A federal judge in Newark ruled yesterday that the NYPD didn't discriminate against Muslims by spying on mosques and businesses in New Jersey. A class action lawsuit had argued that the surveillance programs were unconstitutional because they focused on religion, national origin, and race. But U.S. District Judge William Martini said the police were looking for Muslim terrorists, so surveying Muslim communities was necessary and not discriminatory. The plaintiffs had also argued that the spying had caused them harm, such as diminished religious expression and lost job opportunities. But the judge said the injuries were hypothetical and that any harm was caused by The Associated Press for exposing the surveillance, not the spying itself.

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De Blasio’s Caravan Caught Speeding, Blowing Stop Signs (CBS News)

Settlement Reached On Long Island College Hospital's Future (DNAinfo)

State Panel Freezes ConEd Electric, Gas Rates (Wall Street Journal)

Mayor Removing Over 400 Kids From Two Shelters (NY Times)

Cuomo Makes Conservative Argument For College In Prison (Capital)

Politician Asks For State Help If de Blasio Thwarts Charter Expansion (NY Post)

City's Head Of Sandy Reconstruction Steps Down (Crain's)

De Blasio Hires Sandy Point Person, Title To Be Determined (Capital)

Biometric Scanners Poised For Big Growth In Building Security (Daily News)

Businesses Get Grace Period In Sick-Pay Bill (Crain's)

MTA Backs Off Plan To Remove Homeless From Subways (DNAinfo)

NYC Ranks 6th In Income Inequality Nationally (WNYC)

14-Year Term For Leader in Bronx Anti-Gay Attack (NY Times)

As a result of a class action lawsuit, the state agreed yesterday to curtail the use of solitary confinement. New York's prison system will become the largest in the nation to ban the use of solitary confinement to punish minors; it will prohibit the use of confinement as punishment for pregnant inmates; and the punishment will be limited to 30 days for the developmentally disabled. The agreement also imposes sentencing guidelines and maximum lengths for different infractions for all prisoners. On average, about 3,800 prisoners are in solitary confinement every day for 22 or more hours for violating prison rules.

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City Comptroller Sounds Alarm Over Labor Contracts (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio: ‘Height And Density’ Key To Affordable Housing (Daily News)

If Cuomo Wins Pre-K Battle, Will He Deliver? (Capital)

De Blasio Pitches Pre-K Tax Hike To Real Estate Executives (Crain's)

Pickpockets Look Forward To Lunar New Year (NY Times)

West Side Highway Reopens After Falling Ice From WTC (DNAinfo)

Dominican Voting Bloc Creates Battlegrounds In Harlem (Daily News)

Mayor Pushes Verizon To Discount FiOS For Poor (Crain's)

Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a 63-point plan yesterday to achieve his goal of reducing traffic fatalities to zero. The plan, called Vision Zero, uses a combination of red lights, traffic cameras, and reduced speed limits. Enforcement is another focus, and de Blasio would increase the NYPD's Highway Patrol staff from 190 to 263 officers. He would also create an "enforcement squad" dedicated to cabbies. Another idea is to use technology like a "black box" to record whether taxi drivers speed. Some of the proposals - such as lowering the citywide speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph and the expansion of red light cameras - would require approval from Albany. Legislative leaders haven't commented on the plan yet. Getting hit by a car is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under 15 in the city.

Other Stories We're Following

City’s Safety Net On Trial Over Baby Killed In '07 (NY Times)

Senators Oppose Paying Prisoners' College Costs (Associated Press)

Ethics Commission Returns To Disclosure Waivers (Albany Times Union)

Campaign Finance Reformers Take Hard Line (Albany Times Union)

NYPD Officers Rarely Use Interpreter Service (WNYC)

Eighth-Graders' Math Scores Trail Japan, Russia (NY Post)

Bratton: 'No Problem' With de Blasio Calling NYPD (Wall Street Journal)

New York Inches Toward Electoral College Reform (Capital)

