Early this morning the House of Representatives approved $60 billion in cuts in federal spending, including blocking all federal Title X funding for Planned Parenthood. And that's causing a bit of an uproar. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said, “The time has come to respect the wishes of the majority of Americans who adamantly oppose using taxpayer dollars for abortions.” However, by law no Title X funds can be used for abortion. Instead, it would make things like free HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer screening, family planning and prenatal care out of reach for many Americans. more ›

Earlier in the week, New Jersey's Governor Chris Christie kiboshed the trans-Hudson ARC tunnel, saying the state couldn't afford to pay more than the $600 million they had already put into the project. But what of the billions of dollars of federal money set aside for the project? Well, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand thinks the money would do a lot here in New York, where it could pay for things like the Second Avenue Subway or the East Side Access project. Or at least a few more hot plates for that one building. more ›

When we last left off with the state's bid for Race to the Top funding, the state had agreed to raise the cap on charter schools and ditch the expensive furniture requests in order to have a better shot at the $3 billion pool. And now, all that hard work might actually pay off. Though the state came in close to last during the first phase of distribution, New York is one of 18 states (plus D.C.) that are finalists. more ›

Two Riverdale synagogues targeted in a bombing plot last year are among many religious centers in the city that will receive funding from the Department of Homeland Security to prevent future terrorist attacks. The 80 sites—which include religious schools, synagogues, hospitals, community centers and one church—will share $5.8 million in federal funding, averaging about $73,000 per site. Rep. Anthony Weiner told the press, "Everybody is entitled to have their security needs met." more ›

After news that Williamsburg had the lowest rate of completing and mailing their 2010 Census forms—and a scathing NPR segment that suggested hipsters were too cool to complete them*—Stephen Colbert decided to look at the situation, suggesting it could be a genius plan to increase their hipster cred. Here's video (hipster census part starts at 1:50): more ›

Thanks in part to decadent chairs, $50k ten-day consultants, and state charter school policies, NY state was one of the biggest losers in last week's bid to receive federal education money via the "Race to the Top" program. But all hope is not lost: the fed government is setting aside $350 million specifically for states who create tougher testing standards. (More precisely, according to the Daily News headline: "New York gets another shot millions to make school tests tougher." We get all the shot millions!) more ›

As the state attempts to build a better proposal for June's second "Race to the Top" funding deadline, maybe they should think about cheaper chairs. Though New York's initial proposal for $831 million in school funding was hindered by lack of union support and charter reform, it also included requests for 24 "executive chairs" that cost $550 each, nine $3,000 desks and 15 printers that each cost over $1,500, according to the Post. The proposal came in 15th of the 16 finalists, with one judge saying the projected expenses "call into question NY's judgment on responsible stewardship of funds." Damn, did he just shatter your entire world view, or what? more ›

Though the state was named one of 16 finalists for federal "Race to the Top" funds for education, the U.S. Department of Education picked Delaware and Tennessee as the first round winners, getting $500 million and $100 million, respectively. The Obama Administration chose those two states for their "aggressive plans to improve teacher and principal evaluation, use data to inform instructional decisions, and turn around their lowest-performing schools." more ›

Albany lawmakers missed the 4:30 deadline today to agree on a plan that would allow more charter schools in New York, hurting the state's chances to win up to $700 million in federal education funds, the Post reports. "It's dead in the state Assembly," said pro-charter Assemblyman Michael Benjamin (D-Bronx). more ›

Mayor Bloomberg has been a vocal supporter of charter schools, but he says a new bill that would double the number of charter schools allowed in the state is "a wolf in sheep's clothing." Though the new legislation would increase the number of charter schools permitted in New York from 200 to 400, it would also add restrictions that would require greater openness from charter schools, bar for-profit corporations from opening them, and give public school parents the power to stop charters from moving into public school buildings — restrictions the Mayor claims would halt their expansion. more ›

With recent unraveling of a suspected terrorist plot in NYC, Mayor Bloomberg and other officials took to the opportunity to demand more federal money to deter nuclear attacks. Bloomberg said, "These events are a disturbing reminder that we can't - and I can tell you we won't - be complacent when it comes to protecting our city against terrorism," adding, "Despite the incredible job the NYPD is doing, our city does remain a prime target for terrorists." more ›

New York - which had applied for upward of 800 cops under the program but had expected to receive money for about 200 - has neither, so it's being passed over." more ›

A NY Times survey shows City Council members, if they were to vote today, oppose the congestion pricing plan 2-1. Which means it's not just Albany legislators that Mayor Bloomberg has to politick to get his congestion pricing plan passed. more ›