🌱 Inside Gov. Hochul's $227B NY Budget + Potential Metro North Strike

Good morning, New York City!

• Hochul unveils her state budget proposal
• The Monkeypox epidemic is official over, NYC says
• Metro North workers consider going on strike

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 42 Low: 25.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Need a lead-safe Certification for your Philly landlord license? George Cahill and the team at Philly Lead Inspections are on standby to get the job done. His inspectors are certified by the EPA and offer testing that is completed in an hour, with results in under a week. George and his team show up on time and offer the most competitive prices in town — plus, they’re available seven days a week. Visit Philly Lead Inspections here to learn more.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. Gov. Kathy Hochul released her proposal from New York's state budget on Monday, which included a bail-out for the MTA, funding to support asylum seekers, and potentially more changes to bail reform laws. (New York City Patch)
2. Gone are the days of New Yorkers receiving unasked for plastic cutlery along with their takeout meals. At least that's the intent of a city bill signed by Mayor Eric Adams banning the practice unless customers ask for them. (New York City Patch)
3. The NYPD swept the street where a group of asylum seekers were camping in protest outside of a Midtown hotel yesterday evening, taking their belongings, according to reports. “They kicked us out of there like dogs,” one migrant said. (Gothamist)
4. The monkeypox epidemic in New York City is officially over, health officials announced on Wednesday, stating that over 100,000 New Yorkers had been vaccinated against the disease, which at one time this fall had its epicenter here in the city. (Gothamist)
5. Electrical workers for the MTA's Metro North railroad, connecting Hudson Valley and Connecticut with the city, are considering going on strike in the coming weeks over wage proposals. The more-than-1,000-worker strike would be the train line's first since 1983. (THE CITY)

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. Please include your full name and an optional description.

Today in New York City:

• MoMA Presents: JAM Performance Festival (10:30 a.m.)
• Stravinsky & Milhaud, 1923: Two Masterpieces Turn 100 — Stravinsky’s Octet and Milhaud’s The Creation (2:30 p.m.)
• Musical Analysis II: Mozart Chamber Music, Part II (5:30 p.m.)
• In Person "Boy's Night" Gay Speed Dating (21 & Over) (7 p.m.)
• Live Music Thursdays: Tom San Filippo & Ed Ryan (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A whale that washed up on a Long Island beach earlier week had most likely been struck by a ship, according to experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NBC New York)
• Mayor Eric Adams has a 37 percent approval rating, according to a new poll from Quinnipiac University. That's down from 46 percent last February. (City & State)
• New York City's Staten Island Chuck will make his predictions for how long winter last this year, depending on whether or not he sees his shadow, per Groundhog Day tradition. (New York City Patch)
• A Columbia University student has spent the past week frantically searching for her missing dog, who disappeared along with her pet sitter. This story includes "NYPD wellness checks, ripped down missing posters, and a rally." (New York City Patch)
• A bill reintroduced by NYC Congressman Adriano Espaillat would grant thousands of dollars in student loan forgiveness for teachings in bilingual classrooms or with "dual-immersion students." (AMNY)

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

Events:

• Every Voice Choirs' After-School Singing Programs: First Spring Rehearsal (February 2)
• Celerbrate Me in 2023 (February 3)
• 19 Forms of Ice - 5Rhythms Dance & Movement (February 3)
• CARL DIX on Why Defunding the Police & Abolishing Prisons Under This System Are Dangerous Illusions (February 4)
• SUNDAY FEB 5 Symposium on Death and Memory: 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m (February 5)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (February 5)
• Aztec Two Step 2.0 Feat Rex Fowler Dodie Pettit & Friends (February 6)
• Preschool Admissions Workshop (February 7)
• Special Needs School Admissions Panel Discussion (February 7)
• How to Strengthen Executive Functioning in Children (February 8)
• Kindergarten Admissions Workshop (February 8)
• Mid-Century Modern and Design | Online Auction (February 9)
• Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway (February 11)
• Love Can Really Hang You Up the Most (February 14)
• Transfer Open House (February 15)
• Add your event

For sale:

• 1969 Ford Mustang $17,000 (Details)
• Add your item

Other classifieds:

• Demos Parneros’ Top 5 Suggestions to build a caring and Successful Workplace Culture (Details)
• Demos Parneros on Keeping the World in Mind: Branding for Social Impact (Details)
• Add your classified

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Dashiell Allen

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