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	<title>The Wonkster &#187; Work and Labor</title>
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	<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster</link>
	<description>Gotham Gazette&#039;s blog about New York policy and politics</description>
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		<title>Cuomo: Carrots and Sticks for Schools</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/cuomo-carrots-and-sticks-for-schools/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/cuomo-carrots-and-sticks-for-schools/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:23:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[board of regents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gov. cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[john king]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomerg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael mulgrew]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ne york state department of education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york state budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york state united teachers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state of the city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teacher evaluatin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[united federation of teachers. race to the top]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10468</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Two weeks after he signaled his intention to focus on education, Gov. Andrew Cuomo today filled in some of the details and inserted himself squarely in the dispute over teacher evaluation.
In his budget address Cuomo confirmed that, as announced previously, the state would up its aid to districts by 4.1 percent or $805 million next [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two weeks after he <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Education/20120117/6/3668">signaled his intention</a> to focus on education, Gov. Andrew Cuomo today filled in some of the details and inserted himself squarely in the dispute over teacher evaluation.</p>
<p>In his <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/budget-highlights-from-cuomos-office/">budget address</a> Cuomo confirmed that, as announced previously, the state would up its aid to districts by 4.1 percent or $805 million next year for a total of about $20 billion.</p>
<p>Unlike last budget year &#8212; when the governor cut spending across the board regardless of a district&#8217;s needs &#8212; the increase would be weighted toward higher needs areas. These parts of the state will receive 76 percent of the hike and 69 percent of all school aid, according to Cuomo&#8217;s  <a href="http://www.budget.state.ny.us/pubs/executive/eBudget1112/fy1112littlebook/BriefingBook.pdf">Budget Briefing Book</a>.This means New York City stands to gets almost $6.4 billion next year, an increase of 2.6 percent over the approximately $6.2 billion it is getting this year.</p>
<p>Districts also would be able to compete for some $200 million in special state grants, under a New York version of the federal <a href="http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html">Race to the Top</a> program.</p>
<p><strong>The Road to the Money</strong></p>
<p>But Cuomo put a big condition on all the additional money. To get it, districts will have to come up with a new evaluation system for teachers.</p>
<p>Details after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10468"></span></p>
<p>Not a single district has yet implemented a new evaluation system as required under the state&#8217;s Race to the Top grant from the federal government, Cuomo said. The dispute has <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/york-state-faces-losing-1-billion-federal-education-funds-teacher-evaluation-issue-article-1.1006256?localLinksEnabled=false"> jeopardized</a> up to $1 billion in federal funding for New York schools.</p>
<p>Cuomo said the reason to change the way the state grades its teachers goes beyond financial considerations. &#8220;If we&#8217;re serious about education, we have no choice. This is the way to improve education,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>Cuomo outlined a three-step plan to make a new evaluation system a reality.  First, he said, <a href="http://nyust.org">New York State United Teachers</a> and the state <a href="http://www.nysed.gov">Education Department</a> must end the legal wrangling over evaluations and agree to a new system incorporating observations, students achievement (test scores) and more. (The union successfully sued the state to halt such a plan last summer.)</p>
<p>If they can&#8217;t do it, Cuomo will propose a system.</p>
<p>The districts then will have until September to implement the state&#8217;s evaluation plan. Any that fail to do that will not qualify for the state&#8217;s competitive grants.</p>
<p>And finally &#8212; and this is huge &#8212; any districts that one year from today have not implemented a system will lose their chunk of the 4 percent increase in state education aid. This puts teacher evaluations smack in the middle of the state&#8217;s budget process.</p>
<p><strong>Bloomberg&#8217;s Bluster</strong></p>
<p>In pushing for his change, Cuomo picked up the mantle of the so-called reform movement that, he said, has shifted the country to a greater focus on students and their achievement (and, critics say, to an excessive reliance on test scores). He invoked both President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush.  And he styled himself as a champion of kids. &#8220;This was not supposed to be about the adults. It was supposed to be about the children,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>For all that, though, he did not single out teachers for criticism. In fact, he said, they &#8220;deserve the best evaluation system and help when they need it&#8221; as well as rewards and bonuses.</p>
<p>While that puts him at odds with the teachers union, it represents a very different tone from that used by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in his <a href="http://http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20120113/203/3667">State of the City speech</a> last week. Bloomberg then blamed teachers for the impasse over evaluations. In his comments on Cuomo&#8217;s speech today, he kept up that refrain.</p>
<p>&#8220;The governor has made it clear that he is determined to be a champion for our students – and that he will not allow the teachers union to drag its feet any longer on implementing new teacher evaluation systems across the state. I hope the [United Federation of Teachers] will not recklessly jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars for our schools by insisting on endless obstacles to removing ineffective teachers from our classrooms,&#8221; Bloomberg said in a <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&amp;catID=1194&amp;doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2012a%2Fpr023-12.html&amp;cc=unused1978&amp;rc=1194&amp;ndi=1">statement</a>. He seemed not to notice that Cuomo had said he would not allow &#8220;adults&#8221; and the &#8220;bureaucracy&#8221; &#8212; not just the union &#8212; to drag their feet.</p>
<p>Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city&#8217;s teachers union, though clearly thinks he has spotted a bit of sunlight between Bloomberg and Cuomo. Earlier this week, Mulgrew <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/nyregion/cuomo-and-bloomberg-on-attack-on-teacher-evaluations.html">told the Times</a> that he has &#8220;“no disagreement with the governor over the evaluations,” and welcomes his involvement. As for Bloomberg, though, Mulgrew accused him of &#8220;political grandstanding.&#8221;</p>
<p>Mulgrew even has tried to enlist Cuomo as a kind of ally, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2012/01/ny-statewide-teacher-evaluations-on-the-skids">saying</a>, according to the Daily News, that the governor&#8217;s proposal provides &#8220;all the more reason why Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education should come back to the negotiations they walked out on and work to resolve the remaining issues.”</p>
<p>Not surprisingly, in his speech Cuomo did address Bloomberg&#8217;s plan for the city to remove up to half the teachers from struggling schools &#8212; whether the union likes it or not and even if it costs the city millions of dollars. The state education department, which is independent of the governor , gets to rule on that, not Cuomo.</p>
<p>For his part the state education commissioner, John King, struck a conciliatory note with the union today saying in his <a href="http://statepolitics.lohudblogs.com/2012/01/17/education-commissioner-welcomes-cuomos-proposals-hopes-they-will-spur-negotiations/?utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed">statement</a> that  the department and the union should use the next &#8220;30 days to have a healthy public debate on evaluations.&#8221; The department, he said, is ready to sit down and start talking.&#8221;</p>
<p>The city &#8212; justifiably or not &#8212; broke off its negotiations with the city teachers union on Dec. 30. At least officially, those discussion have not resumed.</p>
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		<title>Bloomberg and Quinn on Cuomo&#039;s Budget</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/bloomberg-and-quinn-on-cuomos-budget/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/bloomberg-and-quinn-on-cuomos-budget/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:40:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYS Budget]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10461</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn have major praise for Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s 2012-2013 fiscal year budget. “This is the strongest state budget that New York City has seen in a long time. With this new budget, Governor Cuomo is establishing a stronger financial basis for a more vibrant and healthy New York,&#8221; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn have major praise for Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/17/budget-highlights-from-cuomos-office/">2012-2013 fiscal year budget</a>. “This is the strongest state budget that New York City has seen in a long time. With this new budget, Governor Cuomo is establishing a stronger financial basis for a more vibrant and healthy New York,&#8221; Quinn said in a statement.</p>
<p>“Governor Cuomo put forward a budget that demonstrates a bold commitment  to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our great state. He  has my strong support,&#8221; said Bloomberg in a statement.</p>
<p>Bloomberg hasn&#8217;t had the smoothest relationship with Cuomo so far but the Mayor is especially pleased with Cuomo&#8217;s plans for mandate relief and pension reform.</p>
<p>“The Governor’s push for mandate relief and pension reform could save  the City billions in the long term,&#8221; Bloomberg&#8217;s statement continues. &#8220;New York City spends more than $8  billion annually – more than 12 percent of our budget – on pension  costs, more than we spend on the operating budgets for the Police, Fire  and Sanitation Departments combined. Without a new pension tier, which  will not diminish the retirement benefits of a single current employee,  taxpayers will continue to spend more and more on pension costs, leaving  less and less for public education, public safety, job creation,  affordable housing and other critical services.</p>
<p>Here are Quinn&#8217;s and Bloomberg&#8217;s full statements: <span id="more-10461"></span></p>
<p>Statement by Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn</p>
<p>“This is the strongest state budget that New York City has seen in a long time. With this new budget, Governor Cuomo is establishing a stronger financial basis for a more vibrant and healthy New York. By appropriately reducing spending, the Governor is reforming the way state government allocates taxpayer dollars. I strongly commend Governor Cuomo for this budget. I am confident that working with the Governor and the State Legislature, we can ensure New York&#8217;s prosperous future.”</p>
<p>STATEMENT OF MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON GOVERNOR CUOMO’S BUDGET ADDRESS</p>
<p>“Governor Cuomo put forward a budget that demonstrates a bold commitment to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our great state. He has my strong support.</p>
<p>“The Governor’s push for mandate relief and pension reform could save the City billions in the long term. New York City spends more than $8 billion annually – more than 12 percent of our budget – on pension costs, more than we spend on the operating budgets for the Police, Fire and Sanitation Departments combined. Without a new pension tier, which will not diminish the retirement benefits of a single current employee, taxpayers will continue to spend more and more on pension costs, leaving less and less for public education, public safety, job creation, affordable housing and other critical services. Further, the Governor’s budget will reduce onerous local Medicaid costs by limiting – and then eliminating – the rate of growth in the City’s Medicaid bills in the years to come.</p>
