Wednesday Headlines: Jersey Mogged Edition
Jersey City audited its 1,276-vehicle municipal fleet for the first time, and the results offer a template for cash-strapped cities in New York. The count led Mayor James Solomon to cut 70 vehicles and shrink take-home cars from 88 to 52. It also turned up roughly $400,000 spent on 10 scooters that sat unused in a city lot. A new committee now reviews every crash involving a city vehicle, and every driver must complete Vision Zero defensive driving training.
Albany has its own hole to fill. Mayor Dorcey Applyrs has proposed a 15 percent property tax levy increase to help close a 2027 deficit of roughly $35 million, and the city’s chief auditor, Sam Fein, said fleet management is a likely place to find savings. He doesn’t know whether take-home cars are a problem there. “That’s why you do an audit,” he said.
Elsewhere in The Empre State:
- Assembly Member Patrick Burke and Republican challenger Gary Dickson’s debate got spicy, featuring personal attacks. (The Buffalo News)
- Geneva Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with antisemitic bus graffiti. (Finger Lakes Daily News)
- Gov. Hochul sees a long future in politics for herself. (Politico New York)
- A 17-year-old Hurley dirtbiker died after a collision with a truck. (The Times Union)
- Putnam County’s first roundabout in Carmel received initial funding from the state. (Mid Hudson News)
- Progressive New York City lawmakers want the MTA to get rid of its bus fare evasion enforcement squads. (amNewYork)
- Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino is at odds with her county legislature over a gas tax reduction. (Mid Hudson News)
- The road is getting bumpy for 21st Congressional District Republican nominee Anthony Constantino. (The New York Times)
- Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman thinks congestion pricing will spread if he doesn’t become governor. (The New York Post)
- He also made the dubious claim that he would end the tolling program if elected. (City & State)
- Hochul eventually came around on data centers, becoming one of the politically fraught structure’s strongest skeptics. (Gothamist)
- House Speaker Mike Johnson descended upon New York to boost his fellow Republicans. (Newsday)
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