Moreland Mystery None Profit Possibility II
Brooklyn agency fits description of mystery nonprofit in Moreland probe(NYP) The state’s Moreland Commission, in a report issued last week, described
its surveillance of a questionable storefront in New York City that
received almost $3 million in pork-barrel funds to provide various
medical services “with little scrutiny and no medical oversight.” The
money came from a “geographically and politically diverse group of some
of the state’s most powerful lawmakers.” Relief Resources Inc. occupies a storefront at 5904 13th Ave. in
Borough Park, a location it shares with the group Refuah Resources.
There is a telephone pole directly outside that would provide an ideal
location for a camera. A Post investigation based on public records
suggests Relief Resources might be the unnamed nonprofit described in
the Moreland Commission report, but officials have not confirmed this. Relief Resources, according to its Web site, provides referral services aimed at helping those in the Jewish community cope with mental-health issues. It has offices in two other countries — Canada and Israel — as well as in New Jersey and upstate Monroe. The agency has used the services of the Albany lobbying firm Malkin
& Ross to seek state funding, state records show. The Moreland
Commission’s unnamed nonprofit uses “a top-shelf outside lobbying firm.” Relief Resources has taken in $2,901,000 in state funding since 2005,
state records show. Lawmakers have sponsored seven member-item grants
totaling $1,275,000 since 2006, according to the state attorney
general’s Open Government Web site. Shiya Ostreicher, a board member of Relief Resources, is a lobbyist for
Agudath Israel of America, a powerful Orthodox Jewish organization.
Malkin & Ross Connected to Catskills Gambling Interests
The lobbying push has continued as the Nov. 5 casino referendum nears. Foxwoods, which is hoping to build a casino adjacent to the former Grossinger’s resort in the Catskills, hired the lobbying firm Malkin & Ross on Sept. 16, agreeing to pay it $50,000 to represent it for the seven weeks leading up to Election Day.
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Governing By War Room
War Rooms Where Strategists Shape Campaigns, Control and Rally the Troops by Controlling the Media Message
Game Change
De Blasio Style Evident in Effort to Sway Critics of Bratton(NYT) Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and aides are conducting a campaign of diplomacy with influential black and Latino New Yorkers who view William J. Bratton as divisive. Behind the scenes in the past 48 hours, Mr. de Blasio and his top aides have quietly waged an aggressive campaign of outreach and diplomacy to secure support for Mr. Bratton, whose deep ties to the divisive policing era of the 1990s have unsettled some allies of the mayor-elect.
In 2000, a War Room Didn’t Fit de Blasio’s Style - NYTimes.com
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de Blasio Fills NYC's Power Vacuum
Four Factors Make de Blasio's Message and Control Stronger
1. For the first time in 20 years the mayor is from the majority party. (NYC has now become a one party city. 2. The Democratic Party leaders are on life support struggling to hold on to the council speakers position. They used to fight each other for who gets to control the speakers position, now they are working together to hold off the unions and progressives. 3. The press is more go along get along. The Village Voice and investigative journalism is gone. Replaced by inexperienced reporters who count on the consultants who work for elected officials for the stories they write. 4. de Blasio is a campaign manager at heart he knows how to organize and knows how to enforce message discipline.
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New Top Cop Meets the New Boss
Ray Kelly ‘content’ to quit as top dog(NYP)
Bratton faces challenges over crime trends, stop-frisk reform(NYP)
Rev. Al Sharpton writes for The News: There is a real chance for change with Bill Bratton driving police force(NYDN)
Sharpton Filling NYC's
Power Vacuum
Team de Blasio moves quick to wipe out Bratton Giuliani story line
Bratton: "your police force will be respectful *Bratton says one of his big regrets is never having met Mandela * "We have has our good days and bad."
Bratton Tells NAN he Will Run NYPD with Mandela's Message: Respect for All
* New Police Commissioner Same as the Old Police Commissioner
Did Bratton's apparent success in LA also just really come from gentrification? And if so, damn is this dude lucky to strike gold twice
Bratton’s Time in California May Offer Clues to His Plans for New York Police(NYT) The incoming commissioner, William J. Bratton, has relied on many of the aggressive techniques that have proved divisive in the city, while navigating complicated racial tensions.* New Police Chief Faces Less Crime, More Counterterrorism (WSJ)* De Blasio, Bratton Join Rev. Al Sharpton For Rally(CBSde Blasio A 4th Man in the An Albany Room
Winds of War On A State Tax Fight
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Outlaw Albany Lawmakers Pension Loss
Albany Rats Panic As Stevenson Discusses Plea-Deal Options With His Lawyer
Dov Hikind
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Mandela
NYC Memorial Planned for Mandela (WSJ)
First cut of NYT
TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR 
'He no longer belongs to us. He belongs to the ages': President Obama pays tribute to Nelson Mandela(NYDN) * WATCH: 5 Powerful Interviews From the Inspiring Life of Nelson Mandela * Memorial For Bill Lynch Interrupted By Death Of Nelson Mandela(NYDN *EDITORIAL: Paying tribute to Nelson Mandela — the anti-apartheid hero and figure of wisdom, strength and peace(NYDN) * Dinkins: Mandela "Greatest Figure Of The Century" * A Global Symbol of Justice(WSJ)* New Yorkers Remember Mandela And His Emotional Trips Here (WSJ)
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Smith in Court, Halloran Getting Ready
While indicted Councilman Dan Halloran‘s lawyer is arguing that it’s not illegal trade cash for ballot access. “Payments in exchange for Wilson-Pakula are not bribery,” said Vinoo Varghese, his attorney. “New York State has never prosecuted this as a criminal act.”
Smith Who is Under Indictment For Try to Buy the GOP Party Line and Using the Matching Funds As An ATM Machine
Queens State Sen. Malcolm Smith has billed his campaign fund $100,632 for vehicle-related expenses since 2010. Smith was reimbursed for two leased cars, E-ZPass payments and even parking tickets, according to an analysis by the New York Public Interest Research Group. Gov. Cuomo’s anti-corruption panel exposed a new twist — legislators who also put in for reimbursement from the state for their travel expenses. But the panel didn’t name any of the lawmakers it claimed were “double dipping.”* Queens Attorney Set to Challenge Malcolm Smith(NYO) Munir Avery, an attorney with close ties to Queens County politics, is planning to challenge embattled Sen. Malcolm Smith next year.
More on Malcolm Smith
New Top Cop
Saturday Meeting With Sharpton
With his hard-charging press-friendly style, Bratton managed to garner considerable acclaim for the crime drop in NYC(NYT) * Cuomo Praises Bratton Pick(NY1)* "I believe fundamentally in the broken windows theory," says
NYT Dwyer Stop and Frisk Already Down Times’ Jim Dwyer notes that Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio’s selection of William Bratton as police commissioner comes with the promise of curbing stop-and-frisk, despite the fact that use of the tactic is already on the decline * The Post laments that neither de Blasio or Bratton mentioned the positive work of current Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, but view Bratton’s appointment as a sign that the new mayor is serious about keeping crime down:* BRATT TO THE FUTURE: Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio names Bill Bratton as NYPD commissioner, promising to mend force's relationship with minority communities * Lupica: "That Bratton did not acknowledge Kelly’s extraordinary service ...was as graceless as it was predictable" * Go get ’em, Bill (NYDN Ed) * New Police Chief Faces Less Crime, More Counterterrorism (WSJ)
de Blasio and Bratton Stop and Frisk Dance“[D]e Blasio supporters looking for the clean break from the Bloomberg administration the mayor-elect promised in the campaign, during which he also pledged to “end the stop-and-frisk era” in New York, may find Bratton's substantive views about police work to be remarkably similar to the current administration's.” (Capital) Bill Bratton on stop-and-frisk: “the most basic, fundamental and necessary tool of American policing." * The Daily News wrote it “inspires confidence that New Yorkers elected a law-and-order mayor after all,” while the New York Post cheered the pick as “welcome news.”* On that topic, New York magazine’s Chris Smith writes Mr. Bratton “still clearly loves the spotlight, and he has warm relations with much of the city’s press”: “The mayor-elect didn’t want to risk choosing an untested police commissioner — but he’ll take his chances on competing with his top cop for headlines.”* Bill Bratton to Inherit NYPD That's Fighting Rising Overall Crime Numbers via
Mayoral Transition Timeline
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Race and the NYFD
The newest batch of New York City firefighters graduated from the fire academy yesterday, with minorities making up 60 percent of the class, the most diverse class in department history, part of a court-ordered mandate to increase diversity, the Times reports:
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AG Just Solve the Moreland Mystery?
