Why Do Pols and Lobbyist Steal From Member Items Funds?
Because They Can Get Away With It!
After a 4 year investigation DOI and federal investigators have yet to take action on the city council slush fund scandal. Can you imagine what councilmembers fell they can get away with. We are still paying for lawyers to protect them from investigators for all of them (Except recent elected) including David Weprin who is running for congress. DOI which could not find anything wrong with the Citytime contract until the feds arrested 6 of NYC consultants has not after 4 years been able to find out who controlled the city council slush fund. The city's DA's elected by the same county organizations as the council members have also not been able to find out which pols were looting the slush fund. The Court of Appeals who quickly ruled on how to grade teacher has not been able to rule on Normal Siegel lawsuit to get to the bottom of who in the council controlled and benefited from the the slush fund. * DOI: Cover Up(True News) * What Ever Happen to the City Council Slush Fund Investigation?(True News)
Member Items No Fault Looting
Pay to Play: Weprin Is Not the Only Pol Trading Member Items for Campaign Contributions
Turner Charged That Weprin was trading public dollars for campaign dollars while in the City Council. Turner points to a 2008 NY Sun article which says while on the council Weprin receive campaign contributions from organizations that he steer money to Turner Whacks Weprin On 2008 New York Sun Story* The Dishonor Roll - The Shame of New York(True News)
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5Weprin Consultant Parkside Also Made Millions Off of Member Items
Parkside's Evan Stavisky is The Modern Boss Tweed
In 2005 in a NYT article Dick Dadey executive director of Citizens Union expressed concern about what he called "a growing problem" of council members being lobbied by firms that serve as political consultants to many of them. "It clearly gives a lobbyist who does campaign work unfair advantage, because it gives them a level of access to the elected official that they otherwise would not have." In 2005 the Parkside was paid a total of $1.7 million by more than 40 clients last year, many of them nonprofit receiving member items from the city council. The Parkside Group, carved out a dual role in New York politics: as lobbyist for nonprofit groups seeking city money and as a political consultant to a dozen council members, including the speaker and the Finance Committee chairman, who have a major hand in approving budget requests from those same groups. Miller who became so close to Parkside after it helped him win his speaker post asked one of Parkside partners to help him hire a chief of staff. Did Parkside Get Funds from Millers Slush Fund? In 2004, Miller launched his ill-fated drive to become mayor right from Parkside's offices. Lobbyists' Role in Council Slush Fund Scandal Probed (City Sun 2008)
Councilman Weprin, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said he did not see a problem with Parkside's lobbying effort Weprin was a parkside client back then as he is now.
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6Bloomberg, Quinn and DOI Allowed the Corrupt Process of Campaign Consultants Workings As Lobbyists to Continue and Grow
Both Bloomberg and Quinn let the Conflicts of Interest Board withdraw a new guideline they both proposed that would have effectively prohibited the practice of a political consultant like Parkside doing any business with the city after they threatening to go to court. Who is kidding who? The Bloomberg administration never backs down from a lawsuit.
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5All the Mayor Candidate Are Receiving Campaign Contributions From Groups Getting City Money or Scamming the CFB System
Quinn and the Cheating Ring Run For Mayor in 2013
Porky nonprofits gave mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn $127G A Daily News review of campaign contributions to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn identified more than 200 contributions - totaling $126,789 - from the top employees of nonprofits slated to snag Council money from her this year. (NYDN)
Thompson in 2013 As Pension Fund Lagged, Contributions to Comptroller Thompson Grew(NYT) de Blasio in 2013 Six Council Campaigns, de Blasio Campaign, Discovered Using Working Families Staff, Resources In Test Of City Finance Limits (CHN) Liu in 2013 Liu wants to examine if Council pork is tied to campaign cash (NYP) * Liu Campaign Returns Some Potentially Problematic Contributions, Keeps Some Others(NYO) Stringer in 2013 Manhattan BP Scott Stringer's Hy-pork-racy Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer grabbed headlines last week by slamming the pork spending of city lawmakers - even though he's one of the big beneficiaries. (NYDN) Markowitz in 2013 Marty Markowitz Fined for Accepting Free Airfare for His Wife
The Weprin Zadroga Campaign
David Weprin, Bob Turner fight for seniors' vote(NYDN)
Bob Turner seemed to have made a critical error when he told the Daily News editorial board that the Zadroga 9/11 health law was "too broad" and shouldn't cover volunteers. The Democrats leapt on the comment, releasing a statement from Reps. Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, both of whom helped author the bill, saying Turner showed a "blatant disregard" for the health of 9/11 volunteers.
