Jefferies Backs Hudson in District 35 + NY Extends the Eviction Moratorium
No 217
Monday, May 10, 2021
A note to our readers: The Thorn has switched from Mailchimp to Substack so we can keep delivering you local New York politics news from a socialist perspective with fewer administrative costs. Starting in January 2022 our new issues can be at thethornnyc.substack.com along with how to subscribe. This website will serve as an archive of our past issues.
Local News
- The state legislature voted to extend a statewide moratorium on residential and commercial evictions through August 31.
- New York is one of the only states taxing the additional unemployment benefits workers received during last year’s COVID-19-induced shutdown, although some State legislators are hoping to change that before this year’s legislative session ends in June.
- Workers at United Metro Energy, a Brooklyn-based oil company, are striking to demand salary increases and better benefits from the firm’s owner, billionaire grocery store mogul John Catsimatidis.
- The State legislature passed safe staffing bills for hospitals and nursing homes, which would require those institutions to maintain a higher nurse-to-patient ratio.
- Only 35 percent of NYPD officers have been fully vaccinated.
- Following disagreements between the City government and the MTA, the City has agreed to deploy volunteer auxiliary police officers in some of its busiest subway stations.
- A coalition of public defenders and wrongful-conviction attorneys signed a letter seeking the dismissal of hundreds of charges against people who were convicted based on evidence provided by 22 NYPD officers who have since been convicted of lying under oath, bribery, or other forms of misconduct.
Elections
- Hakeem Jeffries endorsed Crystal Hudson for City Council District 35, an indication that the remainder of the corporate Democratic machine in central Brooklyn is lining up behind Hudson, a former staffer for Council Member Laurie Cumbo.
- A poll conducted by a DC-based firm, GQR, showed Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams leading in New York City’s mayoral r ace. It’s the first time anyone but Andrew Yang has led a public poll since Yang entered the race in January.
- Progressive groups and politicians have reconsidered their endorsement of mayoral candidate Scott Stringer, following accusations that he sexually assaulted a campaign volunteer 20 years ago.
- The first Democratic primary mayoral debate is Thursday, May 13. It will include Eric Adams, Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia, Ray McGuire, Dianne Morales, Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, and Andrew Yang.