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opinion

By The Editors 8/08/12 12:33pm

opinion

Taking its Toll

The state is suggesting that it may nearly triple the cost of crossing the Hudson River from Rockland County to Westchester County when it replaces the outdated Tappan Zee Bridge in several years. The new bridge is going to cost some $5 billion, and Governor Cuomo needs to figure out how to pay for it.

The plan to hit up drivers for 14 bucks when they enter Westchester County (the bridge has a one-way toll system) is very likely a trial balloon, similar to the Port Authority’s plan last year to impose huge new hikes on its bridges and tunnels that connect New York and New Jersey. Governors Cuomo and Christie expressed horror and outrage, and the PA, as if on cue, immediately reduced its request, but tolls went up all the same.

That’s the likely scenario for the new Tappan Zee Bridge—the toll will be significantly higher than it is now, but it won’t be as high as the request. That’s how politics works. But here’s the problem: Government is making it increasingly expensive for commuters and commercial traffic, and that’s simply not good news for the city and regional economy. Read More

By The Editors 8/08/12 12:31pm

opinion

A Dire Forecast

This page has been warning of an impending fiscal calamity if the state’s local governments continue to resist needed fiscal reforms. The plight of local governments in California—where pension costs are forcing some local governments to reduce basic services, including police protection—serves as an example of what could easily happen here. Read More

By The Editors 8/01/12 11:45am

opinion

Mother’s Milk

Okay, we were with Mayor Bloomberg when he successfully sought to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. We liked his crackdown on gigantic servings of sugar-laden soda. We bought the argument that government has an obligation to act forcefully on matters of public health.

But now he’s going too far.

Beginning next month, the city Read More

By The Editors 8/01/12 11:43am

opinion

The Big Apple’s Apple

Let there be no mistake: Having an Apple store in Grand Central Terminal is a good thing. Apple is just the kind of anchor tenant that any landlord would want. The company’s decision to locate a store in the terminal last year was greeted with cheers, and why not—Apple is paying more than $1 million Read More

By The Editors 8/01/12 11:41am

opinion

State Secrets

Andrew Cuomo has been governor of New York for less than two years, and he already has achieved successes that some two-termers never managed. He has taken important steps toward a much-needed overhaul of the state’s pension and benefit systems. Budgets have been delivered ahead of time, without the usual rancor. He has ignored the Read More

By The Editors 7/24/12 6:39pm

opinion

Leadership from Quinn

There are many ways for a politician to prove his or her leadership skills. One of them, surely, is to put the common good (and common sense) ahead of the narrow interests of supporters. Especially well-known supporters.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn passed that crucial test recently when she refused to back down on an ill-advised bill despite intense public pressure from high-profile supporters, especially feminist Gloria Steinem.

We’ve been critical of Ms. Quinn in the past because she seemed to take positions based not on principle but on political calculation. She is, of course, one of the leading candidates to succeed Michael Bloomberg as mayor next year. As Speaker of the Council, Ms. Quinn is the second most-powerful elected official in municipal politics, so her performance in the role should offer some insight into the kind of mayor she would be. Read More

By The Editors 7/24/12 6:37pm

opinion

Guns, Guns and More Guns

James E. Holmes walked into a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, last week carrying with him a semi-automatic assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol. Over the last few months, he spent thousands of dollars on ammunition.

Nobody noticed. And now 12 innocent people are dead, scores wounded and hundreds of lives scarred by a madman’s easy access to guns and ammunition.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, one of the nation’s most passionate advocates of common-sense gun regulation, gave voice to the outrage so many of us felt when we learned of the massacre in Colorado. Read More

By The Editors 7/24/12 6:36pm

opinion

The Speyer Tradition

Rob Speyer will be just 43 years old when he takes over as chair of the Real Estate Board of New York in January. That will make him the board’s youngest-ever chair. Impressive though that achievement is, even more noteworthy is Mr. Speyer’s pedigree. He will become a third member of his family to serve as the board’s leader. Read More

By The Editors 7/18/12 8:00am

opinion

Reinventing Midtown

New Yorkers have gotten used to hearing talk of sweeping new visions for various underdeveloped parcels in the five boroughs. In Manhattan, of course, the Far West Side and the West Side rail yards have occupied the dreams of planners, developers and politicians for years now. And one of these years, assuming everybody remains on the same page, those underdeveloped sections will realize their potential.

Midtown has rarely factored into discussions of how to reimagine huge swaths of Midtown. That stands to reason: The business district is home to any number of iconic Manhattan buildings, and there is no blot like the West Side rail yards waiting to be transformed.

But that’s no reason to stop reimagining. At least, that’s how the Bloomberg administration sees it. Read More

By The Editors 7/18/12 8:00am

opinion

Life in the Slow Lane

New Yorkers, as you cannot failed to have noticed, live their lives at a pace that would leave the good citizens of many other world-class cities in the dust. We talk fast, we eat fast, and, on those rare occasions when traffic allows, we drive fast.

The driving bit is about to change, and that’s not a bad thing. Read More