Local Officials Say ‘World a Better Place’ Without Bin Laden

As New York City and the world reacted to the recent death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, several Bronx elected officials expressed their responses to the historic news — largely seeing the Al Qaeda leader’s death as a milestone for the city, and a means of closure for those who lost a loved one in the tragedy nearly a decade ago.

Budget Woes Will Cut Deep Into Youth Jobs

New York State’s budget woes are going to take a huge chunk out of the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which allows thousands of young people to get their first job experience. The program received a drastic cut in their budget, meaning fewer jobs for kids and increased competition for the jobs available.

State Budget Saves Some, Cuts Others

New Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature in Albany officially passed a state budget at the end of March, a day before the start of the new fiscal year. It marked the first time in five years that a budget has been approved in New York before its April 1 deadline and will eliminate a $10 billion deficit, Cuomo boasted in a press release. For the Bronx, the $132.5 million budget contains a mix of ups and downs. Certain funding that was on the chopping block was restored, while other cuts will mean major setbacks for a number of agencies, social service programs and local organizations.

Frustration Bubbles Over at Reservoir Access Meeting

After a long-delayed report that essentially denies the community greater access to the Jerome Park Reservoir was issued last week, activists and officials are feeling powerless, particularly because a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) official assigned to report to the community on its findings refused to answer any questions.

Living Wage Campaign Heats Up

The campaign that would require developers of retail projects receiving taxpayer subsidies to pay a living wage — $10 with benefits and $11.50 without — is heating up as advocates press for an April City Council hearing. Council Speaker Christine Quinn has said she would allow hearings on the bill, which has 29 supporters, including every member of the City Council except for James Vacca of the east Bronx.

Bronx Pols Push Cuomo On Rent Reform; Jeff Klein’s Name Absent

A number of local elected officials are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to renew and strengthen rent regulation laws, in favor of renters, as part of his budget negotiations with the legislature this month. Last week, about 90 lawmakers signed a letter to the governor pressing the issue. Every Bronx state representative put his or her name on the letter with the exception of one: State Sen. Jeff Klein, whose district covers parts of the Bronx.

Local Council Members Accused in Daily News Probe

A series of New York Daily News articles published this week highlighted the alleged misdeeds of a number of New York City Council members, including several local Bronx representatives. Councilmen Fernando Cabrera, Joel Rivera and Oliver Koppell were among those mentioned in the series of stories, which the paper called “Above the Law.”

Vagabond New State Senator Rivera Doing Business on the Run

State Senator Gustavo Rivera, the new representative of the northwest Bronx’s 33rd District, called a reporter last week from his cell phone while sitting in an office in downtown Manhattan. That’s life for a vagabond freshman politician in the senate’s minority party who is still trying to nail down a district office more than two months into his term.

State of the Borough: Diaz Praises ‘One Bronx’

In response to recent derogatory portrayals of the borough by “American Idol” and Glenn Beck, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. went on the offensive last month, highlighting the positives and success stories of the Bronx during his second state of borough speech. While continuing to press his mantra of borough residents and workers coming together to form “One Bronx,” or “Un Solo Bronx,” Diaz spent a great deal of his nearly 90-minute speech at DeWitt Clinton High School hyping his accomplishments and all of the great things the borough has to offer. “It is time to let the world