Governor Paterson Proposes Soda ‘Obesity Tax’

ALBANY, NY — New York state could impose a 15 per cent ‘obesity tax’ on high-calorie soft drinks as the governor tries to pay off a crippling $15 billion budget deficit.

Non-diet versions of popular drinks including Coke and Pepsi could be targeted, taking political advantage of fears over obesity and ill-health.

Tax Rebate Checks ‘May’ be in Mail, Sez Mayor Bloomberg

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Bloomberg said for the first time Friday that “maybe we will” send out that $400 property tax rebate he has been holding hostage for more than a month.

Although not specific, the mayor seemed to link mailing the rebate – worth $256 million to more than 600,000 homeowners – to striking a deal with the City Council on a disputed budget modification plan.

Latest From Kent Ave. Bike Lane: Hasidic Chicken

BROOKLYN, NY — The Hasidic community has been upset over bike lanes in their South Williamsburg for months, what with the immodest apparel of female bicyclists and the lanes taking up street space. Previously, the Hasidim announced they would use private buses to intentionally block bike lanes; now a reader tells us about her ride today:

Notice for People Riding Subway with Baby Carriages

NEW YORK, NY — In a letter sent to President Howard Roberts, Jr. of the MTA, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) expressed concern about a growing number of constituent complaints he received involving the 34th Street, Herald Square Station in Manhattan.

NYC Transit Agency Rolls Out Vintage Subway Cars

NEW YORK, NY [AP] — Holiday shoppers are being treated to a trip back in time as New York City’s transit agency runs a subway train featuring vintage cars.

The Nostalgia Train’s cars operated from the 1930s to the 1970s. Ceiling fans, padded seats and incandescent light bulbs were considered state of the art back then.

The train operates on the V line between Queens and lower Manhattan. It runs on Sundays until the end of the year.

New “Broken Parking Meter” Bill Signed into Law

NEW YORK, NY [CHI] — Mayor Bloomberg signed Councilman Felder’s parking meter bill into law yesterday. The new law will clarify the rules for parking at a broken parking meter. Currently, New York City traffic rules create a confusing scheme where drivers can park at a missing meter up to the amount of time normally allowed at that parking zone, but caps the allowed time at one hour if the parking meter is broken. Nearly 40,000 tickets were given last year for parking for more than one-hour at a broken parking meter. The new law, which will take effect March 1st, allows motorists to park at a broken meter for the full length of time otherwise allowed in the parking zone. If the broken meter is in a 2-, 4-, or 6- hour parking zone, then motorists can park at the broken parking meter for two, four, or six hours.

Late workers, students get notes blaming NY subway

NEW YORK [AP] — People late for school or work because of New York City subway delays can get notes from the transit agency to give to their teachers or bosses.

The New York City Transit division says it gives passengers the notes so they can prove they’re not lying about being delayed while riding the subway.

Jews to City: Remove Bike Lane!

BROOKLYN, NY — Opposition to newly painted bike lanes on Kent Avenue is so strong in Williamsburg’s Hasidic community that one Orthodox leader vows that the faithful will block traffic if the city does not remove the cycling routes.

In South Williamsburg’s Satmar section, the wheels were already spinning against the bike lanes — which eliminated curbside parking and standing when they were painted last month — and now de facto Satmar spokesman Isaac Abraham kicked the conflict into a higher gear when he said this week that private buses would obstruct Kent Avenue to pressure the city to remove the lanes and reinstate alternate-side parking.

City to Get 1,067 Fewer Cops But 200 New Traffic Agents

NEW YORK, NY — The NYPD says it can’t afford to hire 1,067 extra cops but it does plan to hire 200 traffic agents to write $61 million worth of tickets.

Traffic agents are empowered under a new law to write summonses for drivers caught “blocking the box” at intersections.

Comptroller Offers Fare Hike Alternative, Proposes to Raise Car Fees

NEW YORK, NY — The New York City comptroller, William C. Thompson Jr., said on Sunday that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s gaping budget deficits could be diminished by increasing automobile registration fees in 12 counties served by the authority’s trains and buses.

At a press conference outside Grand Central Terminal, Mr. Thompson said that drivers now pay $30 every two years to register a vehicle in New York City, though they also pay additional state fees.

Dial 511 For Updates On Traffic, Transit

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — There’s 911 in case of emergencies and 311 if you need help from the city. Now city residents can dial 511 to know the best way to get around.

The New York State Department of Transportation unveiled “511,” its new traffic and transit help line Thursday.

Brace Yourself: MTA Revealing ‘Doomsday Budget’

Likely To Result In $3 Subway Fares, 50 Percent Increase In Express Bus Service Cost

NEW YORK, NY [CBS] ― The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveils its “doomsday” budget on Thursday and it appears that no one is spared.

Council Rules Drivers Can Park Longer At Broken Meters

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — The City Council ruled Wednesday that drivers will now be permitted to park at a broken meter for the entire time normally allowed in the parking zone.

The old law limited the time to one hour.

Triborough Bridge Renamed to RFK Bridge

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — The Triborough Bridge, which connects, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, was officially renamed the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge Wednesday.

A ceremony was held in Queens’s Astoria Park, a day before what would have been the assassinated New York senator’s 83rd birthday.

Mayor Bloomberg Pushing New Yorkers to Bike

NEW YORK, NY [NY1] — Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making another effort to get New Yorkers to push the pedals.

City planners will unveil a proposal today that will require all newly-constructed apartment and office buildings to include indoor parking spots for bikes.

Office Tenants Flee Manhattan Rents for Brooklyn

Among office tenants, bargain hunting is back in style. After years of paying skyrocketing rents in Manhattan, some companies have decided to cross the East River.

“Our lease is up next year, and when we looked around the city, it was difficult to find the kind of space we wanted at a reasonable price,” said Byron E. Lewis, the chairman and chief executive of UniWorld Group, a New York advertising agency that focuses on African-American consumers.

Gasoline prices below $2/gallon in parts of US

HOUSTON [AP] — Gasoline prices have fallen below $2 a gallon in some parts of the U.S. as the impact of plunging oil prices and reduced driving are finally taking hold.

In Ohio, the Web site GasBuddy.com, where consumers post prices they spot, said a few stations in the Cincinnati suburbs were now charging $1.99 for regular.