Jersey City Rent Algorithm Ban, NYC Ferry Price Hike, Columbia Commencement, and Fleet Week

Jersey City Rent Algorithm Ban

• 🏛️ Jersey City lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would ban landlords from using rent algorithm software like RealPage to set rental rates.
• 🤝 Council member James Solomon alleges this technology facilitates collusion among landlords to drive up rents, calling it illegal cartel behavior.
• ⚖️ New Jersey's attorney general has also sued software providers and landlords, while RealPage denies illegal data use.
• 🏠 Some property owners argue a ban overlooks the fundamental issue of affordable housing shortages.

NYC Ferry Price Increase

• 🚢 The cost to reserve a seat on NYC Ferry trips to the Rockaways is increasing to $12, up from $10 last year.
• 🏖️ This price hike is higher than the standard $4.50 ferry ticket.
• 💰 The city's economic development corporation states that higher ticket prices will reduce taxpayer subsidies for the ferry service.

Columbia University Commencement

• 🎓 Columbia University is holding its commencement ceremony today, concluding a turbulent academic year.
• 🚫 The university faced funding cuts from the Trump administration following pro-Palestinian protests and an encampment, with accusations of failing to address anti-semitism.
• 🤝 Negotiations between the university and the administration regarding funding restoration are ongoing.

Fleet Week in New York City

• ⚓ Fleet Week has officially begun in New York City, with events honoring members of the armed forces.
• 💥 Celebratory cannons will be fired from Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn starting at 11 AM, with cannon testing scheduled between 9:00 and 9:30 AM.

Weather Update

• ☁️ The current weather is overcast with rain expected, and temperatures are in the mid-50s.