Special interest money in Anthony Weiner’s congressional race
June 23, 2008
Rep. Anthony Weiner has sworn off special interest money for his mayoral campaign next year - but he’s raking it in for his congressional reelection bid this fall, federal records show.
The Queens Democrat collected $42,500 from unions and political action committees in the last filing period even as he has spurned their cash in the [...]
Staten Island GOP Seeks Fossella Replacement After Frank Powers’ Death
June 23, 2008
Staten Island Republicans are once again in turmoil, as the man they chose to run for Congress died yesterday.
Frank Powers was the party’s pick to take over the seat that’s been held by disgraced Congressman Vito Fossella. Powers died in his sleep yesterday morning, reportedly of a heart attack.
Powers’ wake will be held Thursday. His [...]
New Bills: Street Vending to School Parking
June 23, 2008
Artists in Lower Manhattan fear a so-called totalitarian takeover of their vending privileges. Partygoers in Queens may hail a stricter carbon monoxide detector proposal, and parents might praise a bill that allows them to disregard parking rules while picking up their kids.
All of these bills, and more, have been proposed at the City Council recently [...]
MTA eyes cash-saving service cuts
June 23, 2008
New York City Transit is expected to vote Monday on its budget-savings plan that would halt plans to repair 19 stations, put off paint jobs for flaking elevated structures, and institute a more “efficient” way of cleaning subway cars.
The delays on the capital project are estimated to save $2.4 billion at a time when the [...]
Many SUNY schools prepare for funding cuts
June 19, 2008
All but one of the State University of New York’s research, four-year, and technology colleges will receive less state money this year than in 2007-08, but reductions vary from 1.3 percent to 5.83 percent, according to a plan trustees approved Tuesday.
Corning Community College, which is governed by a regional board of trustees, will not be [...]
Panel kills bill for city bus lane cameras
June 19, 2008
In another blow to Mayor Bloomberg’s push to ease congestion on city streets, a bill to allow bus lane cameras died in an Assembly committee Tuesday.
“Gridlock will not simply disappear on its own,” frustrated Bloomberg spokesman Farrell Sklerov said.
The bill to create a network of cameras to catch cars illegally using special bus lanes was [...]
Squadron Lands CWA Endorsement
June 19, 2008
In the 25th District, the Communications Workers of America - District 1 endorses Daniel Squadron for State Senate. Daniel Squadron is a strong progressive who will energetically and effectively move a worker-friendly policy agenda.
Squadron supports a pro-consumer, pro-worker regulatory agenda that will deliver better telecommunications services at lower prices, including better landline service quality, higher-speed [...]
Court: City Can Fine Chains for Not Posting Calories
June 19, 2008
New York City is set to start fining chain restaurants that don’t post calorie counts on their menus by next month.
The state Restaurant Association is fighting the law in court. The industry group says restaurants would prefer to give the kind of thorough nutrient information contained on food packages rather than merely calorie counts.
An appeals [...]
Unions in Albany Push for Tainted Bills
June 19, 2008
More than 100 bills being pushed by municipal unions in Albany - some strongly opposed by Mayor Bloomberg as budget-busters - are DOA because lawmakers haven’t determined their costs, officials said yesterday.
“They’re being held up. They probably will not go. There’s just not enough time to get fiscal [analyses] on them,” said Assemblyman Peter Abbate [...]
Former Assemblywoman Diane Gordon goes Free until Appeal
June 19, 2008
A Brooklyn appeals judge yesterday sprang disgraced ex-assemblywoman Diane Gordon from prison, issuing a stay of sentence that allows her to remain free until her appeal is decided.
Justice Steven Fisher ordered Gordon, 58, released on $100,000 bail from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Westchester, where she was set to begin a 2-to-6-year sentence.
The former assemblywoman [...]
