PFIZER TO BUY OUT WYETH IN $68Bil DEAL by Ken Mahoney

PFIZER TO BUY OUT WYETH IN $68 Bil DEAL by Ken Maoney

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has agreed to a $68 billon dollar Pfizer buyout; a move that may threaten jobs at the company’s Pearl River factory. As Rockland’s largest private sector employer, Wyeth contributes 3100 jobs to the local economy. No one’s sure how many of those will be eliminated in Pfizer’s post acquisition plan to cut 15% of its workforce- that's a total of 19,000 positions. The takeover’s not expected to officially begin until late third quarter.

PATERSON TO ANNOUNCE SENATE PICK BY SATURDAY by Ken Mahoney

PATERSON TO ANNOUNCE SENATE PICK BY SATURDAY by Ken Mahoney

Meanwhile, Governor David Paterson says he will officially announce his pick to take Hillary Clinton’s senate seat sometime in these next three days. Caroline Kennedy and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo have been repeatedly named the key contenders for the prestigious position.

A recent Marist Institute Poll shows New Yorker’s favor the prospect of Cuomo over Kennedy 40 to 25 percent. Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Congressional Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Steve Israel have also expressed interest. The poll shows each of them receiving only single-digit approval ratings.

Tune into WRCR 1300am for updates

ROCKLANDERS GATHER TO WATCH BARACKOBAMA “MAKE HISTORY” by Ken Mahoney

ROCKLANDERS GATHER TO WATCH BARACK OBAMA “MAKE HISTORY” by Ken Mahoney

Eyes and ears were fixed on the nation’s capital yesterday as men, women and children across the county tuned in to watch history in the making. At noon, Illinois Senator Barack Obama took the Oath of Office, becoming the 44th U.S. President and our country’s first African-American Chief of State. It was an intergenerational experience for students at East Ramapo’s Summit Park Elementary School, whose parents and grandparents were invited into the classroom to watch the inauguration with their youngest family members.

Challenging Americans to pick themselves up and dust themselves off, Obama’s first words spoken as President were aimed at inspiring citizens to play an active role in the massive task of rebuilding our nation’s economy.

MORAHAN CRITICIZES NEW TAXES & FEES From ALBANY

MORAHAN CRITICIZES NEW TAXES & FEES From ALBANY

The Governor’s budget incorporates raising $6 billion in additional revenue from nearly ninety new or higher taxes on things like non-diet sodas, beer, wine, cigars, massages, haircuts, movie tickets, downloaded music and cable and satellite television services. Responding to the plan, Republican Senator Tom Morahan argues these kinds of taxes and fees should be the state’s last resort, not the first. Morahan contends the key to closing New York’s over $15 billion dollar budget gap lies in new job creation. Paterson yesterday also reiterated his call to the legislature to get the budget passed by March 1st, something that could save the state as much as $1.3 billion.

Reorganizational proceedings gave Democrats control of the Senate for the first time in over forty years.

Tappan Zee Tolls rise with new year

TZ TOLLS RISE WITH NEW YEAR

Those traveling the Tappan Zee Bridge are being asked to fork over more this New Year. As of yesterday, cash fares are up fifty cents to $5 dollars with the EZPass rate increased to $4.75. Commuters who travel the span twenty or more times each month have had their discounted toll rise by 50% to $3 dollars.