Monday, June 4, 2012

NY Pols Ignor Loss of Middle Class Jobs as They Use Minimum & Living Wage Increase As Their Reelection Tool

Pols and Reporters Hail Return of Jobs to NYC What They Do Not Tell You is The Jobs That Are Coming Back Are Low Paying
Pols Jobs Hustler Game

On NY jobs, hold the applause(NYP Ed)  The jobs created in the city — about two-thirds of all statewide — aren’t dispersed evenly across skill levels. They’re going to high-skill/high-salary occupations and low-skill/low salary workers — not to middle-skill levels. So, financial-analyst and maid positions are being filled, while middle managers appear to be vanishing. That’s troubling news.* Tourists Drive Retail Surge in Manhattan(WSJ) * How bad was Friday's economic news? "Pretty awful … The economy needs to generate at least 125,000 jobs per month just to keep up with population growth." [Associated Press] * Extended unemployment benefits for 750,000 New Yorkers will begin expiring this week. (NYP)


NY's Traditional Middle Class Escape From Poverty is No Longer Working . . .  Albany Distracts and Tricks With Minimum & Living Wage Increase Promises
How Much Can $1.25 Change Someone’s Life? (City and State) Minimum-wage jobs are growing in New York, amid a fight in Albany over whether to raise the floor from $7.25 an hour to $8.50. But whether New York’s low-wage workers get an extra $1.25 per hour has little to do with how badly they need it—or even with what economists, business owners and voters say they want—and everything to do with politics in Albany.  The timing of Silver’s proposal was auspicious—minimum wage is an issue that Democrats use to win campaigns. The proposed minimum-wage hike has the broadest approval of any legislative measure in recent history, with 79 percent of statewide voters and 61 percent of Republicans in favor of an increase.*Politics surrounding the living wage legislation is heavily involved in the 2013 mayoral race.
4 
5
First Finger Printing, Now Pot Arrests, Cuomo Moving to Be More Involved In the City's Government
Cuomo Seeks Cut in Frisk Arrests(NYT) Cuomo plans to ask legislators for a change in New York State law that would drastically reduce the number of people who could be arrested for marijuana possession as a result of police stop and frisks. * Gov: Ease up on pot busts (NYDN)*  Cuomo Pushes Pot Decriminalization to Fight Stop-and-Frisk(NY Mag) * Andy: Slash pot arrests(NYP) * Cuomo is wading into the stop-and-frisk debate and again putting himself at odds with Mayor Bloomberg by calling for the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view. The NYPD made 50,684 arrests last year for possession of a small amount of marijuana. [Bill Hutchinson] * Report: Cuomo Wants State To Lessen Penalty For Small Amounts Of Marijuana (NY1) * Bloomberg Backs Plan to Limit Arrests for Marijuana(NYT) * Gay Rights Groups to Join Others in Condemning Stop-and-Frisk(NYT) * Ray Kelly To Attend Cuomo Presser In Support(YNN) * John Liu wrote an op-ed against stop-and-frisk. * NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly called Cuomo’s plan a “balanced approach.”

What About Medical Marijuana?
Cuomo: Medical marijuana unlikely this session




Boyland Fakes Travel Reimbursements While Under Indictment
Albany expense probe has Brooklyn Democrat William Boyland traveling under a cloud (NYDN) Boyland already indicted on federal bribery charges and now faces accusations of claiming false travel reimbursements. Boyland, Jr. is under investigation by the State Comptroller and Albany County District Attorney on grounds he claimed taxpayer-funded reimbursement of false travel expenses.Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland Jr., already under indictment on federal bribery charges, is now being investigated by Albany County DA David Soares and state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli for allegedly claiming taxpayer-funded reimbursement of bogus expenses.* Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is auditing Assemblyman William Boyland’s expense claims, Ken Lovett writes. (DN)
Ex Journalist Says NYDN Should Give Credit to Reporter That Broke the Story

C'mon, , would it kill you to acknowledge that and broke the Boyland travel expenses story? story said it had been previously reported. The investigation part is new You and I both know "previously reported" means "We can't bring ourselves to give credit.
I'm not getting into a twitter war with you Adam. No war. I'm just sticking up for my old team.

