Elsewhere: Schumer, Cuomo, Recchia
Chuck Schumer's DC communications director, Eric Schultz, is going to work for John Edwards.
Bertha Lewis wants Mayor Bloomberg to demonstrate that he's really listening to parents about school reform by attending an event at St. Vartan's Cathedral tonight.
Andrew Cuomo said that public authorities cannot pay health insurance benefits for their board members. Malcolm Smith took credit for Joe Bruno's clever political move today.
Tomorrow, state agencies have to tell Governor Spitzer which of their meetings fall under the state's open meeting laws.
Streetsblog has info about the City Council's effort to curb pedicabs.
Harry Siegel tries explaining the impact of yesterday's market plunge.
Dan Janison is there for a poignant moment with Michael Balboni.
Curbed looks for NYC's ugliest building.
Dan Gerstein likes a new group blog about 2008 politics.
And pictured above is City Councilman Domenic Recchia with a colorful scarf.
-- Azi Paybarah
The pedicab bill is a complete embarrassment -- a 20-page bill meant to kill off a tiny innovative industry. Quinn and company may as well hang signs around their necks that say "Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Horse Carriage Industry."
Tellingly, all but three of the sponsors are from the outer boroughs, where NO pedicabs operate. Shame on Quinn. Shame on Garodnick. Shame on Martinez.
How ironic in a city run by a man who prides himself on being pro-business that we have this completely transparent effort to kill off an industry because it competes with a tiny but long entrenched special interest like the carriage horse owners.
I'm often in midtown where the pedicabs operate. At rush hour with buses and cabs full, they're often the only ride available. They're quick, convenient and pleasant. I often recommend them to visitors. And I've never heard a taxi driver complain about competition from them.
You mean soon to be Senator Recchia?