A non-profit company providing medical services, operating out of a city storefront appears to have received about $3 million in sketchy funds from very important lawmakers. We need you to help us find it. Or maybe you happen to be familiar with a certain storefront where investigators installed a pole camera for 25 days. Maybe you’re an expert in non-profit law. You get the idea.
Mystery Solved: Another None Profit Indicted
The founder of a Queens nonprofit, Angeldocs, has been indicted for pocketing grant money, including member items, per
The New Deputy Borough President of Queens Comrie Has A None Profit Member Item Corruption Problem
The City Council dished out nearly $147 million for pet projects throughout members’ districts, including a grant to a dysfunctional medical center in Queens that even Mayor Bloomberg’s agencies doubt should get taxpayer money. Included in the massive list of “member items” — funds individual council members dole out to non-profits — is a $5,000 allocation to Angeldocs, whose city funds are under examination by the city Health Department. Last year’s taxpayer-funded council grants to Angeldocs were reviewed in April by the Department after The Post reported it was delinquent on property taxes and its only staffer, Dr. Dorothy Ogundu, refused to reveal details about her practice. Despite that, Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens) appropriated another $5,000 for the clinic, which Council Speaker Christine Quinn has yet to approve. Council’s pork bill at $147M(NYP and Queens Crap) * Queens nonprofit Angeldocs stole $350000: authorities (NYDN) Founder Dr. Dorothy Ogundu allegedly used the Hollis-based outfit to pocket city, state and federal funds earmarked for public services and capital improvements — to pay for personal expenses, including buying cars and shipping them back to her native Nigeria. Founder Dr. Dorothy Ogundu allegedly used the Hollis-based outfit to pocket city, state and federal funds earmarked for public services and capital improvements — to pay for personal expenses, including buying cars and shipping them back to her native Nigeria.
Looks Like the City Health Department Was Sitting On this Story and Moreland Report Pushed It Out
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Citizen United World
NYT's Corruption Solutions for Dummies
New York’s ‘Legalized Bribery’(NYT) Moreland had done New Yorkers a great service.. The report on ethics in Albany reads like an encyclopedia of scandal One in every 11 politicians leaving the State Legislature since 1999 has departed “under the cloud of ethical or criminal violations.” The NYT listed the areas of corruption that is already know to every awake New Yorker. The commission, whose work is continuing, has subpoenaed a number of state legislators for details of how they operate. It has not accused anyone by name. But it found instances of “deplorable conduct, some of it perfectly legal yet profoundly wrong; some of it potentially illegal.” The report condemned the Board of Elections, a bipartisan group that is supposed to enforce the state’s few campaign laws, for its failure “to carry out its duty to enforce the Election law, enabling the culture of corruption in Albany.” * Thirty-two state senators are opposed to public financing of campaigns, including 30 Republicans and 2 Democrats, leaving the measure unlikely to pass in the upcoming legislative session, Gannett Albany reports:
NYT Offers the Same Old Ineffective Solution Which Will Not Stop A Culture of Corruption
NYT: The Advance Group Is Under Investigation By the CFB For Using PAC $$$ and Matching Funds Illegally
Now the Campaign Finance Board is investigating the Advance Group’s role. Outside groups can spend themselves silly, but they cannot coordinate with individual candidates. “The board takes very seriously any allegation that campaigns have benefited from spending by an outside group where spending is coordinated,” noted Eric Friedman, a spokesman for the board. “It gives a big advantage.”
CrainsNY on the Advance Groups Double Dipping
Journalists Fail in the Prime Obligation to Uncover Corruption
U.S. Attorney Journalism Failure
The Media Reports Indictments Does Not Investigate
Media Ignores U.S. Attorney Plea to Investigate Corruption
Bharara: No Investigative Reporting Equals More Corruption
Bharara to Journalist
Investigate Stop Copying My Press Releases
"Rather than just covering the cases that my office and other offices are already bringing, figure out ways to break new ground and to cover new stories," Bharara said. "Groundbreaking corruption coverage is not just good copy, it's a path to good government." Bharara
Preet challenges journos to do investigative reporting (CrainsNY)
The press has a role to play, Mr. Bharara said, noting that he is saddened by recent reports of newspaper closings and staff downsizing. "Rather than just covering the cases that my office and other offices are already bringing, figure out ways to break new ground and to cover new stories," he said. "Groundbreaking corruption coverage is not just good copy, it's a path to good government."* \Bruno Lawyers Want An April Trial(YNN)
More On Corruption Fighter US Attorney Preet Bharara
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Who Prosecutes Corruption?
Corruption Prosecutions: Albany v. Manhattan (WSJ) Interestingly, the office prosecuting most of these cases isn’t in Albany but 150 miles away in Manhattan — the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York. Just one significant Albany corruption case — a controversial bribery charge against former state Senate leader Joseph Bruno — originated from the U.S. attorney’s office in the city where lawmakers go to work: the Northern District, which encompasses the state capital.
How DA Vance Gave A Pass to A Corrupt Pol and Party to Protect Bloomberg + Gave Us Dracula Addabbo
DA's elected by the party machines are force to block or limit political corruption investigations the opposite of U.S Attorney who look to turn one corrupt pol against another.
In 2011, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. named Connolly and his party as a “noncriminal defendant’’ in the case against former GOP consultant John Haggerty, who stole Bloomberg campaign cash during the 2009 mayoral race. Vance accused Connolly — who wasn’t charged in the case — of trying to hide evidence and cover up the misuse of Bloomberg’s money. The DA said Connolly and Haggerty also fabricated and backdated paperwork to make it look like the Independence Party had given Haggerty a contract for the poll-watching effort. At one point, Connelly tried to conceal from the Board of Elections a transfer of the mayor’s funds to Haggerty, prosecutors said. CORRUPTION THRIVES IN ALBANY: WHY DON’T PROSECUTIONS? The majority of political corruption cases have originated from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with few pursued by Albany’s own prosecutors, writes Steven M. Cohen(City and State)
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Albany Real Deal Making
Blogger and the Media Ignored the Fact That the Advance Group Under Investigation Central Role in NYCLASS At Last Nights Fund Raiser
Horse-Drawn Carriage Supporters Protest De Blasio's Stance(NY1)
The Advance Group Being Drop by A Speaker Mark-Viverito, But the Reporter Did Not Ask the Speaker Candidate If Any Laws Were Broken?
NYCLASS and its board members were among the major funders of New
York City is Not For Sale’s “Anybody But Quinn” campaign, which helped
derail Mr. de Blasio’s fiercest challenger in the Democratic mayoral
primary: Christine Quinn. While the group insisted that it was unaligned
with Mr. de Blasio’s campaign, many of the group’s backers ended up
supporting him–drawing questions from critics wondering if it was a de facto pro-de Blasio effort. The group also raised eyebrows for a series of over-the-limit campaign contributions
and for its association with the Advance Group, which drew fire during
the election for running both campaigns and independent expenditure
efforts, among other issues. Melissa Mark-Viverito Drops Advance Group for Speaker Bid(NYO)Politicker's Incomplete Journalism About the Firing Of the Advance Group by the Leading Speaker's Candidate. The NYT Said Advance Was Being Investigated by the CFB But Did Not
Say it Was Involved In Running Mark-Viverito Campaign to Become Speaker _____________________________________
Silver Legal Bills Mount
Albany Hush Fund Cover Up, Press Containment Timeline
Rapfogel's Non Profit Tax Shelters Connects to political payoffs
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A Diversifying Fire Department
Minority-Dominated Class Graduates From New York Fire Academy(NYT) The new recruits are another stage in efforts to diversify the department, which have been met with hostility by some firefighters.
How The Independence Party Used GOP Housekeeping $$$ to Create Dracula Addabbo
A Cult Remains In Charge of NYC's Independence Party Because the Senate GOP and Bloomberg Needed the Party to Launder Money Through and Ballot Line
More on the Independence Party Is Really A Cult
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Gov Race 2014
To Win His 3rd Term Mayor Wagner Ran Against the Political Machines, The TUThink It Time for Cuomo to Do the Same
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Monserrate Girlfriend Sues
The ex-girlfriend of former state
Sen. Hiram Monserrate is pressing a $35 million lawsuit against the
city, NYPD, detectives, and staff at Long Island Jewish Hospital
alleging her domestic violence case against Monserrate was fabricated New York City attorneys: Nix suit by state senator’s missing ex-girlfriend (NYDN) Karla
Giraldo is suing the city and others for $35 million, saying they
forced her to fabricate domestic violence claims against jailed former
state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, her ex-boyfriend. Trouble for her case is,
no one can find her.
