🌱 New Yorkers Get Property Tax Rebate + Hochul Signs Abortion Laws

Good morning. If you are a New York homeowner you may be receiving a check in the mail soon, new laws are on the books to protect abortion rights in the sate, and Amazon is trying to overturn the results of a unionization vote by workers in State Island.

A new ranking finds New York to be among the most fun places in the country, and don't forget to look out for a strawberry moon tonight.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and less humid. High: 80 Low: 68.

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

1. Nearly half a million NYC homeowners may soon receive a property tax rebate from the Governor's office, averaging a little under $500. The checks, which are already starting to appear in the mail, were part of the state's budget agreements — but some question whether they were conveniently timed to be sent out before the upcoming primaries on June 28. (New York City Patch)
2. Governor Kathy Hochul signed six bills into law on Monday that aimed at protecting abortion access in New York State, amidst a widely-anticipated Supreme Court decision that may overturn Roe v. Wade. The laws include allowing New Yorkers to file lawsuits against anyone restricting their access to abortion, and protecting women seeking refuge from neighboring states where abortion may become criminalized. (AMNY)
3. New York's civilian watchdog board has completed a two-year investigation into the alleged police harassment of a women, Mercedes Pope, in Harlem. Pope says that she was pepper-sprayed and physically injured by two officers, while they were enforcing COVID social distancing rules in April 2020. (New York City Patch)
4. Amazon is going to court in an attempt to overturn the recent vote by Staten Island warehouse workers to unionize. Union lawyers worry the case could have national repercussions, especially if it makes it to the Supreme Court. (Gothamist)
5. A building inspector back in 2019 had noticed the faulty self-closing door that led to a massive fire earlier this year killing 17 people, according to records obtained through the city's Freedom of Information Law. The door, along with other violations, had caused inspectors to deem the building "maintained below (federal) standards." (THE CITY)

New York City pic of the day:

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NYC food news:

• Habana Outpost, a seasonal Cuban restaurant in Fort Greene, will open this summer for the first time since the pandemic began, featuring a new vegan po' boy sandwich. (New York City Patch)
• Thai Social, a new Thai spot in Bayside, Queens, has been getting rave reviews from neighbors – and a five-star rating on Yelp – since it opened last month. (New York City Patch)
• Emmett's on Grove, a pizza place in the West Village specializing in deep-dish, was ranked one of the best in the city by Time Out. See the full ranking here. (New York City Patch)

Today in New York City:

• City Parks Foundation’s PuppetMobile in East Springfield Playground, Queens (9 a.m.)
• JCRC-NY Honors Three Leaders At 2022 Spring Gala (6 p.m.)
• Sip & Slime PRIDE Night at Sloomoo Institute (6 p.m.)
• Counter/points: The Black Vanguard at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music (7 p.m.)
• Piano Jazz Series: Peter Beets ft. Eric Alexander at Zinc Bar, West 3rd. Street (7 p.m.)

Crime and safety corner:

• Police are searching for a robber who beat a Staten Island bodega worker over the head with a glass bottle and stole $2,000 from the cash register. (New York City Patch)
• A parks department employee suffered a cut to the face after being physically attacked by a man who he had asked to stop vandalizing in Riverside Park. (New York City Patch)
• In total, at least eight people were shot overnight between Sunday and Monday in New York City. (New York Post)

From my notebook:

• The Tony Awards were back on Sunday night in all their glory. "A Strange Loop" won the award for best new musical. Click to see the night in photos. (New York City Patch)
• New York is America's fourth most "fun" state, according to a new ranking. It also came in third for "Entertainment and Recreation" and seventh for "Nightlife." (NBC New York)
• Look up at the sky tonight. The moon just might turn strawberry–colored. (New York City Patch)
• On the Upper East Side, neighbors are sparring with disability and transit advocates over the placement of a new subway elevator. (New York City Patch)
• Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, is home to 6,000 trees, including some of the city's oldest. Now, they're under threat from climate change. (Hell Gate)

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• An Evening with Divorce Specialists (June 14)
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• NYC Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht Midnight Friday Party 2022 (June 17)
• West Park Super Summer Tag Sale!!!! (June 18)
• The Largest Celebration of Cultural Diversity, Pride, Juneteenth & Father's Day In NYC! (June 18)
• Saturday Sunset Dance the Wave NYC Booze Cabana Yacht Party 2022 (June 18)
• Italian Cooking Class and Dinner with Tiramisu Finale, NY (June 18)
• NYC Jewel Yacht Hip Hop vs Reggae® Saturday Midnight Skyport Marina 2022 (June 18)
• Benefit Concert - Sweet Honey in the Rock & Nona Hendryx: 'Juneteenth 2022: The Struggle Continues' (June 19)
• Sweet Honey in the Rock! A Juneteenth Concert and Fundraiser to support the Harlem Mothers SAVE. (June 19)
• Crowd Control Jewel Yacht Party House Sunday Sunset Cruise 2022 (June 19)
• Hire A Pro To Clean Up The Yard For Dad (June 19)
• Five Free Historic Erben Pipe Organ Concerts for Make Music Day 2022 (June 21)
• Free speech on hiring a personal injury lawyer in New York, NY (June 21)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Dashiell Allen

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