more ›

The Transportation Bond Act, which will direct $2.9 billion of state money to various projects including MTA ones, passed yesterday by a slight/fair margin (depending on which paper you read), 55% to 45%. The proposition was on ballots statewide, and the bulk of the money will help NYC transportation projects: Half the money will go to the MTA, towards the Second Avene Subway and linking Grand Central to Penn Station for LIRR service, while other portions are earmarked to upgrade roads in the NYC area (the Van Wyck, the FDR, the West Shore Expressway). Some groups were opposed to the act, because it would mire the already-terrible NY State budget in even more debt, but that's just paying it forward, as in our grandkids will have to pay for our present transportation desires. MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow said, "The voters want the best transit system in the world, and they are willing to do whatever needs to be done to make it happen. Now it's up to us complete the job." Mmm, odds are it takes the MTA 50% longer to finish anything, even with the money. So, East Side, get ready to rumble with construction! more ›

11:24PM: Mayor B is done with his speech - so far, winning by 19%. more ›

Tomorrow, there are four ballot proposals that New York City voters will be able to cast a "yes" or "no" on. Unfortunately, many people don't know about them. So, Gothamist recommend you spend a little time reading about these ballot proposals before you head out and vote. The Campaign Finance Board site has descriptions of what each ballot measure says, as well as pro and con arguments for them: more ›

It's the last moments of campaigning for the Mayor and his rival with the Amateur Salsa Dance team (they must have seen and loved Mad Hot Ballroom!) behind him. Expect Mike Bloomberg or Fernando Ferrer to pop up unexpectedly in your neighborhood this weekend, bearing bromides and media phalanxes. Mayor Bloomberg did, however, get the endorsement from the Mayor of Puerto Rico, which must burn Ferrer a little bit. With the polls showing that he has a crazy 25+ point lead over Ferrer, the Mayor is still making sure to remind people to go out and vote for him. Eh, if anything, go out and vote for the Transportation Bond Act. And also vote for your mayor, City Council person, Borough President, etc. more ›

Smith/Ninth Sts., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, F and G lines: "The protective overhangs have large holes, paint peels everywhere and concrete crumbles."These selections sort of match up with the report from the Transit Riders Council last year; the City Council also found the Bronx typically had the worst stations. The NY Daily News blames these struggling station with a lack of MTA funding. Vote Yes on Proposition 2 for the Transportation Bond Act! more ›

The testimony for the NYCLU's lawsuit agains the NYPD for the subway bag searches has ended, and after reading the NY Times article, it seems that both sides pull out the stops for crazy quotes. NYPD did admit that the bag searches occur very rarely, but tried to scare Judge Richard M. Berman. Deputy Commissioner for counterterrorism Michael Sheehan said, "There is no doubt in my mind that the introduction of bag searches - even though it's random, even though it's not 100 percent - dramatically improves the security posture of this huge, sprawling subway system, which I believe is a top-tier target of Al Qaeda right now, even as we speak. " Gene Russianoff, whom we know and love for repping the Straphangers, used various subway rider polls as evidence, to show rider skepticism about the worthiness of bag checks. Judge Berman responded, "I have a high regard for democratic input, but do you think that's the way to design a counterterrorism program?" and that does bring up a good point: While the straphangers can point out flaws with subway surveillance, we're probably not that qualified. But this makes Gothamist wonder if possible roles for a Citzen Patrol Person (something we've seriously contemplated if only for a bright orange jacket) would be to work with the NYPD to design New Yorker-friendly martial law tactics. Closing arguments for the lawsuit are on December 2, and Judge Berman may issue a decision before the end of the year, possibly in time for the tourist influx known as New Year's. [Related: The NYCLU's updates on the trial] more ›

more ›

- MTA riders will have to shoulder less of the MTA's already crippling debt more ›

- And sources say the white iPod Video 30GB is already sold out at the Apple Store! (The 30GB in black and the 60GB in white and black are still available though)
more ›

Our poor, beleagured MTA. Riddled with budget problems, crazy antics in Albany, and wacky developers and political dancing in Manhattan with poor funding all around, it's a wonder that any capital projects get off the ground. That's why the MTA is encouraging voters to vote for the Transportation Bond Act on November 8 when they head to the polls. The bill would give $1.5 million to the MTA, and help get projectslike the Second Avenue Subway, the LIRR-Grand Central connection, and downtown rail link to JFK off the ground. You'll be seeing posters on subways, buses, and commuter trains explaining the bond act. Newsday says that many transportation advocates and civic groups sponsor the bond act; Gothamist doesn't know what the other implications might be but we're pretty sure this bill is worth your vote. The state and city have pretty much really screwed up the MTA by taking away its funding over the years. more ›