Jun 15 - After congestion pricing’s defeat, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow pushes casinos to fill the MTA’s budget gap. An editorial slams the plan, calling it reckless and corrupt. The piece urges Governor Hochul to hold the line. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On June 15, 2024, an editorial criticized a push by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (District 89) to use casino licenses as a quick fix for lost MTA revenue after congestion pricing failed. The editorial, titled 'After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan,' warns that casino funding is unreliable and prone to corruption. Pretlow, along with state Sen. Joe Addabo, is vocal about expediting casino approvals. The editorial quotes, 'The MTA may need cash, but ramming through casino deals... has got to be among the worst ideas yet.' It urges Governor Hochul to reject the casino plan, praising her past opposition to congestion pricing rollbacks. No direct safety analysis was provided, but the editorial highlights systemic risk: without stable transit funding, vulnerable road users face greater danger from increased car traffic and unreliable public transit.

• After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-15

Jun 14 - A distracted driver triggered a violent crash on South Avenue. Two vehicles collided frontally, injuring a 62-year-old woman driver. The impact left her with chest injuries and whiplash, highlighting the deadly consequences of inattention behind the wheel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:43 on South Avenue involving a 2020 Jeep SUV traveling east and a 2009 Nissan sedan traveling south. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The 62-year-old female sedan driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and serious injury to the sedan driver, underscoring the dangers of distracted driving in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732861 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 10 - Angry Brooklynites rallied at Broadway Junction. They blasted Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Signs demanded clean air and fast trains. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it betrayal. Protesters warned: more cars, less transit, and vulnerable riders left behind.

On June 10, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler joined a protest in District 33 against Governor Kathy Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The rally, organized by Riders Alliance, gathered outside Broadway Junction. Protesters held signs reading, 'Don’t cancel @ 11th hour' and 'clean air, fast trains. Fund the MTA.' The matter, titled 'Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' saw Restler declare, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us.' He called for more frequent buses, reliable trains, and less car dependence. Demonstrators warned that the delay defunds the MTA, threatens service for those without cars, and puts Black, Brown, and low-income communities at risk. State Sen. Jabari Brisport urged Hochul to reinstate the plan. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-06-10

Jun 9 - Anger filled Broadway Junction. Protesters called out Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Councilmember Lincoln Restler said the city was betrayed. Riders demanded better buses, trains, and less car traffic. Without funding, vulnerable New Yorkers face longer waits and dangerous streets.

On June 9, 2024, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined a protest at Broadway Junction against the indefinite delay of New York’s congestion pricing plan. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, followed Governor Kathy Hochul’s last-minute decision to halt the Manhattan toll plan. The protest drew bus and subway riders, who chanted for immediate action and held signs demanding clean air and reliable transit. Restler declared, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' and called for more frequent bus service, better trains, and less dependence on cars and trucks. The demonstrators warned that without congestion pricing, the MTA faces a funding crisis. This threatens repairs and improvements, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income neighborhoods, and risks worsening traffic and delays for emergency services. The protest highlights the systemic danger: when transit funding is gutted, vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Brooklyn protesters fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, amny.com, Published 2024-06-09

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Albany lawmakers left town. Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA lost $1 billion. Projects for safer, more accessible transit now hang in limbo. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face a bleaker future. No fix. No plan. Only confusion and risk.

On June 7, 2024, state leaders adjourned without resolving the MTA’s $1 billion funding gap. The crisis followed Governor Hochul’s abrupt halt of congestion pricing, a move that stripped the MTA of critical capital. The MTA warned, "Modernization and improvement projects like electric buses, accessible stations and new signals will likely need to be deprioritized." State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie both expressed uncertainty. The matter, titled "State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day," leaves transit upgrades stalled. Stewart-Cousins was mentioned but took no direct action. With no new funding, the MTA’s ability to deliver safer, more reliable service for vulnerable New Yorkers is now in jeopardy.

• State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Two SUVs traveling south on Morningstar Road collided in a rear-end crash. The front passenger of the lead vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite improper lane usage and following too closely as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, two SUVs were traveling southbound on Morningstar Road when the rear vehicle struck the front vehicle's left front bumper with its center back end. The crash occurred at 7:13 a.m. The lead vehicle's front passenger, a 56-year-old woman wearing a lap belt, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report identifies the driver errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers were licensed and operating their 2024 SUVs straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision's point of impact and vehicle damage confirm a rear-end crash caused by driver misjudgment, with no contributing victim behavior noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul scrapped congestion pricing for Manhattan below 60th Street. The move came late. She caved to political pressure. The toll plan is paused. The city’s streets stay clogged. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. No relief. No progress.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul reversed her support for Manhattan congestion pricing, indefinitely delaying tolls below 60th Street. The plan, once set to launch June 30, was halted after pressure from U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who feared electoral fallout. The matter, described as a move to 'indefinitely delay' tolls, drew criticism for its timing and impact. Hochul’s action, punctuated by a speech echoing toll critics, left the policy in limbo. Political consultants and union leaders, including @TwuSamuelsen, noted the decision failed to win votes or resolve the issue. The MTA confirmed the program’s pause in court. With no congestion pricing, New York’s streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. The delay means no reduction in car traffic, no new funding for transit, and no safety gains for vulnerable road users.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Reversal Won’t Win Democrats Any Votes in November, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 5 - Governor Hochul killed congestion pricing weeks before launch. The plan would have funded subways and buses, cut car traffic, and eased city streets. Her move keeps roads clogged, transit starved, and vulnerable New Yorkers at risk.

On June 5, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul abruptly canceled New York’s congestion pricing plan. The policy, passed by the Legislature in 2019, was set to begin within weeks. It would have charged drivers entering Manhattan’s core, raising $1 billion yearly for transit repairs and upgrades. Hochul’s decision, made without legislative action, drew sharp criticism. Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate, warned of 'irreparable harm to the city.' Natasha Elder of NYPIRG said, 'Gov. Hochul's decision to delay congestion pricing tells subway and bus riders they don't rank.' Advocates like the Tri-State Transportation Campaign called for 'bold, strong leadership.' The cancellation leaves the city’s streets jammed and transit funding gutted, with no relief for those most at risk: people on foot, on bikes, and on buses.

• Four Ways that NY Gov. Hochul’s Cancelation of Congestion Pricing is Bad for America, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-05

Jun 5 - DOT gutted its promise. Protected lanes for kids and cyclists, gone. Homeowners waved signs. Parking won. Only a short stretch gets protection. The rest: paint and sharrows. Schools left exposed. Safety traded for curbside convenience. Another promise broken. Riders pay the price.

""I expected DOT to follow through on what they committed to... They’re falling behind on their Streets Plan [bike lane construction] targets so I would expect them to want to install every bit of protected bike lane they had already committed to."" -- Charles Fall

On June 5, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) reversed course on a two-year-old plan to build protected bike lanes in northeast Queens. The project, once set to connect schools with safe cycling routes, will now feature mostly unprotected lanes and sharrows along 46th Avenue. Only a small segment between Springfield Boulevard and Cloverdale Boulevard will have a protected lane in one direction. DOT cited the need to 'maintain current curbside activities,' meaning parking. Community Board 11 had opposed the original plan, and homeowners rallied with 'NO BIKE LANES' signs and an 800-signature petition. Advocates like Laura Shepard and Elizabeth Adams condemned the rollback, saying, 'We can't let politics get in the way of saving lives.' Ben Turner criticized the prioritization of parking over safety, noting most homes already have driveways. The changes leave children and cyclists exposed, undermining the city's own Streets Master Plan targets.

• BIKELASH! DOT Waters Down Northeast Queens Protected Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-05

Jun 4 - Lawmakers blasted city officials for letting trash haulers with deadly records win new contracts. Council grilled DSNY for picking low bids over safety. Victims’ lives lost in the math. Oversight weak. Dangerous firms keep rolling. Streets stay risky for all.

On June 4, 2024, the City Council held an oversight hearing on commercial waste zone implementation and contractor selection. The hearing spotlighted the Commercial Waste Zones law, which aims to cut crashes by limiting private trash haulers in each zone. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, author of the 2019 reform, and Council Member Shaun Abreu led the charge, questioning why companies like Cogent Waste Solutions—with poor safety records—were awarded contracts. Reynoso declared, "Saving $20 for a business is not worth five human lives." DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the process, promising to terminate contracts after multiple at-fault fatalities. BIC Commissioner Liz Crotty admitted, "Safety is not a factor" in license denial. Lawmakers condemned the city for putting cost before safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• Pols Slam City For Giving Rogue Carters Permits for New Zones, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-04

Jun 3 - Sanitation named a monitor for Cogent Waste Solutions after fatal crashes and hundreds of violations. Council members question why a company with such a record still hauls trash in city zones. The city’s new waste program promises stricter oversight, but danger remains.

On June 3, 2024, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) appointed an independent monitor for Cogent Waste Solutions, a private carting firm with a deadly safety record. The move comes before the city’s new Commercial Waste Zone program launches this fall. Council Members Shaun Abreu and Sandy Nurse raised alarms, asking, 'how the city awarded a contract to a company with a history of endangering workers to begin with.' Cogent’s trucks have killed one, injured four, and racked up hundreds of violations. Despite this, DSNY allowed Cogent to win contracts in four waste zones. DSNY Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman defended the process, stating, 'Safety was absolutely one of the weighted factors,' and promised, 'there will be consequences for lack of compliance.' The oversight hearing exposes a system that lets reckless firms operate, even as new rules loom.

• Exclusive: Sanitation Dept. Appoints Monitor for Carting Firm with Spotty Safety Record, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 31 - A sedan traveling south on Brabant Street hit a 30-year-old woman crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver’s inattention and unsafe speed caused the collision. The pedestrian suffered bruises and upper leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2013 Volkswagen sedan traveling south on Brabant Street struck a 30-year-old female pedestrian crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, causing contusions and upper leg injuries classified as moderate. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior. The driver’s failure to maintain attention and control at a safe speed directly led to the impact and injuries sustained by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18