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Amid Court Fight, Formerly Homeless In Limbo
The end of the Advantage subsidy program leaves advocates battling to salvage a policy they criticized, the city bracing for more demand for scarce shelter beds and low-income families wondering what comes next.
City Spent $1M on Report, Used Questionable Data
A study that says a proposed city living wage law would kill 13,000 jobs based its analysis on a state subsidy program that wouldn't actually be covered by the city measure.
Bloomberg Housing Plan Hits Milestones, Obstacles
The mayor's ambitious affordable housing initiative is three-quarters to completion. But reshaped by fiscal woes, complicated by other city policies and often outgunned by the private market, what will the plan's long-term impact be?
A Crisis Beyond The Cuts: Help For New York's Seniors Ebbs
Once again, New York City's senior centers avoided a disastrous budget cut this year. But the passing of that threat masks a subtler one: the gradual erosion of the once-proud array of services New York City offers its elderly.
Concerns Persist Over Child Welfare Cases Involving Mental Health
As many as one in five child welfare cases involves a parent with a mental health diagnosis, creating challenges for parents, children and caseworkers. Advocates say efforts to address those challenges haven't gone far enough.
Their Smoke, Our Smog: Meet These Midwestern Power Plants
Local car exhaust is one reason why New York officials have had to declare several ozone alert days this year. But out-of-state smokestacks are also a major contributor to air problems in the city.
New York's School Principals Struggle Quietly Amid Teacher Controversies
The headlines are full of concerns about teacher tenure, teacher pensions, teacher layoffs. What do some of the city's principals have to say about the challenges their schools face?
Report: Young NYers Face Higher Barriers To Public Assistance
A study of low-income New Yorkers under the age of 24 indicates they have trouble getting welfare benefits to which they are entitled. City officials say the report—and others that raised similar questions—suffers from poor methodology.
The Poor Have Numbers. Do They Count?
The number of low-income New Yorkers is a matter of statistics. Answering deeper questions about poverty demands drilling down deep into the lives of individual people, a few of whose stories are presented in this month's issue of City Limits.
One Woman's Plan to Beat Poverty
Beverly Davis has a full-time job, a family she supports and a college course to complete. She has plans to become a police officer. Public benefits are essential to her move from low-wage work to economic independence.
What Would Help Poor New Yorkers? Take Your Pick
Low-income city residents have a long list of suggestions for how to alleviate the causes and consequences of poverty.
Defeated In Court, Waste Station's Foes Take To The Streets
Opponents of a planned East 91st Street waste transfer station say the city should reconsider alternatives. But advocates from other neighborhoods believe the site is right for establishing a fairer sanitation system.
Life In A Livery Cab
Yellow cab drivers and owners were outspoken on both sides of the debate over a plan to permit outer-borough street hails. What do the livery drivers who now prowl those streets think about it?
Some Young Migrants Face Deportation With No Lawyer
After being detained by federal border agents, Leticia, 15, faced having to navigate the immigration system—where there is no right to government-appointed counsel—alone. A pro bono attorney stepped up for her. But many migrants aren't as lucky.
Q&A With An 'Unsatisfactory' Teacher
In the debate over budget cuts, teacher layoffs and improving schools, much has been said about teachers who get “unsatisfactory” ratings. But little has been heard from those instructors.
Bike Lane Battle: Role Of Senator's Wife, Ex-DOT Boss, Unclear
Iris Weinshall is not the only critic of the city's bike lane on Prospect Park West. She's just the only who used to build bike lanes and happens to be married to a U.S. senator.
Behind-The-Scenes Ethics Board Seeks New Power
In a time of growing concern over government ethics, the Conflict of Interest Board wants more investigative authority—but not more publicity. Much of its work is confidential.
The Principal Is New. The School Is Closing.
With new boss Dennis Walcott, the city school system gets a new chance to improve relations with parents and teachers. But there'll be no second chance for Robeson High in Bed-Stuy. What does that mean for students?
Japan Tsunami, Katrina Memories Wash Into Waterfront Debate
A new city plan addressing competing claims on New York's coastline draws praise. But there's still plenty of debate over the details, especially over the risks that come with waterfront industry.
