Next month, New York City voters will have four proposals to decide on:
a statewide proposal that would boost spending in Albany on future environment-related projects
creating a “statement of values” for NYC’s government
creating a NYC racial equity office
defining how the cost of living is calculated in NYC
If approved, the four ballot questions — one that pertains to the state and three to the city — would each take effect right away.
The four ballot proposals as they will appear on the ballot are listed here. The full proposal language for Proposal 1 can be read here; Proposals 2, 3 and 4 can be read here.
Back view portrait of young African-American people standing in voting booth and thinking, copy space
Proposal 1: Environmental Bond Act of 2022
This proposal would allow New York State to borrow $4.2 billion through a bond issuance for specific environment-related projects and policy efforts.
That includes $250 million for improving stormwater systems, $200 million for wastewater infrastructure, $500 million for zero-emissions school buses and $1.5 billion for climate mitigation such as wetland protection and renewable energy projects.
This would be the first environmental bond act enacted for 26 years in New York, according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Proposal 2: Statement of Values for City Government
This measure would create a mission statement of sorts for New York’s government by adding a preamble to the city charter that includes a statement of “values and vision,” the ballot proposal says, that aims to create a “just and equitable city for all.”
The proposal, will be a preamble to the NYC charter that “acknowledges and speaks to historical wrongs” in order to “reconstruct, revise and reimagine our city’s foundations, structures, institutions, and laws to promote justice and equity for all New Yorkers.”
Proposal 3: Racial Equity Plans and Office
This measure would bring three new requirements to the city charter: mandating that all city agencies create “racial equity plans” every two years, establishing a new Office of Racial Equity to coordinate racial equity planning across city government and creating a Commission on Racial Equity. That commission would identify and propose priorities for racial equity planning, and review the racial equity plans for each city agency.
Proposal 4: True Cost of Living
This measure would mandate that the city government use a new method to calculate the “true cost of living” in the city without taking into account public, private or informal assistance a person or household may receive. Instead, the proposed “true cost” measure would be based on “actual household income required to meet the essential needs of people living in New York City,” the commission said. It would include costs related to housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, clothing and shoes, hygiene products, household items, and telephone and internet services, among other things.
AT 125TH STREET: UPTOWN VINYL SUPREME, PLUS THE TED SMOOTH AFTERPARTY
Uptown Vinyl Supreme will be bringing vinyl to the people from 12-4 p.m., followed from 4-6 p.m. by the Ted Smooth afterparty.
AT 124TH STREET: ROLLERSKATES, CITI BIKE & LIVE STREET ART
Lace up your rollerskates for our street skate rink with the African American Roller-Skate Museum and UME Rollerskate. Rollerskates will be provided for the sessions, while supplies last.
Pad up and try out a skateboard, with beginner clinics and obstacle courses from our friends from Bronx Girls Skate and Go Sports. Skateboards and safety gear will be provided for the sessions, while supplies last.
The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance presents Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Los Pleneros de la 21, Rebolu & Yasser Tejeda (at La Placita, 1-7 p.m.).
AT 115TH STREET: OPEN STREETS SAMPLE STATIONS AT LA MARQUETA
Enjoy samples from the vendors from La Marqueta (while supplies last!).
Then gather around One Big Table provided by Street Lab, and share your stories with WNYC!
Then finish the day off by learning about the Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project — which will rehabilitate this 130-year-old structure that we’ve been partying along.
HYDRATION STATIONS:
West of the tracks: Water station from Carter Hospital at 122nd Street.
And to sum it all up, a great list from Astor Row:
Events at the Harlem Rose Garden
The Harlem Rose Garden (East 129th Street at 5th Avenue) is hosting a number of events in October. Garden members thought it would be a great idea to host a series of laughter filled movie nights and their annual Halloween bash!
The events are limited to 25 people. All events will be first come first served and you are required to wear a mask unless eating or drinking.
To stay COVID friendly we are encouraging members to bring their own personal snacks or dinners.
New images and marketing material from The Smile. Luxury at Lex/126.
The design of the building slopes inward as it rises upward, providing great views of the Harlem River and Manhattan skyline. The cantilevering footprint over 125th Street allows for a mix of apartment sizes layouts, while the facade’s interlocking checkerboard pattern gives every unit floor-to-ceiling windows.
“The homes rise above and beyond the Gotham Retail Plaza, cantilevering over to 125th street as it captures the views and sunlight from the south,” Ingels said in a statement. “The Smile is designed for the desires of Harlem’s residents of today – joining the diverse Harlem neighborhood, integrating wellness amenities and offering generous roof gardens.”
The Smile will officially launch leasing this summer, led by Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing. According to a new teaser site, availabilities include $2,299/month studios, $2,795/month one-bedrooms, and $3,814/month two-bedrooms, with concessions of up to 3 months free rent on a 15-month lease.
This year, registered voters can vote three ways: By absentee ballot, in-person early voting, or in-person voting on Election Day, November 3, 2020.
All registered voters can request an absentee ballot if they are concerned about COVID-19 for the November 3 election. Signed absentee ballots can be returned to drop boxes without a wait at over 300 locations statewide.