February 10, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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February 10, 2012

Quinn's State of the City Speech

Council Speaker Christine Quinn laid out her agenda for the next year in a state of the city speech widely perceived as a preview of the mayoral race and considered by some as a turn towards the left. Her proposals included, among other things: requiring developers who receive government benefits to keep units at affordable rates for 60 years instead of 30 years; combating unemployment with a pilot jobs-training program and using $10 million in federal tax credits to finance loans to small businesses; and securing $71 million in the budget for CUNY in order to take advantage of matching funds from the state, which were missed last year.





February 09, 2012

Push for Mandatory Kindergarten

Council Speaker Christine Quinn is expected to announce a push for mandatory kindergarten and a plan to help families with child care costs. Council officials say 4 percent of 5-year-olds are not enrolled in kindergarten and that costs would be negligible because the city has the capacity to absorb the 3,000 kids. But last year more than 2,000 children seeking seats were wait-listed. She also called for a low-cost loan program to help middle-class families pay for child care. The cost would be $200,000 for two years and she is seeking private sponsors. The proposals will be announced during her State of the City address tomorrow, which some are calling a possible preview of her mayoral campaign.





February 08, 2012

Trade Center Costs Balloon

The cost of rebuilding the World Trade Center has risen nearly $4 billion, jumping from an estimate of $11 billion in 2008 to $14.8 billion, according to an audit the Port Authority commissioned at the request of the governors of New York and New Jersey. The audit also found that the Authority's debt had more than doubled in the last decade, to $19.5 billion from $9.1 billion in 2001. It called the agency "dysfunctional" and recommended a "top-to-bottom overhaul of its management structure."





February 07, 2012

Protest Sparked by Boy's Death

A crowd of about 500 protestors yesterday rallied against police treatment of people of color outside the Bronx home of the unarmed 18-year-old who was shot and killed by police last week. Borough President Rubén Díaz drew comparisons to the shooting of Amadou Diallo, but noted that the department has acted on the shooting immediately in this case. Over the weekend, allegations were revealed that police had aggressively questioned the boy's grandmother for several hours after the shooting.





February 06, 2012

Giants Win

The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in the Super Bowl. The city has been secretly planning a victory parade for the team that will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m.. The parade will kick off at Battery Place and Washington St. and continue through the Canyon of Heroes. Tickertape is expected. The City is giving away 500 tickets to the victory ceremony that will be held at city hall. 





February 03, 2012

Bloomberg's Budget Plan

Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday announced a spending plan totalling $68.7 billion, an increase of 2 percent from the previous year. It included no tax increases or layoffs of teachers, police officers or firefighters. To balance the budget, he would use the last of the city's rainy-day funds and stretch billions of dollars of increased pension costs over 22 years. Pensions and fringe benefits for uniformed workers are going to cost the city more next year than their actual salaries. The plan's cuts to libraries, cultural institutions, and child care slots are less painful than previous years. His call to cut funding for 20 fire companies was proposed last year as well.





February 02, 2012

Police Department in the News

The man arrested for shooting an officer yesterday was also wanted for questioning in the first homicide of 2012 and has associated himself with the Latin Kings. Meanwhile, four Bronx cops have had their guns and badges taken away after a video surfaced of them beating a drug suspect. Also, low-level arrests for marijuana possession rose for the seventh year despite a memo from the commissioner reminding officers to follow the law and only arrest people when the drug is in plain sight. In other related news, media and journalist groups say the department has to resolve reporter access issues, and the department's spokesperson is under fire for overseeing a system that manipulates the information the public receives.





February 01, 2012

Officer Shot in Head

A police officer was shot in the head yesterday but will live. The plainclothes officer was chasing a suspect in the Bushwick Houses after responding to a shooting. He followed the suspect into one of the project buildings where he was hit. The door had locked behind him so his partners could not enter the building after him. Hundreds of officers swarmed the building to find the suspect, who was arrested in his uncle's apartment without incident.





January 31, 2012

New Minimum Wage Proposal
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver plans on pushing a bill to raise the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 - a 17 percent increase - and then index it annually to inflation. Both Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg generally support an increase. This would be the first boost since 2009, when it was raised to meet the federal minimum. The state's current minimum wage is lower than 18 other states and Washington, DC. Silver will also seek a tax cut for families making less than $30,000 per year. Studies come from both sides of the debate, with one pushing for an ever higher raise, and another saying tax credits are more effective.



January 30, 2012

June Congressional Primary

A Federal judge has set June 26 as New York's Congressional primary date, in response to a lawsuit that said New York's September primary disenfranchised military personel serving overseas. The move highlights the struggle to create new district lines as the legislative task force charged with creating new district lines has not yet released its Congressional maps. Senate Republicans said they may appeal the judge's decision as they favor a later primary date. However, if the current date stands, there could be three primaries in New York this year--the June 26 Congressional Primary, an April Republican Presidential primary and the traditional September State primary. For more, see The Wonkster.





January 27, 2012

Redistricting Proposals Released

The proposals for new district lines were released yesterday, and as expected they were criticized for partisan gerrymandering, particularly the Senate Republican's plan. They proposed eliminating 10 percent of the chamber’s incumbent Democrats. Gov. Cuomo said he would veto the maps as they are, but left open the chance for a negotiated settlement. A protracted stalemate could force the courts to intervene. The redistricting process is held once a decade along with new Census data, and the majority party of the state legislature draws their chamber's lines. For more, follow The Wonkster.





January 26, 2012

Kelly Apologizes for Anti-Muslim Film

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly yesterday apologized for showing an anti-Muslim film to officers in training. The filmmakers say he knew what the film was about when he consented to an interview for it, which he disputes. Kelly disciplined the sergeant who showed the film, but also defended her, saying she thought it had valuable information that officers could learn from. Muslim leaders have called for his resignation.





January 25, 2012

Obama Taps Schneiderman

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was tapped by President Barack Obama last night in his State of the Union Speech to head up a new mortgage crisis unit. Schneiderman will head the Unit on Mortgage Origination and Securitization AbusesSchneiderman was a major opponent of the Obama Administration's plan to settle with major banks on mortgage fraud. Scheneiderman was kicked off a national panel of state attorneys general who that was looking into mortgage fraud because he was opposed to a settlement. Bringing Schneiderman into the fold is seen as a major victory for the Obama administration as they are now including a major  proggressive voice against big banks in their ranks.





January 24, 2012

Anti-Islam Video Used in Police Training

During training, nearly 1,500 police officers watched a feature length film purporting that the agenda of much of Islam in the country is to "infiltrate and dominate America," according to the New York Times. It was denied when first exposed a year ago, then said to have been shown only a couple times. Now it has been revealed through a Freedom of Information Request that lieutenants to patrol officers saw the movie, which "ran on a continuous loop" for between three months and one year of training.





January 23, 2012

MTA in the News

The M.T.A. and the transport workers union are still at an impasse over a new contract one week after the deadline expired. While there is no talk of a strike, the two sides are far from agreement. The M.T.A. wants raises tied to productivity concessions in order to balance its budget. But the union says it doesn't want to bear the brunt of the agency’s cost-cutting measures. Meanwhile, the M.T.A. rejected a free shuttle bus from Long Island City to Grand Central during weekend construction financed by a councilmember's discretionary funds. Also, twice-weekly tests of the new wireless controlled trains on the L are causing commuters difficulty.





January 20, 2012

Jobless Rate Rises

The City's unemploymentrate  increased from 8.9 to 9 percent in December while the national economy gains steam. The City shed 8,400 jobs according to a Department of Labor study. Most of the losses came from the restaurant industry which lost 2,400 jobs and the securities indusrty which lost around 2,000 jobs. About 300 public sector jobs were also lost. Early on in the economic crisis the city's economy outpaced the national economy but now the city is lagging behind in job growth.





January 19, 2012

Cuomo's Agenda and the Players

Most legislative leaders have signaled their cooperation on Gov. Cuomo's budget plans. But he'll still need to deal with the unions to push through his pension reform plan. He's got some powerful help behind him, though: a business coalition spent nearly $12 million supporting Cuomo’s agenda last year. That's the fifth most expensive single-year lobbying campaign ever waged in Albany by one organization. In related news, the company that Cuomo proposed develop the nation's largest casino at the Aqueduct almost doubled its spending on New York lobbying in the six months beforehand. Also, Cuomo signed an executive order on Wednesday placing a $199,000 limit on the amount of state funds that contractors can use to pay executives.





January 18, 2012

Cuomo's Budget Plan

Gov. Cuomo yesterday unveiled his $132.5 billion budget plan. It would cut overall spending by $225 million and close a $2 billion deficit without steep cuts or new broad-based taxes, fees or borrowing. A new tax bracket approved last month for those earning over $1 million a year helps, however. Education and health care spending would each rise by 4 percent, while funding for state agencies would remain roughly the same. But the education funds are tied to an agreement on a controversial teacher evaluation system. And he proposed a new pension plan for incoming government employees. Environmental groups and the natural gas industry noticed that the proposal includes no funds from fracking. Lawmakers from the city have been initially supportive of the overall budget.





January 17, 2012

Labor in the News

The transit workers union contract expired on Sunday night, but negotiations with the MTA continue. The union wants wage increases pegged to inflation in their new five year contract, but the MTA wants flat wages for three years and 2 percent raises for each of the next two years. Meanwhile, both Gov. Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg separately blamed the teachers union and school administrators for an impasse over teacher evaluations. Cuomo failed to reach an agreement with union officials on the matter, and said he'd write an evaluation system into the budget for lawmakers to approve if they don't agree to a system within a month. Bloomberg said without an agreement he'd place underperforming teachers in a reserve pool of substitutes to get them out of schools. In other labor news, Cuomo is expected to announce a plan forcing new state and city workers to choose between a 401(K) plan or a pension with less generous benefits than currently offered.





January 13, 2012

Thank You!

Thank you to all who contributed $9,000 to our winter appeal! The support of readers like you allows us to report comprehensively on issues of city and statewide importance. Last week we took a look at the ins and outs of Gov. Cuomo's plans for 2012 as described in his State of the State address. In the weeks and months ahead, you can expect coverage of the 2012 legislative session, the battle for control of the State Senate, the debate over the living wage bill, and the 2013 mayoral race. And if holiday merrymaking got in the way of making your appeal contribution, it’s not too late!  Go here to make your tax-deductible contribution today. And be sure to tell your policy-minded friends and colleagues about Gotham Gazette!



State of the City

Mayor Michael Bloomberg used his State of the City address to take on the teacher's union by proposing a $20,000 pay bump for teachers who are rated highly effective two years in a row. He also said the city would move forward with a teacher evaluation system for 33 struggling schools that could see the removal of half of the teachers in those schools. United Federation of Teacher's president Michael Mulgrew declared that Bloomberg is living in a, "fantasy education world." Among his other proposals Bloomberg declared his support for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's effort to raise the minimum wage. He also pledged to fight police misconduct. For more, see the Wonkster.





January 12, 2012

Cuomo's Upcoming Budget

Gov. Cuomo's upcoming budget will include another round of cuts to state agencies of 2.5 percent. A notice to cut already sent in late October was meant to be a guide in requesting, analyzing and crafting budgets, not a hard order. Cuomo is also unlikely to repeal the Triborough Amendment, a law that keeps public-employee union contracts in effect even after they expire. In related news, his comments on education lobbying drew some rebukes.





