It was a slow August week as eyes focused on Wall Street’s wild roller coaster ride, jobless numbers and President Obama’s bus tour. The week ended with the USDA rejecting Mayor Bloomberg’s ill-conceived obesity-prevention pilot project banning the purchase of soda with Food Stamps. Freedom of Choice 1, Nanny State 0.
Rep. Charles Rangel got into a war of words with sharp-tongued conservative talk-show host Laura Ingraham on Fox News’ “O’Reilly Factor.” Rangel and ingraham been sparring over President Obama’s economic record in struggling black communities when the 81-year-old Harlem Democrat decided he’d had enough of Ingraham’s rapid-fire questioning. (NYP)
State Housing Commissioner Darryl Towns will undergo evaluation for potential alcohol abuse and is likely to plead guilty to something less than DWI. (NYDN)
Former Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr.’s Soundview Health Center and its affiliates hold a press conference at the Bronx Co. Courthouse at 1 p.m. to announce filing of a restraining order against OMIG, DOH Commisioner Shah in response to loss of Medicaid funds.
Republican NYC Councilman Peter Koo, hosted Assemblyman David Weprin, Democratic NY-9 candidate, at a “special event” with Queens Asian Business leaders in Flushing. Some political observers think Councilman Koo is signaling his displeasure with the immigrant bashing of Republican congressional candidate Bob Turner. (SOP)
NYC Councilman Ruben Wills’ old theft case will not be resolved before the September elections. (NYP)
Late Friday afternoon, Federal officials rejected Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposal to bar New York City’s food stamp users from buying soda and other sugary drinks with their benefits. In October 2010, the city proposed a two-year experiment to see if the prohibition would reduce obesity among people who buy their groceries with food stamps. (NYT)