Week in Review 1/3 - 1/6

Tuesday 1/3
Congressman Vito Fossella called on the Dept for Homeland Security to rethink a possible change in the way it distributes its funds for urban areas, warning that the proposal could lead to a decrease in funds for terrorism prevention. The congressman believes that by expanding the number of initiatives, to cover natural disasters and health crises, the allocation of funds will decrease to large at-risk cities like New York.

Three Assembly seats in New York City will be part of a Special Election called this Spring. In Manhattan, the 67th Assembly District has been vacated by Scott Stringer, who has been elected the Borough President. The 74th Assembly District has been vacated by Steven Sanders, who retired and will be working in the private sector. In Brooklyn, the 59th Assembly District held by Mr. Frank Seddio, became open when he was selected to be a surrogate judge.

After declaring a "War on Guns" in his innauguration speech for his second term, Mayor Mike Bloomberg received some criticism from the National Rifle Association, accusing him of "intimidating law abiding Americans." Director of Public Affairs, Andrew Arulanandam said, "We take every threat towards the rights of law abiding Americans seriously, but we think the mayor would be better served if he would put his financial muscle towards cracking down on criminals, not intimidating law abiding citizens."

There were six murders in the city in the first two days of the new year. The homocides of 2006 come on the heels of a record-low year of violence. The number of homocides dropped to 540 in 2005, the lowest figure since 1963, the first year the Police Dept started formally tracking crime.

Post-holiday shoppers taking advantage of enticing regbate offers should watch out for scams, warns Senator Charles Schumer. Although as many as 400 million rebates worth are offered each year, nearly half are never received because of extensive documentation required for the refund. Many customers do not read the fine print for receiving a rebate. The senator called on the FTC to standardize rebate policy.

Wednesday 1/4
New York State reports a $2 billion surplus for the current fiscal year. Moments after the surplus was reported, Republicans and Democrats punced on the money, offering competing plans for what to do with it. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver wants teh state to devote the surplus toward complying with the increases in funding to New York City public schools, which the governor is appealing. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno says it ought to be used to help reduce property taxes and criticizing Mr. Silver's plan. Governor Pataki urged caution and planned on discussing the matter at his State of the State address.

Two deputies leave Mayor Bloomberg's administration. Peter Madonia, the mayor's chief of staff, will become the chief ooperating officer of the Rockefeller Foundation. William Cunningham, a senior adviser, will be an executive vice president at Dan Klores Communications.

Governor Pataki and legislative leaders announce a $435 million high-tech-center to be built in Albany and one of three tax-free business zones will be crated in Lower Manhattan to spur economic recovery. Both projects are supported by Assembly Leader Silver and Senate Leader Bruno.

Councilwoman Christine Quinn is elected Council Speaker and becomes the first woman to hold the title. Also various councilmembers are pushing for more individual and committee power within the new council.

Thursday 1/5
In his State of the State address, Governor Pataki outlined what could form the basis of his campaign platform for higher office. The speech targeted across the board tax-cuts, enforcing sexual predator laws, and domestic energy sources to lessen our dependency on foreign sources of energy.
Crime

1) Preventing the release of sex criminals into neighborhoods. 2) Creating longer sentences for people convicted of sex crimes. 3) Ending the statute of limitations for rape and sexual assault.
Taxes

1) Completely eliminating the 'marriage penalty." 2) Providing a $500 heating fuel tax credit to thousands of seniors. 3) Eliminating the state tax. 4) Cutting the income tax rate. 5) Cutting taxes on businesses.
Education

1) Committing more funding to 'high-needs' schools in NYC and throughout the state. 2) Expanding the number of charter schools throughout the state. 3) creating new summer math and science programs for middle school students. 4) Giving free SUNY or CUNY tuition to students who study math & science and committed to teaching in NY.
Energy

1) Reducing dependence on 'terror-promoting' foreign oil by making revneweable fuels available at gas stations across the state. 2) Promoting the development of hybrid vehicles. 3)Encouraging companies to develop clean, renewable energy.

A group of NY Republican activists launch a website, www.draftnovello.com, to drum up support for the state's health commissioner, Antonia Novella, to challege Senator Hillary Clinton. Governor George Pataki believes Ms. Novello will make a strong Senate candidate, though many elected republicans disagree and believe NY State County Committees should focus on two candidates already still in the mix, former Yonkers mayor, John Spencer and Sullivan county tax attorney, William Brenner.

Congressman Anthony Weiner introduces a bill to limit areas eligible for anti-terror funds and focus on protecting high-threat urban areas. The congressman was joined by Queens coucilman, Peter Vallone, Jr. saying the new system of allocating funds, by including natural disasters and health crises, is absurd.

Friday 1/6
A commision of economists, appointed by Goveror George Pataki, seek to overhaul New York's tax code and make some drastic cuts to spur major economic growth on par with the national rate. The seven panel commission led by Lawrence Kudlow, is recommending New York slash its top personal income tax rate to 5% from 6.85%, reducing the number of brackets to three, instead of the current five. During the past year, the panel reviewed the current structure and concluded a massive overhaul was needed to provide a new pro-growth structure, help business development and jobs upstate, and tax releif to every sector of the State.
For the Personal Income Tax

1) Reduce the top tax rate to 5% from 6.85%. 2) Reduce the number of tax brackets from five to three, lower the tax rates below the top rate, and widen the tax brackets. 3) Eliminate the supplemental tax. 4) Exclude all income from captial gains and dividends.

For The Corporate Taxes

1) Reduce the income tax rate to 5% from the general fanchise tax, the bank tax, and the income tax on life insurance companies. 2) Eliminate all alternative income bases and the capital, asset, and subsidiary capital bases of taxation. 3) Eliminate capital gains and dividend taxation. 4) Provide expensing for capital assets.

For the Estate Tax

Repeal the state's estate tax to conform with federal legislation.

The number of sexual misconduct complains against Dept of Education employees increased 21% in 2005 from the year before. Sexual allegations range from relationships with students and physical or verbal sexual harassment.

While a third accusation of Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threating or intimidating a individual to use his office against them, Mr. Spitzer is still denying the first one brought forth by Lower Manhattan Development Corporation executive, John Whitehead. As more developments appear in the press, the Attorney General must get out of neutral and begin to explain why more people are coming forward with his approach to using his power.