Speaker Julie Menin, Council Member Susan Zhuang, and Small Business Owners Highlight New Legislation to Cut Red Tape, Reduce Fines, and Support Small Businesses

 

Red Tape Relief Act would create new interagency inspection coordination program modeled after New Business Acceleration Team and new bill would establish commission to review and issue recommendations on regulations, permitting, and fine reduction  

Today, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Council Member Susan Zhuang, the New York City Hospitality Alliance, and small business owners announced a pair of bills to support small businesses by cutting red tape, reducing fines, and streamlining inspection, permitting, and approval processes. The legislation builds on previous bills enacted by the Council to alleviate challenges facing small businesses, including repealing the requirement for commercial storefronts to install visible security grilles, establishing a small retail business security system program to provide financial assistance, and streamlining child care program permitting.

A Preconsidered Introduction, sponsored by Speaker Menin, would create a Quadrennial Regulatory Review Commission to study the regulatory framework for businesses and issue recommendations related to easing permitting, licensing, inspections, and reducing fines and fees. The Commission would be chaired by a small business representative and include appointees from the Council and city agencies. This bill will be introduced at Thursday’s Stated Meeting. 

Introduction 955-A, also known as the Red Tape Relief Act, sponsored by Council Member Zhuang, would require the Mayor to establish a program, modeled after the Bloomberg-era New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT), to coordinate inspections and plan reviews among city agencies to reduce the time it takes for small businesses to open. The Council is expected to vote on the Red Tape Relief Act at the upcoming Stated Meeting.

Photos from the press conference can be found here.

“Small businesses are the economic drivers of our local economy and of vibrant neighborhoods, which is why we must be focused on making it easier to start and sustain them in our city,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “My new bill will establish thoughtful, periodic reviews of city regulations, fines, and permitting, with the goal of reducing the barriers for establishments to succeed. At a time when New York has lost thousands of businesses to other cities across the country, our city must take proactive steps to support them. I look forward to advancing this innovative bill and establishing the Quadrennial Regulatory Review Commission to begin its work.

“As an immigrant who came to this city seeking opportunity, and as the daughter of a small business owner, I have seen firsthand what it takes to build something in New York,” said Council Member Susan Zhuang. “Too many entrepreneurs, especially immigrant entrepreneurs, spend months or years lost in red tape just trying to get their doors open. I introduced this bill because our small business owners deserve a city government that works with them, not against them. This legislation brings back a model that worked before and gets restaurants and childcare programs open faster. I thank Speaker Menin and my colleagues for their partnership in getting this done, and I’m proud to champion small businesses across our city.”

According to a January 2026 economic snapshot by New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), only 3,500 new businesses started in the five boroughs in the second quarter of 2025, the weakest quarter of new business formation in the last five years. With an estimated 8,400 businesses closing during that same period, New York City lost a net of nearly 5,000 businesses, underscoring the importance of supporting small business creation.

Speaker Menin’s bill will establish a Quadrennial Regulatory Review Commission, which will meet every four years and issue recommendations to improve government processes, policies, and rulemaking to make it easier to create, operate, and grow businesses in New York City. The Commission will review regulations within the following city agencies:

•    Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
•    Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
•    Department of Buildings (DOB)
•    Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
•    Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
•    Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
•    Department of Transportation (DOT)

The Commission will be chaired by a member of the public representing the small business community. It will include representatives from the city agencies being reviewed and Council appointees. The bill will require the Commission to issue a report with its recommendations six months after appointments are made. A report from the Commission will be required to be sent to the Mayor and Council and posted online.

Opening a small business in New York City typically requires approvals from multiple city agencies, including DOB, FDNY, DEP, and DOHMH. Reviews and inspections often take months to complete, with total permitting timelines often stretching beyond six months for food and beverage establishments. Small business owners must navigate a complex and bureaucratic system, which presents challenges that disproportionately impact immigrant entrepreneurs and first-time operators.

