FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Activated

Program to Help New Jersey and New York Survivors of Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of New Jersey and New York, has activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program.

The program allows eligible survivors who are in shelters and cannot return to their homes due to damages caused by Hurricane Sandy to stay in participating hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.

“FEMA is supporting the State of New York and the State of New Jersey with meeting the housing needs of their residents,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate.

“The Transitional Sheltering Assistance program is providing survivors currently staying in shelters with the chance to find a hotel or motel while recovery continues. I encourage those who have been displaced and need a place to stay to contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or www.disasterassistance.gov.”

The first step to receiving assistance is by registering with FEMA. Individuals who sustained losses in designated counties in New York and New Jersey must apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by registering using a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov, or online at www.disasterassistance.gov for those with internet access.  

Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. 

FEMA is asking that those with ability to register online do so to keep phone lines open for those without connectivity and to share this information with friends and neighbors. 

Individuals and households may be eligible for TSA, if:

They register with FEMA for assistance

They pass identity verification

Their pre-disaster primary residence is located in a geographic area that is designated for TSA and occupancy is verified

As a result of the disaster, they are displaced from their pre-disaster residence and are currently staying in a shelter.

This federal assistance is intended to provide a place to stay for a specific period of time for eligible survivors who are displaced from their pre-disaster residence and are currently staying in a shelter. 

Water Removed from WTC Vehicle Security Center

Dewatering at One World Trade Center and the PATH Trackbed Will Be Completed Later Today

Crews working at the World Trade Center site have successfully completed pumping the storm surge from the Vehicle Security Center (VSC). The VSC is where the storm surge entered the site at West and Washington streets in Lower Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy. Approximately 11 million gallons or roughly 28 feet flooded the VSC during the brunt of the storm Monday night.

As soon as conditions safely permitted, two crews began pumping the water 24/7 to remove it as quickly as possible. Now that the water is removed, crews will start debris removal and the drying out process. 

In addition, dewatering at One World Trade Center and the PATH trackbed will be completed later today and significant progress is being made at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which could be dewatered as early as late tonight. The removal of the water from the VSC and throughout the site enables crews to resume significant construction work as early as Monday.

There are as many as fourteen huge pumps in place at the Museum, working to remove the water at the bedrock and across other parts of the site. More than 90% of the artifacts are currently being stored offsite, but for those that are at bedrock in the Museum space, artifact conservators are providing guidance for caring for the artifacts once the pumping is complete. Clean-up crews continue to work aggressively to clean the site and move artifacts to other areas for safe drying.

Photo source: Transferred from en.wikipedia

Author: Trevor Logan

Permission: GNU Free Documentation License

'My Administration Will Continue to Use All Available Resources to Support the Deployment of Necessary Assets'

President Obama Briefed on Response and Recovery Efforts to Hurricane Sandy

This morning, the President convened a briefing at that National Response Coordination Center at FEMA headquarters to receive the latest update on federal efforts to support state and local response and recovery activities. At FEMA, the President was joined by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Winnefeld as well as Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco, Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Richard Reed, and other senior members of the President’s team. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and USNORTHCOM Commander General Jacoby joined the briefing by phone.

On the call the President received an update from the National Weather Service, including a forecast on a coastal low pressure system that could be moving into the area in coming days, and spoke directly with a number of state and local officials, who also joined by phone, including Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as  Borough President’s and mayors from across the affected area. This conversation provided the President and his team another opportunity to discuss specific challenges with state and local leaders, including issues related to power generation, fuel challenges, and long term housing needs among others.

