Business Council of Westchester Says Cuts Will Help Westchester Grow

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Business Council of Westchester. March 27, 2012:


Upon news that the Senate and Assembly Majority Leaders have reached agreement with Governor Andrew Cuomo on the 2012-13 budget, the Business Council of Westchester issued this statement:


“The budget agreement reached today by Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Skelos and
Speaker Silver will have positive implications for the Westchester business community.  With
2% or less growth in state spending, as well as a net reduction in All Funds spending for the
second year in a row, our leaders demonstrate they remain committed to fiscal responsibility.


 


The phased takeover of local government Medicaid administration expenses over the next
three years should result in direct savings to businesses and taxpayers. With this critical element
of mandate relief in place, the Business Council will work with the legislature and state
government to progress other priorities, including reform of the State Environmental Quality
Review (SEQR) process.


 


With the appointment of Lieutenant Governor Duffy as Chair of the Spending and Government 
Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, the Business Council will continue to forcefully advocate in
favor of structural and operational changes that will streamline the organizational structure of
state government, for creation of a shared services model that will help create savings for the
state, and development of metrics and targets to help improve performance and make
government more open, transparent and accountable.


 


These fiscal reform measures are only one piece of New York State’s recovery. It is our hope
that the launch of the New York Works Task Force, an initiative designed to develop a
coordinated capital infrastructure plan among agencies and authorities, will help refine the use of
resources and accelerate construction of critical infrastructure. $1.2 billion in new spending for
these projects will literally help pave the road to recovery.


 


Building on fiscal reform and progression of infrastructure projects including the Tappan Zee
Bridge, job creation is the core of our economic growth. The second round of funding to
implement regional strategic plans developed through the Regional Councils totals $150 million
in new capital funding. The Business Council will not only continue to serve on the Mid-Hudson
Regional Council, but collaborate with our partners to better prepare our constituents to apply
and compete for those funds, and ultimately create jobs in our region and county.


 


 


 The General Contractors Association of New York issued this statement on the budget agreement:


 


“Today’s announcement of an on time budget agreement shows that New York has regained its status as the Empire State.  Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Skelos and Speaker Silver have put the dreary days of late budgets and legislative dysfunction firmly in the footnotes of history.” 


 


“From the establishment of the New York Works program to the funding of the MTA and DOT capital plans, this budget will provide the high octane fuel to fast track long overdue capital investments, create meaningful construction jobs, generate tax revenues and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

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Republicans Delay Convening Board to Set Salaries Increases. No Raise in 2012.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From The Westchester County Board of  Legislators. MARCH 27, 2012:


The Republican caucus of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), after spending the last two weeks publicly advocating for the reconvening of the citizen-led Compensation Advisory Board, suddenly pushed back the vote on the issue at the Monday regular meeting of the BOL.


The proposed legislation, if passed, would suspend the requirement that establishes the Compensation Advisory Board this year, thus ensuring that the lawmakers will not receive salary increases for the 2012-2013 legislative term.


Legislator Gordon Burrows (R-Yonkers), the BOL’s Minority Whip, called for the vote to be held over until the BOL’s next regular meeting on Monday, April 16. The Compensation Advisory Board, by law, is supposed to present its recommendations no later than April 30 though.


If County Executive Robert P. Astorino uses all of the time allotted to him to consider the legislation, it would not be returned for another vote until April 28, leaving the Compensation Board with little time to do its job.


The laws of Westchester mandate that the BOL create the Compensation Advisory Board in January of even-numbered years, whether changes in compensation are being sought or not. This advisory board then deliberates on salary, stipends, benefits, reimbursement for expenses and all other forms of compensation to the legislators, and makes recommendations.


But with the economy still recovering, the legislators had no interest in boosting their pay.


“Since we are not pursuing salary increases, there is no reason to convene a board of citizens to discuss the issue,” said Judy Myers (D-Larchmont), chair of the BOL’s Budget & Appropriations Committee. “Frankly, I’m surprised my Republican colleagues spent so much time and energy on this subject. We have so many more important things to work on, like investing in our infrastructure and protecting services for Westchester residents who need them.”


