Casey Berkovitz
@caseyberk.bsky.social
Working at the 2025 NYC Charter Revision Commission, always thinking about housing and land use. Also here for politics, sports, and bad jokes. Go bears.
"If the city is to remain open and functional, it has to keep welcoming both the family that’s been in the Bronx for 50 years and the couple that moved to Bed-Stuy last spring. New York works because both kinds of people keep showing up — not because we decide whose presence counts."
Who Made Mamdani Mayor?
Stop obsessing about transplants; it was the whole city. Anyway, transplants are people too!
joshgreenman.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
"If the city is to remain open and functional, it has to keep welcoming both the family that’s been in the Bronx for 50 years and the couple that moved to Bed-Stuy last spring. New York works because both kinds of people keep showing up — not because we decide whose presence counts."
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
the fact that multiple reports have suggested a fear that republicans would follow trump’s demands and abolish the filibuster motivated Ds to fold is incredibly damning and is a reminder that the senate itself is a major problem for those who want to save & revive american democracy.
Opinion | Democrats Were on a Roll. Why Stop Now?
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
the fact that multiple reports have suggested a fear that republicans would follow trump’s demands and abolish the filibuster motivated Ds to fold is incredibly damning and is a reminder that the senate itself is a major problem for those who want to save & revive american democracy.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
I was kind of 50/50 on whether or not Ds should make a deal - blocking SNAP payments isn't just a political tactic... it actively hurts people - just one month of missed $ is enough to plunge 23k NYers into poverty.
But then you see this kind of thinking and you get radicalized all over again.
But then you see this kind of thinking and you get radicalized all over again.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I was kind of 50/50 on whether or not Ds should make a deal - blocking SNAP payments isn't just a political tactic... it actively hurts people - just one month of missed $ is enough to plunge 23k NYers into poverty.
But then you see this kind of thinking and you get radicalized all over again.
But then you see this kind of thinking and you get radicalized all over again.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
New Yorkers are sick and tired of the housing crisis. Thanks to our new mayor and big wins to expand affordable housing across New York City, we finally have the chance to start building homes for every New Yorker.
November 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
New Yorkers are sick and tired of the housing crisis. Thanks to our new mayor and big wins to expand affordable housing across New York City, we finally have the chance to start building homes for every New Yorker.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
With the passage of the housing ballot initiatives, Mamdani won a second victory—one he didn’t even campaign for.
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
Zohran Mamdani actually won two elections
New York City’s newly elected mayor just won a fighting chance to enact his ambitious housing agenda.
www.fastcompany.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
With the passage of the housing ballot initiatives, Mamdani won a second victory—one he didn’t even campaign for.
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
These laws will make at least some of his housing policy goals meaningfully easier to achieve.
www.fastcompany.com/91436060/zoh...
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
An incomplete list of cities where housing abundance was a major campaign issue & pro-housing candidates held or expanded majorities:
- Bozeman, MT
- Cambridge, MA
- Durham, NC
- Kalispell, MT
- Littleton, CO
- Manchester, NH
- Missoula, MT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Seattle, WA
- Wilmington, NC
💪
- Bozeman, MT
- Cambridge, MA
- Durham, NC
- Kalispell, MT
- Littleton, CO
- Manchester, NH
- Missoula, MT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Seattle, WA
- Wilmington, NC
💪
We'll post a list sometime soon but in addition to all the D vs. R stories tonight, in basically every nonpartisan election in the country today, the more pro-housing candidate won.
November 5, 2025 at 6:24 PM
An incomplete list of cities where housing abundance was a major campaign issue & pro-housing candidates held or expanded majorities:
- Bozeman, MT
- Cambridge, MA
- Durham, NC
- Kalispell, MT
- Littleton, CO
- Manchester, NH
- Missoula, MT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Seattle, WA
- Wilmington, NC
💪
- Bozeman, MT
- Cambridge, MA
- Durham, NC
- Kalispell, MT
- Littleton, CO
- Manchester, NH
- Missoula, MT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Seattle, WA
- Wilmington, NC
💪
An affordable housing mandate.
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
An affordable housing mandate.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
As the sun sets on election day, a few more councilmembers have come out in support of the ballot measures (or some of them), even as council leadership is united in opposition.
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
As the sun sets on election day, a few more councilmembers have come out in support of the ballot measures (or some of them), even as council leadership is united in opposition.
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Zohran’s voting yes on them too!
November 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Zohran’s voting yes on them too!
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Take it from the Municipal Art Society: Voting YES on ballot proposals 2-5 is a vote for affordability and a stronger city
Unpaywalled link: archive.is/t72uF
paywalled link: www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/op-ed-...
Unpaywalled link: archive.is/t72uF
paywalled link: www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/op-ed-...
November 4, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Take it from the Municipal Art Society: Voting YES on ballot proposals 2-5 is a vote for affordability and a stronger city
Unpaywalled link: archive.is/t72uF
paywalled link: www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/op-ed-...
Unpaywalled link: archive.is/t72uF
paywalled link: www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/op-ed-...
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Well fam, lets get it.
Vote 🗳️ yes ✅ 2-5 on the housing 🏘️ ballots
Vote 🗳️ yes ✅ 2-5 on the housing 🏘️ ballots
November 4, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Well fam, lets get it.
Vote 🗳️ yes ✅ 2-5 on the housing 🏘️ ballots
Vote 🗳️ yes ✅ 2-5 on the housing 🏘️ ballots
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Just in: Zohran Mamdani says he's voting yes on ballot questions 1-5 and no on 6.