<p>“Governor Cuomo also has proposed two important justice system reforms we have been seeking: a sweeping, progressive reform of our juvenile justice system and the expansion of DNA collection. Our administrations have worked closely together to forge an agreement that will transfer responsibility for all but the most seriously delinquent youth from State to City care, enabling more young people to stay closer to their families and transition into productive lives in their communities. And expanded DNA use can help solve more crimes and prevent wrongful convictions.</p>
<p>“Most urgently, the Governor has made it clear that he is determined to be a champion for our students – and that he will not allow the teachers’ union to drag its feet any longer on implementing new teacher evaluation systems across the state. I hope the UFT will not recklessly jeopardize hundreds of millions of dollars for our schools by insisting on endless obstacles to removing ineffective teachers from our classrooms. The Governor has rightly said he will not tolerate this and will help deliver rigorous teacher evaluations for our State and City.</p>
<p>“The Governor’s priorities are the right priorities for the State and I will be working with him to move his agenda forward. We will be reviewing the details of the budget over the coming days and I look forward to testifying before the Legislature next week.”</p>
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		<title>Ruben Diaz Jr. On Living Wage Deal</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/13/ruben-diaz-jr-on-living-wage-deal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/13/ruben-diaz-jr-on-living-wage-deal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:25:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ruben Diaz]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Council Speaker Christine Quinn has decided to back a compromise legislation on the living wage that according to the Wall Street Journal would require,  &#8220;businesses that receive subsidies of $1 million or more will be required to pay their employees $10 an hour with benefits or $11.50 an hour without benefits. But in a compromise, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn has decided to back a compromise legislation on the living wage that <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2012/01/13/quinn-seeks-middle-ground-in-living-wage-fight/?mod=google_news_blog">according to the Wall Street Journal</a> would require,  &#8220;businesses that receive subsidies of $1 million or more will be required to pay their employees $10 an hour with benefits or $11.50 an hour without benefits. But in a compromise, the bill will no longer require the tenants who move in after these projects are completed to also abide by the higher wages.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz approves of the deal and he released this statement:</p>
<p>“I am extremely happy that we have reached a deal on the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act, and that this important bill will finally see a vote in the City Council. The deal we have reached today creates the strongest ‘living wage’ legislation in the nation, one that will demand that direct recipients of significant taxpayer subsidies will do better by their employees. This will guarantee that happens and marks an important shift in the economic development policy in the City of New York. This bill sends an important message to the business community.  Indeed, New York City is open for business, but not at the expense of the taxpayer. <span id="more-10454"></span></p>
<p>“I would like to thank Speaker Quinn for working closely with my office on this compromise. I would also like to thank City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma, all of our City Council co-sponsors, and the entire Living Wage NYC coalition for their strong advocacy on this legislation.”</p>
<p>“This bill will ensure that taxpayer subsidies are spent not only to enrich developers, but to improve the quality of life of their employees. Today’s announcement is a victory for the people of this City, and I look forward to this legislation becoming law,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.</p>
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		<title>Bronx Business Incubator Opens</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/09/bronx-business-incubator/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/09/bronx-business-incubator/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:13:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Use]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10435</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a city-backed business incubator in the Bronx earlier today. The Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator at 890 Garrison Ave. in Hunts Point is set up to house 400 entrepreneurs. The New York City Economic Development Corporation helped started the incubator with a $250,000 grant. The incubator is the 8th to open [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a city-backed business incubator in the Bronx earlier today. The Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator at 890 Garrison Ave. in Hunts Point is set up to house 400 entrepreneurs. The New York City Economic Development Corporation helped started the incubator with a $250,000 grant. The incubator is the 8th to open as part of the city&#8217;s network of incubators.<br />
Here is the release from the Mayor&#8217;s office:<span id="more-10435"></span></p>
<p>Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the opening of the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator, the first City-sponsored business incubator to be located in the Bronx. The Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator, which is housed in the historic BankNote Building at 890 Garrison Avenue in Hunts Point, will ultimately accommodate up to 400 entrepreneurs from the Bronx and across New York City over the next three years, and will further the City’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation across a variety of sectors. The nearly 11,000-square-foot space will provide approximately 180 workspaces – comprised of virtual offices, and physical on-demand co-working spaces, dedicated individual or team spaces, conference rooms, classrooms and common spaces &#8211; all wired to support the latest digital and video technology, and will assist startup businesses and entrepreneurs across various industries including finance, new media, technology, green finance and technology, biomedicine, and healthcare. The New York City Economic Development Corporation provided a $250,000 grant in order to establish the incubator, which is the eighth to open as part of the City’s growing network of incubators. Mayor Bloomberg was joined at the announcement, held at the new incubator, by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky, Council Member Diana Reyna, Sunshine Realty Management Co-Founder Cheni Yerushalmi, Dan Allen, Founder of SuperMango Media, Matt Weir, Vice President of Taconic Investment Partners, Paul Wolf, Co-President of Denham Wolf Real Estate, Stuart Schulman, Executive Director of the Institute of Virtual Enterprise, and Rolando Franco, IBM Executive IT Architect and University Ambassador to CUNY.</p>
<p>“Over the past three years, we’ve worked with the private sector to establish eight business incubators that provide low-cost office space to new businesses in growing fields – and the Bank Note building is the perfect place to foster this type of innovation in the Bronx,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Allowing entrepreneurs to rub shoulders and share ideas, in an environment that’s affordable enough to let them turn those ideas into action, is a key part of what we’re doing to create jobs and diversify New York City’s economy.”</p>
<p>“Creating the conditions for the City’s entrepreneurs to write the next great New York success story is at the heart of Mayor Bloomberg’s economic development strategy,” Deputy Mayor Steel said. “By expanding our network of incubators to the Bronx we will help hundreds more entrepreneurs open businesses that will create jobs and attract private investment to the Bronx.”</p>
<p>“The opening of the Sunshine Bronx Incubator is a ray of hope for aspiring businesses in the Bronx and for the future of New York City,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Just like our kitchen incubator, La Marqueta, in East Harlem and the City’s seven other up-and-running Business Incubators, I am confident the Sunshine Bronx Incubator will help spur job and business growth.  I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Steel, and EDC President Seth Pinsky, and my Council colleagues for their continued dedication to these efforts.”</p>
<p>“The opening of the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator is a significant milestone in the Bloomberg Administration’s ongoing commitment to foster entrepreneurship and innovation across the city,” said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. “As the first City-sponsored incubator to open in the Bronx, Sunshine Bronx will play a particularly important role within the community, facilitating the growth of more Bronx-based startups and ensuring a bright future for the borough and its economy.”</p>
<p>“This new business incubator will offer start-ups and entrepreneurs in our borough the opportunity to grow at a reasonable pace, creating jobs without heavy overhead costs that can often stunt a new businesses early growth. I thank Mayor Bloomberg and the NYCEDC for opening this new amenity right here in the Bronx, and I look forward to seeing new businesses flourish thanks to the time they spent as part of this critical program,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.</p>
<p>“In over a decade of running office communities, we have found that entrepreneurs and independent professionals work better, smarter and more efficiently in a collaborative community than they do alone,” says Cheni Yerushalmi, co-founder and managing partner of Sunshine Suites, which also operates cooperative office communities in NoHo and Tribeca. “When you bring a diverse group of businesses together and provide the tools to support and nurture them, relationships develop, connections are fostered and opportunities result that get companies farther faster.”</p>
<p>“From soup to nuts, the incubator provides shared workspace and technical assistance for small businesses making the transition from working at home to using professional facilities,” said Council Member Diana Reyna, Chair of the Committee on Small Business. “The collaboration with NYCEDC, will help the inventor, innovator, or entrepreneur by providing assistance with writing a business plan, marketing, label design, and manufacturing. The Sunshine Bronx Incubator is an essential project that will get people working, keep communities growing and our neighborhoods healthy.”</p>
<p>“The opening of the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator continues the city’s commitment to working hand in hand with startup entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and creative ideas,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz, Chair of the Council Committee on Economic Development. “I have visited incubators in Queens and Manhattan and know firsthand how important they are to the city&#8217;s economic recovery and future.”</p>
<p>“Across the City, small business incubators have given entrepreneurs the space and resources they need to grow their businesses. They are a wonderful example of a working partnership between government and business,” said Council Member Annabel Palma. “I’m excited that this model is now being expanded and I’m confident that Bronxites will take advantage of the exciting opportunity to be a part of the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator.  Thank you to Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and everyone who made this possible.”</p>
<p>Sunshine Suites, which was selected to operate the incubator through an RFP issued in Fall 2009,  has a long track record of supporting start-up companies and entrepreneurs, and since 2001 more than 2,000 companies and over 6,000 entrepreneurs have launched enterprises from their two existing Manhattan locations. The new Bronx incubator, for which Sunshine signed a ten-year lease with Taconic Investment partners, will become the third in the growing Sunshine network. Tenants will be able to license space on a month-to-month basis, providing them with the flexibility required of a growing business, and  rates will start as low as $99 per month for a virtual office, while desks at the incubator will initially rent for $275 per month, and co-working stations at $195 per month. There is also a mix of on-demand co-working spaces, dedicated individual or team spaces, conference rooms and common spaces, all wired to support the latest digital and video technology.</p>
