Category: politics

Velázquez, NYC delegation call for end to SkyHop labor dispute affecting major airports

skyhop

May. 19, 2025 By Shane O’Brien U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez is leading a congressional effort to pressure SkyHop Global, a national airline crew transportation company, to return to the bargaining table with striking shuttle drivers serving New York City’s major airports. In a letter sent this week, Velázquez and 14 members of the New…

State Assembly overwhelmingly passes parkland alienation bill necessary for Metropolitan Park

assembly

May. 15, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The New York State Assembly has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would allow Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International to transform 50 acres of Citi Field parking lot into Metropolitan Park, an $8 billion entertainment complex anchored by a casino. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted 134-11 in favor…

González-Rojas heralds inclusion of universal school meals in historic state budget win

González-Rojas

May. 15, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas has welcomed the inclusion of universal school meals in the recently-approved state budget, stating that every New York student will now have access to free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family’s income. The recently-approved New York State Budget allocates $340 million for school…

State Sen. Gonzalez lauds budget for cost-of-living measures but says bold action is still needed

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez speaks in the State Senate. Photo courtesy of office of State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez.

May. 14, 2025 By sobrien May 14, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez touted a number of measures introduced in the recently-approved state budget that will help working families combat inflation but said the budget could have been “bolder” in its efforts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Gonzalez, who represents areas in…

BP Richards calls on Trump to restore $150M in Queens flood mitigation funds

flood mitigation

May. 6, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Monday released the borough’s third-annual resiliency report, highlighting ongoing efforts to make Queens a “cleaner, greener” borough, while sharply criticizing the Trump Administration for slashing nearly $150 million in federal funding for local flood mitigation projects. The report’s release coincided with a…

Queensbridge community honors late leader April Simpson-Taylor with street co-naming

From left: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Council Member Julie Won, Daniel Lee Taylor, the husband of the late April Simpson-Taylor, and family members. (Credit: Alex Krales/NYC Council Media Unit)

April 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Elected officials, community leaders and members of the Queensbridge Houses community gathered in Long Island City on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the co-naming of 12th Street and 40th Avenue in honor of former Queensbridge Houses Residents Association President April Simpson-Taylor. Simpson-Taylor, who died in March 2024 at the age… Read more »

Whitestone Republican Club hosts packed April meeting with GOP candidates

whitestone republican club

Apr. 24, 2025 By Robert Pearl The energy inside the American Legion Hall Post 131 was electric as the Whitestone Republican Club hosted its latest monthly meeting, drawing a standing-room-only crowd to hear from a powerful lineup of speakers, including mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa. The April gathering, known for its lively patriotism and grassroots…