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.

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NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

STATEWIDE

Ruling Expected on School Funding Case

The state’s highest court is expected to issue a ruling this week on whether it can force the governor and the Legislature to comply with a court order requiring the state to increase aid to New York City public schools by billions of dollars. In what could be one of the last major decisions in the 13-year-old Campaign for Fiscal Equity school funding case, the Court of Appeals is also considering a lower court ruling that estimated that the city school system is owed between $4.7 billion and $5.6 billion a year in additional operating aid. Lawyers representing the state have asked the court to lower the judgment to $1.93 billion. Governor-elect Spitzer has said he would push to increase annual aid to city schools by at least $4 billion regardless of a legal outcome and has demanded that the city contribute at least 30% of that amount.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

Pataki Said To Be Evoking 1907 Act To Investigate Hevesi

Governor Pataki is using his broad powers under the Moreland Act of 1907 to investigate state comptroller Alan Hevesi’s alleged misuse of public funds, according to a government source. In doing so, Mr. Pataki is moving a step closer to recommending the removal of Mr. Hevesi from office. Invoking the act, Mr. Pataki is giving a former federal prosecutor, David Kelley, the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and hold hearings to determine if Mr. Hevesi’s actions are serious enough to warrant a Senate trial that could thwart the comptroller’s plans to serve a second term in office. Mr. Pataki has previously questioned the practicality of conducting such a trial before the governor steps down at the end of the year. The Senate will be meeting in Albany on November 28 and 29 to vote on judicial appointments. Mr. Hevesi, who last month was accused by the state Ethics Commission of misusing state funds by having one of his employees serve as a chauffeur and personal servant for his wife, was re-elected November 7. Governor-elect Spitzer has indicated that he would push for the removal of Mr. Hevesi, who is also the subject of a criminal inquiry by the Albany County district attorney. Named after its sponsor, Republican assemblyman Sherman Moreland, the century-old act authorizes the governor “either in person or by one or more persons appointed by him for the purpose, to examine and investigate the management and affairs of any department, board, bureau or commission of the state.”

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

POLICE BLOTTER

Man, 78, Fatally Struck In Manhattan

A 78-year-old Manhattan man was struck and killed yesterday, police said. The accident took place around 5:15 a.m. near the intersection of Bowery and Hester Street, according to police. Police identified the victim as Anthony Squeo, 78, of Hester Street. He was taken to Beekman Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. As of last night, police said they did not see evidence of criminality. No arrests were made.

— Special to the Sun

Brooklyn Man Killed

A 22-year-old Brooklyn man was shot and killed early yesterday by an unknown assailant, police said. Police identified the victim as Reginald Smith, 22, of 44th Street in Boro Park. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Yesterday, police classified the death as a homicide, and said the investigation is ongoing.

— Special to the Sun

Infant and Teenage Mother Missing

Police are looking for a 3-month-baby girl who went missing with her teenage mother, police said. The baby’s mother, 17-year-old Shanorma Gray, does not have custody of the baby, police said. According to police, Ms. Gray and the baby were spotted in the vicinity of Hammersly and Grace Avenues in the Bronx just before they disappeared. Police said the the mother and child may have taken a train to Brooklyn.

— 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.


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