New York City Hall
What to watch for this week in New York politics:
Tuesday will mark just one week until Election Day, November 6. This week is set to feature several debates for statewide officers -- see details below -- and will include a frenzy of near-final campaign efforts, including last-minute advertisements, mailings, press conferences, and so on.
Catch up on all of Gotham Gazette’s election coverage.
Be ready to vote on the three ballot proposals that will be questions posed to New York City voters on Election Day.
See your ballot via this election guide from Gotham Gazette, WNYC, City Limits and other partners.
This week isn’t only electoral politics, of course, as there are a variety of City Council hearings and other government and policy-related events -- see our day-by-day rundown below. This week also begins with New Yorkers continue to mourn and react to the massacre of 11 Jewish people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. There may also be more news this week related to the recent attempted bombings of prominent Democratic figures and CNN, some of which took place in New York.
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The run of the week in detail:
Monday
Mayor Bill de Blasio has no public events scheduled for Monday.
Monday is the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy hitting New York.
At the City Council on Monday:
--The Committee on Transportation will meet at 10 a.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “parking regulation in New York City,” as well as to discuss several proposed laws relating to parking regulation, including laws to require DCAS to “develop an off-hour delivery plan,” “increasing the penalties for certain commercial vehicles parked overnight on residential streets,” and “waiving parking violations when a parking sign is illegible.”
--The Committee on Cultural Affairs will meet at 10 a.m. to discuss several resolutions, including designating Rosa Parks Day, adding Roberto Clemente’s death site to the National Register of Historic Places, and several resolutions recognizing Polish achievements.
--The Committee on Veterans will meet at 1 p.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “ensuring veteran access to city-administered services,” as well as to discuss a proposed law relating to “additional reporting requirements for the Department of Veterans’ Services.”
--The Committee on Public Safety will meet at 2 p.m. to discuss several proposed laws related to sexual harassment, including one to require all NYPD officers to receive “sensitivity training” for responding to victims of harassment and assault.
At 2:30 p.m. Monday, Comptroller Scott Stringer will deliver remarks at “Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage” at the New York Stock Exchange. At 5:30 p.m., Stringer will host a “Unity Vigil with National Action Network, Elected Officials, Faith and Community Leaders in Solidarity with Pittsburgh” in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn.
At 6 p.m. Monday, the Regional Plan Association will host “Designing the Future of the Tri-State Region,” discussing the role of “architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design” in the Fourth Regional Plan. RPA’s Senior Fellow for Urban Design Robert Lane will moderate a panel consisting of Adam Frampton, President of Only.If; Juliette Michaelson, RPA’s Executive Vice President; and Kobi Ruthenberg, Associate Director in Urbanism at ORG Permanent Modernity. The event will take place at the AIA Center for Architecture in Greenwich Village.
At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza will hold a town hall meeting for CEC5 parents at PS 154 in Harlem. Carranza will be joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.
On Monday at 7 p.m., Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Republican challenger Jonathan Trichter will debate on NY1, moderated by NY1’s Errol Louis and Spectrum News’ Liz Benjamin. [Watch the first State Comptroller debate among DiNapoli, Trichter, and the two other candidates who will be on the ballot, Green Party nominee Mark Dunlea and Libertarian Cruger Gallaudet]
Tuesday
At the City Council on Tuesday:
--The Committee on Public Housing will meet at 10 a.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “NYCHA development and privatization.”
--The Committee on Health will meet at 10 a.m. to discuss several proposed laws relating to water tank inspections.
--The Committee on Women will meet at 10 a.m. to discuss a resolution urging the state to pass the Reproductive Health Act.
--The Committee on For-Hire Vehicles will meet at 11 a.m. to discuss a proposed law relating to “for-hire vehicles and commuter vans with a seating capacity greater than 20.”
--The Committee on Governmental Operations will meet at noon to discuss a proposed law to allow “the use of campaign funds for certain childcare expenses.”
--The Committee on Education will meet at 1 p.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “fair student funding,” to discuss proposed laws creating a task force on “fair student funding” and “requiring a single reporting bill on department of education spending allocations, including fair student funding, for schools citywide,” and to discuss a resolution “calling upon the New York City Department of Education to factor in poverty as a weight in the Fair Student Funding formula for schools beginning at fourth grade or later.”
At 8 am. Tuesday, the Association for a Better New York will host Republican gubernatorial nominee Marc Molinaro for a “Power Breakfast” at the Mezzanine at 55 Broadway. Molinaro “will discuss his vision for New York State.”
At 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Public Advocate Letitia James "delivers remarks at Lower Eastside Service Center's (LESC) 4th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser."
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Board of Standards and Appeals will hold a public hearing at 22 Reade Street.
At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics will meet in Albany.
"Comptroller Scott M. Stringer will release a new report tomorrow at 11 AM detailing how New York City is still lagging behind on spending with minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs). Joined by business owners and advocates Comptroller Stringer will call for a Chief Diversity Officer in each City agency and in City Hall as part of Charter revision." At 6 p.m., Stringer will deliver remarks at the New America Alliance Access to Capital Forum and Reception.
At noon on Tuesday at the Bronx County Building, "Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, along with elected leaders, clergy, court officials, community organizations and others will host a prayer vigil to support the Jewish community and stand united against hatred. The event comes in response to the weekend’s mass murder at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, which left 11 worshippers dead."
At 1 p.m. Tuesday, several advocacy organizations, including Vocal-NY, JustLeadershipUSA, Court Watch NYC, Color of Change, and others, will hold a rally outside Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens to voice opposition to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown as “uniquely punitive” practices by his office.
At 1 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, "dozens of New York City students, the Urban Youth Collaborative, and members of the New York City Council will hold a joint press conference at City Hall to expose shocking racial disparities in public school suspensions and call on the Mayor de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carranza to make immediate reforms. This press conference follows a new Independent Budget Office (IBO) report finding Black students are suspended for longer in 8 of the 10 most prevalent offenses and for twice as long for 3 of those offenses in New York City public schools."
At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the New York City Board of Elections will hold a commissioners’ meeting.
At 2 p.m. Tuesday at Bronx Borough Hall, "Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will honor seven New York Police Department officers that took steps to assist a fatally wounded father and helped prevent the death of a five-year-old boy during a recent incident in The Bronx."
At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer will deliver remarks at West Side Community Fund Event, at Holy Apostle Church.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Panel for Educational Policy will hold a meeting at the Michael J. Petrides School in Todt Hill, Staten Island.
"On Tuesday, First Lady Chirlane McCray will attend the Rikers Halloween Family Event."
On Tuesday evening, American Planning Association NY Urban Design Committee at WXY Studio will host on a discussion about planning in New York City and whether the city needs a “comprehensive plan.” Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max will give opening remarks based on a recent Gotham Gazette article on the subject, followed by a panel discussion including City Council Member Brad Lander; Celia Weaver of New York Communities for Change; Michelle de la Uz of Fifth Avenue Committee and a City Planning Commissioner; and Maulin Mehta of Regional Plan Association, moderated by Jee Mee Kim of HR&A Advisors. “The panelists all value long-term strategic planning for growth and represent a range of professional experiences and viewpoints. The panelists will discuss what constitutes a comprehensive plan, the pros and cons of a comprehensive plan, and why New York needs or does not need a comprehensive plan. The discussion will touch on public participation in the planning process, neighborhood development, capital spending and regional planning.”
At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, WeWork and Politico NY will host a forum at the WeWork at 500 7th Ave in Midtown, discussing the two charter revision commissions, “the process behind each, the proposals from the mayor’s commission that will be on the ballot this November, and how the city council’s commission is progressing in its public outreach as it prepares proposals for next year.” Politico NY’s Rosa Goldensohn will moderate the panel consisting of Cesar Perales, the Chair of the Mayor’s Commission; Betsy Gotbaum, Executive Director of Citizens Union; and Dr. Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, a member of the Council’s Commission.
On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., "Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will share his personal experience with domestic violence as he celebrates courageous Brooklynites who overcame their own journeys against abuse at his fourth annual “Surviving and Thriving” Day of Empowerment, an event recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month for hundreds of local survivors of abuse and supportive Brooklynites. The program, which will include remarks by the commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, Cecile Noel, and the deputy commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, Marissa A. L. Jackson-Sow, will focus on successfully moving forward from abuse. Activities will include personal safety demonstrations, a resource fair, mini-makeovers, and children’s fare. Survivors will discuss how they combated domestic violence and how they are currently founders and CEOs of their own businesses and organizations."
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, "Mayor de Blasio will host a tele-town hall on the Charter Revision Commission ballot proposals."
Tuesday night may see a debate at 7 p.m. between Attorney General candidates Letitia James, the Democratic nominee and currently New York City Public Advocate, and Keith Wofford, the Republican nominee. The debate has been scheduled to take place on NY1, but James may not participate depending on the status of the labor dispute between Spectrum News, which owns NY1, and IBEW electrical workers, Local 3.