Under the administration of then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the City administered the NBAT. NBAT served as a single point of contact to coordinate reviews and inspections across relevant city agencies simultaneously. As a result, businesses that worked with NBAT reduced their time-to-open by an average of 45 days. More than 1,500 restaurants opened ahead of schedule due to the program, which was discontinued during the administration of former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The Red Tape Relief Act, which will establish a program modeled after NBAT to support small businesses, will cover new food service establishments and child care programs, but can include other types of businesses. The bill also requires the City to publicly report on the effectiveness of the new program to advance transparency and accountability. It also allows the City to provide an online application portal for prospective businesses to enroll in the program.

The legislation takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

TransDigm Abandons Proposed Acquisition of Stellant Systems in Response to Justice Department’s Decision to Block Transaction

Abandoned Deal Would Have Eliminated Competition Between Manufacturers of Mission-Critical Defense Radar Components 

TransDigm Group has abandoned its attempt to acquire rival defense and industrial component manufacturer Stellant Systems. TransDigm and Stellant compete, in addition to industrial products, to supply and repair components used in radar systems for the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Combat System and the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets. The acquisition would have left the Department of War with a single source for critical products, increasing supply chain risks and removing the benefits of competition.

TransDigm abandoned the transaction after the Justice Department informed the parties that it would file a lawsuit in federal court to block the transaction.

“This Justice Department will rigorously investigate and challenge mergers that create monopolies and harm competition. Our decision to put a stop to this deal preserved critical competition that protects American taxpayers and warfighters,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “We are grateful to our War Department partners who were crucial to this investigation.”

“The Department of War is committed to building the Arsenal of Freedom, which requires resilient supply chains and competition,” said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. “Maintaining a robust, diverse, and competitive defense industrial base is vital to preventing single-source vulnerabilities and ensuring our warfighters are equipped with superior capabilities at the best value to the American taxpayer.”

TransDigm Group Incorporated is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Stellant Systems Inc. is headquartered in Torrance, California.

Houston Man Guilty of Drug Trafficking as Part of Homeland Security Task Force Investigation in the Eastern District of Texas

 

A Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian C. Leardo and U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Indolfo Hernandez, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn on July 10, 2026. 

According to information presented in court, in January 2024, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine throughout Texas and neighboring regions. The organization, based in Houston and operating within the Eastern District of Texas, was led by Hernandez. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 16 kilograms of methamphetamine that had been distributed by Hernandez and his coconspirators. 

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from the FBI; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Houston (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas; DEA Beaumont HIDTA Task Force Group D23; Houston Police Department; Liberty County Sheriff’s Office; and Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan C. Lee.

Hernandez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. The actual sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Attorney General James Sues to Block Paramount’s Merger with Warner Bros.

 

AG James and 11 Other Attorneys General File Lawsuit to Stop Largest Merger in Media and Entertainment History

$110 Billion Merger Would Consolidate Film and TV Industry and Harm Consumers, Workers, Theaters, and Other Businesses

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general today sued Paramount Skydance Corp. (Paramount) and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Warner Bros.), two of the nation’s largest media companies, to block a proposed $110 billion merger that would illegally undermine competition throughout the entertainment industry. Paramount’s purchase of Warner Bros. would combine two of Hollywood’s five major film studios and two of the five major basic cable companies, creating a massive conglomerate in markets for basic cable and theatrical film releases.

Attorney General James and the coalition argue that this merger would have devastating effects for consumers, workers, and the entertainment industry. After acquiring Warner Bros., Paramount would have fewer incentives to invest in television and film production, leading to fewer new releases and a less diverse range of entertainment and news perspectives for consumers. With less competition, Paramount would be able to dictate terms to theater owners and television providers, driving up prices for movie tickets and cable packages. Thousands of workers in the entertainment industry would also be at risk, with fewer big-budget projects and studios competing to hire them. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order declaring the merger illegal and preventing the two companies from combining.

“For over a century, Paramount and Warner Bros. have competed to create movies and television that bring people together, inspire and sustain generations of artists, and help us understand the world,” said Attorney General James. “This merger would destroy that competition, creating a massive company with unprecedented power and influence over news and entertainment across the globe. Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. threatens to raise costs for consumers and put jobs and businesses nationwide at risk. I thank my fellow attorneys general for joining this effort to uphold the law and block this merger.”

Paramount and Warner Bros. have competed in the television and film industry for over a century. Their long-running competition has yielded some of the nation’s most popular and critically acclaimed films and franchises, including Titanic, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, and Mission Impossible produced by Paramount, and the Batman, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings films produced by Warner Bros. The two companies also own some of the most watched television channels and programs in the country, including three production studios responsible for Game of Thrones, The Big Bang Theory, The Late Show, and NCIS.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount agreed to acquire Warner Bros. in a transaction valued at approximately $110 billion. As Attorney General James and the coalition allege in their lawsuit, this would create a media company of enormous scale that would illegally reduce competition across the entertainment industry. If the merger proceeds, Paramount would be one of four studios that would control 85 percent of all theatrical film releases. Two companies – Paramount and Disney – would control more than half of all basic cable programming. Paramount would own lucrative sports programming, including broadcasting rights for the NFL on CBS, March Madness, and Major League Baseball, two major news stations, CNN and CBS, and more than 20 top-rated cable stations such as MTV, HGTV, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon. The merger would also combine three of the top subscription streaming services, Paramount+, Discovery+, and HBO Max.

The lawsuit alleges that the merger would violate antitrust law by reducing competition in the markets for films released widely to more than 600 theaters, anticipated top-grossing films, and basic cable television. Paramount’s size would enhance its power to set terms with the theaters and cable channel distributors it negotiates with, leading to higher prices for consumers. With fewer competitors, Paramount would be able to negotiate box office splits, ticket prices, discounts, and other terms that favor the studio at the expense of theaters. As a result, consumers would likely see a reduction in the number of blockbuster movies at the theater and face higher costs when going to the movies, and theaters would have fewer resources to invest in improving experiences for their customers.

Paramount would be in a similarly unfair and powerful position with distributors of cable channels. With control over more than 50 basic cable channels, Paramount would have unprecedented leverage to charge distributors higher fees to carry its channels and threaten a blackout if distributors refuse to comply. These fee increases would likely be passed on to consumers in the form of higher cable bills. Paramount’s ownership of both CBS and CNN would also allow the company to control content at two major television news outlets at a time when news consumption is increasingly concentrated in national media.

By reducing competition, Paramount would have less of an incentive to invest heavily in new content, leading to fewer new films and television shows for consumers. Paramount executives have made this clear by telling investors that “content spending reductions” are part of the “synergies” the merger will create. Less spending on new content will mean fewer unique stories for consumers, fewer jobs for independent writers, producers, and directors, and fewer opportunities for the many businesses involved in film and television production.

Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order declaring the merger in violation of the Clayton Act and preventing Paramount from finalizing its acquisition of Warner Bros.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. 

NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES ANNOUNCES 2026 LINEUP FOR NEW YORK STATE’S SUMMER STAGE IN HARLEM CONCERT SERIES

 

Free Thursday Evening Concerts July 16, 23, 30 & August 6, 13, 20 New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the lineup for New York State’s Summer Stage in Harlem 2026 series of free concerts presented by OGS and the Harlem Community Development Corporation. The free concerts, hosted by WBLS 107.5 FM Radio Host Bob Lee, take place between 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building at 163 West 125th Street in Harlem. “Harlem serves as the longtime home to a thriving Black arts and culture scene, and this year’s lineup of talented artists will celebrate that enduring legacy,” Commissioner Moy said. “From gospel and jazz to R&B and hip-hop, the Summer Stage in Harlem concert series will be filled with unforgettable performances for all to enjoy in the heart of the neighborhood.” Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The annual Summer Stage in Harlem concert series provides a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to celebrate the season. The variety of live performers this year reflects the energy and diversity of one of New York's most vibrant neighborhoods.” July 16, 5 to 7 p.m. | The Priceless Band with Manny Houston    The Priceless Band is led by the fearless and soulful Saundra Price. They will have you on your feet, dancing non-stop to your favorite old school tunes by performers such as Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, and Aretha Franklin. Plus, today’s music hits from Beyoncé, Rihanna, and more. This is the band for your listening and dancing pleasures. They are simply priceless. Manny Houston is a consummate performer across all genres. He was last seen on Broadway in “Illinoise” and before that in Las Vegas with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Freestyle Love Supreme improvisational hip-hop comedy group. He has performed alongside the likes of Ne-Yo, Wayne Brady, Stephen Colbert, GC Cameron of The Spinners, and Glenn Leonard of The Temptations. He’s a lead singer in the legendary a cappella group Rockapella and a lead in the touring show “Forever Motown.” Manny holds a degree in classical piano performance from the College of Charleston. July 23, 5 to 7 p.m. | The Steven Kroon Latin Jazz Sextet with Kali Rodriguez-Peña The Steven Kroon Latin Jazz Sextet is a high-energy, electrifying band that blends the distinct sounds of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz music. They have spent 15 years performing at popular festivals and venues. Band members include Steven Kroon on congas and percussion, Igor Atalita on keyboard, Alex “Apollo” Ayala on bass, Bryan Carrott on vibraphone, Craig Rivers on sax and flute, and Alex Garcia on drums. If you love Latin Jazz, The Steve Kroon Latin Jazz Sextet is the real deal. Kalí Rodríguez-Peña is a Latin Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, bandleader, educator, and one of the leading voices of a new generation of Cuban musicians in New York City. Born and raised in Havana, he blends traditional Cuban motifs with the lineage of jazz musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Freddie Hubbard. Rodríguez-Peña has performed at major venues and festivals across North America and collaborated with Wynton Marsalis, Arturo O’Farrill, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdés, Michel Camilo, Esperanza Spalding, Miguel Zenón, and more. With his band, Mélange, Rodríguez-Peña creates an energetic fusion of Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythms, jazz harmony, improvisation, and contemporary groove. July 30, 5 to 7 p.m. | TJ Reddick & Chosen with Anthony Evans and the Harlem Praise Singers TJ Reddick & Chosen is a gospel and jazz music group led by TJ Reddick. They gained attention for their single "Just What He Said," which cracked the Mediabase Top 200 chart. Anthony Evans and the Harlem Praise Singers is a powerful gospel ensemble led by Evans. Anthony Evans has a decade-and-a-half worth of studio recordings, songwriting, worship leading, vocal arranging, touring, and so much more. Through it all, Evans’ creative pursuits have maintained an unflinching authenticity. Evans has topped gospel charts, crossed over into pop, worked on Grammy-winning projects, stepped out on the world’s most hallowed stages, such as the Hollywood Bowl, and even won the ear of Christina Aguilera for a remarkable run on NBC’s “The Voice.” You’ll love Anthony’s moving music and joyful sound. August 6, 5 to 7 p.m. | Jeff Foxx Band with Terryl Lee The Jeff Foxx Band has delivered unforgettable live entertainment for more than 30 years. Led by legendary radio personality Jeff Foxx, the band is known for high-energy performances, exceptional musicianship, and their crowd-pleasing versatility. The Jeff Foxx Band has shared stages with world-renowned artists and entertained audiences of all sizes. When Jeff straps on his legendary gold Fender Jazz Bass, audiences know they're in for an unforgettable experience. Terryl Lee, born and raised in Harlem, proudly carries the spirit of his hometown into every performance. While his music has reached audiences far beyond New York City, he remains connected to the community and culture that shaped him. Being the son of a former band leader, Terryl Lee lived in a world of music. At a young age, Terryl began writing and performing his songs for his family and friends. This began his own career in music. Terryl blends authenticity, soul, and storytelling into every song he writes, honoring the legends that inspire his journey. He is guided by the artists who demonstrate what it truly means to be a songwriter, performer, and musician. He carries their influence forward while continuing to forge his own unique path. August 13, 5 to 7 p.m. | Alyson Williams with Shanay Morant Alyson Williams, the legendary First Lady of Def Jam, is a dynamic vocalist known for her soulful blend of R&B, jazz, and Broadway flair. Born in Harlem and raised on the stage, she rose from in-demand studio singer to chart-topping solo artist with hits such as “Just Call My Name.” Her talent has taken her from Broadway productions and national tours to international performances for royalty. Still a force in contemporary music, Alyson continues to captivate audiences with her signature shows and powerful stage presence, while also mentoring emerging artists and creating new work for stage and screen. Alyson Williams remains a true triple threat — singer, actress, and creative visionary. Shanay Morant is a New York-based R&B artist, songwriter, and producer. Her music is rooted in soulful emotion and smooth melodic storytelling. She crafts songs from the inside out, writing and producing from lived experience and genuine feelings. Her artistry has taken her to some of the most celebrated stages, including SXSW, where she performed at the Dawa and VeniceMusic unity showcase, affirming her place as a rising voice in contemporary R&B. Shanay doesn’t just make music. She makes the music that moves you.   August 20, 5 to 7 p.m. | Keith “The Captain” Gamble with CLEAN MONEY MUSIC, and Kenny Allan Smith’s Peace & Serenity & the Harlem Choir Keith “The Captain” Gamble is a New York City-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player renowned for his deep roots in the blues and his energetic live performances with his backing band, the Nu Gypsies. CLEAN MONEY MUSIC presents a diverse group of hip-hop artists and entertainers who take responsibility to improve conditions around them. They return rap music to its original roots, with social commentary, lifestyle, culture, and fun. This talented group entertains, educates, and empowers audiences with great music and memorable performances. Their show infuses hip-hop with R&B, afrobeat, pop, Latin music, and dance. Their performance is a joy for the entire family. Kenny Allan Smith is a singer, pianist, conductor, and founder of the gospel group, Peace & Serenity. He is a versatile performer, known for high-energy shows. He has performed on NBC’s “Clash of the Choirs,” “The Late Show” with host David Letterman, “The Tonight Show” with host Jimmy Fallon, “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” and more. Theater credits include “The Wiz” at The National Theater, “Porgy and Bess” with The New Jersey State Opera, and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at The Count Basie Theater. All events are free and open to the public. Please bring your own chair. Summer Stage in Harlem sponsors include WBLS 107.5 FM, Harlem Presents, Harlem Week, Harlem Community Development Corporation, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Touro College, and New York State of Health. For event updates and additional information, visit ogs.ny.gov/plaza-events-harlem @Plazaeventsharlem on Facebook and Instagram, or call (212) 775-3784.