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Councilwoman’s black-Jewish resentment talk slammed(NYDN) Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo, who is black, wrote on Facebook that black residents feared being ‘pushed out by their Jewish landlords.’ The Anti-Defamation League said the posting ‘evokes classic anti-Semitic stereotypes.’* .@HikindDov responds to Laurie Cumbo’s letter connecting ‘jewish landlords’ to ‘knockout game’ (NY Metro)
Andrew J. Hawkins
@andyjayhawkIncoming Councilwoman speculates that resentment of "Jewish success" fueling so-called "knockout game" http://dnain.fo/IsogGy -
Dumb, dumb, dumb. This kind of excuse-making for criminality doesn't bode well for NYC over the next 4 long years.
@andyjayhaw
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Michael Benjamin
Weiner Radio
Anthony Weiner is reportedly in talks to host his own radio show(NYDN)
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Is Lobbyist Arzt Breaking Ethic Law?
Arzt is working with Brooklyn Boss Seddio and Queens Boss Crowley to elected Weprin. Ferreras is being used poorly to block Melissa Mark-Viverito. Anyway she is damaged by her past and would never qualify for speaker Queens Group Spent City's Cash, but Has No Receipts Showing ... Is Atzt boosting Ferreras for free?
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Liu's 25 Year Old Goes to Jail
Liu Sues Bloomberg Access to Tax Records
New York City Comptroller John Liu has sued the Bloomberg administration in state Supreme Court for refusing to provide access to corporate tax records, accusing the city of blocking his auditing effortsLiu Sues City for Corporation Tax Records(WSJ)
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Moreland Report Response
The Journal News writes that in considering the recommendations made by the Moreland Commission on public corruption, Albany should separate out some of the proposed reforms to insure they pass, instead of getting stuck as part of a big package of legislation:
Thursday UpdateThe Moreland Commission's GOP co-chair says it DID look into Cuomo, and did not find anything 'improper'
There are no recommendation to do anything significant about nonprofit skimming in the first Moreland Report
"If prosecuting corruption cases were fishing, Albany would be considered a trout farm."
Legislator questions why commission isn't looking at Cuomo, Schneiderman(NYDN)
Corruption Panel’s Report Offers Look at the Payback Culture in Albany(NYT) The panel appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said it had found possible sham nonprofit groups funded with public money and businesses using campaign donations to influence laws.
More Moreland madness in Albany - William F. B. O'Reilly (Newsday)
Diaz Praises Moreland’s ‘Magnificent Seven’(YNN)
Cuomo claimed that he is still holding out for public financing of campaigns, saying that lawmakers would already have passed an ethics package if he was okay with leaving out public financing(YNN)
Winds of Battles to Come Cuomo claimed that he is still holding out for public financing of campaigns, saying that lawmakers would already have passed an ethics package if he was okay with leaving out public financing(YNN)
Fitzpatrick: Moreland Free Of Cuomo’s Influence(YNN)
Fred Dicker: “To many observers, the contrast between the new Moreland Commission’s findings on public corruption and Gov. Cuomo’s actions is nothing short of breathtaking.”
Many of the problems highlighted in the Moreland Commission report have been red-flagged before by the media.
Fred Dicker: “To many observers, the contrast between the new Moreland Commission’s findings on public corruption and Gov. Cuomo’s actions is nothing short of breathtaking.”
Many of the problems highlighted in the Moreland Commission report have been red-flagged before by the media.
Local TV News Which Makes Millions Off of the Culture of Big Campaign Spending Has Not Cover the Moreland Commission
Pay to Report Local TV
Spending on advertising has fueled the increase in TV lobbying costs. Well-funded special interests funnel millions to lobbyists for public campaigns to sway lawmakers on hot-button issues (TU) Local News which is mainly weather, traffic, cooking and dog segments is making millions in lobbyists spending. Union and business interest like the pro fracking interest are also spending millions on ads to local stations. All this money is coming in as local news dumbs down. Local TV stations stand to profit from boom in super-PAC spending (The Hill)*CSNY’s budget blitz: $3.9 million (updated)(TU) *Save NY airing tax cap ad(TU) *Budget opponents up their ads and mailers(TU) *Bloomberg Blames Negative Ads For Poor Showing In Education ...(Politico) *Save NY now airs on school money(TU) *NYC's Bloomberg Pays for TV Ads Backing Cuomo's Pension * Bloomberg Defends His Administration With TV Ad - NY1.com * Local TV News For $ale: How Special Interests Control News Content and Public Opinion
Moreland Updates
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Lhota Still On Crime
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Kelly
Ray Kelly will get a 10-officer detail when he leaves, costing taxpayers $1.5M.(DNAINFO)
NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly will stay on through the end of Bloomberg’s administration – at least, he hasn’t told the mayor any different.
More on Ray Kelly
Rangel Again
RANGEL IS RUNNING — Assemblyman Keith Wright, the Manhattan Democratic leader, told the Post: “You can’t keep the old war horse down,” said Wright, adding, “I’m with him all the way.”* Rangel Meeting with Possible Successors:
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Speakers Race Closed Doors
Jumaane Williams Only Speaker Candidate to Knock Bill Bratton (NYO)
Diminishing the power of the Speaker could weaken the entire NYC Council in relation to the mayor (City and State) * El Diario makes the case for New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito as the best choice for Council speaker, praising her advocacy on critical community issues, her dedication to participatory budgeting, and strength of character * Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito discussed her speaker candidacy on Road to City Hall last night. “I’m a very pragmatic person. I’m very opinionated and strong-willed. But that doesn’t mean that you’re unreasonable. I think that being in this position, you have to be also very clear and precise … When you talk to me, I’m talking straight,” she said.
The Speakers Race Was Always Behind Closed Doors
Speaker Race Moving to Behind Closed Doors(NY1)
The Advance Group Being Drop by A Speaker Mark-Viverito, But the Reporter Did Not Ask the Speaker Candidate If Any Laws Were Broken?
Melissa Mark-Viverito Drops Advance Group for Speaker Bid(NYO)Politicker's Incomplete Journalism About the Firing Of the Advance Group by the Leading Speaker's CandidateMany of the City's Lobbyists Consultants are Breaking the Ethics Law By Giving A Gift to An Elected Officials
New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito may have violated city ethics rules by accepting unpaid assistance from the Advance Group, a lobbing firm, to further her candidacy for Council speaker," the Daily News reports * The Daily News urges the New York City Council to disqualify Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito from consideration for Council speaker for “blatantly” violating ethics rules by soliciting unpaid assistance from a lobbyist WHEN WILL A REPORTER GO TO THE CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BOARD AND ASK IF THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON?
Journalism Lobbyists Disconnect
"Various laws passed by the Legislature were “custom tailored” at the behest of a single influential lobbyist"
Politicker Did Not Ask Mark-Viverito If She Was Paying Other Lobbyists Consultants?
CrainsNY also reported Mark-Viverito is getting help by two other consultant lobbyists firms, Bishop Pitta Del Giorno and the Mirram Group. There are no inkind reports of Mark-Viverito getting help from Advance or any consultant on the CFB report.
The NYT Said Advance Was Being Investigated by the CFB But Did Not Say it Was Involved In Running Mark-Viverito Campaign to Become Speaker
From the NYT "As Crain’s New York noted in a spate of fine reporting, the Advance
Group helped the city’s teachers’ union spend vast sums on Council
races, even as the Advance Group ran individual Council campaigns.
Advance used the same office and same press officer for both efforts,
though in a halfhearted nod to the potential conflict, it changed its
name for the teachers’ union work, to Strategic Consultants. “We took pains to have firewalls internal to the firm,” said Mr.
Levenson, who acknowledged that he faced an investigation. “I can say
unequivocally, independent expenditures were done independently and not
coordinated.”
The Media's Anti-Gay Media Cover-Up
Another Question Politicker did not Ask About Advance's Gay Cover Up or How Often Do You Do Favors For Other Consultants
From the Daily News 11/21/2013
“We did a favor for a political operative that we have a longstanding relationship with by sending his mailer to a printer,” an Advance Group spokeswoman said. “It was a mistake that we regret and is completely inconsistent with our history.”
True News Asks Politicker
What do you think Advance meant when Levension said he was doing a favor for a fellow consultant in a Daily News article on 11/21 by mailing out the anti-gay mailers? Who was that consultant that Advance Did the Favor for? Do consultants do favors for one another is that legal?
True News Reported That the Consultant Do Favors For One Another Creating A Campaign Monopoly They Control
These same big 8
consultants also have the same monopolized control of citywide, state election
and law enforcement elections. There operating model resembles organize crime
after the Apalachin crime meeting. That 1957
meeting included over 100 mobsters including "Joe the Barber," divided
the illegal operations of loan sharking, narcotics trafficking and gambling controlled
by the late Albert Anastasia.
