New York Desk

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun
NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

CITYWIDE


KOCH ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT Calling himself a “liberal with sanity,” Mayor Koch – a lifelong Democrat – said he had decided to support President Bush in the 2004 election because of Mr. Bush’s policy on Iraq. “While I don’t agree with Bush on any domestic matters, there’s only one matter that’s important in this race, and that relates to standing up to international terrorism, taking it on – and George Bush has established that he is willing to do that,” Mr. Koch said in an interview broadcast yesterday on WNBC-TV’s “News Forum.” Mr. Koch was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to recruit volunteers for the national Republican convention later this month, a role the former mayor conceded seemed “strange” to his friends. Still, Mr. Koch said Mr. Bush’s unwavering opinions contrasted favorably with the “hypocrisy” of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Mr. Koch said Mr. Kerry had wavered on Iraq and gay marriage.


– Associated Press


CIT Y COULD LOSE $3B IN TRANSPORT FUNDS, WEINER WARNS A congressman warned yesterday that New York could lose almost $3 billion in proposed federal funds for projects that include a new Second Avenue subway line and a connection from the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal. Rep. Anthony Weiner said the city expected to receive $10.8 billion under a $375 billion transportation bill approved by a House committee in 2003. But he said several smaller bills have been proposed, including a $256 billion plan by President Bush that would give the city an estimated $7.9 billion. “These are funds that we desperately need,” Mr. Weiner told reporters. The bill, known as the Transportation Equity Act, gives states funds generated mainly from a gasoline tax to for projects such as highways and bridges. The bill comes up for reauthorization every six years. Mr. Weiner said the city relies on the federal money for projects such as the Second Avenue subway line as well as for rehabilitating subway stations, buying new subway cars, and rebuilding bridges.


– Staff Reporter of the Sun


SCHUMER TARGETS RETAILING OF ASSAULT WEAPONS With the federal Assault Weapons Ban set to expire in less than a month, Senator Schumer is starting a campaign to keep the guns out of major retail stores, including Wal-Mart and K-Mart. The senator is asking five national retail companies to refrain from selling the weapons even if the ban lapses, urging companies to “set the tone” for increased gun control. Mr. Schumer, the ban’s original author, said yesterday that assault weapons could quickly begin making their way into the New York area if the ban is not renewed. “This is an easy way for the big store chains to do the right thing for the communities they serve and keep military-style, cop-killing assault weapons off our streets,” he said. New York has its own ban on assault weapons, but most states do not. In 2001, the Empire State ranked first nationally for number of crimes committed using firearms purchased out-of-state. The senator, who is co-sponsoring current legislation to extend the ban an additional decade, also warned that terrorists may try to take advantage of the relaxed laws.


– Special to the Sun

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use