The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) failed to keep track of all of its contracts and subcontracts awarded to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs), undermining citywide efforts to ensure that its spending is done transparently and with accountability, according to a new audit released by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.

The New York Power Authority plans to release water through the Long Sault Dam on Friday, April 29, due to high St. Lawrence River flows and planned maintenance at the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued guidance on how to prevent negative encounters with black bears. Nearly all negative bear encounters in New York are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food sources. The simplest way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove potential food sources, which usually results in the bear moving on.

Officials from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the denial of the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. Although DEC has granted certificates for other projects, the application by Constitution for these certificates fails to meet New York State's water quality standards. The full decision is outlined in a letter (PDF, 819 KB) by John Ferguson, Chief Permit Administrator with DEC's Division of Environmental Permits and Pollution Prevention.

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, a Senior Member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued a statement today in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on FEMA flood insurance rates that was released last week. In 2014, Congressman Meeks and several members of the committee requested that the GAO conduct a study of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) rate-setting methods under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to ensure that flood insurance rates are consistent with actual flood risk.

32BJ security officers protect some of the city’s most iconic sites, including the 9/11 Memorial, The New York Public Library, Time Warner Center and hundreds of other office, university and infrastructure buildings across the city.  As their contract expiration looms, the potential of security strikes in the city rises.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) were today joined by local housing builders and advocates to urge Congress to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Schumer and Cantwell pushed a national campaign, led by Cantwell, to increase federal resources for affordable housing. Schumer and Cantwell are calling for a 50 percent expansion of the LIHTC, and reforms to better target the lowest income populations. Since its creation 30 years ago, this tax credit has financed nearly 3 million homes across the United States, several thousand in New York City alone.

The Old RCA Victor Dog Nipper Is Still Sitting On The Roof of The Former RCA Building In Albany; Senator Says The Statue Has Become a Regional Icon, And Represents A Part Of Albany History: New Development Plan Would Transform Nipper Building Into a Vibrant Downtown Residential and Commercial Space

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Northeast and Caribbean Region, announced the award of a $114 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) to Trane U.S. Inc. The goal of an ESPC is for federal agencies to partner with an energy service company to implement various energy conservation measures at 10 federal buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and White Plains, New York. The effort will include major mechanical replacements to provide for more efficient operations and result in significant energy savings and will also drive economic development throughout the State of New York

The New York Department of State will hold a public hearing and meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m., regarding the profession of real estate salespersons and brokers. The meeting will take place at the following office locations: 99 Washington Avenue, Albany; 276 Waring Road, Rochester; and 123 William Street, New York City. The public has the right to attend the meeting at any of these locations.

overnor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the start of construction on a $22.3 million affordable and supportive housing development for low-income and formerly homeless individuals. The project involves the renovation of the former Wilbur, Campbell, & Stephens Co. Factory built in 1899 along the Hudson River in Troy. Since 2011, the state has invested more than $20 million in housing and community revitalization developments in Troy that have created more than 350 units and driven $79 million in additional public and private investment in the city.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) were today joined by local housing builders and advocates to urge Congress to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Schumer and Cantwell pushed a national campaign, led by Cantwell, to increase federal resources for affordable housing. Schumer and Cantwell are calling for a 50 percent expansion of the LIHTC, and reforms to better target the lowest income populations. Since its creation 30 years ago, this tax credit has financed nearly 3 million homes across the United States, several thousand in New York City alone.

At a meeting led by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, the Manhattan Borough Board adopted a resolution endorsing ‘passive house’ building standards for ultra-energy efficient buildings and called for the city to undertake construction of a public project in Manhattan that complies with passive house standards

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $150 million in funding to support large-scale renewable energy projects across the state. This funding will facilitate public-private partnerships to advance the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy and ensure the state meets its goal of generating 50 percent of its electricity from carbon-free renewable energy projects by 2030.

Three consecutive months of sales growth fueled the best start to the New York State housing market since 2007. According to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS, the 23,932 closed sales in the first quarter represents a jump of nearly 17 percent from the 2015 first quarter. Additionally, the statewide median sales price grew by nearly 1 percent compared to a year ago

Across Upstate NY, Communities Have Experienced Decades Of Underinvestment And Lax Regulation Of Water Infrastructure, Especially When It Comes To Lead Contamination; New Senate Bill Will Tackle Lead Problem Head On

Agenda Includes New Sustainability Standards and Incentives, Plans for Building Green Infrastructure, Enhanced Green Jobs Programs for Residents, Comprehensive Retrofits, and Solar Power Installations

New York state has the second highest home foreclosure rate in the nation, with 1 in 21 home mortgages in foreclosure, according to areport released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The continuing foreclosure challenge is squeezing municipal budgets when property values decrease, tax bases shrink and crime jumps.

Commissioners of Homes and Community Renewal and the Department of Taxation and Finance today alerted recipients of the Earned Income Tax Credit that they may be eligible for a NYS mortgage and down payment assistance program, which can help them realize the dream of homeownership.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued the following statement on the Federal Housing And Finance Agency’s (FHA) decision regarding principal reduction for homeowners

Recipients of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) May Also Be Eligible for NYS’s First-Time Homebuyer Assistance. More than 1.5 Million New Yorkers Receiving the EITC are Income-Qualified for a SONYMA Mortgage and Down Payment Assistance Loan

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of the $24 million U.S. Customs Commercial Building at the Peace Bridge. The newly expanded and renovated facility will significantly decrease traffic congestion and facilitate more efficient customs processing. The project is an important component of the Peace Bridge Understanding of 2013, which lays out a plan for taking concrete steps aimed at improving traffic flow on the American side of the bridge.

Quarterly Series For Business And Community Leaders Welcomes Bob Dandrew Of The Local Economies Project For A Talk On Farming And The New Economy: How “Local” Means Business For Ulster County. Building on the success of past quarterly breakfasts, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein is pleased to present Bob Dandrew of the Local Economies Project at the next “Building Ulster County Together” breakfast on Wednesday, April 27th at 8:00 AM at the Best Western in Kingston.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $2.65 million in federal grant funding to the Island Park School District and nearly $1.7 million to the City of Long Beach for repairs to damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. The Island Park School District will receive $2,654,312 for repairs to the Lincoln Orens Middle School, which sustained heavy flooding and extensive damage during Sandy

Sullivan County is accepting applications from property owners seeking to be included in New York State Agricultural Districts 1 and 4, for a 30-day window beginning April 1st and ending April 30th. New York State Agricultural Districts are geographic areas that consist predominantly of viable agricultural land. Agricultural operations within the districts are afforded benefits and protections to promote the continuation of farming and the preservation of agricultural land.