Attorney General James Rallies in the Bronx to Ban Surveillance Pricing

 

Support Continues to Grow for the One Fair Price Package

Package of Legislation Championed by AG James Would Ban Surveillance Pricing and Electronic Shelf Labels in New York 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Assemblymember Emérita Torres today joined local elected officials, labor unions, advocates, and community members to rally in support of the One Fair Price Package. The One Fair Price Package consists of two bills that would protect New Yorkers from surveillance pricing, an unfair pricing scheme in which companies use shoppers’ personal data to set individualized prices for consumers. The One Fair Price Act, sponsored by Assemblymember Torres and Senator Rachel May, would ban surveillance pricing in New York. The Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act, carried by Deputy Majority Leader Gianaris and Assemblymember Solages, would ban the use of electronic shelf labels and prohibit surveillance pricing in grocery stores and pharmacies. 

“New Yorkers from the Bronx to Buffalo are already dealing with higher prices, and now big companies are using their personal data to charge them even more,” said Attorney General James. “The One Fair Price Package will ban predatory surveillance pricing while protecting the legitimate discounts and loyalty programs New Yorkers – including our veterans and seniors – rely on. I urge our friends in the legislature to pass these bills to ensure one fair price for all.”  

“New Yorkers deserve to know that the price they see is the price everyone sees and pays,” said Assemblymember Emérita Torres. “The One Fair Price Act takes a critical and necessary step toward protecting consumers from corporations that use personal data and opaque algorithms to charge people different prices for the same product. At a time when New York families are already struggling with the cost of living, we must ensure transparency and fairness in our digital marketplace. This legislation puts consumers first by stopping corporations' surveillance pricing and ensuring New Yorkers are not being digitally profiled and financially squeezed to their limit.”  

Surveillance pricing occurs when companies use individuals’ private data to set unique prices for different consumers and often results in consumers paying more for essential products. Online platforms collect thousands of data points about every consumer, from their usual purchases to when they receive their paycheck or benefits, to even how long they hover over a product online. Companies then use this information to inform pricing algorithms that continuously update to estimate the highest price a consumer is likely willing to pay at any given moment. As a result, two shoppers could visit the same website at the same time and see two different prices for the exact same product.    

Surveillance pricing is not limited to shopping online. Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) allow companies to change prices in-store, so that one shopper could buy a gallon of milk at one price while another shopper would pay more for the same gallon later that same day. ESLs not only harm consumers trying to make ends meet while prices continue to rise, but they also threaten the livelihoods of grocery store workers, as they could eliminate the work of grocery clerks.  

A recent survey of New Yorkers found that 66 percent support banning surveillance pricing and ESLs. Nearly seven in 10 New Yorkers believe surveillance pricing will increase grocery prices, and two-thirds do not trust companies to use these tools responsibly. New Yorkers also believe these technologies would lead to harmful outcomes, such as price increases during emergencies and charging higher prices based on perceived ability to pay.  

The bills in the One Fair Price Package would protect New York consumers and their families by banning surveillance pricing that uses personal data to set individualized prices for consumers and ensure that products, not people, are assigned prices.   

• The One Fair Price Act (8623/A.9349) would ban surveillance pricing and prohibit the use of consumers’ personal data to set individualized prices to ensure New Yorkers are charged the same price for the same product.
   
• The Protecting Consumers and Jobs from Discriminatory Pricing Act (8616/A.9396) would protect consumers and workers alike by prohibiting the use of ESLs and surveillance pricing in grocery stores and pharmacies. 

The One Fair Price Package would ban surveillance pricing, but it does not threaten the discounts and loyalty programs that New Yorkers count on. The legislation explicitly allows discounts, including loyalty programs, coupons, subscription pricing, and standard promotions, including for veterans and seniors. The One Fair Price Package would also authorize OAG to bring civil cases for penalties and restitution against companies or retailers that use surveillance pricing. 

