Mayor Bill de Blasio, his negotiating team, schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew announced on Thursday a preliminary contract deal between the City and the teachers union. The nine-year, $5.5 billion contract covers the five years the UFT has been working under an expired contract and extends four years into the future. It includes retroactive pay to match what other municipal unions received in 2009 and 2010, significant healthcare cost savings, and a variety of changes related to the mechanics of schools and teaching. Many of the details of the contract were not revealed on Thursday. The contract is awaiting approval by the Municipal Labor Council and UFT members. If passed, it will be used as a model as the de Blasio administration negotiates contracts with the other roughly 150 municipal unions working under expired contracts.

New from Gotham Gazette
Union Healthcare: A Missed Opportunity?
Kristen Meriwether explores the healthcare benefits element of the City's contract with the UFT and the question of having union members pay a portion of their premiums.

Tish James on Social Justice and Women in Politics: A Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
Watch Public Advocate James discuss her staff and budget, her approach to social issues, and her investment in encouraging other women to pursue paths in politics in the third and fourth segments of our video interview.

Philosophers or Bullies?
An op-ed by Alliance for Quality Education head Billy Easton criticizes Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the ed reform movement that he has seemingly embraced.

The de Blasio Administration and the city's main teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), are close to finalizing contract negotiations, those close to the talks say. It is likely to be a nine-year contract that includes the 4 percent raises for 2009 and 2010 that other municipal unions received and the UFT sought from the Bloomberg Administration. Raises would average 1.5 percent to 2 percent per year going ahead, much like the 11 percent raise over six years that subway and bus workers received earlier this year. The deal also may include substantial savings for the City on health coverage, with union members beginning to pay a portion of their premiums. There are likely to be changes to the teacher evaluation tool, whereby teachers are rated by a smaller number of factors than they are currently, and teachers could have more opportunities to make additional pay. The deal is also rumored to include a controversial proposal to encourage principals to take on teachers from the “absent teacher reserve.” It's been nearly five years since the UFT, with 75,000 teachers and 19,000 classroom paraprofessionals, contract expired. The impending deal will probably set a pattern for the roughly 150 other municipal unions, though the health savings could prove a stumbling block, as leaders of the city's uniformed unions are said to be opposed to the measure.

New from Gotham Gazette
Public Advocate Speak: Tish James Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
We recently spoke with James about policy issues she has taken up in her first few months as public advocate and how she has structured her office.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The City Council Moves Forward On Reform
Kristen Meriwether examines the proposed changes to member item allocation.

Part 2: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Gotham Gazette interviews the city's new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency
Part 1: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli

Other Stories We're Following

Federal Prosecutors Subpoena State Ethics Enforcement Agency (WSJ)

Top State Judge Tightens Rules on Debt Collection (NY Times)

Most of City Receives Failing Grade in Air Quality Report (CBS News)

Test Prep Endures in City Schools, Despite Calls to Ease It (NY Times)

‘Denser City’: A Preview of de Blasio’s Affordable Housing Plan (Capital)

City Charters Get Record Number of Applicants (WSJ)

What Happened to New York’s Marijuana Initiative? (Capital)

Senate Approves More Speed Enforcement Cameras for City (Daily News)

30-Cent Surcharge OKed for Wheelchair-Accessible Cabs (Daily News)

Report on Workplace Injury Legislation Heightens Acrimony (Times Union)

City Creating Good-Paying, Middle-Class Jobs (Crain's)

If Pfizer Leaves City, Will It Start a Trend? (WNYC)

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito unveiled proposals yesterday to make the distribution of member items more equitable and to reform the bill-drafting process. Under the plan, council members would receive an equal amount of member item money, also called discretionary funds, though districts with high poverty rates could get an extra 25 percent in funding. Mark-Viverito would still control a large amount of council money called the "Speaker's List" that she would be free spread around. The former speaker, Christine Quinn, was criticized for using the discretionary funds as a way to punish council members. Last year, some council member barely received just above the minimum of $340,464 while others took in over $1 million of the total $34,173,872, according to Citizen's Union. Mayor Bill de Blasio and advocates have called for member items to be abolished altogether, but praised the proposal as progress nonetheless. Under the rules changes committee chairs would also be able to hold a hearing on any bill that has the support of two-thirds of the council members. And a unit would be created to draft bills requested by members, not just leadership. A council hearing on the proposals is scheduled for May 7.

New from Gotham Gazette
The City Council Moves Forward On Reform
Kristen Meriwether examines the proposed changes to member item allocation.