<p>Presently, there are 15 companies in the Sunshine Bronx community, which officially began accepting applicants this past fall. Following today’s grand opening, Sunshine Bronx expects to have an additional 30 community members using the incubator within the next three months. In order to attract top-flight entrepreneurs the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator offers an innovative application and review process, with candidates being required to submit an online application and undergo a one-on-one interview with a seasoned coach from the Sunshine management team. In order to be accepted, candidates must have an full-developed action plan and a three-month timeline for achieving their goals.</p>
<p>“We’re different from a traditional incubator because we won’t accept you if we don’t think we can help you succeed,” adds Co-founder and Managing Partner Joe Raby, Yerushalmi’s best friend and long-time business partner.  “We try to understand your business objective, and create the bridges and opportunities that will help you achieve and measure it.”</p>
<p>“Before I came to the Sunshine community in August of 2009, SuperMango Media was only an idea,” said Dan Allen, current Shiner, and founder of SuperMango Media. “With the help of Sunshine and their partners at NYCEDC, Baruch College and The Levin Institue, I was able to convert the idea into an actual business.”</p>
<p>“We are thrilled to welcome the Sunshine community to the Banknote” said Paul Wolf, President of Denham Wolf Real Estate.  “This partnership is a testament to what is possible when a developer, the public sector, and the private sector join hands to create a platform for innovation and economic growth.”</p>
<p>“Creating a climate where small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive is essential to innovation and growth,” said Jim Corgel, general manager startups and academic programs, IBM.<br />
“IBM is excited to help university students from the New York City region develop their skills and innovations to improve our cities and communities as part of the SmartPitch competition.”</p>
<p>In addition to workspaces, the incubator will offer conference rooms, bi-weekly networking events with “Shiners” from all Sunshine locations in New York City, and support services including mentoring, coaching, and business training. Sunshine is also partnering with Monroe College School of Business and Accounting and Baruch College’s Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship and its associated Baruch Small Business Development Center to provide Shiners with assorted business services. Among them: developing business and marketing plans; evaluating and selecting funding alternatives, accounting systems and technology; supervising employees; and studying the implications of business decisions for all of its incubator tenants.</p>
<p>The Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator space was designed by architect Harel Edery, who is a member of the Sunshine community. Additional amenities for incubator tenants include:</p>
<p>High-speed wireless internet.<br />
Multimedia conference rooms/meeting areas.<br />
Access to printers, copiers and scanners.<br />
Mail boxes and business addresses are available.<br />
Mentoring and consulting with successful entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>At the event, the launch of the inaugural SmartPitch Challenge, a partnership of the CUNY Institute for Virtual Enterprise (IVE), the Lawrence N. Field Center for Entrepreneurship at Baruch College, IBM and the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator, was also announced. SmartPitch Challenge invites student entrepreneurs to develop, pitch, validate, and launch business concepts with an emphasis on plans that incorporate social business principals, and that celebrate New York City as a center for innovation and new business development. The challenge is open to all CUNY students as well as students from other New York City Colleges and Universities. The challenge will culminate with five winners earning the opportunity to participate in a summer-long business incubator ending with the launch of their concepts. The summer-long business incubator will include: an entrepreneurship boot camp in Vermont, space at Sunshine Bronx, expert IBM Mentorships, and summer stipends. Winners will present their new businesses in the fall 2012 and be recognized as IVE Fellows in a continuing support network. Students can enter the challenge and learn more by going to smartpitch.org.</p>
<p>“We have always encouraged students to come up with innovative ideas and concepts,” said Stuart Schulman, Executive Director of the Institute of Virtual Enterprise. “Now we will have the ability to nurture these ideas, operationalize them and bring them to life as actual businesses.&#8221;</p>
<p>Originally launched in 2009, the City’s network of incubators is part of the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to encourage entrepreneurship within a variety of economic sectors. Through the incubators, the Administration is providing low-cost office space – more than 120,000 square feet to date &#8211; as well as training and networking opportunities to hundreds of start-ups and small businesses. Approximately 550 startup businesses are currently located at the City-sponsored incubators, and companies have raised more than $67 million in investor funding. The number of employees currently working at the incubators is more than 850. Some of these tenants have already graduated into market-rate space and continue to expand. The City’s network of incubators include, among others, 160 Varick Street; the City’s first incubator; the Hive at 55, a co-working facility for freelancers in Manhattan; and General Assembly, a technology and design campus in Flatiron. As an added piece of the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to increase entrepreneurialism in 2010 the City launched the New York City Entrepreneurial Fund, the first City-sponsored seed and early-stage investment fund located outside of Silicon Valley. The fund makes up to $22 million available to New York City-based technology startups.</p>
<p>Entrepreneurs interested in obtaining space at the Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator should call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov.</p>
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		<title>Hearings on Helping Veterans</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/25/hearings-on-helping-veterans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/25/hearings-on-helping-veterans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:29:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[veterans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Assembly along with the Senate Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force will be holding a televised town hall meeting tomorrow in conjunction with Time Warner Cable to discuss issues facing returning veterans. The meeting called, &#8220;New York Cares About Veterans&#8221; will take place from 6 -7:30 p.m..
The discussion, according to the press [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The New York State Assembly along with the Senate Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force will be holding a televised town hall meeting tomorrow in conjunction with Time Warner Cable to discuss issues facing returning veterans. The meeting called, &#8220;New York Cares About Veterans&#8221; will take place from 6 -7:30 p.m..</p>
<p>The discussion, according to the press release, will include issues like the governments preparedness to provide services to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, providing veterans with jobs housing and education opportunities and what kind of help the military offers returning veterans. The Gazette recently <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Health/20111022/9/3624">took a look at the services</a> provided to veterans by Mayor Michael Bloombergs Office of Veterans Affairs. A a number of city council members were shocked by the lack of services provided by OVA. The following press release contains locations where you can attend the state-wide town hall:</p>
<p><span id="more-10233"></span></p>
<p>The New York State Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, along with HITN-TV and Time Warner Cable, will be hosting the second statewide Town Hall meeting. The meeting will be held at various locations across the state on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 from 6:00 pm to7:30 pm. The topic of the statewide Town Hall meeting is: “New York State Cares About Veterans”.</p>
<p>This Town Hall meeting will focus on the concerns that confront our returning veterans and discuss what can be done to help veterans assimilate back into the community after serving on behalf of this nation. Education, Employment Opportunities, Health/Mental Health and Housing, are among the topics of discussion regarding veterans. It is imperative that, as a state, we make sure that our veterans are accounted for in these areas.</p>
<p>The questions that will be addressed in the meeting are:</p>
<p>Soldiers are leaving the battlefield to fight another war at home—a war against economic instability, unemployment and homelessness. They also face a host of health conditions including post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), alcohol and drug abuse, suicide and other medical needs.  According to your experience, what do you think can be done at the policy level to ensure that these brave and noble men and women receive the proper services that they need, and deserve?<br />
There are Federal laws in place to aid veterans who return from war. Are they appropriate and strong enough to ensure that all veterans, including National Guard and reservists, are able to return to society without the loss of jobs, housing, health, and education opportunities? If not, what recommendations can we make to the federal government to secure their stability? What can be done at the state level to close the gap?<br />
Does the military have enough services to address the needs of women serving in the armed forces, both in the job and when they leave service? Is there enough support for families left in the communities when men and women are called to active duty (overseas missions).  How can state and local governments support these families?</p>
<p>The statewide Town Hall meeting will be available for viewing on the Somosnewyork.org website. To review the results from the first town hall meeting on Economic Development please visit our website at Somosnewyork.org</p>
<p>The general public is invited to attend at the various locations.</p>
<p>List locations with addresses and local moderators</p>
<p>Location of Town Hal</p>
<p>Local Moderator</p>
<p>Address</p>
<p>New York- East Harlem Employment Services</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>240 E 123st  New York 10035</p>
<p>Bronx- Kingsbridge Heights Community Center</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>3101 Kingsbridge Terrace</p>
<p>Bronx, NY 10463</p>
<p>Brooklyn-  Opportunity For A Better Tomorrow</p>
<p>Assemblyman Felix Ortiz</p>
<p>25 Thornton St.  Brooklyn 11206</p>
<p>Long Island- Circulo de la Hispanidad in Hempstead</p>
<p>Assemblyman Phil Ramos</p>
<p>26 West Park Ave, Long Beach New York, 11561</p>
<p>Amsterdam- Centro Civico</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>143E. Main St.  Amsterdam 12010</p>
<p>Buffalo-Hispanic United of Buffalo</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>254 Virginia St. Buffalo 14201</p>
<p>Rochester-  Ibero American Action Leagues</p>
<p>Minority Leader Brian Kolb</p>
<p>817  East main street Rochester 14605</p>
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		<title>Quinn Ducks and Parries</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/06/quinn-ducks-and-parries/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/06/quinn-ducks-and-parries/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:55:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[annabel palma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bloomberg administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chris quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living wage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike blomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oliver Koppell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outside contractors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paid sick leave]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10188</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn presided over the passage of a bill that Mayor Michael Bloomberg adamantly opposes. Will she do it again?
This issue yesterday was the city&#8217;s increasing reliance on outside contractors. The City Council &#8212; obviously with strong backing from Quinn or else it wouldn&#8217;t have happened &#8212; unanimously passed a bill [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn presided over the passage of a bill that Mayor Michael Bloomberg adamantly opposes. Will she do it again?</p>
<p>This issue yesterday was the city&#8217;s <a href=" http://gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110603/203/3537">increasing reliance</a> on outside contractors. The City Council &#8212; obviously with strong backing from Quinn or else it wouldn&#8217;t have happened &#8212; unanimously <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20111006/203/3615">passed a bill</a> requiring a kind of cost-benefit analysis of proposed contracts.</p>
<p>Bloomberg later, according to WNYC&#8217;s Bob Hennelly blasted the measure. &#8220;To put impediments to us getting the best deal for the taxpayers particularly during this economy is something we can not tolerate. We are just not going to have this bill,&#8221; Bloomberg said. </p>
<p>The next issue could be the so-called <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/work/20100115/22/3147">Living Wage bill</a>, a measure that would require businesses that get a city subsidy to pay their workers, not just the minimum wage but a living wage of $10 to $11.50 an hour, depending upon benefits.  </p>
<p>The administration opposes that one too &#8212; usually trying to obscure the fact that it would only apply to employers getting city money. Yesterday Bloomberg somehow linked it to the Soviet Union.</p>
<p>Quinn wants the mayor&#8217;s business supporter and backing for her mayoral quest. She&#8217;s also probably like at least some unions on her side and a stamp of approval from the many council members who are for the living wage. And so despite repeated questioning from reporters who phrased and rephrased the question yesterday, Quinn  would not be pinned down.</p>
<p>The verbal dueling after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10188"></span></p>
<p>She said she hadn&#8217;t looked at the administration&#8217;s <a href=" https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/254818-report-on-impact-of-living-wage-mandate.html">study</a> on the living wage because she was watching a baseball game. She said she didn&#8217;t know what the changes offered by sponsors <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/council11">Oliver Koppell</a> and <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/18">Annabel Palma</a> might be because they had not yet been introduced. She said she could not rely on <a href=" http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111003/LABOR_UNIONS/111009986">press accounts</a> of those amendments. </p>
<p>Asked what she thought about the spirit of the bill, she ducked again, saying, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know that the spirit of the bill or the content of the bill hasn&#8217;t changed.&#8221;</p>
<p>Pressed again, Quinn answered, &#8220;It&#8217;s not that I have no opinion. It&#8217;s that I have nothing to give an opinion on. &#8230; I will have an opinion but I can&#8217;t give opinion on things that don&#8217;t exist or things I haven&#8217;t read.&#8221;</p>
<p>If this sounds familiar it should. For months Quinn dodged giving answers on a pieces of legislation &#8212; also backed by labor and by council progressives&#8211;  that would have require city employers to <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/20091116/212/3103">give paid sick days</a> to their workers. (In fact the maneuvering on the issue is so familiar that one reporter, Azi Paybarah of Capital, confused them when questioning Quinn yesterday.)</p>
<p>What happened then? Quinn  came out <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20101015/203/3384">against the measure</a>, and it seems to be all but dead.</p>
<p>As to the living wage bill> Quinn says it&#8217;s in &#8220;suspended animation.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Quinn and ICE</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/17/quinn-and-ice/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/17/quinn-and-ice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:12:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Demographics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Immigrants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9989</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Council Speaker Christine Quinn introduced legislation today that would prohibit New York City&#8217;s department of corrections from subsidizing the work of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Make the Road New York issued this statement supporting the move:
&#8220;The announcement by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Mark-Viverito and Daniel Dromm that the New York City Council will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn introduced legislation today that would prohibit New York City&#8217;s department of corrections from subsidizing the work of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Make the Road New York issued this statement supporting the move:</p>
<p>&#8220;The announcement by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Mark-Viverito and Daniel Dromm that the New York City Council will prohibit New York City&#8217;s Department of Corrections from subsidizing and supporting the deportation of thousands of non-criminal New Yorkers each year is fantastic news.</p>
<p>Every day New York City benefits from the energy, initiative and hard-work of immigrants. In a city where forty percent of all New Yorkers are immigrants, and for the City to do its job, New York City government must not burn bridges to immigrant communities. Today, New York City is taking a clear stand that it refuses to be in the business of tearing apart of immigrant families and subsidizing the deportation of non-criminal New Yorkers.&#8221;</p>
<p>Quinn&#8217;s legislation follows Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s decision to <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20110523/204/3531">pull out of the federal Secure Communities Program</a> and the US government&#8217;s insistence that New York legally must take part in the program. <span id="more-9989"></span></p>
<p>Make the Road New York released statements of support for Quinn&#8217;s legislation from a number of Democratic legislators:</p>
<p>&#8220;Speaker Quinn&#8217;s proposal will ensure that the focus is where it should be: On those the Obama administration has said it would focus on in Immigration Enforcement.&#8221; state Senator Jose R. Peralta. &#8220;I applaud Speaker Quinn and urge her City Council colleagues to pass this bill.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I applaud Speaker Quinn for her leadership on making the city of New York a safer city for immigrants who call it home. We cannot continue to have immigration officials in Riker&#8217;s and in our jails working with local law enforcement to identify and deport any and all immigrants detained there &#8212; even those who are found innocent of any crime. I applaud this effort to ensure that immigrant New Yorkers feel they are safe and that cooperating with local police is in everyone&#8217;s best interest to ensure the safety of our communities,&#8221; said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.</p>
<p>&#8220;I am happy that Speaker Quinn is taking action on this important issue &#8212; saving the City up to $50 million a year while also protecting immigrants with no prior criminal record from unfair, lengthy detention periods. This proposal is tough on crime too, making sure that cooperation does take place in other cases.&#8221; said Assemblyman Francisco Moya. &#8220;Those who are innocent will be treated fairly regardless of their immigration status, but this proposal also allows for the necessary cooperation between law enforcement agencies.&#8221;</p>
<p>Assemblywoman Grace Meng stated, &#8220;I commend Council Speaker Christine Quinn&#8217;s bill to create a detainer discretion policy. Speaker Quinn&#8217;s actions are a strong and confident indication that our great city will not stand for collaborations between agencies that target immigrant communities. In my district, one of the largest and most common issues that we have seen are families who are torn apart by immigration issues. I am fully committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in government to promote policies that actually make our communities more secure, not waste government resources in deporting immigrants. I also want to thank Make the Road NY for all its hard working in leading this campaign to withdraw ICE from Riker&#8217;s Island.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I applaud Make the Road for its dedication and tenacity in addressing this matter and congratulate them on achieving this important step in ensuring that New York residents are treated justly and fairly regardless of immigration status. I stand firmly with Make the Road and support their worthwhile mission,&#8221; said Assemblyman Matthew Titone.</p>
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		<title>Delaying Teacher Tenure</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/27/delaying-teacher-tenure/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/27/delaying-teacher-tenure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:57:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city teachers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teacher tenure]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg has long criticized the almost automatic granting of lifetime tenure to teachers in the New York City school system. Today he announced results of his efforts to change tenure as we know it -– and, while there are significant changes, the effort falls a bit short of a revolution.
Using what the city [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg has long <a href="http://gothamschools.org/2010/09/27/bloomberg-vows-last-in-first-out-crackdown-new-tenure-policy/ ">criticized</a> the almost automatic granting of lifetime tenure to teachers in the New York City school system. Today he <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2011b/pr273-11.html ">announced</a> results of his efforts to change tenure as we know it -– and, while there are significant changes, the effort falls a bit short of a revolution.</p>
<p>Using what the city calls a &#8220;new framework for measuring teacher effectiveness&#8221; instituted in December, principals approved fewer teachers for tenure this year &#8212; 58 percent of 5,209 teachers as opposed to 97 percent of those eligible in 2006-7. Looking at the figures, it seems apparent that many teachers who might previously have gotten tenure after three years, saw their decisions delayed. Thirty-nine percent of the teachers fell into that category, compared with 2 percent in 2007. While the number of those denied increased, it remains small: 3 percent this year, as opposed to 1 percent four years ago.</p>
<p>Bloomberg expressed pleasure with the results, saying in a prepared statement, &#8220;Making tenure an earned distinction rather than an automatic right will help our teachers get better and ensure that more of them can develop into not just good but great teachers. That’s what our kids deserve and our parents expect.”</p>
<p>All teachers are eligible for tenure review after three years. </p>
<p>Under the new system, principals evaluate teachers based on classroom observation, student work, test scores, student attendance and feedback from students and parents. They receive ratings on a four-point scale in three categories: teacher practice, student learning and contributions to the school community. To get tenure, the teacher must score at the top two levels – effective or highly effective – in all three areas for two consecutive years.</p>
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		<title>State Unemployment Rate Rises</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/21/state-unemployment-rate-rises/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/21/state-unemployment-rate-rises/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:52:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9900</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The State Labor Department is reporting that the  jobs picture in New York is not exactly pretty. The state unemployment rate increased to 8 percent in June from 7.8 percent in May. The national unemployment rate for June was 9.2 percent.  The number of unemployed also increased from 751,600 in May to 760,500 in June. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The State Labor Department is reporting that the  jobs picture in New York is not exactly pretty. The state unemployment rate increased to 8 percent in June from 7.8 percent in May. The national unemployment rate for June was 9.2 percent.  The number of unemployed also increased from 751,600 in May to 760,500 in June. The state gained 13,600 jobs in June or .2 percent.</p>
<p>&#8220;In June 2011, the New York State economy continued its recovery from the effects of the last recession, adding 13,600 private sector jobs. Like the nation as a whole, our state unemployment rate increased over the month, and now stands at 8.0%. However, we remained significantly below the nation&#8217;s jobless rate, which increased to 9.2% in June,&#8221; said Bohdan M. Wynnyk, Chief of Labor Statistics, Division of Research and Statistics in a statement.</p>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Tapping a Labor Fund</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/14/tapping-a-labor-fund/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/14/tapping-a-labor-fund/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:56:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dennis Walcott]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[harry nespoli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[last in first out]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[metropolitan labor committee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[speaker quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teacher layoffs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9699</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Talks are continuing over whether the city labor unions would give the city money from a rainy day healthcare fund to go avert layoffs of 4,100 teachers and other city workers, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said today.  Any money might also go to save some fire companies and seniors centers now slated to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Talks are continuing over whether the city labor unions would give the city money from a rainy day healthcare fund to go avert layoffs of 4,100 teachers and other city workers, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said today.  Any money might also go to save some fire companies and seniors centers now slated to be shut.</p>