 
Election 2012  Rep. Towns Backs Barron As Successor(WSJ) Rep. Edolphus Towns is endorsing City Councilman Charles Barron against Hakeem Jeffries in the race to succeed him, despite his often harsh criticism of Barron in the past * Reform group with ties to Mayor Bloomberg supports a critic of the mayor in Brooklyn congressional primary  New educational reform group StudentsFirstNY, which is headed by former Bloomberg administration lobbyist Micah Lasher, is launching a six-figure independent expenditure campaign in support of Hakeem Jeffries’s congressional bid   (NYDN) Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries gets nod from StudentsFirstNY* Dov Hikind is quite unhappy with Towns’ decision. * A slew of potential challengers have the potential to emerge in the next day or so. * David Storobin spent more on his campaign than he’ll make in the State Senate. Gatemouth suggested Noach Dear is on the verge of running for the State Senate. * Kirsten Gillbrand will be on Top Chef today. * Rep. Bob Turner expects turnout for the three-way GOP US Senate primary on June 26 to be “abysmal” – somewhere in the 200,000 voter range.* Rep. Charlie Rangel said he signed a plea deal with House ethics investigators because of pressure from party leaders, and that the whole investigation into him was illegal. A memo from the committee's former chief counsel said Republicans were improperly given overly negative info about Rangel. [Sam Roberts] * heads up: new GOP member Storobin getting sworn in at 2:45 p.m. *So Much Money, So Little Time (C&S) * Time running out on campaign finance reform * Dean Skelos Welcomes New York’s Newest State Senator [Video] * Jeffries Campaign Not Impressed With Charles Barron’s Latest Endorsement(NYO) * Ed Towns Promises to Devote Whole Organization to (Moderated) Charles Barron(NYO) * Primary For Meng’s Assembly Seat?(YNN) * After a Long Wait, Ed Towns Endorses Former Rival Charles Barron(C&S) * As Petitioning Nears, Some Troubles For The Senate Democrats on Long Island(C&S) * Tom Duane is expected to support Brad Hoylman for his seat. * Buzzfeed says Mr. Barron could be “the most outrageous member of Congress.” * Rep. Charlie Rangel’s Washington Heights campaign office has a troubled history.




 




Champion of Gay Rights to Leave New York State Senate(NYT)With Manhattan State Sen. Tom Duane announcing his retirement last night, rumors are already circulating about who will run for his coveted West Side seat -- and petitioning begins on Tuesday. One name that has emerged already is that of Brad Hoylman, the senior vice president and general counsel for the Partnership for New York City, who had been planning to run for term-limited Council Speaker Christine Quinn's seat. Hoylman, who did not return a request for comment, is thought to have a strong chance at getting Duane’s backing. Meanwhile, Hoylman’s potential opponent in that Council race, Community Board 4 chairman Corey Johnson, is also getting some encouragement to run, sources said. Another person interested is said to be Joe Belluck, a prominent and affluent attorney who is a SUNY trustee. (Belluck heads a law firm for which Senate Minority Leader John Sampson serves "of counsel.") And Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, who would not have to give up her seat to run, is another logical potential candidate, as are Assemblyman Brian Kavanaugh and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick. Other elected officials in the area include Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who has been planning to run for Manhattan borough president, and Councilman Dan Garodnick, who is running for New York City comptroller. (City and State)

DiFiore Ethics Accusations a Product of Bitter Feud, Rockland County Lawmaker SaysDiFiore Ethics Accusations a Product of Bitter Feud, Rockland County Lawmaker Says(C&S)