The big 8 include: the Advance Group, the Parkside Group/Marathon
Strategies
(join at the hip), Berlin Rosen, Mercury Public Affairs, Brandford
Communications, George Arzt, Multi-Media, Hudson TJ and Red Horse. Like
the
Apalachin mobsters the consultants/lobbyist has divided up New York to
control
the government and rake in corrupt lobbying dollars. Also like the
mobsters the
big 8 may even be about the law. A Surprise Progressive Takeover of City
Hall - Party Leaders, Partnership and Permanent Government Caught
Flatfooted* Speaker Hopeful: Ethics Committee A Tough Sell For City Council Colleagues(NYDN)
So Much for Transparency
So Much for Transparency
The Council is Keeping It Secret From the Public, If They Are Having A Secret Vote for Speaker?
Speaker Hopefuls Don't Know Exactly How They'll Choose a Speaker (NYO)
Ten current and former legislators collected at least $220,000 in vehicle expenses from their campaign funds, and then received about $170,000 more in reimbursement from the state for travel to and from Albany.
Moreland Report Out
Moreland Report Link
Gov. Cuomo's Anti-Corruption Commission Blasts Albany's 'Pay-To-Play' Culture (NYDN)
Moreland report blasts Albany ethics
Panel Appointed by Cuomo Calls Corruption Commonplace in Albany (NYT)
Moreland and the Media Must Take Into Account How Consultant Lobbyist Have Gamed NYC CFB System
Breaking The Moreland Commission has "uncovered clear relationships between cash and legislative actions," according to one of its co-chairs
A Bandage Fix Without Uncovering Corruption
The Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption's commissioners will vote this morning whether to approve the final draft of its preliminary report before releasing its recommendations to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but sources with inside knowledge of the report have disclosed to City & State that it will call for New York State to adopt a system of publicly financed elections modeled after the New York City Campaign Finance Board. Cuomo was rebuffed by the state Legislature when he pushed for a public campaign finance system in the final days of the last legislative session. The Assembly has already passed a bill that would put in place such a system, but the bill’s prospects for passage in the state Senate died with steadfast opposition from Republicans. A spokesperson for the Moreland Commission did not immediately respond for comment.(City and State) * Dissenting Opinion On Public Financing Expected In Anti-Corruption Panel Report(NYDN) * The not-so open Moreland Commission (TU) * Just 10 of the 25 Moreland Commission members have filed financial disclosure forms with JCOPE. They aren’t required to do so, and those who did it acted out of an “abundance of caution.” * Moreland Madness(YNN)
Charges fly over Moreland Commission(NYP) Cuomo pooh-poohs this excuse, and he’s right to do so. He notes that numerous lawmakers are cooperating with the panel. That, he says, makes a mockery of the idea that opposition here is based on principle. The governor implies that those legislators who aren’t cooperating with the panel are just trying to keep hidden embarrassing — perhaps even incriminating — information.
But the lawmakers are just as correct in their criticism of Cuomo. They claim, for example, that the Cuomo administration convened the Moreland Commission less out of any desire to clean up corruption in New York than to pressure members into passing some of the governor’s legislation they have opposed (e.g., public financing of political campaigns). They further accuse the Democratic governor of trying to push the Moreland Commission to target selected pols, especially Republicans.
Lawmakers Attempt to Quash Subpoenas
One bill, initially co-sponsored by Savino of Staten Island, would have made future commissions impaneled under the Moreland Act to be independent of the governor’s office.
A second measure would require firms seeking state agency contracts to provide a list of political contributions made in the past 18 months to the governor and and the executive branch.* * A pair of law firms that employ state lawmakers filed court papers on Friday to quash subpoenas from Cuomo’s anti-corruption commission, with attorneys from the state Legislature expected to file objections as well, Gannett Albany writes * It's clear what the Moreland Commission is looking for: We found Hiscock & Barclay/Harris Beach clients who lobby NYS * The Moreland Commission is poised to report recommendations this week, setting the stage for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to try to use the findings to push lawmakers to agree to change campaign-finance and other laws.* The Auburn Citizen would like the Moreland Commission to take a “hard look” at executive agencies, especially (in light of recent headlines) DOCCS.* The TU says Cuomo “needs to fight for campaign reform at least as hard as he campaigned on it.”
More on the Moreland Commission
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Pay to Drop Deputy BP
Comrie Payback for Dropping Out of the BP Race
Pay to Drop Deputy BP
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CrainsNY Anonymous Source
CrainsNY Which Use Parkside's Evan Stavisky to Drop Dimes On Levinson's Advance Group Now Quotes An Anonymous Source to Attack Viverito
Is Stavisky the Anonymous Source?
"I am very certain that he does not want a speaker to his left," the
Democrat explained. "He'll want someone who's not going to push him.
He'll want to do things when he's ready." Mr. de Blasio has reportedly talked up Ms. Mark-Viverito's candidacy,
but many council insiders don't buy it, said the source: "I think he's
floating Melissa out there so she can self-destruct. A lot of people
believe that." The math of the speaker's race still does not bode well for the
Progressive Caucus, the insider insisted. "Brooklyn has 10 to 12 members
[who will be united]; add 13 from Queens, possibly all 14, the two
Republicans from Staten Island, and whatever [Bronx Democratic Chairman
Carl] Heastie has, 5 to 8," the Democrat said. "I believe the county
leaders will work together on this one as opposed to trying to cut each
other out." CrainsNY on the Advance Groups Double Dipping * Bronx county leader pretends "it's up to City Council members" to pick next speaker: * Ydanis Rodriguez Rejoining Progressive Caucus; Backs @mmviverito for Speaker (Councilwatch)
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TV Lobbyists Loyal to the $$$
Former GOP Senator Helps Funds de Blasio
NY1 LobbyGuys
DE BLASIO BENEFITED FROM D’AMATO MONEY: While
Bill de Blasio was elected mayor as a progressive Democrat, he quietly
took contributions from people closely tied to former U.S. Senator
Alfonse D’Amato, who is now a lobbyist and perhaps the state’s most
powerful Republican.
Ms. Holtzman's lobbying firm was paid $120,000 in 2009, $90,000 in 2010, and $200,000 in 2011 by SAIC, the maker of CityTime,
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Dead Run
Signals Upgraded for Curve in Track Where Metro-North Crash Occurred(NYT) Operators nearing the area, just north of Spuyten Duyvil station, will
be warned of a reduced speed limit, and the train will brake
automatically. Metropolitan Transportation
Authority said it had upgraded its signal network to warn operators as
they approach the sharply curved section of tracks in the Bronx where a
Metro-North train derailed last weekend
Metro-North engineer jumps the rails — and gets job back(NYP) After an engineer’s alleged dozing caused a derailment last Sunday that
killed four people, a Post investigation found that dangerous train
drivers get little more than a slap on the wrist by the agency.
