Original reporting

Maximizing readiness and transparency for the next public health crisis

New York City's current Legionnaires' outbreak appears to be ending, but how ready will we be for the next outbreak? Key questions remain as City Council squares off against Mamdani administration.

To build a robust social democracy, just taxing the wealthy won’t be enough

Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider

Placing the tax burden entirely on the ultra-wealthy undermines the already difficult project of expanding government services and increasing infrastructure investment.

Taxes Income inequality Social welfare

Legionnaires' outbreak wanes but questions remain

Original Reporting | By Craig Gurian

Overall response by NYC’s Health Dept. has been swift and decisive, and outbreak appears to be waning. More fatalities still possible. Questions remain over adequacy of information provided to public. “Privacy” rationale for non-disclosure shaky.

How is NYC's Health Department handling the Legionnaires' outbreak?

Original Reporting | By Craig Gurian

In the face of a new outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene quickly pivoted to a strategy of aggressive remediation and significant transparency, with more information promised shortly. But what about describing to the public the common course of Legionnaires’ in more detail?

Declining school enrollment: it's not all doom and gloom

Story Repair, Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider, Craig Gurian

Widespread school enrollment declines undoubtedly come with challenges, but that’s not the whole story.

Why aren’t bus lanes a fully integrated part of New York City’s emergency response toolkit?

Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider

None of the needed planning, protocols, data collection, adaptations, or enforcement appear to be in place.

Revolving loan funds: The hottest trend in housing finance

Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider

A housing policy tool is gaining momentum that could stimulate lots of mixed-income homes for a relatively small investment. Will partisan ideology stand in the way of its spread?

Social housing coming to Seattle this year

Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider

Seattle is the only city in America attempting to recreate a Vienna-style social housing program. In an extended interview, Seattle Social Housing Developer's interim CEO discusses the authority's acquisition and construction plans, as well as many unresolved governance and financial questions.

With IRS enforcement down, state and local tax revenues could suffer, too

Original Reporting | By Benjamin Schneider

More cheating on federal tax returns would flow through to state and local returns, but state and local officials don't seem to have the potential problem on their radar. Former Chair of New York City Council Finance Committee: it's "smart to start thinking about it."

Major capital improvements in rent-regulated buildings: still landlord-friendly

Original Reporting, Data Visualizations | By Craig Gurian

The element of the system that has not been getting much attention is how landlords of rent-regulated apartments recoup costs for major capital improvements (MCIs) — things like new roofs, boilers, windows, plumbing, and electrical wiring.

Affordable housing Regulation NYC

Cuomo fails to answer questions about his new promises

Original Reporting | By Craig Gurian

Three basic inquiries arising out of a campaign-reboot walk-and-talk with Errol Louis on Inside City Hall go unanswered.

NYC mayoral election

Original reporting

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