State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says the M.T.A.'s finances have improved after years of crises thanks to increased ridership, higher tax collection, and cost-cutting measures. But he noted that fare hikes outpace inflation and financing sources for future projects remain unclear. The legal challenge to the payroll tax was also raised as a significant hurdle. Meanwhile, the state budget has generally stabilized from the recent past, when it lurched from multi-billion dollar crisis to crisis, he said.
In the Press...
Proposed council map is called unfair to minority groups (NY Times)
Use of isolation in state prisons criticized (Associated Press)
Harlem schools see high student turnover (WNYC)
Behind the jump in schools with poor grades on progress reports (Wall Street Journal)
Cuomo highlights economic development strategy that some call pork (NY Times)
Cuomo: 'No step back' in hydraulic fracking (Albany Times Union)
Bronx community leaders call for more youth programs as anti-gang measure (Daily News)
Council members and administration clash over approach to reducing homelessness (MetroFocus)
Council â€fine’ tuning small business regulations (NY Post)
New York's crime rate is on the rise (Village Voice)
