🌱 Composting Comes To Queens Today + Possible NY Minimum Wage Raise

Good morning, New York City!

• Composting is coming to all of Queens starting today.
• Lawmakers discuss how much to raise New York's minimum wage.
• A union says a lack of training is partly responsible for a fire on the Staten Island Ferry last year.

But first, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle. High: 56 Low: 39.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in New York City? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

1. In a TV appearance over the weekend, Mayor Eric Adams reiterated he'd like to see more funding for the 52,000 asylum seekers that have arrived in New York City since last summer, in the state's budget, which is due at the end of the week. He also said he's opposed to the Governor's proposal for an NYC tax to raise $500 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (AMNY)
2. Curbside composting is expanding to all of Queens starting today, no sign-up required. Did you know the city has the capacity to process close to 8 million pounds of food scraps and other organic waste per day? (Gothamist)
3. Democrats in Albany agree that New York State should increase its minimum wage–but they're in disagreement on how much. Governor Kathy Hochul proposes raising it to $16.40 per hour by 2026, while two lawmakers representing New York City have a bill to raise it to $21.25 downstate, by the same date. (Gothamist)
4. The union representing maritime engineers says that the fire on a Staten Island Ferry boat in December of last year was caused by "inadequate training," according to a Jan. 11 letter to the Coast Guard asking them to investigate it. The letter states: "safety drills are made optional, due to staffing shortages; staffing shortages force management to scramble to cobble together crews and move individuals between different classes of vessels (sometimes daily) on a seemingly random basis." (silive.com)
5. The New York Civil Liberties Union is suing the NYPD for records detailing the racial makeup of people stopped during traffic enforcement over the past decade. Christopher Dunn, the NYCLU's legal director, said the organization successfully sued the police ten years ago for the same in formation which it used to "uncover the abuse and racism that permeated the program." (New York Daily News)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great.

Today in New York City:

• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Dylan Murphy's (10:30 a.m.)
• Free Pipe Organ Concert at Marble Church, Featuring Janet Yieh (12:30 p.m.)
• Lobby Sounds by Najah Lewis (5 p.m.)
• Cinema Chats: “Armageddon Time” - Museum at Eldridge Street (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Flowers are hanging from the sky in Macy's department store for the next two weeks during its 48th annual flower show. (News 12 Brooklyn)
• "Creed III" actor Jonathan Majors was arrested on Saturday in a Chelsea apartment on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, according to police. (New York City Patch)
• I'm sorry, could you repeat that? New Yorkers' accents are reportedly the fourth hardest in the U.S. to understand when traveling abroad, according to a Family Destinations Guide study. (New York City Patch)
• A Holi parade, a "festival of colors," made its way through Richmond Hill over the weekend. (AMNY)
• Crowds gathered on Saturday outside of a Manhattan courthouse–but they weren't waiting for Donald Trump, who could soon be indicted over alleged hush-money payments. Instead they were on the set of the "Joker" sequel, staring Lady Gaga. (NBC New York)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Church of the Heavenly Rest — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Free Pipe Organ Concert at Marble Church, Featuring Janet Yieh (March 27)
• Brothers Family Jam (March 29)
• The Deepest Breath by Treehouse Shakers (March 31)
• Latin Vibes Saturday NYC Booze Sunset Cabana Yacht Party Cruise 2023 (April 1)
• Latin Vibes Saturday NYC Sunset Cabana Yacht Party Cruise 2023 (April 1)
• NYC HipHop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Cruise Jewel Yacht Skyport Marina 2023 (April 1)
• The Deepest Breath by Treehouse Shakers (April 2)
• Bach Vesper’s Presents J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion Part I (April 2)
• Kids Easter Party Queens NY (April 9)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• NYC AI Summer Camp for Middle School Students (Details)
• Add your announcement

Featured housing:

• 17 Bingham Ct, Rumson NJ 07760 (Details)
• Unique Triplex Condo (Details)
• Coop Unit For Sale - No board approval (Details)
• Add your listing

Featured job listings:

• Personal Assistant for Older New Yorkers in Manhattan (Details)
• Add your job listing

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Patch newsletter? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com