<p>At a press conference before today’s scheduled council meeting, Quinn made it clear the idea of using money from the fund had come from the <a href=" http://www.manta.com/c/mmj1tzk/municipal-labor-committee">Municipal Labor Committee</a> and its chairman, Harry Nespoli. </p>
<p>&#8220;I want to be vey clear how very grateful I am to Harry Nespoli and the Labor Council that they are even entertaining&#8221; helping the city government in this way, Quinn said. </p>
<p>She said the idea came up after &#8220;I said to Harry, &#8216;we need help,&#8217;&#8230; Harry said, &#8220;&#8216;yes, let me see what we can do,&#8217; and they got back to me.&#8221;</p>
<p>Currently, Quinn said, the labor group is considering what its specific proposal might be. Once they do, discussions can proceed from there, she said.</p>
<p>Nespoli and the committee are <a href=" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303714704576384152730184200.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">reportedly planning</a> to discuss the idea tomorrow.<br />
<span id="more-9699"></span><br />
While Nespoli has not disclosed any specifics, he <a href=" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303714704576384152730184200.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">told</a> the Wall Street Journal, &#8220;You&#8217;re talking about civilians being laid off. Who wants to put a person on the unemployment line right now? Nobody. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s right.&#8221;</p>
<p>On Sunday, the Daily News <a href=" http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2011/06/13/2011-06-13_massive_teacher_layoffs_could_be_avoided_by_moving_funds_from_obscure_health_car.html">reported</a> that union officials were considering allowing the city to take money from the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund that labor controls. The city contributes $35 million a year to the fund, which was set up to cover healthcare costs. On estimate puts the amount in the fund at at least $400 million.</p>
<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg has essentially <a href=" http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/06/14/2011-06-14_mayor_bloomberg_mum_on_fund_talks_with_city_unions_.html">refused to comment</a> on the talks with labor &#8212; or on the idea itself.</p>
<p>Certainly stumbling blocks remain.</p>
<p>For one, the union have said they would want the city to chip in some funds as well, according to <a href=" ttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/nyregion/unions-weighing-new-plan-to-avert-teacher-layoffs.html">report</a> in the Times. </p>
<p> Unions representing uniformed workers, largely untouched by layoffs might not want to essentially give up money to save teachers. The labor committee includes 90 union with more than a half a million current and retired city workers.</p>
<p>The frayed relations between the mayor and much of his workforce also could pose a problem. It’s certainly no accident the union group made its offer, whatever it might have been, to Quinn, not Bloomberg. </p>
<p>Then too, many observers have expressed a <a href=" http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/nyregion/as-mayor-continues-to-insist-on-teacher-layoffs-observers-ask-why.html?_r=1&#038;scp=2&#038;sq=fernanda%20santos%20teacher%20layoffs&#038;st=cse">degree of mystification</a> about the insistence of Bloomberg and his schools chancellor, Dennis Walcott, on the layoffs of 4,100 teachers. Both have repeatedly <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/01/finding-money-to-save-teachers/">rebuffed suggestions</a> of alternative cuts.</p>
<p>Some have surmised, the layoff threat was a bluff to try to force the state to change the <a href=" http://redesign.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20110211/204/3462">rules requiring that layoffs</a> be based on seniority &#8212; the so-called last in, first out system. If that&#8217;s the case, then the labor committee offer, made only after it was apparent the state would not change the seniority system, would give the mayor a way to save face &#8212; and teacher jobs.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if Bloomberg simply wants to get rid of teacher for other, non-budgetary reasons &#8212; anger at the union, a drive toward more technology and fewer teachers or  &#8212; then the teachers are domed, whatever the labor committee might ante up.</p>
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		<title>Cuomo Introduces New Pension Tier, Bloomberg Digs It</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/08/cuomo-introduces-new-pension-tier-bloomberg-digs-it/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/08/cuomo-introduces-new-pension-tier-bloomberg-digs-it/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:16:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tier VI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9662</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced pension reform legislation that would create a Tier VI Pension for future employees. His office claims the measure will save taxpayers $93 billion dollars over the next 30 years&#8211;that is minus what is saved in New York City. The bill includes a pension reform measure exclusively for the city. The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced pension reform legislation that would create a Tier VI Pension for future employees. His office claims the measure will save taxpayers $93 billion dollars over the next 30 years&#8211;that is minus what is saved in New York City. The bill includes a pension reform measure exclusively for the city. The city reforms would apply to new employees of New York City including uniformed employees. Provisions in the legislation include:<span id="more-9662"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;· Raising the retirement age from 62 to 65<br />
· Ending early retirement<br />
· Requiring employees to contribute six percent of their salary for the duration of their career<br />
· Providing a 1.67 percent annual pension multiplier<br />
· Vesting after 12 years instead of 10 years<br />
· Excluding overtime from final average salary<br />
· Using a five year final average salary calculation with an 8 percent anti-spiking cap<br />
· Excluding wages above the Governor&#8217;s salary of $179,000 from the final average salary calculation<br />
· Eliminating lump sum payouts for unused vacation leave from the final average salary calculation<br />
· Prohibiting the use of unused sick leave for additional service credit at retirement&#8221;</p>
<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued this statement praising the legislation:</p>
<p>“We have, for the last six months, been engaging with stakeholders in City and State government and our partners in municipal labor on a vital question we’ve been raising for years: how to protect both City services and the strength of our retirement funds over the long term. The Governor’s bill will do just that. By making sensible pension reforms that won’t impact a single current employee or existing retiree, this legislation will create $30 billion in savings over the next 30 years for the City, which will ensure we can afford the services and workforce that City residents depend on, and provide a secure retirement for municipal employees long into the future&#8221;</p>
<p>Cuomo is currently engaged in negotiations with state worker unions and it is unclear why he released this bill at such a sensitive time.</p>
<p>Here is the full release from Cuomo&#8217;s office</p>
<p>GOVERNOR CUOMO INTRODUCES PENSION REFORM LEGISLATION</p>
<p>New pension tier will increase retirement age and require greater employee contributions for new hires in order to reduce costs for taxpayers, state and local governments, and schools</p>
<p>Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he has introduced pension reform legislation that would impose a new Tier VI for future employees and save taxpayers $93 billion over the next 30 years, a figure that does not include New York City. These reforms will reduce costs for local governments and schools and help get control of local property taxes for homeowners and businesses across the state. The bill also includes, at the request of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a separate pension reform proposal for New York City and the uniformed services.</p>
<p>The new pension tier will increase the retirement age for new employees from 62 to 65, increase employee pension contributions and end so-called pension padding where employees accumulate substantial amounts of overtime in their final years of service to increase their pension.</p>
<p>&#8220;The numbers speak for themselves – the pension system as we know it is unsustainable,&#8221; Governor Cuomo said. &#8220;This bill institutes common-sense reforms to bring government benefits more in line with the private sector while still serving our employees and protecting our retirees. Reducing the skyrocketing pension burden faced by local governments and schools will also help get control of local property taxes that are driving New Yorkers from their homes and from the state.&#8221;</p>
<p>Since 2001, pension contributions by the state, local governments and schools increased from $368 million to $6.6 billion outside New York City. During the same period for New York City, pension costs increased from $1.1 billion to $8.4 billion. This level of growth raises property taxes and impacts government&#8217;s ability to provide services.</p>
<p>Provisions in the legislation include:</p>
<p>· Raising the retirement age from 62 to 65<br />
· Ending early retirement<br />
· Requiring employees to contribute six percent of their salary for the duration of their career<br />
· Providing a 1.67 percent annual pension multiplier<br />
· Vesting after 12 years instead of 10 years<br />
· Excluding overtime from final average salary<br />
· Using a five year final average salary calculation with an 8 percent anti-spiking cap<br />
· Excluding wages above the Governor&#8217;s salary of $179,000 from the final average salary calculation<br />
· Eliminating lump sum payouts for unused vacation leave from the final average salary calculation<br />
· Prohibiting the use of unused sick leave for additional service credit at retirement</p>
<p>The reform of the state pension system would impact new hires by the state and local governments, including school districts. The City pension reform plan would cover new employees of New York City, including the uniformed services.</p>
<p>The bill is available here. The bill memo is available here.</p>
<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, &#8220;We have, for the last six months, been engaging with stakeholders in City and State government and our partners in municipal labor, on a vital question we&#8217;ve raised for years: how to protect both city services and the strength of our retirement funds over the long term. The Governor&#8217;s bill will do just that &#8212; by making sensible pension reforms that won&#8217;t impact a single current employee or existing retiree, this legislation will create $30 billion in savings over the next 30 years for the City, which will ensure we can afford the services and workforce that City residents depend on, and provide a secure retirement for municipal employees long into the future.&#8221;</p>
<p>Carol Kellermann, President of the Citizens Budget Commission, said, &#8220;Rapidly rising pension costs have squeezed the budgets of every government in New York State and contributed to New York’s high tax burden. New York needs an affordable pension plan that reflects current economic times and can be sustained over the long term. Governor Cuomo’s proposal for a new tier is fiscally responsible and would provide significant relief to taxpayers and local governments.&#8221;</p>
<p>Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, said, &#8220;Pension costs are projected to rise at unsustainable rates for public employers and their taxpayers. Governor Cuomo&#8217;s Tier VI measure will provide much-needed long-term relief while still protecting the financial integrity of the retirement system. NYSAC supports the Governor&#8217;s proposal which will modernize the State&#8217;s pension system and provide efficiency and stability to ease the local burden of skyrocketing pension costs.&#8221;</p>
<p>Peter Baynes, Executive Director of the New York Conference of Mayors, said, &#8220;Governor Cuomo&#8217;s proposal to add a new Tier to the pension system is good news for local governments and their property taxpayers. The cost of the public pension system has grown out of control, and we need to take proactive steps to rein it in. This plan will ultimately save billions in taxpayer dollars while providing a stable, secure retirement system for public employees. We look forward to seeing the Governor&#8217;s bill pass this session.&#8221;</p>
<p>Timothy G. Kremer, Executive Director of the New York State School Boards Association, said, &#8220;School districts have been punished by escalating pension costs for the last several years. The current retirement systems are no longer sustainable. Saving $93 billion over time will provide welcome relief to school districts and taxpayers struggling to make ends meet.&#8221;</p>
<p>Robert J. Reidy, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents said, &#8220;Governor Cuomo&#8217;s measure to rein in pension costs is commendable. In recent years, most school districts have had to freeze or cut all other spending to absorb steep pension cost increases. This plan will save billions in taxpayer dollars and provide much-needed relief to school districts all over New York state.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Bing Takes Cuomo Appointment</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/08/bing-takes-cuomo-appointment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/08/bing-takes-cuomo-appointment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:58:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jonathan bing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[last in first out]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9656</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assemblyman Jonathan Bing made a lot of enemies in the labor movement when he authored a bill that would have gotten rid of last in first out. He made so many enemies that his re-election to his seat was very much in doubt.
&#8220;As it is now we can&#8217;t get rid of teachers who perform unsatisfactorily [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assemblyman Jonathan Bing made a lot of enemies in the labor movement when he authored a <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20110211/204/3462">bill that would have gotten rid of last in first out</a>. He made so many enemies that his re-election to his seat was very much in doubt.</p>
<p>&#8220;As it is now we can&#8217;t get rid of teachers who perform unsatisfactorily  after giving them due process,&#8221; Bing <a href="&quot;As it is now we can't get rid of teachers who perform unsatisfactorily after giving them due process,&quot; said Bing. &quot;I think there is a better system out there than the one we have now. I am not trying to bust any union.&quot;">told the Gazette</a> of his bill earlier this year. &#8220;I think there is a better  system out there than the one we have now. I am not trying to bust any  union.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bing&#8217;s stand prompted an <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/campaigns/20100907/211/3351">election challenge</a> from a candidate backed by the <a href=http://www.uft.org>United Federation of Teachers</a>. It also won him the endorsement of &#8212; and at least $4,000 from &#8212; Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has made ending &#8220;last in, first out&#8221; a key goal. Bing won re-election with 65 percent of the vote. </p>
<p>But now thanks to Gov. Andrew Cuomo Bing has a new gig&#8211;special deputy superintendent of the New York Liquidation Bureau. If that doesn&#8217;t sound like a plum gig that is because it simply isn&#8217;t.</p>
<p>Bing put out this statement to supporters this morning: <span id="more-9656"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;Dear Friends:</p>
<p>This morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced my appointment as the Special Deputy Superintendent of the New York State Liquidation Bureau (NYLB). Receiving no taxpayer funding, the NYLB is a unique, 100-year old entity which protects the policyholders and creditors of insurance companies that have been declared impaired or insolvent. I also look forward to playing a role in the development of the new Department of Financial Services that was created in the recently passed State budget.</p>
<p>While I am excited to embark on this new endeavor, it will be bittersweet to end my Assembly career after the current session is completed in late June. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish in Albany and on the East Side, and I believe that I have been able to make a positive impact on the lives of my constituents and many New Yorkers. I look forward to continuing my career in public service and community involvement.</p>
<p>Thank you for giving me the privilege of representing the 73rd Assembly District over the past nine years. Your support throughout many legislative battles and five political campaigns has been very gratifying and is something that I will never forget.</p>
<p>Sincerely,<br />
Jonathan&#8221;</p>
<p>Here is the statement from Cuomo&#8217;s office:</p>
<p>GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ASSEMBLYMAN JONATHAN BING</p>
<p>Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of Assemblyman Jonathan Bing to serve as Special Deputy Superintendent of the New York Liquidation Bureau.</p>
<p>Most recently, Jonathan Bing was serving his fifth term in the New York State Assembly where he represented the 73rd Assembly District since November of 2002. During his eight years in office Assemblyman Bing has authored 70 pieces of legislation, 30 of which have been signed into law. His 2010 legislative successes included the law which provides for no fault divorce in New York State, ending the State&#8217;s notoriety as the only jurisdiction in the nation without this provision. Continuing his efforts from past sessions to cut red tape for New York&#8217;s small businesses, Assemblyman Bing authored two laws in 2010 that will reduce administrative burdens in the insurance and real estate brokerage industries.</p>
<p>The Assemblyman served on the Assembly&#8217;s Health; Housing; Insurance; Judiciary; Social Services; and Tourism, Parks, Arts &amp; Sports Development Committees. He was appointed Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation in February 2011, after previously serving as the chair of the Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, the Legislative Task Force on People with Disabilities and the Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama Housing.</p>
<p>Assemblyman Bing has received multiple awards in recognition of his service including the 2008 Hunter College Presidential Medal, a 2008 New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Eco-Star award, and the 2005 Vanderbilt YMCA&#8217;s Champion of the Year Award.</p>
<p>“Assemblyman Bing is an incredibly talented and committed public servant and I am pleased to welcome him in to our administration,” Governor Cuomo said.</p>
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		<title>CityTime Manager Fudges Timesheets</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/25/citytime-manager-fudges-timesheets/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/25/citytime-manager-fudges-timesheets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 21:41:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye Opener]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measuring UP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bloomberg administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CityTime]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Liu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Science Application International Corp]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9570</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In an impromptu press conference, Comptroller John Liu revealed even the project manager of the Bloomberg administration&#8217;s plagued time keeping project couldn&#8217;t keep his own time. 
According to a letter Liu received today, Science Application International Corp., the prime contractor on the project, put Gerard Denault on administrative leave in December after the project manager [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In an impromptu press conference, Comptroller John Liu revealed even the project manager of the Bloomberg administration&#8217;s <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/nyregion/16citytime.html">plagued time keeping project</a> couldn&#8217;t keep his own time. </p>
<p>According to a letter Liu received today, <a href="http://www.saic.com/">Science Application International Corp</a>., the prime contractor on the project, put <a href="http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100613/REG/306139981">Gerard Denault </a>on administrative leave in December after the project manager fudged his own time sheets. As a result, the company will refund the city $2.5 million.</p>
<p>&#8220;The very company entrusted by our city to build a time keeping system for New York City employees has grossly mismanaged their own time keeping and in the process overcharged the city taxpayers for sums of money still to be determined,&#8221; Liu said. &#8220;This is a sad day for New York City taxpayers.&#8221;</p>
<p>Liu said today he would ask the adminsitration to work with him on this issue. He also called for the administration to freeze all payments to SAIC and force the Department of Investigation to conduct a comprehensive review of other possible violations. </p>
<p>In response, Bloomberg spokesperson Marc LaVorgna sent over the following statement: </p>
<blockquote><p>
We will withhold any and all payments until the completion of the Department of Investigation’s ongoing review, which includes a forensic accountant we added last year. The project is essentially fully online and operational and SAIC’s contract with the city expires on June 30th. We already had stated we were not renewing the contract. SAIC is owed $32 million for the completion of the project; no payments will be made until the review is completed.</p></blockquote>
<p>CityTime has been the bane of Bloomberg&#8217;s third term. Mired by delay and cost overruns, the debacle <a href="http://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/4240/feds-indict-6-for-defrauding-controversial-citytime-program">culminated</a> in December when federal authorities indicted six employees for using shell companies to divert city money into their own pockets. Originally the project was supposed to cost about $60 million. Its price tag now is <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304520804576341880233533122.html">more than $700 million. </a></p>
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		<title>Teacher Layoffs? REALLY?</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/12/teacher-layoffs-really/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/12/teacher-layoffs-really/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2011 02:46:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9530</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In a well-coordinated rally and march from City Hall to the financial district, hundreds of teachers protested Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s plan to lay off thousands of teachers. A number of City Council members and possible 2012 mayoral candidate also attended the event
The speakers, the placards and the chant all sounded themes that no doubt will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In a well-coordinated rally and march from City Hall to the financial district, hundreds of teachers protested Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110509/203/3522">plan to lay off thousands of teachers</a>. A number of City Council members and possible 2012 mayoral candidate also attended the event</p>
<p>The speakers, the placards and the chant all sounded themes that no doubt will become increasingly familiar to New Yorkers in the weeks between now and July 1, when the city must approve its budget for fiscal year 2012: The cuts are not necessary, the rich need to pay more in taxes, and children should not bear the burnt of the city&#8217;s fiscal woes. That assumes, of course &#8212; an not everyone does &#8212; that the city has real fiscal woes. </p>
<p>&#8220;New York is not Wisconsin but we have to fight like it is,&#8221; Randi Weingarten, president of the <a href="http://www.aft.org/">American Federation of Teachers</a>. &#8220;We have a $3.2 billion surplus. There should not even be a discussion about cuts.&#8221;</p>
<p>Rev. A; Sharpton agreed, telling the crowd, &#8220;If we&#8217;ve got a surplus, why are we laying off teachers?&#8221;</p>
<p>(The mayor, of course, disputes this saying he is using what other consider a surplus to pay down the deficit confronting the city for 2013.)</p>
<p>The crowd then moved down Broadway to press it demand that the wealthy needed to pay more. &#8220;We want our money back,&#8221; they chanted, along with &#8220;Who are we? UFT.&#8221; </p>
<p>Despite the seriousness of their message the crowd was largely good-natured, a sentiment reflected in the black UFT tee-shirts many wore. With a bow to Seth Meyers and Amy Pohler, it read&#8221;</p>
<p>The education mayor?</p>
<p>REALLY?</p>
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		<title>Living Wage Gets Its Hearing</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/12/living-wage-gets-its-hearing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/12/living-wage-gets-its-hearing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 22:37:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Council]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[economic development corp]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mayor michael bloomberh]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Oliver Koppell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tokumbo shobowale]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9524</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Labor and city leadership collided this afternoon at a packed and feisty hearing on legislation to require city subsidized developers pay a living wage.

