« Daily News follows up on IBO revelation; FCR stonewalls, NYC EDC repeats claim of cost-benefit analysis | Main | New Nets arena could cost city money »
June 4, 2009
On Brian Lehrer Live, video from Friday's state Senate oversight hearing
Atlantic Yards Report
Norman Oder was a guest last night on CUNY TV's Brian Lehrer Live show (the program can be viewed on the CUNY TV web site — click on the "RealVideo" button, segment begins at about the 8:00 mark), and he filed a report this morning on his appearance, featuring a summary of the discussion.
Perhaps the most important element of the show is video shot by Steve de Sève for Freddy's Brooklyn Roundhouse, showing the disruption in the room, with state Sen. Bill Perkins trying to maintain order, and Sen. Velmanette Montgomery reminding the crowd that it was not up to Sen. Marty Golden, a Republican, to move legislation forward, but Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.
Bogus numbers
Then Lehrer showed Seth Pinsky of the New York City Economic Development Corporation claiming Atlantic Yards will achieve half a billion dollars in net incremental revenue.
I said the numbers were bogus, because it wasn't a cost-benefit analysis, and it was based on an old configuration of the project, with four office towers.
Lehrer asked what government officials are obligated to do.
"They're obligated to tell the truth at an oversight hearing," I said, offering a version of that quote from Three Days of the Condor: "Not getting caught in a lie is not the same as telling the truth."
Posted by eric at June 4, 2009 9:15 AM