Author | Lightnews

How NYC governs for the dogs

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Aug 4

With all the issues that are top of mind for New Yorkers at the moment, who imagined that animal welfare would be a factor in the race for more? But it is. There's lots to discuss. Check out @hollypret.bsky.social's story in @cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Elected officials are dealing with hundreds of thousands of barking, pooping, drama-prone constituents.

Is NYC’s housing engine finally restarting? New residential permit filings jump in second quarter

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jul 16

Seen first in @cityandstateny.bsky.social - Is NYC turning the corner following a years long slump in new residential construction? Data from 2025 second quarter new building permit filings shows a 43% increase year-over-year, via upcoming REBNY report. www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Building permits are up 43% year-over-year as the new 485-x tax break takes effect. Most projects are capped at 99 units – just below the wage trigger in the new program.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jul 9

NEW: The 1199 endorsement of Cuomo does not automatically carry over into the general election - 1199 SEIU’s Executive Council is scheduled to consider endorsements at their next meeting. Sources familiar with the process said they'll meet next week. @cityandstateny.bsky.social @1199seiu.org

The democratic socialist Assembly member has championed ambitious reforms, with limited success in getting them enacted into law.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 27

The statement he issued a day after the worst killing of Jews since the Holocaust, when people were still learning horrific details about the attacks of Oct. 7th, has 4.7 million views on X, with an increase during the campaign. Many Jews saw this as a justification of Hamas’s actions.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 24

Good morning from the polling station at P.S. 282 in Park Slope where a steady stream of voters have been coming and going ever since the polls opened at 6 AM. The temperature was 83 degrees, going to a muggy 99. Follow @cityandstateny.bsky.social later today for results.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 19

ICYMI: You may have heard mayoral candidates mention it at debates. Mamdani has gotten only 3 bills passed into law during his time in the Assembly. What are those three laws? What else has he done in Albany? The story in @cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Zohran Mamdani’s 3 bills

The democratic socialist Assembly member has championed ambitious reforms, with limited success in getting them enacted into law.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 18

It's been mentioned a bunch of times by several mayoral candidates - Only 3 bills sponsored by @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social have been signed into law since he entered the Assembly. What were those bills? What else has he done? Read it @cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Zohran Mamdani’s 3 bills

www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 12

The cops showed up at Mercedes Narcisse’s house. She blames her City Council opponents

The Brooklyn City Council member took to Instagram to condemn what she described as false 311 complaints. Her opponents said they had nothing to do with the early morning incident.

Congress members denied entry to Manhattan ICE facility, claim overcrowding, unsanitary conditions

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 9

Congress members denied entry to Manhattan ICE facility, claim overcrowding, unsanitary conditions www.nydailynews.com/2025/06/08/c...

Two members of Congress were prevented from entering an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Manhattan today after attempting to inspect it amid widespread detainments and claims of unbe…

www.nydailynews.com

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Jun 5

AOC's ranked mayoral endorsements announcement followed a flurry of endorsements from groups and individuals in recent weeks. Many backed more than one candidate. Not all ranked their choices. What's a voter to think? My story in @cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Some endorsers aren’t ranking their preferred NYC candidates. Is that too confusing for voters?

In this new ranked-choice reality, we’re seeing “tiers” and “slates” and “co-endorsements.”

Can NY stop ICE from arresting immigrants at federal courthouses?

Reposted by Steve Kastenbaum

Peter Sterne @petersterne.com · May 30

I'm very proud of this article that we just published on @cityandstateny.bsky.social by Austin C. Jefferson and @skastenbaum.bsky.social, which examines whether state lawmakers can do anything to stop the recent wave of ICE arrests at federal courthouses: www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Existing state law only limits arrests at state courthouses, and it’s not clear the state Legislature has the power to stop arrests in federal buildings.

Can NY stop ICE from arresting immigrants at federal courthouses?

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · May 30

ICE agents are staking out immigration courts, often masking their faces, waiting to arrest people after cases are unexpectedly dismissed. Can NY state stop them? @repdangoldman.bsky.social
called it Gestapo tactics. Our story in
@cityandstateny.bsky.social www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

Existing state law only limits arrests at state courthouses, and it’s not clear the state Legislature has the power to stop arrests in federal buildings.

