The Thorn

LOCAL NEWS:

The New York City teachers union is preparing for a strike to protest the City’s plan to reopen in-person schooling. Educators say they haven’t had time to properly plan a safe reopening, and face staffing shortages and no clear plan from the Department of Education.
After pressure from the NYPD, the City Council is consideringamending a recently-passed law that bars the NYPD from using chokeholds. The proposed amendments would soften the ban on police applying pressure to someone’s diaphragm.
The MTA announced that it may be forced to cut subway and bus service by 40 percent and commuter rail service by 50 percent if the federal government does not provide $12 billion in aid.
Former Governor David Patterson’s lobbying effort to oppose taxing the wealthy quickly fell apart this week. A day after the group was announced, some of the advocacy organizations that initially joined dropped out, saying that they were brought into the group under false pretenses.
The City Council is pushing the state to allow the city to borrow billions in order to avoid massive layoffs.
Revel scooters have returned to city streets after three recent fatalities caused a temporary ban. Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner of the NYC DOT, outlined new user protocols at a press conference.

Tiffany Cabán is expected to run for City Council District 22 (Astoria).
State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced a bill to allow county boards of election to establish drop boxes for absentee voters who are worried about reduced USPS service.
As a result of the wildcat strike initiated by NBA players in Orlando, Madison Square Garden is working with the NYC Board of Elections to be a polling location in the November election.