IN THE COURTS

Court Rejects Challenge To Lemon Law

A claim from automakers that Governor-elect Spitzer misinterpreted the state’s lemon law was rejected yesterday by the State of New York Court of Appeals. Under the lemon law automakers are required to reimburse car buyers who have tried four times to repair their defective vehicles. In 2003 Mr. Spitzer reinterpreted the law, saying people who had sought the repairs were permitted refunds, even if the automaker was able to repair the defect before a claim was brought.

— Special to the Sun

CITYWIDE

Union Ratifies Teacher Contract

Members of the United Federation of Teachers voted yesterday to ratify a new contract that raises the maximum teacher salary above $100,000, increases wages by 7.1%, and offers a lump sum payment of $750. Teachers voted for the contract, settled a year before the current one expires, by a nine-toone margin. The contract goes into effect October 2007.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

Miss USA Under Fire For ‘Behavioral’ Issues

The organizers of the Miss USA pageant yesterday said they are evaluating the “behavioral and personal issues” of the reigning winner but she has not been stripped of her tiara. The 20-year-old Tara Conner, who lives in New York, reportedly engaged in conduct unbecoming of a pageant queen in city bars. The organization’s president, Paula Shugart, would not say what Ms. Conner had done to prompt the evaluation.

— Associated Press

MTA Director Resigns

The executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Katherine Lapp, resigned yesterday following the board’s unanimous vote to pass the 2007 MTA budget. Ms. Lapp, who was appointed by Governor Pataki in 2001, has agreed to stay on until the end of the year, when Governor-elect Spitzer will appoint her replacement.

— Special to the Sun

TRISTATE

Port Authority Passes 2007 Budget

The Port Authority yesterday approved a $5.7 billion budget for 2007 and a $21.1 billion 10-year capital plan that includes spending to redevelop the World Trade Center site and build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. The 2007 budget includes $661 million for trade center infrastructure and $679 million for security at PA facilities. Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Anthony Coscia said there would be no toll or fare increases in 2007.

— Associated Press

POLICE BLOTTER

Officials: Morgue Worker Stole From Corpse

A mortuary technician was arrested for allegedly stealing a dead man’s bank card and retrieving more than $3,000 through ATM withdrawals, officials at the Department of Investigation announced yesterday. Phillip Bethune, 38, of Brooklyn, allegedly stole the card last month when he was sent to retrieve the man’s body and bring it to the morgue. He was charged with grand larceny, identity theft, and official misconduct. If convicted, he could face seven years in prison.

— Special to the Sun