Tag: state

2023 Rental Prices Surge in 10 State with a Stunning 6% or Higher Increase in No.1

In the ever-evolving landscape of the real estate market, 2023 rental prices have taken both surprising dips and alarming hikes across the United States.

2023 Rental Prices Surge in 10 State with a Stunning 6% or Higher Increase in No.1 (Photo: CNBC)

Regional Disparities in Rental Prices

According to the recent report published by Finance Buzz, in November 05, 2023, the good news is that, on a national level, 2023 rental prices have experienced a long-awaited decrease. Data from the real estate website Rent. reveals that 2023 rental prices saw their first decline in six months this past September, bringing the median monthly cost of rent down to $2,011. However, this national trend isn’t uniform, as certain states continue to witness the upward trajectory of rental prices compared to the previous year. The combination of declining and soaring prices is putting renters in a dilemma, leading to questions about how to sustain their living arrangements.

Despite the positive overall trend, some states are still grappling with rising rental costs, which can have a significant impact on residents’ financial well-being. To gain a deeper understanding of this divergence, we’ve identified the top 10 priciest states for 2023 rental prices, showcasing the regional disparities that renters face.

This breakdown sheds light on the complex dynamics of the rental market, where some states have seen rent prices climb into the double digits, potentially forcing renters to explore supplementary income sources just to keep up with the increasing expenses. As we dive into these regional disparities, it becomes evident that renting in 2023 is a multifaceted issue with implications that extend beyond housing costs alone.

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State-by-State Analysis: The Top 10 Priciest States

According to the data released by MSN, 2023 rental prices landscape in more detail, focusing on the top 10 priciest states. These regions have experienced varying degrees of rent increases, and some have even defied the national trend by witnessing significant price jumps. In our analysis, it uncovers the specific challenges faced by renters in each of these states, highlighting not only the financial burdens but also the strategies renters can employ to adapt to the changing rental market.

Whether you’re considering a move or you’re a current resident, understanding the dynamics of 2023 rental prices in your state is essential for making informed decisions in the ever-evolving landscape of the housing market.

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November 8, 2023
State budget won’t increase number of NYC charter schools

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The $220 billion state budget will allow New York City to get new casinos, but state legislators refused to roll the dice on more charter schools.

Charter advocates on Friday responded to the agreement that left them out in the cold on two key issues — increasing the number of charter schools and extending school system control for the charter-friendly Mayor Eric Adams.

“It’s disappointing that Albany chose to lift the cap on casinos, but not charter schools,” said Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy.

“At a time when so many poor children of color are burdened with massive learning loss and families are fleeing the city in search of better schools, this is an astonishing omission.”

Critics of the privately operated schools that receive public funds noted that city charters are still slated for a boost in aid — of several hundreds of dollars per pupil, The Post previously reported.

Advocates had also pushed lawmakers to include a change in its budget allowing dormant “zombie” charters — schools that closed or never opened — to be reassigned to new schools to increase access without raising the charter cap.

Mayor Eric Adams has been in support of charter schools in NYC.
Matthew McDermott

“Failing to include the revival of ‘zombie’ charters in the budget is more than just a missed opportunity,” said James Merriman, chief executive officer of the New York City Charter School Center, who urged officials to still pass the proposal this legislative session.

“It’s another door shut for families who are simply asking for a choice when it comes to their kids’ education.”

Jacquelyn Martell of DFER NY echoed disappointment in the “zombie” charters. “These are schools that are now fully ready to open up, they’ve gone through the authorization process,” she said.

Those opposed argue the plan circumvents the cap and shortchanges students in DOE-operated schools, who share the funds and space with charters.

“The legislators are right to make a record investment in traditional public schools — the schools that educate all students and operate with real transparency,” said a UFT spokesperson.

Also notably absent from the budget was an extension of mayoral control of city public schools. Moskowitz of Success Academy remained “hopeful” that such legislation could bring with it new charter schools in New York City.

Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Success Academy, blasted the state legislature for approving more casinos but not charter schools.
William Farrington

“We have some time to focus on this important issue, now that we’re just about resolved with the budgetary issues,” John Liu, who heads the State Senate’s committee on New York City schools, said of mayoral control.

He said several options are still on the table, whether that’s a full or shorter extension, or changing the makeup or rules of the city’s advisory Panel for Education Policy.

“The bottom line is that there’s no budgetary impact and it’s a disservice to parents and other school stakeholders for us to throw this into the mix, when there are so many other issues that have a fiscal impact that we have to consider.”

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April 8, 2022
Drug lord Lorenzo Nichols granted state parole, released to feds

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The kingpin of a murderous Queens drug gang was granted parole from state prison — and immediately released to the custody of federal law enforcement officials on Tuesday, The Post has learned.

The state Parole Board’s release of Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols after 34 years drew outrage from cops, who vividly remember his drug gang’s 1988 ambush and shooting execution of rookie Officer Edward Byrne while he sat in his patrol car in South Jamaica.

“This murderous drug-lord and cop-killer must not move even an inch closer to freedom. Our hero brother Police Officer Edward Byrne sacrificed his life to rid our city of Nichols and his gang,” said PBA president Patrick Lynch.

While not charged in the Byrne slaying, Nichols, 63, pleaded guilty to ordering the murder of parole officer Brian Rooney in 1985 for reporting him for a violation. He also had been serving time in the state penitentiary for drug and gun possession crimes.

Sentenced to 25 years to life imprisonment for state crimes and serving time for federal offenses concurrently, Nichols was first eligible for parole in 2010.

Nichols, who was finally granted parole after a Feb. 23 hearing, was released from state custody and into federal custody on April 5, the state Department of Corrections and Community Services said in a statement.

NYPD cops gather for Officer Edward Byrne’s funeral on Feb. 29, 1988.
Don Halasy

The feared drug lord’s federal sentencing for convictions on drug racketeering and murder racketeering charges runs through 2026.

That date had some fearing that paroling him from his state sentence might lead to him getting out soon.

A retired detective who worked on the Byrne case said it would be “outrageous” for Nichols to be let loose.

Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols was originally sentenced after murdering parole officer Brian Rooney.
Mary McLoughlin

“His crew was responsible for the assassination of Police Officer Edward Byrne,” the detective said.

Cops who dealt with Nichols and his crew in the 1980s said he should not breathe one day in freedom.

“He was one of the biggest drug dealers, of crack, in the late ’80s. He is responsible for hundreds of deaths, from either murder or drug overdose. He has not paid his debt to society,” said one retired Queens officer.

Lynch said the move is an insult to Byrne’s family.

“The Parole Board is spitting on his sacrifice and on his family, just like they’ve done to dozens of other fallen heroes,” he said. “Gov. [Kathy] Hochul cannot bury her head in the sand any longer. She must fix the watered-down parole standards and appoint new parole commissioners who care about protecting crime victims and upholding respect for the law.”

The Parole Board, whose members were appointed by disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has come under fire in recent years for letting loose convicted killers.

Others sprung include cop killer Herman Bell; wacko Bruce Haims, who bludgeoned a young woman to death with a club; and Sam Ayala, who raped and murdered two young moms with their horrified young children within earshot during a Westchester County home invasion.

Nichols, whose nickname was used to describe his thick neck, still ran his drug operation during his early years behind bars and ordered hits on those who he felt crossed him.

Joawave Nichols, wife of Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols, attempts to cover her face during her husband’s murder trial in Brooklyn federal court on Sept. 6, 1988.
Kevin Cohen

He also confessed to ordering the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Myrtle “Myesha” Horsham, the mother of his son, in 1987 after complaining she stole money from his drug operation.

Nichols also admitted to ordering the 1986 killing of Isaac Bolden, who was fatally shot by his posse after Bolden was fingered for robbing his then-girlfriend, Karolyn Tyson.

