While Comptroller Brad Lander is concerned about the sugar cane harvesters in Maharashtra, India, New Yorkers seem more concerned by the fact that three people were stabbed and killed midday in Manhattan this week… What are we doing to not just fix our mental healthcare system, but also our justice system?
Council Member Erik Bottcher has been vocal about NYC’s mental health crisis and the need for more shelter beds and services for people who are struggling… while there’s also been a push to uncap access to justice by Assemblyman Alex Bores and Senator Brad Hoylman, who suggest adding more judicial seats in our courtrooms to offset the volume of cases. In speaking with NYC judges and government prosecutors, we’ve learned the issue could run deeper, having more to do with technology—or the lack thereof—an area newly appointed NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is very familiar with, having previously led major technology modernization efforts at the NYPD and the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT). With outdated systems, district attorneys and staff attorneys struggle to process cases efficiently, leading to the perception of ‘catch and release’—if they can’t get through the literal paperwork on their desks within 48 hours, cases are often dismissed…
Do you Believe that Cher was in NYC this week for a meeting with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis – and spoke at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan? Meanwhile, Community Affairs pro Moshe Davis was down at City Hall this week after paternity leave…
Council Member Keith Powers – who is running for Manhattan Borough President – hosted his birthday party this week at which his replacement hopeful, Virginia Maloney, was present, along with Gateway Development Commission’s Nivardo Lopez was in attendance overheard discussing the status of the project and its tunnels, pivoting to a discussion about childhood musical careers with State Senate legislative whiz, Andrew Goldston… Passing through the party before heading to the New Jersey League of Municipalities the next morning was New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Andrew Gross chatting with Mercury’s Jake Dilemani; CMW Strategies’ Michael Woloz and Danna deBlasio; Lime’s global communications director, Russell Murphy; and Sophie Secor, legislative director for Assemblyman Alex Bores…
Meanwhile, at Microsoft’s Manhattan HQ, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) hosted a bootcamp for new women business owners. Your very own Political Personality gave the keynote address to a room full of MWBE contractors about turning your weakness into your superpower.
‘Tis the Season for Turkey giveaways – and seemingly everyone’s doing it – except for a few political personalities who chose to feed constituents what they truly desire… in the case of Council Member Kevin Riley it was oxtail and goat meat, while constituents of Council Speaker Adrienne Adams received tilapia filets…
What were our borough presidents up to this week? There was a bipartisan district roundtable in Brooklyn hosted by Council Member Inna Vernikov and Borough President Antonio Reynoso… In Queens, Borough President Donovan Richards announced $1 million in funding towards structural and safety renovations for 450 NYCHA Pomonok Houses residents while Queens Deputy Borough President Ebony Young was spotted in district with world and international ideas, fresh back from the Reykjavik Global Forum where she spoke about gender pay equity: instead of fighting, women should be pressing – like at the gym – she says, as that’s how we get stronger!… and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced the opening of 98 new affordable supportive housing units in Wakefield as part of a partnership with The Doe Fund – on site was its CEO Jennifer Mitchell and DHC’s Arthur Goldstein…
Who has a key to the city? At Gracie Mansion this week, NYC Mayor Eric Adams presented this honor to President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker; New York Times Bestselling Author and Co-Host of “CBS Saturday Morning,” Michelle Miller; and President and CEO of the National Urban League Marc Morial at the Gracie Mansion Conservancy Annual Benefit Gala…
On Long Island, state Senator Kevin Thomas handed over the keys to his office to newly elected Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe who will fill his seat come January… Long Island’s Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) hosted its annual tribute dinner at the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation this week, spotlighting a discussion about antisemitism on campus. HMTC’s in-house storyteller, former broadcast news reporter, Dana Arschin, won an Emmy Award for her storytelling of Holocaust Survivor Leo Ullman. There to support exec director Moji Pourmoradi and the Center were Senator Jack Martins, Nassau Legislator Mazi Pilip and newly elected Assemblyman Daniel Norber, who is an IDF veteran… Also on Long Island this week, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena hosted a mock trial at her Town Hall for local Girl Scout troop, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman gathered with local officials to oppose the NYSED’s regionalization plan to preserve local control over school districts. Senator Jack Martins and Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz introduced the Our Schools, Our Rules Act, which prohibits state-mandated regionalization, allowing voluntary collaboration while protecting local school boards’ authority over governance and budgeting…
Coming Up:
11/25: Long Island Fight for Charity
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Political Personality of the Week
Newly appointed NYPD Commissioner, Jessica Tisch
Jessica Tisch has nearly two decades of experience in city government, with a career dedicated to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government services for New Yorkers. Tisch began her public service career in 2008 as a counterterrorism analyst at the NYPD. Over the years, she took on various leadership roles, culminating in her position as Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology. In this capacity, Tisch spearheaded the NYPD’s technological modernization efforts, including the development of the Domain Awareness System, the rollout of smartphones for officers, and the implementation of body-worn cameras.
In December 2019, Tisch was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT), where she served until January 2022. In this role, she oversaw the largest municipal IT organization in the United States, managing the city’s technological infrastructure and public safety systems, including NYC 311. Tisch also launched the city’s first text-to-911 service and made significant contributions to New York City’s COVID-19 response, including the development of the city’s vaccination distribution platform.
In April 2022, Tisch was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation where she led the city’s waste collection, recycling, street cleaning, and snow removal operations. Under her leadership, DSNY implemented key initiatives, such as the “Trash Revolution,” which mandates the containerization of 70% of the 44 million pounds of waste generated daily by New Yorkers. Tisch has also led the rollout of universal curbside composting for all 3.5 million city residences, marking a significant shift toward more sustainable waste management practices.
Throughout her career, Tisch has been known for her leadership in using technology to improve public safety, city services, and the efficiency of municipal operations. Her work has had a lasting impact on New York City, from transforming the NYPD’s approach to policing to modernizing the city’s sanitation infrastructure. A lifelong New Yorker, Tisch holds degrees from Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School.
- Jessica’s grandfather is a Rabbi who married her to her husband, Daniel
- Led NYPD’s tech modernization, including the rollout of smartphones for officers.
- Harvard Triple Grad: Jessica holds degrees from Harvard College, Law School, and Business School.
- Comes from a family with deep roots in public service and philanthropy.
- As Sanitation Commissioner, launched a citywide initiative to containerize 70% of NYC’s daily waste
