hot chocolate and fuzzy socks and 5-9” of snow on the forecast… if you need us we’ll be cozymaxxing tonight

❄️ Weather Alert ❄️ National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for NYC starting this evening through Saturday afternoon. Most forecasts anticipate 5–9 inches of snow. Significant travel impacts are likely. Stay safe and plan ahead. More details: www.nyc.gov/site/em/abou...

Wishing a Happy Kwanzaa to all New Yorkers celebrating!

Please join us in wishing CM Carmen De La Rosa a happy birthday! 🎂

The Council wishes you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄

This holiday season, Council Members across all five boroughs are spreading joy with toy giveaways for families in their communities 🎁  
 Thank you to our members and community partners for showing up for New Yorkers and making the season brighter!

Police departments are judged by a variety of factors, but one important indicator is “clearance rates,” or the share of reported crimes resolved through arrest, charging, or referral for prosecution in a quarter.

The Council has launched a new guaranteed income program to help young New Yorkers experiencing homelessness gain stability. With $1.5M in the FY26 budget, we’re partnering with Covenant House NY to support 60 youth ages 18–24 with direct income assistance and care.

🚻 How many of NYC’s public restrooms are available, clean, and have basic amenities? A Council investigation of 172 restroom locations citywide uncovered major gaps across public restrooms in parks, libraries, and privately-owned public spaces.

The first day of winter is here, NYC! ❄️ Bundle up, pour some hot cocoa, and stay warm.

In a marathon year end session, the Council advanced worker justice by securing wage increases and benefits for security guards, strengthening just cause protections for gig workers, and more. Together, these measures will strengthen labor standards and bolster worker protections across the city.

As this legislative session comes to a close, we thank our outgoing Council Members for their years of tireless service to the people of New York. Your dedication, leadership, and passion have left a lasting impact, and we wish you all the very best in what comes next.

At our final Stated Meeting of the year, the Council advanced major housing and small business legislation to grow affordable homeownership, deepen affordability, increase the number of family-sized units, expand street vendor licensing and much more! 

That’s a wrap for the last Stated Meeting of the year! Read on to learn more about all the legislation passed. 🧵

Our last Stated Meeting of the year is tomorrow at 1:30PM! 📺 Watch live: http://council.nyc.gov/livestream

Today, the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction held an oversight hearing to better understand how @nychealthy.bsky.social defines, measures, and uses outcomes and equity data across its city-funded mental health programs to improve the lives of underserved New Yorkers.

With the opening of the Center for Community Alternatives' new trauma recovery center in Brooklyn, funded with over $1M from the Council, New Yorkers harmed by the criminal legal system, domestic violence, and other traumatic experiences now have another place to recover from violence.

Today, Adrienne Adams and Council Members joined the Center for Community Alternatives to celebrate the opening of a new trauma recovery center in Brooklyn. Funded by the Council, the TRC will provide free, trauma-informed care to survivors of violence, expanding support for underserved victims.

Today, the Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation held a hearing to review proposed legislation that would adjust compensation levels for city elected officials and require the mayor to convene a special commission to review & make recommendations regarding their salaries.

This evening, the Council hosted its annual Hanukkah celebration alongside Jewish New Yorkers! 🕎

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 184, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala This law requires a study of Hart Island’s capacity for future public burials, with input from families, and recommendations to improve burial procedures and transparency.

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 182, sponsored by Council Member David Carr This law requires community boards and advisory bodies to publish their bylaws online in a searchable format and require them to be updated within two weeks of any changes.

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 180, sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson This law sets rules for NYC Sanitation use of stationary on-street containers, limiting requirements to larger buildings, protecting workers with training and PPE, and waiving fees for certain affordable housing.

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 179, sponsored by Council Member David Carr This law creates a property tax exemption for Cold War veterans and eligible surviving spouses, with additional relief for veterans who were disabled due to their service.

Wishing a happy and meaningful Hanukkah to all who celebrate! 🕎

If you look out your window and see snow, it means you are pure of heart. Only the gentle and kind can see it.