The US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, which prosecuted Nichols, declined comment.

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April 8, 2022
Mayor Adams puts positive spin on bail reform in state budget

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Mayor Eric Adams said that “cooler heads prevailed” in Albany on negotiating changes to progressive-pushed criminal justice policies enacted in 2019, as state lawmaker and Gov. Kathy Hochul continue to try and work out a deal for the overdue state budget.

During an interview on CBS2 that aired Wednesday, the former NYPD captain expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations on the fiscal year 2023 spending plan, centered on bail reform, funding for the Buffalo Bills new stadium and New York City casinos.

“I think that cooler heads prevailed,” he said of potential amendments to new pre-trial laws, which prevented judges from setting bail for those accused of most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.

“They sat down, they said, ‘Let’s look at this,’ and let’s see how do we come to a meeting of the minds of protecting New Yorkers without allowing the abuse that we saw in the past,” he added, referring to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-the Bronx) and State Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins (D- Yonkers).

But Adams — who in recent months has pushed for state lawmakers to give judges more power to jail defendants before their trials — cautioned that he won’t declare “mission accomplished” before the budget is finalized like former President George Bush famously did in 2003 during the beginning of the Iraq war.

Mayor Eric Adams expressed optimism that the state budget would include policies for amendments to the 2019 bail reform law.
WCBS-TV

“We don’t know what the ending package — you don’t know, [in] Albany, you’re in the Twilight Zone of uncertainty before the bills are printed,” he said during the pre-taped interview. “What I don’t want to do is, I don’t want to make the Bush mistake and say ‘Mission Accomplished.’ We have to accomplish the mission.”

Following a spate of high-profile crimes committed by repeat offenders, Hochul proposed a 10-point plan that expanded the list of crimes that are bail eligible in New York, after leaders in the legislature’s two chambers repeatedly rejected more restrictive bail measures. The state legislature and the governor are now poised to include tweaks to bail reform laws in the new budget, which is set to pass by the end of the week.

The mayor credited regular Empire State residents for the likely passage of certain tough-on-crime legislative measures pushed by moderate Democrats like Adams as well as Republicans.

Adams has pushed for state lawmakers to give judges more power to jail defendants before their trials.
Angus Mordant

“I don’t think it was Eric Adams only; I think it was New Yorkers,” he said. “The polls stated clearly that New Yorkers, this was the agenda that was on the top of their minds. I think my partners in Albany, they heard that.”

A recent survey showed that 56 percent of voters in the Empire State believe the 2019 bail reform has been bad for New York compared to 30 percent who said it was good policy. The Siena College survey found that nearly two-thirds of voters believe the law has resulted in an increase in crime.

During the interview, Adams also declared that he is “committed” to closing the recently troubled jail complexes on Rikers Island by 2027, and replacing them with one pre-trial detention facility in every borough except for Staten Island.

A recent survey reported that more than half of New York voters found the 2019 bail reform law was bad for the state.
Paul Martinka

“I’m committed to closing Rikers, based on the rule in law that came out of the City Council, and I’m going to really respect what came out under the previous administration,” he told CBS’ Marcia Kramer. “They passed a law that stated Rikers could no longer be used as a prison or jail.”

Adams has faced backlash from some local lawmakers for supporting the Rikers replacement jails enacted in 2019 by the City Council and former Mayor Bill de Blasio. The four new jails are slated to be constructed on the site of the NYPD’s Bronx tow pound, at the now-closed Queens Detention Center in Kew Gardens and at the current sites of the Brooklyn Detention Complex in Boerum Hill and Manhattan Detention Complex in Chinatown.

Last year, 16 people died in Department of Correction custody, more than the previous two years combined.

Adams said he met with bail reform supporters Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins to come to a consensus.
Twitter / @NYCMayor

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April 7, 2022
Portland State University student Amara Marluke was musician

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A Portland State University student shot dead near campus was a talented musician and activist who was “one of the good people,” one of her devastated professors said.