The last time the Compensation Advisory Board met was in 2008, noted Myers, when it issued a report that recommended a salary increase for the legislators—just as the national economy was turning for the worse.


The Advisory Board, then chaired by Westchester County Association President William Mooney, Sr., actually framed its recommendation within the context of the worsening economic crisis, implying it would have called for even higher salary increases for the legislators.


Even so, the Compensation Board thought legislators should receive a 7.5% increase, which was consistent with a 2.5% increase in the Consumer Price Index experienced in the three years since salaries were last looked at. The Chairman would receive a $3000 increase in his stipend. Committee chair stipends would increase by $1000.


These recommendations were not accepted by the BOL, and neither were the two prior advisory board recommendations for salary increases.


In 2010, the BOL voted to suspend creation of the Compensation Advisory Board for two years because the legislators were not going to look for salary increases at a time when many in Westchester were still suffering from the economic downturn.


“Because the legislators have not received a salary increase in nearly a decade, there is no reason to think that the Compensation Advisory Board would come to any conclusion other than wanting to advance our salaries and stipends,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “But an increase is not on the table for this term, at all, so it is just a waste of time, money and energy to ask citizens of our county to meet and make salary recommendations that are not going to be approved by the Board of Legislators.”


Westchester legislators make $49,500 a year, with stipends between $3000 and $9000 available for committee chairs and other board positions. Because the BOL voted to have its members contribute to health care costs, the legislators are actually bringing home less money in their paychecks.


Added Legislator Pete Harckham (D-Katonah), the BOL’s Majority Leader: “If the County Executive plans to veto this legislation, then he should be prepared to explain why he thinks the legislators’ salaries need to be adjusted, either upward or downward, and explain the two million dollar increase for 2012 salaries in his office as well.”

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Michigan Economists Predict Steady Growth in U.S. Economy: 5 Million New Jobs

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Special to WPCNR from the University of Michigan. March 26, 2012:


America’s economy will continue its recovery this year and next as it adds nearly 5 million jobs and unemployment falls below 8 percent, say University of Michigan economists.


“The performance of the U.S. economy during much of 2011 did nothing to alter the perception that we were mired in a sluggish recovery,” said U-M economist Joan Crary. “Indeed, by late summer economists were considering the likelihood of a double-dip recession.


“The economy regained some momentum during the fall, however, with the closing quarter registering some of the best economic readings of the year. Although the economy is growing at a subpar rate to begin 2012, we expect the pace of economic activity to accelerate over the next two years as the economic headwinds that have plagued the recovery begin to abate.”


In their annual spring forecast update of the U.S. economy, Crary and colleagues Daniil Manaenkov and Matthew Hall say that employment rises at a moderate pace, consumer spending increases, the housing market picks up, vehicle sales improve and inflation remains in check in 2012 and 2013.


They predict that payroll employment will rise by 2.5 million jobs during 2012 and 2.3 million during 2013, an average of 200,000 jobs per month.


“An extrapolation of our forecast suggests that the cumulative job growth during the recovery will finally exceed the jobs lost during the recession in the second quarter of 2014, roughly six years after the previous peak in the first quarter of 2008,” Crary said.


Unemployment is expected to edge downward from the current rate of 8.3 percent to about 8 percent by the end of 2012 and to 7.7 percent a year later.


Crary and colleagues project economic output growth (as measured by real Gross Domestic Product) of 2.3 percent during this year and 2.6 percent during 2013—up from 1.6 percent last year.


They say that real nonresidential fixed investment was a major driver of growth in 2011 and continues to be over the forecast horizon, rising by $113 billion in 2012 and $116 billion in 2013.


“Investment is continuing to lead the country out of the recession as consumption growth remains sluggish and government purchases continue to be a drag on the economy,” Crary said. “Investment in nonresidential construction turned around in 2011. It then accelerates in 2012 and 2013, offsetting slower growth in the equipment and software sector, which remains strong but grows at a more sustainable pace.”


The U-M economists say that residential building is beginning to show signs of life, as well. Single-family housing starts—at an all-time low of 430,000 units last year—will increase by about 100,000 units this year and then reach about 730,000 units in 2013.


Existing single-family home sales are projected to rise by 300,000–400,000 units over the next two years, as housing prices stabilize.


Sales of light vehicles are another indicator of a steadily recovering economy, Crary and colleagues say. Sales totaled 12.7 million units in 2011, up from 11.6 million the year before and will rise to 14 million units this year and to 14.6 million units in 2013.


“Part of the strong showing early this year is related to abnormal weather this winter, with the rest coming from make-up purchases deferred due to Japan-related supply shortages and genuine pent-up demand,” Crary said.


“With the average age of a light vehicle approaching 11 years, many consumers will not be able to delay purchases much longer. While weather-related and “make-up” sales will diminish soon, the release of accumulated pent-up demand should keep pushing vehicle sales higher.”


According to the forecast, core inflation will edge upward to 2 percent this year and drop slightly to 1.8 percent in 2013; the price of oil will average about $102 per barrel this year and about $104 next year; and interest rates, while creeping upward, will remain historically low.


Conventional mortgage rates will average 4 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2013. The 3-month Treasury bill rate will closely follow the fed funds rate, remaining below 20 basis points through next year, while 10-year Treasury notes will rise from 2 percent now to 2.6 percent by the end of next year.


The U-M forecast is based on the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model of the U.S. Economy and compiled by the U-M Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics. For more information, visit www.umich.edu/~rsqe.

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Do you have what it takes to be LEGALLY BLONDE? WBT LAUNCHES SPRING ROMP!

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR From Piia Haas. March 26,2012:


 


 



 


 


Kelly Felthous enrolls at Harvard in pursuit of a LEGALLY BLONDE degree this week (for 4 weeks only) at Westchester Broadway Theatre.Photo by Paul Lyden



ALL LEGALLED UP!


LB is a fresh and effervescent evening of musical fun, stylishly wrapped up in a smart pink bow!  When Sorority girl, Elle Woods (Kelly D. Felthous) is dumped by her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III. (Robert Patric Ryan), she decides to get “serious” to win her boyfriend back.  He is off to college to study law and wants a girlfriend who will be able to support him in his chosen career.


 


Elle, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer, puts down the credit cards, hits the books, and with doggie Bruiser in tow, she sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. She discovers the true power behind being legally blonde, and proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. This high-energy pop musical’s fun and catchy score features music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and a hysterical book by Heather Hach.  


 


The blonde romp debuts this week for a 4 week run!


 


Kelly is excited to step back into some Pink high heels having  previously played Elle in Legally Blonde at NSMT. She also recently originated the role of Eva in the world premiere of Bring it On.


She has appeared in National Tours and Off-Broadway: Marty/Grease, Mayzie/Seussical (cast recording), Ruby/Max and Ruby, and The Sound of Music. New York/Regional: Gloria/Boeing Boeing (Hartford Stage), Serena Katz/Fame (Macau International Music Festival). Kathy Seldon/ Singing in the Rain (NSMT), Jane Eyre (American Premiere), Caroline/Trip of Love (World Premiere), June/Gypsy (Sacramento Music Circus), Little Sally/Urinetown, Anybodys/ West Side Story and Ruby/Dames at Sea. She describes herself as a “proud blonde, NYU alum and AEA member.”



Christopher DeProphetis plays Emmett Forrest, the teaching assistant who supports Elle from the beginning. Aloysius Gigl plays the part of predatory lecturer/lawyer Professor Callahan, who sees Elle as fair game.


 


Jacquelyn Piro Donovan is the sassy hairdresser, Paulette, who has a yen for Kyle (Timothy Hughes), the sexy UPS guy. The WBT production also stars Lauren Blackman as Vivienne, Maria Logan as Brooke, Amber Coartney as Enid, Michela Imbesi as Serena, Brooke Morrison as Margot, Gillian Munsayac as Pilar, Leisa Mather as Elle’s Mother and Benjamin Dean Horine as Elle’s Father.


 


The Ensemble features: Amanda Pulcini, Shannon Lea Smith, Eric Byrd, Aubrey Sinn, Jason Slattery, Ron Tal, and two doggies, Roxie (as Bruiser) and Paul Newman (as Rufus) appearing courtesy of their handler, Karen Wells and Animal trainer, Bill Berloni.


 


The production is directed and choreographed by WBT favorite, Jonathan Stahl, The musical director is John Daniels.  Set design is by John Farrell, Costume design by Matthew Hemesath, Lighting design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound design by Jonathan Hatton. Technical Director is Steven Loftus, Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas and the Assistant Stage Manager is Ron Rogell. Properties are by Grumpy’s Props.


 


Jonathan Stahl , (Director)A favorite at WBT, has directed our successful  Production of Yeston/Kopit’s NINE, starring Robert Cuccioli.  He was associate director and choreographer, and performed in, The Full Monty, Gypsy, Beauty And The Beast, and The Christmas Voyager. He choreographed and performed in Phantom (Another Kopit and Yeston success) and appeared in A Christmas Carol and My Fair Lady.  Finally, he co-directed and choreographed The Christmas Inn.  As associate director and choreographer to Richard Stafford, Jonathan has worked across the country at great theatres such as The Walnut Street Theatre, North Carolina Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, and Ogunquit Playhouse. Jonathan’s rewarding career as a performer has taken him from the world of Ballet to Broadway, but all these steps have led him here to directing this amazing musical, with a superbly talented cast.  


 


For showtimes and ticket information, go to www.broadwaytheatre.com

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Ebersole Rink’s 49th Annual Ice Show Impresses with 18 Solists; Over 75 Peformin

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. MARCH 25,2012:


The 49th Ebersole Rink Annual Ice Show wowed over 100 Parents, Friends, and Skating Enthusasts Saturday evening on a great night to skate. Rarely has the weather been so cooperative, delivering a crisp sheet of ice and even crisper skating by 18 solists and about 80 group performers from the Ebersole Rink Skating School.


The evening was highlighted by an advanced Finale Number peformed by the Advanced Figure Skating Program skaters shown below.


Mayor Thomas Roach, Rink Manager Matt Hansen, and Commissioner of Recreation and Parks, Wayne Bass opened the festivities with the Mayor saying what a wonderful skating program the Skating School runs and congratulated all the skaters on the culmination of their hard work.



The Advanced Figure Skaters Executing a perfect Pinwheel in the Show’s spectacular Finale.



Under the Bridge: Advanced Figure Skaters Impress the crowd with their synchronized finale farewell — easily the most spectacular final number seen in the last 15 years of these shows.


 

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Photograph of the Day

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY. By the White Plains CitizeNetReporter Roving Photographer. March 24, 2012:


Today’s photo demonstrates the earliest time this reporter has ever seen the azaleas in the CitizeNetReporter headquarters gardens bloom. Usually azaleas in the gardens bloom in the first week of May. Yet, here it is blooming on March 24! At this rate the day lilies will be out in May and be finished blooming by July. Can there be any doubt that the climate is changing dramatically? This may mean a very long, scorching, arid, summer with lots of severe weather.



GLOBALwARMING IN WHITE PLAINS: AZALEA BLOOMING SIX WEEKS EARLY IN WHITE PLAINS. DAFFODILS ARE UP AND DAY LILLIES ARE SPROUTING. MOST UNUSUAL.

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FBI SEEKS BANK ROBBER HITTING THREE Chase Banks in a Week

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. Special to WPCNR FROM The Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 23, 2012:



The FBI and local police are hunting a bank robber who may have struck four times this week: twice in New Jersey, and twice in New York City. The robber in all three robberies fits the same description and has the same appearance in bank security video as pictured above.


On March 19, 2012, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a lone unidentified Asian male walked into the Chase Bank located at 125 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, and stopped at the check-writing counter. The man looked around then proceeded to a teller counter, where he reached into his pocket with his right hand and gave a demand note to the teller without saying a word.


