December 09, 2004
Clear as mud
New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is making it absolutely clear: He's not absolutely clear on his position on a new New York Jets stadium in Manhattan. "The jury is still out on the stadium," said Silver at yesterday's signing ceremony for the Javits Convention Center expansion bill. "I'm looking to be convinced that it's the right thing to do for the city - plain and simple." With it still uncertain what elected officials if any will be voting on the stadium deal, Silver, who holds veto power as a member of the state Public Authorities Control Board, could be the key player in giving the projects the thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
Speaking of the Javits expansion, everyone who reported on the state's passage of the bill - including me - seemed to have forgotten about the fact that $350 million in city money for the project is still unaccounted for. Asked where the city would be coming up with this cash, two city officials (and one state) responded with variations on "That's an excellent question." The mystery of Dan Doctoroff's missing billion dollars grows ever more mysterious...
