Press Room

"I am relieved to see the Supreme Court reject this challenge to rent stabilization, an unconscionable effort by landlords to further put profit over people and exacerbate the housing and homelessness crisis. Even with a Rent Guidelines Board that under this mayoral administration has inexplicably continued to raise rents in an affordability crisis, our rent stabilization system and the protections that come with it are invaluable and indispensable.

"With two similar cases still pending, I remain wary, and hope that the Court will reject these challenges, which would undo decades of precedent and ultimately force countless New Yorkers from their homes in a city that already has the highest rents in the nation."

"I urge New Yorkers to follow basic precautions as the dangerous flooding conditions continue – especially to avoid travel and to move to higher floors where possible. This emergency is ongoing.

"From orange skies to flooded streets, a pattern is becoming clear – the administration has been delayed and insufficient in using the most effective tools in notifying New Yorkers about extreme weather emergencies which are only increasing in frequency. With schools opening only to immediately close, with roads rapidly closing and transit lines shutting down, it's clear that there have been gaps in the city’s early rapid response to this storm, and those inadequacies can only be corrected if they are acknowledged. Notifying the public as soon as possible, and in real time is key. While the city’s social media updates are helpful, larger rapid response tactics like a mayoral press conference and notifications from Notify NYC before the storm began would be a more effective way toward reaching the masses to ensure folks are able to plan accordingly, and may have kept people off the roads during the morning rush.

"To the administration’s credit it does appear that there was a plan for city agencies in place behind the scenes that activated quickly and appropriately. Still, it is vitally important for New Yorkers to see the Mayor speak to that plan in advance of– not just in the midst of– an emergency.

"In general, neither our city’s physical or communications infrastructure are keeping up with the climate crisis and the dangerous conditions it will continue to create. It’s critically important that as climate change continues to impact communities across the city, we have a larger conversation and comprehensive, tiered strategy to better prepare for a future of more frequent and severe storms."

"I wish an easy and meaningful fast, G'mar chatima tova, to everyone preparing for Yom Kippur this evening.

"Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the Day of Atonement, when we both ask forgiveness for ourselves and grant it to others. This call to atone echoes in our lives and communities, urging that we lift one another up in the year ahead. Today and moving forward in the new year, let us carry compassion and empathy as we acknowledge the experiences and challenges of those around us, and grant one another forgiveness in the face of our failings. We are all facing challenges, often unknown to one another, and by extending grace, tolerance, and mercy, we draw closer to our fellow neighbor and to G-d.

"Reconciliation is critical on the path toward healing. May G-d bestow blessings, mercy and absolution on all seeking redemption, and may we all be sealed in the Book of Life."

"I applaud the Biden-Harris administration for establishing the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This is an issue so pressing and pervasive that it demands focused action from the highest reaches of our government.

“As the office takes shape, I urge the administration to center its strategies on the kind of holistic, community-driven violence prevention approach that President Biden witnessed during his visit to New York City last year, the kind I’ve promoted since my time as co-Chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun Violence a decade ago. In New York, our similar citywide office has found success and saved lives by embracing and investing in strategies that take on both the supply of guns that enables violence in our neighborhoods and the demand that drives it by investing in changing underlying conditions in those neighborhoods. I have long pushed for collaboration across all levels of government on this issue, which should be a mandate of this new office.

“At this moment, I’m joining federal elected officials in Washington for the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. I hope that this announcement spurs overdue, common sense action from Congress to provide resources and relief for communities devastated by this ongoing epidemic of gun violence.”

"Ah gut gebentsht yohr to all in the Jewish community across our city – wishing a happy, sweet new year to everyone beginning to celebrate Rosh Hashanah this evening.

The sound of the shofar resonates through Rosh Hashanah, calling us to reflect and practice Teshuva as we prepare to move forward into the coming year. With that reflection comes gratitude for the year that has been – for the totality of time we've had, for the good and the bad moments, for the wisdom we have gained to move forward.

A new year is another chance for self-improvement and renewal, as we hope to be sealed in the Book of Life for a ketivah tovah. May the coming year 5784 be one of strength and solidarity, love and light for our families and communities. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah!

"It has been over two decades since the attacks on September 11, 2001, and like so many New Yorkers, I remember the morning clearly. It is a memory that will forever be ingrained in our minds and live permanently within our hearts. The sense of fear and uncertainty, the devastation, and the grief. Twenty-two years later, we will never forget the men and women who lost their lives tragically on September 11, nor the people who suffered years later from injuries and illnesses as a result of the attacks, many of whom sacrificed their own safety as first responders. We are reminded to celebrate their lives as we mourn their deaths.

“9/11 left a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of New Yorkers, and on the people of our nation. It brought immense sorrow to our country, while providing a sense of strength and determination for us all to support one another – our fellow New Yorkers, fellow Americans – and to uplift each other through difficulty and turmoil. The loss felt insurmountable, and the unity unprecedented as it filled the city, and the entire country, with empathy. A day which should have weakened us made us stronger. United us. 

“I pray for continued healing for the families who lost loved ones, and for the city. I know that the pain will take a lifetime to heal, but I pray it will get better with each year that passes. New York is a city of resilience and will continue to move forward in strength, courage, peace and hope.”