Compiled by Jessica Mastronardi and Paul Bisceglio MTA TO RAISE FARES The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unanimously voted to raise fares on the city’s trains, buses, bridges and tunnels last Wednesday, Dec. 19. The new rates, which will go into effect in March, include a 25-cent increase on base subway and bus fares (up to $2.50), 
Their offices were flooded, their phones were down and the power has been out, but that hasn’t stopped lawmakers in Zone A from helping their constituents. Legislators who use social media to inform their constituents of events and accomplishments posted prolific messages about their relief work, provided updates on their appeals for help from responders 
While the upcoming elections have been largely overshadowed by the devastation and recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy, there are still important choices for voters to make on November 6th. We interviewed most of the candidates in contested elections in the districts covered by Our Town, the West Side Spirit, and Our Town Downtown. The editorial 
Raccoons Rampant in Central Park Last month, Upper West Side Council Member Gale Brewer wrote to the Parks Department to get some answers to a curious concern her office had been hearing about—the raccoon population in Central Park. Apparently the critters had been spotted at several playgrounds throughout park, including the Rudin Playground near 96th 
The Cuomo administration has hinted it may allow hydrofracking to move forward only in municipalities that express support for the procedure, and this week Gov. Andrew Cuomo explicitly said that “home rule” should be a factor in deciding where to allow it. But the technology is such that drilling for natural gas in some locations 
Here’s a roundup today from the Twitterverse on our story this morning, which ended up causing a bit of a stir: 10. Capital Tonight @CapitalTonight Today’s time warp, courtesy of Sen. Marty Golden. 9. Senator Liz Krueger @LizKrueger NY’s women need #fairpay, not posture lessons. Still can’t believe this really happened! 8. Andrew Gounardes @agounardes 
ACC presents potential for political corruption By Alan S. Chartock With Chief Justice John Roberts supporting the congressional right to pass the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the politics of health care rises to the top of the list in New York state. Let there be no mistake about it: Politics in New York can get 
Compiled by Anam Baig, Megan Bungeroth & Sean Creamer EAST SIDE LAWMAKERS PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PREGNANT WORKERS Last week, Upper East Side Rep. Carolyn Maloney joined three Democratic co-sponsors in introducing new federal legislation that would protect pregnant women against unfair job discrimination. Maloney joined fellow New York City Rep. Jerrold Nadler and two 
By Nick Powell Big Brother wants your Facebook password. A spate of complaints regarding companies requiring applicants and employees to divulge login information for social media accounts has forced the hand of state Sen. Liz Krueger, who introduced legislation recently that would ban such practices. Krueger cited the obvious privacy concerns as well as liability 