January 11, 2012

Battle Over Teacher Evaluations

The federal Education Department warned New York yesterday that it was failing to meet its obligations in the Race to the Top compettition for millions in education grants. The warning set off a battle between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Sheldon Speaker over who is to blame for not meeting the guidelines. Cuomo issued a statement blaming the Assembly for a new failed teacher evaluation system and demanded the state Department of Education and teachers to expedite negotiations over a new rating system for teachers. Changes made in state law to meet the Race to the Top guidelines have to be approved by unions and that has slowed the process down considerably. Silver has aligned himself with unions and pushed back on Cuomo's claim in the State of the State that he is the only advocate students have.





January 10, 2012

State Warned on Race to Top

The federal Education Department has warned New York about its failure to complete both a database for tracking student records across school districts and a system to evaluate the work of teachers and principals. At risk is hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants if the state doesn't fulfill those agreements as part of the Race to the Top initiative. Florida and Hawaii were also signaled out.





January 09, 2012

Redistricting Battles Loom

Senate Republicans plan to add an additional seat to the 62 member chamber, the Daily News reports today. They argue the new seat is necessary to satisfy state law, based on the methodology used during the 2002 district reapportionment. Democrats and good government groups balked, saying there's no legal justification for the move and argued it was likely designed to give them a political advantage. Meanwhile, a coalition of Asian-American, Latino and African-American groups has released a new set of redistricting maps it believes will give the city’s large ethnic populations a greater voice in future elections.





January 06, 2012

Genting Gambles Big

Genting, the company that currently runs the Aqueduct Racino in Queens, is reportedly trying to leverage a $4 billion investment in to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed Queens convention center in exchange for exclusive casino rights in New York City according to the New York Post. A spokesman for Cuomo denied that there was any deal for exlusivity should casinos become legal in the state. Genting plans to build its convention center in two phases--with the first 2.6 million square feet being completed by Nov. 2014 and the 1,000 room hotel by Nov. 2015. Many critics see convention centers as a tax on lower income people and also point out that most convention centers across the country are not at full capacity and can become a drain on the local econonomy. Cuomo appears to have skipped the process required by state laws that requires competitive bidding for projects such as the convention center.





January 05, 2012

Cuomo's Agenda for 2012

Gov. Cuomo yesterday outlined plans for his second year in office, focusing on job creationinfrastructure, and education. He called for the nation's largest convention center to be built at the Aqueduct in Queens, freeing up development space at the site of the Jacob Javits center. Other proposals including replacing the Hudson's longest bridge, $1 billion in economic incentives to draw businesses to Buffalo, and legalizing casino gambling. Native American gaming interests are opposed to that idea. Cuomo also announced plans for an education commission to recommend reforms in teacher accountability, student achievement, and management efficiency. The speech builds on a popular first year for him, which was a productive and secretive one. For a better understanding of his plan and how it will affect the city, read our feature story.





January 04, 2012

Fire Bomber Caught, Admits to Crimes

The suspect in Sunday's fire bombings was arrested yesterday and he admitted to the attacks. Each of the five incidents was sparked by individual grievances he had with them, but the suspect made broad anti-Muslim statements when discussing the mosque. He is being charged with a hate crime in that case, and the rest of the charges are for arson and weapons possession. He planned on using all of his Molotov cocktails on the mosque but changed his mind after seeing police. He was caught after authorities identified his vehicle. The suspect also implicated himself in two more attacks that police are now investigating.





January 03, 2012

Fire Bombings Possible Hate Crime Spree

Police are searching for a man accused of attempting to fire bomb five locations in a possible hate crime spree Sunday evening. Four of the incidents occurred in Jamaica and one right across the border in Nassau County. The man suspected was caught last week trying to steal a bottle of Starbucks coffee from a deli that was attacked Sunday. Four of the bombings used glass coffee bottles. The owner of the deli was Muslim, one of targets was a mosque, another a Hindu prayer center, and one the home of Christians. The Long Island home was Christians of Guyanese decent.





December 22, 2011

Keep Our Light On

All year long we illuminate what's going on at City Hall and in the state capital. As the year ends, we need your help to keep that light shining in 2012. Please go here and make a tax-deductible gift to Gotham Gazette today.



Call for Tougher Bank Clawbacks

Comptroller John Liu and the city's pension funds want to hold senior executives at major banks financially accountable for losses that result from excessive risk-taking or improper or unethical conduct. They filed shareholder proposals at three large banks that have each paid more than $100 million over the past 18 months to settle state or federal charges related to mortgage securities. The proposals are asking the firms to increase executives' accountability, hold supervisors responsible for bad behavior, and disclose clawback actions. The funds hold $483.3 million in shares of the firms.





December 21, 2011

Keep Gotham Gazette Shining

Since 1999, Gotham Gazette has served as a beacon, shedding a light on New York policy and politics. But providing that coverage costs money, and now we need your help. We must raise $15,000 this month so we can provide you with independent, serious reporting on the issues that will face our city and state in the months ahead: budget battles, conflicts over redistricting, the fight over a living wage and much more. Please go here and make your tax-deductible contribution today.



Kruger Pleads Guilty, Resigns

Brighton Beach Senator Carl Kruger plead guilty and resigned yesterday as expected. His departure could swing the balance of power in the chamber, giving Republicans the chance to broaden their slim majority. They've promised a fight for the district. Gov. Cuomo will set a special election for his seat, and party bosses will choose the candidates, bypassing a primary. Councilmembers Simcha Felder and Lou Fidler are likely Democratic candidates. Kruger was one of the "Four Amigos," a group of Democratic senators who tied up the government for weeks in a power play when the party gained their first slim majority in the senate in more than 30 years. Two other amigos have gone down in scandal.





December 20, 2011

Support Gotham Gazette

Throughout the year, we illuminate what's going on at City Hall and in the state capital. As the year ends, we need your help to keep that light shining in 2012. Please go here and make a tax-deductible gift to Gotham Gazette today.




Kruger to Plead Guilty

Brighton Beach Senator Carl Kruger is expected to plead guilty today to federal corruption charges that he accepted at least $1 million in bribes for political favors. He will plead guilty to four of the five counts against him. They include fraud conspiracy, for which he could face up to 20 years in prison, and bribery conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of five years. Part of his plea deal would require his resignation.





December 19, 2011

Shine a Light on Albany

The Gotham Gazette is there as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature deal with issues like tax code changes, ethics reform, redistricting and all of the important issues of the day. Help us keep our light shining brightly in Albany by making a tax-deductable gift to Gotham Gazette today.



Cornell Wins Bid For Science School

After a yearlong competition Mayor Michael Bloomberg is set to announce that Cornell University has been chosen to create a science graduate school on Roosevelt Island. The announcement will come three days after Stanford University dropped out of the competition and Cornell announced it would give $350 million to boost the project. Bloomberg hopes the school will raise the city's technology profile and boost the economy. Cornell beat out six other university teams to win the free land and $100 million in city subsidies. The announcement will be made today at Weill Cornell Medical College, in Manhattan,





December 16, 2011

Help Light the Way

For more than a decade, Gotham Gazette has shed light on the sometimes murky world of New York policy and politics. But if we are to keep that light shining, we need readers like you to carry a torch for us. We must raise $15,000 this month so we can continue to send you the Eye Opener and provide in-depth, independent coverage of city and state issues that matter. Please go here and make your tax-deductible contribution today.



Liu Probe Widening

The federal investigation into the campaign finances of Controller John Liu is expanding. Sources tell the New York Times that investigators are seeking more information from Liu's Chinese-American donors. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation have issued subpoenas for a wide range of information concerning Liu's larger donors. The scandal has dogged Liu who was once considered a possible frontrunner in the 2012 mayoral race but his approval ratings are dropping. Liu has torn down the cubicle walls of his office recently. His spokesperson claims the move was designed to combine two different units but an employee told the Daily News that the move was made to make it harder for employees to leak information about the investigation to the press. 





December 15, 2011

No Deal on Taxi Plan

A meeting with Gov. Cuomo and taxi stakeholders yesterday failed to lead to an agreement. The city wants to allow some livery cabs to pick up street hails to improve service to the outerboroughs. It is estimated to bring an additional $1 billion to to the city. But Cuomo wants cabbies to improve their service for disabled passengers. The impasse is another sign of the tension between the Cuomo and Bloomberg administrations.





December 14, 2011

Beacon on Ballots

In the off-off year election of 2011, what publication told you about the races that were up for grabs? Gotham Gazette. For a decade Gotham Gazette has provided New York's most comprehensive independent election information. But we won't be able to do that in 2012 without your help. Make your tax-deductible contribution today – and keep our light shining.



Officer Killed Responding to Burglary

Officer Peter Figoski,a veteran of over twenty years with the NYPD, was shot and killed on Monday while responding to a burglary in progress. The alleged killer, Lamont Pride, was wanted for a shooting in North Carolina and was arrested twice in New York--once on a charge of knife possesion and later for possesing crack cocaine and child endangerment. But NYPD officials say North Carolina declined to have Pride extradited and he was released. At least one judge released Pride knowing that he had a warrant in North Carolina. Pride and four other men were arrested in connection with the burglary and murder of officer Figoski. The gun that was used to kill Figoski came from a gun store in Virginia that has sold guns in the past that were used in the murder of New Yorkers. The New York Post has started a fund for the education of officer Figoski's four daughters





December 13, 2011

Ethics Commission Members Appointed

Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders have appointed the 14 members of the new commission charged with enforcing ethics in Albany. Since the law creating the body was signed in August, the capital has been in limbo with no active investigations of lawmakers. The appointment of Ravi Batra, a lawyer with ties to disgraced ex-Brooklyn political boss Clarence Norman, was the most controversial selection. But he wasn't the only one to raise questions. For more, follow The Wonkster.





December 12, 2011

Mistrial in Seabrook Corruption Case

A judge declared a mistrial Friday in the federal corruption trial of Bronx Councilmember Larry Seabrook. The jury had remained deadlocked on all 12 counts against him after six days of deliberations. The ruling followed a note from jurors declaring the mountain of evidence against him was too much for them to wade through. He was charged with funneling over $1 million in taxpayer money to family and friends through non-profits he controlled. The U.S. attorney said his office would retry him.





December 09, 2011

25 Schools Set to Close

Yesterday the city revealed the first half of a list of 25 under-performing schools it plans to close. More closures are expected to be announced today. Other schools will have certain grades phased out or eliminated. A large percentage of students at these schools lag behind in English or math proficiency. The 25 schools would add to the over 100 schools Mayor Michael Bloomberg has closed during his time in office. He has opened over 500. The list of closures must be approved by the Panel for Educational Policy. Members of that organizaton are mostly Bloomberg appointees meaning that approval is almost certain.





December 08, 2011

Lawmakers Pass Tax Plan

Early this morning lawmakers approved a plan raising taxes on those making over $2 million a year. Gov. Cuomo brokered the deal with closed door negotiations, a tactic that has continued to be successful for him, but has been derided by government watchdog groups. Republicans in the Senate, which passed the bill unanimously, delicately positioned the bill as a tax cut, which supporters of the millionaire's tax have long framed it as. Transit advocates and planning groups are concerned the MTA payroll tax exemptions might imperil transit service and called on the governor to replace any lost funds.





December 07, 2011

Albany Leaders Agree on Tax Plan

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders yesterday announced a deal to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers for the next three years.  It also exempts small businesses and private schools from an MTA payroll tax. Lawmakers, who still need to approve it, could vote as early as today. The tax is estimated to net $1.9 billion a year, while the surcharge on the wealthy that it would replace had generated about $4 billion a year. The City Council Finance Committee passed a resolution supporting it. Cuomo switched his anti-tax stance as the state's budget gap grew unexpectedly while his labor union allies joined the Wall Street protests.



