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Today's Lead: New Commissioner Details Plans For NYPD


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Newly appointed Commissioner Bill Bratton yesterday offered fresh details into his plans for the NYPD. He said he'd begin with repairing the relationship of the police force and the community. Officers would be reminded that they are dealing with a human being when engaging in stop-and-frisk, and to do so in a constitutional manner. Additional oversight of the police was welcomed. Operation Impact, a program flooding high crime neighborhoods with rookie cops that results in numerous stops, would be curbed. But Operation Crew Cut, an initiative aimed at youth gangs, would be expanded. John Miller, a news anchor and former head of the LAPD's counterterrorism bureau, was appointed as the NYPD's counter-terrorism chief. Bratton said he would continue sending officers overseas despite the high price tag and lack of success in developing leads on potential attacks in New York. He also reiterated his commitment to an intensive focus on traffic issues in order to reduce fatalities.

Other Stories We're Following

Without Jury, Judge Warned Of Dispute Over Stop-And-Frisk Ruling (NY Times)

NYPD Union Seeks Quicker Stop-Frisk Appeal Ruling (NY Post)

De Blasio Defends Tone Of Inauguration (Capital)

Public Advocate Wasn't Source For Times Article On Dasani (NY Post)

At Work, Mayor Finds Full Plate Of Headaches (NY Times)

Schools Chancellor To Start With Focus On Middle Schools (Daily News)

State Benefit Cards Hacked (Albany Times Union)

Latino Leaders Try To Boost Mark-Viverito’s Speaker Candidacy (Politicker)

Mark-Viverito Has $1.5 Million In Properties, Took No-Interest City Loan (Daily News)

Today's Report

Housing Program Improves Health And Reduces Costs
The Supportive Housing program, which provides housing and supportive services for various at-risk populations, results in residents spending fewer days in institutions and cost savings, according to this new report by the Health Department. Residents in the program were less likely than eligible but unplaced applicants to have several types of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. They also spent fewer days in jail and shelters, and public sector expenditures were about $10,100 less per person during their first year in the program. (read the full report)

Today's Lead: De Blasio's Inauguration Address


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In his inaugural address yesterday Mayor de Blasio promised to focus on inequality in New York City, describing social inequities as a “quiet crisis.” He praised Michael Bloomberg for his environmental stewardship but reiterated his campaign theme of a "Tale of Two Cities." Public Advocate Letitia James took the criticism of the former mayor further, hammering on the disparities of a city where "decrepit homeless shelters and housing developments stand in the neglected shadow of gleaming multimillion-dollar condos." Although the event was widely viewed as populist, and started off with some radical rhetoric by guest speakers, de Blasio was joined onstage by the centrist Clintons.

Other Stories We're Following

Threatening Storm May Be Early Test For de Blasio (Reuters)

De Blasio Taps Team To Tackle The City's Labor Contract Backlog (DNAinfo)

Top Five Education Issues Facing Mayor de Blasio (WNYC)

Kelly’s Glory Era Ends With A Rebuke (Capital)

Cuomo Punts On Fed Ex Labor Scrap (NY Post)

Cuomo Pardons Three Men, Clearing Their Records (Associated Press)

The Dream Of A Middle-Class New York (New York Magazine)

Today's Lead: De Blasio Sworn In As 109th Mayor


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Bill de Blasio was sworn in as the city's 109th mayor just after midnight on Wednesday during a ceremony at his family's home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where he launched his campaign for City Hall nearly a year ago. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman delivered the oath of office as a crowd of supporters and journalists watched. De Blasio was accompanied by his wife Chirlane, daughter Chiara and son Dante. He paid a $9 filing fee.

De Blasio will also be sworn in during a formal inauguration officiated by President Bill Clinton on the steps of City Hall at noon. Public Advocate-elect Letitia James and Comptroller-elect Scott Stringer will also celebrate their inauguration at the event on Wednesday.

