Yonkers Tribune

Slow Recovery from Recession for New York BY Thomas P. DiNapoli

The New York State economy remains seriously damaged from the worst national recession in decades, precipitated by high risk lending practices, according to a report on economic trends in New York State released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. According to the report, New York’s economy is slowly improving, but the recovery is fragile and is likely to be lengthy with weak job gains. Although the downturn was less severe in  New York than in the nation, the State still lost 367,400 jobs and the unemployment rate more than doubled to 8.9 percent during the recession—a 17-year high. 

State and City Legislators Announce Legislation that Would Hold Banks Accountable for Foreclosed Homes

State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries and City Council Member Brad Lander stood with their colleagues to propose legislation that shifts responsibility for foreclosed homes to the banks.

New York, NY, August 25, 2010 -- New York State Majority Leader and Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries, City Council Member Brad Lander and New York Communities for Change (NYCC) today held a press conference with a coalition of State and City legislators to announce legislation that is aimed at holding banks responsible for foreclosed homes in New York.  The proposed legislation emphasizes the importance of banks responsibly maintaining foreclosed homes if they cannot offer a viable mortgage modification to families in need.

Reps. Engel and Lowey Announce Preliminary Funding for Yonkers Public Schools

WASHINGTON, DC, July 19, 2010 -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) (pictured left) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY-18) together secured a preliminary $400,000 in funding for the Yonkers Public Schools, as part of the FY 2011 Labor, Health and Education Appropriations bill. 

Yonkers' Health Insurance Contributions - Its Your Money!

 May 31, 2010, Yonkers, NY -- Department of Human Resources Commissioner Brian Lucyk’s April 26, 2010 letter to Mayor Phil Amicone, Deputy Mayor Bill Regan, and Chief of Staff Lisa Mrijaj regarding Unrepresented Employees and Health Insurance Contributions are herein. Click to read the City of Yonkers Letter Addressing Unrepresented Employees and Health Insurance By Yonkers Human Resources Commissioner Lucyk.

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County Executive Astorino Selects Firm to Provide Medical Services at County Jail Complex

 Change to Save Westchester County Department of Correction About $1 Million a Year 

May 27, 2010, White Plain, NY -- Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today aid he would move to enter into a contract with Correct Care Solutions (CCS) to provide medical services to the approximately 1,400 inmates in the custody of the Westchester County Department of Correction.

Assemblyman Spano Calls for Independent Audit of NYCOTB

 Yonkers, NY -- April 19, 2010 -- “The New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYCOTB) has been playing games with the legislators and taxpayers of New York State and enough is enough.  I am calling for an independent audit of the NYCOTB and the results of said audit to be made public.  Over the past two weeks, the NYCOTB has diverted time and attention away from my colleagues and I that should have been placed on the budget in this critical economic time.  It has done so with its threats to close its doors which would have potentially resulted in 1,300 layoffs.  These threats of closing have come and gone, and this essential bookie joint has unacceptably taken concentration away from finding a solution to New York State’s deficit. 

Putting Money Back in New Yorkers’ Pockets By Jeff Klein

 I want to share an important milestone with you, as we work together to fight for real property tax relief now.  In March, the State Senate passed my legislation which would provide immediate property tax relief for middle class and senior homeowners. My bill mandates varying degrees of relief to ensure that your hard-earned tax dollars are going back into your pocket.

 

Presenting Yonkersites with the Budget / Forecast for Yonkers 2010 By Hezi Aris

 Yonkers, NY -- March 28, 2010 -- Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone will preside over a Town Hall meeting he has called over the “Budget / Forecast for Yonkers 2010. The flyer mailed to residents is replicated for the benefit of the Yonkers Tribune reader  The flyer beseeches Yonkersites “Come to ask questions and learn about issues facing Yonkers in 2010“ on Monday, March 29, 2010, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, at the Grinton I. Will Library, located at 1500 Central Park Avenue. The flyer does not specify whether the theme of the evening will center exclusively on the mid-year budget deficit divulged by Mayor Amicone in the $3 million range yet contested by NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to be upwards of $7 million, or will center on Mayor Amicone’s Projected 2010 -2011 Budget burdened under the weight of his expression for a projected $109.5 million deficit.

Bruce Ratner Has the MTA's Money

 Sweetheart Deal with Developer is Large Part of MTA Budget Gap

New York, NY -- Cutting the MTA student Metrocard?! You can blame Bruce Ratner's sweetheart deal.

The MTA board met this morning to approve drastic service cuts because of an "unexpected" budget gap. How could that be, where did that shortfall come from? 

Our Tax System Is Broken By Derickson K. Lawrence

 The bells we hear ringing are not sounds of good cheer as we approach the Holiday Season. It’s the sound of alarm by Governor Paterson regarding the looming day of financial reckoning for the State of New York.   

City of Yonkers to be Audited by New York State Comptroller's Office By Hezi Aris

Yonkers Mayor Philip A. Amicone (left); NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli (right)

Acid-tongued bloggers have made Yonkers Tribune aware of recent correspondence communicated to Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone: "The Division of Local Government and School Accountability of the Office of the State Comptroller has selected the City of Yonkers for an audit," reads the letter addressed to Philip A. Amicone, Mayor. "The audit with focus on an evaluation of internal controls over overtime for Police and Firefighters. Our audit will primarily cover the last completed fiscal year and up to the start of the audit."

Funding Police Bullet Proof Vests in Yonkers

Council President Lesnick (center left), Budget Chair Mclaughlin (center right), and City Councilwoman Dee Barbato (right) Issue Statements in Response to Mayor Amicone’s (left) Comments;

Mayor Chooses to Politicize Serious Issue than Use Available Capital Funds   

Download COY Capital Projects status as of 30 Jun 2009

Yonkers, NY --  Council President Lesnick stated, “Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone released an official statement in support of the police rally held Thursday afternoon jointly by members of the Yonkers PBA and CLSA in which its officers demanded immediate funding for their police-issued bullet proof vests. The mayor thereafter unwisely chose to politicize this very serious issue by accusing the City Council, and me, in particular, of holding up the release of the monies necessary to provide for this essential equipment. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth.”

Senate Vote Extends 'Cash for Clunkers' Program

Washington, DC -- Senate passes bill, 60-37, extending the popular trade-in program that almost ran out of funds. The money is expected to keep the program going through Labor Day.

For more information, visit washingtonpost.com 

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Determines Yonkers FY2009-2010 Budget in Compliance

 

Yonkers Budget to Receive Attention in Albany

Albany, NY -- "The New York Senate passed our revenue extenders yesterday," noted David Simpson, Communication Director for Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone. "The mayor has been assured that the Yonkers bills will be among the first that the governor signs.  The comptroller's office has told the mayor that they *will* in fact certify the budget (despite their objections to the serious underfunding of overtime) once the governor has signed the bills.  And the finance department will send out tax bills on Monday once everything is official.  So it appears our budget situation has finally been resolved."