The President made clear that his Administration would continue to use all available resources to support the deployment of necessary assets, and directed his team to continue to focus on identifying and removing any barriers to the movement of these resources. On Thursday, following a conversation between the President and utility executives, the Department of Defense airlifted utility resources, including bucket trucks and other assets, from California to New York to support power restoration efforts. Yesterday, FEMA announced that the President directed the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to purchase up to 12 million gallons of unleaded fuel and up to 10 million gallons of diesel fuel for distribution in areas impacted by the storm to supplement ongoing private sector efforts.  This purchase will be transported by tanker trucks and distributed throughout New York, New Jersey and other communities impacted by the storm. This announcement followed a decision earlier in the day to provide a temporary blanket waiver to the Jones Act, to ensure tankers could move oil and refined gas to the New York area as quickly as possible. On today’s call, following a discussion of additional resources available to individuals impacted by the storm, the President also directed SBA Administrator Karen Mills to brief local officials directly on the low-cost loans available through the FEMA Disaster Declarations provided to eligible families.

The President thanked the state and local officials on the call for their hard work, and specifically praised the heroic efforts of the first responders still on the front lines, and told his team that continuing to surge all available resources was the administration’s top priority. The President closed by making clear he expected no letup in these efforts.

A full list of Administration travel taking place to affected areas today can be found below:

Today, following the briefing Administration officials will visit storm-damaged communities throughout the affected region, see response efforts first hand, and make sure that necessary resources are getting to state and local partners who are still responding and beginning recovery efforts. Secretary Donovan will visit public housing developments in the Rockaways and tour Breezy Point, New York, to hear from state and local officials and see first-hand the damage and recovery efforts there. Secretary Sebelius will visit with hospital workers, residents impacted by the storm, and local officials in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. Administrator Mills will join Governor Malloy and other state and local officials in Norwalk and Bridgeport, Connecticut, to meet with small business owners and other residents affected by the storm. Secretary Napolitano will travel to West Virginia and Long Island, New York to see response and recovery efforts underway. And Assistant to the President for Homeland Security John Brennan will join officials from FEMA, the Department of Transportation, and the Army Corps of Engineers to view impacted areas in Hoboken, Newark, and Jersey City, New Jersey, as well as Staten Island, New York.

Temporary Fuel Trucks Deployed Throughout NYC

Cars Can Fill Up Directly Off the Truck

Temporary fuel trucks will be deployed in key locations in New York City and Long Island in order to help provide gas to emergency vehicles and the general public.

The trucks are provided by the U.S. Department of Defense at the direction of President Obama and are being deployed in coordination with the New York National Guard at the direction of the Governor.

The 5,000 gallon trucks will be deployed throughout the morning and there are an additional 150,000 gallons of fuel available to restock the trucks throughout the day.

There is a 10 gallon limit per vehicle, and cars can fill up directly off of the truck.

The trucks will be sent to the following locations:

Queens Armory
93-05 160th St.
Jamaica, NY 11433

Bronx Armory
10 West 195th St.
Bronx, NY 10468

Brooklyn Armory
1579 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11225

Staten Island/Elizabeth Armory
321 Manor Road
Staten Island, NY 10314

Freeport Armory
63 Babylon Turnpike
Freeport, NY 11520

Image courtesy of http://www.clker.com.

80 Percent of New York Subway System Restored

MTA Working with Con Edison to Stabilize Power Load

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has restored 80 percent of the New York subway system including subway service between Brooklyn and Manhattan, restoring a vital transit link that was severed by Hurricane Sandy.

The 4, 5, 6 and 7 trains are fully restored. The Staten Island Railway will resume service hourly today, move to half hourly service later today, and will be fully restored in time for the Monday morning rush. 

The F, J, D and M will be fully functional by later this morning. 

“This is a major step forward in the resumption of regular subway service in New York City,” Governor Cuomo said.

“Once again, subway customers have a direct link between Brooklyn and Manhattan, giving them a fast and reliable way to get to their jobs, their schools and their homes.”

The resumption of service is made possible by Con Edison’s continued work to restore power to darkened sections of lower Manhattan. Engineers from the MTA and Con Edison worked together to plan an orderly restoration of power so the subway system would have an adequate supply of electricity without destabilizing the network.

“We have worked closely with Con Edison to bring back the subways as soon as possible without jeopardizing the progress they have made in restoring Manhattan’s electric grid,” stated MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota.

“Our dedicated workers are continuing to pump water, test signals and bring back more of the subway network that 5.5 million customers depend on each day.”

