E-RATE RIP OFFS

The feds are rooting out fraud in the e-rate program–starting with New York City.

BUDGET FOIBLES

HUD wants Public Housing Authorities to ignore “rumor and misinformation” about the 2003 budget.

SPREAD THE BLAME

HUD’s new “lending accountability” rule holds lenders responsible for the appraisals they submit.

RAPID CREDIT

A growing number of tax filers are claiming their EITC through high-cost “rapid refund” services.

INVESTMENT IN JUSTICE

The city’s pension funds last week pressured a handful of Fortune 500 companies to enforce policies forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation–or face losing their investments.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

As small businesses and street vendors try to compete with the big guns in Harlem, the Bloomberg administration considers including local merchants in a new commercial development on 125th Street–and community residents plan to hold the mayor to it.