In a Manhattan Minute

Protecting NYC Shelter Animals: Meet Misty: Just a few months...

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:31:28 -0400

Protecting NYC Shelter Animals:

Meet Misty: Just a few months ago she was barely alive – after being used as bait to train fighting dogs. It was heart breaking.

But the students at the Stephen Gaynor School raised money through bake sales and other events and donated it to the Second Chance Rescue, which took Misty from the shelter and is now nursing her back to health. They were inspired, in part, by “Led Astray,” my report about dysfunction in the City’s Animal Care and Control agency, and their work is an example to us all.

If a group of students can raise hundreds of dollars to help the city’s animals, just think what the rest of the New York could do if we created an independent, non-profit agency administered by people who have compassion for animals and are knowledgeable about fundraising.

Learn more about Misty’s story in today’s Daily News and find out how we can reform NYC’s shelter system with my Led Astray report.

True reform for New York State Elections:

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:47:53 -0400

As the New York State Senate discusses campaign finance today, I’m proud to say that New York City’s campaign finance system is a model for the nation. By matching small donations 6-1, the City encourages small donors to get involved. In 2009, the majority of contributions in NYC elections were from first-time donors, with more than 80 percent of donors giving < $175.

NYC’s system also keeps big money out of politics. In 2009, only 7 percent of donations to eligible candidates in city races came from organizations—including political action committees, businesses, and unions. In comparison, in 2010 state elections, 65 percent of donations came from organizations.

That’s why I support a state campaign finance system modeled on the City system so that everyone in the Empire State has access to Fair Elections.

Last night, we announced the release of the East River Blueway...

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:12:06 -0400

Last night, we announced the release of the East River Blueway Plan, which will protect Manhattan from the next great storm and open up the waterfront to recreation.

Thanks to the government partners—including Assemblymember Kavanagh and many more—and the East Side community, the Blueway is a model for how we can work together to make NYC a better, stronger city.

Learn more at my website.

Watch Start-Up City

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:00:28 -0400

The #StartUpCity conference is going on right now! Watch panels, and the upcoming mayoral candidates forum at http://nyls.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/75c42aa7b9c2473898189c7ecda29a911d

Denim Day NYC: Why is everyone wearing jeans today? Today is...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:49:13 -0400

Denim Day NYC:

Why is everyone wearing jeans today?

Today is Denim Day, a worldwide effort to raise awareness about sexual assault. In NYC we’re doing our part by sponsoring a Denim Day op-ed contest for college students, and just now we took to the steps of City Hall to present awards for the best op-ed from each borough.

Want to read the winning op-eds? Check them out at http://denimdaynyc.org/opedcontestwinners.

Keeping up the Fight Against Fracking: Thousands of New Yorkers...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:15:55 -0400

Keeping up the Fight Against Fracking:

Thousands of New Yorkers have joined the anti-fracking cause, and we’re sending a clear message: We won’t stand by and watch our water supply be poisoned.

Over three years, I joined together with Food and Water Watch and my colleagues in government to make this a state-wide movement. Today, we’re declaring that we’re going to keep pushing forward to kill the drill in New York State once and for all.

Swearing in 15 citizenship candidates (from 13 different...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:58:03 -0400

Swearing in 15 citizenship candidates (from 13 different countries!) at the Tenement Museum. Congratulations on your first day as Americans!

Watch the Denim Day NYC PSA: Check out this PSA on fighting back...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:03:35 -0400

Watch the Denim Day NYC PSA:

Check out this PSA on fighting back against sexual violence, made by New York City college students in collaboration with our Denim Day NYC planning committee!

Once you’ve watched the video, enter the #DenimDayNYC op-ed writing contest for NYC undergrads at denimdaynyc.org. Deadline is Monday at 5pm!

It’s Time We Take Steps to End Gun Violence: Proud to...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:02:31 -0400

It’s Time We Take Steps to End Gun Violence:

Proud to speak about the gun violence plaguing our country at the National Action Network Annual Convention.