Governor Cuomo also announced that the MTA will be able to restore limited service on the Staten Island Railway as soon as Con Edison is able to supply power. The railway will initially run trains hourly.

Governor Cuomo earlier announced the MTA Metro-North Railroad would resume full train service Saturday morning on the Hudson Line from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central Terminal, completing the restoration of all main lines east of the Hudson River.

Obama, Romney Head Into Final Weekend of Campaigning

Sources:Sky NewsCBC NewsCNNCBSPBS WWMT
National JournalNew Yorker 

By Christina Hartman
Anchor: Candice Aviles

Video courtesy of Newsy.com

New York Marathon Cancelled

Sources:WNBCABCThe New York Times 

By Nathan Giannini
Anchor: Carissa Loethen

Video courtesy of Newsy.com

In Memoriam....Cpl. Alex F. Domion

Richfield Springs Marine Died in Helmand Province 

Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 in honor of a Richfield Springs Marine who died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on October 31, 2012.

Cpl. Alex F. Domion died as a result of a non-combat related incident. Domion was assigned to the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. The battalion is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. 

"I join with all fellow New Yorkers in mourning the loss of Cpl. Domion. New York sends its deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow Marines," Governor Cuomo said.

"As we honor his service and sacrifice, we are grateful for his dedication to our nation."

From The G-Man would like to take this opportunity to honor Cpl. Alex F. Domion, his love of country, and his service with the following video tribute. May he forever rest in peace.

Folded flag image courtesy of http://www.ussmtmckinley.com.

Photo courtesy of http://freedomremembered.com.

Video uploaded to YouTube by moderatepopulist

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available

Department of Labor Staff to Deploy to Disaster Areas to Register Impacted New Yorkers

Federal disaster unemployment assistance is now available to all New Yorkers who lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Disaster unemployment benefits are available to provide financial support to anyone who has lost their job and live or work in the Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties. 

This assistance will supplement New York’s existing unemployment insurance system and will expand eligibility to include individuals who might otherwise not be covered. 

The United States Department of Labor has committed to providing additional assistance if needed.

“The physical destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy has been terrible, and the resulting job losses can be even more painful for New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said.

“These federal funds will quickly provide financial assistance to those whose livelihoods have been upended. I urge impacted New Yorkers to apply as soon as possible.”

Department of Labor staff will be deployed to hard-hit communities to help register impacted New Yorkers for Disaster Unemployment Assistance in person.

Anyone unemployed due to Hurricane Sandy is immediately eligible and can submit a claim to the Department of Labor.

The criterion for collecting disaster assistance is broader than for collecting regular unemployment benefits. Specifically, an individual can collect disaster assistance in any of the following cases: 

Injured in the disaster and unable to work, whether the person is an employee or self-employed.

Workplace is damaged, or destroyed, or the person cannot work because of the disaster.

Transportation to work is not available because of the disaster.

Cannot get to work because must travel through the affected area, which is impossible due to disaster.

Planned to begin working, but cannot because of the disaster.

Derived most of income from areas affected by the disaster, and business is closed or inoperable because of the disaster.

Examples of self-employment include small business owners, independent taxi drivers, vendors, independent commercial fisherman, and farmers.

State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera stated, “These people want to work and are unable to because of circumstances far beyond their control. This money will directly help workers who have families to feed and bills to pay. Contact the Department of Labor and we will determine which program you qualify for.”

To apply for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance, those affected by the storm and have lost their job or income should call the Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124, or 1-877-358-5306 if they live out of state.

Applicants should answer the questions to indicate they lost their job due to Hurricane Sandy. In order to receive benefits you must apply by December 3, 2012.

Image courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com.

Environmental Group Praises Cuomo, Bloomberg for Climate Change Comments

"Governor and Mayor Did A Tremendous Job...." 

The following statement was submitted today by Rob Moore, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York, in response to recent comments made by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg on the impact of climate change in New York. 

