Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber, and NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta announced today that New York City attracted an estimated 47 million visitors and $30 billion in total spending in 2008, both record highs. The latest tourism numbers surpass the 46 million visitors and $28.9 billion New York City attracted in 2007. continue

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Mary E. Peters and Representative John L. Mica of Florida, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader, today announced that the DOT has for the first time requested private sector participation in the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of high-speed rail service between New York and Washington, DC and ten other corridors around the country. continue

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Center for NYC Neighborhoods Executive Director Michael Hickey today announced $2.3 million in grants to 19 not-for-profit service providers to help homeowners at risk of mortgage foreclosure throughout the five boroughs. The grants, which will be distributed by the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, the not-for-profit organization created by Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn in December 2007, will fund legal assistance, mortgage counseling and education services for the residents of New York City. continue

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the American Lung Association, a leader in the fight for cleaner air and a partner in PlaNYC, today announced the American Lung Association’s support for the Pickens Plan. Developed by T. Boone Pickens, the Pickens Plan focuses on reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and promoting alternative fuel vehicles. continue

Infrastructure spending given over to cities rather than state governments would kick-start the ailing economy, a group of mayors told President-elect Barack Obama yesterday. continue

The bi-partisan coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns released a landmark report today that goes beyond the published efforts of the federal government to reveal previously unreported trends in the movement of illegal guns across state lines. This report, The Movement of Illegal Guns In America: The Link between Gun Laws and Interstate Trafficking, analyzes state-by-state trace data from 2006 and 2007 released by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). continue