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Krueger on Food Stamp Access
February 18th, 2009

State Sen. Liz Krueger issued a press release today decrying reports that the Bloomberg administration has declined to take advantage of a provision in the federal stimulus bill that overturns a 1996 rule that placed limitations on the length of time some citizens could receive food stamps.

Under the old rule, healthy people with no dependents were limited to three months worth of food stamps in a three year span. The New York Times reported this week that Bloomberg administration officials insisted they are not obligated to extend benefits to anyone not enrolled in the Work Experience Program, a workfare program that provides temporary jobs, usually in city agencies.

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By David King on February 18, 2009, 8:22 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Eye on Albany, Gotham City, Social Services | 5 Comments »

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What's Hugo Got to Do With It?
February 18th, 2009

Like it or not, Mayor Michael Bloomberg can’t seem to escape comparison with Venezuela’s leftist President Hugo Chvez (and, yes, politics does make strange bedfellow).

After we picked up on the contrast in how the two strong and sometime dictatorial leaders have dealt with terms limits (see Caracas on the Hudson), Daily News reporter Erin Einhorn mined the same territory, resulting in this exchange as reported in the Daily Politics:

Q: Mayor, its hard to compare New York City to Venezuela but as you know, Hugo Chvez did his second effort – this time sucessful – to extend term limits. You chose to go through City Council. Do you have any second thoughts about this? Do you wish you should have had a chance to take to the…

A: I dont understand your question. What on Earth do we have to do with Hugo Chavez?

Q: Well, like you, he wanted to extend his term.

A: if you wanted to ask Hugo Chvez, call him up! Maybe hell take your call. My suspicion is he doesnt have press conferences and let people ask questions or if they ask questions, he probably throws them, I dont know he does with them. … Who knows? I still fail to see a connection.
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By Gail Robinson on February 18, 2009, 3:54 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Governing | No Comments »

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Carrion Packs His Bags
February 18th, 2009

After more than ten weeks on the edge of our seats, some reports have confirmed Mr. Carrion will indeed go to Washington.

President Barack Obama is expected to announce today that Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion will serve as the inaugural director of the White House Office on Urban Policy. There, Carrion will report directly to the president.

Another New Yorker transplanted to the nation’s capital.

Back home, the pick will spark a special election in the Bronx, where a number of candidates have already lined up (Check out Who’s Running for What to see who).
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By Courtney Gross on February 18, 2009, 12:24 pm
In category: Electoral Politics | 1 Comment »

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Another Ballot Battle
February 17th, 2009

With the election a week away, it remains unclear who will be on — and off the ballot — in the contest for the City Council seat from Queens’ 32nd district. (For Gotham Gazette’s guide to that race, go here.)

Liz Benjamin reports that a Queens Supreme Court judge has ordered Glen DiResto back on the ballot for the special election. The Board of Elections had disqualified DiResto because, it ruled, the name of his party — Families First — too closely resembled the name of the Working Families Party. (Law requires that special elections for council be nonpartisan so candidates concoct parties just for the occasion.)

If the names were too close in this instance, Justice Phyllis Orlikoff Flug ruled, the Board of Elections should have notified DiResto of the problem and let him select a new moniker.
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By Gail Robinson on February 17, 2009, 4:13 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Governing | 1 Comment »

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Priming the Pump at Atlantic Yards?
February 17th, 2009

Does the economic stimulus package President Barack Obama is signing today include a great big bailout for Atlantic Yards? The idea of federal stimulation for the problem plagued arena and condo project surfaced in the Observer last week, prompted by former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato’s lobbying for the help on behalf of developer Forest City Ratner.

Experts say the money could come from discretionary funds or money set aside for transit. And in its final form the bill does not specifically exclude stadiums (or include them either), throwing out a previous amendment that would have done just that.

But what about the politics?
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By Gail Robinson on February 17, 2009, 2:38 pm
In category: Community Development, Gotham City, Land Use, Public Finance | 2 Comments »

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Caracas on the Hudson
February 16th, 2009

So what’s the difference between a good term-limits law and a bad term-limits law? Ask the people who run the Times editorial page.

Last fall, as Michael Bloomberg ramped up his successful drive to change New York City’s law to give him a third term, the paper of record went on the record saying, “Term limits are seductive, promising relief from mediocre, self-perpetuating incumbents and gridlocked legislatures. They are also profoundly undemocratic.”

The paper then came back three weeks later to opine, “This page has always strongly opposed term limits, and we continue to oppose them.”

Well not quite always — or at least not everywhere. On Saturday the Times urged the voters of Venezuela (millions of whom, we are sure, read the editorial page every day) to keep term limits. Like Bloomberg, that country’s leader, Hugo Chvez, wanted to change the law so he could run for office again. The referendum which passed with about 54 percent of the vote, like the extension here, does not guarantee Chvez victory but it allows him to run again in 2013 — and beyond.

