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Pension Investigation
New York Is Investigating Advisers to Pension Funds(NYT)
Benjamin Lawsky, the state’s financial services regulator, wants to know
if any advice is clouded by incentives or conflicts of interest.
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Rangel Race 2014
Rev. Calvin Butts convened closed-door meetings with community and clergy leaders in Harlem in preparation for challenging Rep. Charles Rangel, with Rev. Michael Walrond, Al Sharpton’s protégé, also considering a run, the Daily News reports: * In a chat with reporters, Rangel gave himself credit for Harlem’s rebirth, saying he played a major role in creating the Harlem Empowerment Zone, which funneled $300 million in federal, city, and state funds to upper Manhattan and the Bronx, the Daily News writes:
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Sunday's True News
de Blasio Pushing Melissa Mark-Viverito for Speaker
De Blasio pushes East Harlem Councilwoman as next speaker(NYP) Bill de Blasio is aggressively pushing East Harlem Councilwoman
Melissa Mark-Viverito as the council’s next speaker, two Democratic
insiders revealed. “Through back channels, his staff meets with council members,” one
operative said. “They just lay out the situation: He’d like her to be
the speaker. He thinks she’d be best.” Daily News Back the Winner, Even Though They Don't Agree With Him
Ask de Blasio to Get Rid of Ideology for Pragmatism
To paraphrase his hero LaGuardia, there is no progressive way to pick up the garbage. The great imperative is that de Blasio — who calls himself a progressive — must trade ideology for pragmatism starting on day one, when New Yorkers will demand much more than earnest intentions. The silly season of vowing to exile carriage horses as a first order of business — a pledge that would likely lead the city’s herd to the slaughterhouse — is over. Big doses of reality will soon force de Blasio to act on tough issues that he smiled past in the campaign and to revise ill-considered stances.
The NYP is Fighting the Cold War with de Blasio
The hottest question on Tuesday’s ballot is a state constitutional
amendment that would authorize up to seven full-fledged casinos in New
York. On balance, Proposition One deserves support. If New Yorkers are going to gamble anyway, they might as well keep any potential revenues in their home state.
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How the Marathon Started
Thank You George Spitz for the 5 Boro Marathon . . . The Man Everyone Forgot
Marathon Miracle(Newsday 1996) Famed race had humble beginning
George Spitz, then working as state auditor, confirmed that he had gone
to Percy Sutton, then Manhattan borough president, with the five-borough
proposal. But Spitz humbly added that "Harry Murphy had thought of the
idea years before. Harry is dead now; he was a runner who finished third in
the Queens Marathon in 1948."* New York City Marathon returns Sunday -- with revamped security. * BREAKING - NYC marathon dominated by Kenyans: Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo win men’s, women’s titles .________________________________________________________________________________
More Moreland Crap
Is Transparency of Corruption Enough to Reform the BOE?
Board of Dereliction (NYDN Ed)
The state's elections panel desperately needs a thorough fumigation. Gov. Cuomo’s
anti-corruption commission has finally done real good — by exposing the
state Board of Elections as the do-nothing patronage dump that it is. Under three hours of sharp questioning at a public hearing, three
sad-sack board officials admitted that they have opened just six
investigations since 2008, and only one since 2009. That their sole staff investigator — who has since quit — resorted to
playing solitaire at his desk after begging for work and being given
none. That the board waited two years to probe a serious allegation of voting fraud— then dropped the case after losing a boxful of records. That the board’s former chief enforcement counsel ducked a subpoena to testify by retiring and moving out of state.* Corrupting Influence of Money and Lobbyists in NY(Video)* AND A WARNING SHOT — Legislators threaten probe of Cuomo lieutenant — Post's Fred Dicker: Members of Klein's Independent Democratic Conference, as well as Democrats who dominate the Assembly, may ask the state's ethics watchdog JCOPE to probe Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy's dealings with the Rochester Business Alliance, and seemingly contradictory statements by him and others. http://goo.gl/fRdCB) * Assembly’s Moreland Law Firm’s Role Defined(YNN) * * The law firm representing the Assembly in its dealings with the Moreland Commission on Public Ethics has broad parameters, including assisting in writing potential legislation, State of Politics reports:
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Gambling
Gambling
Strange Anti-Gambling Team
The unlikely duo of Democratic state Sen. Liz Krueger and state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long plan to begin an outreach campaign opposing a ballot measure that would expand casino gaming in the state,Casino Opposition Comes Together(WSJ) * ‘Vote With (Mario) Cuomo, Vote No On Prop. 1′ A new ad released today by the Committee Against Proposition 1 quotes Mario Cuomo calling casino gambling “economically regressive to a state and a community” and a mechanism to merely redistribute wealth, not generate it. The former governor wrote those words in “The New York Idea: An Experiment in Democracy,” which was published in 1994 – the year he lost his bid for a fourth term to a little-known Republican state senator named George Pataki.* Developers Vie to Build New Casinos in Catskills(NYT) * Casinos’ ugly impact(NYP Ed) * Atlantic City casinos say their property values are dropping and they are seeking lower taxes * Lessons from Atlantic City Part Deux(YNN) * Las
expansion amendment.* Ferrer Robocall:Casinos A ‘Win-Win For Our Community’(YNN) * NY Jobs Now Rakes In Out-Of-State Cash(YNN).
