Federal prosecutors allege the former state senator participated in “bribery” with donor charged with scamming NYC’s public matching funds system.
Clifford Michel
Clifford covers Manhattan and the politics of Staten Island for THE CITY. He previously covered politics for the Staten Island Advance. His reporting has appeared in Gothamist, the Amsterdam News, Politico New York and Gotham Gazette.
Posted inMental Health
Manhattan Lawmaker Takes Aim at 1960s Law That Blocks Medicaid Funds for Psych Care
Sen. Brad Hoylman wants New York to pursue a waiver to allow federal funding for long-term residential treatment, which could include innovative alternatives to incarceration.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Rikers Lockups Stay Steady Under Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Vexing Reformers
Jail admissions keep pace with predecessor Cy Vance while bail amounts go up — prompting demands for the new district attorney to shake up the office.
Posted inHousing
Landlords Wage Crusade Against ‘Good Cause’ Anti-Eviction Bill
Additional reporting by Josefa Velasquez The real estate industry is pushing back on a state bill that would limit rent hikes and ensure lease renewals for over a million tenants — launching a house-to-house phone campaign to rally the public against the protections. A new group called Homeowners for an Affordable New York is calling city […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Christina Lee’s Alleged Killer Had Arrests but No Mental Health Intervention
At a vigil near stabbing victim’s Chinatown building, Asian leaders and groups demand action on mental illness and women’s safety.
Posted inCampaign 2022
Candidates Race to Run for Reconfigured Seats Following New District Maps
Candidates are streaming in and out of congressional and state races now that New York has adopted new political district maps. Democratic state lawmakers last month aggressively redrew state and congressional boundaries to favor their party, including reconfiguring three congressional districts won by Donald Trump in 2020. Gov. Kathy Hochul approved the new lines on […]
Posted inDeliveristas
Hub for Gig Workers, Community Board Diversity Top Manhattan BP To-Do List
New Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is aiming to create a “resources center” for gig economy workers like deliveristas, while also shaking up diversity on his community boards –– aiming to recruit more cyclists and pedestrians. Both initiatives are part of Levine’s “transition report,” which details 29 long-term goals organized under several priorities that include […]
Posted inElections
NYC to Pick Up Two State Senate Seats Under Albany Redistricting Plan
One new district in Brooklyn would be plurality Asian and another in Queens would be mostly Hispanic.
Posted inRedistricting
Albany’s Congressional Maps Protect Democrats, Put NYC’s Lone GOP House Seat at Risk
Democrats in the New York State Legislature released new congressional lines that protect some of the city’s sitting representatives from primary challenges and puts its lone-Republican congressmember’s hold on her district in jeopardy. Incumbent Democrats, like Manhattan Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Carolyn Maloney, have seemingly gotten their wish as to how they’d like their districts […]
Posted inVoting
Albany Democrats Seize Control of Redistricting, With Unclear Role for Public
Additional reporting by Josefa Velasquez After years of championing an “independent” commission to control the crucial redrawing of congressional and legislative districts, Democratic state leaders are taking over the process. A wide coalition of advocates is demanding public hearings before Albany acts. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-The Bronx) and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester) […]