When school principals got to school on Jan. 31, many were surprised to discover that their school budgets had shrunk overnight. The city Department of Education (DOE) announced it is cutting $100 million from school budgets across the city. That means each school will face a 1.75 percent reduction, ranging from $9,000 to $447,587 per school.

On the heels of a recent citywide education budget cut, and a decrease in expected funding for education from the state, city and state leaders met at Lehman College in the Bronx to discuss strategies for getting more students to stay in school.

At a meeting two weeks ago, city investigators would not say whether or not there had been any criminal influence involved in the enormous, highly controversial and over-budget Croton Water Filtration Plant project in Van Cortlandt Park. They did say, however, that the investigation into potential mob ties related to the project is ongoing.

During Monday’s so-called State of the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) address, Executive Director Eliot Sander talked about expanding Metro-North service to Co-op City, Parkchester and Hunts Point in the Bronx. As for the northwest Bronx, Sander also mentioned a possible northeastern extension of the D train to connect it with the 2 and 5 train subway stations across the Bronx River at Gun Hill Road. He said the Metro-North Williams Bridge station nearby could then be combined into a new mega-transportation hub offering easier access to Manhattan.

Council Member Oliver Koppell expressed disapproval of a number of the ideas in the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA)’s "modernization plans" at a public forum in February.

Congressman Eliot Engel is cosponsoring the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2007.” The bill provides for guaranteed medical assistance for anyone who has been injured as a result of the 2001 World Trade Center attacks.

The Internal Revenue Service is mailing out letters throughout the month of March to over 130 million American households, reminding them to file a 2007 tax return to receive a 2008 economic stimulus payment.

A listing of upcoming public and community meetings in the northwest Bronx.

Bronx housing specialist Greg Jost took his experience and knowledge to Capitol Hill last week, testifying about the subprime mortgage crisis during a hearing chaired by a local lawmaker.