.________________________________________________________________________________
This Who Thing is for 3 Old Judges
*Measure would let three NY Supreme Court judges to serve past 70(NYDN)
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Mayoral Race
Daily News Says Next Mayor Should Appeal Stop and Frisk
Rudy: De Blasio should apologize to NYPD for 'libelous' racial profiling accusations(NYDN)
The graphic artist who put this picture together does not think much of Lhota or Rudy
de Blasio
De Blasio abdicates(NYDN Ed) Rudy Giuliani is right. Bill de Blasio is wrong. The next mayor is duty-bound to appeal the stop-and-frisk ruling that branded the NYPD guilty of widespread unconstitutional civil rights violations.* Despite Stance, de Blasio, if Elected, Could Find a Police Monitor Intrusive(NYT) * Lhota’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Exposed on 9/11(NYT) * De Blasio Attends "Get Out The Vote" Rallies Ahead Of Tuesday's Election (NY1) * Will a Taxi-Friendly De Blasio Administration Hurt Transportation Apps? (NY Mag) * Anti-Trash Station Democrats Rally for Lhota (NYO) * Pro-de Blasio Labor PAC Poll Has Him Beating Lhota by 50 Points(DNAINFO) * Bill de Blasio's Next Big Challenge: Mornings (NY Mag)
Working Families Party
Working Families Party the big winner from a de Blasio victory (NYP)
Low Ratings of Final Debate
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Brooklyn DA
Convicted Bklyn Boss Norman Not Only Got Even With Hynes Who Put Him in Jail Primary Night He Also Got Even With Political Consultant Scott Levinson Who Testify Against Norman in His Extortion Trial
Hynes Faces Tough Road in Brooklyn District Attorney Race(NYT)
Political Consultant Tells of Party Boss Norman’s Demands(Brooklyn Eagle) A political consultant with a strategically selective memory echoed the testimony of earlier prosecution witnesses yesterday in the ongoing coercion trial of former Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Clarence Norman Jr. Scott Levinson, of the political consulting firm Advance Group, had been hired by incumbent Civil Court Judge Karen Yellen to produce campaign literature, take part in meetings with party officials and provide general advice to her re-election campaign in the 2002 primary. On the stand, Levinson was able to recall in precise detail the meeting at which Norman is alleged to have coerced Yellen’s campaign into paying for efforts he believed were not in her best interest, under the threat that she would lose the party’s endorsement if she were noncompliant. Friends of Joe Hynes paid Levinson's Advance Group $600,000 during the primary. There have been no payments to Advance in the General. In a one week period CrainsNY wrote several stories how Advance Used PAC to help it private clients and in some race support more then one candidate in a race. There have no articles by CrainsNY in two weeks.* Charles Hynes Closing Campaign With Musical Score(NYO) *@eldiariony endorses @KenThompson4DA for #BrooklynDA, slams @HynesForDA on wrongful convictions, disgraceful campaign http://bit.ly/1cC7Ncv\ * Police union gives to Ken Thompson, despite their differences * Hynes in fight for political survival(NYDN)
de Blasio Like the La Guaria Management Style
De Blasio as Manager: Delegating, Yet Keeping a Tight Leash
Stop and Frisk Ruling and de Blasio
Court’s Stop-and-Frisk Ruling Could Hamper de Blasio if He Is Elected Mayor(NYT)
Mayoral Race
Daily News Says Next Mayor Should Appeal Stop and Frisk
Rudy: De Blasio should apologize to NYPD for 'libelous' racial profiling accusations(NYDN)
The graphic artist who put this picture together does not think much of Lhota or Rudy
de Blasio
De Blasio abdicates(NYDN Ed) Rudy Giuliani is right. Bill de Blasio is wrong. The next mayor is duty-bound to appeal the stop-and-frisk ruling that branded the NYPD guilty of widespread unconstitutional civil rights violations.* Despite Stance, de Blasio, if Elected, Could Find a Police Monitor Intrusive(NYT) * Lhota’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Exposed on 9/11(NYT) * De Blasio Attends "Get Out The Vote" Rallies Ahead Of Tuesday's Election (NY1) * Will a Taxi-Friendly De Blasio Administration Hurt Transportation Apps? (NY Mag) * Anti-Trash Station Democrats Rally for Lhota (NYO) * Pro-de Blasio Labor PAC Poll Has Him Beating Lhota by 50 Points(DNAINFO) * Bill de Blasio's Next Big Challenge: Mornings (NY Mag)
Working Families Party
Working Families Party the big winner from a de Blasio victory (NYP)
Low Ratings of Final Debate
Viewership of mayoral debate fell with each showdown(NYDN)
Next Mayor Will Be Left To Tackle Unsettled Union Contracts
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Brooklyn DA
Convicted Bklyn Boss Norman Not Only Got Even With Hynes Who Put Him in Jail Primary Night He Also Got Even With Political Consultant Scott Levinson Who Testify Against Norman in His Extortion Trial
Political Consultant Tells of Party Boss Norman’s Demands(Brooklyn Eagle) A political consultant with a strategically selective memory echoed the testimony of earlier prosecution witnesses yesterday in the ongoing coercion trial of former Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Clarence Norman Jr. Scott Levinson, of the political consulting firm Advance Group, had been hired by incumbent Civil Court Judge Karen Yellen to produce campaign literature, take part in meetings with party officials and provide general advice to her re-election campaign in the 2002 primary. On the stand, Levinson was able to recall in precise detail the meeting at which Norman is alleged to have coerced Yellen’s campaign into paying for efforts he believed were not in her best interest, under the threat that she would lose the party’s endorsement if she were noncompliant. Friends of Joe Hynes paid Levinson's Advance Group $600,000 during the primary. There have been no payments to Advance in the General. In a one week period CrainsNY wrote several stories how Advance Used PAC to help it private clients and in some race support more then one candidate in a race. There have no articles by CrainsNY in two weeks.* Charles Hynes Closing Campaign With Musical Score(NYO) *
de Blasio Like the La Guaria Management Style
De Blasio as Manager: Delegating, Yet Keeping a Tight Leash
Stop and Frisk Ruling and de Blasio
Court’s Stop-and-Frisk Ruling Could Hamper de Blasio if He Is Elected Mayor(NYT)
de Blasio $$$ Rolling In
De Blasio has been raising money at a feverish pace of late, at nearly $100,000 per day, with a significant amount coming from technology entrepreneurs and investors, including the three founders of Airbnb, the Times writes: * De Blasio Attracts Silicon Valley Donors *The list of donors de Blasio’s campaign has disclosed in recent days illustrates the growing clout of technology entrepreneurs and investors, as well as their dependence on policies in City Hall.