Reaction to Police Facebook Comments

Commissioner Raymond Kelley has declined to comment on racist Facebook comments about the West Indian Day Parade likely made by police officers and has received rare criticism because of it. The Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating it, but councilmembers have called for an independent inquiry. There were about two dozen racist or inflammatory comments by profiles identifying themselves as officers. Gothamist has posted the archives of the page. The lawyers who found the page say their client, who was arrested before the parade, was acquitted in part because his arresting officer was a member of it. Meanwhile, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the ranking member of a U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee, is asking the Justice Department to investigate police treatment of Wall Street protestors.





December 06, 2011

A Beacon on Ballots

In the off-off year election of 2011, what publication told you about the races that were up for grabs? Gotham Gazette. For a decade Gotham Gazette has provided New York's most comprehensive independent election information. But we won't be able to do that in 2012 without your help. Make your tax-deductible contribution today – and keep our light shining.



Police Denigrate Paradegoers on Facebook

In a group page on Facebook, police officers ridiculed West Indian Day Parade attendees with racist and violent rhetoric, according to the New York Times. They called people "animals" and "savages" and said things like, "Drop a bomb and wipe them all out." Around 12,000 members populated the group, many of whom identified themselves as police or other city employees. The Times selected over 150 people who posted comments on the page with city employee listings and found that 60 percent matched the names of police officers. The page, titled "No More West Indian Day Detail", was taken offline recently but made public by defense lawyers in a case claiming an officer planted a gun on their client, who was arrested early in the morning before the parade.





December 05, 2011

Don't Turn Off the Light

Every day Gotham Gazette illuminates happenings in the out-of-the-way corners of city and state government to bring you stories you won't see anywhere else. But we need your help to keep that beacon shining. If you value independent, substantive reporting on issues that matter, please make a tax-deductible contribution to Gotham Gazette today.




Change at Gotham Gazette

On Friday, Gail Robinson stepped down as editor in chief of Gotham Gazette. Gail had been with Gotham Gazette since the infancy of on-line journalism and the Giuliani administration, and has run the publication since spring 2007. In those four and half years, Gotham Gazette expanded its coverage to Albany, instituted a major redesign and increased its reporting on environmental and social welfare issues. In the months to come, Gail plans to focus on her own writing and editing on education, social justice and assorted other topics. As part of that she will contribute occasional articles about schools to Gotham Gazette. Although we do not yet have a new editor in place, Gotham Gazette will continue to keep you up to date with our daily Eye Opener and bring you our incisive coverage of city and state policy and politics. We thank Gail for her service and wish her well. We also thank you for being such loyal readers of Gotham Gazette.



Cuomo's Plan

On Sunday Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan in an op-ed that calls for a reform of the tax code that would see higher taxes on the wealthy and a cut for the middle class. His plan also includes legalizing casino gambling, financing for training for urban youth and increased infrastructure spending. It is expected that the legislature will return this week to address Cuomo's plan. Assembly Democrats are returning to Albany on Tuesday and Senate Republicans on Wednesday. If legislative action takes shape, it would be one of the swiftest legislative responses in recent memory. Some business leaders and Senate Republicans have shown support for Cuomo's tax plan. Cuomo's plan does not include a new pension tier or mandate relief. For more, follow The Wonkster.





December 02, 2011

Albany to Address Budget Shortfall

Talks are underway in Albany for a special session this month to address the budget shortfall caused by lower-than-expected tax collections. The talks signal that anti-tax Senate Republicans may be willing to at least consider raising more revenue from the rich. An agreement allowing a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide on expanding casino gambling is also likely. Meanwhile, the judiciary and the legislative chambers have proposed flat budgets for themselves.



Change at Gotham Gazette

At the end of the day today, Gail Robinson will step down as editor in chief of Gotham Gazette. Gail has been with Gotham Gazette since the infancy of on-line journalism and the Giuliani administration, and has run the publication since spring 2007. In those four and half years, Gotham Gazette expanded its coverage to Albany, instituted a major redesign and increased its reporting on environmental and social welfare issues. In the months to come, Gail plans to focus on her own writing and editing on education, social justice and assorted other topics. As part of that she will contribute occasional articles about schools to Gotham Gazette. Although we do not yet have a new editor in place, Gotham Gazette will continue to keep you up to date with our daily Eye Opener and bring you our incisive coverage of city and state policy and politics. We thank Gail for her service and wish her well. We also thank you for being such loyal readers of Gotham Gazette.





December 01, 2011

Help Keep Our Light Shining

Months after he promised to reveal his schedule to the public, Gov. Andrew Cuomo still had not made good on that pledge. Gotham Gazette turned its spotlight on the governor's office, breaking the news that the state would launch a new web site detailing Cuomo's whereabouts. That is the kind of illuminating reporting you expect from Gotham Gazette. But we can't keep that light shining without your support. Please go here and make your tax-deductible donation today.




Cop in Bell Shooting Found Reckless

The undercover police officer who sparked the fatal shooting of Sean Bell was found guilty of acting improperly in a departmental trial, and it was recommended he be fired for his actions. A second officer who fired three shots was found to have acted properly, but it was still recommended he lose 30 vacation days. Commissioner Raymond Kelly can do as he wishes with the findings and impose any penalty he chooses.





November 30, 2011

Help Light the Way

For more than a decade, Gotham Gazette has shed light on the sometimes murky world of New York policy and politics. But if we are to keep that light shining, we need readers like you to carry a torch for us. We must raise $15,000 this month so we can continue to send you the Eye-Opener and provide in-depth, independent coverage of city and state issues that matter. Please go here and make your tax-deductible contribution today.



Boyland Faces New Charges

Less than three weeks after a jury found Brooklyn Assemblymember William Boyland not guilty of bribery, federal prosecutors yesterday leveled a new, but similar set of charges against him. This time, prosecutors say, Boyland, a member of a prominent political family, solicited bribes when he was out on bail on the previous case -- needing the money, he said in a secretly recorded conversation, to finance his criminal defense. Overall, the case accuses Boyland of soliciting some $250,000 in bribes dating back to August 2010. U.S. attorney Loretta Lynch called the corruption "staggering." Boyland's lawyer said he would "vigorously defend this case." If convicted, Boyland faces up to 30 years in prison.





November 29, 2011

Keep Gotham Gazette Shining

Since 1999, Gotham Gazette has served as a beacon, shedding a light on New York policy and politics. But providing that coverage costs money, and now we need your help. We must raise $15,000 this month so we can provide you with independent, serious reporting on the issues that will faceour city and state in the months ahead: budget battles, conflicts over redistricting, the fight over a living wage and much more. Please go here and make your tax-deductible contribution today.



Cuny Raises Tuition

City University trustees approved a $300 annual tuition increase that will last through 2015 yesterday as students and others protested just outside. The vote was 15 to 1 in favor of increasing the tuition for undergrads at CUNY's four year colleges to $6,330 for 2015-2016. The City Council and state legislature have already approved the increases. Three people were arrested during protests at Baruch yesterday. Fifteen were arrested during similar protests last week as the board met on the tuition hikes. Protesters say the school has enough funding to avoid tuition increases and that the hike will prevent some from getting a degree at the university. For more, see our Education Links in the News.
 





November 28, 2011

Protests Greet Tuition Hike

Trustees of the City University are expected to raise tuition by $300 a year for the next four years in a meeting at Baruch College this afternoon. Under the plan, which was already approved by the legislature, students at four-year colleges would see their tuition increase from $5,130 this year to $6,330 in 2015. Some CUNY students have sharply condemned the increase and plan to march on the campus on the East Side to protest the hike. In response, Baruch will limit acess to its buildings this afternoon and has rescheduled some classes. Last week, 15 students were arrested when they tried to enter a public hearing at Baruch on the tuition increase. For more, see Tuition Hikes, Aid Cuts Threaten to Put CUNY Out of Reach.





November 23, 2011

Quinn and the Living Wage

Council speaker Christine Quinn has yet to take a stand on the living wage bill and at hearings yesterday opponents and supporters of the measure tried their best to convince the influential speaker to see their side. The measure would increase the wages of employees on city-funded developments to $10 an hour with health benefits or $11.50 an hour without them. It is up to Quinn to decide whether to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.Some observers say supporters of the bill have been boosted by the Occupy Wall Street movement. Mayor Michael Bloomberg opposes the measure along with representatives of restaurants and bars. For more, check out Searchlight on City Hall.





November 22, 2011

FBI Wary of Plot Informer

The police informant in this weekend's bomb plot case may have been too helpful to the suspect, which was one reason the FBI declined to pursue it. And some of the suspect's incriminating statements were recorded after he smoked marijuana with the informant. The FBI was also skeptical that the suspect could carry out a plot on his own, because they believed he had mental problems. Terrorism cases are generally handled by federal authorities. This is the second time in under a year the FBI declined to join a terrorism probe brought by the police department.





November 18, 2011

Day of Expansive Protests

Thousands showed up to support the Wall Street protests yesterday. Around 250 demonstrators were arrested, including a symbolic 99 who blocked the on ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge. Councilmembers Jumaane Williams and Melissa Mark Viverito were among those arrested. Ten protestors and seven police officers were injured. Although there were a number of tense moments, there were also festive ones. While they weren't able to disrupt the opening bell as planned, traffic was shut down on 5th Ave. and on Broadway for half an hour. Turnout for the plan to occupy the subways was scant. Two officers were reported to have entered a church where protestors were being sheltered to gather information. The day was part of a series of protests across the country. The city has spent $6 million on protest-related costs, not including Tuesday's raid. Some observers think the clashes that occurred yesterday will hurt the movement, and others think they should move on to Washington.





November 14, 2011

In Puerto Rico, Cuomo Looks to the City

Making his first official foray outside New York state since becoming governor, Andrew Cuomo told a conference in Puerto Rico Friday that he would take efforts to combat high unemployment among young blacks and Latinos. In the speech to the annual Somos el Futuro gathering, Cuomo stressed his social justice efforts including naming many blacks, Latinos and women to his administration and closing prisons. The move is seen as part of an effort by Cuomo to reach out to minority communities and politicians from New York City that may feel he has ignored them in his first months as governor. The speech came only weeks before the expiration of the state millionaires tax. Cuomo has approved extension of the surcharge, while many black and Latino lawmakers support it.





November 11, 2011

Lawmakers in Court

A number of New York lawmakers were in court yesterday. Brownsville Assemblymember William Boyland was acquitted of charges that he took $175,000 in bribes through a no-show job. It was a loss for prosecutors in a case that charged eight others and convicted one in September of conspiring to bribe Boyland and two other legislators. Jurors felt Boyland had done wrong, but couldn't convict him of the charges against him. Also, newly re-elected Councilmember Ruben Wills of Queens pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor criminal mischief in connection with a 1996 case. He paid $2,500 in restitution and will serve three days community service, but will avoid charges for failing to appear in court because the statute of limitations expired. It's the second misdemeanor he settled in recent weeks. He avoided resolving the cases, revealed during the election, until after polls closed. And the case against Bronx Councilmember Larry Seabrook continues hearing testimony.





November 10, 2011

Monitor Appointed for Fire Dept. Hiring

A federal judge yesterday appointed a monitor to oversee the Fire Department's hiring practices, which were found to discriminate against black and Hispanic applicants. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis chose Mark Cohen, a former Brooklyn federal prosecutor and the co-founder of the white-collar defense firm Cohen & Gresser. He was picked from a list of 12 candidates. Although both the city and the plaintiffs in the case that led to this ruling submitted names, neither had chosen Cohen. Still, neither are opposed. The city doesn't believe it requires a monitor and plans to appeal the ruling.





