🌱 NYC Speed Limit Bill In Albany + 'MyCity' Portal Launches

Good morning, New York City!

• Advocates want NYC to be able to set its own speed limit.
• A new online portal is designed to streamline New Yorkers' access to city services.
• More cannabis shops are coming soon — including in Brooklyn.

But first, today's weather: Sunny, breezy and cooler. High: 48 Low: 38.

This great local business sponsors the New York City Patch newsletter. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

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.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top stories in New York City today:

1. Advocates want lawmakers in Albany to pass a bill that would allow New York City to set its own local speed limits — an authority that's currently only granted to the state. The bill, known as "Sammy's Law," is named after Samuel Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy who was ran over by a car on Prospect Park West in 2013. (New York City Patch)
2. Mayor Eric Adams announced the launching on Wednesday of MyCity, an online platform designed to streamline access to city government services. It won't be fully up and running for the next several "months" to "years," but to start out it gives families a "streamlined" application for child care. (AMNY)
3. Twenty-eight out of 52 City Council districts are taking part in participatory budgeting this week, which lets New York City residents 11 and older vote on which projects in their community they believe should be funded up to $1 million. (THE CITY)
4. A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that legal cannabis dispensaries could open in Brooklyn and other parts of the state. With New York cannabis officials expected to announce a new batch of licenses next week through a social equity program, a weed shop could be opening in the borough in the next weeks or months. (Gothamist)
5. These five chefs and two restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn have been nominated for the prestigious James Beard Awards. The final honors will be unveiled on June 5. (New York City Patch)

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:

• Salsa Thursdays at Time Out Market (6 p.m.)
• Live Music Thursdays: Cover Girl Duo (7 p.m.)
• The RUSH Tribute Project — Palladium Times Square (8 p.m.)
• Rachael Sage — Rockwood Music Hall (8:30 p.m.)
• Gabe Mollica's 'Solo: A Show About Friendship' (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• More than one third of New York state parents in a recent survey had an adult child living at home. (New York City Patch)
• It's almost time for Easter, and in the holiday spirit Midtown and Upper East Side businesses are participating in an Easter Egg hunt this Saturday. (Midtown-Hell's Kitchen Patch)
• What would you name a new hybrid-electric ferry between Manhattan and Governor's Island? The city wants New Yorkers' input. (Gothamist)
• Four hundred applications for electric vehicle carshare licenses were gone within just two minutes on Wednesday, a city agency said. (New York Daily News)

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:

• The Deepest Breath by Treehouse Shakers (March 31)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (April 1)
• Waterfront Open House 11 am - 2 pm (April 1)
• Open House (April 1)
• The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour (April 1)
• 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)
• Conversations on Reproductive Justice and Intersectionality: The Janes (April 3)
• Montclair School of Real Estate * SPRING Classes * IN PERSON or ONLINE (April 4)
• All Walkers Welcome to Join Good Morning America Film Shoot With Diana Nyad & Bonnie Stoll (April 5)
• What to Know About the ISEE and SSAT Tests: A Workshop for Parents (April 5)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (April 8)
• The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour (April 8)
• 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:

• 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. I'll be 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