“We cannot always know when or where a serious weather event will occur – or even what impacts such an event may have on our communities or environment – but we do know that we cannot wait until another disaster like Hurricane Sandy before our state takes action to fight climate change and modernize its aging infrastructure.

As Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg stated, climate change is contributing to increasingly erratic and unpredictable weather, and the probability for more severe disasters in the future is alarming.

At a time when public officials are dodging the issue of climate change or, worse yet, proudly displaying their ambivalence, we applaud our leaders for acknowledging a reality that is unequivocally supported by a preponderance of scientific knowledge: that our climate is warming, and that New York and the country will experience similar, if not more damaging, events more frequently in our future. 

The Governor and Mayor did a tremendous job in preparing New Yorkers in advance of Hurricane Sandy. Without their leadership there is no doubt the damage and loss of life could have been far more staggering. Now, as we look forward, past the recovery and reconstruction necessary in the aftermath of the past week’s tragic events, what will New York’s response be?

New York, and the nation as a whole, should see Hurricane Sandy as a symptom of the new ‘normal’ for dangerous storms on our rapidly warming planet. Action cannot wait.

Environmental Advocates of New York, and all New Yorkers, stand ready to work hand-in-hand with Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg to fight climate change, decrease our state’s contribution to this global problem, and keep our communities safe when the next super storm event comes knocking.”

Image courtesy of http://www.eany.org/.

Extensions Granted for DMV Renewals, Tax Filings and Payments

Extensions Also Granted for Local Governments to Meet Bond Payments to the Environmental Facilities Corporation

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced extensions for State Department of Motor Vehicles renewal deadlines for all driver licenses, learner permits, non-driver ID cards and vehicle registrations, as well as extensions for certain State Department of Taxation and Finance tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers directly affected by the storm, in response to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

In addition, the Governor also announced extensions for local governments to meet bond payments to the Environmental Facilities Corporation. 

“We are continuing to learn more about the extent of damage from the storm across New York, and state agencies are working hard to measure the needs of New Yorkers and local governments and to carry out response efforts,” stated Governor Cuomo.

“Therefore, providing extensions for deadlines such as license renewals and tax and bond payments means one less thing that New Yorkers impacted by the storm have to worry about.” 

DMV extends renewal deadlines due to Hurricane Sandy 

The State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced today that due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, all driver licenses, learner permits, non-driver identification cards and vehicle registrations scheduled to expire on or before Tuesday, November 13, 2012 are extended until Wednesday, November 14, 2012. 

This extension applies only to residents of New York City, and the counties of Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk. It does not apply to insurance coverage requirements. Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage must be maintained at all times during this extension period.

Vehicle inspections, which expire on the last day of the month, are not included in the extension. Also, all DMV hearings, including Traffic Violations Bureau hearings scheduled through Friday, November 2, 2012, in New York City, Nassau, Westchester and Suffolk counties, are being postponed. If you have a hearing scheduled, please do not appear at the hearing site.

You will be notified of a rescheduled hearing date by mail. For hearings scheduled on or after Monday, November 5, 2012, please check our web site for updates and additional information at http://www.dmv.ny.gov.

Motorists who cannot get to a DMV or may have forgotten to renew their vehicle registrations on time can print a temporary 10-day proof of registration when they renew their registrations online. This is one of several online services DMV offers.

By signing up for MyDMV, customers gain quick and easy access to a variety of personalized and secure online services without mailing in forms or making a trip to a local DMV office. For additional information, visit www.dmv.ny.gov.

Extended Tax Filing and Payment Deadline for Taxpayers

The State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the extension of certain tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers directly affected by the storm, in response to emergency conditions resulting from the hurricane. 

All 62 New York State counties are eligible for these extensions since Governor Cuomo had declared a state of emergency in New York and President Obama has authorized federal aid and assistance for the State. 

Deadlines have been extended to November 14, 2012. This covers filings and tax payments due during the period beginning October 26, 2012 and ending on or before November 13, 2012.

Additionally, the extension applies to all claims for refunds, including a protective claim associated with the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax. 