November 09, 2011

Donovan Wins -- as Does Cuomo
Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan won a third term yesterday. In an Election Day marked by few competitive races in the city, Donovan, a Republican, defeated his 2007 rival, lawyer Mike Ryan, by a margin of more than two-to-one. Elsewhere in the state it was a good day for Democrats and for Gov. Andrew Cuomo. All three candidates the governor campaigned for won: Steve Bellone as Suffolk County executive, Assemblymember Mike Spano as Yonkers mayor and Mark Poloncarz as Erie County executive. In his victory, Poloncarz handily defeated the incumbent, Chris Collins, who some had seen as a possible rival to Cuomo in 2014. Democratic strategists hailed the outcomes as a sign of increased support for their party and voters' rejection of the Tea Party and its hostility to unions. For more, see Albany Links in the News.



November 08, 2011

Vote!

Today is election day and polling place are open across the city until 9 p.m. The race with the highest profile in the five boroughs is for Staten Island District Attorney. Incumbent DA Dan Donovan faces his opponent from 2007 Mike Ryan. Thanks to a rift between Donovan an a conservative borough president, Ryan will have the Conservative party line this time. Meanwhile there are a number of judicial races across the city. Elsewhere in the state pundits are watching to see what Gov. Andrew Cuomo's endorsement will mean in down-ballot races. For more, follow The Wonkster throughout the day.





November 07, 2011

Deaths in State Care

In the last decade, more than 1,200 people in state care have died from unnatural or unknown causes, accounting for about one in six deaths in New York's system for developmentally disabled adults. This rate is four times higher than in some neighboring states, according to a New York Times report, part of its ongoing investigation into adult care in New York. Reporters Danny Hakim and Russ Buettner found the state made little effort to track the deaths or investigate their specific causes. In particular, the reporters found that New York, unlike other states, has made little to no effort to address systemic problems that lead to deaths from drowning, choking and falls.





November 04, 2011

State Workers Approve Deal
Members of the state Public Employee Federation reversed a previous decision and have voted to accept a four-year agreement that would save the jobs of almost 3,500 of their fellow members. To preserve those positions, the union agreed to no raise for the next three years and a 2 percent increase in the fourth, and a hike in their health care costs. The members had rejected an almost identical agreement five weeks ago. This time around, they accepted it by a margin of 70 to 30 percent. The state estimated the concessions from the union would save $75 million this year.



November 03, 2011

Challenges of a Growing Protest

Nearly 80 Wall Street protestors are due in court today, and many are eager to take their cases to trial. Meanwhile the occupied park has been facing its own issues. The arrest of a man at the park over sexual assault charges highlights the challenges the encampment faces in policing itself. Members of the volunteer security squad said they avoid involving law enforcement in all but the most serious cases. Mayor Bloomberg has called for the protestors to respect the neighborhood, pointing out that they are in a growing residential area. And earlier this week the movement, which had raised $450,000, released its first financial report. They are debating whether to file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit status.





November 02, 2011

Assemblymember Begins Corruption Trial

The corruption trial for Brownsville Assemblymember William Boyland began yesterday. He is charged with accepting a no-show job worth $175,000 over several years from a hospital executive in exchange for his influence in Albany. Previous to being elected, he had attendance issues with an earlier position he held at a clinic under control of the executive, who was convicted last year for attempting to bribe other politicians. Boyland faces up to 25 years, although it's unlikely the maximum sentence would be applied.





November 01, 2011

Bids in for Engineering Campus

The city has received seven bids for building a new school of engineering and applied sciences with city support, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced yesterday. Although many consider Stanford and Cornell to be on the inside track Bloomberg denied that -- leaving the door open for India's Amity University to get the nod -- and said all the proposals were strong. The new school is a key component in Bloomberg's dream of having New York rival Silicon Valley and the Boston area as a high-tech center. The plans envision the school in a variety of locations from Columbia's new campus in Hamilton Heights to Governors Island, and call for private expenditures ranging from $800 million to more than $2.5 billion. The city will provide $100 million. The winner will be announced in January.





October 31, 2011

Turning the Lights Back on

A surprise snowstorm left 15,000 New Yorkers without power and downed trees all across the five borroughs. Power outages were concentrated in the Bronx and Staten Island--12,000 customers are without power in Staten Island. Power is expected to be returned by today. Meanwhile city parks were ravaged by the storm. Central Park is estimated to lose around 1,000 trees to the storm. Other areas in the North East were hit much harder than New York.
 





October 28, 2011

Pension Overhaul

Mayor  Michael Bloomberg and City Comptroller John Liu announced a deal  that would streamline the pension process for the city. The deal was designed to remove political influence from the management of pension funds. Liu is said to have given up significant power in the deal.The arrangement must be approved in Albany.



Ticket Probe

Sixteen New York Police Department officers turned themselves at midnight to face charges in the wide ranging ticket-fixing probe. Officers are accused of fixing tickets for their collegues,  family members and friends. There is concern that  the charges could  put  into doubt cases that the officers worked on.





October 27, 2011

March Over 'Occupy Oakland' Crackdown

Over 400 protestors marched around downtown Manhattan yesterday in support of the aggressive crackdown on demonstrators in Oakland and arrest of 50 in Atlanta. About a dozen were arrested here. In response to the arrests in other cities, Mayor Bloomberg said he would ensure "people do have a right to protest" in New York. The millions in overtime spent policing the Wall Street occupation has created a rift in the council, but Speaker Quinn has said she's been arrested for civil disobedience, so she understand the importance of free speech rights. The protest has amassed nearly $500,000 in donations, but freeloaders have been stressing the kitchen workers there. To address noise complaints, they've agreed to limit drumming to 4 hours a day.





October 26, 2011

Police Arrested for Gun Smuggling

Five police officers and three retired officers were arrested yesterday for smuggling guns - including M-16s - into the city from other states along with cigarettes and stolen goods. The arrests stem from an investigation by the FBI and the police department's internal affairs division that began with an undercover agent trying to get a ticket fixed. Then one officer expressed interest in smuggling cigarettes and it continued escalating. The charges are one in a series of recent cases leveled at officers including civil rights violations, false arrests, rape, and the ticket fixing scandal. An FBI official said the crimes risked undermining public confidence in law enforcement.





October 25, 2011

Protests Continue

Prosecutors yesterday offered to dismiss about half of the 750 disorderly conduct charges against Wall Street protestors. But if they are arrested again within six months, the deal is void. Protestors worry this will limit involvement in their cause. Mayor Bloomberg may be hoping they plan to pack up once frost starts to settle, but many are well prepared to weather the cold. The appearance of tents there is an example of the uneasy truce between the ralliers and the police, who are now overlooking many violations. If they are arrested, however, a mobile app allows protestors to alert people they choose. The movement decides on various courses of action through 30 leaderless working groups that focus on individual issues like sanitation and media. Critics of the protests have recently begun attacking publications they view as helping them. One journalist purportedly helped the protestors shape their message. Interviews covering multiple cities have shown that the protestors vary widely in their goals, but the rallies are centered on unemployed or underemployed college students and college dropouts unhappy with the state of the economy. In a strange turn of events, an art gallery was ''occupied" over the weekend, where many criticized the state of the art world. The gallery asked them to leave once a laptop disappeared.





October 24, 2011

Former Bloomgerg Aide Guilty of Grand Larceny

John Haggerty, a political operative charged with stealing $1 million from Mayor Michael Bloomberg during the mayor's 2009 campaign, was found guilty on Friday of second-degree grand larceny and second-degree money laundering. The jury took three days to deliberate and cleared Haggerty of the most serious charge--first-degree grand larceny. He now faces up to 15 years in jail. Prosecutors claimed that Bloomberg gave the Independence Party $1 million after Haggerty promised to do ballot security work. The Independence Party then gave most of the money to Haggerty who spent most of that money on a house, without providing the promised services. The trial was unique in that it put Bloomberg on the stand and gave an inside look at the mayor's bid for a third term. Haggerty posted $250,000 bail on Saturday.





October 21, 2011

Cuomo Names Lhota to Chair MTA

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has named Joseph Lhota, a deputy mayor from the Giuliani administration, to head the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Current chair Jay Walder is leaving the post today for a job in Hong Kong. Lhota will be paid less than walder--receiving a salary of $332,000--a 5 percent reduction. The state Senate will have to confirm the nomination and won't likely take a vote until January. Lhota will likely come on as interim CEO within the month. Lhota is thought to have the political skills needed to navigate labor and Albany politics. Transportation advocates note that he does not have the transportation pedigree of the man he is going to replace. The MTA faces a number of financial challenges. For more on the MTA and Lhota's nomination, follow The Wonkster.





October 20, 2011

Law Enforcement and Civil Rights

Lawmakers yesterday called for an investigation into the police department's stop and frisk policy in the wake of the arrest of an officer for violating a black man's rights and calling him racial slurs. That officer is now being held in protective custody for his own safety. Meanwhile, a former Homeland Security Department civil rights lawyer implored the federal government to investigate the police department's secret surveillance of Muslim communities. But according to a new report, the department stands as an exception in the state for it's proper handling of Taser guns, although there have been notable instances of the weapon's misuse. In related news, immigrants reported being sexually abused at federal detention centers nearly 200 times since 2007, including five allegations in New York and four in New Jersey.





October 19, 2011

The Protests and the Police Response

A few hundred Wall Street protesters marched on the Manhattan district attorney's office yesterday to demand an investigation into the punching of a protestor by a police officer and that criminal charges against people arrested during the protests be dropped. Meanwhile, the controversial officer who pepper sprayed protestors lost 10 vacation days as punishment for the act. Council Speaker Quinn said yesterday that the anger over the economy displayed at the protests is a sentiment that needs to recognized. The protest currently has $435,000 on hand.





October 18, 2011

Protests Look to Grow in City

As the Wall Street protests celebrate their one month anniversary, the movement is looking to expand by possibly occupying Washington Square Park. The challenge lies in the fact that unlike privately owned Zuccotti Park, where the protests are currently encamped, public parks close at midnight. Mayor Bloomberg has said the current camp goes beyond free speech. He also claimed he doesn't discuss the protests at home with his girlfriend, who is on the board of directors for the company that owns Zuccotti. Meanwhile, thieves have been stealing valuables from the protestors; the police haven't changed their playbook for large crowds much in 20 years; and one major contributor to the protests made his money on Wall Street.





October 17, 2011

Occupy Wall Street Expands

After averting a showdown with the city and cleaning crews on Friday by quickly rallying the support of labor, civic, religious and political groups around the city, the protesters on Wall Street celebrated and over the weekend and their protests expanded across the city, country and world. Around 10,000 people poured into Times Square on Saturday--the protests  were not without incident as over 70 people were arrested and 24 protesters were arrested in a Citibank. Bank employees say they were being disruptive but protesters say they were simply trying to close their accounts. The Occupy Wall Street movement reportedly is growing more organized with $300,000 in fundraising and a store of donated supplies. Meanwhile, the protesters are trying to decide if they should make a list of demands. Fore more, see our coverage: "Rapid Response" and "Labor Signs On."





October 14, 2011

Cleaning of Zuccotti Park Postponed

The owners of Zuccotti Park, where Wall Street protestors have been camped out, postponed cleaning the park this morning and withdrew their request for police assistance doing so. The protest's sanitation team hired a private garbage truck and swept and mopped. They feared the cleaning was a pretext to evict them and several hundred people showed up in support, many planning to resist eviction. The private park was built under an early version of a law that gave developers zoning concessions in exchange for public space, and so it's governed under somewhat unique rules. Council Speaker Christine Quinn said protesters should be able to "peacefully remain in the park as they have been." Meanwhile, some protesters seek to add a religious dimension to the movement and have formed a group called the Interfaith Coalition.





