Tell the Charter Revision Commission how you think city government can improve
Manhattan Hearing: 2019 Charter Revision Commission
How can city government work better for Manhattan? The NYC Charter is the city’s constitution and sets out how the city makes decisions. It’s an important document, but it hasn’t had a serious review in 30 years — so it’s due for a major overhaul.
If you or your organization have ideas about what needs changing, start writing testimony now and plan to attend on Wednesday — the first hearing… Read more Cultural leaders honored at Borough President’s reception to kick off the African American Day Parade
I recognized 23 cultural leaders in Manhattan’s African American community at a September 14 reception at the Schomburg Center in Harlem to kick off the annual African American Day Parade.
All of the honorees are creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and community advocates who have shaped arts and culture across the borough for many years.
Some, like Teresa McKinney, Ade Williams, Anna Glass and Anthony McGill are part of venerable institutions: the… Read more Council’s Charter Revision Commission begins public hearings
That’s right, there’s another Charter Revision Commission at work, resulting from a local law co-sponsored by myself, Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and Public Advocate Tish James (introduced before the Mayor’s proposal even surfaced). This version will spend a full year examining all aspects of the City Charter and will propose changes on the 2019 ballot.
Our logic in proposing a fresh look at the city’s main governing document was that… Read more Mayor’s Charter Revision Commission proposes drastic changes to community boards
Students across the city return to school
The beginning of September means back to school for more than 177,000 students in 301 public schools across Manhattan.
I was out bright and early this morning in front of P.S. 36 in Morningside Heights greeting students and their parents and handing out copies of my Manhattan Public School Help Guide, which lists the contact information for NYC Department of Education staff and the parent-run Community Education Councils (CECs). Each… Read more Fresh Food for Seniors relaunches in Northern Manhattan
Since 2012, I have partnered with GrowNYC, government agencies, nonprofits, and colleagues in the City Council to make fresh, healthy, locally-grown fruits and vegetables available to seniors in a growing number of Manhattan neighborhoods, from the West Village to Roosevelt Island. Starting Sept. 4, I’m pleased to relaunch our program in northern Manhattan.
For just $8, seniors can bring home a bag with $15 or more worth of fresh produce!… Read more Brewer and all Manhattan Council Members: It’s time to close zoning loopholes
Letter to MTA: Don’t slash Manhattan Select Bus plans
Earlier this month, my office discovered details in a Metropolitan Transportation Authority budget document indicating it plans to slash promised expansions of Select Bus Service in Manhattan, pushing back the improvements to 96th Street crosstown service and other lines through at least 2021.
The Wall Street Journal also unearthed these details and reported on them, and around the same time I sent a letter to Andy Byford, president of MTA-New… Read more 