But a statement released by Turner's campaign from Rep. Pete King, another proponent of the bill and the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, seems to attempt to walk back Turner's earlier comment. "I helped write the Zadroga Bill and I've talked to Bob Turner about it at length," King said. "He has always supported Zadroga for volunteers, cops and firefighters alike." * Rep. Pete King, who “helped write the Zadroga bill,” defends Bob Turner after his controversial comment about the act being “too broad,” saying: “I’ve talked to Bob Turner about it at length. He has always supported Zadroga for volunteers, cops and firefighters alike.” * Weprin’s Tightrope Democrat party label is double-edged sword for congressional candidate in race to succeed Weiner. (Jewish Week) * NARAL for Weprin(TU) * Weprin Robos Off Turner 9/11 Comment To NYDN(NYDN) * NY-9: Turner keeps calling Weprin a "career politician." [Courtney Gross/ NY1] * NY-9: "[O]ne can only imagine how former Congressman Weiner will cast his vote. I suspect he will vote for Weprin." [Henry Stern / Huffington Post] * Bob Turner enlists Pete King to defend him over Zadroga Bill (The Brooklyn Politics)
54AD Accused Slumlord Still Bankrolling Espinal Run(NYDN)
When Does A Spike In Crime Officially Become An Increase?
Community meeting called for alarming spike in crime in Inwood(NYP)
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Subways: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
'Workhorse' Subway Line Gets Star Turn(WSJ) * MTA Has 99 Problems, But J/Z Ain't One(WSJ) * J/Z Line Tops Straphangers' Annual Report Card(NY1) * J/Z top of the lines for straphangers(NYP)
Staten Islanders worry the latest toll hike by the Port Authority will be disastrous to their economy. * E-ZPASS scofflaws are on the rise.
Special state commission should vote New York's judges a long-overdue raise -- but a reasonable one (NYDN Ed)
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UFT Wins in Court on Teacher Evaluations
"[P]ublic-school educators can't be deemed ineffective based only on the performance of their students."
For State Teachers’ Union, a Victory on Evaluations(NYT) * Teacher Tests Overhaul Goal Struck Down(WSJ) * Education Commissioner John King on why he’ll appeal a judge’s decision striking down the teacher evaluation system: “The notion that a teacher whose students show no academic growth or lose ground academically would be able to get a positive rating is highly problematic.” * Leo Casey of UFT says city lost a year of work on teacher evaluation while trying to eliminate seniority layoff protections.
More On Education
A Quiet First Day for an Upper West Side Charter School(NYT) * How to Fix Our Math Education(NYT) * State Supreme Court Sides With Teachers' Union On Evaluations(NY1) * Schools: "Our safeguards have clearly worked. A comprehensive search for cheating in 2009 by city Controller William Thompson came up empty." [Dennis Walcott / Daily News] * Bill Thompson predicts no contract with UFT -- or many other city unions -- until Bloomberg leaves office. * Merryl Tisch: NYC schools much better under Bloomberg, but not perfect, but who expects to go straight from failure to perfect? * Court Says Teacher Rankings Should Be Public(NYT) *Teacher Evaluations: UFT vows an appeal. [Sharon Otterman / New York Times] * Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott urged to investigate source of toxic contamination at P.S. 51
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Are NYFD Call Box Still Needed?
