Press Coverage

He saw potential for Technology Development Corporation, the nonprofit corporation set up in 2012 under Bloomberg to oversee major technology projects, where he last worked, to evolve into something like the federal government's 18F. Its websitedocuments credit the agency with key involvement in the Pre-K for All outreach system and IDNYC.

He said, he felt however, that nobody "understand[s] the potential value of the TDC well enough."

Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal invoked a possible role for the Technology Development Corporation at a recent Council hearing considering two bills introduced by Councilman Ben Kallos aimed at pushing the administration to embrace open-source software,  which the Independent Budget Office estimates could eventually save $25 million. An 18F employee was among those testifying in favor.

City Councilmember Ben Kallos — who co-signed the preliminary rezoning statement alongside his colleague Dan Garodnick, Borough President Gale Brewer, and State Senator Liz Krueger — said that time is now on their side in pushing through the rezoning.

“We knew this rezoning would move faster than they could build,” Kallos said. “This bankruptcy filing will only draw the process out for years and give the community the time it needs for this rezoning.”

The rally was attended by numerous elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Councilmembers Robert Cornegy, Daneek Miller, Ben Kallos, Carlos Menchaca, Corey Johnson, Jimmy Van Bramer, Antonio Reynoso, Andy Cohen, Brad Lander and Barry Grodenchik.

Councilmember Ben Kallos said that keeping tuition affordable for New Yorkers was important, telling meeting attendees that he wouldn’t have his law degree from the State University of New York-Buffalo if he hadn’t been able to pay his own way through school.

“It’s important that our students graduate debt-free,” Kallos remarked.

Supporters of a bill designed to clamp down on wage theft for freelancers rally before a hearing Monday, New York City Hall, Feb. 29, 2016. Pictured before the podium, Councilman Ben Kallos and Freelancers Union chief Sara Horowitz.

Under the current proposal, New York City-based freelancers who are not paid on time would have rights to pursue back pay that are comparable to those of traditional employees. First, the bill would require anyone who hires an independent contractor for $200 or more to create a written contract specifying the kind of work to be done and the payment date. It would then require workers to be compensated within 30 days of the specified payment date, or of the contractor completing the service, whichever comes first.

“With auto-enrollment, people will be nudged into saving for retirement,” said Councilman Ben Kallos, a Democrat from the Upper East Side of Manhattan, who will be one of the sponsors of the legislation once it is introduced. Though people can choose not to participate, he said, city officials hope that most would.

Two years ago, Kallos released a policy report about the bodies and identified some areas for reform.

Since then, according to the Council member, some positive changes have been made. “The borough presidents have adopted improved applications,” Kallos told Gotham Gazette, noting the switch to applying online. “We’ve seen applications go up on the community boards that I oversee and other members are overseeing.”

Aside from online applications, a possible reason for the enrollment increase is a state law passed in 2014 allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to serve on community boards. An increase in youth representation on the boards was recommended by Kallos in his report, and he co-sponsored a City Council resolution in support of the state legislation.

“We’ve appointed numerous 16-year-olds throughout the city,” Kallos said. “They’re bringing youth and energy to the boards, and they are our best and brightest.”

In April of last year, Kallos introduced a bill that would have required borough presidents to provide professional urban planning staff to community boards, a policy that advocacy groups have also endorsed.

“Since they are doing the work of looking at their neighborhoods to see what should be improved locally and what recommendations they want to make about land-use decisions, streetscapes, that kind of thing, we think that they should actually have professional advice,” said Werber of Citizens Union.

Like the term limits bill, this bill was laid over after a public hearing.

Torres’ community board reform bill is currently active on the Council floor and awaiting an initial hearing. Simply put, the bill would require community boards to publish information on board vacancies, attendance records, as well as demographic data in an effort to increase board diversity.

Kallos, a co-sponsor of the bill, has already seen its policies practiced by the community boards under his oversight. “It’s already being implemented by Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer and it’s really had a significant impact,” the governmental operations committee chair said.

Community board reform bills must go through Kallos’ committee, but in order to move they also must have the support of many Council members who may be worried about upsetting their local board members.

“I have great hopes for Council Member Torres’ legislation,” Kallos said. “I think transparency is good anywhere we can bring it.”

Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan) was the sole council member to attend Tuesday’s rally. He pledged to fight for “deeper affordability” and safe labor standards, but did not specify his agenda.

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"We need the internet as a collective .... to come out, advocate, let the mayor, let the Council .... know that this is something they want to see the city lead the nation on," Kallos said after the hearing.

The New York City Council is now full time with outside income banned, following the signing of legislation authored by Council Member Ben Kallos by Mayor Bill de Blasio. This new legislation paired with ending the practice of doling out stipends known as "lulus" to certain members, which the Daily News has called "legal bribery" will go a long way in keeping the Council free of corruption.

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