NEW IN THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — The New Yorker's Guide To The New City Government: The historic overhaul of New York City government this year goes well beyond the mayor's office. Here's a look at some of the new — and familiar — faces of the fresh crop of elected officials. By Caroline Lewis. READ MORE.

ALSO — Now Get To Work! Readers Offer Advice To The New Mayor: The crowdsourced submissions to our "Minute With The Next Mayor" project touched on affordable housing, unemployment and homelessness,  transportation, public health and the preservation of libraries. By Meral Agish and Valentina Cordero.

 



Other Stories We're Following

Homeless Youth File Lawsuit Against The City (NY Post)

Bloomberg Says His Goodbye To City Hall (Daily News)

Judge Says Most Of NY's Gun Law Is Constitutional (NY Times)

Politician Wants Wood Frog To Be NY's Official Amphibian (the Post Standard)

De Blasio Announces 5 Appointments (Politicker)

Cuomo Says Con Ed Agreed To Freeze Rates (Journal News)

Cuomo Tells Embattled Assemblyman To Resign Or Deny Allegations ()

Quinn Works To Block Mark-Viverito From Becoming Speaker (Capital)

 

Today's Lead: The Next Schools Chancellor


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Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio is expected to announce at a news conference later today that he has chosen longtime ally Carmen Fariña to be the next chancellor of the nation's largest school system. Fariña, who is in her 70s, is a veteran of the city's public schools. She served as a teacher, principal and superintendent before retiring in 2007 as a deputy chancellor.

De Blasio has said he wants to undo or revamp some of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's educational reforms, including the reliance on standardized testing and the expansion of charter schools. "I want to see us have a system where people do things because they have a sense of joy about it, not because they have a sense of fear," Fariña said on a recent panel.

Capital New York reports that De Blasio and Fariña have known each other for several years, going back to when the mayor-elect sat on the school board of District 15 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Fariña was superintendent of the district at the time.

De Blasio has been slowly filling out his cabinet. Over the weekend, he announced a new top city lawyer. 

Predictions 2014: In our annual look at predictions for the year ahead, our panel of elected officials and policy experts have once again agreed to pin their reputations as soothsayers on everything from which team might win the World Series to campaign finance reform. READ MORE.

*** Hey readers! We've improved Gotham Gazette's mobile experience with a fully adaptive design for smartphones. Check it out and let us know what you think. This is still pretty new, so we'd like to know if you find any bugs. Email us at info(at)gothamgazette.com *** 

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard before Jan. 1, 2014. #deblasio

 



Other Stories We're Following

Parents, Politicians Sue Over Last-Minute Charter Locations (NY Post)

Manhattan Senator Wants Serving In Legislature To Be Full-Time Gig (Daily News)

Council Speaker Race Continues To Heat Up (Wall Street Journal)

Bloomberg's Deputy Mayor Holloway Tapped For His Company (Wall Street Journal)

Bloomberg Spent At Least $650M Of His Wealth Being Mayor (NY Times)

Editorial: 'Controlling The Narrative' Of Chiara de Blasio's Story (USA Today)

Architects Have High Hopes For New Deputy Mayor (Crain's)

Minimum Wage Set To Go To $8/Hr On New Year's Eve (the Post Standard)

Sotomayor To Lead Times Square Ball Drop (NBC)

City Initiatives Funded By Bloomberg Wealth May Be Left Hanging (Capital)



Today's Lead: City's Incarceration Rate Drops


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Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the city's incarceration rate dropped 36 percent between 2001 and 2012, even as the national rate rose 3 percent. Crime dropped 32 percent over the same period. The decrease in people being locked up was attributed to judges and correction department officials using community-based alternative programs. The cost of jailing people has risen however, with the city spending $168,000 per inmate inmate last year compared to $92,500 in 2001.

