Archive for June 16th, 2011
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The Long, Dirty Debate
June 16th, 2011

So the Senate has been in session most of the day and are only standing at ease now so that the Democrats can conference–something fairly ugly took place in the chamber tonight. The debates have gone from sharp and enthusiastic to rambling and uncivil. Sure they are probably getting tuckered out with the late hours and all but don’t shed a tear quite yet.

A great deal of the legislation that has been debated in the Senate doesn’t have same-as bills in the Assembly–in other words nothing is going to come of it.  And  the Senate hasn’t really been up to much for most of the year. One legislator described the legislation passed most of the year as, “not life changing,” with a wry smile. Another described it as, “a waste of taxpayer money.”

If you are a glutton for punishment you can check out video of what they debated here. And if you are in the mood for some late-night debate you can watch it live here.

Legislators have been constantly reminded throughout debate today that they are on a tight schedule. Democrats seem to be asking questions to stall out the process which has driven some Republicans up the tree. Sen. Greg Ball interrupted Sen. Eric Adams to  ask the status of the investigation into the Aqueduct Entertainment Group. Federal officials are supposed to be looking into the Aqueduct deal that caused quite a bit of scandal last year. Ball of course has endured a load of scandal of his own. In fact Senate Republicans used Balls’ alleged attack on his girlfriend as ammunition against him during a Republican primary last year. They really didn’t want him to win. But I digress.

Not to be a curmudgeon but the Republican Senate probably could have introduced a few of these bills earlier this year–rather than cramming everything into a week at the end of session.  Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on June 16, 2011, 10:09 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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Bloomberg's Full Remarks on Same-Sex Marriage
June 16th, 2011

Here are Bloomberg’s full comments following his visit with the Senate Republican Majority:

“If you remember, at our founding, African-Americans were held in bondage. Catholics in New York could not hold office. Those without property could not vote. Women could not vote or hold office. And homosexuality, in some places, was a crime punishable by death.

“One by one, over many long years, the legal prohibitions to freedom and equality were overcome – some on the battlefield, some at the State House, and some in the courthouse.

“Throughout our history, each and every generation has expanded upon the freedoms won by their parents and grandparents. Each and every generation has removed some of the barriers to full participation in the American dream. And the next great barrier standing before our generation is the prohibition on marriage for same-sex couples. Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on June 16, 2011, 2:38 pm
In category: Albany, City Hall, Civil Rights, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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Cuomo Threatens Special Session
June 16th, 2011

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not happy that there is no deal on renewing the rent laws and is making it clear that he will keep legislators in Albany until he gets one.

“Affordable housing is an all too scarce commodity, especially in New York City and the surrounding areas. Our state’s rent protection laws are essential and any long term expiration would create a crisis. Last night the State Senate — both Democrats and Republicans — failed to continue the laws beyond their expiration,” said Cuomo in a statement.  “We are making progress but the Senate’s failure to act last night was unacceptable and a betrayal of the one million tenants living in rent protected apartments. I will not allow the legislature to go out of session and go home until tenants are protected. I am prepared to call special session to keep the legislature in place until there are rent protection laws in place.”

Cuomo’s anger about the Senate’s failure to pass a two day extension for rent laws differs from the press release he issued yesterday in which he said that the sky would not fall if an extension did not pass. Legislators and tenant advocates agreed that tenants would not be in jeopardy if their is a brief lapse.

Senate Democrats issued this statement: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on June 16, 2011, 12:53 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Housing | 3 Comments »

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Bloomberg in Albany
June 16th, 2011

Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid a visit to Senate Republicans this morning as well as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He was in town to discuss the same-sex marriage vote. Although Bloomberg clearly put pressure on Republicans to bring the bill to a vote Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos left the meeting with Bloomberg  and told reporters that his conference needed to further discuss the issue.

Bloomberg described giving his counsel to legislators who are on the fence, he said he told them that he “I remember being in their shoes.”

If the bill does come to a vote he expects it to pass with more than just the bare minimum number of votes–saying it would pass “comfortably.”  Bloomberg described marriage as, “a force of stability for families,” and said that same-sex marriage is consistent with conservative principles. Bloomberg said he thinks the public expects same-sex marriage to come to a vote.

As for rent control renewal Bloomberg said he expects a bill to be passed by the end of session but that some may not be “ecstatic” about the bill.

Bloomberg also touched on the Anthony Weiner scandal saying that he thought Weiner needs to talk with his family and make a decision. But he also said the scandal has, “become a diversion away from all the important things this country has to deal with.” Weiner is expected to announce his resignation at 2 p.m. today.

By David King on June 16, 2011, 12:42 pm
In category: Albany, City Hall, Eye on Albany, Housing | No Comments »

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Rent Laws Not Extended
June 16th, 2011

The clock has just struck midnight and New York’s rent control laws have lapsed. The Senate voted down Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s extension of New York’s rent laws by a vote of 43-14. The Assembly passed the legislation yesterday evening. Cuomo, tenant advocates and legislators have all said that a lapse in the laws will not cause major disruptions and that no one should panic.

Sen. Adriano Espaillat Tweeted this message: “We weren’t sent here to pass temporary extensions & kick our problems down the road. Let’s do our jobs. Let’s pass #StrongerRentLaws tonight”

The Senate stands adjourned until 11 a.m. today. Expect another exciting if not eventful day tomorrow. There is a lot left for legislators to get done.

Make the Road New York Issued this statement yesterday evening: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on June 16, 2011, 12:06 am
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 2 Comments »

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