The Media Has Stopped Covering Lhota
On Arts, Mayor 'a Hard Act to Follow'
Partnerships Wylde Back A Losing Candidate and Begs for Attention
Kathy Wylde, the president and CEO of the nonprofit business organization Partnership for New York City, writes that it is far more important for the next mayor to establish a partnership with business than it was for Bloomberg:
The Times directs voters on how to vote on the six constitutional amendments on the ballot, arguing that five of the six amendments deserve a "yes" vote, with the notable exception being the casino gaming expansion measure:
Dump NYCHA's Rhea; Housing Subsidies Misdirected The Daily News’ Juan Gonzalez writes that the first act of New York City’s next mayor should be to fire John Rhea, the chairman of the New York City Housing Authority, for decimating the city’s public housing system * Advocates Say Subsidies for Developers Misdirected (WSJ) A small boom is under way in the area for housing for New Yorkers who have middle incomes or who are among the working poor—with more than 500 subsidized apartments under construction or on the way.* Rhea’s abuse of power(NYDN Ed) * Pay up, Rhea(NYDN) * $8M TO SCREW THEIR TENANTS: Instead of making vital fixes, NYCHA pays 98 lawyers to fight off and bully poor residents(NYDN) * Pastor: NYCHA makes big effort to avoid repairs(NYDN)
Rudy: BDB will turn back NYC to 1990-1992
Rudy: De Blasio should apologize to the public and issue a written apology to the NYPD for maligning them.* Rudy Giuliani Demands Apology From Bill de Blasio(NYO)“The whole rationale for Mr. de Blasio’s campaign is phony,” declared Mr. Giuliani, speaking to reporters this afternoon in Staten Island. “This has been the whole rationale for his campaign, his stop-and-frisk … ‘The police department’s terrible. The police department’s awful. They’re stopping all these people for no reason.’”
“The court of appeals has just basically said to him: that is a bunch of malarkey,” he later declared. “I hope it had a dramatic effect on the race.”* Lhota’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Exposed on 9/11(NYT) * UPDATED: Rudy Giuliani On The Stump With Joe Lhota: I'm Not Divisive, And NYPD Case May Live On | New York Daily News * On the campaign trail, Giuliani attacks de Blasio on stop and frisk. (WSJ)
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More Security At NYC Marathon
Beefed-up security planned for NYC Marathon(NYP)* New York City marathon officials say they are spending more than $1 million on security for this year’s race, as vendors and volunteers have shared information with the New York Police DepartmentMarathon Evolves in Era of Tighter Security(WSJ) * After Boston Bombings, New York Police Plan Tight Security at Marathon(NYT)
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Moreland War, JCOPE Civil War
Cuomo Reform or Pay the Price in 2014
Cuomo called on state lawmakers to take up ethics reform legislation and warned that they will be held accountable in 2014, when he will make the case to voters about the need to clean up Albany from public corruption, the New York Post reports:
-
Legislature's 90% re-election rate mitigates against Cuomo's overheated rhetoric. http://nypost.com/2013/10/31/cuomo-on-ethics-reform-ill-hammer-state-lawmakers-at-the-polls/ …
Michael Benjamin
Lawyers for Lawmakers Sue Moreland Over Separation of Powers to Hide the Corruption
ANONYMITY REVEALED: Exhibit A in the Moreland Commission’s criticism of the State Board of Elections' policy of refusing to accept complaints submitted anonymously, was a case that sounded particularly well substantiated. In the hearing, the Commission kept the names involved confidential; City & State reveals them(City and State) * Who were the subjects of the anonymous complaint focused on by the Moreland Commission?
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Stop and Frisk Decision Thrown Out
Scheindlin could face reprimand after stop-frisk rebuke(NYP)
Court Ruling: Stop and Frisked Turned Upside Down
Stop and frisk blocked, judge removed
Federal appeals court blocks judge's ruling on stop-and-frisk, removes her from case The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the decisions of Judge Shira Scheindlin will be stayed pending the outcome of an appeal filed by the city. Scheindlin had ruled in August the city violated the Constitution with the way it carried out questioning, stopping and frisking mostly black and Hispanic men.* Here's the U.S. Court of Appeals order, which rebukes the judge in the stop-and-frisk case and freezes her ruling. Appeals court reverses Stop and Frisk decision, saying the judge showed anti-police bias.
Court Order Lets NYPD Continue 'Stop-and-Frisk'
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Journalist's Flacking
-
- It's unclear if the lobbyists will take their clients with them from Patricia Lynch Associates to Mercury http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politi
=@JimmyVielkind Why cover the flacks and not cover the harm Mercury does? Is that journalism? http://truenewsthebund.blogspot.com/2013/10/george-arzt-is-bad-guy-lobbyists.html
Jimmy Vielkind
True News
Last June 4th year old Ariel Russo died shortly aftergetting hit by an SUV. There had been a
four-minute delay in dispatching the ambulance to take the little girl to the
hospital. The city is blaming 911 operation human errors for the delay. The union leader of the 911 operators is
blaming the new troubled $2 billion dollars upgrade that the city is
installing. The city’s upgrade of the 911 system has not gone very well. It has been hunted by system crashes, wrong
addresses and over a billion and a half dollar cost overrun. It is now up to a jury to find out who is
really at fault for the girls death.
Even
though the press says HP was replaced on the 911 project John Liu’s report said
that HP was still working on the project and got paid over $300 million in 2012
for their work. In 2010 thru 2011 when
the city council was going after problems in the 911 system, HP hired Kasirer
Consulting LLC and paid them over $200,000 to lobby city hall for the company. Mercury Public Affairs public affairs have
been working on the project for Intergraph Corp since 2007. Before Intergraph hired Sal Salamone as a
lobbyist in 2006 to 2008 ($100,000) Salamone worked for the city on the
Citytime project until he was let go after the corruption and cost overruns
become know on that project, in which Liz Holtzman was one of the lobbyists
that cashed in. It had to get through
the fog surrounding the 911 contracts.