Share this if you think it’s time for action!

New Photo Exhibition at My Office: Celebrate our planet’s...

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:29:04 -0400

New Photo Exhibition at My Office:

Celebrate our planet’s wild places!

You’re invited to experience Nature: Inspired Moments, photographs by The New York City Sierra Club Photography Committee. To view it, visit my office, 1 Center Street, 19th Floor, New York City, Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 19, 2013.

"Meet Manhattan’s newest community board members. 34 of 76 are in their twenties and thirties,..."

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:27:00 -0400

“Meet Manhattan’s newest community board members. 34 of 76 are in their twenties and thirties, and nearly half are non-white, with 16 new African American members, 16 new Hispanic members, and two new Asian-American members, said Borough President Stringer.”

- Meet Manhattan’s Newest Community Board Members:

I’m proud to announce my community board appointees for 2013. Learn more about them at my website and at DNAInfo.

Learn About the Future of Entrepreneurship in NYC: Interested in...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:49:57 -0400

Learn About the Future of Entrepreneurship in NYC:

Interested in the future of tech and entrepreneurship in NYC? Want to learn how we can grow our innovation-based economy?

Then join me, Union Square Ventures co-founder Fred Wilson, and many more at my Start-up City conference on growing NYC’s economy.

The conference will bring together thought leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss major barriers we face—like the talent gap, poor internet connectivity, and bureaucratic red tape—and how technology is fueling our City’s diverse economy. You can learn more about these issues by reading my #StartUpCity report.

The conference also includes a forum featuring NYC’s mayoral candidates, moderated by BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith!

So, want to join us? Then go to the EventBrite page to register today!

A New AIDS Memorial: Here’s two facts you might not...

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:49:00 -0400

A New AIDS Memorial:

Here’s two facts you might not know:

100,000 people in NYC have lost their lives to AIDS,
100,000 people in NYC are living with HIV/AIDS currently.

To honor these New Yorkers, I’m committing $1 million for an AIDS memorial that will help NYC remember this crisis and inspire awareness in future generations. Yesterday evening we kicked off the campaign to make this dream a reality!

Read My New Op-Ed on Paid Sick Leave: It’s time for the New York...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:35:34 -0400

Read My New Op-Ed on Paid Sick Leave:

It’s time for the New York City Council to pass paid sick leave, the latest in a long line of battles to protect workers.

Read my Huffington Post op-ed to learn more.

What are NYC’s Minority and Women Business Enterprises saying?...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:29:00 -0400

What are NYC’s Minority and Women Business Enterprises saying? The answer may surprise you:

Over the past few months, my office surveyed 500 M/WBE firms throughout the five boroughs. Today, I’m releasing a new report based on the results. It’s called Growing Gotham: A Survey of New York City’s Minority and Women Business Enterprises and a Roadmap for Economic Growth.

Growing Gotham finds that while the City has done an admirable job certifying M/WBEs, the program has failed where it really counts: getting contracts into the hands of these enterprises. In Fiscal Year 2012, less than 25% of 3,256 certified firms won contracts and only 5% of the City’s $10.5 billion procurement budget was awarded to M/WBEs. In our survey:

Nearly 55% of respondents reported that City government had not provided adequate support and resources to help them apply for contracts.
Close to one third said that they did not attend any workshops offered by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), in part because events took place at inconvenient times and locations.
Nearly 45% of companies that did not bid on any contracts reported that the process is too time-consuming and hard to understand.

Our recommendations include:

Creating a Chief Diversity Officer who monitors M/WBE compliance, promotes diversity throughout city government and hold agency heads accountable.
Launching an enhanced mentorship program to pair fledgling small businesses with more experienced companies to help them navigate the process of securing a contract.
Streamlining the process for bidding by both eliminating fees and offering online access to documents and video-conferences, embracing technology.
Strengthening accountability by assigning each agency an M/WBE grade based on their quarterly reports and requiring agencies to post the grade on their website.

