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	<title>The Wonkster &#187; Governing</title>
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	<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster</link>
	<description>Gotham Gazette&#039;s blog about New York policy and politics</description>
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		<title>Let the Battle of Maps Begin</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/08/30/let-the-battle-of-maps-begin/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/08/30/let-the-battle-of-maps-begin/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:19:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cristian Salazar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AALDEF]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CLSJ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[districting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Juan Cartagena]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[latinojustice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NILP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unity map]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=11158</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Deliberations over how the New York City Council&#8217;s district lines will be drawn for the next decade is getting communities and advocacy organizations into a map-making mood.
One coalition of civil rights organizations released a map today of how they think the Council&#8217;s district lines should be drawn to account for shifts in demographics and to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Deliberations over how the New York City Council&#8217;s <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dc/html/districting/districting.shtml">district lines will be drawn</a> for the next decade is getting communities and advocacy organizations into a map-making mood.</p>
<p>One coalition of civil rights organizations <a href="http://aaldef.org/press-releases/press-release/civil-rights-groups-announce-unity-map-for-nyc-council-redistricting-and-94-press-conference.html">released a map today</a> of how they think the Council&#8217;s district lines should be drawn to account for shifts in demographics and to protect the voting rights of blacks, Asians and Latinos.</p>
<p>The mapmakers say they followed the U.S. Constitution, the Voting Rights Act and the city Charter to come up with their Unity Map. They also say they sought to protect &#8220;traditional and emerging neighborhoods.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Unity Map is the work of <a href="http://latinojustice.org/">LatinoJustice PRLDEF</a>, the <a href="http://aaldef.org/">Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund</a>, <a href="http://www.latinopolicy.org/">National Institute for Latino Policy</a> and the <a href="http://www.clsj.org/">Center for Law and Social Justice of Medgar Evers College</a>.</p>
<p>Juan Cartagena, president and general counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, called it a &#8220;fair map.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;We  must ensure that the Latino community has the opportunity to elect  members who will pay attention to their needs and concerns,&#8221; he said in a  statement.</p>
<p>Many more maps are expected to be forthcoming in the next few weeks from various interest groups as the city&#8217;s <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dc/html/home/home.shtml">Districting Commission</a> weighs tough decisions about how to shape the Council lines.</p>
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		<title>NY Pols React to Shooting at Empire State Building</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/08/24/ny-pols-react-to-shooting-at-empire-state-building/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/08/24/ny-pols-react-to-shooting-at-empire-state-building/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:31:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charlie Rangel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Schneiderman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Gianaris]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=11100</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At least one person was killed and 10 people shot today when a gunman opened fire at the Empire State Building today. The incident will surely spark more debate about preventing gun violence in the wake of the shooting at a theater in Aurora Colorado and at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. A number of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At least one person was killed and 10 people shot today when a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/nyregion/several-people-shot-one-fatally-outside-empire-state-building.html?hp">gunman opened fire</a> at the Empire State Building today. The incident will surely <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/1434-the-political-reality-of-stemming-gun-violence">spark more debate about preventing gun violence</a> in the wake of the shooting at a theater in Aurora Colorado and at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. A number of New York&#8217;s elected officials have issued statements on the shooting.</p>
<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo:</p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">&#8220;Today&#8217;s shooting near the Empire State Building is a tragedy for New York City and our entire state. My administration, including members of the State Police, is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with city law enforcement agencies to ensure that the safety of New Yorkers and those visiting New York City comes first. I commend members of the New York Police Department, as well as the first responders and civilians, who acted bravely and took swift action to save the lives of others and prevent this tragedy from becoming much worse. Our state has no tolerance for senseless acts of violence that harm our people, and we will do everything possible to ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools they need so residents of the city and tourists can enjoy everything New York City has to offer without fearing for their own safety and security. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I send my condolences to the friends and family of the innocent victim who died in this attack, and wish those who were injured in today&#8217;s shooting a speedy recovery.&#8221;</div>
<p>&#8220;Today&#8217;s shooting near the Empire State Building is a tragedy for New York City and our entire state. My administration, including members of the State Police, is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with city law enforcement agencies to ensure that the safety of New Yorkers and those visiting New York City comes first. I commend members of the New York Police Department, as well as the first responders and civilians, who acted bravely and took swift action to save the lives of others and prevent this tragedy from becoming much worse. Our state has no tolerance for senseless acts of violence that harm our people, and we will do everything possible to ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools they need so residents of the city and tourists can enjoy everything New York City has to offer without fearing for their own safety and security. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I send my condolences to the friends and family of the innocent victim who died in this attack, and wish those who were injured in today&#8217;s shooting a speedy recovery.&#8221;</p>
<p>Attorney General Eric Schneiderman:</p>
<p>Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims of todays tragic shootings and their families. For those of us in government, and in law enforcement, the news of yet another mass shooting so close on the heels of the massacres at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and in Aurora, Colorado, should make it crystal clear that our current laws have failed to protect the public from gun violence. We must redouble our efforts to protect public safety so that New Yorkers dont have to live in fear of the next deadly attack.</p>
<div>Rep. Charles Rangel:</div>
<div>
<div>&#8220;I am shaken by the news that a man randomly shot at innocent people at the Empire State Building, especially at an hour when many New Yorkers are starting their workday and hundreds of tourists are visiting. My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and the families and friends who lost their loved ones. I hope that those who are wounded will heal quickly and recover from the psychological harm that they endured.</div>
<div>This year, our nation has been plagued by frequent and senseless gun violence that has taken the lives of so many people across the country. These arbitrary shootings are acts of terrorism that are paralyzing our communities. We must unite to focus our policies on enacting stricter gun control laws that will prevent potentially harmful individuals from accessing such deadly weapons. It is the only way to make certain that our communities safer.&#8221;</div>
</div>
<div>Sen. Michael Gianaris:</div>
<div>My prayers go out for the victims of this mornings horrific incident caused by yet another act of senseless gun violence. It is long past time to fix our gun laws to prevent future tragedies from occurring. To the victims families, stay strong and know our hearts are with you.</div>
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		<title>City BOE agrees to use modern tech for tallying votes</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/17/city-boe-agrees-to-use-modern-tech-for-tallying-votes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/17/city-boe-agrees-to-use-modern-tech-for-tallying-votes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cristian Salazar</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nycboe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[polanco]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=11043</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Unofficial election night results will now be read from portable memory devices at police precincts, rather than off strips of paper, after a unanimous decision by the city&#8217;s Board of Elections earlier today.
