🌱 NYC Lawyers Need $461M To Represent Tenants + State Budget Extended

Good morning, New York City!

• NYC lawyers say they need more funds to represent tenants facing eviction.
• Council members have a proposal to lower Rikers Island's jail population.
• Children with autism read subway announcements throughout the month.

But first, today's weather: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 74 Low: 59.

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

1. The Legal Aid Society and other advocates say lawyers will only be able to represent one third of low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings next year if they don't receive $461 million more in funding for attorneys. A "right to counsel" law is supposed to guarantee legal representation for New Yorkers in housing court. (New York City Patch)
2. Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, who is also an ally of Donald Trump, is planning to hold a "field hearing" in New York City on April 17, focused on what he calls Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's "pro-crime, anti-victim" policies. The hearing comes amidst a historic indictment against the former president. (New York City Patch)
3. A group of City Council members are planning to introduce measures today that they say could lower Rikers Island's jail population from almost 6,000 to 3,300, which is the amount accounted for in the city's 2019 plan to close Rikers and replace it with smaller borough-based jails. The $300 million a year proposal includes supervised release of detainees with mental illness and substance abuse problems, and a commitment to fully funding hundreds of hospital beds. (New York Daily News)
4. Lawmakers in Albany have once again extended the deadline to agree on a New York state budget to next Monday, with two of the most hotly debated topics still being tweaked to bail reform laws and housing plans. (AMNY)
5. Children with autism will record subway announcements at 11 stations, including Times Square, throughout the month of April, which is also Autism Acceptance Month. Read on to learn how the kids gathered in Lower Manhattan to hear themselves on loudspeakers. (Gothamist)

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Today in New York City:

• Parents League Presents: "Chasing Childhood," A Film Screening (6:30 p.m.)
• Youth America Grand Prix — Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala (7 p.m.)
• Tove Danovich + Alicia Kennedy: "Under the Henfluence" — The Strand Bookstore (7 p.m.)
• We Have Fun: Special Album Release Show (7:30 p.m.)
• Neighborhood Darlings Comedy Show — Club Cumming (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Department of Transportation's latest ad campaign launched this week targets NYC's “litterers and dog-poopetrators.” (Pix 11 New York)
• Gov. Kathy Hochul has nominated Rowan D. Wilson to lead New York's highest court. He is described as left leaning, after Hochul's last nominee, Hector LaSalle, was rejected by lawmakers. (Subscription/The New York Times)
• Lin-Manuel Miranda will speak at the opening of a film series at Washington Heights' Palace Theater on April 24. (Washington Heights-Inwood Patch)
• City lawmakers want to rethink where trucks are mandated to drive through the boroughs, taking into account historic asthma levels, and environmental justice. (Gothamist)

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Featured events:

• Parents League Presents: Chasing Childhood, A Film Screening (April 11)
• Geraldine Brooks in-person at Revolution Books with her new novel HORSE (April 11)
• New York Open House (April 12)
• Happy Time Apocalypse (April 12)
• We Have Fun: Special Album Release Show (April 12)
• Collector's Jewelry, Fine Artwork, Coins, Porcelain and More | Online Auction (April 13)
• Deconstructing the Best College Essay: A Workshop for Parents (April 13)
• NYC Friday Spring Midnight Yacht Party Cruise at Skyport Marina Jewel 2023 (April 14)
• Print Arcade Affordable Art Fair (April 15)
• Buskin & Batteau & Friends April Fools Tour — Saturday Matinee @ City Winery April 15th (April 15)
• Latin Vibes Saturday NYC Sunset Cabana Yacht Party Cruise 2023 (April 15)
• NYC Hip Hop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Jewel Yacht Party Skyport Marina 2023 (April 15)
• Ubuntu Giving Circle For Black Maternal Health (April 16)
• Bhagavad Gita for Everyday Living: Sunday April 16, 2023 (April 16)
• MOSA Concerts presents! Armenian Oud Virtuoso Ara Dinkjian w/NY Gypsy All-Stars! (April 16)
• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Fair, April 17-21, 2023 (April 17)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Dashiell Allen

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