The Department’s website –  www.tax.ny.gov – has posted two new documents to provide guidance on these extensions:

Announcement Regarding Hurricane Sandy, N-12-11

Special Waiver of Highway Use Tax and IFTA credentials Related to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts, N-12-10.

New York State Tax employees have been staffing the Hurricane Sandy Helpline at (888) 769-7243, with more than 300 state employees taking calls right now.

Extended Bond Payment Deadlines for Local Governments 

The State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) announced today it will help the Orange County Village of Greenwood Lake and other communities affected by Hurricane Sandy to meet bond payments owed on municipal wastewater and drinking water projects.

EFC will help these communities to avoid potentially defaulting on their bond obligations by giving them an extra month to make their scheduled payments. Those payments were due yesterday, but EFC took steps necessary to advance those payments on behalf of the affected municipalities.

While many communities were able to make their payments on time, officials in Greenwood and other municipalities without power could not transfer the necessary funds. 

EFC is the arm of New York State government that helps communities pay for major investments in their drinking water and wastewater systems. As the administrator of the nation’s largest revolving funds for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, EFC has provided more than $12.5 billion in grants and loans for more than 1,550 water-quality projects throughout the state.

As municipalities repay these loans, those dollars are used for loans to new projects -- a true revolving fund. EFC issues bonds at AAA/Aaa rates to fund most of the projects it finances for municipalities, using the municipal repayments and investment earnings to repay bondholders.

New York State is known as a national leader in maximizing the federal and state funds that are allocated each year to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds.

EFC annually finances several hundred millions dollars of drinking water and wastewater projects, and has continuously developed state-of-the-art investment strategies to generate investment returns to expand the funds available for these projects.

EFC’s investment strategies were praised last year in a report by the Environmental Financial Advisory Board of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Unlike some other states, New York is using its revolving loan funds and its top credit ratings to help municipalities take advantage of today’s lower interest rates.

This year, EFC is refinancing more than $1.1 billion in local government debt, saving municipalities and local ratepayers more than $353 million over the next 20 years.

Image courtesy of http://clipart.edigg.com.

Westchester, Rockland Added to Disaster Declaration

(Click to on map to enlarge.)

Action Paves the Way for Federal Funding to be Provided

Westchester and Rockland counties have been added to the Major Disaster declaration. Both counties have been designated for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Category A and B, as well as DFA Direct Federal Assistance.

“Once again I would like to thank our partners in the federal government, especially President Obama, for their quick response to my request for assistance on behalf of Westchester and Rockland counties,” said Governor Cuomo.

“New York appreciates all the support we have received from Washington as we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy.”

Other counties included in the Major Disaster declaration include: New York, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Bronx, Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Due to the Major Disaster declaration, the federal government can send aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts due to Hurricane Sandy beginning on October 27, 2012, and throughout the recovery.

The action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the affected counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Image courtesy of http://www.ktrlighting.com.

600 Additional Troops Headed to Westchester and Rockland County to Aid in Power Restoration

At the direction of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York National Guard will deploy an additional 600 Citizen Soldiers to assist in the restoration of the electrical grid in Westchester and Rockland counties.

The Soldiers, assigned to the 42^nd Infantry Division, headquartered in Troy, will begin moving into their area of operations today and should start assuming missions this evening.

The new mobilization will bring the strength of New York National Guard forces deployed in response to Hurricane Sandy to over 3,400. More than 470 military vehicles are being used in operations on Long Island and in New York City.

The Soldiers will be based at the Camp Smith Training Site just north of Peekskill, where the National Guard has barracks, dining facilities, and maintenance facilities which can support the troops and their vehicles.

Approximately 100 of the Soldiers will form a command and control and logistics support center for the elements deployed in Westchester and Rockland. The other Soldiers will work with New York State Electric and Gas, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Consolidated Edison repair crews.

The Soldiers will be trained to identify downed power lines and properly mark them so that members of the public are not endangered as the repair process goes forward. Allocating Soldiers to this mission will free up utility employees to do the important technical work.