Part 2: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli
Gotham Gazette interviews the city's new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency
Part 1: Resiliency Planning Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli

Restoring Sanity to Student Promotion Decisions
An op-ed by Norm Fruchter, senior research at the Annenberg Institute and mayoral appointee to the Panel for Education Policy

Other Stories We're Following

Nearly Half of New Yorkers Struggling to Get By: Study (NY Times)

With Limits Gone, GOP Lawyer Launches Super PAC (Crain's)

Up in Years and All but Priced Out of New York (NY Times)

Dinapoli Introduces Bill to Curb Contractor Conflicts (Times Union)

Unions Urge Judge to Nix Law on Profiling Claims (AP)

Scaled Back Plans for Muslim Center Near Ground Zero (NY Times)

Unions Offer Pay Cuts for Jobs in Affordable-Housing Plan (NY Post)

Effort to Save LICH Looks Like ‘Fantasyland’: Source (Daily News)

New York Air Quality Better, Still Uneven (Capital)

State Bills Target Heroin-Related Issues (Times Union)

Rent-Stabilized Apartments Being Occupied by Millionaires (DNAinfo)

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is poised to unveil an overhaul of the Council's internal rules that would see her power significantly diminished. Under the changes, Mark-Viverito would give up control over how much discretionary funding each council member receives to spend in their districts. Former council speaker Christine Quinn was often criticized for using her control of so-called 'member items' to punish council members who didn’t vote in lock step with her. Member items will now be distributed nearly equally among the council members, with some increases to districts deemed the neediest. Mayor Bill de Blasio has advocated for doing away with member items completely, but Mark-Viverito’s proposal does not go that far. The Council generally gives out about $50 million in member items each year. Other rules changes would increase the power of committee chairs and increase transparency. A hearing on the rules is set for May 7.

New from Gotham Gazette
Recovery and Resiliency Post-Sandy: An Interview with Daniel Zarrilli, Part 1
An in-depth interview on the de Blasio administration's Sandy recovery and resiliency plans with the new director of the Office of Recovery and Resiliency.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The Week Ahead in New York Politics
Our weekly outline of what to look for in New York City and Albany during the week at hand.

Other Stories We're Following

Moreland Commission Adviser Criticizes Cuomo (Newsday)

Assembly Passes Bill to Add 140 Speed Cameras (Daily News)

Disparate Forces Align Over Affordable Rents (NY Times)

CityTime Contractors Sentenced to 20 Years (NY Times)

Council to Hold Hearing on Charter School Management (NY Post)

Grimm Becomes Underdog in Congressional Seat Race After Indictment(Daily News)

Tech Industry Booming in NYC (Daily News)

Stringer to Order Bloomberg Terminals (Capital)

Why New York's Health Exchanges Worked (Capital)

MTA Hopes to Have South Ferry Service Back by Late 2016 (NY1)

Council Bill to Re-Ignite Crane Operator War (Crain's)

Probe Seeks Views of De Blasio Aide (WSJ)

More Funds for Bus Timers and School Technology Slated For Upper East Side (DNAinfo)

Rep. Michael Grimm is expected to turn himself over to the FBI today, in relation to pending charges over a business deal he made before he was elected to Congress, when he ran a health food store. The exact charges have not been revealed, but Grimm’s lawyer confirmed for reporters that he expects charges to be handed down. Grimm is the only Republican member of Congress who represents New York City. He faces a tough re-election campaign this year against former Democratic Councilman Dominic Recchia. Republicans will likely be unable to remove Grimm’s name from the ballot, making it difficult to run a replacement candidate should Grimm’s legal troubles keep him out of the campaign.

New from Gotham Gazette

Week Ahead in New York Politics, April 27

Our weekly Sunday evening preview of what to look for in New York City and Albany includes key issues, events, hearings, and more. Get prepared for the week ahead!

Other Stories We're Following

Oil and Gas Industry Ready to Spend Millions to Back Cuomo Challenger (NY Post)

NYPD Plans to Expand Social Media Efforts (NY Times)

City, Teachers Union Eye Deal That Could Include Back Pay (Daily News)

De Blasio to Unveil Affordable Housing Plan (Daily News)

Two Federal Prosecutors in New York to Step Down (WSJ)

Federal Sandy Help Drying Up (WSJ)

Leroy Comrie to Challenge Senator Malcolm Smith in Primary (NY 1)

The Odd Math Behind The LICH Bidding Process (Capital)

City Council Reaches Deal on Domino Factory Redevelopment (DNAinfo)

Cuomo Says Unions Killed Public Funding of Campaigns (Crain's)

FBI Investigating Threats Over Carriage Horse Ban (Daily News)

A federal district judge reluctantly overturned New York's $150,000 limit on donations to super PACs yesterday. Individuals can now give unlimited amounts to the independent-expenditure groups, which are not allowed to directly coordinate with a candidate. U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty said that the donation limit violated the First Amendment, based on the Supreme Court's recent decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Elections Commission, which reinforced its Citizens United ruling. Additionally, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled the state limit was probably unconstitutional.