After being handed an undisclosed sum of cash, the robber took the envelope full of cash, put it into his pocket, and left the bank in an undetermined direction. The robber was described as an Asian male in his early to mid-20s, approximately 6’0”-6’2” in height, weighing 170 pounds, with dark hair, a thin build, clean shaven, wearing a black hat, pewter color framed Ray Ban sunglasses, black leather jacket, North Face backpack, medium wash colored jeans, and black and white shoes.


On March 21, 2012, a bank robbery attempt was made at the Chase Bank located at 109 Delancey Street, New York, New York, just before 3:00 p.m. A lone Asian male approached the teller counter, passed a demand note to the teller, but fled the bank before obtaining any property. Later that day, March 21, a lone Asian male entered Capitol One Bank located at 41-60 Main Street, New York, New York and passed a demand note to a teller. This time, the robber received an undisclosed sum of cash and fled the location. In both incidents, the robber was described as being an Asian male, age 30-35, 5’11”-6’ tall, and about 180 pounds. In both incidents, he was wearing a black coat, a black fedora hat, and black sunglasses.


Yesterday, March 22, 2012, the Chase Bank located at 460 Bergen Blvd, Palisades Park, New Jersey, was robbed at 2:37 p.m. by a man fitting a similar description as the bank robber on March 19. The man presented a note to the teller demanding money and received an undisclosed sum of cash. He then fled the bank on foot and dropped a large quantity of the stolen money. The dropped money was recovered and ultimately turned over to Bergen County CSI who processed the scene. The bank robber was described as an Asian male, approximately 5’10” tall with a slim build wearing a black fedora-style hat, black sunglasses, black leather jacket, and black trousers.


Again, that description is:


Race: Asian
Gender: Male
Height: 5’10”–6’2”
Weight: Approximately 170 pounds, slim build
Age: Early 20s to mid-30s
Hair: Dark, short, clean shaven face
Clothing: Black fedora hat, black leather jacket, black framed or pewter framed Ray Ban sunglasses, North Face Backpack, black and white shoes


Anyone with information about these or any other bank robberies should contact the FBI in New Jersey at 973-792-3000, or in New York at 212-384-1000. Citizens in New York can also contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public is encouraged to regularly visit bandittrackernortheast.com for additional information, updates, and photos.





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FBI Announces Verdict in Malware cyber thefts. Elaborate Scam Detailed

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WPCNR FBI WIRE.Special to WPCNR From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 23, 2012:


Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NIKOLAY GARIFULIN was sentenced today in Manhattan federal court to two years in prison for his involvement in a global bank fraud scheme that used hundreds of phony bank accounts to steal over $3 million from dozens of U.S. accounts that were compromised by malware attacks.


 On September 23, 2011, GARIFULIN pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to possess false identification documents. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.



Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “The high-tech scheme that was perpetrated by Nikolay Garifulin and his co-conspirators is an example of the financial harm that can be wrought by cyber thieves. As today’s sentence and our record in this case make clear, we will track down these criminals and bring them to justice.”


According to the indictment, statements made in connection with the guilty plea, and other documents filed in Manhattan federal court:


As part of the bank fraud scheme, hackers in Eastern Europe used cyber attacks to steal money from the bank accounts of small and mid-sized businesses throughout the United States. The cyber attacks included the use of malware known as Zeus Trojan, which would embed itself in victims’ computers and record their keystrokes as they logged into their online bank accounts.


The hackers responsible for the malware then used the account information to take over the victims’ bank accounts and make unauthorized transfers of thousands of dollars at a time to accounts controlled by co-conspirators, including GARIFULIN, who were members of a money mule organization.


The money mule organization recruited individuals who had entered the United States on student visas, provided them with fake foreign passports, and instructed them to open accounts at U.S. banks under false names.


 Once the false-name accounts were successfully opened and the stolen funds transferred into the accounts, the “mules” moved the money to other accounts, most of which were overseas, or withdrew and transported it overseas as smuggled bulk cash.