Saturday
Fed Crackdown on Metro-North
Engineer in Metro-North Crash Is Called Dedicated and Kind(NYT)People who know William Rockefeller, who was at the controls when a Bronx derailment killed four passengers, say they are puzzled by the impression that he is a reckless man.* U.S. Orders Changes at Metro-North After Derailment(NYT) * Ocean of tears for tragic train dad(NYP) * Getting back on track after Metro-North tragedy(NYP Ed) *Metro-North
Ordered to Modify Signal System (WSJ) *NY
railway has until Tuesday to analyze lines (WSJ) * Railroad Administration orders Metro-North to use 2 engineers(WABC) * Funeral for one of victims of Metro-North derailment(WABC) * Metro-North has until Tuesday to analyze lines
Friday
Blame the MTA for train crash, too(NYP Ed)* Feinstein:
Stick to Train Safety Deadlines After New York City Crash (WSJ)
* Cuomo To MTA: Take Steps To Make Trains Safer(YNN) *Changes ordered for Metro-North after fatal crash(NYP) * QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Safety is our
highest priority, and we must do everything we can to learn from this
tragic crash and help prevent future derailments. While we assist the
National Transportation Safety Board in carrying out its investigation,
this Emergency Order will help ensure that other Metro-North trains
travel at appropriate, safe speeds.” – U.S. Transportation Secretary
Anthony Foxx, commenting on the response to the Metro-North derailment,
via The Wall Street Journal. * * The Federal Railroad Administration
issued an emergency order to Metro-North Railroad requiring it to
improve its signal system following the fatal train crash in the Bronx, The Wall Street Journal reports:
Thursday Update: Warning System on the Wrong End of the Train
Derailed train’s alarms located away from engineer(NYP) *Train Had a Warning System, Just Not in the Operator’s Cab(NYP) * Federal investigators are leaning
toward blaming operator error in Sunday’s Metro-North train derailment,
with the train engineer’s attorney firmly stating that the incident was
not a criminal matter, The Wall Street Journal reports: The Metropolitan Transportation
Authority said that an alerter system had been installed in the
locomotive pushing the train that derailed in the Bronx, but not in the
front cab where the engineer was positioned at the time of the crash (NYT) * Charges Not a Certainty in Train Derailment(WSJ) * Inside the derailed Metro-North train(NYP) * EXCLUSIVE:
Train engineer in deadly Metro-North derailment will undergo evaluation
for sleep apnea, which leaves sufferers exhausted when they wake up(NYDN)
Editorial in NYT on train derailment highlighting neglect of
infrastructure by political system. Tragedy could have been prevented
The Times writes that the Metro-North derailment in the Bronx raises the question on why that train and
thousands of commuter trains across the country are not better equipped
with automated train control systemsTrain Engineer Was Dazed Before Crash, Lawyer Says(NYT)* Sweat the motorman (NYDN) Zeroing in on the crucial piece of the Metro-North derailment puzzle* 'IN
A DAZE': Shocking first words from engineer blame lack of focus for
fatal train wreck as NTSB says brakes were working properly and alcohol
wasn't a factor(NYDN) * Driver Lapse Cited in Crash(WSJ) * Hudson Line Commuters Get Back On Track (NY1) * The governor also said that the state
would explore options for “positive train-control systems,” which
automatically slow down trains, in the wake of the Metro-North
derailment in the Bronx, Gannett Albany reports
82 MPH At the Curve 30 mph Zone
Driver started early morning shift two weeks ago
BREAKING: @MetroNorth engineer was sober, well-rested before crash. http://nydn.us/18YVh7t Brakes were working, too. Gov. Cuomo: Law Enforcement Should Look Into Operator Of Metro-North Train Wreck (NYDN) * The engineer of the Metro-North train
that derailed on Sunday did not appear to be focused moments before the
crash, said sources close to the investigation, with one describing him
as "almost hypnotized," The New York Times writes: * The MTA is bracing for lawsuits in
connection to Sunday's train derailment in the Bronx that killed four
people, but the total cost to the agency may be as little as $10
million, Crain's reports:
Engineer ‘zoned out’ before speeding Metro-North train derailed(NYP) * DNAinfo.com New York on Sunday’s deadly train accident:
“Investigators believe the motorman at the controls in the deadly
Metro-North Railroad derailment in the Bronx Sunday dozed off for a few
fateful moments and woke up too late to stop the speeding train from
hurtling off the tracks.”* HELL-RACING
'SPEEDER': Engineer facing probe after NTSB reveals doomed Metro-North
train was hurtling down tracks at 82 MPH when it hit 30 MPH curve and
brakes weren't fully engaged(NYDN) * Report: Metro-North Operator Fell Asleep Moments Before Deadly Derailment * On track for grand jury(NYDN Ed)* Engineer on deadly crash: ‘I don’t know. I was in a daze’( NYP) * Crash victim set to file 1st suit(NYP)
Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not make
an appearance at the scene of the Metro-North train derailment in the
Bronx, with staffers declining to reveal his whereabouts, though a
spokesman called the accident “a state matter,” the New York Post reports * Rail curve’s deadly history(NYP) * Gov. Cuomo Expects NTSB Probe Will Find Speed Was Behind Metro North Train Derailment (UPDATED Wit CNN Interview) * 'I’m
not a professional firefighter or police officer... nothing I can do':
Departing Mayor Bloomberg, out of the public eye all day, visits
Metro-North crash victims * CNN’s Chris Cuomo Interviews Governor Andrew Cuomo on New York Train Derailment (VIDEO) *Flying Bodies, Broken Bones and Screams After Cars Leave the Track(NYT) * A Sharp Curve and a Train’s Speed(NYT) * Bloomberg On Absence From Crash Scene: 'What Can I Do? I'm Not A Professional Firefighter' (NY1).* Federal investigators recover second data recorder at Metro-North crash site. (NY1)
.@MikeBloomberg Spotted Golfing in Bermuda After Train Accident: Report(NYO) * Bill de Blasio Says As Mayor, He Would Have Been At Train Crash Site * Bloomberg learned of Metro-North derailment while on golf course(NYP) *Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the train
derailment in the Bronx was likely caused by speed and not a product of
the tricky turn near the Spuyten Duyvil station, the New York Times reports:* @Newsday: BREAKING: @NTSB says train that derailed in the Bronx was traveling at 82 mph as it approached a 30 mph zone. -@AP
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Bruno Back to Court
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Toll Hike Pushing the Middle Class Out
Higher Tolls Adds to Recent Increases in MTA, Con Ed, Taxes, Rents That the Middle Class Already Pay
Toll hikes start Sunday at New York-New Jersey crossings(NYP)
Low Wages
Life on $7.25 an Hour(NYT) Older Workers Are Increasingly Entering Fast-Food Industry. 55,000 fast-food workers in New York — more than the entire population of Harrisburg, Pa.
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Sunday Night Another Knockout Attack
Hasidic man targeted in ‘knockout’ attack(NYP)
Elderly woman could be city’s 10th ‘knockout game’ victim (NYDN) Yvonne Small, 76, fell to the ground after being punched by her assailant on Alabama Ave. and Wortman Ave. in East New York about 11:35 a.m. This attack happen right after Community activist and member of National Action Network, holds a press conference in front of a Nail Salon at 745 New Lotts avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, to speak out against “knockout attacks.” *Elderly woman latest ‘knockout’ victim(NYP) * Police Search For Suspect In Another Possible ‘Knockout Game’ Attack(WINS)
Hasidic man targeted in ‘knockout’ attack(NYP)
Elderly woman could be city’s 10th ‘knockout game’ victim (NYDN) Yvonne Small, 76, fell to the ground after being punched by her assailant on Alabama Ave. and Wortman Ave. in East New York about 11:35 a.m. This attack happen right after Community activist and member of National Action Network, holds a press conference in front of a Nail Salon at 745 New Lotts avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, to speak out against “knockout attacks.” *Elderly woman latest ‘knockout’ victim(NYP) * Police Search For Suspect In Another Possible ‘Knockout Game’ Attack(WINS)
Random Attacks Are Rising Threat or Urban Myth(NYT) The New York police are trying to determine if teenagers are picking
targets and trying to knock them out with one punch, or if such attacks
have always occurred.* "I didn't knock out no Jew" arrested suspect yelled. Possible #knockout try in Brooklyn: http://dnain.fo/1emYoXD
NY1 Does Not Even Call A 76 Year Old Woman Getting Punched In the Head A Knockout Attack Police Seek Man For Questioning In Connection With Brooklyn Assault(NY1)
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Albany Fish Stinks At the Head Albany's 3 Leaders Uses Separation of Powers to Protect Their Criminal Behavior. Half + of Their Members Disagree
They’re hiding something (NYDN)As they stonewall what could be the last, best chance to clean up state government for this generation, the top bosses of the Assembly and Senate claim that they are sticking up for the interests of the entire Legislature. It’s a matter of principle, they declared as they went to court to battle Gov. Cuomo’s Commission to Investigate Public Corruption. We’re standing for the constitutional balance between the executive and legislative branches, they said in trying to quash subpoenas for details of the outside income they collect for doing who-knows-what for who-knows-whom. Hogwash. Albany's legislative bosses cover their backsides in subpoena fight* Only ten of the 25 members of the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption have filed financial disclosure forms with the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics, and the panel’s three chairpersons are among those who have not, the Times Union’s James Odato writes: * Silver, Skelos and Klein join law firms' legal fight against Moreland
Silver, Skelos and Klein Uses Nixon's Watergate Separation of Powers Argument to Kill Subpoenas
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The Daily News BOE Treadmill Council Has the Power to Clean Up the BOE
The Daily News Should Ask Each of the Council Speaker Candidates If They Will Use Their Power to Confirm Board of Election Commissioner to Demand Reforms of That Corruption Institution
Quinn and a gang of 4 GOP councilmember used the power to confirm BOE commissioners to throw out commissioner in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx. The result is that GOP party leaders patronage appoints to the BOE are being replaced by people from the councilmembers and their friends. Why is the media not demand that the next council speaker clean out the BOE and restore Democracy to New York City? * Bloomberg rips NYC's scanner voting machines over privacy(NYDN)
Today's Daily News BOE Cheery Pick
BOE Makes Counting Ballots Into A Patronage Bonanza That Has Little to Do With Counting
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BOE Investigates Itself, DOI Missing in Action for Years - But the Daily News Keeps Wishing
NYC Board Of Elections Chief: No Evidence Of Widespread Misdirection From Nov. 5 Pollworkers(NYDN) City
Board of Elections boss Michael Ryan says the agency will check out
complaints that pollworkers wrongly pushed people to vote straight
ticket* Board Of Elections Says Claims Of Poll Worker Misconduct Were Isolated Misunderstandings(NY1)
More on Corruption at the BOE More
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The Podolskys house about 11 percent of the city’s homeless families
How 2 brothers, convicted felons, have made a fortune sheltering homeless
Why Run a Slum If You Can Make More Money Housing the Homeless? (NY Mag) A really, really great article by@riceid
about the Podolsky family's unsavory, city-financed homeless shelter
biz. Altogether, public records indicate that the Podolskys own or
control
close to 40 shelter properties, which house at least 1,300 homeless
families, about 11 percent of the city’s total. (Families now make up
the vast majority of the homeless population.) A calculation based on
city records suggests that the Podolsky-related shelters have generated
rents in the range of $90 million since 2010. One notorious real-estate
family has converted its
run-down buildings into for-profit shelters, paid for by the city. The
going rent per cubicle: $3,600 a month.* For Some Landlords, Real Money in the Homeless(NYT)
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Making $$$ Off the Homeless
The Podolskys house about 11 percent of the city’s homeless families
How 2 brothers, convicted felons, have made a fortune sheltering homeless
Why Run a Slum If You Can Make More Money Housing the Homeless? (NY Mag) A really, really great article by
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Dirt Fly In Speakers Race
Queens Boss Crowley Who Is Trying to Elect Weprin Hit With A Virginia Housing Cover Up
Will the de Blasio Express Deliver a New Council Speaker?(Gay City News) “In many parts of the city, councilmembers aren’t allowed to think for
themselves,” observed Ken Sherrill, a Hunter College political scientist
and longtime student of New York municipal government.But a key conceit in the current political narrative is that 2013 is
different. A new mood among the public. A new direction. A new mayor. De
Blasio himself would seem philosophically aligned with charting a new
course in choosing the Council speaker.