Still a City Fixture, Many Call Boxes Overstay Their Welcome(NYT)
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Schneiderman Says Lets Roll To the Big Banks
Labor unions and progressive groups are rallying around Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, after he was booted off a committee negotiating a nationwide mortgage settlement with the major U.S. banks(TU) While the NYP Attacks Slapping Schneiderman -arguing that the AG was scapegoating the banks for the financial crisis (NYP Ed)*Bumping Attorney General Eric Schneiderman from the committee negotiating a nationwide mortgage settlement with major U.S. banks may not have the desired effect.
Schneiderman took a public stance against prohibiting future investigations into potentially fraudulent mortgage practices by the banks, prompting Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller to accuse him of "undermining" the process. Joshua Rosner, a mortgage expert and managing director at independent research consultancy Graham Fisher & Co., said no settlement will go forward without New York's sign-on. "You can't have a 50-state settlement without 50 states being party to it," he said. In fact, booting Schneiderman may have the inadvertent effect of driving other state attorneys general to his cause, Rosner said: "That action that seems to have been petty, and it risks emboldening those AGs who are not inclined against the settlement to not go along." * Mortage Probe: Schneiderman's allies apply pressure to Iowa AG.* Mortgage Probe: Editors say Schneiderman is opposing the settlement deal because of politics. [NY Post] * Siding With Schneiderman(YNN) * Mortgage Probe: Americans for Financial Reform make the case for Schneiderman's resistance. [Jimmy Vielkind / Times Union] * Mortage Probe: Buffett will dump $5 billion into Bank of America. [Ben Protess and Susanne Craig / Deal Book] * One market watcher suggests that Warren Buffett’s $5 billion investment in Bank of America is in part because he thinks Schneiderman won’t win this fight.
Jobless Claims Rose Last Week; Verizon Strike A Factor(NPR) * 65% Say U.S. Is In A Recession...
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SEC Goes After Hydrofrackers
The Securities and Exchange Commission is asking oil and gas companies to provide it with detailed information about their use of hydrofracking, the Journal reports. Investors in the New York State pension fund are also pushing for enhanced disclosure of fracking operations:
Cig taxmen snuffed out The Cuomo administration, which has trumpeted its efforts to collect taxes on Indian cigarette sales, suspended four state investigators after they made an undercover cigarette buy on Long Island's Poospatuck Reservation to gather intelligence. The investigators were given no explanation or reason for their suspensions last week
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The Bronx Rap Against Gentrification
WATCH: 'Notorious PhD' and Fordham professor raps against gentrification in Bronx (NYDN) * City's most diverse nabe boasts immigrants from 51 nations in just 3 blocks(NYDN)
Apple CEO steps down, wants to serve as Chairman of the Board(NYP) * Jobs Steps Down at Apple, Saying He Can’t Meet Duties(NYT) * Without Its Master of Design, Apple Will Face Challenges(NYT)
Men With Powerful Ideas That Change America and the World
Apple's Steve Jobs Steps Down as CEO(WSJ) * Board Held Succession Under Wraps(WSJ) * Management Faces Task of Keeping Momentum(WSJ) * For Apple, the Future After Jobs(WSJ) * Steve Jobs' resignation as Apple CEO could be better for company in the long run (NYDN) * Thomas Edison 1847-1931 * Apple’s Steve Jobs Reshaped Industries(NYT)
Up and Down Day for Pataki Site(WSJ) * 2012: "Libby Pataki, who never craved limelight and who loves her life now, she’ll be supportive? Yes." [Cindy Adams / NY Post] * 2012: "There are now rumblings from Donald Trump, a former contender for the Republican nomination, that he may run as an independent. There are certain to be others." [Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen / WSJ]
Hurricane on path toward New York City and Long Island(NYP) * NYC lowers water level in reservoirs before storm(WSJ) * City Begins Storm Preps Ahead Of Irene's Arrival(NY1) * Queens Locals Uncertain About Evacuation Plans(NY1) * NYC Evacuation Zone Map(WNYC) *Bloomberg Updates City on Hurricane Plans(NYT) * MTA may close subway system if hurricane packs too big a punch(NYP) * Cuomo Declares State of Emergency as Hurricane Irene Approaches (NYO)
Cuomo has closed-press private phone hurricane briefing at 6. Bloomberg announces live televised hurricane briefing at 6:30. Zing!
