New York City briefs

Lawmakers press to stop MTA fund 'sweep'

A group of state lawmakers from New York City is pressing for a budget that keeps Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo from moving $40 million out of a fund dedicated to MTA operations.

The lawmakers joined the Riders Alliance transit advocacy group yesterday to present a letter signed by 30 state Assembly members criticizing the $40 million "sweep" and asking that the money be restored when the legislature passes its budget.

Cuomo's executive budget takes "surplus" money from a pot of dedicated revenue called the Metropolitan Mass Transit Operating Assistance fund to pay down interest from MTA-related debt.

"The dedicated taxes should go to help mass transit and further the purpose of mobility by subway and bus and rail," said Assemb. Jim Brennan (D-Brooklyn). Assembs. Michael DenDekker and Nily Rozic of Queens, Richard Gottfried of Manhattan, and Brennan said riders are still smarting from bus cutbacks in 2010 and fare hikes.

"The only way to keep service quality up and fares down is with dedicated funding," Rozic said.

Arrest of mother of critically injured boy

A Brooklyn mother is accused of severely beating her 2-year-old son with a bamboo stick, authorities said. Prosecutors said Yayun Weng, 27, was arrested after she brought her son, Ryan Gao, to a hospital on Thursday.

Authorities said doctors called police after seeing bruises over the boy's body, numerous bite marks and swelling. The boy was listed in critical condition Saturday at Maimonides Medical Center.

Weng pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Saturday on charges of assault, menacing, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. She's being held on $50,000 bail and is due in court Thursday.

African Burial Ground closure extended

The wintry weather is keeping the outdoor memorial at the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan closed.

The National Park Service said "the unusually cold and snowy weather" is keeping the memorial closed through March 31. The original closure started Nov. 17 and was supposed to end today. Any visitors to the site will be able to access the indoor visitor center.

Bronx man shot by police in gun incident

A Bronx man was in stable condition after being shot and wounded by police when he was seen pointing a gun at people, authorities said.

Three officers were in a Bronx restaurant about 7:30 p.m. Saturday when they heard a disturbance outside. When they went to investigate, they saw a man pointing a gun at three other people.

Authorities said the officers ordered the man to drop the weapon and chased him when he fled. Officials said the man, 22, turned and fired at police, and one officer fired his gun. The man was hit in the leg but continued to run. He was taken into custody a short distance away. The man faces several charges including criminal possession of a weapon.

SUNY reopens bidding on hospital

The State University of New York has requested new bids by March 19 for financially troubled Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, with a minimum price of $210 million for the facility and property.

A state court last week approved a settlement agreement that included the accelerated bidding process and allows SUNY to stop operating the hospital by May.

State officials say LICH has been losing an "unsustainable" $13 million a month, an amount they want to stop subsidizing.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has said proposals for the future of the hospital must ensure that the health care needs of the community are met.

SUNY said bid evaluations will be done by March 26, and proposals "containing the most comprehensive suite of health care services" are eligible for higher scores.

Compiled with

wire service reports