Initially about 100 Soldiers will be assigned to work with New York State Electric and Gas crews, while 160 will work with Consolidated Edison and 160 will work with Orange and Rockland. Other Soldiers will be prepared to handle missions as needed.

On Long Island 80 Soldiers already deployed will be tasked to assist the Long Island Power Authority with a similar mission.

Meanwhile the New York National Guard will continue to operate 13 food and water distribution stations in New York City. On Nov. 1 National Guard elements distributed 144,000 emergency meals to New Yorkers.

Cuomo Signs Executive Order to Suspend Restrictions for Gas Distributors

“This Executive Order Will Allow Distributors and Transporters to Bring Gas into Our State to Fill Shortages..."

Governor Andrew Cuomo last night signed an Executive Order to allow distributors and transporters to bring gasoline, diesel, and kerosene into the State of New York without having to meet the usual registration requirements, which can help alleviate the current gas shortages that are a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Currently, transporters and distributors must be registered with the State Department of Taxation and Finance. This Executive Order would temporarily suspend those registration requirements.

“This Executive Order will allow distributors and transporters to bring gas into our state to fill shortages now so that New Yorkers can get to their jobs, families, and homes as soon as possible,” Governor Cuomo said. 

Below is the text of the Executive Order:

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

Temporary Suspension of Provisions Relating to Motor Fuel Distribution and Transportation for the State Disaster Emergency

WHEREAS, on October 26, 2012 I issued Executive Order Number 47 declaring a disaster emergency in all 62 counties in the State of New York; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend specific provisions of any statute, local law, ordinance, orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof, of any agency during a State disaster emergency, if compliance with such provisions would prevent, hinder or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster, hereby temporarily suspend, for the period from the date of this Executive Order until further notice, the following laws:

Sections 282, 283 and 302 of the Tax Law, to the extent those sections require a person who imports motor fuel or diesel motor fuel to register as a distributor of motor fuel or as a distributor of diesel motor fuel; 

Section 283-a of the Tax Law, to the extent it requires a person to register as an importing or exporting transporter; 

Sections 285 and 285-a of the Tax Law, to the extent the requirements of these sections apply to motor fuel that is obtained from a person who is not required to be registered as a distributor of motor fuel by reason of this Executive Order; 

Section 285-b of the Tax Law, to the extent the requirements of this section apply to diesel motor fuel that is obtained from a person who is not required to be registered as a distributor of diesel motor fuel by reason of this Executive Order; 

Sections 286, 286-a, and 286-b of the Tax Law, to the extent the requirements of these sections apply to motor fuel or diesel motor fuel that is transported into or out of the State by a person who by reason of this Executive Order is not required to be registered as a distributor of motor fuel, a distributor of diesel motor fuel, or an importing or exporting transporter; and

Section 1134 of the Tax Law, to the extent that a person who by reason of this Executive Order is not required to register as a distributor of motor fuel or a distributor of diesel motor fuel is required to obtain a certificate of authority.

G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this first day of November in the year two thousand twelve.

BY THE GOVERNOR
Secretary to the Governor

Secretary Napolitano Issues Temporary, Blanket Jones Act Waiver

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

Measure Aims to Provide the Northeast with Access to Additional Fuel 

WASHINGTON— As a result of impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy, today Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act to immediately allow additional oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports, to provide additional fuel resources to the region.

“The Administration's highest priority is ensuring the health and safety of those impacted by Hurricane Sandy and this waiver will remove a potential obstacle to bringing additional fuel to the storm damaged region,” said Secretary Napolitano.

Secretary Napolitano's action immediately allows additional ships, that would otherwise be barred, to begin shipping petroleum products from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports, increasing the access to fuel in the storm damaged region. The waiver is operative through November 13^th.

The Administration is continuing to monitor the situation and is prepared to take additional actions as necessary to ensure that the energy needs of the region affected by Hurricane Sandy are met. 