The editorial called on Venezuelans to reject changing their constitution to eliminate term limits — in other words to preserve the term limits the paper has “always opposed.” The editorial concluded, ” Mr. Chvez needs to be reminded that Venezuelans believe in their democracy.”

Given we didn’t even get a referendum, where does that leave us?

By Gail Robinson on February 16, 2009, 5:28 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Governing | 2 Comments »

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The Times on the Times
February 13th, 2009

When Richard Perez-Pena wrote an overview of the New York Times in the paper’s business section on Monday, the story itself became news. In fact, the headline alone got media watchers typing.

“An editor accidentally titles it ‘Resilient Strategy for Times Despite Toll of a Recession,’” wrote Gawker, “rather than ‘A Laundry List of Horrible Mistakes.’”

TheDeal.com said the paper “decided to pen what essentially appears to be a defense of [its] corporate strategy.”

“But the bigger question is not whether the story was decent or not,” the piece went on, “but why would the Times bother?”

Well, to answer that question, Editor & Publisher asked Perez-Pena directly.

“It was driven by events,” he told the magazine. “After the stories about borrowing against the building, seeking to sell the Red Sox stake, events demanded we write a story.”

“We would have written a story about this given the same set of events about another company,” the former Metro Section writer added. “It is definitely to look as though we are not hiding anything. There is a little bit of bend over backwards.”

By Mike Muller on February 13, 2009, 8:51 am
In category: Economy | No Comments »

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Weekly Web Wrap
February 13th, 2009

  • Richard Florida Thinks New York Will Survive the Crash
    (The Atlantic)
  • Cartoonist’s Take on Union’s Budget Values
    (Matt Davies)
  • The Battle for 95.1 FM
    (free103point9)
  • Media Coverage of 70-year-old Subway Typo Overblown
    (Second Avenue Sagas)
  • Teachers Union Proposes Cuts That Dont Harm Classrooms
    (New York Teacher)
  • City Should Preserve Materials Found Underground
    (Design Trust)
  • Brooklyn Food Conference Organizers Step up to the Plate
    (The Indypendent)
  • The MTA Fuels the Upstate Economy, Too
    (Tri-State Transportation Campaign)
  • Is Brooklyn the Ultimate City?
    (New Geography)
  • Public School Gives Laptops, Free Internet to All Students
    (The Innovative Educator)
  • Find Shared Office Space
    (SuiteMatch)
  • Bronx Will Loose Eight Bank Branches
    (Bronx News Network)
  • Ratners Atlantic Yards Stimulus Shakedown
    (Daily Intel)
  • Why Married Black Women Need to Get Tested
    (nycHealthy)
  • Bloomberg Supports, But Doesnt Join, Emissions ‘Covenant’
    (Green Inc. via Idealist in NYC)
  • Could Quinn’s Plan to Sell dot NYCs Ruin its Potential?
    (Campaign for .nyc)
  • By Mike Muller on February 13, 2009, 5:45 am
    In category: Gotham City | No Comments »

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    Fun With Past Excess
    February 12th, 2009

    The New York Times has a wonderful piece today about the elaborate (perhaps decadent) infrastructure left behind by the former Republican majority in the State Senate. Besides printing plants and a television studio on Long Island there is what Democrats have dubbed the “Brunomobile.” The “Brunomobile” (sorry I just like typing it) is, according to the Times, a ” $50,000 specially outfitted GMC van, with six leather captain’s chairs (some swiveling), a navigation system, rearview camera and meeting table.”

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    By David King on February 12, 2009, 5:48 pm
    In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Gotham City | 1 Comment »

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    An Upbeat Speech
    February 12th, 2009

    With less drama and fanfare (sans marching band too) than the administration, Council Speaker Christine Quinn delivered her state of the city address this afternoon in City Hall’s council chambers.

    A little over 48 minutes, the address focused on getting the city through tough times with surprising optimism (at least more than the mayor). Crucial to it was the speaker’s proposal to revise the city’s income tax brackets, provide relief to small businesses and convert empty condos to affordable housing.

    Her largest proposal, which was actually released yesterday, is doing away with the personal income tax for low-income New Yorkers (those with household incomes less than $46,000) and creating new tax brackets for those that earn the most in the city. Similar to proposals floating in the abyss of Albany, Quinn suggested increasing the tax on those that make nearly $300,000 a year to 4.25 percent, upping the tax to 4.45 percent for those making between $532,000 and $1.2 million, and boosting the tax to 4.65 percent on those with incomes above that.

    At the same time, the speaker seemed to rule out the possibility of a sales tax increase, which the mayor has proposed to solve the fiscal crisis.