Last month Bloomberg lauded Comptroller 911 audit he once called
'stupid.’ He even said there was nothing
wrong with the Hewlett-Packard contract and the city paid those most of the
money they requested. The mayor changed
him mind on Comptroller budget to stop a federal audit requested by DC 37’s
Lillian Roberts.* CM to lobbyist: "You're not really focused on safety, but on the perspective of drivers is that fair? Lobbyist: Yes.(WNYC)
___________________________________ 
they requested. The mayor changed
him mind on Comptroller budget to stop a federal audit requested by DC 37’s
Lillian Roberts.* CM to lobbyist: "You're not really focused on safety, but on the perspective of drivers is that fair? Lobbyist: Yes.(WNYC)Don't Stop Member Items Pork Party
Councilmembers Want to Control Member Item Pork Themselves Cutting Out Speaker
Not Reform
Money Grab
City Council moving to take away speaker’s ‘pork’ power(NYP) Member items funds would be distributed by a more equitable formula that takes into account factors such as population, funding needs or geographic size. In the most recent fiscal year, $50 million was distributed to the 51 council districts through so-called “member items.” Some say there is much more hidden member item pork throughout the budget. “If you weaken the office of the speaker or the power of the speaker, you will enable the mayor and the executive office to pick off individual members of the council to get certain legislative proposals or policies enacted,” said Ulrich, echoing his GOP colleague.
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NYT Vote No On Gambling
Strange Anti-Gambling Team
FRONT PAGES: amNewYork: "Free to Frisk"; Post: "Go Frisk Yourself"; Newsday: "Stop&Frisk; Court Blocks Limits"; News: "$8M to screw their tenants"; Times A1: "Appellate court Blocks Changes to Frisk Tactics"; WSJ: "FAA Loosens Rules on Gadgets"; Syracuse Post-Standard: "State to Pay $15M For East Syracuse Mayor's Death." SEE THEM: http://goo.gl/mk6YrS
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Mayoral Debate
The Only Thing Lhota Has In Common With Rocky IV He Might Own the DVD
True N News PM The Ad Campaign: Lhota Issues Warnings and Makes Promises(NYP) * In new ad, Lhota warns NYC is ‘one bad mayor’ away from chaos(NYP)
Lhota Can't Sell His Experience
Lhota, down by 39 points in the latest poll, likened himself to Rocky Balboa after de Blasio accused him of favoring "trickle-down economics" by supporting corporate subsidies. Mayoral race draws ‘Rocky IV’ comparisons(NYP)
Voters split on de Blasio keeping campaign promises(NYP) A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found practically an even split when voters were asked if the Democratic front-runner would be able to fulfill his campaign pledges.* In the Daily News, former Village Voice columnist Tom Robbins writes that the biggest issue with de Blasio’s connection to the David Dinkins era is the potential dalliances with lobbyists
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Comptroller Endorsements
Weiner Tells the Media You Kissed My Ass Too Much
Election 2013 Journalism Failure
Spin Over Fact
Weiner Blames Reporter For Not Grlling Him On Sexting (TPM)
Copy cat media fails New York voters
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de Blasio Woos Wall Street
Media Wars
'Shopping while black' scandal belatedly gets its due from the New York Times.
There it was on Wednesday, an honest-to-goodness news story about
controversy swirling around Barneys and Macy’s with the headline:
“Profiling Complaints by Black Shoppers Followed Changes to Stores’ Security Policies.”No, not in the New York Daily News — local print or worldwide electronic, which started breaking stories about the retailers’ security practices a week ago Wednesday — but in the New York Times.
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NYCHA and the Law
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21 to Smoke
NYC’s tobacco age raised to 21 — but still 18 for weed bongs(NYP) * The New York City Council voted 35-10 to increase the age limit to 21 from 18 for individuals to purchase tobacco products in the five boroughs, one of the highest age limits in the country, The Wall Street Journal writes *City to Boost Purchase Age for Tobacco(WSJ) * City Council blowing smoke on new butt ban(NYP Ed)
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Speakers Race Update
NEWSLETTER EXCLUSIVE — Speak-Her? Inez Dickens to Capital’s Azi Paybarah: “All of us, including me, are still in the mix” to be the next New York City City Council Speaker, Dickens told Capital yesterday. “It starts coming together in December."
What makes her stand out? “I’m the only one that has served in leadership.” And: “I have had negative press in the past” about violations at buildings. “They weren’t really that significant,” she said of the violations, noting "the community re-elected me overwhelmingly in September.”
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The Unreported World of Campaign Consultants Lobbyists
Political Consultant Lobbyist George Arzt's Slush Fund
Judy Menin Manhattan BP race run by Belin Rosen and George Arzt can you find out who told her to hire Melvin Lowe
Melvin Lowe Under Investigation Hired by Menin truenewsfromchangenyc.blogspot.com *Menin’s spokesman George Arzt confirmed that Lowe was hired by the campaign to assist with petitioning, and said campaign ended its relationship with Lowe “after a very brief period” just as the news of Huntley’s wiretap list broke. Arzt Gave almost $100,000 in campaign contributions to NY state candidates spread out over many years.* 2013-10-29 George Arzt - NYS Board of Elections Contributions - Disclosure.pdf George Arzt represents Excell One57 and dozens of other developers * George Arzt - NYC Lobbyist Search Result * More George Arzt is A Bad Guy LobbyistsWho has done a lot of harm(True News)
Campaign Consultant Lobbyist Berlin Rose Ratner Connection
Liz Krueger Against Banning Campaign Consultants From Lobbying
Check out Liz Krueger's blistering response to IDC's Push To Outlaw Political Consultants From Lobbying (UPDATED)
Last Mayoral Debate
Lhota On The Attack, De Blasio Plays It Safe In Final Debate
"The city of New York was not fully prepared for what happened a year ago,"
We need to continue making sure that illegal guns are being taken off the streets, Lhota says. #NYC2013 DS * Lhota: "What we need to do is reinvigorate the spirit of the police department." * Lhota: suspicious activity is not a crime. Answering q about disproportionate # of african-american and latino citizens stopped* The abuse of #StopandFrisk hasn't made us safer — it's driven police and communities further apart. #nyc2013 * .@deBlasioNYC stresses his support in CompStat. Helped bring down crime in the 90s. #NYC2013 DS * de Blasio says stop/frisk is valid when done constitutionally.* "We need to get control of stop and frisk, no doubt about it, but it is a tool" that city needs, @JoeLhota4Mayor said. *
.@JoeLhota4Mayor says property tax will go down under his admin. Could use consolidation of pension plans to save $* Lhota: "The first tax that's going to go down is the property tax."
