By Matt Chaban 4/24/12 2:50pm

Walmart Wars

Rotten tomatoes? (Getty)

Is Walmart Finished in New York? Greg David Seems to Think So, and That’s Bad for Walmart

Walmart is in a pickle, and not the kind that can be found in the canned goods aisle. Following the Mexican bribery scandal, pols high and low have reaffirmed their opposition to the store. But they are not the only ones. Even some of the big box retailers staunchest supporters have come out against the company, namely Greg David.

The Crain’s columnist and former editor for three decades of the influential business weekly is a big believer in capitalism and its important role in shaping the city—he just wrote a book about it. To that end, he has long supported Walmart’s efforts to open a store in the five boroughs (14 times at last count). Yet now, in light of the scandal, even Greg David doubts Walmart will ever open in New York. And he believes this is all Walmart’s fault. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 10/28/09 2:07pm

Bloomberg and Thompson Act Like Politicians on Taxes

The most memorable part of last night’s debate, for me, was the moment when Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson attacked one another when asked who would “consider raising taxes” to balance the budget.

It’s likely, if not unavoidable, that whoever is mayor over the next four years will have to raise taxes or fees, since Read More

By Azi Paybarah 10/15/09 2:58pm

Testing Thompson’s Plan to Close the Budget Gap

Bill Thompson came in for some tough questioning this morning at the Crain’s business breakfast at the Grand Hyatt, where the editor of that business-oriented news outlet repeatedly asked the candidate how he would close next year’s budget gap, estimated to be about $5 billion.

Thompson said he’d “eliminate[e] those programs that don’t Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/18/09 2:30pm

Quinn Considers the Challenges of Regulating Commercial Rent

At a breakfast in Times Square this morning, Christine Quinn told small-business leaders that she and the Bloomberg administration had reached a deal to make all of their lives easier. The city will now forgive some penalties levied against small businesses, reduce agency regulations they must abide by and coordinate inspections to streamline the business Read More

By Azi Paybarah 7/22/08 3:23pm

Weiner as a Middle-Class-Friendly Bloomberg

At the Crain‘s business breakfast breakfast this morning Representative Anthony Weiner spoke about "saving" New York’s middle class, a theme that is likely to be at the center of his mayoral campaign.

The crux of Weiner’s speech, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, focused on job development. He did not rule out raising taxes, Read More

By Azi Paybarah 12/06/07 4:00pm

DiNapoli Wants Public Money for Comptroller Candidates

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli wants public financing for all comptroller candidates, he said this morning.

He has not opened a campaign account, nor begun fund-raising, and has returned all checks he has received in support of his re-election. The filing in January will show his account has no money.

At a Read More

By Staff 3/23/06 10:29am

Weld’s Takings

Bill Weld had his audition for the theoretically friendly, in fact polite but unenthusiastic, audience at a Crains New York Business breakfast at the Sheraton this morning.

On the substance, the most striking point was his apparent retreat from his sweeping opposition to emininent domain at the Manhattan Institute not long ago. Read More

By Staff 3/07/06 4:37pm

Calendar: March 8, 2006

[Today we add a new feature to the Politicker, a daily calendar of events. Please email event listings to me at nbrydson (at) observer.com. Also, name our new calendar by posting your suggestions in the comments section and win...err.. nothing but bragging rights, but that's enough, right?]

Tomorrow morning at the Sheraton, Crain’s hosts Read More