 5
5
5
DN Tell DA Hynes to Walk the Walk on Child Abuse
Brooklyn DA is talking the talk on enablers of child abuse in ultra-Orthodox community (NYDN Ed) But Charles Hynes must walk the walk as well.   The Daily News is unsympathetic to Brooklyn D.A. Charles Hynes’s pleas of difficulty as the reason for his failure to successfully prosecute sex crimes in the Orthodox Jewish community * B'klyn ADA suspended after incident in Queens (NYP)





The MTA already rates subway stations

MTA comes clean on rating stations(NYDN)


 

 

 

 

PA Pay to Play Bid Rigging
Port Authority chief of security ousted amid bid probe (NYP) PA’s security chief axed for $ecret talks * Port Authority Security Chief Louis Barani was ousted after he was found to be secretly discussing lucrative contracts with vendors

 

 

Will Mike Bloomberg buy the New York Times? 
The Mayor of Mayors (NY Magazine) What Michael Bloomberg is going to do for his next act * Bloomberg turned down a job offer to head the World Bank. Funding projects in cities across the nation and the globe as a sort of uber-mayor with deep pockets – has already started, albeit quietly. Bloomberg thinks Sulzberger is a bad businessperson. He told a friend Arthur is a "lightweight."

 


 
Mayor Bloomberg: “Probably a lot of calories in a BLT when you put as much mayonnaise on it as I do.”  * Celebs take sides in mayor's war against soda(AM NY) * Despite undergoing heart surgery in 2000 and taking aim at trans-fats, salt and now big sugary drinks, Bloomberg still enjoys a mayo-laden BLT now and then.* George Will: "What Bloomberg is saying is, the government helps with your health care, the government is implicated in your health, therefore, we own you. Therefore, the government can fine-tune all the decisions you make pertinent to your health." [This Week] * Big Sugary Drinks Yield Big Waistlines - Michael Bloomberg, USA Today



 4
5
City Hall Budget Cuts
Queens Library battles budget cuts(NYDN)




4
4

9/11 FDNY firefighter with full pension becomes asst. chief of LI fire dept.(NYP)




Gambling Group Gave $2 Million to a Cuomo Ally(NYT)

Las Vegas New York: Pig City for Lobbyists and Campaign Contributions
Cuomo’s best bet for NYC casinos: Vegas, baby! (NYP) A Who’s Who of big-name Las Vegas gambling companies is lining up to replace the Genting company as builder/operator of a huge new convention center/megacasino complex in New York City. Las Vegas casino operators such as Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts and Sands Las Vegas have told Cuomo Administration operations director Howard Glaser they want to run a megacasino in New York City * Skelos Says Lawmakers Have Role In Casino Siting(YNN) * Cuomo Explains Racinos Versus Casinos In The Most Seussian Way Possible(YNN) * Cuomo Is ’100 Percent Against’ Co-Location Of Casinos And Racinos(YNN) * Dashed Hopes in Queens as Convention Plan Falters(NYT)




5
5
Education

For Bronx Private School, All the City’s a Classroom in an Experiential Course(NYT) *  Our schools for scandal(NYP) * Dennis Walcott would really like to be able to fire teachers accused of sex crimes. * Administrator Fined for Taking 75 Theme Park Tickets Given to School








Finally FDR Memorial

Roosevelt Rises, at Last(WSJ) The city is about to get its first Louis I. Kahn structure, a memorial to President Franklin Roosevelt that will occupy the southern tip of Roosevelt Island.

 



From Morrisania to Williamsburg, How the City Has Changed in 70 Years(NYT)




Timothy Cardinal Dolan blasts NYT over report he authorized payments to pedophile priests(NYP) Cardinal Timothy Dolan refuted reports that he once paid off priests abusing children in Wisconsin after mass yesterday,





The M.T.A. and Fairness (NYT Ed) In a case that should have been settled long ago, the M.T.A. has agreed to end its discriminatory uniform policy that targeted Sikh and Muslim employees.