The results will then be transferred to the New York Police Department, which will give the data to the press.
Elections Commissioner Juan Carlos [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Unofficial election night results will now be read from portable memory devices at police precincts, rather than off strips of paper, after a unanimous decision by the city&#8217;s Board of Elections earlier today.</p>
<p>The results will then be transferred to the New York Police Department, which will give the data to the press.</p>
<p>Elections Commissioner Juan Carlos &#8220;J.C.&#8221; Polanco said the new election night process will be in place for the September state and local primary elections.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is exciting for us. What it&#8217;s going to avoid is the element of human error,&#8221; he said, adding that the result would be &#8220;incredible accuracy.</p>
<p>The current process involves scissors, tape and calculators, and requires BOE staffers to count votes by hand late into the night.</p>
<p>Problems with the current process were highlighted after the June 26 primary, when unofficial election night tallies showed U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel beating his closest challenger by a respectable margin. Rangel&#8217;s lead narrowed over the next few days as it became clear that hundreds of votes had potentially gone uncounted because of the byzantine tallying process. (Rangel still won in the end, even after the votes were accounted for.)</p>
<p>The board was roundly criticized in the press for their handling of the election.</p>
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		<title>AP: BOE can change election night counting process</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/13/ap-boe-can-change-election-night-counting-process/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/13/ap-boe-can-change-election-night-counting-process/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:05:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adriano Espiallat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Board of Elections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Kavanagh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charlie Rangel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gale brewer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10996</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Associated Press is reporting that the city Board of Elections has received a legal opinion from the State Board of Elections that would allow them to change their election night closing procedures without actually changing the law.
As we reported earlier this week, the city BOE is considering changing its procedures so that it can [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Associated Press <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/AP37777ec75f25498d86fab5f66e14d694.html">is reporting</a> that the city Board of Elections has received a legal opinion from the State Board of Elections that would allow them to change their election night closing procedures without actually changing the law.</p>
<p>As we <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/1408-espaillat-boe">reported earlier this week</a>, the city BOE is considering changing its procedures so that it can use electronic data from voting machines when polls close to tally unofficial vote counts rather than using the current process that involves using scissors, tape, and calculators and requires BOE staffers to count votes by hand late into the night.</p>
<p>Recent elections, including the Congressional contest between Rep. Charles Rangel and State Sen. Adriano Espaillat, have seen election night totals come in drastically different from the eventual official count. Elected officials like Councilwoman Gale Brewer and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh want to change the process to avoid a further corrosion of public trust in the election process.</p>
<p>As we <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/12/council-to-hold-hearing-on-board-of-elections-bungling/">reported yesterday</a>, Brewer will be holding a Council hearing on August 8 to look into the recent problems at the BOE.</p>
<p>Brewer has supported a Kavanagh-sponsored bill in the Assembly that would have allowed the BOE to use electronic data. The measure passed the Assembly but failed in the Senate; now it looks like the board can move ahead with the change in process without any official legislation.</p>
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		<title>Council to hold hearing on Board of Elections bungling</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/12/council-to-hold-hearing-on-board-of-elections-bungling/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/12/council-to-hold-hearing-on-board-of-elections-bungling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:55:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adriano Espiallat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Kavanagh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Charles Rangel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gale brewer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10990</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While at least one member of the Board of Election wants an apology for the criticism they and their staff faced for their handling of the results of the recent Democratic Congressional primary between U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel and state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, the board is still facing major scrutiny from elected officials.
Council Speaker Christine [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While at least <a href="http://politicker.com/2012/07/adriano-espaillat-wont-be-giving-that-apology-to-the-board-of-elections/">one member </a>of the Board of Election <a href="http://politicker.com/2012/07/adriano-espaillat-wont-be-giving-that-apology-to-the-board-of-elections/">wants an apology</a> for the criticism they and their staff faced for their handling of the results of the recent Democratic Congressional primary between U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel and state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, the board is still facing major scrutiny from elected officials.</p>
<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced today that Councilwoman Gale Brewer, chair of the Governmental Operations Committee, will be holding a hearing on the BOE on August 8 to examine how to prevent future delays and mishaps.</p>
<p>The Board of Elections inability to accurately tally and report the results of last months Congressional primary in a timely manner threatens the credibility of the democratic process,&#8221; Quinn said in a statement. &#8220;The problems that came to light on election night raise serious concerns about the integrity of our citys elections that must be addressed. New Yorkers must be able to trust that when they cast a valid ballot, their vote will be counted accurately.&#8221;</p>
<p>Brewer, who has been pushing <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/component/content/article/86-elections/1408-espaillat-boe">a bill by Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh</a> that would allow the board to tally votes on election night with <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/state/1390-election-overhaul">electronic data</a> taken from voting machines rather than by hand, is anxious to see issues at the BOE addressed.</p>
<p>As anyone who has read a newspaper editorial over the past few weeks is well aware, the June 26 primary was rife with allegations of mistakes and improprieties,&#8221; she said in a statement. &#8220;I take very seriously any and all claims of malfeasance and voter disenfranchisement.&#8221;</p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">The Board of Elections inability to accurately tally and report the results of last months Congressional primary in a timely manner threatens the credibility of the democratic process.</div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">The problems that came to light on election night raise serious concerns about the integrity of our Citys elections that must be addressed. New Yorkers must be able to trust that when they cast a valid ballot, their vote will be counted accurately.</div>
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		<title>Development Corps Illegally Lobbied City Council: AG</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/03/development-corps-illegally-lobbied-city-council-ag/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/07/03/development-corps-illegally-lobbied-city-council-ag/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 18:29:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Nina Goldman</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[attorney general]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cidc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Schneiderman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fwpc]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nyedc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Three local development corporations illegally lobbied City Council members in 2008 and 2009 to promote development projects in Willets Point and Coney Island, the state attorney general says.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced a settlement with the city&#8217;s Economic Development Corporation, Flushing-Willets Point-Corona Local Development Corporation and the Coney Island Development Corporation. The settlement included [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Three local development corporations illegally lobbied City Council members in 2008 and 2009 to promote development projects in Willets Point and Coney Island, the state attorney general says.</p>
<p>Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced a settlement with the city&#8217;s Economic Development Corporation, Flushing-Willets Point-Corona Local Development Corporation and the Coney Island Development Corporation. The settlement included provisions to increase transparency and reduce loopholes  through which these organizations lobbied New York City officials.  However, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304211804577503270562394712.html">no  fine or other punishment was meted out.</a></p>
<p>Members of  the groups ghostwrote op-eds and prepared testimony in order to create the appearance of a grassroots movement in favor  of development projects they were backing, the attorney general said. Influencing legislation is barred by statute for local development corporations.</p>
<p>These local development corporations flouted the law by lobbying    elected officials, both directly and through third parties, to win    approval of their favored projects, Schneiderman said   in a press release. This agreement will bring greater transparency,  and  ensure  accountability for these and other local development   corporations  operating in New York State.</p>
<p>The agreement includes mandatory compliance training for local development corporation employees, more public disclosure of interaction between these corporations and reminders that it is illegal to lobby the Council regarding development projects, even indirectly.</p>
<p>The EDC  will be restructuring to remove the organization&#8217;s local development corporation status to avoid further violations.</p>
<p>The  New York City Economic Development Corporation intends to  undertake a  restructuring, the primary effect of which will be to allow  the company  to remain a not-for-profit corporation, but to cease to be  a local development corporation,&#8221; Patrick Muncie, an EDC spokesman,  said in a statement. &#8220;As  discussed with the New York State Attorney  General, NYCEDC is currently  taking all appropriate steps to effectuate  this restructuring.</p>
<p>City Comptroller John Liu described the restructuring as a long time coming.</p>
<p>While  these revelations of illegal lobbying are alarming, we cannot say that  they come as a surprise,&#8221; Liu said in a later release. New  York Citys economic development process is in dire need of greater  transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness, something EDCs current  culture fails to provide.</p>
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		<title>Election night results reporting bill passes Assembly</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/06/21/election-night-results-reporting-bill-passes-assembly/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/06/21/election-night-results-reporting-bill-passes-assembly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:37:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brian Kavanagh]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marty Golden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10875</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Assembly passed member Brian Kavanagh&#8217;s Election Night Poll Procedure Act today  a bill that would allow the state Board of Elections to use modern techniques and digital data to tally un-official results on election night.
The current process involves time consuming hand counts that produce unreliable results.
Public confidence in our elections is eroded when [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Assembly passed member Brian Kavanagh&#8217;s Election Night Poll Procedure Act today  a <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/1390-election-overhaul">bill that would allow</a> the state Board of Elections to use modern techniques and digital data to tally un-official results on election night.</p>
<p>The current process involves time consuming hand counts that produce unreliable results.</p>
<p>Public confidence in our elections is eroded when we cant say with any confidence what the results are until long after the voters have spoken, and when the numbers change as clerical errors are uncovered days after the election, said Kavanagh. This bill will improve the integrity, accuracy and speed of this process and take advantage of the best features of the new voting machines.</p>
<p>The bill&#8217;s fate in the Senate was not clear at the time of writing. The bill is sponsored in that chamber by Sen. Martin Golden. The bill may have a good chance of passing both houses. The New York City Council, the office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a number of good government groups are backing it.</p>
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		<title>Is NY ethics commission leaking?</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/05/15/is-ny-ethics-commission-leaking/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/05/15/is-ny-ethics-commission-leaking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 21:13:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anthony Magone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dean Skelos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Ryan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tom Libous]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10688</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is questioning whether information about an ethics investigation into a top member of his party was leaked illegally.
TheAlbany Times Union reported earlier today that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is investigating accusations against Tom Libous,the second-highest ranking member of the state Senate.
Skelos, a Republican, said the information was [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is questioning whether information about an ethics investigation into a top member of his party was leaked illegally.</p>
<p>The<a href="http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Libous-the-target-of-ethics-inquiry-3558178.php">Albany Times Union</a> reported earlier today that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is investigating accusations against Tom Libous,the second-highest ranking member of the state Senate.</p>
<p>Skelos, a Republican, said the information was not supposed to be public. &#8220;Whoever from JCOPE is leaking this is committing a crime. They&#8217;re committing a crime,&#8221; hesaid. He said that any allegations against Libous were &#8220;garbage.&#8221;</p>
<p>JCOPE&#8217;s predecessor, the Commission on Public Ethics, was wracked with internal leaks &#8212; especially during the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/inspector-general-calls-firing-ethics-official-herbert-teitelbaum-troopergate-leak-article-1.412756">Troopergate investigation</a>. JCOPE was designed to address the failings of the CPI and faced <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/14/jcope-off-to-slow-rocky-start/">controversy regarding the impartiality </a>of a number of appointees.</p>
<p>&#8220;Obviously, there is a letter that goes out that is required by law. Look who sent the initial letter, the mayor of Binghamton, D, Democrat, who was looking to run against Tom Libous. If this is a political stunt, that&#8217;s all it is,&#8221; Skelos said.</p>
<p>Calls to JCOPE requesting information about the process of notifying parties of an investigation have not yet been returned.</p>
<p>Technically, the public is not supposed to know whether JCOPE has decided to follow up on a complaint until the ethics commission makes its findings public.</p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;">Ã¢â‚¬Å“ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not supposed to be made public. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a misdemeanor,Ã¢â‚¬Â Skelos told reporters. Ã¢â‚¬Å“So whoever from JCOPE is leaking this is committing a crime. TheyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re committing a crime.Ã¢â‚¬ÂJCOPE&#8217;s predecessor, the Commission on Public Integrity, hadÂ <a href="http://observer.com/2009/05/13/inspector-general-troopergate-prober-was-leaking-to-spitzers-office-2/">major problems with leaks</a> during Troopergate. The loyalty of the JCOPE commissioners to the interests of the people who appointed them has been a concern since the commission was unveiled.</div>
<p>According to the Times Union, the investigation into Libous is based on a complaint by Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan, a Democrat. Ryan asked JCOPE to look into statements made by Attorney Anthony Magone that Libous offered to help Mangone&#8217;s business in exchange for giving his son a job, the newspaper reported. Mangone made the statements during a federal trial. Libous&#8217; son was hired by the firm. Ryan made his accusation and formal complaint public by sending off the complaint in front of reporters.</p>
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		<title>Citizens Union Praise Deal, Chide Legislators</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/15/citizens-union-praise-deal-chide-legislators/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/15/citizens-union-praise-deal-chide-legislators/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:50:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Demographics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dean Skelos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheldon Silver]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10570</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Citizens Union and The League of Women Voters New York are out with a press release praising the constitutional amendment that would change the redistricting process. Critics say the amendment codifies gerrymandering. Gotham Gazette is published by Citizens Union Foundation the Citizens Union&#8217;s sister organization.
In their joint statement CU and LWV praise the amendment but [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Citizens Union and The League of Women Voters New York are out with a press release praising the constitutional amendment that would change the redistricting process. Critics say the amendment <a href="http://www.capitaltonight.com/2012/03/goo-goos-at-odds-over-constitutional-amendment/">codifies gerrymandering</a>. Gotham Gazette is published by Citizens Union Foundation the Citizens Union&#8217;s sister organization.</p>
<p>In their joint statement CU and LWV praise the amendment but voice their pleasure about how the vote took place. They thank the Governor and legislation leaders, &#8220;for reaching agreement on establishing lasting structural reform to the states redistricting process. Given the long standing resistance to enacting redistricting reform and  the high stakes involved, we applaud them in finding common ground on an  issue that is at the core of political power in Albany and results in  the legislature giving up power in the drawing of lines.&#8221;<br />
But note that it came at a price:<br />
&#8220;Though this is a substantive victory for reform, it is tarnished because  the process that produced this welcomed outcome occurred during a night  where in typical Albany fashion nothing was agreed to until everything  was agreed to. Achieving reform through middle of the night voting and  limited debate on such an important issue is not the way we would have  wanted to see redistricting reform realized.&#8221;</p>
<p>Here is the full release:<span id="more-10570"></span></p>
<p>CITIZENS UNION AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NEW YORK STATE<br />
COMMEND ACHIEVEMENT ON LASTING STRUCTURAL REDISTRICTING REFORM</p>
<p>Good Government Groups Believe LATFORs Rigged System<br />
Is Precisely Why Reform Is Needed</p>
<p>With the State Legislature passing a constitutional amendment and accompanying statute, redistricting reform will finally be a reality as opposed to an aspiration. We commend Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, their staffs, and members of the State Legislature for reaching agreement on establishing lasting structural reform to the states redistricting process.</p>
<p>Given the long standing resistance to enacting redistricting reform and the high stakes involved, we applaud them in finding common ground on an issue that is at the core of political power in Albany and results in the legislature giving up power in the drawing of lines.</p>
<p>Though this is a substantive victory for reform, it is tarnished because the process that produced this welcomed outcome occurred during a night where in typical Albany fashion nothing was agreed to until everything was agreed to. Achieving reform through middle of the night voting and limited debate on such an important issue is not the way we would have wanted to see redistricting reform realized.</p>
<p>Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters New York State have produced a set of Frequently Asked Questions to educate the public about the proposed constitutional amendment.</p>
<p>The important reform elements include:</p>
<p>The six-member, majority party-controlled LATFOR on which self-interested legislators sit is replaced by a ten-member commission on which no legislators will sit. The prohibitions on appointment will be similar to the recently formed Joint Commission on Public Ethics. For the first time, majorities and minorities from each house will be equally represented and there will be two members who belong to neither major party.<br />