Mayor Mamdani Turns Underused East Village NYPD Parking Lot into 131 Affordable Homes

 

324 E. 5th St. development will include affordable housing, a senior center, community space and replacement parking  

 

First City land designation of the Mamdani administration advances community ownership through partnership with a community land trust

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy announced that an underutilized NYPD parking lot in the East Village will be transformed into The Aurea, a mixed-use development with approximately 131 affordable homes, a senior center, community space and replacement parking facilities.

The City is designating the site to a development team consisting of Spatial Equity, Housing Works, the Cooper Square Committee and the This Land is Ours Community Land Trust, mission-driven, minority-owned and non-profit organizations with decades of experience investing in and serving the neighborhood.

The designation marks the first City land award of the Mamdani administration and will include a community land trust as a development partner, ensuring long-term affordability, community stewardship and meaningful tenant oversight.

The Aurea will provide deeply affordable homes for low-income New Yorkers, with 30% of apartments reserved for formerly homeless New Yorkers. Housing Works will provide on-site supportive services for residents. The project will also feature landscaped terraces, green roofs and all-electric building systems designed to meet Passive House sustainability standards.

“We're turning an NYPD parking lot into approximately 131 affordable homes, a senior center and community space because public land should serve the public,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This project will provide permanently affordable housing, create homes for formerly homeless New Yorkers and put community stewardship at its center through a community land trust. It's the first City land designation of our administration, and it's exactly the kind of housing we're committed to building across the five boroughs: deeply affordable, community-led and worthy of the greatest city in the world.”

