Key Takeaways:
– The cannabis partnership between Bronx Defenders and the Bronx Community Foundation hit a snag due to ‘inappropriate business relationships’.
– Associations of black prison and parole officers publicly speak out against the culture of violence in New York’s prison system, following the brutal killing of Robert Brooks.
– A report on greenhouse gas emissions shows a slight increase in emissions from New York in 2022. It emphasizes the need for New York to make significant progress if it is to meet its climate goal of a 40% emissions reduction by 2030.
Cannabis Partnership Rocked by Controversy
The Bronx Defenders and the Bronx Community Foundation had initially teamed up to create a cannabis licensing hub, offering a comprehensive resource to New Yorkers eager to sell marijuana following its legalization. However, less than a year later, the partnership disintegrated over allegations of a conflict of interest involving Desmon Lewis, co-founder of the Bronx Foundation. The fallout left the Cannabis Hub without the support of the Foundation but still functioning independently.
Voices against Prison Violence Grow Louder
Representatives of New York’s black prison and parole officers recently denounced the circumstances around the death of 43-year-old Robert Brooks, killed after a beating by prison guards. Their condemnation draws attention to the ongoing issue of violence within the state prison system. The sections of the Grand Council of Guardians have called for changes within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
Greenhouse Gas Emissions a Major Concern
Recent figures indicate an increase in New York’s greenhouse emissions in 2022. Although this was expected as economies rebounded after Covid-19 lockdowns, the increase veritably reflects policy decisions. New York replaced the zero-emissions Indian Point Nuclear Plant with new gas plants, while the share of the state’s electricity generated from fossil fuels increased significantly over three years; these factors contributed to the emissions rise. Amidst this increase, the state’s challenge to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 based on 1990 levels seems monumental, particularly when it has managed a mere 9.3% reduction up to 2022.
Looking Toward the Future
The light at the end of the tunnel appears in the form of a carbon pricing program slated for unveiling after years of meticulous planning. This, coupled with renewed contracts for several renewable projects and the initiation of multiple state-led projects, brings a shimmer of optimism. The path, however, is still filled with hurdles, chiefly among them pro-business groups questioning the feasibility of the ambitious 2030 target. All eyes will be on how the state negotiates these obstacles and progresses towards its greenhouse gas emissions target.
In Conclusion
From the unfolding saga of the Bronx cannabis partnership, the rising voices of prison reform advocates, and the sobering greenhouse emissions report, it’s clear that New York is grappling with several pivotal issues. As the city deals with these challenges, its citizens look forward to changes that will positively impact both local communities and the wider environment.