Amara Marluke, a 19-year-old aspiring singer, music producer and rising student leader, was an exceptional young woman whose life was needlessly cut short by gun violence, assistant professor of black studies Bright Alozie told KOIN.

“Why do the good people just go?” Alozie said. “You know, she was one of the good people. She was beloved, and I mean it when I say that.”

A former football player at the school, Keenan Harpole, 20, has been charged in the shooting after he surrendered to police. He was charged with second-degree murder, domestic violence and unlawful use of a weapon.

It’s unclear how Marluke and her suspected killer knew each other, according to court records cited by The Oregonian.

Amara Marluke was an aspiring singer, music producer and rising student leader.
Portland Police Bureau

Amara Marluke’s passion was “for equity, for justice, for change.”
amaramarluke/Instagram

Alozie said Marluke’s passion “for equity, for justice, for change” was readily apparent from the instant he met her. He was shattered when university officials identified the first-year student as Monday’s victim.

“And it really broke my heart, when I learned that she was the person,” Alozie said. “I saw her full of life enthusiasm, and she had a really bright future. And look what happened.”

Marluke also served as the co-president of PSU’s Black Student Union and worked to make positive change on and around the campus, Alozie said.

Amara Marluke served as the co-president of PSU’s Black Student Union.
amaramarluke/Instagram

“I saw her actively involved, actively seeking the welfare of others, putting others ahead of herself,” he said.

Marluke was also remembered for her “enormous artistic potential” and musical talent that was evident to everyone at PSU, School of Music & Theater director Bonnie Miksch said in a statement Tuesday.

Keenan Harpole was charged in the shooting death of Amara Marluke after he surrendered to police.
Portland State Athletics

“Amara brought her passionate commitment to social justice to her art practice, using her music as a vehicle for her activism and the movement for black lives,” Miksch said. “She understood the power of music to heal, transform and inspire a hurting world, and she was building the foundation of a career that would allow her to achieve her dreams.”

PSU president Stephen Percy said Marluke’s tragic death is being mourned by the entire campus as he sent his condolences to the scholarship student’s shattered family.

“We are so saddened about this horrific event,” Percy said in a video statement. “At a moment like this, a president doesn’t have the full words or capacity to express the heartbreak, the sadness and the mourning that’s taking place at the loss of this amazing student.”

Harpole, who remains jailed without bond Wednesday, does not have prior arrests or convictions in Oregon, according to court records cited by The Oregonian.

The former PSU running back pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance Tuesday. He’s due back before a judge next week, KOIN reported. It’s unclear if he’s hired an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Keenan Harpole pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance.
KGW 8 Portland

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April 6, 2022
Britney Spears in ‘amazing state of mind’

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She’s stronger than yesterday.

Donatella Versace shared that Britney Spears is doing “amazing” mentally after the termination of her conservatorship.

“She’s on vacation now,” Versace told Variety reporter Marc Malkin at Vanity Fair’s 2022 Oscars afterparty on March 27. “She’s doing well. I find her in an amazing state of mind.”

The fashion designer added, “I know it’s been such a long time. I’m very happy to see her like that.”

Versace, 66, and Spears, 40, reunited last month at the singer’s California mansion, where they posed for photos together.

“Look who came to visit … these 2 bad bitches are up to no good,” Spears wrote on Instagram at the time.

The Grammy winner has since been documenting a getaway with fiancé Sam Asghari, who wore Versace to Elton John’s Oscars viewing party, but that does not mean she is in full vacation mode.

The singer and the designer reunited last month and were joined by Spears’ fiancé, Sam Asghari.
Britney Spears/Instagram

The singer confirmed Page Six’s exclusive report that she is writing a memoir, sharing in a since-deleted post Monday that “it’s actually healing and therapeutic.”

“It’s also hard bringing up past events in my life … I’ve never been able to express openly !!! I can only imagine that I do sound childish but I was extremely young when those events took place … and addressing it now … I’m sure it seems irrelevant to most and I’m completely aware of that !!!” she added of her upcoming book.

