Council progressives had hoped they could convince fellow lawmakers to override former Mayor Adams’ veto and pass the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. But new Speaker Menin, who abstained from voting on COPA last year, declined to call it for an override vote, effectively killing it—for now.

New Council Speaker Julie Menin kicking off Thursday’s stated meeting, where lawmakers override a number of Eric Adams’ vetos, but let others stand. (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)

A lot can change in a month.

A social housing bill that would give community groups first dibs on buying certain residential buildings was unceremoniously vetoed by Mayor Eric Adams—one of 20 bills he struck down on his last day in office.

Since then, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated, five new members joined the City Council and Julie Menin became its new speaker.

Council progressives had hoped they could convince a new Council to override the former mayor’s veto and pass the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act, or COPA. Mamdani backed the bill, while real estate groups were strongly opposed.

But the mood shifted late in the game this week. Legal issues reportedly scared off some supporters. New Speaker Menin, who abstained from voting on COPA last year, declined to call it for an override vote, effectively killing it.

Councilmember Sandy Nurse, COPA’s sponsor, expressed disappointment with the defeat of a bill she said was the Council Progressive Caucus’s top priority.

Supporters say it would give mission-driven groups, including community land trusts, a leg up against deep-pocketed real estate speculators in the city’s competitive housing market. The amended version of the bill passed by lawmakers in December applied specifically to buildings in physical distress or where affordable rent requirements are expiring. 

“Our good faith effort to create a targeted, legally-sound preservation tool was met with a well-funded misinformation campaign from the most powerful real estate interests in the city,” Nurse told City Limits in a statement.

But the bill faced intense opposition from real estate groups, who said it unfairly favors nonprofits at the expense of private property owners. Ann Korchak, who represents the group Small Property Owners of New York, previously called COPA, “government-engineered interference in private free-market transactions.”

Lawmakers said they would reintroduce COPA later this year. 

The Council also declined to override a veto on a bill from Bronx Councilmember Eric Dinowitz that would have mandated at least 25 percent of units in new affordable housing be two-bedrooms, and 15 percent be three-bedrooms.

But lawmakers voted to override vetoes on two other housing bills: one that mandates minimums for homeownership units, and another that requires the city to finance a minimum percentage of units priced for “very low” or “extremely low” income households (up to $43,740 and $72,900 for a family of three, respectively). 

All three bills passed in December with a supermajority of support. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Mayor Mamdani were opposed to all three, which they say would cost $600 million dollars a year or result in more than 3,275 fewer affordable units overall.

Speaker Menin’s office did not respond to requests for comment about why some bills advanced but not others. But a spokesperson told City & State earlier this week that the bills didn’t have the votes to override a mayoral veto, which requires a supermajority.

Dinowitz said he would work with HPD and City Hall on a new version later this year.

“It’s absolutely a crisis that we are not building enough family-sized units,” said Councilmember Eric Dinowitz. “Shelters are inundated with families and children.”

He said that while his bill would not have affected the current affordable housing pipeline, there were concerns that it would change how newly constructed buildings would be designed.

Here’s what else happened this week —

ICYMI, from City Limits: 

Mayor Mamdani is pushing to tax the rich to pay for his ambitious affordability agenda. City Limits spoke to experts and advocates about what that might look like. One takeaway? A pied-à-terre tax—targeting New Yorkers with multimillion-dollar second homes—isn’t high on progressives’ priorities list, as it wouldn’t raise enough revenue to make the political fight worthwhile. 

Amid frigid temperatures, New Yorkers lodged 26,000 311 complaints about lack of heat or hot water over the last week, the most in a seven-day period since 2018. City Limits’ reporter Patrick Spauster spoke to WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show about what landlords are required to provide, and what tenants can do if their heat isn’t working. 

New York approved a massive new casino project for Queens. Supporters say it’ll create 25 acres of new green space on what’s currently a parking spot. But opponents say the entire 50-acre site should be used as a climate resilient park to help curb flooding in the low-lying area, which is hemmed in by Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek. 

State lawmakers should pass the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power Act (ASAP Act), which would “double New York’s rooftop and community solar goal, and cut red tape to lower the costs of getting community solar connected to the grid” argues op-ed author Kate Selden of the nonprofit Solar One.

ICYMI, from other local newsrooms: 

The City spoke to unhoused New Yorkers living outside this week despite the frigid temperatures. One man said the shelter system wouldn’t allow him to enter with his cat, while others said they preferred to avoid the conditions and strict rules at some shelter facilities. 

Voters last fall approved changes to the city’s land use approval process that gives borough presidents a bigger role. Gothamist examines how they might wield their new power. 

The New York Times covers the trial of Randy Rodriguez Santos, who is accused of killing four homeless men in Chinatown in 2019, an attack that drew renewed attention to the dangers unhoused New Yorkers face. 

More towns in upstate New York are opting into Good Cause Eviction protections, Shelterforce reports.

To reach the reporter behind this story, contact Patrick@citylimits.org. To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org.

Want to republish this story? Find City Limits’ reprint policy here.

The post Council Lets Eric Adams’ COPA Veto Stand, and What Else Happened this Week in Housing appeared first on City Limits.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and JOSH BOAK, AP Writers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin Warsh has sought the job of Federal Reserve chair, off and on, since President Donald Trump first considered him for the position nearly a decade ago. Now that he is in line for the position, the enormity of the challenge ahead of him is clear.

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Trump names former Federal Reserve official Warsh as the next Fed chair to replace Powell

To be effective, Warsh must gain the trust of at least three constituencies: the committee of Federal Reserve officials whose votes he will have to win to change interest rates; the financial markets, which can undermine his efforts to reduce borrowing costs if they think he is acting politically; and not least Trump, a former real estate developer with an exquisite sense of just how much difference a cut or increase in interest rates can make for those with large debts, whether they are businesses, households or a government.

“He has to thread that needle,” said Raghuram Rajan, an economist at the University of Chicago and former head of India’s central bank. “If you are seen as too pliable to the administration, you lose the support of the members of the (Fed), you become ineffective in creating consensus.”

Yet if he alienates the White House, Rajan said, Warsh runs the risk of putting the Fed back in the White House’s sights. Under Trump, the current chair Jerome Powell has come under relentless fire for not cutting interest rates as quickly as the president would like, and is now under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice. Powell has called the investigation a pretext to force him to lower rates.

Warsh may also face a bumpy confirmation process in the Senate, where two Republicans have already said they will oppose his nomination unless the criminal investigation is resolved. One of them, Thom Tillis from North Carolina, is on the banking committee, and could prevent that panel from approving the nomination if he and all Democrats vote against it. Tillis repeated Friday that he would oppose Warsh until the Justice Department investigation is resolved.

And Democratic Sen. Mark Warner from Virginia, who is also on the committee, said: “It is difficult to trust that any chair of the Federal Reserve selected by this president will be able to act with the independence required of the position, knowing that this administration will levy charges against any leader who makes interest rate decisions based on facts and the needs of our economy rather than Trump’s personal preferences.”

And there may be even more drama ahead: Powell, as part of the Fed’s complex structure, could remain on the Fed’s governing board, as well as its rate-setting committee, even after his term as chair ends in May. That would leave Warsh facing a situation no Fed chair has dealt with in 80 years: A former chair potentially acting as a counterweight to the new leader of the Fed.

Demonstrating some independence from the White House will likely be Warsh’s biggest challenge. Alan Blinder, a former Fed vice chair, said that most important unknown is what promises Trump extracted from Warsh in return for nominating him to lead the U.S. central bank. The Princeton University economist said he worries about the private conversations between Trump and Warsh about what Fed policy needed to be.

“We all know Donald Trump — he wants a loyalty pledge of some kind,” Blinder said. “I hope Kevin Warsh didn’t give one.”

Blinder said that Warsh does have experience with markets and monetary policy, which are good preparation for the job. But, more importantly, Warsh is a people person who has the skills to influence other Fed officials when debating policy.

“The one thing he has in abundance is personal and diplomatic skills,” Blinder said. “He knows how to get along with people. He’s expert at that. He’s very likable.”

Don Kohn, a former Federal Reserve governor whose term overlapped with Warsh’s, said Warsh “is very smart — both intellectually and in his ability to read the room.”

“He understands how important it is that the Fed’s decisions be based on a longer-term view” of the Fed’s goals of stable prices and maximum employment, “rather than the short-term objectives of whomever happens to be in the White House,” Kohn said.

By Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times

Yosemite’s firefall — the winter convergence of sunbeams and falling water that has drawn growing crowds to the national park’s Horsetail Falls — will be different this year. At least for those hoping to plan a trip.

A view of the firefall at Yosemite’s Horsetail Falls in 2019. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

When skies are clear and Horsetail Falls is flowing, the firefall phenomenon happens in mid- to late February as the setting sun illuminates the falls for a few minutes before disappearing, giving the water a lava-like orange glow. A hazy or cloudy evening can dramatically reduce or destroy the effect. Yet since photographer Galen Rowell captured a striking image in 1973, thousands of visitors (many of them photographers) have made the journey, vying for the ideal position, prompting various safety measures. By 2021, rangers were using reservation requirements to thin the crowds.

This year, firefall views are considered mostly likely to take place Feb. 10-26, and a reservation is not required to see it or to visit Yosemite in February. Instead, park officials aim to limit crowds by restricting car and foot traffic. As the Mariposa Gazette reported, Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden said that “a bunch of boots on the ground is going to be our principal strategy.” With these changes, here are a few things to know if you’re hoping to experience the glow.

Where to park

Rangers are urging visitors to park in the Yosemite Falls parking area (just west of Yosemite Valley Lodge) and walk 1.5 miles to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area. If there’s no parking available at Yosemite Falls, rangers say, visitors should park at Yosemite Village or Curry Village and use the free shuttle (which stops at both) to get to Yosemite Falls parking/Yosemite Valley Lodge, then begin the walk.

What to bring

Expect snow and ice, and bring warm clothes, traction devices for your boots and a headlamp or flashlight for the 3-mile round-trip walk, rangers advise.

Visitors gather near Horsetail Falls in Yosemite in 2019. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Restricted areas

To make more room for pedestrians, Northside Drive will have one lane closed to vehicles between the viewing area and Yosemite Falls parking. Parking, stopping or unloading passengers will be prohibited between Lower Yosemite Fall and El Capitan Crossover (but vehicles displaying a disability placard will be allowed greater access). On busy weekends, rangers say, they may close Northside Drive entirely for about 30 minutes following sunset.

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Rangers say the park’s Southside Drive will be open to vehicles, but parking, stopping, and unloading passengers will be prohibited between El Capitan Crossover and Swinging Bridge Picnic Area. In addition, pedestrians will be banned from walking on or adjacent to the road in that area.

Also, from Cathedral Beach Picnic Area to Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, the area between the road and the Merced River (including the river itself) will be closed to visitors. El Capitan Crossover, the road that connects Northside and Southside Drives near El Capitan, will be open to vehicles, but parking, stopping and unloading passengers will be prohibited. The Yosemite National Park website includes a detailed map of the Horsetail Fall viewing area and restrictions.

©2026 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Like a lot of shoppers, I look for bargains when it comes to choosing which fruits and vegetables to cook each week.

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Even in winter, when selections can be slim if you’re not a fan of root veggies and brassicas like cabbage, broccoli and kale, I tend to buy not what looks the yummiest or most interesting, but what’s on sale — or at least has a price I can live with.

When it comes to cauliflower, I won’t spend more than $3 for a head of the nutritious crunchy vegetable my kids called “brains” when they were little. As adults, they love cauliflower after learning how good it tastes when slow-roasted or processed into “rice” for a gluten-free pizza crust.

This flavor-packed plant-forward recipe is another winner for brassica lovers. Instead of breaking the white head into florets or boiling and mashing it like you would potatoes, I sliced the cauliflower into thick “steaks.” Then, after seasoning the slabs with salt, pepper and smoked paprika, I fried it in butter with minced garlic until it was crispy on both sides.

The steaks then went into a hot oven and were slow-roasted until they were tender enough to be pierced with a fork.

The coup de maître? After plating the cauliflower on a swoosh of lemony white bean puree, I topped it with a bright and herbaceous (and garlicky) chimichurri made with fresh parsley and cilantro.

If eating more veggies is a new year’s goal, I succeeded brilliantly with this dish — and you can, too!

When choosing cauliflower, look for creamy white heads that feel heavy, with tightly packed florets. There shouldn’t be any black spots on the curds — that’s a sign the veggie is getting old and on a road to being tossed (though you can still eat it if you cut the spots off).

You can use any mix of fresh herbs for the chimichurri. Just be sure to add some vinegar along with the garlic and crushed red pepper to brighten the flavor.

Roasted cauliflower “steaks” are served with a creamy white bean puree and topped with homemade chimichurri. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)

Cauliflower ‘Steaks’ With White Bean Puree And Chinichurri

For steaks

1 large cauliflower
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

For chimichurri

1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves, including thin stems
1 cup packed cilantro leaves, including thin stems
1 shallot, chopped
2 or 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1/2 -1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

For bean puree

2 (14-ounce) cans great northern or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Juice 1 1/2 lemons
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Salt and pepper, to taste

Prepare the chimichurri. In blender or food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, shallots, garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes and salt. Process until the ingredients are minced and combined, adding more olive oil until you reach the desired consistency. Season to taste with more salt or pepper, as desired, then transfer to a small bowl. (Sauce should be more like salad dressing than pesto.)

Prepare beans. Place beans into a blender with the juice of 1 1/2 lemons, 1 minced garlic clove, nutritional yeast and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend, adding a little bit of water at a time, until you get a creamy consistency. If you like, add a little garlic powder or white miso for extra oomph.

Chop 2 or 3 thick flat steaks out of the middle of the cauliflower by slicing from the stalk up to the top. Save the florets that fall off for another recipe or add to a pan with a little salt, pepper, paprika and olive oil and stir-fry until brown and crispy to serve on top of the finished dish.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Season steaks with salt, pepper and paprika on both sides. Add butter to a large cast-iron or other oven-proof pan (mine measured 12 inches) and heat over medium-high heat.

When butter is sizzling, add cauliflower slices and garlic and allow to cook for about 5 minutes until you get a good sear on one side of the steaks. (You will want to press it down with a spatula.) Then flip and cook the other side until seared and golden brown.

Place pan in preheated oven and roast until the cauliflower is tender and deeply golden brown, about 20 minutes. (You will be able to easily pierce it with a fork.)

To serve, spoon 1/2 cup bean purée into the middle of a plate and spread it in a circle with a spatula. Place cauliflower steak on top, drizzle with chimichurri and scatter over the fried reserved cauliflower bits, if using.

Serves 3-4.

Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

©2026 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.