Who Are the Power Brokers Picking the Next Speaker?
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No Smoking Under 21, E-Cigarettes
Vapors and Emotions Rise at Hearing on E-Cigarettes(NYP)
City set to snuff e-cigarettes(NYP) * Council Bill Aims to Limit Use of E-Cigarettes as Their Popularity Grows(NYT) Fearing that e-cigarettes are a gateway to conventional cigarettes, and that they may pose health hazards, the City Council is trying to ban their use in public places.* Council looks to snuff out e-cigarettes(NYDN) * The Power of Cigarette Warning Labels(NYT E)
NYC law banning teen cigarette buyers made official(NYDN)
* The New York City Health Department’s “NYC Quits” campaign to discourage young people from smoking asserts that young men who smoke are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction and females more likely to become infertile, the New York Post writes:
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Breaking Ethics Law Widespread
Speakers Candidates and Lobbyists Breaking City's Ethic Law
AdvanceGate
Corruption Poster Boy
Speakers Candidate and Lobbyists Breaking the City's Ethic Law
New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito may have violated city ethics rules by accepting unpaid assistance from the Advance Group, a lobbing firm, to further her candidacy for Council speaker, the Daily News reports And the lobbying firm, the Advance Group, may have violated the rules by providing the free advice to the councilwoman, Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-East Harlem). The Advance Group, run by Scott Levenson, helped Mark-Viverito prep for debate forums, set up meetings with county Democratic leaders and network with the Council members whose votes she needs. CrainsNY also reported Mark-Viverito is getting help by two other consultant lobbyists firms, Bishop Pitta Del Giorno and the Mirram Group. The first two have deep labor connections, while the latter has ties in the Hispanic community and in upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Ms. Mark-Viverito was escorted around Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club recently by Michael Cohen, a Bishop Pitta consultant, according a source in attendance. Mr. Cohen has retained an attorney in relation to the indictment of Democratic political consultant Melvin Lowe but says he's not in the complaint. * Will the Advance Group Decide the Speakers Race, Lobbyists Advance and Parkside Broke the City's Ethic Laws by Running IE PACs
Is the Parkside Group Giving Free Advice to Weprin? Is Berlin Rosen Working for Free With Garodnick?
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IE PACs In Violation of City's Ethic Law
True News Exclusive
Lobbyist the Advance Group Violated the City Election Law When the PAC they were running NYCLASS Game Money to Melissa Mark-Viverito and Paul Vallone. The other PACs Advance worked for United for A Future and Citizen Action gave gifts of money to several council members. The City Charter states: “No public servant shall accept any valuable gift . . . from any person or firm” who “is or intends to become engaged in business dealings with the city.”
CrainsNY on the Advance Groups Double Dipping
Lobbyist Parkside Broke the Ethic By Running Jobs4NY
The political action committee run by the Parkside Group, backed by the city’s strongest landlord organization, the Real Estate Board of New York, has doled out $7 Million for City Council candidates. The City Charter states. Parkside Jobs4NY gave gifts in the form of cash to the following council members: Chin, Levine, Dickens, King, Cabera, Gibson, Vallone, Prentzas, Lancman, Cumbo, Torres, Espinal, Maisel, Treyger, Mattero, Cohen (16 Members)
“No public servant shall accept any valuable gift . . . from any person or firm” who “is or intends to become engaged in business dealings with the city.” That covers both Parkside and REBNY
Have the Progressive Caucus Also Violated the City Ethic Law By Asking A Lobbyist to Work for Free ?
"The caucus asked a labor official, Alison Hirsh, the political director of 32BJ, the union of janitors and doormen, to negotiate with the county chairmen, other council members and speaker candidates on its behalf." Alison Hirsh, who is a registered lobbyist. The progressive has not registered with the BOE and CFB to legally hire a lobbyist.
Corrupt Lobbyist Schlien Worked Illegally for Arroyos
Stanley Schlein Works Free for Arroyos, Illegal Contribution?
Bronx Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo paid more than $55,000 to her son to help her re-election campaign, continuing to pay him through December of this year even though she had an non-competitive general election. “The hefty payout consumed half of the $102,256 in private funds raised by the third-term Democrat,” the Post noted.*
Arroyo family made $55G on City Council run http://nyp.st/1iugLz1@nyccfb Isn't this illegal if you forbid family members from being paid?
Bronx Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo paid more than $55,000 to her son to help her re-election campaign, continuing to pay him through December of this year even though she had an non-competitive general election. “The hefty payout consumed half of the $102,256 in private funds raised by the third-term Democrat,” the Post noted.*
Arroyo family made $55G on City Council run http://nyp.st/1iugLz1
More on Lobbyists Corrupt Pol Stanley Schlein
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A Taxing Gov New Mayor Perfect Storm
Is the Dinkin Rebuff A Sign That Team de Blasio Will Try to Put the Senate Dems Back in Power?
dE BLASIO’S HIKE
The incoming mayor says a substantial, organized campaign will soon be launched to get the Legislature to pass his plan to tax the rich and use the proceeds to fund universal pre-K and after school programs. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that New York City’s municipal unions have to be “realistic” during negotiations with Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, and that they should recognize that the city does not have a “fountain of funds” to tap into, the Daily News reports: * The latest Quinnipiac University poll finds that 63 percent of New York state voters support de Blasio’s proposal to increase income taxes on households making more than $500,000 to fund city public schools, and 62 percent say state government is dysfunctional * Cuomo’s tax focus threatens de Blasio plan(NYP) * Cuomo said that New York City unions negotiating new contracts need a “reality adjustment” and should consider the fiscal difficulties facing the city when making their demands, DNAinfo writes: * Gov. Cuomo Throws Cold Water On Plan To Revise Congestion Pricing For New York City
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Goodbye Mr. Brooklyn
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Congressional Race Dead End
* New York City Councilman Domenic Recchia, currently running for Congress, wrote to a federal judge seeking leniency for reputed mobster Angelo Spata, extolling the community service Spata performed in his district, the Daily News reports: http://nydn.us/IQqCiX
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Brooklyn Now Center of Black Power
More on Black Politics
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Brooklyn the new center of black political power in New York City(NYDN) Letitia
James, who was elected as the city’s new public advocate; Ken Thompson
as Brooklyn’s first black district attorney; and Eric Adams, the
borough’s first black president, all hail from central Brooklyn.
Stop and Frisk Stands for Bloomberg
More Disclosures About Stop-and-Frisk(NYT Ed)
The latest data shows that crime in New York City has declined even with far fewer street stops.
