From left: REBNY President Steve Spinola, Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer, Partnership for New York City President Kathryn Wylde and CBRE's Mary Ann Tighe

An advocacy group largely supported by the city’s real estate industry raised more than $12 million for Governor Andrew Cuomo, and $17 million overall, in 2011, its first full year of operations. A review of the Committee to Save New York’s finances conducted by the New York Times found more than two-thirds of the $17 million to have come from donors giving $250,000 or more, and three donors combined to give $6.25 million. By donating to the advocacy group, which has funded television and radio ads in support of Cuomo, these wealthy contributors can bypass the $60,800 state limit on direct donations to candidates. [more]

Attorney General Eric SchneidermanFrom the September issue: When New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman took office earlier this year, some critics feared he would do more ideological grandstanding than consumer protection and reform.
After eight months on the job, the former Democratic state senator (and ex-deputy sheriff) appears to be winning over some skeptics while enraging others.
The relatively low-profile Schneiderman exploded into the national spotlight last month when he filed a last-minute motion to block a proposed $8.5 billion settlement between Bank of America and investors in 530 New York trusts represented by Bank of New York Mellon.
The blockbuster move alleged that Bank of New York effectively tried to carve out a sweetheart deal for itself at the expense of the investors it was supposed to be representing. [more]

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz wasn’t a fan of the Related Companies’ Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment plan, but that doesn’t mean he wants the massive structure to remain vacant. Yesterday, Diaz announced the creation of a new task force that will recommend a new use for the space and craft a request for proposals from developers. “A retail mall was not the best use for this space, given the traffic issues and its proximity to the Fordham Road shopping district. My critics have challenged me to come up with something better for the Kingsbridge Armory, and I am prepared to answer that call,” Diaz said in a statement, suggesting arts and recreation, green manufacturing, and a home for the film industry as possible alternative uses. Members of the task force include Marlene Cintron, president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Paul Foster, chairman of Bronx Community Board 7, Ned Regan, former state comptroller and Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. [NYO]

While the Dec. 3 ruling against the use of eminent domain in Columbia University’s $6.3 billion expansion project could still be overturned, the decision still has far-reaching consequences for proponents of the practice, according to the New York Times. Kathryn Wylde, head of the Partnership for New York City and a supporter of the Columbia plan, said that denying the school the use of eminent domain is “frightening because there are few more important investments in our city’s future than that which Columbia is making.” Opponents of the plan however, support the court’s opinion that the university’s expansion would not benefit the neighboring community and hope that that ruling could set a precedent for further limits on eminent domain in the city.