🌱 NYC Mayor Budget, Library Funding Cuts + Farmers Market Unionizing

Good morning, New York City!

• Mayor Eric Adams has a new budget proposal, and it still cuts library funding.
• A disability rights lawsuit against NYC's "Open Streets" program.
• Farmers' market workers set out to unionize.

But first, today's weather: A morning shower. High: 63 Low: 50.

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

1. Mayor Eric Adams announced a revised $106 billion city budget proposal on Wednesday, $4 billion more than he had previously announced. He said it wouldn't cut the budget of agencies including the fire and parks departments, and libraries although the city's three library systems still foresee a combined $36.2 million in cuts. (New York City Patch)
2. A new federal civil rights lawsuit filed by disabled New Yorkers against the city alleges that the "Open Streets" program violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, by blocking car traffic, including for individuals with no other means of transportation. Taking issue with the program that closes down streets for pedestrian and bikes to use, the suit also includes a quote from George Orwell. (New York City Patch)
3. Have you been noticing the massive Link5G towers popping up across Manhattan? Now they will have to pass reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, according to a directive by the Federal Communications Commission. The directive comes after a letter NYC U.S. Congressman Jerry Nadler sent to the commission suggesting the towers were "out of context" in historic districts. (THE CITY)
4. The bulky mirrors sticking off the side of NYC buses are responsible for one quarter of 1,800 annual bus collisions, the MTA says. The transit agency is considering using electronic cameras and screens as an alternative. (Gothamist)
5. Workers at New York City's farmers markets are planning to unionize. Some of the workers, who make between $19 and $26 per hour, say they were spurred to organize following a turbulent period last summer when "market patrons or passers-by spat on them, called them racial slurs or otherwise lashed out." (Subscription/The New York Times)

New York City pic of the day:

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Today in New York City:

• The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience (7 p.m.)
• Fenton Bailey + Ronan Farrow: ScreenAge — The Strand Bookstore (7 p.m.)
• The Worst Of All Possible Worlds Presents Brian Is Back: The 85th Episode Podcast Spectacular (Live) (7 p.m.)
• F*Bomb Presents: 90s Tribute — Wymyn of the 90s & Big Hits of the 90s - Arlene's Grocery (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Soup lovers rejoice! Hale and Hearty is set to reopen under new owners, half a year after the NYC soup company declared bankruptcy. None of their old storefronts are reopening, but expect to see their soup in kiosks around the city and on supermarket shelves. (Eater NY)
• New art adorns the scaffolding outside of NYCHA public housing developments across the city, including in East Harlem. (Harlem Patch)
• The Museum of Natural History's new wing is set to open next month. Here's a first look. (Upper West Side Patch)
• The brother of "Uncut Gems" star and Kanye West ex Julia Fox is facing an indictment on allegations that he turned his Upper East Side apartment into a ghost gun-making "factory." (New York City Patch)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Dashiell Allen

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