Category: Uncategorized

State Sen. John Liu Endorses Julie Won for District 26 Council Seat

March 12, 2021 By Allie Griffin Queens State Sen. John Liu has endorsed Julie Won in the crowded District 26 Council race. Won, a tech consultant and Queens Community Board 2 member, is one about 20 candidates running for the seat representing Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and parts of Astoria. Liu said he was… Read more »

NRG’s Astoria Power Plant Proposal Gets Thumbs Down From New York’s Congressional Delegation

March 11, 2021 By Christian Murray Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and eight members of New York’s congressional delegation have penned a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo expressing their opposition to NRG Energy’s plan to overhaul its Astoria power plant, saying that the plant would still rely on fossil fuels and would continue to emit dangerous… Read more »

More Than 55 State Legislators, Including 14 from Queens, Call for Governor Cuomo’s Resignation

March 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin More than 55 state legislators, including 14 from Queens, are calling for Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign amid mounting sexual harassment allegations and the state’s nursing home death scandal. The Democratic lawmakers released a joint statement Thursday demanding Cuomo resign and allow the lieutenant governor to take over for… Read more »

Tax Preparers From Flushing and Woodside Busted in Undercover Sting Operation

March 11, 2021 By Christian Murray Three tax preparers—one from Flushing and two from Woodside—were busted for fraud following sting operations conducted by undercover investigators. Yachun Lin, of ETS Tax Services on Main Street, was charged with tax fraud after she filed a return on behalf of an undercover investigator that contained bogus information in… Read more »

CM Van Bramer: What’s the Rush? If We Want Safe, Dignified and Truly Affordable Housing, We Need to Get This Right!

March 10, 2021 Op-Ed By Emily Sharpe I would like to address two errors contained in Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer’s op-ed explaining why he has decided to approve Phipps’ Barnett Avenue rezoning application. First, Councilmember Van Bramer stated: “all of this housing is for people who are at, near or below minimum wage earners.” That… Read more »

NYC Eateries Can Increase Their Indoor Dining Capacity to 50 Percent Next Week

March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City eateries will be permitted to increase indoor dining to 50 percent capacity starting on March 19, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday. Cuomo upped the capacity from its current level of 35 percent in a joint announcement with Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey. Murphy said New… Read more »

Mayor Unveils $65 Million Relief Fund for Taxi Medallion Owner-Drivers; Critics Say It Does Little to Help

March 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a plan Tuesday to provide $65 million in relief funds for taxi drivers plagued by the city’s taxi medallion crisis. The plan, however, was quickly criticized by cab drivers and progressive lawmakers–such as State Sen. Jessica Ramos–who say it doesn’t begin to address the… Read more »