New and better criteria that include:<br />
an anti-gerrymandering provision prohibiting the favoring or disfavoring of incumbents, challengers or political parties;<br />
recognizing communities of interest;<br />
requiring that any deviation from the mean population in districts will need to be explained; and<br />
minority voting rights protections mirroring the current federal law will be enshrined in our constitution, providing needed protection should there be a pullback on the federal level.<br />
Commission approval of the plan will require a super majority vote of seven of the ten members, ensuring minority party participation in securing the needed votes.<br />
In order to protect against one-party dominance in the drawing of lines, if one party controls both houses of the State Legislature, approval of a plan requires a 2/3 affirmative vote in each house.<br />
Required hearings across the state ensure public input into line-drawing. It also requires the provision of maps and data to the public in a form that allows for independent analysis and the development of alternate redistricting plans.<br />
The State Legislature must vote twice up or down on the approved commission plan before it can make any amendments.<br />
Amendments made by the State Legislature if it fails twice to pass the commission plan must adhere to the criteria in the constitutional amendment, including the anti-gerrymandering provision, and the statute will further rein in the State Legislature by preventing changes of more than two percent to the population of any district.</p>
<p>We support this reform because we have no confidence that a State Legislature left off the hook this year and angered over a gubernatorial veto would subsequently find religion and enact reform. To believe that ignores the reality of New Yorks political history for the past forty years on this issue and the broken promises of many of the 184 legislators who pledged to create an independent redistricting commission for 2012.</p>
<p>Ample opportunities have been squandered over the past several years to achieve this reform. When the executive branch and both houses of the State Legislature were controlled by one party during the 2009 and 2010 sessions, redistricting reform bills passed committees for the first time, but ultimately were bottled up in each houses Rules Committees and died. When a new 2011 split-controlled legislature convened after 184 members pledged to enact reform in time to draw 2012 lines, they did not keep their word.</p>
<p>We must finally break the cycle of inaction. We must seize this moment when public attention and advocacy have created the opportunity for reform, and secure the change that is achievable.</p>
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		<title>No Presser For Cuomo?</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/15/no-presser-for-cuomo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/15/no-presser-for-cuomo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:46:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Demographics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10568</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After a typical Albany late night/early morning where a number of major pieces of legislation were rushed to the floor for a quick vote with little or no debate Gov. Andrew Cuomo does not seem to be in a rush to get in front of a gaggle of reporters.
Cuomo&#8217;s plan of attack includes two radio [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After a typical Albany late night/early morning where a number of major pieces of legislation were rushed to the floor for a quick vote with <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/14/deals-done-in-the-dark/">little or no debate</a> Gov. Andrew Cuomo does not seem to be in a rush to get in front of a gaggle of reporters.</p>
<p>Cuomo&#8217;s plan of attack includes two radio appearances&#8211;one with his <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20110308/204/3482">favorite messenger</a>&#8211;and a &#8220;video message&#8221; to New Yorker&#8217;s which I assume will be available <a href="http://www.governor.ny.gov/">here</a> later today.</p>
<p>&#8220;Approximately 10:07 AM Governor Cuomo will be a guest on Live from the State Capitol with Fred Dicker. The show can be heard streaming live at www.talk1300.com.</p>
<p>Approximately 11:06 AM Governor Cuomo will be a guest on The Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter. The show can be heard streaming live at http://www.wcny.org/temp-stream.html.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Deals Done in the Dark</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/14/deals-done-in-the-dark/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/03/14/deals-done-in-the-dark/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:38:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Demographics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10563</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If Albany has changed under Gov. Andrew Cuomo the Senate Democrats haven&#8217;t noticed. Debate on the legislation that determines district lines and is supposed to guarantee voter enfranchisement began around 10 p.m. on Wednesday night. Sen. Michael Gianaris, an outspoken critic of LATFOR&#8217;s lines and the proposed Constitutional Amendment that will change the redistricting process [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If Albany has changed under Gov. Andrew Cuomo the Senate Democrats haven&#8217;t noticed. Debate on the legislation that determines district lines and is supposed to guarantee voter enfranchisement began around 10 p.m. on Wednesday night. Sen. Michael Gianaris, an outspoken critic of LATFOR&#8217;s lines and the proposed Constitutional Amendment that will change the redistricting process 10 years from now, pointed out that debate on the important issue began in typical Albany fashion&#8211; late at night and after a rush of last-minute deals.</p>
<p>Even the most novice Albany observer knows that legislative leaders tend to come to agreements, brief their conferences quickly and then get the legislators into conference to vote on the deals before support erodes or public opinion solidifies against the legislation.</p>
<p>Gianaris also pointed out that this trend has not changed under Cuomo&#8211;the Governor some say has done away with Albany dysfunction. Gianaris further noted that the late-night push on redistricting, legalizing casino gambling, a DNA database, and teacher evaluations came during Sunshine Week&#8211;a week set aside to honor transparency in government.</p>
<p>After debating Sen. Michael Nozzolio about the lines and having a testy exchange where Gianaris asked, &#8220;Have you no shame?&#8221; Nozzolio seemingly joked that Gianaris probably liked the lines that were up for a vote better than LATFOR&#8217;s original lines that combined his district with a fellow Democrat. Finally in exasperation Gianaris told Nozzolio that in his mind the lines were equally bad and told Nozzolio he could take them both and, &#8220;Shove it!&#8221;</p>
<p>Republicans attempted to close debate at 11:36 p.m. Sen. Daniel Squadron objected saying that 2 hours had not passed and debate should continue. Republicans ruled his point was out of order. Squadron appealed to the chair. Sen. Sampson rose and talked about respect and decorum. He mentioned that redistricting happens only 10 years and appealed for more time to debate the legislation. &#8220;Where&#8217;s the respect and where&#8217;s the decorum?&#8221; asked Sampson.</p>
