New York Note: Joint Press Conference, Council Legislation, and Mayoral Actions

Mayor Mamdani and Speaker Menin Urge State Action to Address City Budget Gap

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin jointly called on state leaders to help close New York City’s multibillion‑dollar fiscal year 2027 budget gap by increasing city revenue and reducing the transfer of city resources to the state. Standing together at City Hall, the Mayor and Speaker jointly urged the Governor and State Legislature to permit New York City to reduce its Passthrough Entity Tax credit to 75 percent, a change projected to generate nearly $1 billion in additional revenue. They also expressed shared support for budget savings measures including pension liability restructuring and relief from class size mandates, collectively estimated to save more than $1 billion, and agreed to advance a budget extender as state budget negotiations continue.

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NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation

Last Thursday, the New York City Council passed several pieces of legislation addressing public health reporting, vaccine information for families, and childhood and adolescent immunizations, along with a package of bills related to homeless services and emergency coordination. Additional measures focused broadly on improving data coordination and service delivery for people experiencing street homelessness. The Council also introduced legislation on building inspections, outreach practices, housing assistance and homeownership programs, snow and ice enforcement, and a package of bills aimed at curbing animal waste, among other proposals. Separately, Finance Chair Linda Lee introduced a budget extender authorizing the Mayor to submit the executive budget and related materials by May 12, 2026, and extending associated deadlines for budget review. All passed and introduced bills are available here.

Mayor Mamdani Launches Organize NYC Ahead of Rent Guidelines Board Hearings

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Tascha Van Auken, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, announced the launch of Organize NYC, a long‑term initiative intended to increase public participation in city governance, beginning with outreach ahead of upcoming Rent Guidelines Board hearings. The initial campaign will deploy volunteers to canvass neighborhoods across the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn to encourage tenants and landlords to testify before the Board’s June vote on potential rent adjustments.

Mayor Mamdani Announces Senior Appointments on Rikers Closure and Bus Reform

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced two senior appointments last week, naming Dana Kaplan as the City’s Close Rikers Czar to oversee the closure of Rikers Island and the transition to a borough‑based jail system, and Elizabeth Adams as Senior Advisor for Fast and Free Buses to lead interagency efforts to speed up bus service and implement fare‑free buses. Kaplan previously served as a senior advisor to the Independent Rikers Commission and held leadership roles in the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice focused on reducing the jail population, while Adams brings experience in transportation advocacy and government, most recently serving as Deputy Executive Director of Public Affairs at Transportation Alternatives.

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