Senator Charles Schumer had his Sunday press conference decrying prescription drug price-gouging, but since this is Columbus Day, he's having ANOTHER one today about a Long Island Rail Road passengers' bill of rights, spurred by the September 29 lightning strike that made commuting a mess. His office said it would be "similar to a passenger's bill of rights established for the airline industry, to provide baseline protections for passengers of Long Island's commuter rail system." more ›

Murders have increased 13.2 percent overall this year from this time in 2009, continuing a trend that's been going on all year; one reason for this change may be the decrease in the police force, which is projected to drop below 33,000 through attrition by July 2011, its lowest level since 1990, when it had 32,441 officers (it peaked in October 2000 with over 40,000 officers). But although more cops would obviously help, NYC won't be getting any help in funding from Washington. more ›

Even on Memorial Day weekend, Senator Chuck Schumer is busy. According to the Daily News, he introduced a bill yesterday "to tax companies 25 cents for every customer service call that's outsourced overseas." He said, "How many times do we hear of a company shutting down a facility in New York or elsewhere in the country and sending the jobs abroad? Almost daily... 1.6 billion calls are being transferred to call centers, often without the customer's knowledge." Plus, the bill would require companies to tell the callers their calls are being transferred overseas—and to indicate which countries the call are being sent to. more ›

Senator Chuck Schumer proposed a bill yesterday that would require anyone buying a prepaid cell phone to provide ID for the seller to keep so law enforcement could trace the phones if needed. The bill was sparked because failed Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad admitted to using a prepaid phone, and officials were only able to trace him because he gave custom officials the same number he used to call the seller of the SUV. Schumer said in a press release, "This proposal is overdue because for years, terrorists, drug kingpins and gang members have stayed one step ahead of the law by using prepaid phones." We knew there was something sinister about those Boost Mobile ads... more ›

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano fired back at accusations that the White House was shortchanging NYC area counter-terrorism funding, telling Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island) in a letter that the NY Times happened to obtain, "We are concerned. that more than $275 million in federal funding for New York City’s port and transit security since 2006 has not yet been drawn down." more ›

Senator Charles Schumer, who said folks at the White House "just don't get it and are not doing right by New York City on anti-terrorism funding" after it was revealed that funding for regular transit and port security was cut by 25%, now says, "I think it is unfair to blame this on the President." Instead, Schumer blames other White House departments: "Folks at OMB and at Homeland Security - they should have seen this and caught it. more ›

Why does President Obama hate us so much? And by us, we mean those who live, work and/or visit the city where a car bomb was allegedly placed by a man with ties to the Pakistani Taliban. WCBS 2 reports that the White House has cut funding for counterterrorism in NYC "by $42 million - 27 percent - and for port security by $11.2 million, or 25 percent." Rep. Peter King (R-NY), the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, was shocked, "This is definitely a slap in the face to New York." And maybe Mayor Bloomberg—guess his visit to DC last week didn't make much of an impression. more ›

Senator Charles Schumer has been so busy lately worrying about baggage fees and Facebook privacy, not to mention criticizing Wall Street, it's easy to forget he's up for re-election. But it seems he doesn't have to worry about fundraising among his old crowd: Sen. Schumer has made nearly $2.2 million from interest on political donations that he collected more than six years ago. more ›

Arizona's new controversial immigration bill has raised the ire of many New Yorkers. The law will make being an undocumented immigrant in Arizona a state crime and police officers will be allowed to ask anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant for documentation. Immigrants and lawmakers alike are criticizing the law, , and the Reverend Al Sharpton is planning a protest, "We will go to Arizona when this bill goes into effect and walk the streets with people who refuse to give identification and force arrest." more ›

Now that the Senate will debate health care reform next week, the question is whether Senate Democrats can gain enough support to pass legislation. Senator Charles Schumer told Face the Nation, "Look, there are still many bumps in the road, discussions, arguments, disagreements. But I think now the wind is at our back. There's real momentum. And the good news here is we still have a very diverse caucus but every Democrat, from the most liberal to the most conservative, very much wants to get a bill." more ›