All Authors Working on Flagship U.S. Climate Report Are Dismissed

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Apr 29

Every day is a race against time to protect the country's most vulnerable residents against the effects of Climate Change. The effort is in doubt under Trump.

All Authors Working on Flagship U.S. Climate Report Are Dismissed www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/c...

The Trump administration told researchers it was “releasing” them from their roles. It puts the future of the assessment, which is required by Congress, in doubt.

Donald Trump’s Ego Melts the Global Economy

Reposted by Steve Kastenbaum

The New Yorker @newyorker.com · Apr 4

Eviscerated retirement savings. Blown-up supply chains. Pissed-off allies. sbg1.bsky.social writes about the aftermath of Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.

On a chilly Wednesday afternoon, the President announced he would single-handedly blow up a century’s worth of globalization.

www.newyorker.com

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Apr 4

Dow fell another 1000 points www.cnn.com/politics/liv...

Trump tariffs spark global trade war: Live updates | CNN Politics

China slapped retaliatory tariffs on US imports as President Donald Trump and his administration continue to unleash his agenda. Follow for live updates.

www.cnn.com

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Mar 20

Tesla Recalls Nearly All Cybertrucks Over Stainless Steel Panels Falling Off www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/b...

Tesla Recalls Nearly All Cybertrucks Over Stainless Steel Panels Falling Off

The recall of about 46,000 vehicles includes all models that were manufactured from November 2023, when the Cybertruck was first produced, through February.

Undocumented Workers, Fearing Deportation, Are Staying Home

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Mar 9

A Chill Sets In for Undocumented Workers, and Those Who Hire Them www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/b...

Fearing roundups, many immigrants are staying home. Construction, agriculture, senior care and hospitality employers say labor shortages will worsen.

‘It’s bedlam’: Federal workers left in limbo as clock ticks down to Musk’s email deadline | CNN Politics

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 25

The GOP convinced voters they were the party that cared about the American worker. Then, they put Elon Musk in charge of the work force, despite his history of treating workers like they were disposable, and being anti-labor movement. www.cnn.com/2025/02/24/p...

Federal workers spent Monday trying to figure out how – or even whether – to respond to Elon Musk’s weekend email blast telling them to explain their work last week or risk losing their job.

www.cnn.com

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 21

Mayor Adams has not answered questions about the DOJ investigation and four deputy mayors resigning. He lost the confidence of his top four managers. New Yorkers deserve to know who is running the city. These deputy mayors were were the public servants who implemented policies and put out fires.

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 21

Manhattan Buses Got a Bit Faster in First Month of Congestion Pricing www.thecity.nyc/2025/02/21/c...

Manhattan Buses Got a Bit Faster in First Month of Congestion Pricing

Just as President Donald Trump moved to shut down the tolling plan, data shows — and riders say — the bus experience going crosstown has become better.

www.thecity.nyc

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Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 21

Hochul Aims to Increase Oversight Over Adams in Wake of Trump Deal www.thecity.nyc/2025/02/20/g...

Hochul Aims to Increase Oversight Over Adams in Wake of Trump Deal

The governor, who had been mulling using her power to oust the embattled mayor, cites “the will of the voters” to keep him in place — despite his pact to drop corruption charges.

www.thecity.nyc

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh’s request for ‘out of the box thinking’ sparked demotion drama: EXCLUSIVE

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 20

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh's request for 'out of the box thinking' sparked demotion drama: EXCLUSIVE www.nydailynews.com/2023/02/11/f...

FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh asked her top brass for fresh ideas to tackle issues within the department, but her chiefs were more interested in how far outside the city they could drive their t…

www.nydailynews.com

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 18

If the NYC mayor either steps down or is removed from office, public advocate Jumaane Williams would fill the void and oversee a special election in as soon as 90 days. It would be a non-partisan, ranked choice vote to fill the remainder of the term.. Then, in June, we'd still have the Dem primary.

He Nearly Ended Cuomo’s Career. Now He Says His Ex-Rival Should Be Mayor.

Steve Kastenbaum @skastenbaum.bsky.social · Feb 18

An extremely reliable source told me someone working on Cuomo's upcoming campaign already reached out to them to see if they'd be interested in a position at City Hall in a Cuomo administration. Seems to be just a matter of when he announces he's in the race. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/n...

H. Carl McCall, whose 2002 primary race with Andrew M. Cuomo became a racially charged clash, is urging the former governor to run for mayor of New York City.