Gov. Cuomo Authorizes New UN Building
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Friday, authorizing the city to relinquish a piece of parkland between 41st and 42nd streets east of First Avenue for a new facility to be constructed by the United Nations. The U.N. will add a new building to its complex in order to increase security for its workers and visitors and consolidate its offices, which are currently spread out across the city. “For over 60 years the United Nations has been an important part of New York, bringing jobs, tourism, and economic development to the city. This law allows the U.N. to expand its facilities, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment and helping it better serve its vital mission,” Cuomo stated in a press release. A Memorandum of Understanding, to be signed on Oct. 10, will authorize the land transfer to the United Nations Development Corporation; it will include provisions for funding additional parkland in the city equivalent to the area lost, as well as for rehabilitation of the ConEd Waterside Pier between 38th and 41st streets.
Cigarette Tax Enforcement Efforts Intensified
Tobacco products worth more than $1.2 million in estimated tax value have been seized over the past three weeks outside Native American reservations in a joint effort between state and federal agencies, according to The Associated Press. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, state police, and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted 357 retail inspections, seizing 19,744 cartons of cigarettes and 24,882 cigars. “It is clear the state has both a right and an obligation to collect taxes on cigarettes wherever they are sold in New York. Collecting these taxes levels the playing field for businesses and ensures everybody pays their fair share,” Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy stated in a press release. The state collected more than $1.36 billion in cigarette and tobacco tax revenues in 2010.
New Fundraising Totals Released
The New York City Campaign Finance Board released updated fundraising figures for the 2013 citywide elections on Friday. City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn raised the most over the past six months, adding $1.36 million to her campaign coffers, which are now estimated to include more than $4 million. City Comptroller John C. Liu followed closely, adding $1 million and bringing his campaign bankroll to more than $1.4 million. City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio raised $700,000. The top earners have not announced plans to run for mayor. Former Rep. Anthony Weiner raised a total of $5.1 million for his announced run for mayor before resigning from his congressional post due to a public scandal in June.
Friends Read Free