On the first day for some school districts to go maskless, there was disagreement at one Long Island school over whether the change came too soon or was overdue. Source: New York Times
Posts published in “Local Government”
New York Businesses Ordered to Require Masks Indoors or Vaccine Proof
By Gotham Rex on December 10, 2021
Some Republican officials criticized the move, which Gov. Kathy Hochul labeled a “wake-up call” to areas where vaccination lags. Source: New York Times
N.Y.C. Grants Noncitizens Right to Vote in Local Elections
By Gotham Rex on December 9, 2021
The legislation approved by the City Council will set up a system for legal residents to vote in municipal elections. Source: New York Times
A Bitcoin Boom Fueled by Cheap Power, Empty Plants and Few Rules
By Gotham Rex on December 5, 2021
Cryptocurrency miners are flocking to New York’s faded industrial towns, prompting concern over the environmental impact of huge computer farms. Source: New York Times
New York Moves to Allow 800,000 Noncitizens to Vote in Local Elections
By Gotham Rex on November 23, 2021
New York City will become the largest municipality in the country to allow legal residents to vote if the legislation is approved as expected in December. Source: New York Times
Trump Organization, Already Under Indictment, Faces New Criminal Inquiry
By Gotham Rex on October 20, 2021
The investigation, by the Westchester County district attorney’s office, increases the legal scrutiny of the former president and his family business. Source: New York Times
N.Y.C. Union Leaders Say Mayor’s Covid Mandate Took Them by Surprise
By Gotham Rex on July 27, 2021
Municipal union leaders bristled at Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement that workers must get vaccinated or tested weekly, while city workers had mixed reactions. Source: New York Times
The $8 Billion Question: Which Towns Will Cash In on Marijuana?
By Gotham Rex on July 19, 2021
After legalization, municipalities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are deciding whether to permit cannabis businesses to open. Source: New York Times
As Cuomo Reels, Pleas for Political Support Come From His Vaccine Czar
By Gotham Rex on March 14, 2021
Larry Schwartz, whom Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo put in charge of the state’s vaccination efforts, called some county executives about support for the governor. Source: New York Times
Claire Shulman, First Woman to Lead Queens, Dies at 94
By Gotham Rex on August 17, 2020
She became borough president in the wake of a corruption scandal in 1986, then won elections that kept her in office as an advocate for Queens for 16 years. Source: New York Times
'Freeholder,' Title ‘Born From Racism,’ to Be Eliminated
By Gotham Rex on July 11, 2020
New Jersey will replace “freeholder,” the 18th-century designation for county lawmakers, with the word “commissioner.” Source: New York Times