October 13, 2011

New Plan to Help English Language Learners

The city's plan to shrink the achievement gap among English language learners was revealed yesterday, providing more options, support, and services a year after the state mandated it. That includes 125 new bilingual programs, the hiring of more bilingual teachers, and a warning system to alert when the students' test scores show concerns. It calls for placing the main burden of accountability on principals, whose schools could lose funding and more. The plan also reports on where the city is in violation of state law, such as how in 2009 about 22 percent of new students who needed to take language assessments to see if they required special services were not tested in a timely manner.





October 12, 2011

Questions About Liu's Cash

The New York Times reports that their canvass of donations to the campaign of City comptroller John Liu has turned up a number of irregularities. The Times reports over two dozen instances that bring doubt on donations. Some alleged donors say that their boss or someone else gave for them and others say that they never gave at all. Then there are donors the Times say just simply may not exist. Times also found that a number of donor cards that are supposed to be filled out individually and handed in with each donation were seemingly all filled out by one person. Liu has been a prodigious fundraiser and is seen as a major contender in the race to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Liu raised $1 million in the first 6 months of this year. "To the extent that there are problems — and I’m not suggesting there are — we cannot accept those contributions, nor do we need them," Liu told the Times.





October 11, 2011

Cutting School Aides

Putting in effect the largest single-agency layoff of the Bloomberg administration, the city Friday axed 672 school aides, parent coordinators and other school workers who are not teachers. As the workers -- some of whom make just $14 an hour -- scrambled to find other jobs, the city and their union, DC 37, lobbed charges over who bore responsibility for the layoffs. The union reportedly put forth three proposals to save the jobs; the city rejected all of them. The department says the cuts will save $35 million. DC 37 says the city has the money but wants to punish the union, which has had a contentious relationship with the Bloomberg administration. The City Council will hold hearings on the layoffs this morning. For more, see Education Links in the News



Protesters Can Stay

After harshly criticizing the Occupy Wall Street protests on Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said yesterday the crowds could remain in Zuccotti Park if they do not break the law. With Bloomberg not saying how long protestors can occupy the lower Manhattan plaza, some say they will stay there even when the weather gets cold. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said the demonstrators had a right to protest, and that, while he had no plans to visit the site, the movement reflected frustration "felt all across the country." Today groups of protesters plan to go to the homes of some of New York's richest residents. Bloomberg's home is not on their list; Rupert Murdoch's and David Koch's are. For more on the protests, see Unions Find Room Under Occupy Wall Street's Umbrella and Civil Rights Links in the News.





October 07, 2011

Council Discusses Police Spying

At an often adversarial council hearing concerning the police department's intelligence unit that reports have revealed spied on Muslim communities, some council members suggested requiring an outside review when the police conduct counterterrorism investigations. But Peter Vallone, the chair of the Public Safety Committee, said the council doesn't have the expertise or authority to oversee the operations. He suggested federal oversight, but federal officials say they don't have the authority to monitor the department either. The police commissioner, for his part, denied any racial profiling and insisted the program was crucial to thwarting terrorism.



More on the Wall Street Protests

The police commissioner blamed a small group of self-proclaimed anarchists for provoking the 23 arrests that occurred at Wednesday night's march. But protestors, who are camped out in Zuccotti Park in the FInancial District, counter that police responded too aggressively to their act of civil disobedience. One police officer was caught on tape that night joking about hitting people with his baton. The rallies have caught the attention of President Obama, who related to their message. But the protesters are tired of both Republicans and Democrats.





October 06, 2011

Wall Street Protests Continue to Grow

Yesterday afternoon Wall Street protestors peacefully marched through Lower Manhattan with numbers in the thousands. The crowd was made up of people from diverse backgrounds, including many new to protesting. More unions have joined in support of the movement including the AFL-CIO, the retail workers union, the city teachers union, and the United Auto Workers. By nightfall the march became combative as over 150 protestors tried to rush barricades and police reacted with swinging batons and pepper spray. There were 28 arrests.





October 05, 2011

City Calls for Budget Cuts

Only three months into the new budget year, the Bloomberg administration has called for a new round of budget cuts and an immediate city hiring freeze. Budget director Mark Page ordered the heads of all city agencies to identify cuts totaling 2 percent for this fiscal year and 6 percent for the 2013 year, which begins in July. The reductions would total some $2 billion. Labor leaders condemned the cuts. The call for cuts is the 11th one since 2007, but unlike some of the previous rounds, this one demands that the Department of Education and police slash their budgets too. For more on the administration's budget strategy, see As Deficits Loom, City Faces More Cuts





October 04, 2011

Wall Street Protests Growing

The health care workers union 1199 SEIU and the city's Transport Workers Union Local 100 both joined the Wall Street protestors this week. The health care union will help feed the protestors, send nurses to help them, and is exploring other means of assistance. The transport union will join a march planned for Wednesday evening from City Hall to Wall Street in protest of the hundreds arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge. They've also sought a restraining order against the police department from using buses to transport prisoners from the rallies. A judge rejected it but asked for more information from both sides. The protests are spreading to dozens of cities across the country, and here in New York they are even attracting tourists.





October 03, 2011

Brooklyn Bridge Arrests Spark Controversy

Following the arrest of more than 700 anti-Wall Street protesters on the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday, police and demonstrators offered varying accounts of what had occurred. Police said the crowd -- thought to number 1,000 or more -- had been warned to stay off the vehicle roadway and stick to the pedestrian path, but many marchers said they had not heard any warning and said that it even appeared as though police were leading them to the roadway. Both sides released videos to bolster their version of events. Whatever the truth, the confrontation on the bridge, along with the pepper spraying of protesters earlier last month, raises questions about the police handling of peaceful protests and the role of senior police officers, known as white shirts. Meanwhile the protesters, almost all of whom were released and issued summonses, vowed to keep up their effort to occupy Wall Street in protest of corporate greed and economic inequality. For more, see Civil Rights Links in the News.





September 30, 2011

Ward to Leave Port Authority
Although there has not yet been an official announcement, Chris Ward has reportedly made it known he will leave his post as head of the Port Authority by the end of next month. While no explanation has been offered, Ward, who was named to the post by former Gov. David Paterson after serving in the Bloomberg administration, had few connections to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Because of that, many expected he would resign after marking the 10th anniversary of 9/11. His departure comes as the agency, facing declining revenues and rising costs, is reviewing all the projects in its 10-year capital plan in the hopes of freeing up some cash. And his departure comes as Gov. Andrew Cuomo seeks a replacement for another top transportation official, Metropolitan Transportation Authority chief Jay Walder, who will also leave next month. For more, see Transportation Links in the News.



September 29, 2011

Probes Into Pepper Spray Incident

The Internal Affairs Bureau of the police department and the Civilian Complaint Review Board are both investigating the controversial use of pepper spray by an officer during a protest against U.S. financial institutions. The Manhattan district attorney's office is also looking into the matter as is standard procedure for allegations of police misconduct. The civilian board said it has received many more complaints about the incident than is normal. A new video showing the officer who sprayed the protestors has also surfaced, which captures him spraying a videographer in what is apparently another incident that day. Meanwhile, a journalist from Metro Focus published the account of his accidental arrest at the protest while covering it.





September 28, 2011

Public Workers Union Rejects Contract

Members of the state's second-largest public workers union yesterday rejected a contract supported by the Cuomo administration and labor leaders that froze wages and rose health care payments in exchange for protection from layoffs. The vote was 54 percent against and 46 percent in favor of the contract. The governor's office has said to balance the budget without the labor concessions, 3,500 workers would need to be laid off. While notices have already started being sent out, officials say those would be rescinded if the union revotes in favor of the contract within 21 days.





September 27, 2011

Haggerty vs. Bloomberg

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not on trial, but the lawyers for John Haggerty, a political operative accused of stealing $1.1 million from the mayor, would like jurors to think he is. In an opening statement yesterday, one lawyer, Raymond Castello, said Bloomberg committed campaign fraud, and Haggerty is taking the fall. According to prosecutors, Bloomberg, at Haggerty's urging, gave the state Independence Party $1.1 million for poll watching efforts on Election Day 2009, but Haggerty took most of that money for his own personal use. Castello, though, charged that Bloomberg, worried that some might see the poll-watching effort as voter suppression, violated campaign laws in an effort to conceal his use of operatives on Election Day. Bloomberg and his political aides got immunity from prosecutors in return for their grand jury testimony, and none of them face charges, although the mayor will have to testify, perhaps as early as today. For more, see crime links in the news.





September 26, 2011

Wall Street Protests Turn Violent

Over 80 protesters were arrested on Saturday as the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstration entered its second week. Protesters say that police are using excessive force and on Saturday a video was released showing police using pepper spray on demonstrators. A few hundred protesters have camped out on in the Wall Street area protesting what they say is a failed and corrupt financial system. On Sunday protesters conducted a march to Union Square. An NYPD spokesman told the New York Times that pepper spray was used when the crowd tried to prevent officers from erecting a barrier. Protesters say pepper spray was used more than once and was used on a group of women who were not interfering with police business. The protests are now in their ninth day.





September 23, 2011

Class Sizes Highest in Decade

Nearly 7,000 classes are over their contractual limits this year, according to a survey by the teachers union. That's 1,000 more than last year; represents roughly a quarter of all students enrolled in public school; and is the highest number in ten years. The survey was taken on the sixth day of school and the number of crowded classrooms is likely to change. Official figures for enrollment are not yet available. But the city did acknowledge that final class-size numbers would show more crowded classrooms and blamed a $1.7 billion drop in state and federal aid.





September 22, 2011

Cuomo Opens Up

The Cuomo administration will soon unveil a Web site providing the public with unprecedented access to the governor's schedule, travel, and more. Gotham Gazette's David King got an exclusive preview of the site and describes its features. King also reviews the administration's somewhat checkered record on openness -- at least up until now. To read more, go to Connecting Cuomo to the People.





September 21, 2011

50 New Middle Schools

The city will open 50 new middle schools in the next two years according to schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott. The new schools will be a mix of charter and district run. The city will shutter other failing schools The city hopes to win $30 million in federal funds to replace teachers and leadership in middle schools. Walcott plans to to overhaul at least five middle schools and would follow the federal "turnaround" program designed to fix troubled schools where half of a schools staff would be reassigned. Walcott  also emphasized a focus on literacy programs. Michael Mulgrew, president of the teachers union, was not impressed by the plan. He compared the it to "rearranging the deck chairs," and said he wants more details. For more education news, see our Education Links in the News.





September 20, 2011

Tax Breaks Lure Company to City

Pearson PLC, the London-based company that publishes the Financial Times, will relocate about 600 workers from the suburbs to Manhattan after receiving some $13.5 million in so-called incentives from New York City and the state. This will include $9 million in tax breaks and $4.5 million in energy discounts. Other credits and subsidies could bring the total package to almost $50 million, according to one estimate. Pearson, which owns Penguin books and an educational publishing operation, also will locate some jobs in Hoboken and received incentives from New Jersey to keep more jobs from going to Manhattan. It has signed a lease for 270,000 square feet in the Hudson Square area of lower Manhattan, near its existing office space. According to the company, the media and technology jobs will pay an average of $72,000 a year. For more, see Economy Links in the News.





September 19, 2011

Mayor's Report: Crime Rises, AIDS Cases Fall

The Bloomberg administration released its study of city services on Friday in the 2011 Mayor's Management Report. Of the numerous services it tracks the report showed  that AIDS cases have dropped drastically, while crime in the city has risen, police response times increased since the mayor's 2010 report, class sizes have increased, and it takes city double the time it used to to fix a pothole.  AIDS cases have been prevented thanks to better testing, understanding of transmission and improved medication. Crime seems to be rising in part due to budget cuts. Rapes, murders and felony assaults have all increased since the last fiscal year and it takes police on average a minute longer to respond to calls. The good news? Tourism is up, there are fewer schools safety incidents, and construction related problems are down. For more, see Searchlight on City Hall.