By listening to the concerns of entrepreneurs on the ground and shaping reform to suit their needs, the City will ensure that all businesses have an equal opportunity to compete in the procurement process and contribute to the prosperity of the five boroughs.

Read the full report and learn more about my office’s work with M/WBEs in today’s Daily News.

Denim Day NYC Op-Ed Writing Contest with $2,500 in Prizes: As...

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:15:00 -0400

Denim Day NYC Op-Ed Writing Contest with $2,500 in Prizes:

As you may know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Sexual Assault will affect one in five women and girls in her lifetime—more than half when they are between the ages of 12-24. It cuts across all ages, backgrounds and genders but too often goes unreported.

I’m proud to partner with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro on a Denim Day NYC 2013 Op-ed Writing Contest for NYC undergraduate college students in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Our offices, in partnership with the Denim Day NYC Planning Committee (New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Crime Victim’s Treatment Center, Start Strong Bronx, YWCA of Brooklyn, Frank and Ruth E. Caruso Foundation, Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) and Steps to End Family Violence) will be co-sponsoring this contest with the goal of celebrating the voices of college students and engaging them to think critically about the issue of sexual assault. This year’s theme is Telling the Truth About Sexual Violence.

The Denim Day 2013 Op-ed Contest is open to New York City undergraduate college students. Students must be currently enrolled, either full-time or part-time, in a 2 or 4-year undergraduate college or university located in the 5 boroughs of New York City. Read the official rules and help spread the word by circulating this flyer.

One winner from each borough will be selected and will receive a $500 prize. The deadline for submission is April 8, 2013 at 5:00 PM EST.

We will be recognizing the winners on the steps of City Hall on Denim Day on April 24 at noon. Join us and help us raise awareness about this important campaign.

Even if you can’t join us, please wear jeans on April 24, 2013 to show your support. Let’s band together and stand up against sexual assault—during SAAM and year-round!

New York is Becoming Start-up City: New Yorkers started 89% more...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:40:00 -0400

New York is Becoming Start-up City:

New Yorkers started 89% more businesses in 2011 than they did in 1991, according to a new report by the Center for an Urban Future.

This is great news, but I believe that we can do more to support our entrepreneurs. My Start-up City report outlines the issues facing founders in NYC and provides suggestions for how we can help them grow their businesses. Start-up City also shows how we can make jobs in growing industries like technology accessible to all New Yorkers.

To learn more about NYC’s new start-up culture, check out this article in the Wall Street Journal.

Fighting Obesity in NYC: In New York, more than one half of...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:52:58 -0400

Fighting Obesity in NYC:

In New York, more than one half of adults and 30% of kids are overweight or obese. Today, I stood with Mayor Bloomberg to say that we need to use every tool we have to fight this epidemic, including regulating the portion sizes of sugary drinks.

A New School for the Upper East Side: Upper East Siders, big...

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:41:11 -0500

A New School for the Upper East Side:

Upper East Siders, big news: in an exciting local victory in the fight against classroom overcrowding, the Department of Education has agreed to meet longstanding community demands and create a badly-needed new middle school. The school, located in the annex of P.S. 158 on York Avenue at 77th St., will open in fall 2014 and provide more options for East Side families, adding a significant number of new seats to a neighborhood where middle school enrollment is at an all time high.

This is one of those great occasions when the community speaks and local government hears them loud and clear. I want to recognize Chancellor Dennis Walcott, Deputy Chancellor Marc Sternberg and the Department of Education for hearing our calls and being responsive to the evolving needs of New York City students.

I also want to thank the dedicated parents and East Side elected officials, including Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney, Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Dan Quart, Assembly Member Micah Kellner, Council Member Daniel Garodnick and Council Member Jessica Lappin, for fighting alongside my office to make this new school a reality.

What Does Sequestration Mean for You?: How is sequestration...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:45:00 -0500

What Does Sequestration Mean for You?:

How is sequestration affecting New Yorkers? Check out this infographic by my office, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney to find out what it means for you.

See a bigger version of this infographic.