages from 107.5 WBLS.

    [Commercial Break.]

    Mayor Adams: And we’re back. We’re looking forward to hear from you and get your thoughts. 212-545-1075. So let’s go to the first caller. Caller, you are in the air. Caller, you’re in the air. Okay. So while we [wait] for our caller, why don’t we dig into the clubhouse model a little more. Tell me, Faqueni, what are the hours of operation?

    Ravel: Great question. So Venture House in particular, Venture House Inc. has been around for over 37 years and we have steps to schedule. We’re open 365 days of the year. And I don’t know if I mentioned that membership is free. And we’re open Monday through Friday for a work order day task. We’re open 9 to 4, 9 to 5 rather. And we have social programming and we’re open from 9 to 8 p.m. We’re open on Saturdays from 10 to 3. And on Sundays, we’re also open for the same time frame.

    Mayor Adams: You know what I learned in my policing days that the highest number or one of the highest periods of suicides occurs around holidays, you know, because people are not with family. There’s a great level of sadness. Are you open during the holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, all of those holidays?

    Ravel: Actually, Thanksgiving is actually the day that we serve the membership. We, it is a tradition for us to make the meal and serve the members. It brings joy. It brings– it actually helps us become more integrated as a family. 

    This is how you see those individuals that do not have anybody, they come to Venture House and they sit and have a meal with us. So we’re open 365 days a week. Yes, every Christmas, we’re there sending them letters. And for those who are not coming, we’re not able to see them. We are reaching in and reaching out so they can come in for Christmas, Thanksgiving. We celebrate every holiday. We have the members and staff working. But it’s amazing.

    Mayor Adams: I think we got a caller on. Caller, you’re in the air. I’m here with Faqueni. If you have a question for me or our clubhouse, please feel free.

    Question: Yes. Good morning, Mayor Adams. My name is [Joe Gonzalez.] I’m calling from Brooklyn, New York. You often speak about housing issues. And it was recently developed that there are in excess of 5,000 empty apartments in the New York City Housing Authority developments. And unfortunately, many people believe that that’s part and parcel of a plot to just wipe out public housing. And so can you speak to the pain of people who believe that? And second, can you with specificity reveal when those 5,000 apartments going to start getting filled with needy people? Thank you and have a good day.

    Mayor Adams: Yeah, thank you so much. One of the most disappointing aspects of our NYCHA situation is how little control the mayor has over NYCHA. When you look at the fact that it is in receivership and there’s a special monitor that’s in charge, hiring and firing is not within my scope because, trust me, when I looked at some of the things that happened over at Riis Houses when there was a water scare, I stepped up and said, listen, we need to take immediate actions. And they said, Eric, you don’t have the authorization to do that. 

    We need to give control back to the mayor and let the mayor be held fully responsible like we did with our school system. And so when you talk about those housing, all those housing units should be repaired. Some of them are taking longer than others. They have to be led abatement. Our NYCHA stock is a stock that has been ignored far too long. It has almost an $80 billion capital deficit. We need help on the federal and the state level. 

    They’ve walked away from NYCHA. We have done successful things. We included NYCHA in our housing plan, which has never been done before. We’ve also were able to go to Albany and get what’s called their housing land trust. Sheepshead Bay was one of the first areas where the tenants voted on the improvements in NYCHA. We must do something differently, get those units back online. But we have to repair NYCHA, not with a Band-Aid, but with real ideas that we have presented to rebuild our NYCHA stock. Thank you for that call. Caller, you’re in the air.

    Question: Good morning, Mr. Mayor.

    Mayor Adams: Good morning.

    Question: I just have one issue. Is there anything that you can possibly do when sanitation comes around after they take the garbage, if they can put the garbage pails back in front of the property? I’ve lost two brand new garbage pails, and they’re quite expensive. Every week, I have to stay up until two, three o’clock in the morning. I have to walk sometimes a block away. Your garbage pail cannot be found. They don’t put it back in front of the property. Is there anything you can possibly do? I’m begging.

    Mayor Adams: Yes, yes, yes. Those pails are expensive. I’m going to speak with the commissioner and just reinforce the policy of putting the pail right back in front. Just basic etiquette on how to do it correctly. Our DSNY members are doing an amazing job. But thanks for that feedback. And I will share it. I’ll share it.

    Question: But then I got to get up to walk. Sometimes they come at two in the morning. I have to stay up to go just bring it back inside. I’ve lost three. They’re like up to $54, $55. I’m a senior. I can’t afford that anymore.

    Mayor Adams: Yes, and we don’t want that to happen to you. So I’m on top of it. Callers, that music is telling us that the lady is singing, so the show is concluding. But I look forward to being back on with you in the next few weeks. And again, we want to thank our guest that’s here today. Thank you so much for your input.

    Ravel: Thank you, Mayor Adams, for your exemplary work. Thank you for taking the initiative and bringing clubhouses [out from] under the rug and making it not just the best kept secret anymore. Right now, there’s been a spotlight. And that’s thanks to your administration from bringing it from awareness to results. You’ve done it under your leadership and Venture House, and all the other clubhouses, want to thank you for bringing clubhouses to our local neighborhood communities.

    Mayor Adams: Thank you. Thank you. 

    August 24, 2025

    Sources: NYC.gov , Big New York News BigNY.com
    Midtown Tribune News

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • Mayor Adams Approves Waymo’s First Autonomous Vehicle Testing in NYC Under Strict Safety Rules

    Mayor Adams Approves Waymo’s First Autonomous Vehicle Testing in NYC Under Strict Safety Rules

    Summary: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez have approved Waymo’s first-ever permit to test autonomous vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under the nation’s strictest safety guidelines. The pilot requires a trained safety specialist behind the wheel at all times, with up to eight vehicles permitted until September 2025. The program emphasizes roadway safety, cybersecurity, and collaboration with city agencies, marking a milestone in bringing innovative transportation technology to NYC while prioritizing public safety.

    Mayor Adams, DOT Announce Approval of First Application to Test Autonomous Vehicles in New York City With Trained Safety Specialist Behind Steering Wheel

    What you should know

    • Waymo Permitted to Begin Testing Autonomous Vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn with Trained Specialist Behind Wheel at All Times Under Nation’s Strictest Safety Rules

     – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that DOT has granted Waymo its first-ever permit to begin testing a limited number of autonomous vehicles (AV) in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under the nation’s strictest AV safety rules, including a requirement to have a trained AV-specialist behind the wheel at all times. Launched by the Adams administration last year, the city’s robust safety requirements have been established for responsible and safe AV testing in New York City. The rigorous permitting program ensures all approved applicants are ready to safely and proficiently test their technology in the country’s most dynamic and complex urban environment.

    “We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City is proud to welcome Waymo to test this new technology in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we know this testing is only the first step in moving our city further into the 21st century. As we continue to implement responsible innovation, we will always prioritize street safety.”

    “As autonomous vehicle technology expands across the country, DOT has put in place comprehensive safety guidelines to ensure safe, responsible testing on our city’s streets,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “These requirements will help ensure that the development of this technology is focused, first and foremost, on the safety of everyone who shares our busy city streets.”

    “With over 10 million rides completed in five major U.S. cities and a strong safety record, we’re proud to be working with leaders to lay the groundwork to bring this life saving technology to New Yorkers one day, beginning with receiving the first-ever permit issued in the city to drive autonomously,” said Annabel Chang, head of U.S. state and local public policy, Waymo. “We believe it is essential for companies to collaborate directly with cities on the rollout of autonomous technology and are pleased to have reached this next step in New York City.”

    “Roadway safety for all New Yorkers is quite simply one of the most important issues today,” said Paige Carbone, regional executive director, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) New York. “Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, if deployed responsibly and safely and in collaboration with the right community and city stakeholders. We welcome this next step for New Yorkers as Waymo receives the first permit of its kind.”

    Assemblymember Brian Cunningham said, “As sponsor of legislation on autonomous vehicles at the state level, I’m encouraged to see New York City moving forward with testing that will show us how this technology can improve safety, reduce congestion, and expand mobility. This is the type of measured innovation that allows us to prepare for the future while making sure progress works for New Yorkers. The lessons learned here will help guide how we integrate autonomous technology statewide, which will help ensure it delivers real benefits in transportation, equity, and economic opportunity.”

    As part of their permit to operate within New York City, Waymo is required to coordinate closely with DOT through regular meetings and data reporting and Waymo must certify that they are adhering to the industry’s best practices related to cybersecurity. In addition to receiving DOT approval, Waymo has also obtained necessary permits from the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles. Waymo will be permitted to test up to eight autonomous vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September 2025. After the pilot testing period, Waymo will have the opportunity to apply for an extension to their pilot testing period. Finally, DOT’s approval strictly relates to testing AV technology — the use of autonomous vehicles for for-hire service is currently prohibited by New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rules, and any company providing for-hire service must comply with TLC rules, including by obtaining a TLC license.

    Source: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune news

    Midtown Tribune Independent USA news from New York

  • NYC’s New Motto: Merit Is Out, Quotas Are In!

    NYC’s New Motto: Merit Is Out, Quotas Are In!

    In a groundbreaking move toward progress, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has been awarded the prestigious M/WBE Excellence Award for successfully handing out over $1 billion in contracts—not to the best companies, mind you, but to the right demographic groups. Because who needs an open market when you can have open favoritism?

    At the Mayor’s 2nd Annual M/WBE Celebration, city officials patted themselves on the back for their unwavering commitment to diversity-based spending—which, as we all know, is far more important than competence, efficiency, or taxpayer value. With an impressive 36% M/WBE participation, NYCHA is proving that the best way to fix public housing isn’t by hiring the most qualified contractors, but by making sure the checkboxes are filled.

    Of course, some outdated folks (probably clinging to their dusty copies of the Constitution) might argue that awarding government contracts based on race and gender instead of merit is, well… discriminatory. Silly them! Haven’t they heard? Equal protection under the law is so last century!

    Here’s the new reality: If you’re a business owner in NYC, your qualifications don’t matter. Your experience doesn’t matter. Your ability to complete the job on time and on budget? Totally irrelevant. What truly matters is whether you fit the city’s preferred identity categories. Because nothing says “progress” like institutionalized discrimination with a feel-good label!

    So, let’s all give a round of applause to NYCHA for boldly leading us into a future where meritocracy is just a distant memory, and corruption hides behind the banner of “equity.” Bravo, NYC!

    Coming Soon: The City’s Next Bold Move—Hiring Firefighters Based on Diversity, Not Ability! What Could Go Wrong?

    You can

    P.S. From comments: The U.S. Constitution guarantees equality for all, yet this policy discriminates based on race and gender. Government contracts should be awarded based on merit, not identity quotas. This kind of favoritism violates the principle of equal protection under the law.