September 16, 2011

Smoking Hits All-Time Low

A survey released yesterday finds that 14 percent of adults said they were smokers in 2010 a drop from 15.8 percent in 2009. The new figure is an all-time low. Public high school students were found to smoke at a rate of 7 percent--a drop from a high of 18 percent earlier this decade. The study which was conducted by the city heath department and the Bloomberg administration was quick to link the decline in smokers to Bloomberg's many anti-smoking policies. In 2002 Bloomberg banned smoking in restaurants, bars  and most workplaces. Although too recent to show up in the study, in May the city initiated a ban on smoking in public parks and beaches. Also credited for the decline in smoking--increased taxes and anti-smoking ads. For more, see our Health Links in the News.





September 15, 2011

Congressional Election Fallout

Debate continues over why a GOP newcomer was able to win a congressional seat in a Democratic stronghold. On goes the well established bickering where the winner claims national significance and the loser blames local trends. But many Democrats are now blaming Queens Democratic boss Joseph Crowley, the man who chose David Weprin to run. They say he was only chosen because he wouldn't challenge any nearby seats - including Crowley's - if the district is cut out during reapportionment as expected. But Crowely notes that Weprin won in Queens while being trounced in Brooklyn. As a result, Vito Lopez, the Brooklyn Democratic boss, is catching some blame too for his lack of engagement with the race.





September 14, 2011

GOP Wins House, Dems Assembly

The GOP's Bob Turner won yesterday's special election for the 9th district House seat, defeating Democrat David Weprin. The post was last held by Anthony Weiner and has been in Democratic hands  since 1920. Some framed the contest as a referendum on President Barack Obama, and former Mayor Ed Koch endorsed Turner as a rebuke against Obama's stance on Israel. But local factors played a role as well, such as the large Orthodox Jewish community's dissatisfaction with Weprin's support for gay marriage. Democratic Assembly candidates won all six seats up for special election yesterday. Among them were  Rafael Espinal who triumphed in Bushwick's 54th district, despite his problematic campaign and two energetic opponents. Meanwhile, City Councilmember Ruben Wills held onto his Southeast Queens seat in the face of his legal troubles. Voters may well have found his opponent's record more troubling.





September 13, 2011

Special Election

Today New York City voters can cast their votes in a number of special elections across the city. The race to replace disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner in the 9th Congressional District has certainly become the most heated race as Republican Bob Turner and Democratic Assemblymember David Weprin have battled over same-sex marriage, Israel and the Zadroga Act. Polls indicate that Weprin is flagging behind Turner as the race has become a national spectacle that some see as a referendum on President Barack Obama. There are also contested seats in the 23rd, 27th, 54th and 73rd Assembly Districts. The race in the 54th district could be the most competitive. The campaign of party-backed candidate Rafael Espinal has resorted to some interesting tactics. There is also a council race and judge races. Find out more about who you can vote for in our Guide For the Last Minute Voter.





September 12, 2011

10 Years After

In events throughout the city yesterday, New Yorkers marked the 10th anniversary of a day that few who were here then will ever forget. Thousands gathered at Ground Zero to hear the now-traditional reading of victims' names, as President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush listened. But the day of remembrance also offered signs of how the city has moved forward in the last decade. The 9/11 memorial yesterday opened to families, most of whom praised the memorial and said they were moved by it. And the area that was the scene of such destruction has come back , as billions of dollars have spawned new buildings and attracted new residents.





September 09, 2011

Risk of Bombing on 9/11

U.S. officials are investigating a "specific, credible, but unconfirmed" report that Al Qaeda may attempt a car or truck bombing in New York or Washington around the 9/11 anniversary. The police department is heightening security in light of the risk, which includes forcing even residents within several blocks of Ground Zero to be escorted by police to their homes. Mayor Bloomberg, however, has cautioned against overreaction, saying New Yorkers should not be intimidated and that he will be taking the subway as usual.





September 08, 2011

Police Bullets Probed in Bystander's Death

The police may have killed a bystander in a shootout in Crown Heights on Monday after the West Indian Day parade. One man shot another, and then the police intervened, killing him. Witnesses had previously stated that the man who started the gun fight had killed her, but authorities have ruled out his weapon. Surveillance footage suggests it was the police who killed her. They fired 73 bullets, only hitting him twice. The footage shows that he clearly fired on the officers first. Ballistics testing on the bullet that killed the innocent woman was inconclusive, but there was no gun found associated with the victim of the man killed by police, although witness said he had one. The holiday weekend saw a surge in gun violence.





September 07, 2011

Police Stops Assailed

City Councilmember Jumaane Williams and an array of local officials yesterday linked the police detention of Williams and an aide to Public Advocate Bill de Blasio to the department's stop and frisk policy. At a drenched press conference at City Hall, Williams said he and Kirsten John Foy, who are both black, would not have been stopped and handcuffed after the West Indian Day Parade Monday if they had been white. They and some of the elected officials assailed police stops of young back and Latino men that, Foy said, "terrorize our communities." Williams also denounced as "a bald-faced lie" a police account that an officer had been punched during the incident. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the department was investigating what had occurred, but dismissed any link between stop and frisk policies and the detention of Williams and Foy. For more, see The Wonkster and Civil Rights Link in the News.





September 06, 2011

Gun Violence Rocks City

Four people were killed, two officers wounded and at least 48 people shot,  over the Labor Day weekend. Twenty four people were hit by gunfire in a 24-hour period starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday. Three people were shot to death and two officers wounded during a melee in the Crown Heights neighborhood following the Caribbean Parade. A brawl broke out, which lead to shooting and eventually police exchanged shots with a gunman--a mother was shot and killed in the crossfire while sitting on a stoop with her daughter. The Post reports that eight officers fired about 70 shots and killed the suspect--it is not clear how many shots the suspect fired. Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the weekend violence, "unconscionable." For more, see Crime Links in The News.
 





September 02, 2011

Controversy Builds over Goldsmith Resignation

Criticism of Mayor Michael Bloomberg mounted yesterday after the Post reported that he concealed the fact that Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith resigned last month because of his arrest in Washington, D.C. for domestic violence. In announcing the resignation both the mayor and his deputy said Goldsmith was leaving to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Although Goldsmith maintained he was innocent of any crime, his wife backs him up, and charges were dropped, the incident apparently convinced both Bloomberg and Goldsmith that Goldsmith had to go. Yesterday no one disputed that, but many officials objected to the mayor's deception. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer called concealing the reason for Goldsmith's departure "absolutely unacceptable," and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said facts on Goldsmith's departure "should be made public." So far, the mayor's office has remained largely silent, and Bloomberg canceled his regular Friday radio appearance this morning, reportedly to avoid being questioned. For more, see City Hall Links in the News.



9/11 Cancer Link Seen

Firefighters who worked at Ground Zero shortly after the 9/11 attacks have a 19 percent greater chance of developing cancer than those who did not work there, according to a study released yesterday. The 9/11 responders also were 10 percent more likely to get cancer than members of the general public. The study, published in The Lancet, could put increased pressure on the federal government to reverse its stand and cover cancer victims under the Zadroga health act for 9/11 responders. Experts said the Lancet study alone would probably not change Washington's policy -- and the study's writers counseled caution about interpreting the data -- but it could be a step toward extending the Zadroga act's coverage. For more, see Health Links in the News.





September 01, 2011

Irene to Cost Over $1 Billion

The federal government has started offering funds to help those affected by Irene. More than 243,000 New Yorkers are still without electricity, 350,000 households in Connecticut are without power, and 179,000 customers in New Jersey are in the dark. The Passaic River in North Jersey is causing the highest floodwaters in over a century. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has estimated that recovery costs across the state would likely eclipse $1 billion. He's requested disaster aid for 26 counties and the feds have agreed to reimburse 75 percent of recovery costs for 18 other counties. Five counties in Jersey have been declared disaster areas by the president. And finally, Irene helped make August the wettest month ever recorded in the New York City.





August 31, 2011

Fallout From Irene Continues

Gov. Andrew Cuomo formally asked for the federal government to declare a major disaster in the state, which would release federal assistance. Cuomo, who has experience dealing with hurricanes, has thrown himself into preparation and recovery over the past week. Commuter train service was still spotty yesterday. Nearly one million are still without power across the region. Some rivers in New Jersey and Connecticut weren't expected to finish cresting until last night, so flooding continued. The cost of Irene's wrath is estimated to likely rank among the ten most expensive national disasters ever.





August 30, 2011

Murdoch Loses Contract

The State Comptrollers Office has rejected a $27 million contract with a subsidiary of News Corporation to create a system to track student performance. DiNapoli initially approved the no-bid contact with Wireless Generation but as the controversy over phone tapping at News Corp. heated up the deal became untenable. Last week DiNapoli decided the contract should be put out to bid to other companies. Wireless Generation was acquired by News Corp. after Joel Klein left city employment to work for News Corp. The company had previously designed the city's student data tracker. Wireless Generation is currently deciding whether to submit another bid. For more, see The Wonkster.





August 29, 2011

After the Storm

After days of fearful anticipation, Hurricane Irene swept into New York City Saturday night and then left relatively quietly by midday Sunday. Coastal areas farther south felt the force of a violent storm, and upstate New York and Vermont grappled with major flooding. Locally, though, the worst damage appeared to be in the suburbs as the five boroughs experienced little major damage, with conditions in many parts of the city akin to those after a violent thunder storm. Thousands of customers lost power, and the storm destroyed some 719 trees. Today much is returning to normal as subway service resumed, albeit haltingly in spots -- although some commuter rail systems were still out of service. The stock exchanges and city offices expect to open today, but beaches will remain closed. And you won’t have to feed the meter! While some New Yorkers grumbled the mandatory evacuations and subways shutdown, represented a massive overreaction, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said yesterday that he had called it "exactly right," and pundits theorized his stand will help dim memories of his administration's botched handling of last winter's blizzard. For more, see Links in the News.



A Raise for Judges

A state commission Friday gave the state's judges their first raise in 12 years, though the increase fell far short of what many on the bench wanted. The commission, appointed to resolve the issue after 10 years of controversy, hiked the pay by 27 percent over three years, upping the salary of a state Supreme Court judge from $136,700 to $174,000. Several judges and the state Bar Association expressed dissatisfaction with the size of the increase, which will go into effect in the spring unless the legislature and governor block it. During the decade-long battle over judicial pay, the state went from having among the country's highest paid judiciary to having among the lowest paid.





August 27, 2011

Special Hurricane Irene Edition

As Hurricane Irene battered North Carolina and Virginia, New York City ramped up its preparation efforts Saturday. Subways, buses and rail commuter lines shut down at noon on a rainy muggy day. Although Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Friday ordered mandatory evacuation of some vulnerable coastal areas, indications were that at least some affected residents had decided to stay put. At 3:30 Saturday afternoon, only 1,400 people had arrived at emergency centers designed to accommodate 70,000. Gov Andrew Cuomo called up almost 2,000 National Guard troops to assist emergency workers in the city and on Long Island. Latest forecasts call for the storm's center -- and possibly brining winds as high as 85 miles per hour -- to hit the metropolitan area Sunday afternoon. Officials fear, though that the city could experience serious flooding earlier in the day.