Under a bill introduced nearly a year ago, recipients of more than $100,000 in financial assistance would have to pay all of their employees either $11.50 or $10 an hour plus benefits. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Labor and city leadership collided this afternoon at a packed and feisty hearing on <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">legislation</a> to require city <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100413/203/3240">subsidized developers pay a living wage.<br />
</a><br />
Under a bill introduced <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/koppell-would-consider-motion-to-discharge-for-living-wage/">nearly a year ago,</a> recipients of more than $100,000 in financial assistance would have to pay all of their employees either $11.50 or $10 an hour plus benefits. The <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/10/clash-at-ida-board-over-study/">controversial</a> bill has garnered 30 sponsors at the council, but it does not have the Bloomberg administration&#8217;s support. Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who controls the council&#8217;s agenda, has yet to <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">take a position on the measure</a>. </p>
<p>At today&#8217;s hearing, the chief of staff to the deputy mayor for economic development, Tokumbo Shobowale, endured two and half hours of back and forth with council members &#8212; the vast majority of those in attendance support the proposal. Shobowale attempted to convince the council that the adminsitration agrees with the premise of raising the standard of living for the working poor. It questions, Shobowale argued, whether a wage mandate is the way to do it. </p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not a philosophical difference,&#8221; Shobowale said. &#8220;It&#8217;s looking at the data.&#8221;</p>
<p>The hearing followed the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/">release of a study</a> on Monday by the Economic Development Corp., which argued the living wage proposal would result in between 33,000 and 100,000 job losses for the city. The study&#8217;s methodology and findings drew ire from supporters of the bill today. </p>
<p>&#8220;The administration is so full of it, you might want to consider a high-fiber diet,&#8221; said Councilmember Jumaane Williams. &#8220;It might help with that situation.&#8221;</p>
<p>The hearing amounted to a clash of academics and methodology &#8212; with supporters citing studies that supported living wage mandates, and the adminsitration calling its recently released analysis solid, current and comprehensive.  </p>
<p>Just this morning, supporters of the bill <a href="http://www.nelp.org/page/-/Justice/2011/AssessmentEDCStudyMay2011.pdf?nocdn=1">released a counter analysis</a> of the city&#8217;s living wage study, which argued its modeling did not rule out other factors that could affect job growth (like an economic downturn). Supporters also claim the city-sponsored study examines the wrong population of projects &#8212; it includes an as-of-right subsidy for industrial and commercial properties the bill is not meant to capture.<br />
<span id="more-9524"></span><br />
“Our current assessment, based on the executive summary, is that the study is an inaccurate and unreliable guide for policymakers. It contains a series of fundamental errors in methodology and analysis that simply render the study invalid,” said Paul Sonn of the National Employment Law Project.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the Bloomberg adminsitration questions whether the City Council would even have the authority to legislate wage standards at economic development projects. Shobowale said legitimate legal concerns have been raised over whether the bill amounted to a minimum wage for a small segment of the economy. That power, his testimony says, is reserved for the State Legislature. </p>
<p>Beyond the legal ramifications, said Shobowale, the numbers don&#8217;t lie. Data showed 39 cities with wage standards of $10 had a 2.2 percent dip in employment of low-skilled workers, according to Shobowale&#8217;s testimony. </p>
<p>Immediately following the administration&#8217;s testimony, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who initially pushed the living wage proposal, delivered his own figures. He cited the research of <a href="http://www.peri.umass.edu/staff/">Robert Pollin of the University of Massachusetts.<br />
</a><br />
The living wage debate first came to the fore when the City Council rejected a proposal to redevelop the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx, because the developer refused to sign onto a living wage mandate. At today&#8217;s hearing, Diaz contended it was the Bloomberg administration who walked away from the deal for fear of &#8220;starting a precedent.&#8221;</p>
<p>Regardless, the decision whether to act on the mandate &#8212; at least for now &#8212; rests with Quinn. In what could be a sign of her feelings about the proposal, today&#8217;s hearing was relegated to a small hearing room in the council&#8217;s office building instead of the larger hearing space at the Emigrant Savings Bank. Supporters of the bill said they requested to use the larger space.</p>
<p>&#8220;I guess the speaker&#8217;s office was unable to arrange it,&#8221; said <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/koppell-would-consider-motion-to-discharge-for-living-wage/">Councilmember Oliver Koppell,</a> one of the bill&#8217;s primary sponsors. </p>
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		<title>Koppell Would Consider Motion to Discharge for Living Wage</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/koppell-would-consider-motion-to-discharge-for-living-wage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/koppell-would-consider-motion-to-discharge-for-living-wage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 19:51:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Oliver Koppell]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9511</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Councilmember Oliver Koppell told Gotham Gazette today he would consider triggering a rare council rule to bring his living wage bill to the floor should Council Speaker Christine Quinn choose to oppose it. 
&#8220;I would consider it, yes,&#8221; said Koppell at the Emigrant Savings Bank. &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping it doesn&#8217;t come to that. I&#8217;m hoping to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://council.nyc.gov/d11/html/members/home.shtml">Councilmember Oliver Koppell</a> told Gotham Gazette today he would consider triggering a rare council rule to bring his <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">living wage bill</a> to the floor should Council Speaker Christine Quinn choose to oppose it. </p>
<p>&#8220;I would consider it, yes,&#8221; said Koppell at the Emigrant Savings Bank. &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping it doesn&#8217;t come to that. I&#8217;m hoping to convince the speaker to support this or some version of this.&#8221;</p>
<p>Typically legislation does not move at the City Council unless it has earned the support of the speaker. Quinn <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/quinn-mum-on-living-wage-decision/">refused to say</a> this afternoon whether she would bring the legislation to the floor or when she would decide whether or not to support it. </p>
<p>The bill, which has strong backing from many of the city&#8217;s unions, would require city subsidized developers pay a living wage. The Bloomberg adminsitration does not support the measure. On Monday, the city Economic Development Corp. <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/">released a study</a> claiming a wage mandate would stall development and reduce jobs in the five boroughs. </p>
<p>Koppell said today, &#8220;The assumptions of the mayor are more than questionable.&#8221; </p>
<p>Koppell&#8217;s bill has been <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">stalled in committee</a> for nearly a year, despite the fact it has garnered 30 sponsors. </p>
<p>At the beginning of Quinn&#8217;s tenure &#8212; and in the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100208/203/3165">name of transparency</a> &#8212; Quinn revised the council rules to make it easier to bring a bill to the floor if it was stalled in committee. A council member must get <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4149998185_aecea8a3bf_o.jpg">seven members to sign a memo</a> to bring the bill to the floor. The full council then determines whether the legislation should have a formal vote.  </p>
<p>This procedure is rarely ever used and is considered an affront to the speaker&#8217;s leadership. </p>
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		<title>Quinn Mum on Living Wage Decision</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/quinn-mum-on-living-wage-decision/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/11/quinn-mum-on-living-wage-decision/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 18:42:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9502</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Council Speaker Christine Quinn refused to take a position on legislation to require a living wage this afternoon, but instead said she would review a recently released study and forthcoming testimony on the matter. 
The Economic Development Corp. released a study Monday which found requiring a living wage mandate at city subsidized developments would result [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn refused to take a position on legislation to require a living wage this afternoon, but instead said she would review a <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/10/clash-at-ida-board-over-study/">recently released study</a> and forthcoming testimony on the matter. </p>
<p>The Economic Development Corp. <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/">released a study Monday</a> which found requiring a living wage mandate at city subsidized developments would result in job losses. <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">Legislation to require such wage mandates</a> has been pending at the council for more than a year. </p>
<p>The bill will get its first hearing tomorrow, and both opponents and supporters are scheduled to make a strong showing. Quinn said today she would not attend the hearing. </p>
<p>&#8220;We are looking forward to a robust hearing,&#8221; Quinn said. &#8220;I&#8217;m looking forward to seeing the testimony from both the proponents and the opponents. Having the portions of the EDC report that are out there will make the hearing a more informed and interesting hearing.&#8221;</p>
<p>When asked if she knew when she would make a decision on whether to bring the bill to a vote, Quinn said: &#8220;When I have one.&#8221;</p>
<p>Quinn would not say whether the bill would eventually get to the floor.</p>
<p>Already 30 council members have signed on to the legislation. The lead sponsors of the bill, council members Oliver Koppell and Annabal Palma, could file a motion to discharge &#8212; which would send the bill to the floor if it had enough support outside of the speaker&#8217;s office. The move has only occurred once during Quinn&#8217;s tenure. </p>
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		<title>Clash at IDA Board Over Study</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/10/clash-at-ida-board-over-study/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/10/clash-at-ida-board-over-study/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 16:26:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9475</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A small spat erupted at this morning&#8217;s Industrial Development Agency board meeting, when Bronx borough president appointee Albert Rodriguez questioned the legitimacy and release of the city&#8217;s living wage study. 