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		<title>Cuomo on Bloomberg&#039;s State of the City</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/12/cuomo-on-bloombergs-state-of-the-city/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/12/cuomo-on-bloombergs-state-of-the-city/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:26:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10449</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg may not be the best of buds but Cuomo found a lot to like in Bloomberg&#8217;s State of the City message&#8211;especially the parts about education and pension reform. &#8220;I commend Mayor Bloomberg for outlining a positive vision for New York  City&#8217;s future and the most important part [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg may not be the best of buds but Cuomo found a lot to like in Bloomberg&#8217;s State of the City message&#8211;especially the parts about education and pension reform. &#8220;I commend Mayor Bloomberg for outlining a positive vision for New York  City&#8217;s future and the most important part of building that future, our  students. The State and City&#8217;s education system is facing a crisis in  accountability and performance. Our continuing pattern of being number  one in the nation on spending in education and thirty-eighth in  graduation rates hurts our students across the State, including the over  1.1 million public school students in New York City,&#8221; said Cuomo in a statement.</p>
<p>Here is the full statement: <span id="more-10449"></span><br />
&#8220;I commend Mayor Bloomberg for outlining a positive vision for New York City&#8217;s future and the most important part of building that future, our students. The State and City&#8217;s education system is facing a crisis in accountability and performance. Our continuing pattern of being number one in the nation on spending in education and thirty-eighth in graduation rates hurts our students across the State, including the over 1.1 million public school students in New York City.</p>
<p>As I said in my State of the State Address, and Mayor Bloomberg reiterated in his State of the City today, we need an education system that puts students first. Both the Mayor and I agree that this starts with implementing a teacher evaluation system that holds teachers accountable for their performance. I look forward to working together to create an accountability system that puts the interests of students ahead of the interests of the education bureaucracy.</p>
<p>Additionally, I appreciate Mayor Bloomberg&#8217;s support for the much needed reform of our pension system. There is no longer any doubt that we need to reform the pension system by creating a Tier VI and we need to do it now.</p>
<p>I look forward to working with Mayor Bloomberg on these and other issues outlined in his speech today to build a better future for New York City and New York State.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Coalition Wants Corporate Tax Loopholes Closed</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/09/coalition-wants-corporate-tax-loopholes-closed/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/09/coalition-wants-corporate-tax-loopholes-closed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:07:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Citizen Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10431</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In Albany today, a group of progressive groups gathered together to call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature to close corporate tax loopholes that they say would raise $1 billion for the state budget this year. The groups that include various Occupy groups, The Fiscal Policy Institute, Citizen Action and others want the money [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In Albany today, a group of progressive groups gathered together to call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature to close corporate tax loopholes that they say would raise $1 billion for the state budget this year. The groups that include various Occupy groups, The Fiscal Policy Institute, Citizen Action and others want the money gained through the closing of the loop holes to be used to prevent cuts to services and perhaps even make some restorations. The groups provided a list of what they say are the worst &#8220;tax dodging companies&#8221; in the state.</p>
<p>Here is a collection of quotes from the group&#8217;s leaders.<span id="more-10431"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;Last year, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature worked together to make simple, clear changes to the personal income tax code that made it more fair and raised more revenue, while asking a new Tax Reform and Fairness Commission to work on long-term changes. This year, they should do the exact same thing for corporate taxes,&#8221; said Michael Kink, Executive Director of the Strong Economy for All Coalition. &#8220;Our recommendations provide a roadmap for reform: strong enforcement, real fairness, and new transparency so the public can know what&#8217;s going on. We&#8217;d raise over a billion dollars for this year&#8217;s budget and eliminate the absurd situation where bodegas and car repair shops are paying a higher rate in corporate taxes than Goldman Sachs or Verizon.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The fight for tax fairness is just getting started,&#8221; according to Ron Deutsch, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness and coordinator of the GrowingTogetherNY coalition. &#8220;Once again all of the coalitions that worked together last year will be coming together to ensure that enforcement, fairness and transparency are part of or corporate tax code and that we restore a fair and level playing field for small businesses in NYS.&#8221;</p>
<p>The plan to reform New Yorks corporate tax structure released today focused on three main principles: enforcement, fairness, and transparency. The points of the plan include:</p>
<p>Requiring real estate partnerships to pay the taxes they owe<br />
Reforming New Yorks Corporate Alternate Minimum Tax<br />
Taxing nonresident hedge fund management fees<br />
Eliminating the Carried Interest Exemption under New York Citys Unincorporated Business tax<br />
Cracking down on schemes that create nowhere income<br />
Requiring public disclosure of corporate tax payments for publicly-traded companies</p>
<p>New York States corporate income taxes have become more and more like Swiss cheese as more and more tax breaks have been added to the tax code in the name of economic development, said Frank Mauro, Executive Director of the Fiscal Policy Institute. Ironically, beginning in 1994, more tax breaks have been added to the states corporate Alternate Minimum Tax, which was established in 1987 to ensure that profitable corporations made at least some contribution to the cost of government services. The result of these developments is that general business corporations have gone from carrying 9.6% of New York States tax load in the 1970s to 4.3% last year.</p>
<p>New York State should repeal or reform corporate tax breaks that are not creating jobs and not allow tax breaks in the calculation of corporations Alternate Minimum Tax obligations, Mauro added.</p>