What Cuts Will Cost: Children's Learning, Parents' Work
As tabloids celebrate an on-time state budget, a look at what one budget cut at the city level will mean: fewer childcare slots, less school prep for kids and a tough choice for their working parents.
Michael Bloomberg
Recently elected to his third term, Michael Bloomberg is New York City’s 108th mayor. Among his initiatives, he has focused on improving New York City schools, introducing a revolutionary affordable housing program, and continuously working to make New York a safe, clean city.
As a graduate of Harvard Business School, he founded Bloomberg LP, a leading financial news company. The company’s success allowed him to become a leading philanthropist. One of his proudest achievements is the premier Malaria Research Institute at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins.
2001 Election
Bloomberg, who is philosophically a Democrat, crossed over to the Republican ballot in the 2001 election as a strategy to progress further in the election. Polls indicated that two weeks before the election, Green would have won. However, Bloomberg’s predecessor Rudy Giuliani stepped in and endorsed Bloomberg with less than two weeks remaining in the race. Giuliani’s support created a great wavering in the polls for Bloomberg, who ultimately defeated Green to become New York City’s 108th mayor.
2005 Election
In 2005, Bloomberg ran for re-election and defeated his Democratic opponent Fernander Ferrer by a historical 20-point margin. By aligning himself with democratic issues like marriage equality and by not supporting Republican George W. Bush with his presidential re-election in 2004, Bloomberg was elected to a city where over 65% of the population is Democratic.
2009 Election
After a deep recession, the candidates of the 2009 mayoral election focused heavily on financial stability during the campaigning process. Bloomberg rose to the occasion and won for his third time, but by a narrow margin. He defeated Democratic opponent, William Thompson Jr., receiving only 50% of the vote.
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What Budget Crisis? Unions Say City Sits On Funds - Johann Hamilton
Hundreds gathered around City Hall on Tuesday to argue that Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget cuts don't add up—because there's already ample money in the city's coffers to close this year's funding gap, and there could be even more.
AIDS Program Cuts Stir Protest - Johann Hamilton
Advocates are speaking out against proposed cuts to programs that feed and house people living with HIV/AIDS.
FDNY Closings Will Affect More Than Just 20 Neighborhoods - Jarrett Murphy
Closing fire companies to reduce the city's budget gap could have broad ripple effects as firefighters travel farther to get to emergencies and deal with buildings with which they aren't as familiar.
Mayor's Budget Scolds State, Saves Child-Care Slots - Jarrett Murphy
While announcing the restoration of some child care services that had been targeted for cuts, the mayor's plan projects that many agency budgets will see bigger reductions than earlier predicted.
CONVERSATIONS/OPINONS
NYC Needs Paid Sick Days, Not Lame Excuses
Thousands of New Yorkers face an impossible choice when they get sick: Go to work and get yourself and others sicker, or stay home and risk losing pay or your post.
Why I'm Fasting To Protest Budget Cuts
As leaders in Washington, Albany and City Hall have contemplated huge funding reductions, advocates have mounted protests, written letters and pleaded through the press. Now some are giving up food. One Bronx leader explains why.
Governing With 'Class': Politics The Bloomberg Way
A new book argues that the popular image of Mike Bloomberg as a post-ideological mayor misses the profound way he has reshaped New York for the benefit of the corporate elite.
MULTIMEDIA
Economic Impact of Libraries in New York City
Research for an April 16, 2012 joint hearing of the New York City Council's Committee on Small Business, Cultural Affairs, Libraries & International Intergroup Relations and the Select Committee on Libraries, on the role played by the 214 branch and four research libraries operated by New York's three library systems.
Urban Mobility Report Data: Performance Measure Summary for New York
Statistics on traffic and transport in the New York City area, compiled by the Texas Transportation Institute.
PHOTO SLIDESHOWS
Beyond CityTime
An Investigation of Private Consultants in the Bloomberg Administration
President Obama Visits NYC's Ground Zero After Bin Laden Death
Following the death of Osama Bin Laden, President Barack Obama visits the World Trade Center site to pay tribute to victims of 9/11.