Officers Are Told Race Can Be a Factor in Street Stops, but Not the Only One(NYT)
* NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks
issued a memo to all department commands that police can still stop
suspects based on a description that includes race and clarifies the
department’s existing policies against racial profiling, the New York Post reports: * Dazed and confused(NYDN) Good soldier that he is, NYPD Chief of Department Philip Banks has
mightily tried to explain to the city’s cops how to stay on the right
side of the “Biased-Based Profiling” law, newly enacted by the City
Council. Said to be on Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio’s short list for replacing Ray
Kelly, Banks walked through the law’s ins and outs in a department-wide
memo that revealed nothing so much as how confusing those outs and ins
are.Next Mayor Will Decide 'Frisk' Policy
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Stop-And-Frisk Ruling (NY1)More on the Scheindlin's Stop and Frisk Decision
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A Real Estate Deal to Close A Hospital Where is the Investigation?
Why Did SUNY Buy LICH for SUNY $205,350,000 owned by Continuum Health Partners If They Never Had the Resources to support A Hospital? Now the WSJ Reports the Growing Debt of the Hospital is More Than A Real Estate Deal Will Take In
The $500 Million Question at LICH(WSJ)
“The liabilities highlight the challenges SUNY Downstate Medical Center faces as it tries to sell LICH to either a new operator or a developer.
The SUNY Board of Trustees held a hearing in Manhattan on the fate of Long Island College Hospital.(NY1)“The liabilities highlight the challenges SUNY Downstate Medical Center faces as it tries to sell LICH to either a new operator or a developer.
NY1: “It’s not a matter of mismanagement,” said SUNY Board Chairman Carl McCall. “LICH has never had the resources to provide the kind of support that that community wants and probably needs, and we did not have those resources either. And you say that the folks there are angry. They are angry, and I understand that. But we have a lot of people here in SUNY.” McCall said that there isn’t much that they can do right now because of the court case, but they are considering some proposals to turn the hospital into an urgent care facility and also possible condominiums." * #SaveLICH: SUNY Hearing, McCall Says Condos Possible *Growing Hospital Debt State University of New York officials say that Long Island College Hospital’s mounting financial liabilities have climbed to $500 million, far more than the proceeds expected from the sale of the property, the Journal writes* Many of New York City’s financially strapped hospitals are scrambling to sign up people for health care through the state exchange or through Medicaid, as they brace for $22 billion in federal cuts over the next eight years, The Wall Street Journal reports: * "SUNY chair Carl McCall to de Blasio re LICH: Transfer it from state to city "Maybe they can do a better job."* NYC hospitals suffer (and pay for) poor quality ratings from Medicare. (NY World)* Health commissioner pledges 'cost transparency' in hospitals(Capital) * How long can city hospitals stay a 'going concern'? | Capital New York
More About Closing Hospitals
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Bloomberg Closing Game
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Finishing Touches Elusive for Mayor(WSJ)
As his 12-year run at City Hall winds down, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is working to leave his final imprints on life in the city, from the environment to transportation to policing.* Our LaGuardia(NYDN) Michael Bloomberg's shadow is the equal to that cast by the city's greatest mayor* Bloomberg Commits to Helping Climate-Friendly Candidates(NYO) * Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he would consider using his vast fortune in support of congressional candidates in 2014 who are committed to combating climate change, Politicker writes: * After he leaves office, Mayor Bloomberg might use some of his fortune on behalf of 2014 candidates who are hawkish on battling climate change. * In a Thanksgiving message, the NRA says gun control advocate Michael Bloomberg is “full of stuffing” — mmm, stuffing. (DN) *Dan Doctoroff Recalls Bloomberg Recruitment Effort: "There Was No Loyalty Test"(NYDN) * In the Daily News, Joyce Purnick, author of “Mike Bloomberg: Money, Power, Politics.” defends Bloomberg for not mastering the art of public persuasion, saying he makes his case based on facts and statistical logic:* "I suspect that despite Bloomberg fatigue .. history will record him as one of the city's most effective mayors." (NYDN) * The New York Post‘s Michael Goodwin slammed Mayor Michael Bloomberg for not rushing to the scene of Sunday’s train accident: “The charge that he only cares about Manhattan and wealthy people is a slander, but it is an article of faith among core de Blasio supporters … Bloomberg gave them a fresh reason to embrace their ignorance. A pity.” * Mayor Michael Bloomberg made an early announcement that New York City high school graduation rates hit a record high of 66 percent in the 2012-13 school year, Capital New York reports: * The Bloomberg administration is working with pharmaceutical firms and venture capitalists to start a $100 million venture fund to invest in smaller biotech firms, The Wall Street Journal writes: *Bloomberg touts city graduation uptick of 1% (NYDN) * NYC values are not Democrat or Republican, says Mayor@MikeBloomberg. "First NY must strive to be the most open city in the world." * The "quintessential urban success story” -@MikeBloomberg on Brooklyn during his valedictory speech at ABNY * Mayor Bloomberg Chokes Up Talking About His Unborn Grandson And His Legacy(NYDN) * New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg choked up while talking about his legacy as mayor and the city he is leaving behind for his unborn grandson, The Daily News reports: * As Bloomberg Begins Goodbyes, a Rare Display of Public Emotion(NYT) *Bloomberg chokes up at farewell speech (NYP) * Bloomberg Defends Legacy in Speech (WSJ) * Michael Bloomberg Burnishes His Legacy at the Barclays Center (NYO) - * Bloomberg has been quietly calling the families of fallen city workers (NYDN) * Mayor Bloomberg Says Bill Bratton Must Advance Work Of Ray Kelly (NYDN) *Mike laughs off Spanish critiques: ‘Get a life!’(NYP)
How the Partnership Lost NY
True News Loser of the 2013 Election
The Partnership's Kathy Wylde
OFFICIAL DISPATCH from Lhota's closed-door meeting yesterday, via Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for NYC: "Joe Lhota met with about thirty members of the Partnership for New York City today to detail priorities he would focus on as mayor including support for job creation, making the city more affordable, and ensuring that it remains safe. the big question was whether there is a path to victory for a Republican in an increasingly Democratic town. Joe argued that most New Yorkers agree with him on big issues if he can get his name known and his message across. Those attending included CEOs from finance, real estate, media and law. The Partnership has met with all mayoral candidates, but does not make endorsements. Joe was introduced by Loews CEO Jim Tisch."
More On How the Partnership Lost the City
Escape New York First Shot in the de Blasio Boarder War
NYC Economy
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The Boyland Crime Family
Boyland's Father A Bribe Bag Man?
Boyland Jr. sent dad to collect bribe money: prosecutors(NYP) Prosecutors will argue that Boyland Jr. used his old man to pick up the check to distance himself from his dirty dealing. “At trial the jury will hear a recording on which the defendant boasts that he uses a ‘bag man’ or a ‘middle guy’ so that he can stay clean,” prosecutors wrote in the filing. “This evidence is powerful proof that Boyland Sr. was a co-conspirator who knew he was collecting a criminal bribe and not a legitimate campaign contribution.” A Brooklyn federal court filing showed that Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. had his own father pick up a bribe from an undercover agent, with William Boyland Sr. picking up a $3,000 check from a man he believed to be a real estate developer.
More on the William Boyland
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Special Elections June Primary
Board of Elections Seeks to Move Federal Primaries to June, Reducing Voters' Trips to the Polls
Cuomo said that the state Legislature may look to reform the controversial Common Core standards, but added that while he is monitoring the issue it is not something he can control, Gannett Albany writes: * The state Board of Elections agreed to propose the final Tuesday in June as the date for federal, state, and local primary elections to U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe, who oversees the state’s compliance with absentee ballot laws, the Times Union writes:
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Dark Pool Politics
Political Goodfellas Royals
In this monopoly
consultants work with each other at the same time they are oppose them in other
races. Some consultants help other consultant’s
candidates often at the expense of their own clients. Two Consultant Lobbyists
the Advance Group and the Parkside Group were involved in every
competitive council race and even some that did not have races through
Independent Expenditure PACs they control. These IE PACS have muscled their way
in to having seats at the table along the Democratic Party bosses that will
pick the next council speaker. The big 8 along with the special
interests whose millions fund PACs, have sabotage the whole idea of local
representation and local elections. The pols are more loyal to the centralized
campaign consultants and their money backers, the new ruling class, than they
are to the voters in their districts. The
consultants work like Wall Street investors who trade in dark pools
beyond the control of regulators. In NY's dark pool campaign
consultants/lobbyists,
special interests and elected officials make deals with each other
hidden from public view. To understand the reasons for the
takeover you must also be aware that the business opportunities for consultants
don’t end on primary or election day. In an excellent investigation of the
dangers the newly elected Cuomo would face from lobbyist, Wayne Barrett wrote in the Village
Voice in 2010. that campaign consultant lobbyist "Sheinkopf one of the
worse consultant lobbyist, makes kings so he can then make deals with the kings
he’s made."_____________________________________
Journalism Lost
The Lost Art of Jimmy Breslin Journalism
To younger colleagues: the story isn't always the person with the title. Why Jimmy Breslin is a legend in his time
More on Jimmy Breslin
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CityTime 3 Guilty - What Did the City Know?