 

For more information:

National Weather Service

Irene Storm tracker

City Severe Weather Page, including evacuation routes and updates

Map of City Evacuation Zones

Quick Guide to City's Storm Plan

New York City Hurricane Preparation Guide

WNYC's Urban Survival Guide





August 26, 2011

Waiting for Irene
As Hurricane Irene moved up the coast, local officials Thursday began announcing emergency plans. With Irene predicted to be in New York or somewhere off its shore early Sunday, Gov Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency in advance of the storm. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced evacuation of nursing home residents in low-lying areas would begin this morning and that he would decide whether to order more extensive evacuations by 8 a.m. Saturday. In contrast to his handling of December's blizzard, Bloomberg moved quickly yesterday, also revoking permits for all street fairs and other outdoor events slated for Sunday. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority warned of a possible transit shutdown that could begin Saturday and extend into the Monday morning rush, something that would be unprecedented. While Bloomberg referred people to nyc.gov, the site was operating extremely slowly -- and sometimes not at all -- on Thursday. For more, see Links in the News.

Court Order Release of Teacher Ratings

A state appeals court yesterday ruled that the city must make public effectiveness ratings for some 12,000 teachers. Media organizations had sought the data on the teachers under a Freedom of Information Act request. The United Federation of Teachers challenged that, arguing the detailed rankings on a scale of 1 to 100 and based largely on test scores were inaccurate and that releasing them raised privacy concerns. The city said it would hold off releasing the data pending the union's appeal of the ruling.





August 25, 2011

Judge Tosses State Teacher Review

A judge yesterday struck down a new state regulation allowing schools to give teachers the lowest rating if they fail the student performance part of their evaluation. The state teachers union had challenged regulations created by the Board of Regents in an attempt to implement a new state law. Justice Michael Lynch of State Supreme Court in Albany ruled that the Regents had failed to give sufficient weight to collective bargaining requirements, and that it had not fully acknowledged the law’s stipulation that test scores alone cannot determine a teacher’s performance review.





August 24, 2011

Earthquake Causes Short Disruption

An earthquake registering 5.8 on the Richter scale struck yesterday outside of Washington and was felt from Maine to Georgia. In Manhattan, the quake registered just over 2 on the scale. There were no significant damage or injuries reported in the city other than the partial chimney collapse at a public-housing development in Red Hook. All of the courthouses, City Hall, and One Police Plaza were evacuated while airports, commuter trains, and a tunnel were shut down briefly. MTA service was not affected. Cuomo said the state is reviewing hydroelectric plants, nuclear power plants, key bridges and tunnels, and other critical infrastructure. Cracks appeared in the Washington Monument.





August 23, 2011

Rise in Household Homicides

The number of people murdered by family members they live with increased 10 percent statewide last year, jumping to 144 from 131 the year before. The rise was largest among children, with 37 minors being killed last year compared to 17 in 2009. Almost all of that increase occurred in the city.





August 22, 2011

Schneiderman Faces Pressure on Bank Deal

Attorney General Eric Scheiderman is under increasing pressure from the Obama administration to drop his opposition to a settlement with banks over dubious foreclosure practices, reports the New York Times. Schneiderman, along with other prosecutors across the country, worry that the deal will prevent them from investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing in mortgage securities. Large banks have reportedly asked the Obama administration to pressure Schneiderman to accept the settlement and Shaun Donovan, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has reportedly been doing just that. Schneiderman is also facing pressure to drop a suit blocking a deal that would see Bank of America pay $8.5 billion to investors who hold a number of mortgage backed securities.





August 19, 2011

Port Authority to Hike Tolls

The Port Authority is set to vote today on a revised slate of toll and fare increases. The original plan that called for a $4 toll hike for EZ Pass users on Port Authority run tunnels and bridges has been slashed to an increase of $1.50. Riders who pay cash will face an increase of $4. The revised plan was announced last night by Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie. Transportation advocates had expected that original toll increases to be scrapped in favor of a lesser increase. The New York Times described toll increases at the Port Authority as "highly choreographed affairs." The Post reported earlier this week that the governors would likely release a reduced toll plan on Friday--just before the vote.
 





August 18, 2011

Judge Rejects Bloomberg LP Suit

A judge yesterday rejected a class action lawsuit claiming Bloomberg L.P. discriminated against pregnant women and mothers. U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan said the case brought by the federal Equal Employee Opportunity Commission relied too heavily on anecdotes and didn't provide enough statistical evidence. In fact, she cited statistics from the company showing that women who went on maternity leave actually received higher increases in compensation than those who took leaves for other reasons. The judge did, however, say that some 65 individual claims can proceed in the case. The media and financial news company was founded by Michael Bloomberg before he became mayor.





August 17, 2011

Judge Clears Brooklyn Bike Lane

The controversial bike lane along Prospect Park West will remain for now since a judge has dismissed an effort by local groups to remove it. Judge Bert Bunyan of State Supreme Court in Brooklyn ruled yesterday that their lawsuit was filed after statute of limitations had expired. The plaintiffs, Seniors for Safety and Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes, haven't ruled out an appeal. The judge did, however, order the city to explain why it didn't fully comply with a Freedom of Information request pertaining to the bike lane.





August 16, 2011

Port Authority Looks at Fare, Toll Hikes

The Port Authority will hold public hearings all over the city today to discuss its planned toll and fare increases. A new plan would see tolls on Port Authority bridges and tunnels increase from $8 to $12 for those with EZ-Pass and $8 to $15 for those paying cash. PATH tickets would increase $1.75 a trip to $2.75. Port Authority officials have warned that they will be unable to continue construction at Ground Zero if they can't increase their income and it isn't clear where Gov. Andrew Cuomo stands on the unpopular fare and toll hikes. Cuomo could veto the plan. The NY Post reports that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Cuomo are "tightening the screws" on the Port Authority over the tolls and that a new deal could come only hours before the Port Authority votes on its fare and toll increase plan on Friday. For a list of public hearings, go here.





August 15, 2011

Under Probe, Corrections Official Quits

Larry Davis Sr., the number two official in the city's Department of Correction, resigned as the Department of Investigation launched an inquiry into a subordinate's use of a department car. The investigators already were looking into whether Davis, who served with the department for 31 years, took trips paid for by subordinates hoping to curry favor with him. An anonymous official said correction commissioner Dora Schriro had become increasingly dissatisfied with Davis' management since she named him the department's highest ranking uniformed officer in 2009. Others attributed some of Davis' difficulties to ruthless office politics. Schriro has announced the appointment of Michael Hourihane, a 30-year department veteran, to replace Davis. For more, see Crime and Security Links in the News.





August 12, 2011

Bloomberg's Last-Minute Budget Earmarks

Several council members want to prohibit the mayor from inserting multi-million dollar expenditures into the budget at the last minute. In June Mayor Michael Bloomberg quietly earmarked $22.5 million for his program to aid young black and Latino men after the time for public review had ended. The money was added to the budget the day they adopted it. Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. is considering introducing a bill to thwart the practice, and Council Speaker Christine Quinn said she'd consider it.





August 11, 2011

City Challenges Census

The city has filed a formal challenge to the census bureau's 2010 count, saying they overlooked at least 50,000 residents throughout Astoria, Jackson Heights, Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. Although the city contests the whole count, the challenge focuses on these areas, where it says an unrealistic number of vacant homes were counted. The bureau counted a citywide population of 8.175 million, a 2.1 percent increase over 2000. But that growth showed only 1,300 new people in Queens and 39,000 more in Brooklyn. Both Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand support the challenge. A successful adjustment would come too late to affect the congressional reapportionment, but it would raise the amount of federal funds the city would receive. Gotham Gazette also broke down the census's first five-year American Community Survey file.





August 10, 2011

City to Require Sex Education

In an effort to combat unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, New York City public middle and high schools will begin requiring sex education classes this year. The effort is part of the initiative, announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg last week, to improve the lives of young black and Latino men. The curriculum will include material on birth control measures, including how to use a condom. Parents will be able to remove their children from those classes. There has not been a required, uniform sex education curriculum in city schools for more than 20 years. For more, see Education Links in the News.





August 09, 2011

Small Gains in Test Scores

Overall, 57.3 percent of city students passed the elementary and middle school statewide math tests, up from 54 percent last year. In English, 43.9 percent passed, a 1.5 percent rise from last year. But that's a steep drop from 2009 when the state decided the tests had gotten too easy and thus recalibrated the scores and began revamping the tests. A gap between black and Hispanic students and their white peers also remained persistently intransigent. And barely a third of all eighth-graders met the bar for reading standards, the group's lowest mark since 2006. Yet the increase in achievement by city students still outpaced the statewide rise. The tests are becoming more important than ever to the city's teachers.





August 08, 2011

Port Authority Proposes Steep Hike

Crossing the Hudson River into New York City could cost $15 under a proposal put forth Friday by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The huge fare hike -- from the current $8 for a customer using EZPass to $14 in 2014 -- would affect the Holland and Lincoln tunnels and the George Washington, Goethals, Outerbridge and Bayonne bridges. The single-ride fare on the PATH train would rise from $1.75 to $2.75. Despite reports that Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie had signed off on an increase, sources in both administrations said that the governors would reject such a steep hike. The authority's board must approve any increase, and the governors appoint the members of that board. If approved, the increase would reportedly fund a $33 billion capital plan. For more, see Transportation Links in the News.



Hugh Carey

Former Gov. Hugh Carey, widely recognized for piloting New York City and state through the fiscal crisis of the mid 1970s, died at his home on Shelter Island Sunday. He was 92. A member of Congress from Brooklyn, Carey took office in 1975 with the city teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. He played the major role in averting calamity, engineering state loans for the city and enlisting labor unions and others in cobbling together a rescue plan. For more on Carey's effort, read New York's Savior.





August 05, 2011

Response to Mayor's New Plan

A day after the mayor announced a new plan to help young black and Latino males find work that would be partially funded by his own money, a number of questions have been raised. Will the program be nimble enough to tackle an entrenched problem with disparate issues? Are the private donations a conflict of interest? Will Patricia Harris, a deputy mayor who also run's Bloomberg's philanthropy, play a role in overseeing and monitoring this program? The questions remain to be answered.





August 04, 2011

Bloomberg Funds Plan to Aid Minority Youth

The Bloomberg administration plans to launch a three year program aimed at creating job opportunities for young black and Latino men. The $127 million plan, called the Young Men's Initiative, will be funded by $30 million of the mayor's own money, $30 million by George Soros, and the rest by the city. It will place job-recruitment centers in public-housing complexes where many young black and Latino men live, retrain probation officers in an effort to reduce recidivism, establish new fatherhood classes and assess schools on the academic progress of male black and Latino students. Meanwhile, Bloomberg also raised $1.5 million in private donations to resume January Regents testing, which the state cut from the budget. Five anonymous donors matched Bloomberg's personal $250,000 contribution to the effort. The funds only cover this year's tests.





August 03, 2011

Leaving New York

In the first decade of the new century, New York state saw more of its residents leave for other parts of the country than any other state in the country. Despite this, an analysis of census data by the Manhattan Institute found, the state population rose by half a million people, largely because of births. Over 1.5 million more people moved out of the state than moved in from other states, making the aughts the second straight decade in which New York led the nation in out migration. Some attribute the loss to the state's high cost of living and tax rate. The report also found a slowing of immigration from other countries during the 10 years. Since 1960, 7.3 million people have left New York for other states.





August 02, 2011

Debt Deal Could Hurt City

The House of Representatives passed a compromise plan yesterday that would raise the debt ceiling and cut federal spending by $2.1 trillion over the next ten years by a vote of 269 to 161. The compromise will come up for a vote in the Senate today. While the vote may have allayed larger fears about the national economy it leaves many New Yorkers worried about what impact cuts to federal aid will have on the city. Medicare could face cuts as could, funding for the Zagroda bill, homeland security funding and federal support for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The New York State Congressional Delegation was split in its support for the bill--14 members voted for it and 13 against.





