Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

State

State

Today's Lead: 9/11 Museum Dedication Ceremony Today


eyeopenerbw2

The 9/11 museum will open to the public next week, creating a visual testament and physical place to remember. The dedication ceremony begins today at 10 a.m., where President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, among many other current and former elected officials, will participate. But questions about the museum's financing remain and officials are seeking federal funds for operating costs of the memorial and museum. And the museum isn't entirely without controversy. Some worry a film shown at the museum's end may give viewers the impression that Islam is to blame for the attacks. And family of the deceased object to the unidentified remains of bodies being laid at the site. The press had a preview of the space yesterday, and most call it powerful and awe-inspiring. Wired Magazine wrote an in depth story detailing the process and philosophy behind designing such an emotional space.

New from Gotham Gazette
What the Indian Election Means for New York
Samar Khurshid explores the impact this week's historic Indian election could have on both Indian and Bangladeshi immigration to New York City.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
The Aging Tsunami: Building an Age Equality Platform in New York City
In a Gotham Gazette op-ed, CSCS' Bobbie Sackman argues for more age equality planning by Mayor de Blasio, including expanding his housing plans to better account for seniors.

De Blasio, '84, Eyes NYU 2031
John Surico takes a close look at the contentious NYU expansion plan and where alumnus Bill de Blasio, now mayor, finds himself in the ongoing saga.

Education Tax Credit Back from the Dead
David King reports on new life for a controversial education tax credit bill being debated in Albany.

Other Stories We're Following

Bridge Behind Him, Obama Pushes Infrastructure Projects (NY Times)

Real Cost of Teachers Union Deal Rises to $9 Billion (DNAinfo)

Cuomo Confirms Possible Olympics Bid (Crain's)

Republicans Cast de Blasio as Leading Liberal Foe (NY Times)

Speaker to Battle Mayor for Free School Lunch, More Cops (Daily News)

Council Removes Speaker’s Ability to Distribute Cash (Daily News)

Council Looks to End Garden's $17 Million Tax Break (Crain's)

De Blasio Quietly Adds Hundreds of Millions for Charters (Capital)

Cops and Cameras Not Getting Along (WNYC)

MTA to Add 56 Weekend Trips on L Train This Fall (DNAinfo)

Today's Lead: Sale of Stuyvesant Town Likely


eyeopenerbw2

The creditors controlling Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village, a massive Manhattan housing complex home to about 25,000 people, said yesterday they plan to foreclose on loans at the complex, a move many expect to be the first step in the sale of the property. The partially rent-regulated complex, built in 1947 for returning veterans and their families, has 11,200 apartments and could fetch more than $4 billion. CWCapital took over the property in 2010 when its owners ran out of money after buying it in a controversial and record-breaking deal in '06. The creditors are moving to wipe out $1.4 billion in mezzanine debt, which is junior to the senior mortgage. Nearly half the units in the complex have been renovated by CWCapital, with rents bumped to market rate or near it. Tenants at the complex are among those planning to bid on the property, and would possibly convert some apartments into condos to pay off bondholders. The de Blasio administration said it had already started “active discussions” with lenders and tenants. Council Member Dan Garodnick, who lives in and represents the complex, will play a key role in the proceedings as well.

New from Gotham Gazette
Education Tax Credit Back From The Dead
David King reports that there may be new life for a controversial $300 million tax credit bill whereby New Yorkers would be able to give money to education entities and reap tax benefits.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette
De Blasio, '84, Eyes NYU 2031
Mayor Bill de Blasio, an alumnus of NYU, must now deal with the contentious issue of the school's expansion.

Why Campaign Finance Reform Makes Sense for Cuomo, Now
David King takes stock of the governor's shifting approach to campaign finance reform, including his recent shift back toward pleasing progressives.

Transformative FOIL Transparency Bill on Verge of Introduction
Kristen Meriwether with an exclusive look at new legislation that is set to have wide-ranging impact on how people access government information.

Other Stories We're Following

Teachers Angry That Contract Delays Full Raises Until 2020 (Daily News)

Mayor, Liberal Allies Clash Over Budget (AP)

With Legislative Vacancies, State Pays for Empty District Offices (Capital)

Nine Brooklyn Retail Strips See Rents More Than Double (Crain's)

A Traffic Safety Plan With Swedish Logic and City Smarts (NY Times)

A Record State Pension Fund (Times Union)

Dream Act Bill to Be Reintroduced in Legislature (WSJ)

De Blasio Lukewarm on Council's Air Quality Measures (Capital)

State Attorney General to Issue New Airbnb Subpoena (AP)

Temporary Free Transfer From G Train at Broadway to J (Daily News)

Minority-Owned Businesses Flourish (Crain's)

Today’s Lead: De Blasio’s Budget Questioned on Two Fronts


eyeopenerbw2

Mayor Bill de Blasio was forced to alter his executive budget after Comptroller Scott Stringer demanded $725 million in retroactive teacher pay be accounted for in the current 2014 fiscal year, rather than in future years as de Blasio had planned. Stringer’s office said de Blasio’s plan to pay for the back pay down the road contradicts established accounting principles. De Blasio was forced to shift the $725 million, which then affects next fiscal year and outlines for others the administration had forecast based on the teachers union deal. The administration says this change is not a problem. Meanwhile, Moody’s Investor Service declared de Blasio’s budget to be “credit negative” because it will increase the city’s deficit by $5 billion over three years to fund union wage increases.

New from Gotham Gazette

De Blasio, '84, Eyes NYU 2031

Mayor Bill de Blasio, an alumnus of NYU, must now deal with the contentious issue of the school's expansion.

Why Campaign Finance Reform Makes Sense for Cuomo, Now 

David King takes stock of the governor's shifting approach to campaign finance reform, including his recent shift back toward pleasing progressives.

ICYMI from Gotham Gazette

Transformative FOIL Transparency Bill on Verge of Introduction

Kristen Meriwether with an exclusive look at new legislation that is set to have wide-ranging impact on how people access government information and government transparency in general.

The Week Ahead in New York Politics

Get ready for the week with our latest installment of The Week Ahead. Our preview includes the president's visit to New York, the City Council dealing with its latest corruption scandal, and much, much more.

 


Other Stories We're Following

Brooklyn Development Plan Stirs Debate Over Affordable Housing (NY Times)

De Blasio Looks Towards Sweden For Road Safety (NY Times)

Judge Tosses Lawsuit Against Sheldon Silver Over Secret Settlement(Daily News)

State GOP Chairman Accused of Voter Fraud (Daily News)

New Penalties Eyed For Sex Trafficking (WSJ)

MTA Cops Will Carry Heroin Overdose Cures (NY Post)

Councilman Calls For Smoking Ban in New Affordable Housing (Capital)

De Blasio Gives Taxi Fund-Raiser Job Regulating Taxis (Capital)

CEOs Testify They Don’t Know What Former Majority Leader Did (Times Union)

Council Members Call for Leniency for Occupy Wall Street Protester (WSJ)

Meet The Candidates Vying to Replace Eric Adams (DNAinfo)

Pressure Grows For Businesses to Pay Interns (Crain's)



Print Friendly and PDF

Editor's Choice


Gotham Gazette: New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
Gotham Gazette: 
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
Gotham Gazette: 
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Gotham Gazette: 
City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years