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Brooklyn Council Races Blow Hot and Cold
Some 2013 races are shaping up to feature multiple candidates. Others look so far like one-choice affairs.
Carrion, Liu Vy for Votes in Brownsville
The audience knew what the candidates wanted. But what did the people of Van Dyke want in return?
How To Apply for Public Benefits
Our How To NYC series continues with a look at help available for everything from food to heat to medical care.
When Campaign Aides Are Lobbyists, Questions Mount
Some of the top firms advising candidates for state and local office also lobby those offices for clients like corporations and unions. Some believe the potential conflict demands reform.
The Numbers: Campaign Consultants Who Double As Lobbyists
Some data and details from our reporting on campaign consultants who help politicians get elected and also lobby those officials on behalf of companies, unions and other interests.
How to Join Your Community Emergency Response Team
One way that you can help in disasters and other civic emergencies is by joining your local Community Emergency Response Team.
Mott Haven Up For Grabs in Mayor's Race
If patrons of Camaguey restaurant are any indication, voters in Mott Haven are undecided about the mayor's race, but do know what they want in the next mayor: the good of Bloomberg without the bad.
What Brownsville Wants In A Mayor
So far, most residents haven't found what they're looking for—or even done much looking.
Comedy is King at Brooklyn BP Markowitz's Final Annual Speech
The lavish last hurrah featured an hour-long riff on the Tonight Show, news of a new Coney Island concert arena and a scatological shot at the press.
How to Dispose of Harmful Materials
Disposing of household products is not always as easy as putting them in your trashcan or recycling bin.
For Next Brooklyn Borough President, What’s the Agenda?
Observers stress sharing prosperity, strategic use of capital funds, better community boards, and more transparency.
Hope, Skepticism for FDNY's Blacks Amid Push to Diversify
A federal judge's order and record numbers of minority recruits hint that change is coming to the FDNY. But veteran black firefighters are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Former Gadfly Cop Nears Coronation as Brooklyn Borough President
State Sen. Eric Adams faces virtually no opposition in his bid for borough hall—the latest step in his evolution from controversial activist to political leader.
Community Groups Press for Details in NYC Mayoral Forums
East Brooklyn Congregations and allies typically work behind the scenes. But they've made headlines in 2013 by forcing candidates to provide detailed housing, school and policing proposals.
Campaigns Skip Mott Haven, Drug Centers and Shelters Don't
Mayoral frontrunners skipped a recent forum in the South Bronx neighborhood, where many residents are upset about the number of drug and mental health facilities in the area.
How Sweet Was It? Marty Markowitz's Boro Hall Legacy
The borough president famously erected signs declaring "How Sweet It Is!" to be in Brooklyn. Was there substance—and success—behind the shtick?
Upstate Cities See New Growth Amid Fiscal Crisis
Dented by population loss and industrial decline, cities like Rochester and Buffalo see a future in higher-ed and high-tech. But fiscal woes could hamstring those hopes.
How to Join Your Local Community Board
To be on a community board you must be a New York City resident and live, work or have significant interest in the district of the board you wish to join.
How to Use the Freedom of Information Law
City and state agencies are increasingly placing information that once required a FOIL request on their website. Before you initiative a formal FOIL request, you should prowl the agency's site to see what is there for the taking.
How to Get a Zoning Variance
City zoning laws regulate what can and cannot be built on certain parcels of land. If zoning laws restrict your plans, it doesn't necessarily mean the end of your project. You can apply for a zoning variance.
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BLOG ENTRIES
Discussing the Corruption Scandal on MetroFocus - City Limits
Talking about why corruption happens, what can be done to stop and what people think about it.
Watch Us On MetroFocus - Jarrett Murphy
In an interview, City Limits and City & State discuss their 2013 campaign coverage partnership with one another and Channel 13's MetroFocus.
Watch the Mayoral Debate on Low-Income Issues - Jarrett Murphy
Seven candidates representing four parties discussed wages, sick leave, stop-and-frisk and other issues—to cheers and jeers from the crowd, and occasional jabs from one another.
Report Faults How City Spends Ad Dollars - Jarrett Murphy
From recruiting new cops to discouraging soda consumption, the city spends millions on advertising—and chooses whether to support mainstream media or the ethnic and community press with that money.
Quinn, Liu, de Blasio Clash on Sick Leave - Jarrett Murphy
At a debate on issues affecting low-income New Yorkers, Bill de Blasio and John Liu attacked Christine Quinn over her refusal to permit a vote on requiring sick leave for workers.