“The Aurea delivers on many of our housing goals: delivering affordable housing, including for formerly homeless New Yorkers, making good use of City-owned land, fulfilling community-informed rezoning commitments, and supporting a community land trust. This development will strengthen the community for many years to come,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “Congratulations to the development team and the City staff who have shepherded this project to this milestone.”

“In one of the city's highest opportunity neighborhoods, we are proud to work with our partners to create 131 new affordable homes, serving low income New Yorkers, including seniors. This development will not only provide much-needed housing, but also community space for the neighborhood. Today's announcement is a testament to what can happen when we are able to cut through the red tape and unlock public land to build new affordable housing,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the site was shaped by extensive public input, including feedback gathered through the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan, multilingual outreach and a public community workshop. The designation reflects years of organizing by neighborhood residents and the City’s commitment to ensuring public land delivers lasting public benefit.

This project advances key priorities in Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era. Through Mayor Mamdani’s first adopted budget, the City is investing nearly $5 billion in capital funding for new affordable development over the next two fiscal years while adding 41 new staff positions to accelerate housing production. Block by Block also expands support for community land trusts like This Land is Ours, recognizing the essential role they play in preserving permanent affordable housing and strengthening community ownership.

Redeveloping 324 East 5th Street also advances the administration’s commitment to building affordable housing on City-owned land. On his first day in office, Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 4, creating the Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) Task Force to identify City-owned sites that can be transformed into housing for working-class New Yorkers.

Block by Block sets ambitious goals that meet the scale of New York City’s housing crisis by building 200,000 new affordable homes and preserving another 200,000 over the next decade. The plan also strengthens tenant protections and housing code enforcement, invests in NYCHA’s future by restoring its role as a public developer, expands pathways to homeownership opportunities and supports the workers building the homes New Yorkers need.

Street-level view from across East 5th Street

Residential and community facility entrances

Outdoor terrace space and green roof

Governor Hochul’s Letter to Secretary of Homeland Security: End the Secrecy, Evasion and Contempt for Communities and the Rule of Law

Governor Hochul Demands Answers From the Department Of Homeland Security Following Reports of Three Immigration Detention Projects in New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Markwayne Mullin demanding answers in response to reports of three separate federal immigration detention projects planned in New York State.

Despite the Department repeatedly stating their intentions to coordinate with local communities and President Trump’s promise to the people of New York not to expand ICE enforcement operations unless Governor Hochul asks, recent reports have uncovered three immigration detention projects in Rochester, Batavia and Newburgh.

In her letter, the Governor urges truth and transparency for the safety and security of New York communities, and calls on DHS to end the unbridled aggression against law-abiding New Yorkers.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Secretary Mullin:

Over the past several weeks, New Yorkers have learned about three separate federal immigration detention projects planned for our state. But they didn’t hear about them from your administration. They learned from press reports and procurement records uncovered after the fact.

You have repeatedly promised to coordinate with local communities. That’s not what’s happening.

Instead of focusing on the worst of the worst, your administration is detaining neighbors and coworkers, separating families, and secretly building the infrastructure to detain even more people.

• In Rochester, your Department is seeking to install immigration detention cells inside a building that houses a daycare and a federal court, over the objections of the Chief Judge, the Mayor, the County, and the community.
• In Batavia, you announced an expansion of the already overcrowded detention center, which your Department’s Inspector General already cited for improper treatment of detainees.
• In Newburgh, the administration has reportedly signed an agreement to lease a warehouse for use as a detention facility. But no one has talked to the town, or the county, or the state, despite bipartisan public condemnation.

My long standing policy has always been that we will cooperate with law enforcement when crimes have been committed and there is a warrant for arrest or a court order, because we want our streets to be safe as well; but this unbridled aggression against law-abiding New Yorkers must stop.

