CITYWIDE

Bloomberg Questions City’s Ability To Raise Funds for Convention

Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday that raising money for the 2008 Democratic National Convention could be difficult given all of the competing projects the city is funding through private philanthropy. He said the other projects, including the World Trade Center Memorial and an anti-poverty program “would probably be much higher priorities for everybody.” The Republican mayor has, however, been actively courting the Democratic National Committee, and says a convention here would generate millions of dollars in revenue. Yesterday he said if the city wins the convention he would almost certainly have to be the chief fund-raiser. The city raised $85 million for the Republican Convention in 2004. Mr. Bloomberg led that drive. Republicans have chosen Minneapolis-St. Paul for their 2008 convention.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

Notorious Tagger To Go To Jail

The notorious graffiti vandal known as “Kiko” pleaded guilty yesterday to five counts of criminal mischief for spraypainting his tag on public property across Astoria, Queens.Oliver Siandre agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors under which he will spend six months in jail, perform community service, and pay a $25,000 fine. He will also remain on probation for four and a half years. “This punk can scribble all the graffiti he wants, on the inside of his cell,”the City Council member representing Astoria, Peter Vallone Jr., said.Mr. Vallone has launched a veritable war on graffiti and pressured the police to go after Siandre after repeatedly spotting his tag in his district.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

Mayor Says He’s Glad Assistant Wasn’t Badly Hurt in Carjacking

A day after thieves stole Mayor Bloomberg’s car and roughed up one of his personal employees, the billionaire said it was fortunate the injuries weren’t serious. A member of his personal staff, Gradimir Bosnjak, was beaten and forced out of the Lexus yesterday morning in New Jersey by a man and woman who then sped off with the car. Mr. Bosnjak, who fought his attackers, told his boss he probably got a black eye in the scuffle. Mr. Bloomberg called to check up on him after the carjacking. “He’s lucky that it was nothing more serious,” Mr. Bloomberg told reporters. Mr. Bosnjak had gone to Hackensack to pick up another employee and was approached by the couple as he sat parked in the car. Mr. Bloomberg said he hoped the two crooks would be caught. Hackensack police said they were looking for the man and woman.

— Associated Press

City’s Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest Point Since 1988

New York City’s unemployment rate fell to 4.5% last month, its lowest rate since February 1988, Department of Labor officials reported yesterday.The city’s unemployment rate fell from 5.1% in August to 4.5% in September, and was lower than the national average for the first time in more than 18 years. “Our five borough economic strategy is creating jobs and opportunities for New Yorkers across the city, and the fact that unemployment has hit an almost 20-year low is a good sign our efforts are paying off,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

— Special to the Sun

Principals’ Union Head To Leave Position

The president of the principals union, Jill Levy, says she will not run for reelection next year when her term runs out. Ms. Levy said she would be moving to a new position this February as president of the American Federation of School Administrators, the national principals union based in Washington, D.C. “I’m very excited about that, and I can’t really do two jobs simultaneously,” she said. Ms. Levy, who has served the union in various capacities for 17 years, said she had made the decision not to run for reelection three years ago. She will be leaving after a difficult year for the union. Before school started this year, school’s chancellor Joel Klein said he was forced to create new jobs for 44 assistant principals that he characterized as inept. Ms. Levy defended her members, saying the characterization had been a defamation of character. The union’s contract expired three years ago and so far union officials have been unable to negotiate a new one with the city. Ms. Levy was first elected to head the union in 2000, after the last president resigned following a bitter battle over the contract.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

STATEWIDE

Court Says Religious Social Services Must Cover Contraceptives

ALBANY — Catholic and other religious social service groups must provide contraceptive coverage to their employees even if they consider contraception a sin, according to a ruling yesterday by New York’s highest court.The 6-0 decision by the state Court of Appeals hinged on defining Catholic Charities and the other nine religious groups suing the state to be social service agencies, rather than only operating as churches.The New York Catholic Conference is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Family Planning Advocates of New York State called the decision a win over discrimination for women. At issue is the 2002 Women’s Health Wellness Act, a measure that requires employers to provide health insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives, among others.

— Associated Press

TRISTATE

Wal-Mart Announces Expanded Low-Cost Generic Drug Program

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is expanding a program offering $4 prescriptions for some generic drugs to 14 more states, two weeks after rolling out the low-cost program in Florida, the world’s largest retailer said yesterday. Analysts said the main benefit for Wal-Mart is in drawing more shoppers into its stores who may come for prescriptions and then stay to buy in other departments. Critics, including rival non-chain pharmacies, said the plan covers only a fraction of a prescription drug market that includes about 8,700 generics approved by the FDA. “This is a public relations stunt meant to drive foot traffic. Most people will find their prescriptions do not fall under the $4 plan,” said Charlie Sewell, senior vice president of government affairs at the National Community Pharmacists Association. Wal-Mart’s program will extended to include both New Jersey and New York stores.

— Associated Press