Governor Hochul and Attorney General James Intervene to Protect Sunrise Wind Project

State Moves to Defend Major Offshore Wind Project That Will Power 600,000 New York Homes

Sunrise Wind Will Support Thousands of Jobs, Strengthen New York’s Energy Grid, and Advance State Climate Goals

Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James today moved to intervene in a lawsuit that threatens the successful completion of the Sunrise Wind Project, a major offshore wind development that will deliver clean energy to New York, support thousands of jobs, and strengthen the state’s electric grid. The lawsuit, filed by Green Oceans and other plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to vacate federal approvals for the project and could delay or block construction. Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are seeking to intervene to defend New York’s interests in the project and ensure that Sunrise Wind can move forward.

“Offshore wind projects like Sunrise Wind will not only provide needed clean energy that will help our environment, but also create good-paying union jobs, benefit our local economies, and help secure our energy independence,” Governor Hochul said. “We successfully fought the Trump administration's multiple attempts to stop construction on this fully–permitted project and expect that we will prevail against this lawsuit. While Washington Republicans are hell bent on taking us backward, here in New York we remain committed to protecting our clean energy future.”

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said, “Contrary to the president’s claims, wind energy is essential for our economy, our environment, and our electric grid. Sunrise Wind will power hundreds of thousands of homes, support thousands of good-paying jobs, and help protect New Yorkers from pollution and climate change. This administration has already tried to shut down Sunrise Wind once, and we will not leave the fate of this critical project in its hands.”

The Sunrise Wind Project is a 924-megawatt offshore wind project that is expected to generate enough electricity to power 600,000 New York homes. The project is expected to begin delivering power to New York’s electric grid this year and become fully operational next year. In March of this year, Green Oceans and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction and vacate the federal government’s approval of the project. If successful, the lawsuit could delay completion or even force cancellation of the project, leaving New York with significant costs and none of the project’s benefits. Given this administration’s past statements and actions opposing wind energy, including its repeated attempts to halt wind energy projects, Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are intervening to ensure New York’s interests are fully defended.

Governor Hochul and Attorney General James argue that New York has significant economic, environmental, public health, and sovereign interests in the successful completion of Sunrise Wind. The project is expected to provide more than $875 million in economic benefits to New York by the end of its third year of operations, with additional benefits to follow. The project also supports more than 3,500 jobs in construction, steel manufacturing, shipbuilding, and operations, including many high-paying union jobs.

Sunrise Wind will also help strengthen New York’s electric grid at a time of growing energy demand. New York’s energy needs are expected to increase as the state electrifies transportation and buildings, and consumers are already experiencing rising electric bills. The Sunrise Wind Project will add nearly 1,000 megawatts of energy capacity to the grid, helping reduce New York’s reliance on fossil fuels and improve grid reliability, particularly on Long Island.

This federal administration has consistently opposed offshore wind projects, imposed a stop-work order on Sunrise Wind, and paused federal approvals for wind projects more broadly. While Attorney General James has secured several court orders blocking these actions – including, most recently, a preliminary injunction ensuring Sunrise Wind can continue construction – the Trump administration’s record raises serious concerns that it may not fully defend the project’s federal approvals. Governor Hochul and Attorney General James are moving to intervene to ensure that New York’s interests are protected.

 

Mayor Mamdani and NYCHA Announce First-of-its-Kind “NYCHA in Your Neighborhood” Engagements for Public Housing Residents

 

Events will continue the administration’s work to bring resident voice into public policy  

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt announced a series of “NYCHA in Your Neighborhood” events in May and June, marking a first-of-its-kind engagement for NYCHA residents to speak directly with senior leaders and connect with services from a range of City agencies in communities near where they live.

Each “NYCHA in Your Neighborhood” forum will give residents opportunities to discuss issues affecting developments across the city, including repairs, community programming, pests and waste, elevators, mold, lead and public safety. The events will invite residents from across each neighborhood to participate in small-group discussions with senior City and NYCHA leadership, creating a new level of engagement for New Yorkers to share feedback, help shape policy and receive assistance.

Each forum will cover a neighborhood-wide area of NYCHA developments, rather than focusing on a single property, and discussions will cover a variety of policy topics and programs. The first three forums will be held in the Bronx on May 20, in Brooklyn on June 3 and in Manhattan on June 17. NYCHA residents can register to attend HERE.

