May | 2013 | Nicholas Wells

Despite Criticism, Mayoral Board Grants Nearly All Appeals To Zoning Variances

May 23, 2013 by Nicholas Wells

By Jessica Glazer and Nicholas Wells The Board of Standards and Appeals. (Photo: Jessica Glazer) Since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office in 2002, the Department of City Planning has rezoned more than a third of the city—over 11,000 blocks—in one of the greatest renovations in the city’s history. In this time, one board of five […]

Categories: Interactive, New York, News, Politics • Tags: bloomberg, city planning, New York City, office of circumlocution

Bundling up for the Campaign Season

May 20, 2013 by Nicholas Wells

by Jessica Glazer and Nicholas Wells You don’t have to be rich to win public office in New York City, but it doesn’t hurt to have rich friends. New York City’s strict public financing system limits donations to $4,950 for an individual, but critics claim that some donors take advantage of a loophole called campaign […]

Categories: Interactive, New York, News, Politics • Tags: 2013 elections, campaign finance, charts!, mayor, New York City, politics

Labor Support Comes To 35th Council District Race

May 1, 2013 by Nicholas Wells

Originally published May 1, 2013 in the New York Times Local Blog. City Council candidate Laurie Cumbo. (Photo: Nicholas Wells) City Council hopeful Laurie Cumbo scored two major labor endorsements recently in her bid to replace Council Member Letitia James in the 35th District, who is stepping down to run for Public Advocate. On April […]

Categories: New York, News, Politics • Tags: 2013 elections, Brooklyn, city council, New York City, politics