An influx of federal funds may have saved the M.T.A. and staved off painful budget cuts in Albany and New York City. There’s a fight over what comes next. Source: New York Times
Posts published in “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (2020)”
New York Requested $1 Billion for Pandemic Rent Relief. It's Getting Far Less.
By Gotham Rex on January 4, 2022
The gap illustrates how severe the economic crisis has been in New York, and how aid programs may be falling short. Source: New York Times
Parents of Students With Disabilities Try to Make Up for Lost Year
By Gotham Rex on September 17, 2021
In New York City, the shift to remote learning “exacerbated pre-existing achievement gaps” for the 200,000 thousand students with disabilities. Source: New York Times
800,000 New Yorkers Just Lost Federal Unemployment Benefits
By Gotham Rex on September 7, 2021
Many pandemic-era federal programs expired on Sunday, leaving jobless New Yorkers with more modest state unemployment benefits, or no aid at all. Source: New York Times
$2.1 Billion to Aid Undocumented Workers Signals N.Y.’s Progressive Shift
By Gotham Rex on April 8, 2021
The fund, which could provide payments to hundreds of thousands of people excluded from other pandemic relief, ignited a battle among state lawmakers before it was approved this week. Source: New York Times
NY Reaches Deal on $212 Billion Budget to Jump-Start Economic Recovery
By Gotham Rex on April 6, 2021
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Legislature have agreed to raise taxes on the wealthy and give aid to renters, businesses and undocumented immigrants. Source: New York Times
How the Homeless Are Struggling to Get Their Stimulus Checks
By Gotham Rex on April 6, 2021
Many people living in homeless shelters and on the street have not received the federal stimulus checks they’re entitled to, stymied by misinformation and bureaucracy. Source: New York Times
New York to Spend $65 Million to Rescue Cab Drivers. Is It Enough?
By Gotham Rex on March 9, 2021
The city will use part of the money it expects to receive in the federal stimulus package to aid drivers who fell victim to exploitative loans. Source: New York Times
How Neighborhood Groups Are Trying to Provide a Pandemic Safety Net
By Gotham Rex on March 3, 2021
Mutual aid groups are evolving into a long-term effort to help with food, clothing and counseling. “It’s about building the world we want to see,” one volunteer said. Source: New York Times
Gov. Phil Murphy Unveils N.J. Budget Plan With No New Taxes
By Gotham Rex on February 24, 2021
A $44.8 billion spending plan unveiled Tuesday by Gov. Phil Murphy calls for no new taxes and fully funds the state pension program for the first time since 1996. Source: New York Times
N.Y.C. Staves Off Cuts to Public Transit, Despite Dire Warnings
By Gotham Rex on February 18, 2021
Transit officials are expected to announce on Thursday that they will not slash bus or subway service through 2022. Source: New York Times
One Hospital System Sued 2,500 Patients After Pandemic Hit
By Gotham Rex on January 5, 2021
The largest health system in New York, led by a close ally of the governor, continues to sue over medical debt during the Covid-19 crisis, even after other big hospitals suspended lawsuits. Source: New York Times
National Endowment for the Humanities Announces New Grants
By Gotham Rex on December 16, 2020
The final round of funding for the year totals $32.8 million and will support 213 projects across the country. Source: New York Times
M.T.A. Budget Cuts: Agency Could Avoid Doomsday Scenario
By Gotham Rex on December 16, 2020
New York’s transportation agency is expected to pass a stopgap budget that omits the draconian cuts transit officials have threatened in recent months. Source: New York Times
Just When Restaurants Thought 2020 Couldn’t Get Any Worse …
By Gotham Rex on December 14, 2020
Everything seemed to conspire against New York City’s food and drink businesses. Now, indoor dining has been taken away again. Source: New York Times