“As we work to deliver the investments and improvements residents deserve, NYCHA in Your Neighborhood will help put public housing residents at the center of policymaking. These forums will give residents a new opportunity to weigh in on the issues that matter most to them and access services from a range of City agencies,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“NYCHA serves more than 500,000 New Yorkers – their voices and experiences are critical as we collectively shape and implement a vision for a more affordable city. With NYCHA in Your Neighborhood, senior City and NYCHA leaders will meet public housing residents in their communities, to listen and discuss how we can be more responsive to community concerns and ideas, while making connections to existing resources,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“The ‘NYCHA in Your Neighborhood’ forums are a natural progression in how NYCHA engages with residents,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Drawing on a broad array of resident engagement programs and services, we will be bringing senior NYCHA staff and subject matter experts directly to residents to discuss their visions for their homes and campuses. We’re very excited to take this next step alongside the Mamdani administration, as we work with NYCHA residents face-to-face, on an individual basis, to hear concerns and develop meaningful solutions together.”

“NYCHA is continuing to evolve in how we engage residents,” said NYCHA Chief Operating Officer Eva Trimble. “Building on a wide range of resident engagement platforms and services, the ‘NYCHA in Your Neighborhood’ forums will provide residents and senior leadership alike a new opportunity to connect on the day-to-day issues affecting their homes, buildings, and communities. Residents will also be able to learn about useful resources from other city agencies. Our goal is to bring services and benefits to our residents by meeting them where they are and building genuine connections.”

The events build on the Mamdani administration’s commitment to bringing the day-to-day work of City government to New Yorkers. At the events, City officials will hear directly from public housing residents and use their input to shape housing policy and improve housing quality at properties across the city.

Each forum will offer residents the opportunity to participate in small-group discussions with NYCHA and City Hall leadership, as well as visit resource tables where residents can engage one-on-one with NYCHA staff about apartment repairs, tenancy concerns, environmental issues and more. The forums will also include support and resources from NYCHA, the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and other City agencies including the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the Department for the Aging (DFTA).

NYCHA in Your Neighborhood builds on existing engagement with public housing residents, including regular resident leadership and tenant association meetings, board meetings, resident roundtables, surveys and more. Residents at each development also have a direct line to the Authority through a Property Management Office and dedicated on-site staff, in addition to specialty teams responding around the clock to emergency heating, elevator, and skilled-trades repair needs. NYCHA residents in need of assistance are also encouraged to call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application.

“Residents have consistently voiced concerns regarding mold, leaks, pests, heat, lead conditions, public safety, delayed repairs, and lack of accountability. These forums provide an avenue for residents to speak directly with decision-makers and obtain one-on-one assistance regarding unresolved issues impacting their homes and families,” said Daniel Barber, Chairman, Citywide Council of Presidents.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Incomes for Many New Yorkers Not Keeping Pace with Inflation

 

Despite median household incomes increasing in every county from 2019-2024, they did not keep pace with the cost of living when adjusting for the 23.1% inflation during that time period, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“Household incomes for too many New Yorkers have not kept pace with the stubborn inflation we continue to feel today,” DiNapoli said. “When real incomes decline, people struggle to maintain the same quality of life. Continued focus on addressing the state’s affordability challenges, as well as efforts to increase the growth of well-paying jobs across the state, are needed to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to thrive.”

Statewide, the inflation adjusted (“real”) median household income increased by $1,688, or 2%, from 2019 to 2024. However, in 23 of the state’s 62 counties, real median household income decreased. Tioga County had the largest decrease both by dollar amount (-$4,794), and percentage (-6.2%). Rockland County had the second largest decrease by dollar amount (-$4,526), while Chemung County had the second largest decrease by percent (-5.8%).

Greene and Ulster counties had the largest gains in real median household income with Greene County increasing the most both by dollar amount ($11,978) and by percent (18.2%). Ulster County had a $7,132 increase (9%).

DiNapoli’s analysis also found:

• Among the five counties that comprise New York City, results were mixed. The real median household income increased in Brooklyn by $6,136 (8.3%) and in Queens by $1,628 (1.9%). It decreased in Staten Island by $3,549 (-3.5%), in Manhattan by $2,590 (-2.4%), and in the Bronx by $661 (-1.3%) between 2019 and 2024.
• Other counties that saw a positive percentage change in real household incomes of over 5% included Fulton, Montgomery, Allegany, Suffolk, Schuyler and Franklin.
• Three of the ten largest percentage decreases in real household incomes were found in the Southern Tier, including Broome (-2.6%).
• Every Western New York county had a positive percentage increase in real household income with the exception of Cattaraugus (-0.7%).