Though if you adjust assessment system, some people's levies would rise. * "Real leaders have a Plan B, and a Plan C," @JoeLhota4Mayor says. "That is the ultimate sign of leadership."* "He has no management experience whatsoever," and that's reflected in @BilldeBlasio not having a pre-K tax plan B, says @JoeLhota4Mayor * de Blasio: Community councils need more role in closures, colocations.
Lhota agrees that centralized decision-making has left parents out.* de Blasio on charters: "What we need to do is fix our public schools in
general." (Protip: Keep number small so you can keep saying that.)*
de Blasio says "cities and states all over the country" disprove claims about adverse impact on job creation.* .@JoeLhota4Mayor supports living wage and paid sick leave legislation recently passed by the council * de Blasio: "Many, many of the corporate subsidies have yielded very
little in return." (Lhota, who's talked up clawback, tacitly agrees.) * “The city needs to step in and create a substantial new supply of senior housing. We need to take matters into our own hands.”* .@BilldeBlasio and @JoeLhota4Mayor both oppose noncitizen voting bill. * .@deBlasioNYC wants Bruce Springsteen to perform at his inauguration. Lhota wants the Allman Brothers. * .@JoeLhota 4Mayor says when you look at the books, the money isn't there to pay. If the money's not there, you can't pay for it* .@deBlasioNYC says that negotiations have to be private. @JoeLhota4Mayor agrees, and says that he's done it before and he'll do it again. * de Blasio says Bloomberg hasn't gotten cost-savings or major reforms in bargaining with municipal unions. Will he, really? * .@DeBlasioNYC: “i’ve had plenty of disagreements with the labor movement…” * .@DeBlasioNYC: “i’ve had plenty of disagreements with the labor movement…”* .@Joe Lhota4Mayor fires back. Cites his own experience as deputy mayor, says you can't compare the experiences of the two candidates -DS * .@deBlasioNYC says that if Lhota doesn't understand why Giuliani admin was divisive he doesn't understand life in NYC.8 De Blasio asks Lhota about "trickle-down economics." Lhota mostly ignores, says he's an underdog, NY loves underdogs.* Not surprisingly, Lhota says he would take a Giuliani state of the city over a Dinkins state any day. * de Blasio won't make commitments about new funding for museums and the arts. Lhota says he won't cut those budgets
Black Pool Consultant Indicted By Feds
The Rapfogel, Lowe Forest City Ratner Connection
BATTLE FOR THE CITY! Bold, brash Nets set to take Knicks rivalry to new heights(NYDN)
Melvin Lowe Sampson Update
Former Sampson aide Says he nnot in complaint(CrainsNY) A former top aide to ex-Senate Democratic leader John Sampson says he's
not the "Political Consultant #1" mentioned in a federal complaint
charging political operative Melvin Lowe with defrauding the state Senate Democrats' campaign arm. Mr. Cohen has hired prominent criminal defense lawyer Sanford Talkin, who declined to comm
A former top aide to indicted state Sen. John Sampson has been
busted on a range of fraud and tax crimes – including charges he bilked
the New York Democratic.Sampson – who paid Lowe $150,000 out of his campaign chest in 2009-‘10 – was charged in May with embezzling $440,000 from foreclosure escrow accounts he managed as well as witness and evidence tampering. Any number of individuals fit the description of this consultant,
including Michael Cohen, former chief of staff to ex-Senate Democratic
Leader John Sampson, who brought Lowe into the DSCC
following the infamous 2009 Senate coup and was heading up the
conference at the time the events laid out in this complaint took place.
Notably, Mr. Lowe was among nine individuals–mostly sitting state senators–that now-former State Senator Shirley Huntley recorded on wire while she was cooperating with authorities. Ms. Huntley is currently serving a year in prison for her own corruption scheme; the pols she wiretapped have professed their innocence. “Today’s Complaint alleges that New York’s culture of political corruption extends beyond elected officials to the relatively unknown professional political insiders who work behind the scenes to carry out corrupt schemes,” said Mr. Bharara, who has indicted a slew of New York politician, in a statement.“Our investigation will continue and we will continue bringing to justice every corrupt official we find, as well as those who allegedly execute their unlawful plots.”
Moreland: BOE Only Opened 1 Investigation In 5 Years of Voter Irregularities
* Cuomo: BOE Doesn’t ‘Do Enforcement’(YNN)
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Mayor's Race Final Debate Night
Lhote Positioning Himself to Nowhere
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN DEBATE: De Blasio played all-offense in the fist debate, ditching what many expected to be a Rose Garden strategy. Lhota responded pointedly in the second debate, but it hardly impacted de Blasio’s lead. A Lhota aide said tonight the candidate will display the tenacity he demonstrated last time. With more than 40 points separating the two, New Yorkers may be more interested in Game 6 of the World Series, between the Red Sox and Cardinals.* Hamodia profiled the state of Joe Lhota‘s campaign, which has heavily focused on the Orthodox Jewish community. Still, the paper notes Mr. Lhota is not an ideal fit: “Attempting to peel away some votes on the fringes of the opposing party, Lhota in an ad declared himself as supportive of immoral values as de Blasio, and has attended events of that community.”