August 01, 2011

Debt Deal Seems Near
President Barack Obama and House and Senate leaders said late yesterday that they had reached a deal to avert a U.S. default. Both houses of Congress still need to approve the plan, which will cut trillions of dollars in federal spending and not raise taxes. The plan faces considerable opposition in the House.

Audit Criticizes Subway Disruptions

Subway riders griping about service disruptions got some validation this weekend as the state and city comptrollers released an audit that criticized the management of the service changes. The weekend interruptions have led to tens of millions in cost overruns, some because Metropolitan Transportation Authority did not properly monitor expenses, the report says. The audit also found the MTA did not adequately inform subways riders of the service changes. Further the report -- an unusual joint city and state audit -- said disruptions were increasing in frequency and lasting longer, and that service was sometimes suspended even when no work was taking place. An MTA spokesperson said the service diversions are necessary and that the agency makes "every effort to minimize customer inconvenience." To read the audit, go here. For more, see Transportation Links in the News.





July 29, 2011

Surveillance Network Near Completion

The Police Department's "Ring of Steel" surveillance network now has 1,800 cameras in place and another 1,200 will be installed by Sept. 11. The focus is primarily on the area South of Canal, but cameras also cover Midtown and the subway. The 600 cameras in the subway have led to 100 arrests in the past eight months. The department is also testing a groundbreaking dirty bomb detector.





July 28, 2011

Teacher Tenure Plummets

Only 58 percent of eligible teachers were awarded tenure this year, the first since tougher evaluation guidelines were put into effect. Another 39 percent of teachers had tenure deferred while 3 percent were denied. Last year only 8 percent were deferred and five years ago about 99 percent were approved. Under the new system, principals evaluate teachers based on classroom observation, student work, test scores, student attendance and feedback from students and parents. But several principals said they felt pressure not to award tenure. And some teachers are saying that tenure wasn't awarded for reasons entirely unrelated to performance. All teachers are eligible for tenure review after three years.





July 27, 2011

MTA Looks to Raise Fares

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced yesterday that it wants to hike fares and tolls by a combined 7.5 percent in 2013 and 2015 to plug multimillion dollar holes in its budget. The fare increases are part of a 5-year-plan that will be presented to the MTA board for review today. Despite any planned fare hikes the MTA looks to be in the red for the foreseeable future. The plan leaves the agency with a $54 million gap in its 2014 budget and $178 million in 2015. The plan calls for looking for major concessions from the Transit Workers Union and has a new formula for adding to its capital budget. The plan does plug a $247 million hole in its 2012 budget through spending cuts while avoiding service cuts. Fore more, see Transportation Links in the News.





July 26, 2011

Markowitz Fined $20,000

The city's Conflicts of Interest Board has fined Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz $20,000 for taking his wife on foreign trips -- and not paying her way. Markowitz said he would pay the penalty but called the decision "crazy" and likened his wife Jamie's travel to trips by first lady Michelle Obama. The penalty arose from trips Markowitz had taken to Turkey and the Netherlands in 2009 as a guest of the countries. This is Markowitz's second ethics violation this year. For more, see Governing Links in the News.





July 25, 2011

Marriage Weekend

Same-sex couples across the state were finally able to tie the knot this weekend as legislation allowing the unions became law at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday. Becase of New York's population the number of Americans living in states where same-sex marriage is legal doubled overnight. Celebrations and group weddings took place across the state. At the same time thousands of people around the state rallied against same-sex marriage. Sen. Ruben Diaz led a demonstration in Manhattan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a party for marriage advocates in Manhattan, Mayor Michael Bloomberg presided over a wedding of two of his aides at Gracie Mansion and City Council speaker Christine Quinn attended marriage bureaus across the city.
 





July 22, 2011

MTA Chief Abruptly Quits

MTA Chairman and CEO Jay Walder resigned in a surprise announcement yesterday, leaving two years into a six year term. He will step down in late October to take over Hong Kong's MTR Corporation. Although he hasn't had the best relationship with Gov. Cuomo, Walder doesn't appear to have been forced out (he would have received a large severance payout if he were). But the MTA faces a $9 billion deficit next year, whereas MTR is profitable and growing. And he will also make much more money - the MTA is paying him a base salary of $350,000, compared with MTR's departing CEO who earned $1.78 million last year.





July 21, 2011

Parents Sue Over PCBs in Schools

Parents of students have sued the city in federal court over its plan to remove PCBs from schools. While the city has laid out a 10 year strategy to remove the toxic chemical from contaminated buildings, the parents are pushing for a two year timeframe. Officials from the E.P.A. and the City Council have also called on the Bloomberg Administration to finish in under five years. The parents are suing to compel the city to begin replacing contaminated lighting ballasts immediately.





July 20, 2011

Mayor Seeks Tech Campus

Ramping up his efforts to build a major school of engineering and applied science in the city, Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday said he's prepared to offer up to $100 million in city money to get one. Saying he wanted New York to replace Silicon Valley as the "world's capital of techno startups," Bloomberg asked universities to submit proposals to create the campus, perhaps on Governor Island or Roosevelt Island. The administration says such a campus could bring in as much as $6 billion in economic activity. Cornell, Stanford, Columbia and NYU have all expressed interest. The bidding process should be complete by the end of the year. For more, see Technology Links in the News





July 19, 2011

The Tattered Safety Net

Today Gotham Gazette launches a series on what the government is -- and is not -- doing to help the 1.8 million New Yorkers on the down side of our huge economic divide. About one in five New Yorkers lives at or below the poverty level, with 10.5 percent trying to scrape by on incomes less than half the poverty level, or below $10,500 for a family of four.

As the poverty level has remained largely unchanged, the wealthy have gotten richer – some 58 billionaires reportedly call New York home – and we have  the widest income divide of any major city in the country. At the same time, all levels of government have sought to cut spending, reducing programs for the poor and raising fees for public services.

Our series begins today with a close look at Mayor Michael Bloomberg's poverty policies -- and the disconnect between his public policies and his private initiatives. In future weeks, we will look at an array of issues, including services for youth, the demise of the safety net hospital, the link between poverty and prison -- and more.



Sensors to Drive Midtown Traffic

A new program uses wireless technology to alert officials of traffic jams in Midtown and gives them the ability to manipulate traffic signals appropriately. Data is gathered from microwave sensors, traffic video cameras, and E-ZPass readers for 23 intersections beginning at 42nd Street and up to 57th, bound by Second to Sixth avenues. Officials can now use that data and make a light turn at the touch of a button. Previously, traffic signals could only be set to preset signal patterns based on the time of day. After six months, engineers will analyze the congestion data using GPS technology from taxis to see how it is working. Then it might expand to other areas. The city paid $1 million for the program and the federal government chipped in $600,000.





July 18, 2011

Cuomo and Labor

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has reached tentative deals with the state's two largest employers of public workers--the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation but the fate of the deals are still up in the air. Labor leaders are concerned that the rank and file will vote down the deals that avoid layoffs with other concessions and therefore plan to campaign to get their member's support. The deals are seen as a test for Cuomo who recently told the New York Times that it is his main priority to trim entitlements for public employees. Cuomo has threatened nearly 10,000 layoffs if his demands for concessions are not met. For more, see Albany in the News.





July 15, 2011

FBI Investigating News Corp.

The FBI is in the early stages of an investigation into allegations that journalists from News Corp. hacked into the phones of 9/11 victims. Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed the investigation today. The investigation comes as scandal surrounding Rupert Murdoch owned newspapers in Britain grows. New allegations of illegal behavior involving his reporters seem to appear each day. Some of those allegations include that his papers bribed police and hacked the phones of dead soldiers, murder victims and even members of the government. Rep. Peter King wrote FBI director Robert Muller to ask for the investigation following reports that News Corp. journalists used bribery and wire tapping to gain access to informationa bout 9/11 victims. At least five other legislators have called for an investigation. In an effort to respond to the scandal that has rocked his empire, Murdoch has agreed to appear before British Parliament and gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal, a paper he owns.





July 14, 2011

Judge Blocks Pregnancy Center Law

A federal judge yesterday temporarily blocked a new city law requiring crisis pregnancy centers to disclose whether they provide abortions or emergency contraception. U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III, ruled that it violates free speech rights and is constitutionally vague. The centers are accused of deceiving women into not having abortions. Even the judge noted that the law’s opponents feigned ignorance that the deception was occurring. The city is expected to appeal. A similar law was recently struck down in Maryland.





July 13, 2011

Quinn, Stringer Lead in Money Race

As candidates file their campaign finance disclosure reports for the first half of the year, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn seems to lead the pack of possible 2013 mayoral contenders in the money race. Quinn's consultant told reporters she had raised $1.32 million in the last six months for a total of about $4 million. Trailing her are Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer with a reported $2.45 million and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio with a bit over $1 million. City Comptroller John Liu, also considered a likely candidate, has not announced his fund-raising total. Also declared are William Thompson, who just began fundraising in the spring and has collected about $250,000, according to an aide, and publisher Tom Allon, who announced his candidacy just yesterday so will not have to file a report for another six months. Rep Anthony Weiner remains the leader in the mayoral fundraising contest, with about $5 million, but no one expects him to be spending that money on a 2013 bid for citywide office. All declared city candidates for 2013 must file reports by Friday. For more, see Searchlight Links in the News .





July 12, 2011

Trade Center Memorial Reservations Fly

Within an hour of being available online, 5,000 reservations had been made to visit the World Trade Center Memorial on its opening day 10 years after the attacks. There were so many people trying to make reservations, the Web site couldn't handle the traffic. There were 24,000 requests made by that evening. The memorial is still under construction. Officials there are considering a controversial charge for visiting the neighboring museum in order to cover the two attractions' expected combined operating costs of $50 million a year.





July 11, 2011

We Owe it All to Readers Like You

Many, many thanks to all of you who contributed to our June fund-raising appeal, letting us meet our goal of $15,000. Your generous support will help us continue to bring you independent, in-depth reporting on issues that matter -- including important information you can't get anywhere else. (For those of you who meant to give and didn't, you can still go here to make a tax-deductible gift today.) Thank you for reading, giving -- and helping to make Gotham Gazette the place for New York policy and politics.



Big Change in the Governor's Office

Steven Cohen, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's top aide, will leave the administration, the governor announced Friday. Lawrence Schwartz, who served as the secretary -- or top aide -- to former Gov. David Paterson, will now take over that job for Cuomo. Cohen, a top Cuomo aide since 2007 and a key behind-the-scenes player in the fight for same-sex marriage, has long been expected to leave for the private sector, but his departure is still viewed as a marking a significant shift in Albany. Schwartz helped run Gov. Mario Cuomo's unsuccessful 1994 re-election campaign and has served as a senior adviser to Andrew as well. Schwartz kept Paterson's office running despite controversies and scandals, although he is also said to have had a contentious relationship with the legislature. For more, see Eye on Albany Links in the News.





July 08, 2011

Morgenthau Defends Manhattan DA

Robert Morgenthau, the man who held Cyrus Vance Jr's seat as Manhattan District Attorney for 35 years before him, yesterday came to his defense over the handling of the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case. The background of the woman who accused Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault has been called into question by information discovered by Vance's office. Supporters said Vance acted ethically in bringing the concerns to the court's attention, critics said his office rushed for an indictment before investigating her background. Morgenthau says Vance couldn't have acted more ethically, and that is the benchmark the office should be held against. Meanwhile, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association is calling on Vance to reopen the Deutsche Bank fire case that resulted in no criminal charges.