<p>The Swiss cheese nature of New York States corporate income taxes are also demonstrated by the most recent data on state and local government finances from the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The Census Bureau tabulations show that in 2008-09, New York Citys corporate income tax collections were actually greater than New York States ($6.03 billion vs. $4.43 billion). And, the collections attributed to the state include the proceeds from the 17 percent surcharge on the portion of corporations tax liabilities attributable to activities in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority service area.</p>
<p>The human services sector appreciates the move toward more fair income and corporate tax systems and continued progress should generate enough revenue to maintain services for New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet. Not only do human services play a critical role in supporting families and removing barriers to work, they also employ 1.25 million throughout the state and purchase over $1 billion in goods and services. Michael Stoller, Executive Director, Human Services Council.</p>
<p>Because of our unfair corporate tax structure, New Yorks economy continues to be held back, said Ivette Alfonso, President of Citizen Action of New York. The need for these reforms is yet another example of the massive influence that big CEO campaign contributors have in our Capitol. We need a tax code set up by, and set up for the 99%.</p>
<p>&#8220;In schools across the state students have sacrificed college prep courses, reading tutors, arts, sports, music and thousands of teachers,&#8221; said Billy Easton, Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education, &#8220;meanwhile we are giving sweetheart tax deals to insurance companies, credit card companies and investment bankers. It&#8217;s just wrong.&#8221;</p>
<p>Mario Cilento, President of the NYS AFL-CIO, said, &#8220;Throughout this budget crisis working men and women have been asked to bear the entire brunt of cost cutting through new pension tiers, higher health premiums and wage freezes. At the same time many corporations fail to even pay the taxes they owe. We need to close corporate tax loopholes to infuse reoccurring revenue and end the vicious cycle of cuts to middle class families.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Accountability is a two-way street. It isn&#8217;t just for schools,&#8221; said NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta. &#8220;As New York grows its economy and creates jobs &#8212; a goal we all share &#8212; we need business to be accountable, too, and pay its fair share to help pay for the strong schools and colleges; safe bridges and roads; and other vital services that New Yorkers need.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Governor Cuomo and the legislature took action to make personal income tax rates more fair,&#8221; said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. &#8220;Similar action is needed on corporate tax reform. By eliminating the most glaring corporate tax loopholes New Yorkers would save millions more.&#8221;</p>
<p>It is outrageous that hard working PEF members pay the same or higher tax rate than New York companies that make up to $33 billion in profits a year. Its particularly insulting that middle class families are paying the same tax rate as Rupert Murdochs News Corporation, said Ken Brynien, President of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF).</p>
<p>These are the sweetest tax loopholes for Wall Streets wealthiest hedge fund managers, said Walter Lipscomb, a board member of Community Voices Heard from Yonkers, but are just bitter for the working families forced to carry them. Wall Streets wealthiest need to pay their fair share.</p>
<p>&#8220;Students across New York are being asked to pay more for access to New York&#8217;s public higher education system, which erodes in quality every year because of massive budget cuts,&#8221; said Angelica Clarke, and organizer with New York Students Rising and Save Our SUNY. &#8220;As students, we demand Governor Cuomo and the legislature initiate a tuition freeze to alleviate some of the burden caused by his regressive tax on students instead of expanding NYSUNY 2020 which allows corporations to continue to take advantage of our public institutions through unequal public-private partnerships. A tuition freeze would provide temporarily relief to working students and families and will be an important first step in protecting access to New York&#8217;s public universities and colleges. If Governor Cuomo truly wants to work in the interest of students, he must join New York Students Rising in our efforts to repeal NYSUNY 2020 and fully fund CUNY and SUNY.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;In New York we have record homelessness &#8211; over 45,000 men, women and children spent last night in New York City shelters or sleeping rough on the streets &#8211; at a government cost of over $1 Billion per year. And yet there is no plan to address this crisis that brings over 110,000 different men, women and children (40,000 of them) into city shelters each year. The front line services provided by Coalition for the Homeless to prevent and resolve homelessness have suffered years worth of deep cuts &#8211; a million dollars per year in lost services and jobs just for our own organization. The Coalition supports efforts to close corporate tax loopholes to help avoid further cuts and secure the resources we need to we need to rebuild these vital services and reverse course,&#8221; said Shelly Nortz, Deputy Executive Director for Policy with Coalition for the Homeless.</p>
<p>The fact that all too often powerful corporations are able to wield political influence to create tax loopholes to avoid paying their fair-share is a paradigmatic example of the broader economic and political inequalities that have motivated the Occupy movement, said Colin Donnaruma of Occupy Albany. Occupy Albany enthusiastically joins in the efforts to close these loopholes in New York and generate much needed revenue for the 99%.</p>
<p>All New Yorkers should pay their fair share, including corporations that benefit greatly from our states people and infrastructure, said Sunshine Ludder, the senior economic policy strategist at the Center for Working Families. Its essential for a strong democracy and economy.</p>
<p>&#8220;Religious communities are called to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe those who would go cold,&#8221; said Sara Niccoli, Co-Director, Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State. &#8220;However, when the richest New Yorkers continue to enjoy unthinkable wealth as the lines for our faith-based feeding programs and shelters just grow longer &#8211; its time to call for fundamental change. Its time for corporations to pay their fair share. We remind our state government: &#8220;No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24.</p>