The largest and most brazen fraud in city history.
The payroll management system, originally budgeted at $63 million, that ballooned to $700 million, thanks in part to millions in kickbacks.
3 Found Guilty in CityTime Corruption Trial (NYT) Mark Mazer, a former consultant to the city’s Office of Payroll
Administration, was convicted of fraud and other charges; he was accused
of taking about $30 million in kickbacks for steering work to favored
contractors on the project, called CityTime. Originally budgeted at $63 million, the cost of the project exploded to
about $700 million by 2011, with almost all of the more than $600
million that the city paid to the prime contractor, Science Applications
International Corporation, or S.A.I.C., “tainted, directly or
indirectly, by fraud,” an indictment charged.
More On CityTime Cover Up
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911 System Cost Overruns Fines No Legal Cases Again
911 System Cost Overruns Fines No Legal Cases Again
Verizon to Pay City for Cost Overruns(NYT) Verizon has agreed to pay New York City at least $50 million for falling
behind schedule in developing software for the new 911 system that then
failed to meet city standards. * Bloomberg, Liu agree on $50M Verizon settlement over 911 system work(NYDN)
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NYC Government No Vets
For the First Time In NYC History Its Government Will Contain no Military Veterans
,
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Dump Down Local Media
Media Failed At Its Coverage of Campaign 2013 but WNBC TV Does Give Us Bloopers
Journalism Disconnect
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NYT A Tale of Two Jobs Reports
The Fact That Unemployment Went Up Again is Buried In the Upbeat Story by the NYT and Not Seen As An Emergency Problem By Pols That Most Be Solved
NYT Cheerleader Higher Unemployment
NYT Did Not Report That the NYC Unemployment Rate Rose to 8.7% Until the Second Half of Their Story About Record High Number. That kind of Rose Color story on employment removes the press on the city's elected officials to do anything about the rising unemployment rate.Record High for Number of Jobs in New York City(NYT)
The New York State Department of Labor issued a report showing that the number of jobs in New York City rose to a record high of more than 3.98 million, and that the city has added 313,000 jobs since the bottom of the last recession.
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Gambling Dark Pool $$$
Gambling Follow the Money If You Can
A growing number of casino developers
are scrutinizing locations and drafting proposals for upstate casinos,
with state officials saying that bids would be due by mid-2014 and
licenses awarded in the second half of the year, The New York Times writes: New York Jobs Now Committee took in $1.425,000 but only spent $360,000 according to the State Board of Elections filings. Stu
Loeser: The former press secretary for Mayor Mike Bloomberg helped lead NY Jobs Now, a coalition
of pro-casino interests,
in advocating for the constitutional amendment that passed Tuesday, yet
there is no record of him being paid. The State BOE is know for its
poor campaign filing system and the fact that it has nobody
investigating improper filings or fraud. We do know that gambling
interests contributed to New York Jobs Now: Monticello' Empire Resorts
$125,000, Genting New York $500,000, Saratoga Harness Racing $250,000,
Yonkers Racing Corporation $500,000.* NY casinos poised to explode after 'yes' vote(NYDN)
* A day after voters approved a New York state constitutional amendment
allowing up to seven commercially operated casinos, investors were already placing their bets on where the gambling palaces might be located
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MTA Fares Washington Cuts
Get on the money train(NYDN Ed)
Take the subway, commuter rail or bus to work? We thought so. Dislike wasting money? You don’t say!
This one’s for you. Hanging in the balance in Washington is a measure that could soon cost thousands of mass transit commuters across New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut a $500 annual tax hike (and the same for other transit riders nationwide). A lot of grocery money will come out of a lot of pocketbooks and wallets starting in just over a month — unless Congress and the President get off their collective duff. * In the Post, the Manhattan Institute’s Nicole Gelinas crunches the numbers on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2014 budget, noting that the MTA’s fire hikes “magically” appear after Cuomo’s 2014 re-election campaign: http://bit.ly/1bTOvhR
On Oct. 24, 5,985,311 subway rides were taken in New York City – the most in recorded history, according to an internal memo prepared by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week.
More on the MTA
________________________________This one’s for you. Hanging in the balance in Washington is a measure that could soon cost thousands of mass transit commuters across New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut a $500 annual tax hike (and the same for other transit riders nationwide). A lot of grocery money will come out of a lot of pocketbooks and wallets starting in just over a month — unless Congress and the President get off their collective duff. * In the Post, the Manhattan Institute’s Nicole Gelinas crunches the numbers on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2014 budget, noting that the MTA’s fire hikes “magically” appear after Cuomo’s 2014 re-election campaign: http://bit.ly/1bTOvhR
On Oct. 24, 5,985,311 subway rides were taken in New York City – the most in recorded history, according to an internal memo prepared by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week.
More on the MTA
Economy and Pushing Out Middle Class
Median household income in NYC dropped 6%. See the change by neighborhood: http://wny.cc/17vTKqx pic.twitter.com/0dmBdQz5sD
New York State Exposed: Is the SAFE Act driving businesses out of NY?
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the state Thruway Authority over uncertainty of funding for the new Tappan Zee Bridge, Gannett Albany reports:
New pipeline to NYC "gathers gas from a handful of sources, including the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania" * The proposal by Cuomo’s first tax commission to charge sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 would punish NYC shoppers, critics say, while the tax break to offset it excludes renters. *
.
As the holiday shopping season launched and economists poured over sales statistics, another gauge of economic health was in full display in two of New York's shopping districts—one for the haves and one for the have-nots.
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Education
Teachers union failing charter schools(NYP) * In a daylong hearing at the Capitol, members of the Assembly Education Committee grilled state officials on the vast trove of student data the state Education Department wants to build, worried that the data will not be protected, the Times Union writes: * New York Parents, Educators REALLY Want State Education Boss John King To Resign(Huff Post) * At Forums, State Education Commissioner Faces a Barrage of Complaints(NYT) * The latest Siena College poll finds that 45 percent of New Yorkers are confident that Common Core standards will make students more college-ready, while 34 percent of voters think the Common Core standards are too demanding* New York is moving forward with its plan to create a database of every registered public school student in the state. This digital information hub will include pupils’ grades, attendance records, test scores and important medical diagnoses. (NY Daily News)* Ed department announces Common Core forums in NYC(Capital)
* In the Daily News, Campbell Brown, founder of the Parent’s Transparency Project, criticizes Cuomo for his silence as his state Education Commissioner John King is pilloried for imposing the Common Core standards: * Teachers Union Dropping $1.2 Million On New Campaign(Huff Post)
| More On Education |
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Sandy Fraud
Salt water that surged into the park during Hurricane Sandy dealt a big blow to the infrastructure. The federal Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, responsible for identifying fraud in the nearly $58 billion superstorm Sandy aid package, says it is struggling to track grants, loans, and contracts most vulnerable to misuse, Newsday reports:* More than a year after superstorm Sandy, the mounting frustration illustrates a broader dilemma for policy makers in New York City and Albany: Is it better to invest in pricey measures that protect the many or to help those hardest hit immediately? * Hundreds of photos salvaged from the debris in New Dorp Beach, Staten Island after Sandy are now on a Facebook page for their owners to identify.* Gov. Cuomo announces $50M project to protect Hurricane Sandy-battered nabes in Queens from future storms(NYDN) * Sandy Victims Frustrated By NYC Rebuilding Program
More on Sandy
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Environment
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Times Jumps Gun of Willets Clear Out
* Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino spent $4.1 million in his re-election race this year, more than twice as much as his opponent, leaving him with just $679,000 in his campaign account for a potential gubernatorial run, The Journal News reports: http://lohud.us/IDMBsl
City Workers Fret Over Pensions As Detroit Enters Bankruptcy http://n.pr/IDMKMv
* Cuomo’s tax commission, co-chaired by former Gov. George Pataki and former state comptroller H. Carl McCall, have not reached an agreement on recommendations due on Friday, Capital New York writes: http://bit.ly/1dSwqWM
* Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera urged colleagues to vote against a $320 million ice-rink complex at the Kingsbridge Armory weeks after he allegedly asked the developers to donate millions to his former charity, Crain's reports: http://bit.ly/1hAPkCj
Being progressive and fiscally responsible are not mutually exclusive says