I Wonder How Mayor de Blasio Can Pressure Silver
Judge: Bill de Blasio would love to have courts run NYPD(NYP)
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said that New York City mayoral frontrunner Bill de Blasio’s proposal to tax wealthy New Yorkers to pay for universal preschool may have to wait a year because of the 2014 elections, The Wall Street Journal reports * De Blasio wants charity’s wealth redistributed, too(NYP Ed) * A panel of three federal judges hearing arguments on the New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk policy questioned why city lawyers are continuing to fight the court-ordered changes to the policy with a new mayor coming in, the Times reports * In the Daily News, Ben Max, the founder of DecideNYC.com, wonders if de Blasio will fall victim to the same high expectations that followed President Obama’s election in 2008: * Albany Cold to City Taxes for Pre-K(WSJ) * Judge Raps City on Frisk Suit(WSJ) * Greeting a dead horse(NYDN Ed) * "until WNYC reached out this week, that page had not been updated since Aug. 15," (WNYC) * de Blasio "sometimes had difficulty waking up in the morning, as public advocate, leaving staffers waiting for hours" * Willie Colón Records a Song for Bill de Blasio(NYO) * And New York Times writer Thomas Edsall looked at primary election returns and found that while Mr. de Blasio did well among those making over $100,000 a year, he fared far worse among those making over $200,000.* New Lhota Web Ad Tells Democrats to Vote ‘Safe, Not Sorry’(NYO)
PAYING FOR PRE-K — Cuomo likes the idea, but not the tax — Capital's Reid Pillifant:
Here is A Story the Media Will Run Away From Today And A Story the NYT Will Do After the Election is Over
How a pro-de Blasio union funded an anti-Quinn group (Capital)
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A NYC Class Revolution
In the Times, Thomas Edsall looks at data from New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary election and concludes that class trumped race, gender, and sexual identity in determining which candidate won each Assembly district:
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CityTime Trial
Gonzalez: Alleged CityTime crooks demanded fast payment for fake invoices of more than $5M per month, witness says(NYDN)
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BOE Moreland Fall Out
The BOE lone investigator sat at his computer playing Solitaire, asking for work until 2012
AMENDING A PRESS RELEASE — JCOPE's Marvin Jacob writes letter after contentious vote — Times Union's Jim Odato: “In the past we have precleared press releases when dealing with high profile announcements. This one should have been as well. It inaccurately leaves the impression that the ED vote was unanimous and as we all know it wasn’t. This needs to be corrected. You should describe the Commission vote as 9-5 or, at least, as a majority, but let’s try to be accurate about what happened yesterday. It’s quite enough that that we have again done in executive session what clearly could and should have been done in public (had Ellen’s motion not been mischaraterized as a personnel matter compounded by the inaccurate assertion that all personnel matters must be conducted in executive session). John, you can do this or I will. Please let me know.”
JCOPE Cavity Search for A New Leader
DavidGrandeau&Asoc
Wow JJOKE is exciting I love watching lawyers discuss definitions in regulations that no one cares about. Jcope says after a Nationwide search and 70 resumes, it picked former Cuomo aide Letizia Tagliafierro as its ex dir * Alb ethics commish suggests hiring a search firm for new exec director, shot down by chair. Ex-Cuomo aide gets job: http://bit.ly/1azMpDj * JCOPE member to resign after executive director fracas(lohudblogs) JCOPE, yikes MT @JonCampbellGAN A Shelly Silver appointee says she is resigning* Moreland Madness(YNN) * JCOPE Names Ex-Cuomo Aide New Executive Director(YNN) * Cuomo said not all lawmakers are
corrupt but the state needs a system people trust in defending the
Moreland Commission’s efforts to seek details about lawmakers’ outside
income, Gannett Albany writes:
* JCOPE, again, confronts a leadership issue * JCOPE CAN'T MEET WITHOUT A CLOUD: The state's ethics watchdog group convened on Tuesday for a regularly scheduled meeting, but punted on most of its serious business and, after a secret vote, approved an administration-connected leader. The appointment of Letizia Tagliafierro as executive director was opposed by some legislative commissioners because of her ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
* JCOPE, again, confronts a leadership issue * JCOPE CAN'T MEET WITHOUT A CLOUD: The state's ethics watchdog group convened on Tuesday for a regularly scheduled meeting, but punted on most of its serious business and, after a secret vote, approved an administration-connected leader. The appointment of Letizia Tagliafierro as executive director was opposed by some legislative commissioners because of her ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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And before Casey gets his Proust in an uproar it a line from Talladega Nights in other words its a joke JJOKE MOREJOKE and now MYJOKE* Moreland hearing update: Current campaign finance enforcement structures are failing.
#moneyinpolitics#fairelex * Three organizations that lobby on abortion issues have requested an exemption from the Joint Commission on Public Ethics to keep their major donors private, Gannett Albany writes:
Silver Flunky Going to the BOE
Another Lawsuit Against Speaker Silver
More Pay to Play Albany Legislation
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Council Speakers Race
List of Reforms to the Speaker's Office Gains Support(DNAINFO)
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Kelly Booed
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Ray Kelly booed off stage at Brown
Video: Ray Kelly Heckled Offstage At Brown University
Brown should be ashamed for shutdown of Kelly(NYP Ed)
Protesters shouted down New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly as he was introduced during a speech given at Brown University, forcing administrators to cancel his lecture after only a few words, the Journal reports: * Kelly Booed Off Stage During Talk at Brown University(WSJ) * A black mark on Brown(NYDN Ed) * NYPD, BOO! Brown University students shout down Ray Kelly lecture over stop-and-frisk policy and the surveillance of Muslims — SEE IT(NYDN) *'Police must do more than just respond to radio calls': Ray Kelly was to speak about city's anti-violence program before he was booed off the stage(NYDN)
Protesters: “Racist, sexist, anti-gay. How many kids did you kill today? Islamophobic, thanks to Ray. NYPD go away.” WATCH:
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Mayor's Race Tuesday
WSJ Writes the de Blasio Gets Fat Cat $$$ and they Oppose He Because of His Occupy Wall Street Ambitions
Democratic mayoral nominee Bill de Blasio has collected at least $4.2 million of his $9.45 million in campaign contributions from donors who gave at least $2,501, and 660 donations of the maximum allowable contribution of $4,950, The Wall Street Journal writes:
This Wall Street Journal editorial attacks de Blasio's "Occupy ambition" and mentions Joe Lhota once in passing:
WSJ: "New York voters are about to elect the Occupy movement to run America's largest city." (WSJ)
The Wall Street Journal does not appear to be a fan of Bill de Blasio: “In the 1980s he romanced the revolutionary Marxism of Nicaragua’s Sandinistas, Castro’s communism and even Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Even now he praises their idealism, including that hoariest of clichés that Cuba has a model health-care system.”*
Newsday Endorses Lhota
NYP
The Post’s Bob McManus throws his support behind Lhota for mayor, saying it “makes no sense not to,” because he would largely keep things the way that they are
The Chief-Leader
The Chief-Leader, a labor publication, endorsed de Blasio for mayor.