Rodriguez chastised the Economic Development Corp., which is the parent agency to the Industrial Development Agency, for hastily releasing the study&#8217;s executive summary to the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A small spat erupted at this morning&#8217;s <a href="http://www.nycedc.com/FinancingIncentives/NYCIDA/Pages/NYCIDA.aspx">Industrial Development Agency board meeting</a>, when <a href="http://www.nycedc.com/AboutUs/WhoWeAre/BoardOfDirectors/Pages/NYCIDAandNYCCRCDirectorBiographies.aspx">Bronx borough president appointee Albert Rodriguez</a> questioned the legitimacy and release of the city&#8217;s living wage study. </p>
<p>Rodriguez chastised the Economic Development Corp., which is the parent agency to the Industrial Development Agency, for hastily releasing the study&#8217;s executive summary to the press before giving a copy to the board on Monday. He also seriously questioned the report&#8217;s findings, which suggest a living wage mandate for city subsidized developments would result in job losses. <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=664291&#038;GUID=A83A5A5B-9589-4589-AAD7-5B2C6884610F&#038;Options=&#038;Search=">Legislation</a> to require similar wage standards is currently ruminating at the City Council. </p>
<p>Rodriguez called the study &#8220;political football for the interest of the Bloomberg adminsitration&#8221; and &#8220;very flawed.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;This was a waste of money,&#8221; Rodriguez said. &#8220;We could have hired nine more teachers.&#8221; </p>
<p>The IDA board authorized the agency to spend $1 million on the study, which was conducted by Boston-based consulting firm, <a href="http://www.crai.com/">Charles River Associates</a>. </p>
<p>The study&#8217;s executive summary was released yesterday afternoon in anticipation of a City Council hearing scheduled for Thursday, said <a href="http://www.nycedc.com/AboutUs/WhoWeAre/PresidentBio/Pages/PresidentsBio.aspx">EDC President Seth Pinsky</a>. The City Council had asked the agency to accelerate the study&#8217;s release so it could discuss the findings at the hearing. The full report will be released in the &#8220;coming weeks,&#8221; Pinsky said. </p>
<p>In defense of the study, Pinsky said it was &#8220;disappointing&#8221; officials would allege the agency was playing politics. </p>
<p>&#8220;I think [the study] is very similar, in fact, to the approach that&#8217;s been taken on many of the studies that have been cited by proponents of wage mandates,&#8221; Pinsky said. &#8220;What the study found was the legislation that has been proposed in the City Council here in New York is dramatically different from wage mandate legislation that has been proposed across the country. The additional requirements that are put into this particular legislation&#8230; they would make it extremely difficult and unlikely that people would continue to take the benefits.&#8221; </p>
<p>Pinsky said there are other ways to create better &#8220;living standards,&#8221; including expanding the benefits of the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html">earned income tax credit.</a> Any change in that tax credit would need federal, state and city approval. Pinsky also said the agency is conducting an internal study on how it can expand jobs in various middle income sectors, like construction or health care. </p>
<p>&#8220;There is nobody on either side of this debate who doesn&#8217;t want to figure out a way to raise the living standards of the least fortunate members of society,&#8221; Pinsky said. &#8220;The question is: Is this the right way to do it?&#8221;</p>
<p>The study found living wage policies would increase the standard wage at city subsidized developments, but could result in substantial job losses &#8212; anywhere from 33,000 to 100,000. Immediately after the executive summary was released, a Bloomberg spokesperson reiterated the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/">administration&#8217;s opposition to the bill</a>. </p>
<p>Rodriguez too is not without political motives. His boss, <a href="http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov/">Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.</a>, proposed the living wage legislation after the City Council <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20091215/203/3126">rejected a proposal to develop</a> the Kingsbridge Armory in the borough. The proposal was defeated because the developer would not promise to force tenants to pay a living wage.<br />
<span id="more-9475"></span><br />
When asked whether the study would hurt the bill&#8217;s chances, Rodriguez told Gotham Gazette this morning: &#8220;It&#8217;s the council that will make this decision&#8230; We&#8217;re hopeful that the legislation will get passed and it will go to the floor. And if the mayor wants to veto it, we&#8217;ll have enough votes.&#8221;</p>
<p>Currently, the bill has 30 sponsors, but Council Speaker Christine Quinn has yet to take a position. Quinn controls the council&#8217;s agenda. </p>
<p>Both Quinn and Diaz are prospective mayoral candidates in 2013. You can bet that race will factor into Quinn&#8217;s decision to support or oppose the bill. </p>
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		<title>Living Wage Study Says Policy Costs Jobs</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/09/living-wage-study-says-policy-costs-jobs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2011 22:11:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After much anticipation, the city Economic Development Corp. released a $1 million study on living wage policy today, which finds implementing higher pay standards at city subsidized developments would cost jobs. 
The study examines legislation at the City Council to require any entity who recieves more than $100,000 in financial assistance from the city to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After much anticipation, the city Economic Development Corp. released a $1 million study on living wage policy today, which finds implementing higher pay standards at city subsidized developments would cost jobs. </p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/08/12/firm-selected-for-living-wage-study/">study</a> examines legislation at the City Council to require any entity who recieves more than $100,000 in financial assistance from the city to pay a living wage. Thirty council members have signed on in support of the measure. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has not revealed her position. Although the speaker has Ok&#8217;d a hearing on the bill, which is scheduled for Thursday. </p>
<p>The adminsitration <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/08/12/firm-selected-for-living-wage-study/">called for the study</a>, which was conducted by Boston-based consulting firm <a href="http://www.crai.com/">Charles River Associates</a>, last year after the City Council <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/work/20100115/22/3147">defeated a controversial development</a> at the Kingsbridge Armory. The developer refused to guarantee tenants of the proposal would pay a living wage. </p>
<p>The study found certain development projects would no longer be &#8220;financially feasible&#8221; if the city adopted a living wage mandate. As a result, it argues, the city would lose jobs. </p>
<p>In response to the study, Andrew Brent, a mayoral spokesperson, released the following statement: </p>
<blockquote><p>“The study is clear: the legislation would result in major job losses at all income levels and particularly among low-income New Yorkers. The biggest job losses would occur in the areas with the highest unemployment at a time when too many New Yorkers are without jobs as it is. The legislation would have a very harmful effect on growth opportunities of small businesses and the creation of affordable housing, and it would reduce overall private investment in New York City by an estimated $7 billion. Aggregate wages among low-skilled workers would not change because any gains among some workers would be more than offset by families losing employment opportunities entirely. The goal of increasing wages among New Yorkers of course is a good one, but this type of approach in other cities hasn’t just failed, it’s done so with severe consequences for job-seekers and businesses.”</p></blockquote>
<p>But not everyone was thrilled with the results. In response to the study, Comptroller John Liu (a frequent critic of the Economic Development Corp.) released the following statement: </p>
<blockquote><p>“The EDC’s claim that a living wage kills jobs shows just how distorted the agency’s operations have become.  The proposed living wage would be a requirement on new projects that are heavily subsidized by taxpayers.  It may curtail the number of new minimum wage jobs, with the hope that these new jobs would then pay a decent wage.  The claim of job losses is rhetoric at its worst.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Asked what he thinks the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/06/08/living-wage-study-gets-approved-with-skepticism/">study means for the living wage legislation</a> currently under consideration at the City Council, <a href="http://www.nelp.org/site/about_us/legal_co_director2">Paul Sonn</a>, legal co-director of the National Employment Law Project, still seemed optimistic. </p>
<p>&#8220;The council I&#8217;m sure will give it careful consideration,&#8221; Sonn said. &#8220;We expect them to look at more rigorous research, which includes other studies and hearing the real world experiences of other cities.&#8221;</p>
<p>And for your reading pleasure: </p>
<p><a title="View Living Wage Exec Summary_2011 05 09 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/55044056/Living-Wage-Exec-Summary-2011-05-09" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Living Wage Exec Summary_2011 05 09</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/55044056/content?start_page=1&#038;view_mode=list&#038;access_key=key-10muu8v3360uh719kp8p" data-auto-height="true" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" scrolling="no" id="doc_52795" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();</script></p>
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		<title>Fare Increase Not a Bargaining Chip?</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/29/fare-increase-not-a-bargaining-chip/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/29/fare-increase-not-a-bargaining-chip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:44:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Immigrants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measuring UP]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bhairavi Desai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cabs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[david yassky]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxi and limousine commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxis]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Asking for a fare increase as city officials are trying to get a new class of cab in the outer boroughs isn&#8217;t playing hardball, Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, told Gotham Gazette today. 
It&#8217;s merely about timing. 
&#8220;It&#8217;s generally not a negotiation ploy by us,&#8221; Desai said, citing the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Asking for a fare increase as city officials are<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/nyregion/new-york-city-shelves-plan-to-legalize-hailing-livery-cabs.html"> trying to get a new class of cab</a> in the outer boroughs isn&#8217;t playing hardball, Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the <a href="http://www.nytwa.org/">New York Taxi Workers Alliance</a>, told Gotham Gazette today. </p>
<p>It&#8217;s merely about timing. </p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s generally not a negotiation ploy by us,&#8221; Desai said, citing the increased cost of gas. &#8220;For us, the fare proposal has been in the works, because we know next month it will be seven years since we&#8217;ve had an overall raise. Driver income has not been at a livable standard.&#8221;</p>
<p>The alliance announced this week it will be asking the Taxi and Limousine Commission for an approximately 25 percent fare increase. The proposal will not be finalized until Wednesday, but Desai said it would likely ask for the waiting rate to increase from 40 to 50 cents and the mileage rate to go up to $2.50 from $2. The alliance will also ask for increases in taxi surcharges for rush hour and late night. </p>
<p>The request comes as the Bloomberg administration attempts to drill down a proposal to get more cab service in the outer boroughs. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in his <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110120/203/3455">State of the City speech</a> in January he would <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110119/203/3454">propose legislation</a> to allow livery cabs in the outer boroughs to pick up people hailing on the street &#8212; prohibited under current law. </p>
<p>After a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703778104576287502122288290.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">backlash</a> from city officials and the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110330/203/3501">taxi industry</a>, the administration is considering creating another class of yellow cab that would be limited to outer-borough pick ups instead. </p>
<p>Desai said the alliance isn&#8217;t opposed to servicing the outer boroughs, but as it stands now <a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&#038;ct2=us%2F0_0_s_5_0_t&#038;usg=AFQjCNF7i3xjuaxKs9lSIBtXZL0_08N9vg&#038;did=a91eca203302be3&#038;sig2=6vSf4-S-w4wOXpkeF3YMpA&#038;cid=17593889349947&#038;ei=UCK7TeD6IMfrgge4mPKEAg&#038;rt=MORE_COVERAGE&#038;vm=STANDARD&#038;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ny1.com%2F%3FArID%3D138200">it&#8217;s not economical.</a> Drivers cannot cruise residential streets for street pickups without losing money, she said. A fare increase would help convince drivers to go to Brooklyn or Queens, Desai added. She also suggested creating cab stands in commercial areas of the outer boroughs. </p>
<p>On his radio show this morning, Bloomberg said he was sympathetic to the cab industry&#8217;s qualms. </p>
<p>Above all else, Desai said she wants to make sure the yellow cab reserves the exclusive right to pick up New Yorkers at the curbside. </p>
<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to see more vehicles on the road,&#8221; she said. &#8220;It&#8217;s going to increase congestion and increase competition in a field where it&#8217;s already competitive.&#8221;</p>
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