So I ask: is your Department building or expanding immigration detention facilities in New York? If so, where, to what capacity, and under what authority? And is this being done at your direction despite President Trump’s commitment that ICE enforcement operations in New York would not be expanded unless requested by the Governor?

New Yorkers, like all Americans, deserve honest answers about what their federal government is doing in their communities. And I demand your department provide that transparency.

I am also formally requesting the opportunity to speak with you, Mr. Secretary, about these matters and the need for greater transparency to protect the safety and security of our communities as the Department of Homeland Security continues its work in New York.

Sincerely,

Kathy Hochul

Governor

 

Mayor Mamdani Launches “Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crew” to Rapidly Build Digital Solutions to Public Problems

City will deploy five PIT Crews — including one with support from The Rockefeller Foundation to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City — to make City services easier to access for working New Yorkers  

First PIT Crew will build an online complaint portal to enforce nation's first “Click to Cancel” protections  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter today announced the launch of “Public Interest Technology (PIT) Crew,” a new initiative that will deploy teams of technologists alongside City agencies to tackle public problems with in-house digital solutions.  

 

The first PIT Crew will team up with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to build an online portal that allows New Yorkers to easily file complaints against companies that trap customers in hard-to-cancel, costly subscriptions. The tool will support the Mamdani administration’s implementation of the nation’s first “Click to Cancel” protections.  

 

OTI will deploy a total of five PIT Crews: the first to support Click to Cancel, three more to advance Mayor Mamdani’s agenda of affordability and public excellence and an additional team developed with support from The Rockefeller Foundation to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. The Rockefeller Foundation has supported efforts to help governments harness the latest technologies to improve processes and systems for underserved communities across the United States.  

 

Each PIT Crew will include product managers, designers, engineers, user researchers and data experts who will work alongside City agencies and New Yorkers to design, build and launch digital solutions on accelerated timelines. Instead of waiting years for new technology, agencies will be able to move from idea to implementation in a matter of months. 

 

“Government should be as responsive and innovative as the people it serves,” said Mayor Mamdani. “New Yorkers should not be forced to navigate systems that are confusing, outdated and burdened by bureaucracy. The PIT Crew turns that model on its head. These teams will move quickly and deliberately to solve real problems, make City government easier to use, deliver for working New Yorkers and advance our agenda of affordability and public excellence. It’s fitting that our first project will enforce our Click to Cancel law by making it easier to hold companies accountable when they engage in predatory practices to squeeze working people.” 

 

“In the twenty-first century, every government service is, in some way, a digital service,” said Chief Technology Officer and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Technology is no longer just how government operates behind the scenes — it is how people experience government. Every confusing process, unnecessary step or difficult interaction makes government harder to navigate. Every simpler experience strengthens trust. New Yorkers shouldn’t have to understand how government is organized to get the services they need. Our job is to make government work better for people. The PIT Crew gives us a new way to do that — partnering with agencies to understand problems, rapidly test ideas, launch solutions, learn from real users and prove what works. By demonstrating better ways of solving public problems, we can help agencies move faster and give New Yorkers the government they deserve.” 

 

“New Yorkers deserve protections that keep pace with technological change, from canceling a recurring subscription with a single click and getting an honest price when booking a hotel, to reporting bad actors without jumping through a labyrinth of bureaucratic hoops. DCWP is thrilled to have a new partner in the NYC PIT Crew to achieve just that,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “No one should have to navigate the maze of subscription traps or junk fees alone, and no one should struggle to access the government resources they already have. Today’s announcement sends a clear message: this administration is committed to modernizing government, harnessing technology in the public interest and ensuring market innovation works for New Yorkers — not the other way around.” 

 

“At a moment of profound disruption, New Yorkers, like Americans everywhere, want government to deliver for them and we should be able to use today’s incredible technological advances to help” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support our hometown’s PIT Crew initiative, which will be a model for how to harness the latest tools to solve problems and expand opportunity for everyone.” 

 

Experienced product managers, software engineers, designers, user researchers, service designers and other technologists committed to public service are encouraged to learn more and apply to join a PIT Crew at nyc.gov/pitcrew.