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June 13, 2008
New York's Morning Handout Newspapers Cover Government Handouts
Both amNY and Metro are covering the story of increased subsidies for large projects, including the proposed Atlantic Yards Project.
Both papers carried similar versions of this story:
State assembly questions public funds for Yankee Stadium
State lawmakers and fiscal watchdog groups cried foul Thursday over the Yankees' bid for another $350 million in public financing for their new stadium, saying it could soak up funds needed for parks and transportation.
Three state Assembly members from New York City called for a public hearing to examine a proposal to provide public support for one the richest franchises in sports.
"These sports teams are private companies that appear addicted to keeping their hands in the government cookie jar," said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn.
Jeffries and Assemblymen Ruben Diaz Jr. and Jose Peralta asked for a hearing on the use of public funds for the Yankees that they said were negotiated "in secret and without the control of elected officials" while other community projects are desperate for funding.
These two additional items appeared in amNY:
The first is this opinion piece by Ellis Henican: When did NYC turn into Gimme City?
Gimme, gimme, gimme
That's all we're hearing these days. Gimme more of your money for taxes, fares and fees.
The Yankees demand another $350 million in tax-free city financing or they won't finish their new stadium.
Finally, there is this item (found only in the print edition) that includes the issue of additional subsidies for the Yankee Stadium — the same kind that Bruce Ratner will be looking for [click to enlarge]:
Posted by steve at June 13, 2008 6:00 AM