The suit was brought by supporters of Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota during the race last year, who had won the temporary right to make unlimited contributions for the election, over Judge Crotty's opposition. Good government groups say the limit has been ignored in practice for some time now.

New from Gotham Gazette
Industrial Challenges As City Looks To Scale Navy Yard Model
Kristen Meriwether reports on the challenges the City has to replicate the Navy Yard model, some due to EDC policy.

Legislature Closing In On Medical Marijuana Deal
David King reports that there is a deal afoot for an amended medical marijuana bill that could pass both legislative houses.

De Blasio's Next Move On Charters
An op-ed by Professor David Bloomfield

Other Stories We're Following

Labor Pact Would Shift MTA Funds (WSJ)

Cuomo on Moreland Tampering: It's My Commission (Crain's)

City Settles $55,000 Suit Over Occupy Protest Beating (NY Post)

After Blast, East Harlem Tenants Worry About Dust (NY Times)

FBI Probing if Quinn Was Extorted Over Carriage Horse Ban (Daily News)

Domino Site Deal Reached (WSJ)

Pre-K Applications Up by More Than a Third, City Says (DNAinfo)

NJ Transit Should Take Over the PATH Train: Report (WNYC)

Plan Brings Relief to Flood-Prone Fresh Meadows (Daily News)

Cuomo: State Making $1 Billion Investment in Solar Power (AP)

De Blasio Names New Rent Guidelines Board Chair (Crain's)

Last of 62 East Harlem Gang Members Plead Guilty (DNAinfo)

Twenty-Two Companies Apply to Open Four Casinos (NY Times)

De Blasio Talks Land-Use in ‘Constructive’ Council Session (Capital)

Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a bill on Wednesday in Albany to offer a tax break for city residents who rebuilt or repaired their homes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. De Blasio was in the capital for a conference on disaster recovery alongside Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is backing the measure. The abatement would last a year, although it's extension is possible. The bill is drafted but hasn't been officially introduced in the state legislature - where it has bi-partisan support from state lawmakers, according to the mayor, and is likely to pass. But the City is hoping action will be taken before it sends out property tax bills next month. The day was a chance for de Blasio and Cuomo to put aside their recently fraught relationship. The governor also took the opportunity to criticize federal officials for trying to "poach" disaster relief funds.

New this morning at Gotham Gazette
The Industrial Boom Beyond Brooklyn
Kristen Meriwether went on a tour of the Brooklyn Navy Yard with a city council delegation and reports on the interest in scaling the Navy Yard model to spur further business and job growth in the city.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
Cornegy on Lactation, Progressivism & Gentrification - Part 4 of a Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
Brooklyn Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. discusses several key topics, including his district facing "the crunch of gentrification."

Possible Primary Mess in The Bronx
David King reports on two potential primary battles with control of the State Senate on the line.

Other Stories We're Following

Transit Pact's $411 Million Price Tag (WSJ)

Hasidic Neighborhood Watch Members Indicted for Gang Assault (WSJ)

Proposal to Limit Prosecutions of Marijuana Cases in Brooklyn (NY Times)

Film at 9/11 Museum Sets Off Clash Over Reference to Islam (NY Times)

De Blasio Pollution Rules Get First Airing (Capital)

Deep Split in Port Authority Over Third World Trade Tower (AP)

Mayor, Commissioner Reject Council Plan for More Cops (Daily News)

Advocacy Group Pushes de Blasio for More Affordable Units (Daily News)

One-Third of Vital Infrastructure at High Risk of Flooding by 2050 (Capital)

City Flood Risk Rose 20-Fold Since Late 1800s: Study (Mashable)

Median rents in the city rose 75 percent from 2000 to 2012, while median real incomes declined by nearly 5 percent over the same period, according to a new report by City Comptroller Scott Stringer. Low income residents paid 41 percent of income on rent in '12 compared to 33 percent 12 years prior. In the report the comptroller argues for a focus on those poorest residents and for the stabilization of the public housing system. Simply adding new affordable units is a losing battle, he argues, it is the root causes that must be identified and addressed. But Stringer notes all of the housing woes in the city can't be blamed on gentrification, which the report finds to be growing much slower than perceived. Loopholes in rent regulation are a bigger problem, he says. Landlords seeking to pay off debt from over-leveraged buildings by raising rents is another cause for the housing crisis, according to a separate report released on Tuesday by Council Member Daniel Garodnick.

New this morning at Gotham Gazette
Cornegy on Lactation, Progressivism & Gentrification - Part 4 of a Video Interview with Gotham Gazette
Brooklyn Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. discusses several key topics, including his district facing "the crunch of gentrification."

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
Possible Primary Mess in The Bronx
David King reports on two potential primary battles with control of the State Senate on the line.

Cornegy on the Keys to Helping Small Business - Part 3 of a Video Interview
Watch Council Member Robert Cornegy discuss his plans as chair of the Council's small business committee.

