NYS: No New Bridge Tolls for MTA Bailout

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Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders have announced today that any state bailout for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will not include tolls on the East and Harlem River Bridges.

“The framework I see is that the Senate has really eliminated what my choice would be, which would be to have the tolls. If that’s the case, then we’re going to have to try to find alternative ways to come up with several hundred million dollars that would replace what would have been the revenues generated by the tolls,” said Gov. Paterson.

The State Senate’s Democrat majority has taken the tolls completely off the table, most senate republicans are also against the tolls. Another proposal to bailout the MTA’s massive fare and toll hike would be an increase in payroll tax; a business tax within the counties served by the transit authority.

Cigarette Prices will be over $9 per Pack in NYC

Starting tomorrow, April 1, New York City smokers will have to pay $9 or more for a pack of cigarettes.

Con Ed: NYers Cut Usage for Earth Hr

According to Con Edison,  New Yorkers trimmed their electrical usage by 65 megawatt hours (MWh) for Earth Hour.

FDA: Avoid All Pistachios

The Food and Drug Administration is urging all consumers to avoid eating pistachio nuts. A California food processing plant has voluntarily recalled nearly 1 million pounds of roasted pistachio products that may have been contaminated with salmonella.

New FDNY Policy will Control Excessive Overtime

New York City Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta has announced a new policy to curb excessive overtime by limiting the amount of extra hours uniformed personnel can work in non-firefighting assignments.

NYS Lawmakers Agree to Ease Drug Laws

Governor Paterson, Majority Leader Smith and Speaker Silver. (3/27/09- Photo from NY.gov)

New York State officials agreed to ease drug laws put in place over 30 years ago.

On Friday, Governor David Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced a set of reforms to State’s Rockefeller Drug Laws. The three state leaders say current drug laws are too harsh and outdated. Under the agreement judges will have the authority to divert non-violent addicts to treatment instead of jail. Lawmakers say it will also save the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Republican legislators and law enforcement officials immediately held a press conference after Governor Paterson’s  announcement. Opponents to the reform agreement say it will  increase crime and give current prisoners a “get-out-of-jail card.”  They also argue that drug dealers and users can have their records conditionally sealed,  employers will not be able to check if a hire has a repeated substance abuse problem.

Breaking News: Whitestone Bridge CLOSED, Both Directions

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MTA ALERT: (As of 2:20 PM) “Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, all lanes closed both directions due to truck accident. Motorists please use alternate route, Throgs Neck Bridge.”

A large overhead sign collapsed onto the roadway below, the signs and it’s supports block all lanes in both directions. Injuries have been reported.

Parents want PS 24 Principal Removed

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The Department of Education is investigating PS 24 Principal Philip Thayer Scharper over allegedly handing out Buddhist cards at the school and holding chants with a teacher “hate list.”

Flags Flown Half-staff at NYS Buildings

Today, March 27, State Buildings will have their flags flown at half staff in honor of two New York service members killed in Afghanistan.

NYC Unemployment Rate Climbs to 8.1%

New York City’s unemployment rate jumped to 8.1% last month from 6.9% in January. According to data released by the New York State Department of Labor, New York State is at the highest unemployment rate (7.8%) since 1993.