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Today's Lead: The Mayor, Post Budget


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Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration looked to reboot their relationship with the press yesterday after budget battles with Albany came to an end this week. De Blasio met with city hall reporters in acasual setting and trumpeted winning pre-kindergarten funding as "A real liftoff moment for this administration." He downplayed his budget disagreements with his former boss Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who at times seemed particularly interested in thwarting the new mayor. "We had some disagreements, its not exactly a state secret." de Blasio said. His administration is also looking to strengthen its communications team with a veteran press aide, new speechwriters and web media experts. Even with the state budget finalized, de Blasio's interaction with Albany is far from over as he is expected to launch a major push for his Vision Zero traffic safety plan in the capital in the coming weeks. 

New this morning from Gotham Gazette
Kristen Meriwether reports that after Mayor de Blasio secured pre-K funding in the state budget, he'll soon be turning his Albany attention to his Vision Zero traffic safety plan
ICYMI from Gotham Gazette

David King looks at what the Albany budget deal means for New York City
Kristen Meriwether reports on the newly appointed, first-ever inspector general of the NYPD, including two key areas he may investigate


Other Stories We're Following

Lawsuit Threatens City's Property Tax System (Capital)

Report Traces Port Authority Flaws to Crumbling Business Model (NY Times)

City Students Begin Common Core Tests As Debate Continues (NY 1)

Council's Progressive Caucus Elects New Leadership Team (NY Observer)

Anti-Gun Control Rally in Albany Brings Out Donald Trump (Daily News)

Former Chiefs Weigh In on Splitting up Port Authority (Wall Street Journal)

Upgrading City's Gas Pipes Could Take Decades (Wall Street Journal)

Senate Leader's Budget Measure Would Delay Bronx Medical Center(Capital)

How Big is NYC's Tech Sector? (Crain's)

Katz Asks Queens Library Head to take Leave of Absence (DNAinfo)

Today's Lead: $140 Billion State Budget Finalized, With Complaints


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Both houses of the legislature passed the state budget yesterday in marathon sessions that lasted late into the night. It is the fourth on-time budget in a row for New York State, but advocates say it leaves much to be desired. Legislators representing the city lament the lack of tuition funding for undocumented immigrants, the absence of approval for additional cameras to clock speeding drivers and the lack of a comprehensive public campaign financing system. Good government advocates are upset that Gov. Andrew Cuomo quietly announced on a conference call on Saturday that he would shutter his Moreland Commission on Public Corruption if the legislature passed tweaks to the state's ethics laws and a trial campaign finance system that only applies to the comptroller race - a deal which was indeed struck. Cuomo will sign the budget at a press conference this morning. The Assembly is scheduled to be in session while the senate won't return until April 23.


The latest from Gotham Gazette

David King looks at what the Albany budget deal means for New York City
 
Kristen Meriwether reports on the newly appointed, first-ever inspector general of the NYPD, including two key areas he may investigate

 


Other Stories We're Following

Councilman Introduces Paid Vacation Bill (Crain's)

All Employers Must Give Time Off Starting Tomorrow (Crain's)

NY Casino Licenses to Cost Millions (NY Times)

Gas Pipes For East Harlem Blast to Undergo Further Tests (NY Times)

Senator Wants to Legalize Internet Poker in New York (the Post Standard)

West Side of Manhattan Unready For Commuter Boom (NY Post)

Sandy Victims Still Waiting For Build It Back Funds (Daily News)

Firm That Ran Council Speakers Campaign Now Lobbies Her (Daily News)

State Could Change City's Pre-K Funding (Wall Street Journal)

Bloomberg Considering New Political Site (Capital)

Port Authority Wants to Build Another Bus Terminal (DNAinfo)

Today's Lead: Legislators Set to Vote on Controversial Budget Deal


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State legislators will begin a marathon session today where they will vote on a budget agreement that was reached late Friday night and into Saturday morning. Today's session is expected to last well into Tuesday. As is, the agreement sets aside $300 million in prekindergarten funding for New York City, establishes a city renters' tax credit and focuses on tax relief for upstate homeowners. The budget strips de Blasio of some of his power to control city charter schools as it mandates the city find space for charters in public buildings or pay for alternative space. A deal was not reached  on The DREAM act and good government groups are unhappy with the campaign finance portion of the budget that would create a trial system for this year's comptroller race only. Those groups are urging Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli not to participate in the system because of its hasty assembly and are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders to come up with a more comprehensive deal. Cuomo told reporters on Saturday that he will end his Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption as long as legislators pass the deal they reached that includes the campaign finance trial, stronger bribery laws and a new elections enforcement position at the State Board of Elections. 

New at Gotham Gazette

Compromise Yields Minimal Reform In On-Time Budget

David King looks at what the impending Albany budget deal means for New York City.

What Will The New NYPD IG Inspect?

Kristen Meriwether reports on the newly appointed, first-ever inspector general of the NYPD, including two key areas he may investigate.


Other Stories We're Following

Schumer Rips Port Authority For Security Breaches at World Trade Center (NY 1)

Tish James Renews Public Advocate's Legislative Role (NY Observer)

De Blasio Announces Push For Hurricane Recovery (NY Times)

Mayor Betting on Pre-K to Succeed (NY Times)

De Blasio Expanding Communications Team (Daily News)

Bill Bratton Slams Ray Kelly (Daily News)

Budget Blocks Attorney General From Controlling Settlement Cash(Bloomberg)

Moreland to Refer Cases Before it Closes (Capital)

Is the Budget Technically Late? (Wall Street Journal)

Mixed Grades For De Blasio on State Budget (Wall Street Journal)

Family Leave Bill Gains Momentum in Albany (Crain's)

 



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