Mayoral Debate: How High Should the Minimum Wage Be? - Jarrett Murphy
Is $11.50 an hour too high? Is $9 enough? The candidates react.
Reefer, Rezoning and Recycling on Bloomberg Agenda - Jarrett Murphy
The mayor's final state of the city speech was a tribute to his past accomplishments as well as a to-do list for the final 320 days of his tenure.
Covering an Election? Why Not Cover the Voters? - Jarrett Murphy
The biggest issue in the race for City Hall in 2013 might not be housing or crime or schools--but simply whether the candidates give voters a reason to care.
Read the NRA's Statement - Jarrett Murphy
The leading gun lobby group called for armed guards in every school in America.
NRA Breaks Silence After Newtown - Jarrett Murphy
The leading gun lobby group says it will hold a major press briefing later this week.
Change of Polling Sites Cause Difficulties for Elderly Voters - Elly Yu
Last-minute changes in polling sites left many voters in the Bronx confused about where to vote and in some cases, even prevented them from voting.
Green Partiers in the Bronx Put in Final Push for Votes - Erin Brodwin
The third party's candidates don't expect to win. But they were happy to “have our voice heard.”
Broken Elevator Slows Voters in U. Heights - Kathleen Caulderwood
Poll workers ran ballots up and down the stairs between elderly voters and the scanners on an upper floor.
Civic Duty vs. Clean-Up Work in Staten Island - Bryan Koenig, Jenny Hollander and Whitney Light
The juxtaposition of storm and ballot could be seen across the borough, with many makeshift polling sites sharing a roof or a plot of land with a relief center.
Despite Some Storm Damage, City Island Voting Smooth - Emily Field
The shoreline neighborhood is pocket of conservatism in the heavily Democratic Bronx. A majority of the voters here voted for McCain in the 2008 election.
Need a Ride to the Polls? - Elly Yu
Pierre Mercredi is spending all day Tuesday volunteering to drive seniors and disabled people to polling stations across the Bronx.
Morris Park: Mixed Views on Voting Machines - Meredith Rosenberg
It's the first presidential race for New York's new optical scan voting machines. Do they get a checkmark or an error message from voters?
Vote: It's Serious - Jarrett Murphy
Bronx polling sites saw heavy turnout this morning.
Bedford Park: 'I Sure Hope It Counts' - Erin Brodwin
After area redistricting sent some voters to an alternate polling site in Norwood, poll workers said they had prepared to send some away
100-Person Mid-Day Line at Fordham Poll Site - Kathleen Culliton
Said one voter: "A lot of people are saying this isn't normal."
EVENTS
A Place at the Table
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
6:00pm -
Word for Word: Dan Savage
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Justice For All: Appleseed at 20
Thursday, June 20, 2013
6:00p - 9:00p
CONVERSATIONS/OPINONS
NYC Needs More Direct Democracy
The city can offer voters the chance to pass legislation directly without encountering the alleged flaws of California-style government-by-referendum.
Why New York City Needs the Voting Rights Act
A key part of the landmark law is being challenged at the Supreme Court. While discrimination at the voting booth is often thought of as a Southern problem, New York City has its own harsh history.
No More Shell Games: Time for Real Campaign Reform
It's not just that Gov. Cuomo's campaign-finance reform plan doesn't go far enough. It's that even the best reform won't do enough to make our system truly democratic.
What Does the City's Recovery Need? More Libraries
Libraries perform a critical role in workforce development for low-income New Yorkers. But budget cuts have so curtailed service that Detroit's libraries are now open more than New York's.
How to Fix NY's Voting System in 10 Easy Steps
Many city voters will recall the 2012 election chiefly for the long lines and deep confusion they endured. With municipal elections just around the corner, says this writer, this is no way to run a democracy.
MULTIMEDIA
Waste Not
"Mayor Bloomber says it's Manhattan's turn to help take out New York's trash, but opposition is numerous and staunch."
Betting on a Green Building Boom
New York can become a leader in environmentally sound development - if big business buys in. Here's how well-paid professionals are building a marketplace movement.
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Partners
CITY LIMITS EVENTS
Defining Brooklyn Launch
City Limits celebrates the launch of its March 2011 issue: Defining Brooklyn.The 35th Anniversary Celebration
City Limits celebrates its 35th Anniversary at BMCC in Tribeca.Brooklyn Bureau Launch
The Brooklyn Bureau launch as part of Social Media Week 2012.Tackling Poverty
The Tackling Poverty Series at Galapagos Art Space in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.Tackling Poverty (Manhattan)
City Limits & the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness
