Today is the last scheduled day of session this year for the New York State Legislature and the big news has more to do with what won’t pass than what will. A blame game continues over who or what killed negotiations over sweeping public campaign finance reform. A last-ditch meeting on the issue scheduled for Monday was abruptly cancelled. Both houses of the Legislature seem to be playing a game of chicken on the Women’s Equality Agenda as the abortion plank remains a sticking point. The DREAM act is dead in the water as is an education tax credit, but legislators remain hopeful they can pass a bill legalizing medical marijuana despite resistance from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Negotiations continue on teacher evaluations and legislation to clear up technical issues in the budget.
New from Gotham Gazette
As City Plans Payphone WiFi, Council Members Wary of Monopoly
Kristen Meriwether reports on the process by which the City will award a contract to one company to overhaul the city's 7,000-plus payphone kiosks into wireless internet hubs.
While Improving, City's Air Quality Crisis Quietly Persists
An in-depth report on New York City's air quality and the significant negative health ramifications of polluted city air.
A Free-Market Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis
In an op-ed, a housing expert offers a five-point solution to create more affordable housing without spending as much city money as the de Blasio plan calls for.
ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The Horses of New York City: Central Park Carriages & NYPD Mounted
A comparison of the city's two groups of horses shows that they lead quite similar lives - though there is a major campaign to end the use of only one type.
Other Stories We're Following
De Blasio’s Speed Limit Bill in Hands of Republican Senate Leader (Capital)
City Emergency Management Chief Resigns (Capital)
Legislature Reaches Deal on Laws to Fight Heroin (NY Times)
Courting White Voters in Harlem District (NY Times)
Public Allowed to Sue NYPD Cops Over Stop-and-Frisk Profiling (Daily News)
13th Congressional District Race Ignites Over Fake Eviction Notices (Daily News)
Green Taxis Gaining Ground (WSJ)
Lawmakers Want to Delay Downsizing Facilities For Mentally Ill (Times Union)
Bratton Ends Raids on Homeless Shelter (DNAinfo)
Schneiderman Dodges Open Records Law (Crain's)
