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Today's Lead: Debate Over Styrofoam


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The City Council yesterday held a hearing on what to do with Styrofoam packaging, which isn't biodegradable. One measure, backed by Mayor Bloomberg, would ban it from city restaurants, the other would recycle it. A major Styrofoam manufacturer even offered to pay for recycling, although the company that handles recycling for the city isn't crazy about the idea. After lobbying by the Styrofoam company, the ban was softened. Councilman Lew Fidler, the bill's sponsor, inserted language that would postpone a ban for a year in order to give recycling a try, even though he thinks it's just a fantasy. Places like San Francisco have already successfully initiated a ban.

Other Stories We're Following

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In Campaign, Cash Flowed Circuitously (NY Times)

Bill Would Stop NYPD From Charging NYCHA $74 Million For Patrols (DNAinfo)

Legislature Sues To Void Corruption-Probe Subpoenas (Crain's)

NYPIRG Issues Report On Reform (Albany Times Union)

Congestion Traffic Pricing Back On Table (Daily News)

NYPD Program Reduces Killings Among Young People: Officials (Wall Street Journal)

Two Months Later, Health Insurance Seekers Find Frustration (WNYC)

Progressive Caucus Quietly Vets Speaker Hopefuls (Politicker)

Democratic Speaker Candidates Strain To Appease Republican Trio (Politicker)

Food Pantries Restock Shelves With $4.5 Million From State (Albany Times Union)

Heating Systems Fail NYCHA Tenants In The Bronx (Daily News)

De Blasio Calls For Education Reforms (Associated Press)

Dinkins Questions de Blasio’s Tax Plan (NY Post)

Budget Won't Complicate Labor Talks, de Blasio Says (Crain's)



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