Joe Lhota Compares Bill de Blasio’s Agenda to Halloween(NYO) Two days before Halloween, Joe Lhota thinks his Democratic rival in the mayor’s race has too many spooky ideas.
Lhota Uses Lack At Affordable Housing at Atlantic Yards to Attack de Blasio
What do Melvin Lowe, J.Sampson, W.Rapfogel, C.Kruger,R.Lipsky, YonkersConvictions have in common? Rel. w/Forest City Ratner?
The NYP Continues On Its de Blasio Attacks
16,000 students could suffer from De Blasio’s charter pledge(NYP) Bill de Blasio’s vow to impose a moratorium on opening new charter schools inside public-school buildings could freeze out nearly 16,000 students from the charter system. * De Blasio ‘ignoring’ affordable-housing delays because pal is in charge(NYP) New York Post columnist Bob McManus endorsed Mr. Lhota, although he expects Mr. de Blasio to win because of the “distractions of the city’s bizarre primary season — Carlos Danger, indeed — which allowed him to run a fundamentally detail-free campaign.”* .
* Judge: De Blasio would love 2 have courts run
Michael Bloomberg said that if the next mayor goes ahead with plans to ban the carriage horse industry, then most of the animals will end up at the slaughterhouse De Blasio Campaign Upset That Reporter Read Something De Blasio Tweeted(NY Mag) * The Candidates: De Blasio, Lhota Contrast Drastically On Charter Schools * The Tall Man Cometh: Bill de Blasio Will Bring His Own Brand of Leadership to City Hall
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Bklyn DA
For District Attorney in Brooklyn(NYT Ed)
The Times recommends Kenneth Thompson, the winner of
the Democratic primary who has shown passion for combating crime and
injustice."Mr. Thompson is smart and has shown passion for combating crime and injustice."
In nearly 24 years in office, Mr. Hynes has had an important role in developing drug treatment programs and other cost-effective alternatives to incarceration as well as programs to help domestic violence victims and former inmates re-entering society.
Councilman @NYCGreenfield endorsing @KenThompson4DA for brooklyn district attorney
But these parts of his record are overshadowed by charges of political favoritism in his handling of child sex-abuse allegations in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, his loyalty to tarnished deputies and reports that his office relied on discredited witnesses to wrongly convict defendants in a string of cases.The New York Times, like the Daily News before it, offered a rather reluctant endorsement to Ken Thompson for Brooklyn district attorney. Mr. Thompson, they wrote, “is not an ideal successor. He lacks significant managerial experience, and we were not reassured by his publicity-oriented approach to representing Nafissatou Diallo.” FLASHBACK: Times sat out the Democratic primary between Hynes and Thompson. * After attacking Ken Thompson in the strongest terms in the primary, David Greenfield endorses him in the general:
Hamodia profiled Brooklyn district attorney rivals Ken Thompson and Joe Hynes. For his part, Mr. Hynes declared Mr. Thompson “hasn’t got a connection to the broad Jewish community as I have,” while Mr. Thompson noted his personal and professional relations with the community.*
Greenfield didn’t think his endorsement would swing overwhelming numbers of voters But claimed credit in primary
In nearly 24 years in office, Mr. Hynes has had an important role in developing drug treatment programs and other cost-effective alternatives to incarceration as well as programs to help domestic violence victims and former inmates re-entering society.
But these parts of his record are overshadowed by charges of political favoritism in his handling of child sex-abuse allegations in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, his loyalty to tarnished deputies and reports that his office relied on discredited witnesses to wrongly convict defendants in a string of cases.The New York Times, like the Daily News before it, offered a rather reluctant endorsement to Ken Thompson for Brooklyn district attorney. Mr. Thompson, they wrote, “is not an ideal successor. He lacks significant managerial experience, and we were not reassured by his publicity-oriented approach to representing Nafissatou Diallo.” FLASHBACK: Times sat out the Democratic primary between Hynes and Thompson. * After attacking Ken Thompson in the strongest terms in the primary, David Greenfield endorses him in the general:
Greenfield didn’t think his endorsement would swing overwhelming numbers of voters But claimed credit in primary
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NYT Vote No On Gambling
The state Public Interest Research Group and Common Cause NY raised questions about the wording of the ballot referendum on casino expansion as well as a pro-casino PAC made up of gambling companies, the Times Union reports *NY’s Big Bet: The Economic Impact(YNN) Supporters of bringing commercial casinos to New York State don’t want voters to think of slot machines, black jack tables, or roulette wheels. They want voters to think about jobs and schools.* NY casino measure: A sucker’s bet(NYP) * NY’s Big Bet: The Money Behind The Casino Campaign(YNN) * In New Pro-Casino Ads, ‘Casinos’ Mentioned Once(YNN) * Liberal Liz Krueger And Conservative Mike Long Join Forces To Battle Gambling
RABBIS AGAINST CASINOS — “This is a community that votes in a bloc … you now have to make up several thousand voters — Capital's Dana Rubinstein: Prominent rabbis are signing petitions denouncing the referendum on expanding gambling in the state. http://goo.gl/VUxHj4
Who Writes the Language for Ballot Measures
State Sen. John DeFrancisco introduced a bill that would give the state Legislature the power to write the language for ballot measures, including changes to the state constitution, taking editing decisions away from the Board of Elections, the Times Union reports
New poll finds comfortable support in boroughs — New York Times' Thomas Kaplan: A survey found six in 10 likely voters in New York City support a constitutional amendment to legalize up to seven Las Vegas-style casinos in New York, when they were presented with the rosy language that will appear on next month's ballot. This is a good sign for casino backers, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo. More cash for pro-casino
To Late to Fix the Wording Problem Good Government Groups Good At Getting Into the Press
Group says PAC for Proposal No. 1 funded by gambling firms