Other Stories We're Following

More Diversity In NYPD, But Blacks Lag (NY Times)

Sandy Forced Poor To Leave Illegal Units (Wall Street Journal)

New York Remade: Before And After Bloomberg (WNYC)

Farewell To Bloomberg’s Outsider Model (Capital)

Policing The Projects At A Hefty Price (NY Times)

Resentment Of Mark-Viverito Remains Among Bronx Democrats (Politicker)

New York Soon To Trail Florida In Population (NY Times)

Minimum Wage Rising To $8 An Hour (Associated Press)

Pay-By-Phone Parking Headed To City (Crain's)

Today's Lead: De Blasio's Daughter Reveals Substance Abuse Problem


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As if it were a final note in a campaign overfilled with personal revelations, Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio's daughter has opened up about her past issues with substance abuse. In a YouTube video posted on Christmas Eve, she discussed her struggles with clinical depression and how she coped by drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Although it's been noted that his 19-year-old daughter Chiara needed space to recover, the timing of the revelation was criticized as an attempt to bury the story. It's common to bury sensitive or damaging stories by releasing them on holidays or Fridays, as Eliot Spitzer also did by announcing his split from his wife the other day. In the end, de Blasio stood in proud defense of his daughter, with the support of the White House.

*** Hey readers! We've improved Gotham Gazette's mobile experience with a fully adaptive design for smartphones. Check it out and let us know what you think. This is still pretty new, so we'd like to know if you find any bugs. Email us at info(at)gothamgazette.com *** 

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio

Other Stories We're Following

Assemblyman: Academic Boycott Of Israeli Universities Violates State Law (Daily News)

Charter Schools Worry About Mayor-Elect's Plans (Associated Press)

Study Finds State 21st In Funding To Stop Smoking (Associated Press)

A Push To Put Bloomberg’s Stamp On Major Legal Cases (NY Times)

With No Review, New Skyscrapers Darken Central Park (WNYC)

Technology Fuels New Police Cruiser (Wall Street Journal)

FDNY Diversity Honcho Yanked For Marijuana (NY Post)

Strand Book Store Records Christmas Shopping Holiday Sales (Daily News)

Coat Donations Down 35 Percent This Year (WNYC)

Today's Lead: Gladys Carrión Picked To Lead City's Child Services Agency


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Declaring that “there is no higher calling than protecting children,” Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio named a state official to head the city’s Administration for Children's Services.

Gladys Carrión, who is currently commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services, will now oversee a city agency that has faced scrutiny in recent years after shocking child abuse deaths. This included the case of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown and 4-year-old Marchella Pierce. The Brooklyn girls were brutalized and killed by family members while “under the agency’s watch,” Newsday recalls.

Carrión, 62, is a Bronx native who held positions at various nonprofits and in the David Dinkins administration. As head of the state Office of Children and Family Services, she has been credited with overseeing Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s initiative calling for the transition of city youth from upstate juvenile justice facilities to ones “closer to home.”

De Blasio announced the appointment at the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, founded in 1893 “to care for the poor.”

NEW FROM THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — Is New York's Women's Equality Act Dead? Nearly a year after Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced the Women’s Equality Act in a momentous speech, it has virtually disappeared from the political conversation. And its opponents have declared it all but defeated. By David Howard King. READ MORE.

*** Hey readers! We've improved Gotham Gazette's mobile experience with a fully adaptive design for smartphones. Check it out and let us know what you think. This is still pretty new, so we'd like to know if you find any bugs. Email us at info(at)gothamgazette.com ***

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio

 



Other Stories We're Following

Critic's Notebook: New Oversight Needed For Towers (NY Times)

Mayor Bloomberg Makes 1st Appearance On SNL [VIDEO] (am New York)

Why Universal Pre-K Could Benefit All Families (The Atlantic Cities)

Bloomberg Touts Achievements Of Affordable Housing Plan (NY 1)

De Blasio Says Interfaith Fight Not Over (Capital)

New Database Will Reveal Offender Recidivism (Wall Street Journal)

Poll: High Expectations For de Blasio (Wall Street Journal)

Interfaith To Be 11th City Hospital To Close Since 2007 (Crain's)