A Council investigation found that visiting loved ones on Rikers often takes far longer than reported, with hours-long waits and canceled visits. Council Member Sandy Nurse joined Spectrum News NY1 to discuss the report and what must change for detainees and their families:

With burial space on Hart Island diminishing, a new City Council law, enacted today, will require a long-term capacity study to plan for the island’s future. Back in October, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala questioned HRA's Matthew Bruner on why this study is so needed and timely. Watch:

Today, the Council’s Committee on Health held an oversight hearing to review the status of HealthyNYC, the City’s plan to improve life expectancy and create a healthier city, and reviewed legislation that would further combat health disparities.

Yes it's cold but you still need to drink water. NO ARGUING.

Today, @cmsandynurse.bsky.social and @cmjengutierrez.bsky.social joined Wyckoff Heights Medical Center to celebrate the Council’s $2 million investment to expand and upgrade their NICU. This investment advances the third phase of a multi-phase project to upgrade their newborn care facilities.

Tomorrow at 10AM: The Committee on Health will hold an oversight hearing on the status of HealthyNYC, @nychealthy.bsky.social campaign to improve life expectancy, and citywide health outcomes. 📺 Watch live: http://council.nyc.gov/livestream

Across NYC, the medical spa industry is growing rapidly. While they are advertised as quick & convenient alternatives to traditional plastic surgery, inspections coordinated by our Oversight & Investigations Division and multiple State agencies revealed systemic legal violations.

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 115, sponsored by CM Rita Joseph This law requires NYC Administration of Children's Services to provide luggage to youth entering, moving within, or exiting foster care, and to issue annual reports on the implementation, barriers, and plans to improve access.

For nearly two years, the City was failing to provide people with their SNAP and cash assistance benefits on-time. Every delay represented a New Yorker who couldn’t feed their families or pay for basic necessities.

NOW IN EFFECT ✅ Local Law 104, sponsored by CM Farías This law requires Economic Development Corporation to publish community impact reports for economic development projects receiving $4M+ in city subsidies. The reports will detail potential displacement risks, job creation estimates, and more.

Yesterday, the Council released “Still Waiting,” a report outlining the challenges New Yorkers face while visiting Rikers Island. The investigation found visits are often an all-day process, marked by long waits, poor communication and information, and arbitrary denials.

Today, the Committees on Criminal Justice and Oversight and Investigations held a joint oversight hearing on the process and experience of visiting Rikers Island, examining findings from a recent Council investigation into barriers, delays, and inconsistent practices.

Respect for human rights is central to our city’s values. Human Rights Day marks the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt. Today and every day, we commit to upholding dignity and justice for all.

Cold and flu season is here. As we prepare to gather with friends and family for the holidays, remember to get vaccinated and stay up to date against the flu, COVID, and RSV! https://gothamist.com/news/flu-season-arrives-in-ny-with-major-spike-in-cases

good morning say it back

This afternoon, the Committee on Aging held an oversight hearing on social isolation among older New Yorkers.

The Council's latest economic forecast projects NYC will collect $3.4B more in tax revenue for FYs 26–27 than @nycbudget.bsky.social estimated, despite challenges and uncertainty from Trump’s tariffs and policies. Read the full forecast: https://council.nyc.gov/press/2025/12/09/3024/

They’re saying it’s the coldest Tuesday, December 9th of 2025

Today, the Committee on Sanitation held an oversight hearing on the City’s 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan.

Please join us in wishing Adrienne Adams a very happy birthday! 🎂

Today, the Committees on Technology and Civil and Human Rights held a joint oversight hearing on privacy protection in the digital age, examining how City policies can keep pace with evolving data practices and safeguards.

Today, the Committee on Immigration held a hearing to review several proposed bills, including legislation regarding a private right of action related to civil immigration detainers and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Below-freezing temps are here 🥶 During heat season through May 31, landlords must provide heat and hot water by law. Know your rights: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/heat-and-hot-water-information.page