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Health Care & Environment
A list of “navigators”—businesses and organizations that help people sign up for health coverage—on the state’s health exchange website includes places whose owners and employees are not prepared to offer health insurance advice, the Times reports:
NYC Council Measure Raising Cigarette Purchase Age To 21 Now Includes E-Cigs(NYDN)
NYC lawmakers vote to raise cigarette-buying age from 18 to 21
NYC council votes to raise legal tobacco-buying age to 21
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Education
The SUNY Trustees approved nine new charter schools: eight in New York City – in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan; and, one in Rochester. All will open in the fall of 2014. *
…six of the charters will be in Eva Moskowitz’s Success Academies charter network, and will be co-located with district schools.* The PTA really pays! Groups from city's 30 best-funded schools raised $53M in last five years(NYDN)
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Health Care & Environment
A list of “navigators”—businesses and organizations that help people sign up for health coverage—on the state’s health exchange website includes places whose owners and employees are not prepared to offer health insurance advice, the Times reports:
NYC Council Measure Raising Cigarette Purchase Age To 21 Now Includes E-Cigs(NYDN)
NYC lawmakers vote to raise cigarette-buying age from 18 to 21
NYC council votes to raise legal tobacco-buying age to 21
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Education
The SUNY Trustees approved nine new charter schools: eight in New York City – in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan; and, one in Rochester. All will open in the fall of 2014. *
…six of the charters will be in Eva Moskowitz’s Success Academies charter network, and will be co-located with district schools.* The PTA really pays! Groups from city's 30 best-funded schools raised $53M in last five years(NYDN)
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Sandy One Year Later
The long climb back following Sandy(NYP) * Feds sending $1.3B more in Sandy relief to NYC(NYP)One year after Hurricane Sandy, officials acknowledge that the consequences of the storm will be felt for years, mostly in the form of persistent service disruptions across New York City’s subway system, the Times reports: * MTA still clawing back from Sandy’s historic devastation(NYP) * Turning Hurricane Sandy’s Scars Into Badges of Survival(NYT) * For Subway Riders, Fallout From Hurricane May Last Years(NYT) * Ellis Island Welcoming Visitors Once Again, but Repairs Continue(NYT)
MTA shows off anti-storm equipment(NYP) Cuomo and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority used the first anniversary of Hurricane Sandy to showcase techniques and equipment to combat flooding in Lower Manhattan, including a 30-foot tunnel plug and subway entrance cover,* Natural Allies for the Next Sandy(NYT) * On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the Times praises Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s program to buy out damaged or destroyed homes, but charges that it is moving too slowly.
Victims Recall Sandy's Toll(WSJ)* Sandy’s Unfinished Business(NYTV Ed) * Surging back after Sandy(NYDN Ed) * City Marks Year Since Sandy Destruction (NY1) * The new normal in Howard Beach(Queens Chronicle) * Sandy One Year Later: City Agencies Got Mixed Reviews For Storm Response(NY1) * Throughout the Region, Hoping for a Sandy Buyout (WSJ)* Leaders issue warning on Hurricane Sandy anniversary, standing before new defenses(NYDN) * LITTLE
SUPERSTORMERS! Fifteen babies evacuated from NYU hospital during Sandy
reunite to celebrate first birthdays as their families recall remarkable
tales of survival(NYDN)
Staten Island Ferris wheel, mall plans approved(NYP)
Taxi Update
Taxi''s Regulations are Run by the Courts Not City Hall
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Tammany Hall
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Mayor's Race
Newsday Endorses Lhota
Poll Record Numbers for de Blasion
came from wily realists like Cuomo and Hillary Clinton. The risk of a
Bill de Blasio mayoralty is that it sputters with politically correct
incompetence. But the great promise is that he might turn out to be a
complicated, highly unusual mix of ideologue and operative.”http://goo.gl/ojiK7B* “Both candidates have become more known over the last few weeks,
however, almost half of voters now have an unfavorable view of Lhota,”
noted Siena pollster Steve Greenberg. de Blasio Uses Campaign Loophole
De Blasio reaps union donations thanks to campaign finance loophole(NYP)De Blasio has taken advantage of a campaign finance loophole that allows unions not representing municipal workers to contribute without limit, accepting contributions from unions across the country thanks to a bill he helped pass* Lhota Says Developers Have ‘Bought’ de Blasio’s Silence on Atlantic Yards(NYO) * More real estate heavyweights have been contributing to de Blasio’s campaign, although some insiders wonder if the money is coming too late to matter to the candidate, Crain’s writes:
de Blasio Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Hospital, Green Cabs Back to the Drawing Board
Bill de Blasio Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Hospital(NYO)
Bill de Blasio dishes on his romance with Chirlane(NYDN)
Bill de Blasio said he wants to go "back to the drawing board" when it comes to outer borough green cabs. (WNYC)
Bill de Blasio dishes on his romance with Chirlane(NYDN)
Bill de Blasio said he wants to go "back to the drawing board" when it comes to outer borough green cabs. (WNYC)
Mayoral Debate Postponed to Wednesday
Debate Postponed a Day, Out of Respect for Storm Victims(NYT) * Mayoral debate rescheduled to avoid Sandy anniversary(NYP) * Mayoral Debate Delayed for Sandy Anniversary(WSJ) * NYC Mayor Debate Postponed To Wednesday To Avoid Conflict With Sandy Anniversary(NYDN)
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Citi Bike Safe
Nobody has been killed on a Citi Bike in the program's first five months. http://nym.ag/174Rdhw
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Midtown East
The Post urges the New York City Council to pass the Midtown East rezoning plan, arguing that putting it off any further could spell the “slow death” of a key part of the city’s commercial center: http://bit.ly/1f3pYZT