Failure Of Inclusionary Zoning (Crain's)

Mayor Kills Funding For Industrial Business Zones (Crain's)

Mafia Is Down—But Not Out (Wall Street Journal)

Transportation Safety Head Calls For Signage, Cameras (Daily News)

Bill Would Charge Lazy Homeowners For Clearing Snow (Daily News)

Trash Piling Up After Snowstorms (DNAinfo)

In a bid to reduce recidivism rates Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a plan this weekend for the state to once again offer college-level courses to inmates. Cuomo debuted the plan during a church service tied to the Black, Puerto Rican Asian and Legislative Caucus. The majority of prisoners in New York are African American and Hispanic. Cuomo said that it costs the state $60,000 a year to house an inmate while the recidivism rate is 40 percent. The administration estimates it would cost $5,000 a year to provide an inmate with college courses. "Giving men and women in prison the opportunity to earn a college degree costs our state less and benefits our society more," said Cuomo.

Other Stories We're Following

De Blasio May End Weekly Call-In Radio Show (NY 1)

Emma Wolfe, Mayor De Blasio’s Secret Weapon (NY Times)

Lawmakers Question Cuomo Plan for Homeland Security School (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio Administratio Cuts First Labor Contract (Daily News)

Poll: Support For Legal Marijuana Growing in New York (Daily News)

Teachers Union President Says Back Pay is Major Issue (Daily News)

De Blasio Downplays Pre-K Tax Plan in Albany (Wall Street Journal)

Staffing Choices Show Bill de Blasio’s Different Approach in Albany(Politicker)

Business Bemoans Paid-Sick Expansion (Crain's)

Will Waiver Save Hospitals? (Crain's)

Puerto Rican Day Parade Will Go on Despite Corruption Probe: Supporters (DNAinfo)

After 19 months of haggling, the Obama administration informally agreed yesterday to allow New York to reinvest $8 billion in Medicaid savings back into the state's health care system. The money will go towards revamping or replacing financially ailing hospitals and modernizing an outdated healthcare system. Gov. Andrew Cuomo had requested $10 billion. Waivers on Medicaid payments had been approved for other states months ago. The funds will be released to New York over five years and come on the condition that inpatient hospital beds be reduced by 25 percent. Although it will be a boost to struggling hospitals, particularly in Brooklyn, failing institutions will not be bailed out unless they are restructured. Long Island College Hospital may not be eligible for funds from the waiver, because it doesn't have a credible plan to reduce admissions. Mayor Bill de Blasio signaled possible support for turning LIHC into a combination of a free-standing emergency room, clinic, and affordable housing.

Other Stories We're Following

Mayor Criticized For Keeping Schools Open (NY Times)

De Blasio Defends Call To Police On Behalf Of Ally (Wall Street Journal)

Region Slammed By Storm (Wall Street Journal)

Another Round Of Snow To Hit City (NY Post)

Winter Weather Takes Toll On Budget, Roads (Crain's)

Upstate Politicians Reject de Blasio Pre-K Tax Plan (NY Post)

Homeless Hope For Better Days With New Mayor (WNYC)

City Airports Worst For Delays (NY Post)

Foreclosure Auctions On The Rise (Crain's)

Taxi Deal Awaits de Blasio Appointment (Capital)

A Highline For Queens? (Daily News)

Although the preliminary $73.7 billion budget Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled yesterday doesn't set money aside to pay for billions in back pay for expired union contracts, there are some funds he could tap. That includes $1 billion placed in a rainy day fund, and another $600 million in a general reserve fund. The unions, gearing up for contract negotiations with the new mayor, are indeed eyeing the money. De Blasio said he has no plans to raise taxes to pay for the wages backlog. His spending plan also contains education funds that may not materialize, including $530 million for pre-K from a tax on the wealthy which Albany may not pass, and another $500 million from the state that the mayor believes is owed as part of a settlement in a dispute over school aid. De Blasio's proposed budget also would pay $52.5 million that the housing authority owes for the policing of its projects, and includes around $10 million in extra money for homeless programs.

