Updated October 1, 2024

City Charter

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams established a Charter Revision Commission to propose additions to the New York City Charter, which functions as the city’s Constitution. The Commission has proposed five changes that New Yorkers will vote on in this year's general election.

Two of these proposals would make it harder for the City Council to pass laws and would increase the Mayor’s power, especially around public safety legislation. These changes could slow down the legislative process, affecting the lives of all New Yorkers. The other three proposals impact sanitation, capital planning, and city operations.

• Check out City & State's breakdown of the proposals
• Review the full text of the ballot proposals

 

Arts Workforce

Minimum Wage

New York’s minimum wage has increased for three years with subsequent increases tied to inflation. On January 1, 2024, the minimum wage increased to $16 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, and to $15 in all other parts of the State. 

• Review press release on historic agreement to raise NY minimum wage.
• Learn more about New York State’s minimum wage.
• Check out the history of New York State minimum wage
 

Job Listing Transparency

In 2022, The New York City Council voted to adopt Int. 1208, which mandates employers to include in job listings the minimum and maximum salary offered for any position located within New York City. The law went into effect September 2023. Violations constitute an unlawful and discriminatory practice and can be reported to the NYC Human Rights Commission.

•  Learn more about the law and its effects on bridging inequities.
 

Freelance isn’t Free

In 2017, NYC enacted the Freelance isn’t Free Act, which establishes freelance workers’ rights to a written contract, timely and full payment, and protection from retaliation. (In 2023, a statewide version of this legislation was also passed.)

• Review your rights as a freelance worker in NYC.
• Read The Freelancers Union guide to filing a nonpayment claim with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Read the city’s 5-Year Report on the effectiveness of the legislation.

 

Arts Organizations

NYC Arts and Culture Funding Restored 

After months of negotiation, the City Council has adopted the 2025 Budget, which includes a full $53 million restoration to arts and culture funding. 

This would not have been possible without the advocacy and support of the arts community. Dance/NYC and our partners fought for the $53 million restoration by organizing rallies, sending letters to elected officials, testifying at City Hall meetings, and raising awareness in our communities. This win doesn’t just increase sustainability for New York City arts & culture – it underscores the critical impact of arts advocacy.

• Email your Council Member to thank them for restoring arts and culture funding in 2025’s budget. 
• Sign on to thank the Mayor and Speaker of City Council for prioritizing arts and culture.
• Read and watch Dance/NYC’s testimony to the Cultural Affairs Committee’s final budget hearing
• Read Dance’ NYC’s Testimony to the Cultural Affairs Committee Preliminary Budget Hearing.

 

Open Culture

The New York City Council voted to adopt Int 0590-2022 and make Open Culture a permanent City program. The Open Culture program allows the City to issue permits for eligible arts and cultural organizations to use outdoor spaces for cultural performances.

• The NYC Open Culture Program Resources page is here, from the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment, but has not been updated as yet to reflect the recent legislation.
• Learn more about the past accomplishments in the program and changes from the pandemic era legislation.
 

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit Payment Reform

Review this statement from the Office of the Mayor promising an easier process for nonprofits to be paid on time. 

• Review a letter from the Task Force Co-chairs.
• Learn more about the most burdensome admin processes on NYC nonprofits.
• Visit the Mayor's Office of Nonprofits.

Arts Education

It Starts With the Arts

Review NYC Arts Education Roundtable’s It Starts with The Arts Campaign to get updated on their proposal and advocacy tools for advancing arts education in NYC. 
 

Zoning

New York City Dancing Ban Officially Repealed as Part of Zoning Reforms

On June 6, the New York City Council voted to lift a Prohibition-era dancing ban as part of the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning reforms. Under old zoning laws, social dancing was prohibited in smaller nightlife venues in over 80% of New York City. These laws, through uneven enforcement and burdensome fines, disproportionately impacted marginalized BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant communities. Now, any commercially-zoned bar or restaurant can have a dance floor, provided it is appropriately sized for the business.

• Review Dance/NYC’s City Council Testimony on the importance of social dancing
• Explore LegalizeDance.Org
• Check out the New York City Council’s Instagram summary

Rent Increase

Earlier this year, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board voted to approve a 2.75% rent increase for one-year leases and 5.25% on two-year leases for rent-stabilized apartments. These increases will go into effect for any leases signed on or after October 1, 2024.

• Review news coverage on the Rent Guidelines Board increase
• Check if your building is rent stabilized
• Learn more about rights in rent stabilized buildings

 

Fair Fares NYC Program

The Fair Fares NYC program is expanding eligibility by increasing the range of income levels that qualify. Fair Fares NYC allows low-income New Yorkers to ride the subway or bus at a 50% discount. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available.

• Check your eligibility for the Fair Fares Program
• Learn more about the Fair Fares expansion

 

Housing and Transportation

FARE Act

The New York City Council is currently considering the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which would end forced broker fees. Under current law, renters often have to pay broker fees when moving into a new apartment, even when it is the landlord who hires the broker. The FARE Act would ensure that tenants would not have to pay fees for a broker they didn’t hire. The FARE Act would boost transparency and housing affordability for all New Yorkers, including dance workers.

• Contact your City Council Member in support of the FARE Act
• Check out City Council Member Ossé’s explainer video
• Review Dance/NYC’s Testimony in support of the FARE ACT

Rent Increase

Earlier this year, the NYC Rent Guidelines Board voted to approve a 2.75% rent increase for one-year leases and 5.25% on two-year leases for rent-stabilized apartments. These increases will go into effect for any leases signed on or after October 1, 2024.

• Review news coverage on the Rent Guidelines Board increase
• Check if your building is rent stabilized
• Learn more about rights in rent stabilized buildings

 

Fair Fares NYC Program

The Fair Fares NYC program is expanding eligibility by increasing the range of income levels that qualify. Fair Fares NYC allows low-income New Yorkers to ride the subway or bus at a 50% discount. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available.

• Check your eligibility for the Fair Fares Program
• Learn more about the Fair Fares expansion