GARIFULIN collected money that had been withdrawn by mules from the phony accounts in the United States and, under the direction of the organization’s leader, distributed it to other co-conspirators and transported it back to Eastern Europe. GARIFULIN also arranged for fake passports to be transferred from Eastern Europe to mules in the United States.


***


In addition to his prison term, GARIFULIN, 23, of Volgograd, Russia, was sentenced to three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $100,000 and to pay $192,123.122 in restitution.


The investigation into this global bank fraud scheme was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service.


As a result of this investigation, 37 defendants were charged in September 2010. GARIFULIN was the last of the 27 defendants arrested in connection with the scheme to plead guilty. In addition to GARIFULIN, 23 defendants involved in the scheme have been sentenced, including two leaders of the mule organization. Kasum Adigyuzelov was sentenced on May 13, 2011 to four years in prison. Dorin Codreanu was sentenced on July 8, 2011 to 20 months in prison. Of the remaining defendants, two entered into deferred prosecution agreements with the government, and eight defendants are fugitives who are being sought in the United States and abroad.


Mr. Bharara thanked all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation for their outstanding work. He also thanked Bank of America, TD Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Wachovia, and HSBC Bank for their assistance in the investigation.


The investigation and prosecution of these cases is being overseen by the Office’s Complex Frauds Unit. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph P. Facciponti, Alexander J. Wilson, Sarah Lai, Justin Anderson, and Andrew Bauer.

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2 in NYC Health Services Accused of distributing False Medicaid Cards

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 23, 2012:


Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Janice K. Fedarcyk, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Rose Gill Hearn, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI); and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (NYPD), today announced charges against KELVIN JENNINGS and PAMELA JONES, two long-time employees of the New York City Human Resources Administration (NYC-HRA), for allegedly creating and distributing fraudulent Medicaid cards in exchange for cash payments. JONES was arrested this morning and is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court later today. JENNINGS remains at large.


The following allegations are based on the complaint unsealed earlier today in Manhattan federal court:


JENNINGS has been employed with NYC-HRA since 1982 and is a Medicaid eligibility specialist at Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan. JONES has been employed with NYC-HRA since 2000 and is a Medicaid eligibility specialist in its Office of Mail Renewal in Manhattan.


From 2003 through 2011, JENNINGS and JONES were involved in a scheme to sell fraudulently obtained Medicaid accounts and Medicaid cards to individuals who were not entitled to Medicaid. In the course of this scheme, JENNINGS sold approximately 18 fraudulent Medicaid cards. As part of the scheme, JONES used her employee-specific identification number at her personal NYC-HRA workstation to create fraudulent Medicaid accounts in the names of fictitious individuals or the names of individuals who would ultimately receive the cards but were ineligible for Medicaid. In total, the 18 fraudulent Medicaid accounts that were part of this scheme resulted in the fraudulent billing of approximately $387,000 to Medicaid.


***


JENNINGS, 53, and JONES, 55, both of New York, New York, each face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.


Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI, DOI, NYPD, and the Drug Enforcement Administration in this investigation.


The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve C. Lee is in charge of the prosecution.


The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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CITY SALES TAX RECEIPTS UP 11% IN FEBRUARY: On Target for 16% Gain

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WPCNR THE SALES TAX TODAY. From Geofrey Gloak, NYSDTF. March 20, 2012:


The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reported White Plains collected  $30,643,323.29 in sales tax receipts through February 2012,


The city February Sales Tax handle was 11% more than February 2011.


If sales tax collections through the final four months of White Plains fiscal year 2011-12 equal last year’s figures ($21 Million) the city will top $51,6 Million in sales tax revenue, beating the forecast of $44.5 Milion by $7.1 Million. With a robust March featuring Restaurant Week and two St. Patrick’s weekends, March should easily beat March of 2011 figures, building sales tax momentum for a record sales tax year.


Westchester County saw a 5.3% GAIN IN SALES TAX RECEIPTS IN February and is up 3.3% on the first two months of their fiscal year 2012, which started in January.

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