West Wing Week: 11/02/12

This week, with the arrival of the historic Super Storm Sandy, the President worked alongside FEMA officials and the American Red Cross, addressed the nation and federal agencies on emergency preparedness and recovery, and visited with some of those affected by the storm.

With 4 Days Left in the Race, It's All About Ohio

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Nor'easter May Be on the Way

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Krueger: 'The Labor Force Rose By 578,000 People'

Alan B. Krueger

Statement on the Employment Situation in October

WASHINGTON, DC – Alan B. Krueger, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, issued the following statement today on the employment situation in October.

While more work remains to be done, today’s employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to heal from the wounds inflicted by the worst downturn since the Great Depression. It is critical that we continue the policies that are building an economy that works for the middle class as we dig our way out of the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession that began in December 2007. 

Most pressing, President Obama has proposed, and the Senate has passed, an extension of middle class tax cuts that would prevent the typical middle class family from facing a $2,200 tax increase at the beginning of next year. In addition, the President has proposed a plan that will enable responsible homeowners to refinance their mortgage and take advantage of today’s historically low interest rates. To create more jobs in particularly hard-hit sectors, President Obama continues to urge Congress to pass elements of the American Jobs Act, including further investment in infrastructure to rebuild our Nation’s ports, roads and highways, and assistance to State and local governments to prevent layoffs and to enable them to rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers.

Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that private sector businesses added 184,000 jobs last month, the biggest monthly gain in eight months.  Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 171,000 jobs in October. Revisions to the previous two months added another 84,000 jobs.  The economy has now added private sector jobs for 32 straight months, and a total of 5.4 million jobs have been added during that period, taking account of the preliminary benchmark revision. 

Over the last 12 months, the economy has added a total of 2.1 million jobs, as compared to 1.9 million over the preceding 12 months (apportioning the preliminary benchmark revision).

The household survey showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 7.8 percent in September to 7.9 percent in October, largely because more people entered the labor force.  The labor force rose by 578,000 people in October, and the labor force participation rate increased by 0.2 percentage point. The share of the population employed rose by 0.1 percentage point to 58.8 percent.  Over the last 12 months, the unemployment rate has decreased by 1.0 percentage point, as a result of growing employment.

According to the establishment survey, in October employment rose notably in professional and business services (+51,000), retail trade (+36,400), health care and social assistance (+32,500), restaurants and bars (+22,900), and construction (+17,000). Manufacturing gained 13,000 jobs, including gains in both durable goods (+5,000) and nondurable goods (+8,000).  The manufacturing sector has added jobs in 28 of the last 33 months, gaining half a million jobs over that period, the most for any such period since the mid-1990s.

Government lost 13,000 jobs, as federal government payrolls decreased by 6,000, state government payrolls decreased by 7,000, and local government payrolls were unchanged.

As the Administration stresses every month, the monthly employment and unemployment figures can be volatile, and employment estimates can be subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report and it is informative to consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming available.

(Click on graph to enlarge it.)

President Obama Campaign Event in Green Bay

Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush in Jacksonville, Florida

Air date: October 31, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke at a campaign event, saying America needed a “new course.” Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush also spoke, saying that President Obama was blaming his brother for the economy.  

Today in History: November 2nd

Highlights of this day in history: President Harry Truman wins re-election in an upset; South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem killed after coup; Howard Hughes flies his 'Spruce Goose'; Game show scandal rocks early TV; Singer k.d. lang born.

Top Newsy Headlines: 3.3 Million Without Power, Post-Sandy

Sources:HLNMSNBCCNNSky News 

By Nathan Byrne
Anchor: Logan Tittle

Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Secret Service Agent Dead of Apparent Suicide

Sources:Wikimedia CommonsWPECCNN
BBCCBS NewsPolitico 

By Nichole Cartmell
Anchor: Logan Tittle

Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Greek Journalist Charged with Privacy Violation Walks Free

Sources:euronewsGreek ReporterAl Jazeera
The GuardianWikimedia CommonsBBC 

By Zach Toombs
Anchor: Zach Toombs

Video courtesy of Newsy.com