By Vito R. Pitta, Esq.

Canceled Budget Cuts Headline Spring’s Political News
Many New Yorkers breathed a sigh of relief when Mayor Eric Adams announced late in February that promised budget cuts were no longer in the offering. This is of particular relief to our members and their families since New York City agencies were staring down the barrel of a 5 percent cut in spending for April 2024 on the heels of two previous rounds of budget cuts. Further comfort could be found in Mayor Adams’ announcement that there would be a relaxation of the hiring freeze that was in place, along with other limits on contract spending.

Higher than expected revenue projections, along with a 10 percent drop in the cost of sheltering migrants were the primary reasons for the good budget news.

The relaxation of the hiring freeze will allow city agencies to hire a new person for every two individuals that leave. Also, among the rollbacks are cuts in all non-salary spending for everything from supplies and equipment to contract services.

February Special Elections
Former Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi was victorious in a special election for Long Island’s 3rd District to replace former GOP Congressman, George Santos. Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip despite the snowstorm that battered New York City on election day. There is a very good chance Suozzi and Pilip will face off again in the general election in November.

Also, victorious on the snow-covered day was attorney Landon Dais who prevailed in the Assembly race for the 77th District seat in the Bronx, representing portions of Claremont, Concourse, Highbridge, Mount Eden and Morris Heights. Dais succeeds Democrat Latoya Joyner who resigned the seat in January.

Looking ahead, Republicans chose former NYPD Detective Mike Sapraicone at their convention as their nominee to run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in November. Though Sapraicone won over a majority of Republican delegates at their Binghamton convention, he still faces a primary challenge from two conservative members of the party, Josh Eisen and Cara Castronuova.

NYCHA Gets New Federal Monitor
The international law firm Jenner & Block will serve as NYCHA’s new independent monitor beginning on March 1st. Jenner & Block succeed Bart Schwartz and his consulting company, Guidepost Solutions, which have served as the monitor since February 2019 in an agreement between NYCHA, then Mayor Bill de Blasio, and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The independent monitor is meant to help NYCHA address issues of neglect and mismanagement as it concerns its properties and tenants.

Though they applied to continue their work, Schwartz and Guidepost failed to meet many of the milestones set out to improve living conditions in NYCHA’s properties. For this reason, HUD, the Manhattan U.S. Attorney and the City decided to move on to Jenner & Block. Two partners from Jenner & Block will offer their monitorship for free but will charge the city for its services and any consultants they decide to hire.

NYCHA Residents Set for Second “Trust” Vote
In mid-March almost 200 seniors at NYCHA’s Bronx River Addition in Soundview will follow their neighbors at the Nostrand Housing in Brooklyn and vote on whether the Housing Authority should bring in private developers, maintain traditional public housing, or count on the Public Housing Preservation Trust to perform upgrades and repairs.

In December 2023, the Nostrand tenants voted overwhelmingly for the Trust option – over 750 votes.

Since as a public authority NYCHA cannot issue bonds, the Public Housing Preservation Trust was set up as a non-profit in association with NYCHA, that will have the ability to raise billions of dollars for repairs through the bond market. The Trust is overseen by a 9-member Board of Directors – one of those directors is a labor representative, who is a Local 237 member.

Though the Brooklyn vote was a blow out for the Trust and a strong vote of confidence in NYCHA’s public employees, the Bronx River vote is complicated by the fact that many of its households are scattered throughout the city. Due to a faulty heating system, Building 12 in Soundview was deemed uninhabitable and 60 seniors were forced to move to temporary residencies throughout the city.

Even though tenants can mail-in ballots or vote remotely, the fact that so many residents are spread across the city has complicated outreach and voting educational efforts.

Remote voters can cast ballots by mail or online for 30 days beginning March 13th, which is followed by 10 days of in-person voting between April 2nd and April 11th. The voting near the Bronx River Addition will take place between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on all days. Developments opting for the Trust will continue to be managed and maintained by Local 237 members.