Today’s Lead: Council Bids Farewell to Quinn


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In its final meeting of the year, the City Council bid a long farewell to eight-year Speaker Christine QuinnFor three hours, almost every Council member took the time to thank the speaker for her service. Quinn, who lost her Democratic primary bid for mayor, heard even some of her sharpest critics praise her achievements. The meeting also saw votes on 26 bills. The council passed a compromise bill banning foam food containers that Mayor Michael Bloomberg argued were virtually impossible to recycle. The Dart Corporation that produces the material has until Jan. 1, 2015, to prove the material can be recycled and resold in a viable way or else the ban will go into effect. The body also passed a bill that bans e-cigarettes wherever regular cigarettes are currently forbidden.

NEW FROM THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — The Longest, Darkest Night Of The Year: On December 21st, the longest night of the year, communities across America observe Homeless Memorial Day. Though it's been held for 25 years, it's usually not covered by the media. If ever it deserves coverage and thought, though, it's this year in New York City. Commentary by Jeff Foreman. READ MORE.

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio


Other Stories We're Following

Silver Wants Plan to Share Student Data With Company Put on Hold (Daily News)

Garodnick Forces Fight On (Capital)

Taxi Industry Bids the Bloomberg Era and Not-So-Fond Farewell (NY Times)

City Job Recovery Not Quite as Strong as Bloomberg Claims (NY Times)

De Blasio Denies Back-Room Deals In Speakers Race (Daily News)

Mark-Viverito Makes Her Case (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio Launches Star-Studded Pre-K Campaign (Wall Street Journal)

Audit Reveals Payroll Abuse (Albany Times Union)

Assemblyman Accused of Sexual Harassment by Aides (Albany Times Union)

Council Spokesman Moving to REBNY (NY Observer)

7 Subway Lines Slated For Service Changes This Weekend (DNAinfo)

Unusual Suspects Boost City Employment Figures (Crain's)

Today’s Lead: De Blasio Ally Declares Victory in Council Speaker Race


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Manhattan Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito declared victory in the race for City Council speaker last night as she unveiled the support of 31 of her colleagues. Mark-Viverito would be the first Puerto Rican woman and first Hispanic to head the Council. Mayor-Elect Bill De Blasio has lobbied hard to get Mark-Viverito, an early supporter, in as speaker. De Blasio began calling councilmembers on Monday night — even winning the support of Republican Eric Ulrich of Queens. County leaders had backed Councilman Dan Garodnick for the position. Garodnick billed himself as a better check on de Blasio. He contested Mark-Viverito's victory last night but it appears that de Blasio's lobbying has paid off.

NEW FROM THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — City Council To Take Up Leftover Bills At Final Meeting: The City Council is expected to mark its final all-member meeting of the year on a note of legislative triumph — and by saying goodbye to nearly two dozen outgoing colleagues. By Chester Soria. READ MORE.

ALSO: Why De Blasio's Pick For Budget Director Makes Perfect Political Sense. READ MORE

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio

 



Other Stories We're Following

Metro-North Time Sheets Were Falsified Inquiry Says (NY Times)

Life Expectancy of New Yorkers Rises With Influx of Immigrants (NY Times)

Rangel Expected to Seek 23rd Term (NY Times)

Bloomberg’s Health Legacy (Daily News)

John Liu Gives His Last Hurrah (NY Observer)

NYC Student Test Scores Rise Slower Than Other Cities (Wall Street Journal)

Cuomo’s Hopeful Tax-Cut Math (Capital)

Time to Save LICH, But Not Much (Capital)

Women Firefighters Push de Blasio to Help Boost Their Ranks (DNAinfo)

Bloomberg Warns de Blasio on Labor Contracts (Crain's)

 

 

Today's Lead: Council Speaker's Race Heats Up


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Incoming-mayor Bill de Blasio has been phoning Council members in support of Melissa Mark-Viverito in the race for Council speaker, although he did skip a Christmas event of hers. She's widely seen as a front-runner with Daniel Garodnick as her main competitor in this fluid race. Democratic county leaders are not happy with the mayor-elect's involvement and are readying themselves for "all out war." They may have lined up 30 or more votes for Garodnick. De Blasio is focusing his attention on several Brooklyn members perceived as willing to break from their leadership.

NEW FROM GOTHAM GAZETTE — Safeguarding Staten Island's East Shore From Future Hurricanes: The city announced last week that it will spend $100 million on flood-prevention infrastructure upgrades for the New Dorp Beach and South Beach areas of Staten Island. Those two neighborhoods — located on Staten Island’s East Shore — were at the epicenter of devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy over a year ago. By Sarah Crean. READ MORE. 

ALSO — De Blasio Transition Team Announces 'Inauguration For All New Yorkers' http://ow.ly/rRR40 | Industry's Opposition To Foam Ban Cleared Away http://ow.ly/rRR8y

Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasio

Other Stories We're Following

Bloomberg And Garbage: A Pile Of Unfinished Business (WNYC)

Bloomberg Defends Homelessness Policies (Wall Street Journal)

Bloomberg Touts Successes In Brooklyn (NY Times)

New Brooklyn DA Booting Prosecutor Who Nailed Clarence Norman (NY Post)

Incoming First Lady Reaches Out To Female Members (Capital)

Wanted: Schools Chief Who Never Crossed de Blasio (NY Times)

New York’s Millionaire PACs (Capital)

Anti-Democrat Consultant Fights Subpoena From Corruption Commission (Daily News)

More Cracking Down On Dangerous Traffic Violations (Daily News)

U.S. Attorney Targets Convicted Politicians' Pensions (Crain's)

Neighborhoods At City's $51,865 Median Income (WNYC)

Sources: Former Deputy Chancellor In Line To Run Schools (NY Post)

Today's Lead: Cuomo Pushes Tax Break For NYC Renters


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Gov. Cuomo said yesterday that he would add a rebate for urban renters as part of his property tax credit plan, which was previously criticized as unfairly benefiting upstate and suburban constituents. The program would now direct at least $290 million to New York City households over three years, although details are still unclear. The administration is also unspecific about how the cuts will be paid for.

IN THE GOTHAM GAZETTE — A Strategy for Paving the Way to Fewer Traffic Fatalities: What stops the city from enacting measures to stop traffic carnage? In one word: Albany. By David Howard King. READ MORE Want A Minute With The Next Mayor? Imagine for a moment that you’ve got a minute of Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's time. What should be his top priorities as the next mayor? We're crowdsourcing your responses on our website — so sound off and let your voice be heard. #deblasiosnewyork

Other Stories We're Following

City Agrees To Remove Mold In Public Housing More Quickly (NY Times)

De Blasio’s Shadow Transition Team (Capital)

$1.3 Billion Hike In School Aid Proposed (Albany Times Union)

Deadline For Fracking Study Delayed (NY Times)

New York Sees Huge Health Exchange Enrollment Jump (Capital)

Young, Liberal Council Members Aim To Shake Institution Up (Wall Street Journal)

Civilian Complaint Board's First Stop-And-Frisk Case (NY Post)

Forest City Unloads Atlantic Yards Stake (Crain's)

Doctors Say Pedestrian Injuries Continue Rising In Queens (Daily News)

Riders Complain Station Is Still Dump After $19 Million Investment (Daily News)

Thompson Thinks Bratton Will Be Better This Time Around (Politicker)

Bloomberg To Promote Legacy Over Next Two Weeks (Wall Street Journal)

Today's Report

The Safety Of Railroad Bridges Statewide
An audit by the state comptroller's office found that the Department Of Transportation's railroad bridge inspection program doesn't sufficiently monitor whether dozens of railroad companies comply with its inspection and reporting requirements for the almost 3,000 railroad bridges across the state they own or have maintenance responsibility for. (read the full report)



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