Spears wrote that she is “sorry” if she offends anyone, but she feels that if her sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, can write a memoir mentioning the “Toxic” singer, so can she.

The duo, seen here in 2003, have run in the same circle for years.
REUTERS

“So sorry if I’ve offended anyone by writing these stories … but just as my sister can legally mention my name in her book over 200 times … cry on TV … and get a heartfelt ‘awww’ from most … I also have the right to share a couple of paragraphs on my Instagram,” she wrote.

The pop star has slammed her sister for releasing a memoir, though the “Zoey 101” alum, 31, argued she had every right to put out a book about her own life experiences.

Versace shared her update on Spears at the Vanity Fair Oscars 2022 bash.
FilmMagic

The sisters publicly feuded throughout January as Jamie Lynn publicized her tome, “Things I Should Have Said.” Britney responded by sending the actress a cease-and-desist letter.

The younger Spears sibling released the book just months after Britney’s 13-year conservatorship was dissolved in November 2021.

Since then, Britney has gone on several social media rants slamming her family for taking advantage of her.

Sources previously told Page Six that Britney’s book deal is worth a whopping $15 million.

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April 6, 2022
Portland State University student Amara Marluke fatally shot near campus, suspect charged

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A 19-year-old Portland State University student was gunned down near the campus early Monday – and a former football player at the school has been charged in her murder, reports said.

Amara Marluke, a singer who was studying music at the university, was fatally shot in what investigators believe was a domestic violence incident at about 1 a.m. near Southwest College Street and Sixth Avenue, The Oregonian reported.

Later Monday, Keenan Harpole, 20, an ex-running back for Portland State’s football squad, surrendered to police in connection to the deadly shooting, KOIN reported.

Harpole was charged with 2nd-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and domestic violence, the outlet reported, citing police.

Marluke was remembered as a loyal family member and friend who has been active since at least high school in advocating for racial and social justice issues, the newspaper reported.

Amara Marluke was remembered as a loyal friend who advocated for racial and social justice issues during her high school days into college, the newspaper reported.
Facebook

“To say that Amara was the light of our life, a beautiful and a caring soul would not begin to do her justice,” Marluke’s father, Bradley Marluke, told The Oregonian in a statement.

“Her dedication to her family and friends was unwavering and that she would fall victim to a senseless and violent death is unimaginable,” the father said.

Amara Marluke and her sister were adopted by Bradley Marluke and his wife. Before the couple took custody of Amara when she was 9-years-old, the father said she endured a “rough” start to life while growing up in the foster care system.

On Monday, Keenan Harpole — an ex-running back for Portland State’s football team — surrendered to police.
Portland State Athletics

Marluke was described by Portland State President Stephen Percy as a “vibrant member of our community.

“My heart breaks for Amara’s family and for everyone who knew her,” Percy told the newspaper in a statement.

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April 6, 2022
Florida added more tech companies last year than any other state

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The Sunshine State is the new Silicon Valley.

Florida solidified its standing as a national tech hub last year — adding more new companies in the sector than any other state.

According to a report from the trade group CompTIA, Florida added 2,715 tech businesses last year — ahead of both Texas and California.

The Lone Star State was a close second with 10,522 new tech jobs added in 2021, the study found.

Much of Florida’s tech growth was concentrated in Miami, which added 2,072 positions in the field last year.

New York — which still ranks third in the number of total tech jobs behind California and Texas — did not make the top 10 in either category, CompTIA found.

Driven by rising costs and challenging tax structures, established tech companies and startups have been looking outside of traditional business centers in recent years.

The trade group CompTIA said that Florida added 2,715 tech businesses in 2021.
CompTIA

Florida is the fourth biggest employer of tech workers with 446,000 jobs.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

Industry analysts have also attributed tech booms in Florida, Texas and other states to the establishment of remote employment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this flight, California still reigned comfortably as the biggest tech employer in the nation with 1.4 million jobs last year, according to the study.

