Bloomberg, Silver Face Congestion Pricing Test
April 3, 2008
A defeat of congestion pricing in the Assembly may irrevocably rupture the relationship between Speaker Sheldon Silver and Mayor Bloomberg and provoke an open conflict between the two city leaders.
Mr. Bloomberg, who has said repeatedly that he supports politicians who back his policies, might be tempted to do the opposite if his plan to charge [...]
State Approves Highest Cigarette Tax in Nation
April 3, 2008
New York’s government leaders have agreed to boost the state cigarette tax by $1.25 per pack to create the nation’s highest state cigarette tax, officials said today.
New York’s $2.75-per-pack tax would jump ahead of New Jersey for the highest state tax in the nation. New York has been ranked the 16th highest with a tax [...]
Is Gentile Eyeing Job of Council Speaker in 2010?
April 3, 2008
Will the city’s two top leaders in 2010 be both from Brooklyn, putting two experienced elected officials from Brooklyn in charge of City Hall as mayor and City Council speaker?
Borough President Marty Markowitz, who has neither said yes or no to a run for mayor in 2009, came out way ahead of other probable contenders [...]
Comptroller Says City Housing Department Was Lax in Overseeing Mitchell-Lama Units
April 3, 2008
The city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development failed to properly supervise a major subsidized housing program, raising concerns about unqualified applicants being awarded apartments, according to an audit by the New York City comptroller’s office.
The audit, issued last week, examined the city’s oversight of the state’s middle-income Mitchell-Lama housing program. It reviewed the housing [...]
Next stop, Albany, for congest drive
April 2, 2008
The looming prospect of an $8 fee to drive into the heart of Manhattan steamed drivers Tuesday but brought hope to straphangers - while Albany lawmakers delayed making a decision.
“I hate it. It sucks. It’s an extra $8 a day - that’s $2,000 a year!” said Bill Jackson, 44, an ironworker who drives to Manhattan [...]
Cuomo to check if state police were used for politics
April 2, 2008
State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he will investigate the state police after his office received numerous complaints from public officials about “police interference” in their lives.
Gov. David Paterson asked Cuomo this week to investigate whether state police are improperly targeting state officials after a probe found former Gov. Eliot Spitzer used police to damage [...]
Commission To Examine Probes Into Spitzer Scandal
April 2, 2008
The State Commission of Investigation will examine previous and current probes into whether two of Governor Spitzer’s aides attempted to sabotage a political opponent with the help of the state police, the agency chairman, Alfred Lerner, said yesterday.
Meanwhile, Governor Paterson — who replaced Mr. Spitzer after he was connected to a prostitution ring and resigned [...]
Dickens Stands as Key Hurdle To Rezoning of 125th Street
April 2, 2008
Throwing into doubt a plan by the Bloomberg administration to rezone 125th Street to create 2.1 million square feet of new commercial space, Council Member Inez Dickens, who represents the area, is saying she will not back the idea unless further concessions are made to the community.
“There will be no rezoning plan signed into law [...]
Legislators Reach Deal on Health Care in Budget Talks
April 2, 2008
State lawmakers passed the first piece of New York’s budget on Tuesday, agreeing on a health care package but remaining at an impasse over several thorny questions including whether to guarantee school financing in future years and what kinds of new taxes and fees to impose.
By the time the State Senate and Assembly had adjourned [...]
Conspicuous Absence on Congestion Pricing Vote
April 2, 2008
It was perhaps the most important vote of the year for the City Council.
For hours at City Hall on Monday, council members — who have provided little resistance to the mayor’s initiatives in recent years — debated whether to back Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s plan to charge fees to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street.
The [...]