    “If we want to encourage New Yorkers to shop locally, we simply can’t afford to raise the sales tax,” she said. “We’re simply not going to balance the budget by squeezing local merchants and shoppers.”
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    By Courtney Gross on February 12, 2009, 2:47 pm
    In category: Albany, Economy, Gotham City, Governing, Public Finance | No Comments »

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    Think You Could Balance the State Budget?
    February 12th, 2009

    Balance, Gotham Gazette’s latest game, will let you have a crack at balancing the New York City budget, but if you’ve got ideas about how the state can balance its budget, the senate wants to know.

    They’ll take your cost cutting and revenue generating ideas by voicemail (800-706-9995), sms (text NYSS to 41411) or Twitter. No word on whether they’re planning to take input via MySpace comments.

    PS. You can find Gotham Gazette on Twitter and MySpace, too.

    By Amanda Hickman on February 12, 2009, 1:49 pm
    In category: Eye on Albany, Public Finance, Tech, nextNY | No Comments »

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    Tabacco Loses Ballot Spot
    February 12th, 2009

    Talk about flip-flop politics.

    The citys Board of Elections removed John Tabacco today from the ballot for the City Council seat from the 49th district . The board decided that Tabacco did not have enough signatures to qualify for the Feb. 24 election.

    Last Friday, the board had said that even though Tabacco did not have enough signatures, he could be on the ballot.

    Upset after today’s hearing, Tabacco said he felt partisanship on the board raped and pillaged the democratic process.
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    By Khadijah Rentas on February 12, 2009, 1:45 pm
    In category: Electoral Politics, Governing | No Comments »

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    Bottle Bill Battle Broiling
    February 12th, 2009

    Laura Haight walked around with two clear plastic bags filled with empty plastic bottles to make a point. In one bag, there were 148 bottles representing the number of non-carbonated drinks New Yorkers knock back every second. The other held 24, which represents how many of the first bag get recycled (16 percent). [Note: It actually took three bags.]

    Haight, who works for NYPIRG, was joined by a coalition of environmental groups in Albany yesterday to highlight a new report and to push for an expansion of the state’s bottle deposit law.

    The report they released found that non-carbonated drinks rose from 22 percent of the states beverage market in 2002 to 34 percent in 2006. The bill they are pushing for — the Bigger Better Bottle Bill — would expand the 5-cent deposit law to cover non-carbonated beverages. It would also would redirect unclaimed deposits to the state, rather than allowing retailers to keep them as is currently the case.
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    By Mike Muller on February 12, 2009, 1:17 pm
    In category: Economy, Environment, Public Finance | 1 Comment »

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    Senate Rules Committee Still Trucking
    February 12th, 2009

    The New York State Senate Temporary Committee on Rules Reform has been busy as of late. Besides holding hearings in Albany and Syracuse they also have a spiffy new website. Two more public hearings are expected this month–in Manhattan on the 26th and on Long Island on the 27th. Video of the last two hearings can be found here.

    The co-chair of the committee, Sen. David Valesky, is quoted on the new site as saying, “For too long, the State Senate has operated with oppressive rules that stifled the will of the people. As we begin this new session, and this new Senate, we have an opportunity to make this body more deliberative, more open and more responsive.”

    Did we mention that the committee hired Andrew Stengel of the Brennan Center to be their senior policy adviser on government reform? Stengel has been a fierce critic of Albany’s inner workings. Here is some of his past work.

    By David King on February 12, 2009, 12:06 pm
    In category: Gotham City | No Comments »

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    Toro's Return
    February 11th, 2009

    Teresa Toro is back as chair of the transportation committee for Brooklyn’s Community Board 1, which includes Williamsburg, the Brooklyn Paper reports. Normally such ins and outs at community boards attract little attention, but Toro’s ouster from the committee post late last year caught the interest of many transportation activists.

    The stated reason for Toro’s removal — as stated by Chairman Vincent Abate — was that she had disparaged other board members and been detrimental to the board as a whole in her discussion with the media. Many activists, though, saw Toro’s removal as fallout from the bitter dispute in the neighborhood over the Kent Avenue bike lane, which Toro has supported.

    The bike lane still divides the neighborhood (see Gotham Gazette’s Bike Lanes Run into Opposition), but Abate said he and Toro had “agreed to let bygones be bygones [and] move forward from here.”

    By Gail Robinson on February 11, 2009, 5:23 pm
    In category: Gotham City, Transportation | No Comments »

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    Liu on the Green Factor
    February 11th, 2009

    John Liu from campaign site

    John Liu from campaign site


    The hangover from Mark Green’s announcement that he will dive into the public advocate pool appears to be ruminating at City Hall — and it’s a lot less cordial.

    Councilmember and public advocate candidate John Liu wasn’t ready to stage a welcome-to-the-field reception, as some of his council colleagues practically did yesterday. Just before the stated meeting today, Liu said: “We know he can’t help himself. Mark is Mark.”

