Mamdani Bus Push, LaGuardia Bus Lane, Second Home Tax

Politics & Policy

• Mamdani taps senior adviser to lead push for fast, free buses · Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed a senior adviser to advance his campaign promise of making buses fast and free, though Albany did not fund the free fare this year. The effort continues to focus on improving transit speed and accessibility citywide. (Samantha Liebman)
• First Deputy Mayor Fuleihan details Mayor Mamdani’s executive budget · Mamdani unveiled a $125 billion spending plan that closes a $12 billion gap without major service cuts or tax hikes. The budget outlines priorities ahead of the fiscal year starting July 1. (Annika Pergament)
• City Council reviews Mamdani budget proposal · The City Council began scrutinizing Mamdani’s budget proposal with negotiations set to continue through June. Council members assess funding allocations and potential amendments. (Spectrum News Staff)
• ‘It’s perjury’: Witnesses condemn ICE for lying in court filing about assaulting reporters documenting Federal Plaza operations · An ICE supervisor submitted a sworn affidavit last week that witnesses say falsely denied assaults on journalists at 26 Federal Plaza by masked agents in 2025. The affidavit came amid an ongoing lawsuit challenging ICE’s courthouse conduct. (AM New York)
• Community Leader Convicted in Case Tied to Alleged Chinese “Overseas Police Station” in Chinatown · Jianwang Lu, a prominent Chinatown community leader, was convicted during jury deliberations linked to an alleged Chinese “overseas police station” operating in the neighborhood. The trial drew attention from both local supporters and federal prosecutors. (Documented NY)

Housing & Transit

• New bus lane set to speed up trips to LaGuardia ahead of World Cup · NYC is adding a dedicated bus lane in Queens to cut transit times to LaGuardia Airport before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The lane aims to improve convenience for travelers during the soccer tournament. (Erica Brosnan)
• Governor Hochul warned New Yorkers that they may have to work from home if the LIRR strikes · Governor Kathy Hochul cautioned Long Islanders to prepare for remote work if the Long Island Rail Road strike proceeds as scheduled for this weekend, which would disrupt thousands of daily commuters. (Laura Ratliff)
• LIRR strike threat: MTA labor lawyer says worker walkout is avoidable, but unions say they are far from deal · An MTA labor attorney said a strike involving 3,500 LIRR workers is avoidable, but union leaders reported no deal is near as the scheduled May 17 strike deadline looms. (PoliticsNY)
• Vacant Affordable Apartments Won’t Go Back Into Lottery System — For Now · Landlords and brokers can continue publicly advertising vacant affordable units for another year, bypassing the city’s Housing Connect lottery. This policy, active since May 2025, makes applying for affordable housing more direct for renters. (THE CITY)

Culture & Lifestyle

• This Michelin-starred Indian restaurant from Chicago is opening in NYC · Chef Sujan Sarkar is launching Indienne along with two other dining concepts inside Henry Hall at Hudson Yards this summer, bringing Michelin-starred Indian cuisine to NYC. (Gerrish Lopez)
• EXCLUSIVE: Mayor Mamdani is kicking off a scavenger hunt-like NYC Neighborhood Passport for the World Cup · Mamdani launched a World Cup-themed neighborhood passport encouraging New Yorkers to explore all five boroughs during the soccer tournament. Participants visit local spots between matches for special experiences. (Christina Izzo)
• Car-free ‘Soccer Streets’ and block-party-style celebrations are coming to NYC · NYC will close select school blocks to vehicles for World Cup celebrations, creating pedestrian-friendly “Soccer Streets” featuring block parties and street fairs. (Mark Peikert)
• Josh Hart speaks on Knicks focus, organizational success ahead of Eastern Conference finals · After sweeping the 76ers, Knicks guard Josh Hart highlighted the team’s recovery and mental preparation waiting on Eastern Conference finals opponents. (AM New York)
• This Haitian Couple Wants Rogers Burgers to Be a Flatbush Staple · Haiti-born Josue Pierre and Jonathan Pierre-Lafleur operate Rogers Burgers in Flatbush, aiming to make it a local neighborhood favorite through personalized orders and community connections. (Brooklyn Magazine)

Civic Services

• Op-Ed | He went to the ER 15 times. New York still had no plan. · Nicholas, a 15-year-old with autism and mental health needs, visited the ER 15 times since last summer without receiving a coordinated care plan, exposing gaps in NYC’s behavioral health system. (AM New York)
• Learning and Earning: A Guide to Summer Jobs and Activities for NYC Teens · NYC teens can apply for summer paid jobs, internships, volunteer roles, and career training programs available across the city this summer. (Documented NY)
• Ex-Brooklyn judge, real estate developer accused of scamming investors out of millions · A former Brooklyn judge and developer are charged with defrauding investors of millions through false promises, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. (Gothamist)
• Mayor Mamdani restores library funding after public outcry · Mamdani reversed a proposed cut by adding $31.7 million to NYC libraries’ budgets in his executive plan unveiled this week. (Gothamist)
• Deadly fires in the Bronx prompt renewed focus on fire safety · At least nine people died in four Bronx fires from January to early May, prompting FDNY to push heightened fire safety measures in northern Manhattan and the Bronx. (Olivia Leach)

Civic Engagement

• NYCHA Tenants Can Sit Down With City Officials at 3 Forums Kicking Off Next Week · NYCHA residents can share feedback and concerns directly with city officials at three forums starting next week. These events address criticism of earlier Rental Ripoff hearings. (City Limits)

Events

• The Met and the Neue Galerie are merging · The Met will merge with the Neue Galerie in 2028, taking over its 20th-century Austrian and German art collection and the building at 1048 Fifth Avenue. This merger creates the largest such collection outside Europe. (6sqft)
• “THIS IS PROVOCATIVE AND ENTERTAINING MUSICAL THEATRE AT ITS BEST.” – NEWSNOTES DANCE (SPONSORED) · 10 to 4 Productions presents “CABLE STREET,” a new musical directed by Adam Lenson featuring a diverse cast inspired by true events, running at an undisclosed venue. (The Skint)

DEEP DIVE

New second home tax also opens door to future city property tax structure overhaul

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a second-home tax proposal targeting 8,000 to 10,000 New York City properties valued over $5 million, applying surcharges from 0.8% up to 1.3% based on assessed value. The tax would hit one- to three-family homes, condos, and co-ops not occupied full time by owners, aiming to raise millions for the city budget. The plan requires legislative approval and anticipates a broader overhaul of NYC’s property tax system.

This new pied-à-terre tax emerges amid budget pressures for both the city and state, intending to shift more tax burden to wealthy non-resident property owners. It reflects a growing trend to tax second homes as housing affordability and revenue needs intensify. Real estate lobbyists argue it will freeze market activity despite the city’s rationale that these owners contribute economically beyond property taxes, including sales taxes from local spending.

The stakes are high for affluent property owners and the city’s financial health as this plan could reshape property taxation frameworks for decades. The proposal’s approval would mark a significant new revenue source to support vital services while sparking fierce debate over housing market dynamics. Watch for interactions between city budget negotiations and the state legislature’s decisions before the fiscal year begins July 1. (Bernadette Hogan)