Law & Order: Smoking in Parks Banned, But Few Tickets
Adam Wisnieski reports on the inconsistent enforcement of the city's ban on smoking in parks.

Other Stories We're Following

Lawmakers Demand Details on Federal Sandy Funding (WSJ)

Another Probe Into Delay in Fatal Fire Response (WSJ)

City's Public School Kids May Get Free Lunch (Daily News)

Rangel Used Campaign Funds for Law License Registration (NY Post)

Cuomo’s Plan to Undercut Working Families Party (Capital)

Mayor Announces Stregthening of Air Pollution Control Code (NY Observer)

Mayor's Horse Carriage Position Switched as Cash Rolled In (Daily News)

Council Wants to Add 1,000 Cops (NY Post)

NYPD's Twitter Outreach Backfires (Capital)

Construction Begins on Rockaway Boardwalk Rebuild (DNAinfo)

New York’s Case Against Airbnb Argued in Albany (NY Times)

Community Board Tug-of-War Over Barclays (NY Times)

Six Municipalities Certified as 'Climate Smart' (AP)

East River Floating Pool Moves Into Filtration Testing Phase (DNAinfo)

New Analysis Details Charter School Growth (ChalkBeat)

Nearly half as many New York City children were put on a kindergarten wait list for this upcoming school year compared to last year, according to education officials. The decline is due to a new streamlined application process that allows parents to apply online at up to 20 schools simultaneously. The total number of soon-to-be kindergarten students on a wait list dropped from 2,300 last year to 1,200 this year. About 71 percent of kids were offered placement at their first choice school; about 18 percent were offered seats at another of their selections; and about 11 percent were not offered one of their choices. Meanwhile, the deadline for families to sign up for pre-kindergarten for next year is Wednesday.

New this morning from Gotham Gazette
Possible Primary Mess in The Bronx
David King reports on two potential primary battles with control of the State Senate on the line.

Cornegy on the Keys to Helping Small Business - Part 3 of a Video Interview
Watch Council Member Robert Cornegy discuss his plans as chair of the Council's small business committee.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The Week Ahead in New York Politics
Key events and issues to watch this week via the City and Albany.

Law & Order: Smoking in Parks Banned, But Few Tickets
Adam Wisnieski reports on the inconsistent enforcement of the city's ban on smoking in parks.

Other Stories We're Following

Area Officials Blast Potential Loss of Sandy Funds (WSJ)

Union to Get $6 Million in MTA Pact (WSJ)

Voters Disapprove of Cuomo’s Shutdown of Corruption Panel (NY Times)

Officials Probe Delay in Response to Fire that Killed Siblings (DNAinfo)

Comptroller: State in Good Shape (Times Union)

Panel Tells Port Authority to Lessen Governors’ Sway (NY Times)

De Blasio Heaps Praise on Klein (Capital)

City Won't Release Seized Bikes From Sandy-Damaged Building (NY Post)

De Blasio Forges Ahead on Municipal IDs (Capital)

Airbnb Weeding Out Multiple Apartment Listers (NY Post)

Federal officials are considering opening up over $1 billion of remaining Sandy aid to other recently hit disaster areas outside of New York, according to the Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) believes it is required by law to spread out the funds. HUD is proposing a competition that would reward resiliency against future disasters. The news comes just days after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his plans for reform of New York City's Sandy recovery process, which includes asking for an additional $1 billion from the federal government. New Jersey and New York State have also requested billions more. Of the $60 billion Congress set aside for Sandy aid, $3.6 billion is left.

New this morning from Gotham Gazette
The Week Ahead in New York Politics, April 20
A preview of this week's key events and issues to look for in New York City and Albany.

Law & Order: Smoking in Parks Banned, But Few Tickets
An investigation by Adam Wisnieski into enforcement of the city's ban on smoking in parks leads to some interesting findings.

Other Stories We're Following

Port Authority Debates Third World Trade Center Tower (WSJ)

MTA Denying Access-A-Ride to Double the Riders (NY Post)

State's Workforce Training Deeply Flawed: Study (Crain's)

The Living Wage Bill for Big Businesses (Crain's)

New Manager and Supplier Could Fix Citi Bike: Study (Capital)

New Mayor and Agenda, but Little Change in Ranks (NY Times)

Two-thirds of City’s Airbnb Rentals Are Illegal Sublets: State (NY Post)

Affordable Housing Group Says Airbnb Exacerbates Problem (Daily News)

Imagining a Streetcar Line Along Brooklyn-Queens Waterfront (NY Times)

Paterson's US Senate Pick, for the Ages (Capital)

Country’s First Multi-Family Affordable Passive Building (Daily News)

Mixed Views of Gentrification Threat in East New York (Brooklyn Bureau)