Other Stories We're Following

Arrest Inquiry By de Blasio Stirs Some Debate (NY Times)

Review Finds Police Failure To Report Driver Friskings (NY Times)

Judge Tosses Gun Charge In Stop-And-Frisk Case (NY Post)

Stop Putting Kids In Solitary: Report (WNYC)

UWS Leaders Demand Stricter Penalties For Drivers Who Hit Pedestrians (DNAinfo)

Cuomo Dodges Questions About Christie Bridge Scandal (WNYC)

Puerto Rican Day Parade Leadership Will Be Axed After Probe Into Finances (Daily News)

De Blasio Compares Pre-K Poll Question To ‘Bowl Of Free Candy’ (Politicker)

Activists Urge Mayor To Trash Solid-Waste Plan (Crain's)

Storm Will Dump Up To 14 Inches Of Snow (Daily News)

Hours after Mayor Bill de Blasio said he'd lobby the state for the right to set the city's minimum wage, Gov. Andrew Cuomo rebuffed the idea. Advocates also rallied yesterday in Albany for legislation giving communities statewide the right to set baseline wages, and not just New York City.  Cuomo said in a radio interview that allowing municipalities to set their own tax rates and wage limits would create a "chaotic situation" where communities would "cannibalize" each other in a competition for economic growth. Legislative leaders will likely be no help either, as they recently worked with the governor to raise the minimum wage statewide to $9 by 2015. Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Klein, the Senate co-leader, said he'd like to "move on." Advocates point out that the data do support the governor's argument, and that he already sets different tax rates and incentives for different areas.

Other Stories We're Following

De Blasio Called Police Over Pastor's Arrest (Wall Street Journal)

Klein Backtracks On Blocking Budget For Pre-K Tax (Capital)

Cuomo: Education Funding Lawsuit ‘Ain’t About the Money’ (Wall Street Journal)

What To Do With A Surplus That May Top $3 Billion (NY Times)

De Blasio’s Complicated Budget Options (Capital)

De Blasio Says Universal Pre-K Funding A Civil Rights Issue (Daily News)

Jousting Over Scaffold Law Fate (Albany Times Union)

Board Of Regents Sets Aside Proposal (Albany Times Union)

What de Blasio's ID Cards Could Accomplish (WNYC)

Feds Pushing State To Refund $10 Billion In Medicaid Overpayments (NY Post)

Poll: Pre-K Tax Hike Not As Popular As State Funds (Associated Press)

Deadline Set For Housing Plan, Policy Details Remain Vague (NY Observer)

Food Co-ops In Gentrifying Areas Not To Every Taste (NY Times)

Storm To Bring 6 to 10 Inches Of Snow Tonight (NY Post)

Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said yesterday that he will block a vote on Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan to tax the wealthy to pay for universal pre-kindergarten in the city. Skelos argued the tax would hurt the entire state by driving away the wealthy. “The last thing we need is to see high earners leave New York state because then we lose their tax dollars,” said Skelos, who mentioned Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to fund pre-k without raising taxes. Cuomo is aggressivley purusing an alternative plan to establish universal pre-k statewide. Skelos' comment was met with outrage from de Blasio, major labor groups, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Sen. Jeff Klein who heads the independent Democratic Conference. "I will not approve a budget that fails to realize the vision Mayor de Blasio and I share of providing high-quality, universal pre-k to the 50,000 four year olds who need it," Klein said in a statement. However, Klein has indicated he would be open to some sort of middle ground. 