Greenfield: TV News Says Irene Coming "World Ends"
Q from California: since NY local TV treats minor snowstorm as Martian invasion, how hysterical is coverage of Irene? Must be: "WORLD ENDS!"
California Earthquake Advice to New Yorkers
Californians offer New Yorkers earthquake survival tips. Tip No. 1: Don’t evacuate.
State Seeks Data on Pay of Leaders at Nonprofits(NYT)
Why not corporate patriotism for a change? If companies are given American rights, they should have loyalty to this country too By Ralph Nader (Chicago Tribune)
Resort at Aqueduct aims to 'wow' after October open(NY Metro)
Man climbs into woman’s Brooklyn apartment and tries to sexually assault her(NYP)* Brooklyn Assault Suspect Climbed Into Victim's Apartment(NY1)
Money Is Now at Fore of Strauss-Kahn Case(NYT) * After Strauss-Kahn, Fear of Rape Victim Silence(NYT) * DSK to do 'damage' if maid sues(NYP) * DSK: "The dismissal of the charges in no way means that Strauss-Kahn is innocent." [Leslie Crocker Snyder / Daily News] * DSK’s Lawyers Working on Bronx Strategy(NY Mag) * Strauss-Kahn gets passport back(NYP)
7-month-old handicapped baby thrown off roof by his own mother dies: cops(NYDN)
Law and Order
Search for Answers as a 2nd Stabbing Victim Dies(NYT) * Jail Imam Snared in Sting(WSJ) * Firefighter's earlier job was in home delivery cocaine service, feds say(NYDN) * AG Holder tells 9/11 relatives he's probing Murdoch for hacking(NYDN) * 24-year-old Bronx mom's wake brings anguish to family(NYDN) * Dad: Lonely stab-rampage killer hated NY(NYP) * ‘Spidey’ sex perv(NYP) * Tragic dealer a golden target(NYP) * Kelly: Off-duty cop charged with rape eyed in other sex attacks(NYP) * Police Dept. Reviews Unsolved Rapes for Ties to Officer(NYT) * Thugs rob pregnant woman in Midtown building(NYP)
Terrorism NY Muslims feel targeted despite alliance promise(WSJ) * Investigative report on the NYPD's counterterror unit should help New Yorkers sleep a bit sounder(NYDN Ed) *Judge Suppresses Statements in Arms Trial(NYT) * 9/11 Widow praises memorial site: He's at peace as WTC rises(NYDN) * NYPD accused of using spy tactics (NY Metro) * NYPD has shadowy spy guys
Found In Gaddafi Compound: Photo Album Filled With Images Of Condi Rice
The Super PAC's Take Over
The Influence Industry: ‘Candidate super PACs’ surge ahead in the 2012 money race (Washington Post)
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7 911 Families Call On Holder to Investigate Hacked Phone Messages
"Holder called the prospect of hacking 'disgusting' and 'unconscionable.'"
A group of 9/11 families are urging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to expand his investigation into allegations that News of the World reporters hacked their phone messages, the Wall Street Journal * AG Holder tells 9/11 relatives he's probing Murdoch for hacking(NYDN) * Attorney General To Investigate Whether 9/11 Families Were Hacked(NY1) * 9/11: Editors urge Bloomberg to allow clergy to pray at anniversary ceremony, noting he's had clergy at his own inauguration. [NY Post] * What Happened to All That Money Donated to 9/11 Charities?(NY Mag) * AP IMPACT: Some 9/11 charities failed miserably