"Central Synagogue clergy, alongside Cardinal Dolan and a wide representation of New York religious leaders, will host an Interfaith Prayer Vigil with Governor Andrew Cuomo, on Tuesday October 30th at 8:15 PM. We come together in solidarity following a week of violent hate crimes, including the deadliest assault on the Jewish community in U.S. history. The service will bring together interfaith members from across the state who will gather to honor the victims of the attack and join Governor Cuomo in his call for peace and civility."
Wednesday
The City Council will hold a stated meeting at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Speaker Corey Johnson will likely host a pre-stated press conference at 12:30 p.m.
Also at the City Council on Wednesday:
--The Committee on Finance will meet at 10 a.m.
--The Committee on Housing and Buildings will meet at 10 a.m. to discuss proposed laws relating to “single-occupant toilet room requirements,” “carbon monoxide detectors in commercial spaces,” and fire protection systems.
At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Crain’s and Tech: NYC will host “The Future of NYC Tech Summit: How far it has come and what’s next for the industry” at Convene in East Midtown, discussing the tech industry’s role and prominence in New York City, and its potential. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will deliver a keynote address, and the CEOs of New York-based startups such as WayUp, AppNexus, and New Lab will participate in panels.
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the City Planning Commission will hold a public meeting at 120 Broadway.
At 5 p.m., Wednesday, the week’s Max & Murphy show will air on WBAI radio, at 99.5FM or wbai.org, featuring interviews with several candidates for statewide office, including Michael Sussman and Mark Dunlea, the Green Party nominees for attorney general and comptroller, respectively.
Thursday
At the City Council on Thursday:
--The Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will meet at 9:30 a.m.
--The Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting, and Maritime Uses will meet at 11 a.m.
--The Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions, and Concessions will meet at 2 p.m.
At 9 a.m. Thursday, City & State will host the “Politics of Food Summit” at Baruch College, discussing “all forms of food programs, sustainability and policy issues in New York.” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will participate in a one-on-one discussion regarding healthy living. Other speakers will include Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Consumer Affairs Commissioner Lorelei Salas, Human Resource Administration Commissioner Steven Banks, City Council Members Ben Kallos, Donovan Richards, Rafael Espinal, and Helen Rosenthal, Senators Luis Sepulveda and Liz Krueger, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Manhattan community boards are hosting an “educational town hall” at PS 59 in Midtown, discussing the three questions that will appear on the November 6 ballot. The panel will consist of City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, City Council Members Ben Kallos and Brad Lander, Charter Revision Commissioner John Siegal, and attorney Rachel Harding; and will be moderated by Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max. [Read: Mayoral Charter Revision Commission Puts Three Questions on November Ballot]
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Staten Island Borough President Jimmy Oddo will hold a town hall meeting on the Staten Island Ferry at Curtis High School on the North Shore. Representatives of city agencies such as the Department of Transportation, Department of Consumer Affairs, NYPD, and others will join Oddo to answer commuters’ questions related to the ferry.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the New York City Bar Association will host a discussion on the “legal and policy changes” that will have to accompany the legalization of marijuana in New York City. Kristin Jordan, the chair of the “cannabis practice group” at Newman Ferrara, will moderate a panel consisting of City Council Member Donovan Richards; Preston Niblack, the City’s Deputy Comptroller for the Budget; Axel Bernabe, Assistant Counsel to the Governor for Health; and attorneys Steven Epstein, Jerome Levy, and Joseph Levey.
On Thursday evening at 6 p.m., the League of Women Voters of New York State will host a gubernatorial debate, with four of the five candidates who will be on the ballot -- all but Gov. Cuomo -- committed as of October 28: Stephanie Miner, Marc Molinaro, Howie Hawkins, and Larry Sharpe. The debate will be moderated by the League's Laura Ladd Bierman, with panelists including Susan Arbetter of The Capitol Pressroom, Josefa Velasquez of Sludge, and Ken Lovett of The Daily News. The debate will be live-streamed on Facebook and other platforms.
Friday and the weekend
Mayor de Blasio may make his weekly appearance on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show at 10 a.m. Friday.
This will be the final weekend before Election Day, full of final campaigning and get out the vote efforts. Catch up on all of Gotham Gazette’s election coverage.
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Have events or topics for us to include in an upcoming Week Ahead in New York Politics? E-mail Gotham Gazette executive editor Ben Max any time: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please use "For Week Ahead" as email subject).
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by Ben Brachfeld and Ben Max
@GothamGazette