Other Stories We're Following

Cuomo Rips Regents For Watering Down Common Core (NY Post)

Suit Will Seek State Money Promised to Schools in 2007 (NY Times)

Buyers Have Advantage in Brooklyn Housing Market (NY Times)

Cuomo Rips Regents For Watering Down Common Core (NY Post)

State Senator to Introduce Legislation to Make Port Authority More Transparent (Daily News)

Coalition of Union to Push For City Minimum Wage (Daily News)

Tax Chief Fuzzy on Cuomo’s Tax Rebate Plan (Albany Times Union)

Puerto Rican Day Parade Could Be in Jeopardy Amid Sponsorship Deal Investigation (NY 1)

More George Washington Bridge Subpoenas Expected (Wall Street Journal)

Boyland Told FBI Agent of Plan to Run For Governor (Wall Street Journal)

De Blasio Vows Government “With a Soul” In First Major Speech(DNAinfo)

De Blasio Vows Higher Wage, Business Mandates (Crain's)

Details on Mayor Bill de Blasio's first State of the City address are sparse but the mayor is expected to focus on the main themes of his campaign--including income inequality and the push to tax the wealthy to fund pre-kindergarten. He is also expected to discuss living wage legislation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo who is at odds with de Blasio over his plan to fund universal pre-k won't be in attendance. Cuomo will be delivering a regional budget message in Watertown. De Blasio will deliver his speech at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. While the speech will be the focus of the New York City political world today attention will soon turn to de Blasio's first budget speech that he is set to deliver on Wednesday. 

Other Stories We're Following

De Blasio Names Four Housing Leadership Positions (NY 1)

De Blasio’s Pick For Planning Puts Focus on Housing (NY Times)

In Election Year, Governor is in a Giving Mood (Crain's)

Cuomo’s Tax Overhaul Plan Could Mean Windfall For Banks (NY Times)

Schneidrman Plan Would Make Lenders Responsible For Abandoned Houses (Daily News)

Cardinal Dolan, Catholic Bishops Suport DREAM Act (Daily News)

Report Rips State Handling of Superstorm Sandy Response (Albany Times Union)

State Silent on Reports of Disabled Abuse (Albany Times Union)

City Wastewater Plants Still Vulnerable (Wall Street Journal)

Narrow Legal Standard Means Drivers Rarely Charged in Fatal Crashes (Wall Street Journal)

LICH Sale in Limbo as Losses Mount (Crain's)

Advocates Petition De Blasio to Make Swift Stop-And-Frisk Reforms (DNAinfo)

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday a plan to cut the one-way toll on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island with Brooklyn. Staten Island residents enrolled in E-ZPass will now pay $5.50, down from $6 or $6.36, depending on how often they cross the bridge. Truck drivers crossing the bridge over 10 times per month will see tolls slashed by 20 percent. The move will cost the state and MTA about $7 million each. A number of groups questioned the move, including urban planners, transportation advocates, and transit workers, who all say the money could be better spent. But Sam Schwartz, a congestion pricing booster, says high fees on a bridge that has nothing to do with the central business district are unfair, and that the lower price may reduce traffic on overused bridges.

Other Stories We're Following

Settlement Of $60,000 Each In Snowball Cop Suit (NY Post)

Mayor Calls For Probe Of ACS After Queens Girl's Death (DNAinfo)

De Blasio To Build On Bloomberg’s Young Men’s Initiative (Politicker)

Confusion Over Empty Assembly Seats In The Bronx (Bronx Bureau)

Police Union Talks New Contract With de Blasio (Capital)

Judge Tosses Suit Over World Trade Center Security (Associated Press)

Abundance Of Snow A Boon For Hundreds Without Jobs (NY Times)

De Blasio Wants New Plan For $100 Million Underemployed Teachers (Daily News)

Queens Wants Northern Blvd. Included In Mayor's Traffic Safety Plan (DNAinfo)

Obama Has Power To Delay LIRR Strike Until July (NY Post)

De Blasio Names Wife As Chair Of Mayor's Fund To Advance NYC (Daily News)

De Blasio Takes Issue With Times Profile On Sanitation Commissioner (Capital)

Gentrification Has Changed And So Has New York (NY Observer)