The FDNY's plan to start charging drivers who get into accidents is, how do we say this, not so popular in the City Council. Yesterday Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano went before the council at a budget hearing and was, pardon us, raked over the coals for the plan. Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-S.I.) was particularly incensed over the idea calling it an accident tax that he hoped would be "dead on arrival." more ›

Two politicians got together and wrote a letter to Con Edison, demanding that Staten Island be compensated for its loss of electricity during this weekend's Nor'Easter. More than 48 hours after the lights went out, some borough residents are still without power, reports the Advance. With city temperatures rising, Councilmen James Oddo and Vincent Ignizio say current obstacles include browning meat and quickly wilting lettuce. "The fact is that without proper refrigeration food spoils rather quickly and we are concerned that many of our constituents have powerless refrigerators and freezers filled with rotten and useless food. This leads to considerable financial losses," they wrote. Con Ed hasn't gotten back to them but it's currently handing out dry ice at the Staten Island Mall. more ›

Opponents of the proposal to rename a three-block stretch of Liverpool Street after Sean Bell — a 23-year-old who was killed by police in a barrage of bullets on his wedding day — continued to lash out against the plan even after City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve it yesterday. "A City Council that places a man who nearly ran over police officers in the same category as heroes who risk their lives for us all every day needs to no longer have the authority to do street renamings," said Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island), who according to the Post voted early in the meeting and left in protest. more ›

Not everyone got an over-hyped "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" when it hit Whole Foods last year, so the powers that be had to step in and put an end to the bag's nemesis: The Plastic Bag! more ›

It's Election Day, which means it's time for people to go to the polls. City offices and public schools are closed, and alternate side of the street parking is suspended, as are garbage and recycling pick-up. It's an optional state holiday; federal offices are open and there is mail delivery. While there aren't many big races, there are a few notable ones, namely the Staten Island District Attorney's race which pits incumbent Daniel Donovan (R)... more ›

It took two elections, an investigation without much resolution, hundreds of thousands of city dollars and an apartment in Brooklyn's 40th District for Mathieu Eugene to become the first Haitian to serve in NYC's City Council. Eugene had been elected in a February special election after 40th District City Council member Yvette Clarke headed to Congress, but questions about his residency (he actively said he didn't live in the district, but then later claimed he had an apartment) became heated. more ›

As the City Council debated a bill that would open 10 taxi stands in the outer boroughs, the Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew Daus said cabbies wouldn't be interested. Daus says that only 8% of cab rides outside of Manhattan are for non-airport destinations. In fact, his words were actually: "When there's an ocean of water to drink in Manhattan, why would they go for a puddle in the outer reaches of the city?" more ›

After City Council recently passed a bill to regulate pedicabs, Mayor Bloomberg decided to wait a bit longer before signing it (however, he did sign three bills about nightlife safety). Angry pedicab owners seemed to influence the mayor, pleading that the bill would contradict the 2030 sustainable city initiative. Bloomberg has until March 30th to decide whether to sign, veto or leave it alone. If left alone, the bill would automatically become law. more ›

There are special elections and extra special elections. Residents of Brooklyn's 40th Council District, includes Flatbush and Crown Heights, already voted in a special election and now they will be voting in an extra special election. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: A serious MVA on the upper level of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, a suspicious package in Manhattan, and an overturned auto in Queens
• The things we learn as the Daily Intelligencer questions disclosure on Gawker... then FishbowlNY discloses some stuff about itself and Daily Intel
• Newly elected City Council members Mathieu Eugene and Vincent Ignizio are still not sworn in
• The stock market gained 0.4% today
• Do students really want their professors on Facebook? And will universities have to write some new rules about approaching students online? Hmm.
• On NY Turf looks at the City Council's pedicab vote today: "amendments entered by Quinn and the Mayor's administration the bill will effectively crush the nascent industry."
• There's a Working Families Party rally for NYC Public Schools tonight, as the Mayor announced a new "chief family engagement officer" would join the Department of Ed
• Gridskipper looks at the ugliest buildings in NYC; we'll have our thoughts tomorrow
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Yesterday, the special election held for a City Council seat in Brooklyn's 40th District brought some history: Dr. Mathieu Eugene (pictured on the left) became the first Haitian-born member of the City Council - and he has been called the "Haitian Sensation" in the media. more ›

If you live in the 40th District, an area that covers parts of Crown Heights, Flatbush and East Flatbush, you can vote in tomorrow special election to the seat that used to belong to former City Councilwoman - now Congresswoman - Yvette Clarke. And there's another special election for a City Council seat in Staten Island as well, so South Shore voters, head to the polls. more ›

The Empire State has a state flower (the Rose), a state insect (the ladybug), a state tree (Acer saccharum - the Sugar Maple), a state gem (the Garnet), a state beverage (milk), a state fish (the Brook Trout), a state shell (the Bay Scallop)... for goodness sake we even have a state muffin (the Apple Muffin)! So why not a state dog? more ›