Not to be missed: Yesterday's lengthy NY Times article about Senator Charles Schumer, which explores his relationship with Wall Street—namely how he made sure to protect the industry industry "from government oversight and tougher rules, a review of his record shows... He has also helped save financial institutions billions of dollars in higher taxes or fees." (The article is part of the Times' "series...exploring the causes of the financial crisis.") Though Schumer touts himself as a middle class defender, his support of Wall Street and hedge funds goes way back. One financial industry executive amusingly summarized Schumer's reassurances during the bailout talks: "We are not going to be a bunch of crazy, anti-business liberals. We are going to be effective, moderate advocates for sound economic policies, good responsible stewards you can trust.” more ›

Governor Spitzer is facing opposition in his attempt to snuff out any Javits Center expansion by selling land surrounding the center to fill budget gaps. The administration still plans to renovate the convention center, but it will result in far less space than what was originally envisioned for the expansion, which would have cost between $1.8 billion and $3 billion. Senator Charles Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn oppose the land sale, which would effectively eliminate the possibility of any future expansion. more ›

Last year we visited 1520 Sedgwick Avenue's past and uncertain future. The "Birthplace of Hip Hop" was, and still is, in danger of losing its lifeblood when the landlord (BSR Management) announced they wanted to abandon the Mitchell-Lama program. Essentially buying out of the program and leaving the doors open for a rent increase. Then things got worse when BSR made it clear they would be selling the building to a real estate mogul Mark Karasick, which was set to happen next month. more ›

Just the kind of thing needed for everyone to continue questioning in the current air traffic control situation at area airports. Two planes almost collided on Sunday at JFK Airport. Senator Charles Schumer said that an air traffic controller said, "That was the closest I have ever seen two airplanes get together." According to the NY Times (also, see image at right), a "37-seat commuter jet" almost collided with a "Boeing 747 cargo jet on... more ›

Democrats Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Dianne Feinstein joined nine Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee and approved the nomination of Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey to go to the full Senate. The vote was 11-8, the eight opposing votes from the remaining Democrats on the committee. His confirmation is expected next week. Mukasey - and his supporters - has faced criticism after not declaring waterboarding illegal. Schumer has an op-ed in today's NY Times... more ›

Senator Charles Schumer's latest crusade? Trying to keep the national Do Not Call registry list extended so New Yorkers and other Americans won't have to deal with re-registering. more ›

Senator Charles Schumer issued another annual report card grading the Department of Homeland Security's efforts. The good news is that the grade is up from last year's C-minus. The bad news is that Schumer still gave it a C, noting, "Six years after 9/11, the progress the Department of Homeland Security has made in securing our country is shameful," and "When your kid comes home with a C on his report card on something vital, you're not very happy...That is not a grade we can be proud of." more ›

This is some way to start off the week before Labor Day weekend: U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned. The NY Times reports, per a White House source, that Gonzales called President Bush (who was at his ranch in Crawford) on Friday to submit his resignation: "His decision was not immediately announced, the official added, until after the president invited him and his wife to lunch at his ranch." Bush apparently accepted the resignation "grudgingly." more ›

You may have many opinions of Senator Charles Schumer. A man who gives weekly press conferences by way of making the rounds on Sunday morning news shows, someone who will "put a bullet betweens the president's eyes," the senior Senator of New York, orchestrator of the Senate's shift back to the Democrats, husband of a recent Department of Transportation commissioner, imaginer of middle class couple the Baileys, cereal hog. But defender of hedge funds' and private equity firms' desire to keep their low tax rate? Who knew? more ›

If you want to feel a little uncomfortable about how the Federal Aviation Administration is doing its job, read today's NY Times story about a near-miss at LaGuardia. Two weeks ago, a Comair Delta 50-seater and a Delta 737 were within a "few hundred feet" of colliding. A trainee had allowed the smaller plane to cross the runway, just as the 737 was descending to the very same one:

As the 737, Flight 1238, rolled down the runway at more than 150 miles per hour, an alarm flashed on a radar screen in the tower and someone realized a dire mistake had been made, according to details provided by officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the pilots’ and controllers’ unions. “No delay, no delay,” a controller shouted to the pilots of the regional jet, urging them to hurry across. more ›

Chertoff but were unable to convince him to raise New York's anti-terror funding. Secretary Chertoff repeated said the he was not there to talk about money, but Spitzer says, "he knew we were going to raise" the issue. Yeah - if you're a federal official walking into a room with the Governor and Senators of a state that has been vocal about how the government has shortchanged it, you can guess what will be discussed. more ›

Starrett City, the subsidized housing development in Brooklyn, was sold for $1.3 billion in February, but for the second time, the Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected the deal. The February sale needed to be approved by HUD, because Starrett City is the country's largest subsidized development, and shortly after the sale was announced, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo got to work on blocking the sale. more ›

As long as the air traffic controllers union is trying to get more controllers hired, we have a feeling we'll be hearing more stories like this one: According to the Post, there were five "near collisions" at NYC area airports last month. The head of the air traffic controllers union Phil Barbarello said, "Air travelers should be seriously concerned about their safety. The margin of safety is as low as I have ever seen, and I've been with the agency [FAA] for 23 years." Eek! more ›

Fifth Avenue was packed with revelers and performers during the 50th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Celebrities, like "King" Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, were out in force, as were the politicians, including Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senator Charles Schumer, Representative Jose Serrano, and Puerto Rico governor Anibal Acevedo-Villa. more ›

The Daily News and Post both use the alleged JFK Airport terror plot - that would have involved blowing up the airport's fuel oil pipeline - to move papers: The cover of the Daily News teases an interview with a waitress who served an "alleged mastermind" (cover headline: "Evil Ate at Table Eight") while the Post wonders about the whereabouts of one of the alleged plotters (headline: "Invisible Man"). The story doesn't crack the NY Times' front page, though the Times' big story is how the plot was "less than mature" based on the criminal complaint. In fact, apparently two of the plotters were ambivalent, and the retired JFK worker allegedly involved, Russell Defreitas "appeared to possess little money, uncertain training and no known background in planning a terror attack," although he did dream of "of inflicting massive harm." more ›

Finally, the stats to back up what we know: NYC area airports have had more delays so far this year than in 2006. New data from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that delays have increased by 140.6% at JFK Airport, when comparing April 2007 to April 2006. The delays at LaGuardia are up by approxmiately 35% and delays at Newark are up by 21%. more ›

Yesterday, Caroline Giuliani graduated from her private high school, and the tabloids were on hand to note the seating arrangement: Mother Donna Hanover, step-dad Ed Oster, and brother Andrew Giuliani were sitting near the front, while father Rudy Giuliani and step-mom Judi Nathan sat in the balcony. more ›

The city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is urging New Yorkers to be careful of ticks while spending time outdoors, especially since many are traveling to forested and wooded areas. The DOH's report has helpful preventative steps you can take, as well tips on how to remove ticks. And this FAQ on ticks has more info about the nasty buggers. more ›

A bus headed from Chicago to NYC's Chinatown crashed early Sunday morning in Pennsylvania. Thirty-six people were on board as the bus was going eastbound on I-80 near Clearfield, Pennsylvania; the AP reports the bus "ran off the right side of the two-lane highway before veering left across the roadway, running up an embankment and flipping onto its side in a grassy area." more ›

Mamadou Somare, the Malian immigrant cab driver whose wife and four children were killed after last week's devastating Bronx fire, will be able to bury his family in Mali and return to the U.S. Soumare's status was unclear: Though an illegal immigrant, he had applied for asylum many years ago; earlier reports suggested he either missed a court date or did not file the necessary paperwork. more ›