the sit-down

Mary Ann Tighe.

The Iron Lady

Two years ago this month, CBRE tristate chief executive Mary Ann Tighe rattled cages when the Real Estate Board of New York named her its first female chairwoman in the 116-year-old organization’s history. During those 24 months, the former TV executive—yes, she helped launch cable channel A&E—helped renew the 421a tax exemption program, oversaw passage of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, and shepherded a series of projects meant to fuel construction across New York. Throughout those lobbying efforts, she managed to tally what she described as the second-most successful year of leasing in her career. Last week, REBNY’s first lady spoke to The Commercial Observer about her achievements thus far as chairwoman, the complications behind her deals for Condé Nast, Coach and Young & Rubicam, and what to expect at this year’s gala.
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Rethinking

Taxes, Bailouts, and Subsidies, Oh My! New Report Showcases Big Businesses Bad Practices

A coalition of grassroots groups released a report today accusing the Andrew Cuomo-allied Committee to Save New York of taking billions of dollars in government subsidies and of trying to shirk paying taxes. The Public Accountability Initiative says that businesses affiliated with the committee have been approved for $2 billion in state and local subsidies and Read More