    He continued: “Mark Green is the wise guy in terms of running for office” — an allusion to his now former post at NY1. “In terms of Mark Green being a candidate, New Yorkers have done that again and again.”

    Needless to say, Liu will not be scared away.

    By Courtney Gross on February 11, 2009, 4:18 pm
    In category: Electoral Politics, Governing, nextNY | 1 Comment »

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    Tabacco Stays on the Ballot
    February 10th, 2009

    Update: It seems Tabacco may not be on the ballot after all. Late yesterday, the Board of Elections decided it would hold another hearing on his candidacy — this time on whether he has enough signatures. That will take place Thursday, the Staten Island Advance reports.

    John Tabacco has finally made his spot on the ballot permanent. After an uneasy week with the New York City Board of Elections that included three hearings on his ballot status, Tabacco now has a real shot to be the council member from Staten Island’s North Shore .

    Tabacco’s name on the Feb. 24 ballot, though, will not be accompanied by the five-pointed star he originally chose. For the non-partisan special election, each candidate must create a new party name and symbol. On Friday, the board argued that Tabacco’s symbol resembled the symbol of the New York Democratic Party and thus he could be removed from the ballot. The Staten Island Advancereports that the board decided not to boot Tabacco but instead will create a new symbol for him.

    The 49th district city council seat was previously held by Michael McMahon,who was elected to Congress in November. Tabacco will face off against Deborah Rose, Donald Pagano, Tony Baker, Paul Saryian and Kenneth Mitchell.

    By Khadijah Rentas on February 10, 2009, 6:08 pm
    In category: Electoral Politics, Governing | No Comments »

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    Other Advocates Weigh In
    February 10th, 2009

    And then they chime in.

    Here is some reaction to the news this morning that Mark Green will be running for public advocate again.

    Green served as the city’s first public advocate and successfully received the Democratic nomination for mayor in 2001, losing to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Already, his bid has fueled speculation of Green’s mayoral prospects in 2013.

    While one candidate (Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV) has reportedly said he would likely leave the race, other candidates remain undeterred by Green’s announcement. Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel said he’ll stick with his candidacy, Councilmember Jessica Lappin is still reportedly exploring a run, and Councilmember Bill de Blasio released a statement (in full after the jump) confirming his intention.

    Read the rest of this entry »

    By Courtney Gross on February 10, 2009, 1:28 pm
    In category: Electoral Politics, Governing, Law, nextNY | No Comments »

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    Green In for Public Advocate Race (Updated)
    February 10th, 2009

    Adding to an already crowded field of candidates for public advocate, former advocate and NY1 wise guy, Mark Green, is tossing his hat in.

    Green, who had mentioned he was exploring a run late last year post the extension of term limits, announced his bid on his new campaign site in a video and letter to New Yorkers.

    After the jump, his letter in full appears.

    Candidates who have already declared for the advocate’s race are city council members Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Eric Gioia, civil rights attorney Norman H Siegel, Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV (who now may drop out) and Alex T Zablocki. A number of other officials, like Councilmember Jessica Lappin, are mulling a run. A full list is available here.
    Read the rest of this entry »

    By Courtney Gross on February 10, 2009, 12:05 pm
    In category: Gotham City | No Comments »

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    Playing -- and Talking -- Budgets
    February 9th, 2009

    Mayor Michael Bloomberg has offered his plan to plug a $4 billion hole in the city budget. but it has lots of New Yorkers angry with its teacher cuts, fewer police and taxes on clothing, haircuts and plastic bags. So what would you do?

    BALANCE, Gotham Gazette’s latest policy game lets you try your hand at balancing the city budget. Using the mayor’s proposal as a starting point, you can increase or decrease spending, department by department, and adopt or reject a slew of revenue options. To play, go here

    For another perspective on the budget, one of the top experts, Ronnie Lowenstein, director of the Independent Budget Office, will be on-line at Gotham Gazette tomorrow. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Lowenstein will take your queries on what is included and not included in the budget, how its proposals could affect you and what options the city has.

    There are several ways you can participate:
    * Send us questions now by going to the Wonkster.

    * Send your questions now or later using twitter. We’re “gothamgazette” on Twitter or just use the “#gothgaz” tag.

    * Sit tight and join us tomorrow at 2 p.m. on Gotham Gazette

    For more on the city budget, read An Election Year Budget. Can the mayor cut services and raise taxes in a year when he and most other city officials must face the voters?

    And for a perspective on the state budget — which is in even worse shape than the city’s — see How to Balance the State Budget by Frank Mauro and James Parrott of the Fiscal Policy Institue.

    By Gail Robinson on February 9, 2009, 2:54 pm
    In category: Economy, Gotham City, Public Finance | No Comments »

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