Texas was second with 790,000, New York third at 506,000 and Florida fourth at 446,000, the report showed.

The ascent of both Florida and Texas in the tech realm has been accompanied by population surges in both states.

Florida added 211,000 residents in 2021 while Texas increased by 310,000, according to new U.S. Census data.

Texas added 10,522 tech jobs in 2021.
CompTIA

Most of Florida’s tech growth was concentrated in Miami.
Getty Images

Tech businesses were looking for locations outside of traditional business centers to escape onerous tax structures.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

California shed 262,000 residents last year while New York’s population shrank by 400,000.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has leveraged Florida’s growth — both in terms of population and economy — in touting his Tallahassee tenure.

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March 31, 2022
How Mets’ Mike Pelfrey, now at Wichita State, coped with yips

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The former Mets first-round pick and would-be ace known as “Big Pelf” endured a harrowing battle with the yips during his playing days, self-medicating to try to tame his anxiety. Now he shares those painful experiences as he mentors the next generation of pitchers at Wichita State in his hometown.

The engine turns. The seatbelt clicks. Oklahoma awaits. Soon, Mike Pelfrey will cross the state line, searching for a pitcher who’ll travel the same road back to Wichita State.

The Shockers pitching coach — and former Mets first-round draft pick — has a good idea of what he’ll see on this scouting trip sandwiched between home games, but surprises often lurk. Fastballs and breaking balls speak loudly, but they harbor secrets and insecurities.

Are they as strong in the seventh inning? How about when the temperature dips? Will they be trusted after back-to-back walks?

Pelfrey wants to see everything that video won’t reveal. Is the player engaged in the dugout? Is he excited to take the field? Is he poised with the bases loaded and the score tied?

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March 31, 2022
State Department will soon allow ‘X’ passport gender markers

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Americans will be able to mark their gender as “X” on their passports instead of “M” or “F” starting next month, the State Department announced Thursday.

The “X” gender marker would identify passport holders who have an “unspecified or another gender identity,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement announcing the change, adding that the option will be available for other forms of documentation next year.

Non-binary, intersex, and other gender non-conforming Americans will be able to use the “X” gender marker on their passports starting April 11. Americans who wish to change their gender on their passports will not need to provide any documentation to do so.

“The Department is setting a precedent as the first federal government agency to offer the X gender marker on an identity document,” said Blinken, who called the move a “milestone” in efforts to “better serve all US citizens, regardless of their gender identity.”

The announcement was made Thursday to coincide with International Transgender Day of Visibility.

American travelers who need emergency passports while overseas will still be required to denote their gender as “M” or “F” to receive an emergency replacement until late next year. Upon returning to the US, they will have one year to apply for a free replacement with the correct gender marker.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the new changes to the passport would go in effect in April.
EPA/RAIGO PAJULA / ESTONIAN PRIME MINISTER OFFICE / HANDOUT

The “X” gender marker would identify passport holders who have an “unspecified or another gender identity,”

Blinken initially announced the plan to add the “X” gender to passports last June.

In addition to the State Department announcement, the Department of Homeland Security revealed Wednesday that it would rework airport body scanners to reduce the amount of “false alarm rates and pat-downs.”

“By replacing the current, gender-based system with this more accurate technology, TSA [Transportation Security Administration] will improve the customer experience of transgender travelers who have previously been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas,” the announcement from DHS read.

The announcement was made March 31, 2022 to coincide with International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Getty Images/Image Source

Dana Zzyym is the first person to receive a passport with the “X” gender designation.
AP Photo/Thomas Peipert

The department added that TSA is working with airlines to promote the use and acceptance of the “X” gender marker and will also be updating its PreCheck app to include the designation.

The White House also announced Thursday that the “X” gender marker would be added to its Worker and Visitor Entry System, while the Social Security Administration would no longer require transgender Americans to show proof of identity via a doctor’s note to update their gender information.

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March 31, 2022