Weekly news from the NYC Mayor's Office. No job too big, no task too small.
Week of March 9, 2026
- Historic $2.1 million court judgment issued against a Bronx landlord at 919 Prospect Avenue, requiring extensive repairs and financial penalties under the Nuisance Abatement Law.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.13 extended the Department of Correction's state of emergency for five days and reinstated compliance with Administrative Code sections 9-116 b/c and 12-120/12-121.
- 2,000 free 2-K seats launched in four communities and over 1,000 3-K seats added across 56 zip codes, progressing toward universal child care.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.13 extended emergency measures for five days to operate temporary housing facilities for new arrivals, requiring a plan to phase out reliance on suspended laws.
- State's One-House Budget Resolutions praised for addressing the fiscal deficit, extending the fare-free bus pilot, and supporting universal childcare.
- Federal indictments of Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi on ISIS-related terrorism charges acknowledged.
- Two individuals arrested for deploying ISIS-inspired improvised explosive devices containing TATP at a protest outside Gracie Mansion, with a third device found in their vehicle.
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Week of March 2, 2026
- White supremacist protest outside Gracie Mansion condemned after an attempted explosive device, NYPD thanked for quick response.
- Police Officer Sorffly Davius mourned after dying from a medical episode while deployed with the U.S. Army National Guard.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.12 extended suspension of Department of Correction compliance requirements for five days, mandating regular updates.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.12 extended state of emergency for temporary housing centers for new arrivals for five days, requiring DSS/DHS to update on a phase-out plan.
- New initiatives launched to remove longstanding sidewalk sheds and reduce future need, including $650 million for NYCHA façade repairs and new Department of Buildings rules for less frequent inspections and reduced shed coverage.
- Bellevue Shelter to close by end of April 2026 due to severe disrepair, relocating approximately 250 inhabitants while maintaining overall shelter capacity.
- $50 million capital investment announced to reconstruct 10 parks in underserved neighborhoods through the Community Parks Initiative.
- Lawsuit filed against Instant Recovery Corp., a tow truck operator, by DCWP for alleged predatory practices, overcharging, and unlawful violations.
- First four communities announced to receive over 2,000 free 2-K child care seats for two-year-olds starting this fall, marking a major step towards universal child care.
- Kenny Minaya appointed Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS).
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Week of February 23, 2026
- Local state of emergency for winter weather terminated effective February 24, 2026.
- Travel ban lifted Monday 12 p.m.; NYC Public Schools to reopen for in-person instruction Tuesday.
- Robust measures launched to keep New Yorkers safe during a rapid temperature drop and Code Blue, including increased homeless outreach, warming centers, and DSNY preparations.
- State of emergency first declared in September 2021 extended for 30 days; Department of Correction mandated to update on plans to restore compliance with suspended laws.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.10 extended previous compliance requirements suspension for the Department of Correction for five days, with regular updates mandated.
- State of emergency extended for 30 days due to a substantial increase in new arrivals requiring temporary housing; agencies directed to plan phasing out facilities operating under suspended regulations.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.10 extended existing emergency provisions for temporary housing for new arrivals by five days, mandating an action plan to phase out reliance on suspended rules.
- Diya Vij appointed Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs, tasked with extending the Mayor's affordability agenda to the arts.
- Erin Dalton appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS).
- Sideya Sherman appointed City Planning Director and Chair; Eric Enderlin and Edith Hsu-Chen reappointed to housing and city planning leadership roles.
- Families urged by Mayor Mamdani and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to apply for free 3-K and Pre-K programs by the February 27, 2026 deadline.
- Over $21 billion in federal grants proposed to President Trump for a historic affordable housing and infrastructure project at Sunnyside Yard, aiming to create 12,000 new affordable homes and 30,000 jobs.
- $4 million restoration of four historic Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center completed, preserving one of the nation's oldest free Black communities.
- $20 million invested over three years for the Strong Foundations initiative, expanding perinatal and early childhood mental health programs.
- US and Israeli military strikes on Iran condemned as a catastrophic escalation; enhanced patrols announced to ensure New Yorkers' safety.
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Week of February 16, 2026
- A local state of emergency declared and all NYC vehicular traffic closed from 9 p.m. February 22 to 12 p.m. February 23 due to a severe snowstorm.
- NYC public schools announced a snow day for Monday due to an impending blizzard.
- A comprehensive snow response plan released, detailing deployment of thousands of sanitation workers, emergency shovelers, activation of warming centers, and Code Blue operations.
- City's Protected Time Off Law expanded, adding 32 hours of unpaid leave upon hire and broadening eligible reasons for use, with a new data-driven enforcement strategy.
- Compliance warnings issued to nearly 200 NYC gyms about "subscription traps" and deceptive advertising related to membership cancellations.
- First-ever Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) initiated for affordable housing and resiliency projects, shortening review times from seven months to 90 days.
- Ground broken on Timbale Terrace, a 100% affordable housing development in East Harlem, delivering 341 homes and a new community arts center.
- Six new appointees to the nine-member Rent Guidelines Board announced, including a new Chair.
- A new early childhood education center announced for the Upper East Side this fall, providing over 130 new Pre-K and 3-K seats.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.9 extended a previous order for five days and reinstated several procurement laws for the Department of Correction.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.9 extended for five days, continuing the state of emergency for humanitarian relief centers and mandating updates on phasing out non-compliant facilities.
- Ana María Archila appointed as Commissioner for International Affairs and Faiza Ali as Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs.
- The $127 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget released, addressing a fiscal crisis by proposing options for higher taxes or increased property taxes and reserve use.
- Christina Farrell appointed as Commissioner of New York City Emergency Management.
- $1.5 billion in New York State funding announced over two years to help address New York City's fiscal challenges.
- The Coney Island Business Improvement District created with an initial $1 million commitment for local small businesses, community beautification, and sanitation.
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Week of February 9, 2026
- New Coney Island Business Improvement District created, operational by July 2026, with a first-year budget up to $1 million.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.8 extended, requiring Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, for phasing out emergency housing facilities.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.8 extended, requiring Department of Correction to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, for achieving full compliance with regulations.
- Four previously halted bus and bike lane construction projects restarted in the Bronx and Brooklyn to improve service for 130,000 daily riders and traffic safety.
- Former federal prosecutor Nadia Shihata nominated as Commissioner of the Department of Investigation.
- Revised $7 billion city budget gap, reduced from an initial $12 billion, will be addressed by structural solutions including tax increases on the wealthy and corporations.
- Lisa Gelobter appointed Chief Technology Officer, Nisha Agarwal appointed Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities, and Lisa Scott-McKenzie appointed Commissioner of the Department for the Aging.
- First-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings initiated across all five boroughs, inviting tenants to share experiences to help shape future housing policy within 90 days.
- New Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center opened in Flatbush, the first new Parks recreation center in over a decade and Brooklyn's largest, serving over 41,000 New Yorkers.
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Week of February 2, 2026
- Stricter enforcement began for 250 of the city's most distressed apartment buildings through the Alternative Enforcement Program, enabling increased monitoring and city-funded repairs when landlords fail.
- Additional emergency actions implemented to expand shelter and warming center capacity, deploy more outreach workers, and increase resources to bring vulnerable New Yorkers indoors ahead of the winter's coldest night.
- A new 106-bed Safe Haven shelter opened in Lower Manhattan, operated by Breaking Ground, to house vulnerable homeless New Yorkers during a cold snap.
- A LinkNYC public service announcement launched urging homeless New Yorkers to use kiosks to call 311 or 911 for shelter and services during severe cold.
- Executive Order No. 13 issued, protecting New Yorkers from abusive immigration enforcement by mandating City agencies to audit policies and restricting the use of City lots by non-City personnel for such actions.
- An expansive "Know Your Rights" push launched to protect immigrant New Yorkers from federal overreach, distributing over 30,000 multilingual flyers to faith institutions.
- A special election proclaimed for April 28, 2026, in the 3rd Council district to fill the vacancy created by Council Member Erik Bottcher's resignation.
- A Request for Information launched for new and existing 2-K and 3-K child care providers, marking the first step towards universal child care in NYC.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.6 extended for five days, requiring the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, to phase out temporary housing facilities.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.6 extended for five days, mandating the Department of Correction to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, to achieve full compliance with applicable laws currently waived.
- A $38.4 million investment announced with NYCHA to install clean, reliable heat pumps in 712 homes at Beach 41st Street Houses as part of the "Clean Heat for All" initiative.
- Phylisa Wisdom appointed as the new Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism.
- The administration's first annual Interfaith Breakfast hosted on February 6, 2026, bringing together faith leaders from across the five boroughs.
- The NYC Free Tax Prep initiative promoted with DCWP and NYC Health + Hospitals, offering free tax preparation services for eligible New Yorkers, alongside an expanded crackdown on deceptive practices by paid tax preparers.
- The David N. Dinkins Municipal Building cupola opened for first-ever free public tours starting in June, following a $6 million improvement project.
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Week of January 26, 2026
- Free admission to the Louis Armstrong House Museum announced for Saturday, February 7, to kick off Black History Month.
- Emergency expansion of new single-room shelter units in Upper Manhattan announced for homeless New Yorkers, available tomorrow, due to extreme cold.
- Five new commissioner appointments announced, including Dr. Alister Martin as Health Commissioner and Stanley Richards as Correction Commissioner, the first formerly incarcerated individual in that role.
- Updates provided on snow removal operations following a winter storm: 23 million pounds of snow melted and 116 million pounds of salt used.
- $5 million settlement announced with Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda for minimum pay violations, with Uber agreeing to reinstate up to 10,000 wrongfully deactivated workers.
- State of emergency declared in Emergency Executive Order No. 241 regarding DOC compliance extended, directing DOC to develop a full compliance plan by February 19, 2026.
- State of emergency regarding Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers extended for 30 days, mandating a plan to phase out facilities relying on suspended regulations.
- Over 50,000 applications submitted for 3-K and Pre-K programs since opening, with applications open until February 27.
- Adams Budget Crisis detailed, revealing a $12 billion budget shortfall for FY2026 and FY2027 due to previous fiscal mismanagement.
- Executive Order 12 signed, mandating each city agency appoint a Chief Savings Officer to identify recurring budget savings and efficiencies.
- Sharun Goodwin, Yume Kitasei, and Lisa Garcia appointed as Commissioners for Probation, Citywide Administrative Services, and Environmental Protection.
- PSA released urging New Yorkers to take precautions during life-threatening cold, detailing expanded warming centers and relaxed shelter intake.
- City's first World Cup Czar position created for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, among several other key city office appointments.
- NYC public schools returned to in-person learning on Tuesday, January 27, following a one-day pivot to remote instruction.
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Week of January 19, 2026
- City agencies mobilized and the Emergency Operations Center activated in response to a major winter storm, with warming centers opened and safety advisories issued.
- New York City Public Schools pivoted to remote instruction, closing buildings on Monday, January 26, due to extreme weather conditions.
- Warming centers opened and outreach to the homeless intensified as part of the severe winter weather response, with residents urged to stay home.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 1.4 extended for five days, mandating the Department of Correction to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, for full compliance with suspended laws.
- Emergency Executive Order No. 2.4 extended for five days to maintain temporary housing operations, mandating a Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services plan by February 19, 2026, to phase out facilities relying on suspended regulations.
- Quadrennial Advisory Commission formed with Speaker Julie Menin to review and recommend compensation changes for city elected officials and District Attorneys.
- Over $1 billion in state funding announced to expand universal child care for 2- and 3-year-olds.
- Two new "Elevate You" youth clinics launched at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens, supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, providing comprehensive healthcare for young people ages 16 to 25.
- Hotel hidden fees and unexpected credit card holds banned via a DCWP final rule, effective February 21, 2026.
- Just Home Supportive Housing Initiative restarted, creating 83 new affordable homes for formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with medical needs on the NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi campus, reversing a prior administration's block.
- Statement issued on Governor Hochul’s budget proposal, commending early childhood education investments while criticizing New York City's budget gap and advocating for increased contributions from wealthy individuals and corporations.
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Week of January 12, 2026
- Tricia Shimamura appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
- $2.1 million settlement reached with A&E Real Estate to correct over 4,000 building code violations and cease tenant harassment across 14 buildings.
- Emergency Executive Order 1.2 extended for five days, mandating the Department of Correction to submit a plan by February 19, 2026, for full compliance with laws currently waived.
- Afua Atta-Mensah appointed Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, committing to publish a Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan within 100 days.
- NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection sued delivery app Motoclick and its CEO for violating worker laws, also warning major delivery apps to comply by January 26.
- Emergency Executive Order 2.2 extended for five days, mandating a plan by February 19, 2026, to phase out reliance on emergency facilities operating under suspended laws and rules.
