Jacob Javits Center
Trade show producers have joined together to voice support for the Jacob Javits Center that Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to tear down, and even threatened to boycott his proposed replacement at the Aqueduct in Queens. Crain’s reported the group of 21 large trade-show companies, called Friends of Javits, sent a letter to Cuomo late last month to express their opposition to the demolition of the existing facility. [more]
From left: SL Green CEO Marc Holliday, SL Green President Andrew Mathias, Extell President Gary Barnett and Governor Andrew Cuomo
The leaders of the city’s largest office landlord, SL Green, ranked at the top of a list of the most powerful people in New York City real estate compiled by the New York Observer. The ranking was based on “access and influence,” or the ability to influence the outcome of potential projects and access people who can help push an agenda forward. [more]
Governor Andrew Cuomo
More than half of New York voters support the creation of Atlantic City-style casinos in the state, according to poll results released today by Quinnipiac University. And Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has supported expanding gambling in the state, has an approval rating of 69 percent — and 71 percent among New York City voters.
New York City residents viewed the establishment of full casinos in the state with less enthusiasm than their upstate counterparts. Fifty-one percent of city residents supported the measure, compared to 57 percent of upstate residents, for a combined average of 54 percent. [more]
From left: Governor Andrew Cuomo, Real Estate Board of New York President Steve Spinola and Tishman Speyer President Rob SpeyerDuring the quiet month of December in an off-election year, a political lobbying group led by REBNY President Steve Spinola and Tishman Speyer President Rob Speyer has spent $2.8 million praising Governor Andrew Cuomo in television ads, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The ads, approved by the three-person executive team of the Committee to Save New York (the third member is Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City), claim that despite challenges Cuomo is “getting things done,” including creating a solid jobs plan and lowering taxes. [more]
From left: Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner Darryl TownsGovernor Andrew Cuomo does not intend to punish the state housing commissioner who pled guilty to driving while intoxicated.
State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner Darryl Towns was arrested in Westchester County for driving with a blood-alcohol content twice the legal limit after crashing his car July 4, just five months after Cuomo chose the former Brooklyn Assembly member for the post.
Last month he pled guilty to the DWI charges, and agreed to have his license revoked for at least six months, attach a breathalyzer device to his car upon getting his license back and pay an $895 fine. [NYDN] [more]
Governor Cuomo and the St. Nicholas ChurchBehind closed doors, Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing to rebuild the St. Nicholas Church at the former site of the Deutsche Bank Building, sources told the New York Post, even though it could severely delay construction of the World Trade Center site.
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey wanted the church to be rebuilt at 155 Cedar Street, where it stood before being destroyed during the Sept. 11 attacks. Church leaders initially thought the new structure would be built one block away at 130 Liberty Street, but the Port Authority wanted to negotiate a land swap so that it could be built at the Cedar Street site. [more]
New York State legislators want to reduce or eliminate local counties’ contribution to Medicaid in order to reduce property taxes levied to New Yorkers, the Albany Times Union reported. On average, 45 percent of local property taxes are sent to the health insurance program. Lawmakers believe that is contributing to the relatively high property taxes New Yorkers pay, and burdening families, and in turn, the economy.
In June, Governor Andrew Cuomo enacted a cap on property tax increases, and lawmakers are concerned that for counties to comply with the cap and fund their share of Medicaid, it would eliminate funding for crucial public services, including police units and infrastructure repairs.
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Though budget issues have forced several New York politicians, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, to seriously consider allowing casinos in the city, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he strongly opposes it, the New York Daily News reported.
Silver does support gambling in resort areas like the Catskills and Saratoga Springs, yet is wary of “people going out for lunch during work and losing a week’s pay or a month’s pay.”
But bringing casinos to the city would produce both revenue from tourists and locals that pour some $5 blllion into gambling sites at Atlantic City and Foxwoods. [more]
Two New York City prisons are among seven state prisons that will be shut down to accommodate Governor Andrew Cuomo’s state budget, Cuomo announced yesterday. The Fulton Correctional Facility at 1511 Fulton Avenue in the Claremont section of the Bronx is one of four minimum-security prisons set to close, and the Arthur Kill Correctional Facility on Staten Island at 2911 Arthur Kill is one of three medium-security institutions prepared to shut its doors. Overall, the closure of seven prisons will save the state $184 million over the next two years. Cuomo has targeted closing correctional facilities since taking office with a $10 billion budget gap, especially since the state’s prison population has declined 22 percent, to 56,000 inmates since 1999. – Adam Fusfeld [more]