HBO host buys minority share of Mets(NYP) * Mets induct John Franco into team's Hall of Fame(WSJ)











The Making of A President 2012: NYC ATM
Obama Campaign Debuts Sarah Jessica Parker Ad During MTV Movie Awards *   With Boos and Solyndra, Romney Plays Offense(NYT) * Democratic faith see waning support for Obama(WSJ) * Despite his rising favorability ratings, he still trails behind Obama with young voters(Politico) * Guy Molinari on Donald Trump’s birtherism: “People don’t want to hear about that crap.”* California will be testing a new kind of nonpartisan primaries tomorrow. * itt Romney lacks a Karl Rove-like adviser and instead advises himself. * Obama outspends Romney online.* Poll: Romney’s favorables continue to rise, but Obama still more popular:(TPM) * President Obama and former President Bill Clinton are raising campaign cash in NYC today. It’s the second time the duo has appeared together at a fundraiser during this campaign cycle. *  Obama releases new TV ad attacking Romney's Massachusetts record (Huff Post) * One day after Obama senior adviser David Axelrod said the president is running a positive campaign, the re-election operation launched another negative spot on Mitt Romney, attacking his record as Governor of Massachusetts. * Tomorrow’s gubernatorial recall vote in Wisconsin has become a proxy for the national election. * According to a BuzzFeed analysis of campaign finance data, 88 percent of the people who gave $200 or more to the Obama campaign in 2008 – 537,806 people – have not yet given that sum this year.* Romney's favorability spikes 14 points, but he still trails Obama(PR Wire) * Obama has avoided the election to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin. [Jeff Zeleny] * Meet 2 Obama bundlers given ambassadorships that didnt turn out so well. our ABC News/Yahoo! News digital show(ABC) * Game On! 2012 Battle Lines Are Drawn - Cannon & Bevan, RealClearPolitics * This Republican Economy - Paul Krugman, New York Times * Obama Offers Nothing But Excuses - Charles Gasparino, New York Post * Future of Unions at Stake in Wisconsin Recall - Juan Williams, The Hill * What to Expect If Walker Wins - John Fund, National Review Online * Walker Recall Battle May Hurt Obama - Jeff Zeleny, New York Times * Europe's Grim Choices - Robert Samuelson, Newsweek * Why Obama Should Keep Attacking Bain - Peter Beinart, The Daily Beast * This Sure Isn't the McCain Campaign - Joseph Curl, Washington Times * Can This Campaign Be Constructive? - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post* Obama Makes Fundraiser Swing Through City Today (NY1) * Herman Cain To Replace Neil Boortz On Radio  * Two new polls show tight race in Wisconsin recall between Walker, Barrett(NYP)* President Obama’s campaign told his supporters to relax about that poor poling. *Mitt Romney’s campaign is using Utah as a volunteer base for neighboring swing states * Senior Obama advisor David Axelrod said it would be an “insult to hispanics” if Mitt Romney made Marco Rubio his vice presidential pick. * Bill Clinton says a Romney presidency would be “calamitous” for “the world.” *  First Lady Michelle Obama will host a fundraiser at The Pierre Hotel on Wednesday. (Her husband is in NYC tonight, co-hosting a fundraiser with former President Clinton).* The RNC released a web video slamming Obama for featuring Vogue editrix Anna Wintour in his ”glitzy” campaign video on the same day bad job numbers came out. * Wintour is pressuring her fellow fashinistas to raise money and/or contribute to Obama, urging them to attend a a June 14th event being hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker.* The Senate Democrats have issues on Long Island.


Merrill Losses Were Hidden Before Bank of America Merger(NYT)


Law and Order





Man Wanted For Attempted Kidnapping By Queens School(NY1) * Cops hunt man in attempted kidnapping of 7-year-old outside (NYDN)* Suspect Sought in Queens Kidnapping Attempt(NBC)






Police Release Sketch Of Brooklyn Sexual Assault Suspect(NY1)







Asleep at the Laptop (NYT) U.S. Attorney Prett Bharara U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara warns in the New York Times about the growing threat of cybercrime and how he thinks businesses can prepare against it: