I hope you and your family are doing well and enjoyed watching the first flurries of 2024 last weekend. Between "Getting Stuff Done” on-the-ground in NYC and spending a day in Albany to meet with our elected state officials about our city’s priorities, it’s been a busy week of listening, leading, and learning. Here's how we delivered for you:
Turning landfill into a composting facility – We're increasing our capacity to turn food waste into compost by 2,000% at the site of a former landfill. With this increased capacity, by the end of 2024, all New Yorkers will have free access to hassle-free curbside composting!
Restoring crucial agency funding – Despite significant fiscal challenges, we were able to responsibly manage our city’s budget to restore funding for a new class of NYPD recruits and reinstate fifth firefighters at 20 FDNY engine companies. We also restored Sanitation and NYC Parks funding to keep our streets and parks clean and green.
Increasing swimming access – We announced a first-of-its-kind portable, floating pool that will be tested this summer! Using innovative filtering technology, the +Pool will allow more New Yorkers to cool off on a hot summer day. After fulfilling all health and safety requirements, the +Pool is scheduled to be opened to the public next year.
↳ Three things to know this week:
COVID-19 rates continue to rise after the holidays. Get an updated COVID vaccine to protect yourself from new variants. Use our easy interactive vaccine finder to make your plan! Most insurances will cover your costs, but the finder also lets New Yorkers without insurance filter for no-cost vaccines near them.
The MTA is now accepting public comments from New Yorkers on the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program. As the MTA considers adopting the state’s congestion pricing program, you can make your opinion heard for or against the initiative by submitting a written comment online, speaking in-person, or calling in via Zoom for their upcoming public hearings.
...you can view some of NYC’s most iconic landmarks in gingerbread form? The Museum of the City of New York had 23 local bakers compete to construct gingerbread displays showing off the special scenes and structures of New York in the winter. The bakers’ submissions are showcased at the museum through Monday (1/15)! Learn more here.
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Stay warm and have a great weekend, New Yorkers! If you’re still in the holiday spirit, this is your last opportunity to view the 80-foot-tall Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. On Saturday (1/13), it’s time to say goodbye as they send it off to become lumber for charity.