- Executive Order 11 issued, directing city agencies to inventory and reduce fees and civil penalties for small businesses, and study an amnesty program.
- 3-K and Pre-K applications launched, open until February 27, 2026, for families to apply online, by phone, or at Family Welcome Centers.
- Midori Valdivia nominated as Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
- Rafael Espinal appointed Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, focusing on ensuring New York City remains affordable for artists and creatives.
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Week of January 5, 2026
- A $4 million commitment launched to expand public bathroom access citywide, issuing an RFP for modular restrooms with a new facility confirmed for West Harlem this year.
- Two emergency executive orders signed directing city agencies to comply with Board of Corrections’ Minimum Standards, implement Local Law 42 banning solitary confinement on Rikers Island, and adhere to city shelter laws.
- Emergency Executive Order 1 extended for five days, mandating the Department of Correction submit a plan by February 19, 2026, for full compliance with laws and regulations.
- Emergency Executive Order 2 extended for five days, mandating the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services submit a plan by February 19, 2026, to phase out temporary housing facilities operating under emergency suspensions.
- Free childcare for two-year-olds launched in New York City in partnership with Governor Hochul, as part of statewide investments for universal child care for children under five.
- 1,500 free tickets for the “Under the Radar” Theater Festival distributed to New Yorkers, promoting arts and culture accessibility.
- Anna Bahr appointed Communications Director and Joe Calvello Press Secretary, among other senior communications hires for City Hall.
- Simonia Brown appointed Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy to advance the Mayor’s affordability agenda with State partners.
- Christine Clarke appointed Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights to enforce the NYC Human Rights Law.
- 2025 announced as the safest year ever for gun violence in NYC, with shooting incidents and victims at historic lows, and a 3% decrease in overall major crime.
- Executive Orders 09 and 10 signed to combat hidden junk fees and deceptive subscription practices, establishing a Citywide Junk Fee Task Force and directing the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to prioritize enforcement.
- Executive Order 08 issued establishing public hearings across the five boroughs to address abusive landlord practices and prioritize the enforcement of tenant protection laws.
- Three new judges appointed: Cary Fischer, Natalie Barros, and Andrés Casas, along with the reappointment of 9 existing judges to Criminal and Family Courts.
- New York City's sanctuary city policies reaffirmed during Mayor Mamdani’s appearances on MS NOW and CNN discussing ICE.
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Week of December 29, 2025
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered Inaugural Address on January 1, 2026, outlining a vision for expansive government focused on safety, affordability, and abundance for all New Yorkers.
- Mike Flynn appointed Commissioner for the New York City Department of Transportation as Mayor Mamdani's first official act.
- Executive Order 01 continued all executive orders issued prior to September 26, 2024, and revoked those on or after that date, excluding emergency orders.
- Executive Order 02 reorganized the Mayor's Office, establishing five Deputy Mayors with defined portfolios and outlining senior staff responsibilities.
- Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants re-established and revitalized by Executive Order 03 to coordinate city efforts for tenant rights, housing quality, and landlord accountability.
- Cea Weaver appointed Director of the revitalized Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants; intervention announced in a major landlord's bankruptcy proceedings.
- Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) Task Force established by Executive Order 04 to identify city-owned land suitable for at least 25,000 new housing units over ten years.
- Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) Task Force established by Executive Order 05 to identify and recommend strategies to streamline administrative and permitting processes for affordable housing production.
- Dina Levy appointed Housing Commissioner; "Rental Ripoff" hearings formed via executive order across all five boroughs to expose landlord abuses and inform housing policy.
- NYC Department of Transportation to complete McGuinness Boulevard redesign, installing parking-protected bike lanes along its full length with one travel, one bike, and one parking/loading lane in each direction for enhanced safety.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned U.S. strikes in Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro's capture for planned NYC imprisonment, prioritizing New Yorkers' safety, especially the Venezuelan community.
- Office of Mass Engagement (OME) established by Executive Order 07 to transform public participation in city government, with Tascha Van Auken appointed Commissioner, discontinuing the Office of Civic Engagement.
- Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary established by Executive Order 06 to recruit, evaluate, and recommend qualified candidates for judicial appointments and reappointments to city courts.
- Ali Najmi appointed Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary to increase transparency and engagement in the judicial selection process.
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