Report with Interactive Map

For Many New Yorkers, Incomes Not Keeping Pace with Inflation

Mayor Mamdani Designates May as Child Care Educator Appreciation Month

 

Video showcasing the work of child care educators available to watch here.  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced that New York City will recognize May as “Child Care Educator Appreciation Month,” honoring the child care workers and educators whose labor supports families across all five boroughs.

By expanding national Provider Appreciation Day into a monthlong recognition, the City is spotlighting the essential role child care educators play in New Yorkers’ lives and affirming their place as partners in shaping the future of universal child care.

“There is no child care without our child care educators,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, educators have been pushed aside and taken for granted. If we are serious about delivering universal child care in New York City, we must do more than recognize educators’ contributions. We must center them as decisionmakers in building sustainable programs. This month is just the start. The City has critical work ahead to ensure child care educators receive the respect and compensation their essential labor deserves.”

“Every day, like many parents across the city, I leave my children in the loving and capable hands of early childhood educators,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “For decades, child care educators have shaped the lives of New Yorkers while receiving far too little formal recognition. The Mamdani Administration is committed to uplifting the critical work of our educators while advancing the economic justice needed to truly sustain this workforce. As we continue building a stronger child care ecosystem, today’s announcement is an opportunity to recognize the providers whose dedication keeps our city running.”

“The earliest years of a child’s life are the most formative, and we have our child care educators to thank for laying the foundation of which all future learning is built on,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Before a child ever begins kindergarten, they have already been shaped by the dedication of the educators who held their hands, spoke their names, and believed their potential is limitless. So in May, and every day, we want to show how appreciative we are to all the child care educators across the city and beyond.”

This monthlong recognition highlights the leaders and educators working in the City’s more than 10,000 licensed child care programs, most of which are small businesses run and staffed by women of color. Child care providers operate in every New York City neighborhood, caring for hundreds of thousands of children every day and making it possible for parents to participate in the workforce.

Today, the city also released a video showcasing the work of child care educators, available to watch here.

Earlier this week, to kick off Child Care Educator Appreciation Month, the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su hosted a roundtable with child care program leaders to hear directly from providers and discuss opportunities to strengthen the system.

In the coming weeks, Mayor Mamdani will host a child care educator appreciation dinner at Gracie Mansion, administration officials will visit child care programs across the city, and the city will launch a provider listening tour.

In tandem with providers across New York City, the Mamdani administration has taken historic steps towards universal child care. On Day 8 of his tenure, the Mayor announced a partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul to fully fund 3-K and launch 2-K for the first time in city history. Since then, the Mayor has partnered with providers to expand 3-K access to 56 new zip codes and announce the first four communities to receive 2-K seats. Most recently, at the end of April, the Mayor opened applications for “The Little Apple,” New York City’s first free child care pilot program for municipal workers.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - POSTPONED: BRONX WEEK HEALTH DAY

 

Housing Lottery Launches for 1686 Davidson Avenue in Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1686 Davidson Avenue, a six-story residential building in Morris Heights, The Bronx. Designed by Fred Geremia Architects & Planners and developed by Ardit Dekaj, the structure yields 17 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are seven units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $75,703 to $140,000.

Amenities include pet-friendly policies, a shared laundry room, and an elevator. Tenants are responsible for electricity with stove and heat.

1686 Davidson Avenue in Morris Heights, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect

At 80 percent of the AMI, there is one studio with a monthly rent of $2,040 for incomes ranging from $75,703 to $103,680; two one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,173 for incomes ranging from $81,086 to $116,640; and four two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,583 for incomes ranging from $97,406 to $140,000.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than May 21, 2026.

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Hosts May Event

 

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association (PPNA) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a vital and timely community meeting on Tuesday, May 12th, at Bronx House, located at 990 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.

The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) are our special guest speakers.The PEU was created to develop a new model for government outreach, using community organizing principles to re-envision how the City provides services to all its communities.