November 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Just in: Zohran Mamdani says he's voting yes on ballot questions 1-5 and no on 6.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Polls open in 8 hours.
In 8 hours, New Yorkers can choose a more affordable future — on the front of the ballot with @ZohranKMamdani.bsky.social and the back of the ballot with @YesOnAffHousing.bsky.social props 2-5.
In 8 hours, New Yorkers can choose a more affordable future — on the front of the ballot with @ZohranKMamdani.bsky.social and the back of the ballot with @YesOnAffHousing.bsky.social props 2-5.
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Polls open in 8 hours.
In 8 hours, New Yorkers can choose a more affordable future — on the front of the ballot with @ZohranKMamdani.bsky.social and the back of the ballot with @YesOnAffHousing.bsky.social props 2-5.
In 8 hours, New Yorkers can choose a more affordable future — on the front of the ballot with @ZohranKMamdani.bsky.social and the back of the ballot with @YesOnAffHousing.bsky.social props 2-5.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Still undecided about ballot props 2-5? Read this op-ed from @michelle_delauz, ED of @FACbrooklyn.
Fifth Avenue Committee is deeply committed to community voice & vision — and to communities with enough affordable housing that voice & vision are shared.
brooklyneagle.com/articles/202...
Fifth Avenue Committee is deeply committed to community voice & vision — and to communities with enough affordable housing that voice & vision are shared.
brooklyneagle.com/articles/202...
This election, vote to make Brooklyn more affordable
Brooklyn’s rising costs demand action; these ballot proposals speed up affordable housing while keeping communities involved.
brooklyneagle.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Still undecided about ballot props 2-5? Read this op-ed from @michelle_delauz, ED of @FACbrooklyn.
Fifth Avenue Committee is deeply committed to community voice & vision — and to communities with enough affordable housing that voice & vision are shared.
brooklyneagle.com/articles/202...
Fifth Avenue Committee is deeply committed to community voice & vision — and to communities with enough affordable housing that voice & vision are shared.
brooklyneagle.com/articles/202...
Tomorrow is Election Day. I hope you'll vote for proposals 2-6.
If you'll indulge me, a quick run-down of the remarkable coalition of supporters: Starting with the editorial boards of the Daily News, Post, and Crain's, and though the Times has declined to weigh in, Mara Gay.
If you'll indulge me, a quick run-down of the remarkable coalition of supporters: Starting with the editorial boards of the Daily News, Post, and Crain's, and though the Times has declined to weigh in, Mara Gay.
November 4, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Tomorrow is Election Day. I hope you'll vote for proposals 2-6.
If you'll indulge me, a quick run-down of the remarkable coalition of supporters: Starting with the editorial boards of the Daily News, Post, and Crain's, and though the Times has declined to weigh in, Mara Gay.
If you'll indulge me, a quick run-down of the remarkable coalition of supporters: Starting with the editorial boards of the Daily News, Post, and Crain's, and though the Times has declined to weigh in, Mara Gay.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Anyways: higher turnout and a more representative electorate are good AND save the city money. Yes on 6
November 3, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Anyways: higher turnout and a more representative electorate are good AND save the city money. Yes on 6
Marathon day vibes are immaculate
November 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Marathon day vibes are immaculate
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
Abduction of Proserpina, by Giambologna, 1579 (from the @NortonSimon Museum in Pasadena), 📸 by @nturchiarophoto
November 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Abduction of Proserpina, by Giambologna, 1579 (from the @NortonSimon Museum in Pasadena), 📸 by @nturchiarophoto
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
yamamoto unquestionably the mvp
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
yamamoto unquestionably the mvp
LFG Dodgers!!!!!
Rojas, Max, Will, YAMA
Rojas, Max, Will, YAMA
THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS ARE BACK-TO-BACK WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
November 2, 2025 at 4:25 AM
LFG Dodgers!!!!!
Rojas, Max, Will, YAMA
Rojas, Max, Will, YAMA
"Every delay has a cost. Every stalled project is a family left waiting, another family priced out, another neighborhood losing the diversity that defines New York. We can’t build an equitable city if only a few communities carry the weight of its affordable housing needs."
Yes on 2 to speed affordable housing
When families sit at their kitchen tables each month and ask, “Can we afford to stay here?” the answer is too often no. New York is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis that has affected …
www.nydailynews.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"Every delay has a cost. Every stalled project is a family left waiting, another family priced out, another neighborhood losing the diversity that defines New York. We can’t build an equitable city if only a few communities carry the weight of its affordable housing needs."
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
City officials are not supposed to use city funds to battle ballot proposals. But that is exactly what the City Council is doing, records obtained by @marinasam.bsky.social now confirm.
Council Spent $1.5 Million on Anti-Ballot Measure Mailers Despite Electioneering Ban
Records obtained by THE CITY show nearly $1.3 million on postage and $207,000 on printing to urge voters to block proposals that would fast-track affordable housing by constraining Council members’ po...
www.thecity.nyc
October 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
City officials are not supposed to use city funds to battle ballot proposals. But that is exactly what the City Council is doing, records obtained by @marinasam.bsky.social now confirm.
Reposted by Casey Berkovitz
really good thread on the NYC ballot questions and why you should vote yes (I did!)
I support proposals 2-4 on the NYC ballot, which would make it moderately easier adjust zoning for higher-density housing development. I have to say, seeing how controversial this is among people I know is giving me some new sympathy for the angry YIMBYs online.
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
really good thread on the NYC ballot questions and why you should vote yes (I did!)