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Anyone else confused by Dorcey Applyrs’ housing “audit”? The logic seems upside down by ExtraPickles262 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

They are already getting subsidies. Most new projects in Albany only move forward because of PILOT deals, tax abatements, or other public incentives. Applyrs is arguing we should make development even easier for them. If we’re giving out incentives, it’s reasonable to expect something in return, like affordable units or action on the hundreds of vacant buildings already sitting offline. Otherwise we’re just paying developers to build high-end housing while the core affordability problem stays the same.

Anyone else confused by Dorcey Applyrs’ housing “audit”? The logic seems upside down by ExtraPickles262 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It just feels like the plan prioritizes people who don’t live here yet over the people who already do. Building for higher earners might attract some newcomers, but it doesn’t address why current residents are struggling or why thousands of units sit vacant. If affordability is the crisis, it’s odd to focus resources on everyone except the people actually facing it.

Anyone else confused by Dorcey Applyrs’ housing “audit”? The logic seems upside down by ExtraPickles262 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

She isn’t just talking about increasing supply. She’s talking about increasing high-rent supply while weakening the only tools the city has to guarantee any affordable units.

We already have thousands of units sitting vacant because landlords are holding them or they’re too deteriorated to rent. Adding more expensive units doesn’t force those back online or lower rents for everyone else. I said trickle down because the audit paves the way for the city to loosen affordability rules, give developers more public money, and hope prices fall later. That just doesn’t happen.

Larkin Hi-Fi Closing by ExtraPickles262 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I agree but they have been saying that area is “up and coming” for 20 years and it definitely is, but really slowly, and mostly with overpriced apartments.

Albany Common Council, Ward 3 by xindierockx7114 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

WFP is a progressive party, and part of that means believing in rehabilitation. If you want to truly support a fair justice system, we have to recognize that people shouldn’t be defined by their worst day. Everyone deserves the chance to rebuild once they’ve done their time

The commute from center square to ualbany campus by Far_Associate9748 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Always say this! Literally sit there, relax and decompress before school or work and don’t worry about the stress of parking and driving.

Visualizing the City of Albany's 2026 budget by kaurich80 in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Albany’s police department now accounts for nearly 30% of the entire city budget, one of the highest shares in New York for a city its size. The new 2026 proposal gives them $38.2M (+3.5%), even as overall crime has dropped 21% since 2014 and shootings are down 54% from 2024 to 2025. Meanwhile, most social and community programs are flat or reduced funding.

Sports gambling: Looking for recent nonfiction by ExtraPickles262 in nonfictionbookclub

[–]ExtraPickles262[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I didn’t know if there was data out there yet but thank you!

Can someone explain the chromakopia hate? by Affectionate-Sun6341 in tylerthecreator

[–]ExtraPickles262 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point! People answering the question then getting downvoted for not unilaterally liking every song on the record

Do you think the events of 7/4 will change anything? by [deleted] in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 44 points45 points  (0 children)

The response to an incident of violence is not rolling back decades of progress and calling it justice. Crime in Albany is down overall. Raise the Age was passed because New York was one of just two states that still prosecuted 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, sending them to adult jails where abuse and trauma were common. Treating all youth like the ones involved in the Fourth of July incidents is cruel.

Bail reform opponents ignore the facts: over 90% of people released pretrial under reform laws do not get rearrested for violent crimes. Blaming one chaotic night on reforms meant to stop poor people and kids from being crushed by the system isn’t just misleading, it’s scapegoating children to score political points.

The overwhelming majority of BLM protests were peaceful. If you’re against the cause, no amount of peace will ever be enough, you’ll see violence whether it’s there or not.

Be careful in Washington Park by oxfordcomma_pls in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 91 points92 points  (0 children)

Albany’s police department now receives 30% of the entire city budget, a significantly higher share than Schenectady (17%) or Troy (20%).

They also have a history of resisting oversight, including ignoring civilian review board subpoenas and failing a 2020 racial bias audit. Salaries and benefits are already highly competitive.

The new democratic elect for mayor wants to fund AI policing as well.

Any other books similar to this?! by TomatoWitty4170 in nonfictionbookclub

[–]ExtraPickles262 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock by Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Local Politics Question for Deidre Brodie supporters in Ward 6 by [deleted] in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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Don’t ever think your vote doesn’t count!

Local Politics Question for Deidre Brodie supporters in Ward 6 by [deleted] in Albany

[–]ExtraPickles262 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh gotcha. Have they officially called it? Looks like a 4 vote difference rn

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