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		<title>Quinn on Fingerprinting for Food Stamps</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/05/quinn-on-fingerprinting-for-food-stamps/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/05/quinn-on-fingerprinting-for-food-stamps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:51:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food stamps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10428</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemingly went after the city&#8217;s policy of fingerprinting people who want access to food stamps in his State of the State Address. The Bloomberg administration has supported the measure as a way to stop fraud and Bloomberg dismissed Cuomo&#8217;s statement in a press conference following the speech. Council Speaker Christine Quinn just [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemingly went after the city&#8217;s policy of fingerprinting people who want access to food stamps <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Albany/20120105/204/3664">in his State of the State Address</a>. The Bloomberg administration has supported the measure as a way to stop fraud and Bloomberg dismissed Cuomo&#8217;s statement in a <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/political_news/153641/bloomberg-snipes-at-cuomo-s-food-stamp-proposal">press conference following the speech</a>. Council Speaker Christine Quinn just weighed in via press release and she is taking Cuomo&#8217;s side.</p>
<p>In these tough economic times, we need to help New Yorkers get the federal services they qualify for, not put obstacles in their way. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg and I couldnt disagree more  fingerprinting food stamp applicants is a time consuming and unnecessary process, which stigmatizes applicants and has prevented 24,000 New Yorkers from getting the help they deserve. The State has the authority to eliminate finger imaging in New York City, and the Mayor should not even think of challenging Governor Cuomos decision.</p>
<p>Cuomo said in his State of the State yesterday that, &#8220;One of the things we do now and makes the stigma actually worse and creates a barrier for families coming forward to get food stamps is we require fingerprinting. I&#8217;m saying stop fingerprinting for families, said Cuomo.</p>
<p>Bloomberg told reporters, &#8220;Its not a stigma, and it may be elsewhere in the state, and maybe thats what he was referring to, but its certainly not a stigma.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Rivera Credits OWS For New Thinking on Taxes</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/01/rivera-credits-ows-for-cuomos-new-thinking-on-taxes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/12/01/rivera-credits-ows-for-cuomos-new-thinking-on-taxes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:44:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fred Dicker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gustavo Rivera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Millionaires Tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Occupy Wall Street]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10355</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;I believe Occupy Wall Street changed the national dialogue,&#8221; said Sen. Gustavo Rivera. &#8220;The conversations we were having 6 months ago got no traction. But things have changed because of what the folks at Zuccotti Park Started.&#8221;
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is  considering altering the tax code so [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;I believe Occupy Wall Street changed the national dialogue,&#8221; said Sen. Gustavo Rivera. &#8220;The conversations we were having 6 months ago got no traction. But things have changed because of what the folks at Zuccotti Park Started.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is  considering altering the tax code so that the wealthy would pay more and  the poor would pay less. He was grilled on the subject by NY Post  editor Fred Dicker and Cuomo refused to rule out the possibility of a tax hike for the wealthy.</p>
<p>&#8220;Ive always believed we need a more progressive tax system,&#8221; said Rivera. &#8220;I&#8217;m glad to hear the Cuomo administration seems to be open to it. We have the greatest economic disparity in New York. The economic gap is as bad as it was was in the depression.&#8221;</p>
<p>*Update* Rivera&#8217;s spokesperson says Rivera was speaking about OWS&#8217; impact on the national dialogue and not specifically about Cuomo&#8217;s new thinking on the tax code. However, his response was to a question specifically about Cuomo&#8217;s new thinking.</p>
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		<title>The Races for DA</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/the-races-for-da/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/the-races-for-da/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:58:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bar association of the city of new york]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bronx district attorney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Donovan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Molinaro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike ryan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[queen district attorney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[robert johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state island district attorney]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Three of New York City&#8217;s five district attorneys are up for re-election this year, but for only one &#8212; Staten Island Daniel Donovan &#8212; is the contest&#8217; outcome in any doubt. 
(For more on who can vote and how this year, go here. For more on the judicial contests, go here.)
Two of the veteran prosecutors, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Three of New York City&#8217;s five district attorneys are up for re-election this year, but for only one &#8212; Staten Island Daniel Donovan &#8212; is the contest&#8217; outcome in any doubt. </p>
<p>(For more on who can vote and how this year, go <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/10300/">here</a>. For more on the judicial contests, go <a /href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/here-come-the-judges/">here</a>.)</p>
<p>Two of the veteran prosecutors, <a href="http://www.queensda.org/dabiography.html">Richard Brown</a> in Queens and <a href="http://bronxda.nyc.gov/office/biography.htm">Robert Johnson</a> in the Bronx &#8212; will appear on the Democratic, Republican and Conservative lines and will not face any opposition.</p>
<p>Brown, who will turn 79 later this month, is <a href="http://www.qgazette.com/news/2011-10-19/Political_Page/DA_Brown_Headed_For_6th_Consecutive_Election_Victo.html"> headed</a> to his sixth-term.</p>
<p>Johnson, who already is in his sixth term, was the first black district attorney in the state. In a somewhat strange twist, he received a rating of &#8220;not approved&#8221; by the city bar association this year. Johnson attributed the rejection to his not agreeing to an interview with the association and said he thinks it make little sense for the group to rate candidates in uncontested elections.</p>
<p>&#8220;If they think that I have not demonstrated the qualifications to hold this office,&#8221; Johnson <a href="http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/New_York/News/2011/10_-_October/City_bar_association_gives_thumbs-down_to_veteran_Bronx_DA/">told Reuters</a>, &#8220;they must have been stuck in a cave for the past two decades.&#8221;</p>
<p>The bar does not explain or amplify on its ratings although they do not endorse candidates they can&#8217;t interview.</p>
<p>The Staten Island race offers a reprise of the 2007race in which Republican <a href=" http://www.dandonovan.org/2011/"> Donovan</a> <a href=" http://statenisland.ny1.com/content/top_stories/150288/district-attorney-candidates-spar-over-staten-island-crime-rate">defeated</a> Democrat <a href=" http://www.mikeryanforda.com/">Mike Ryan</a> with about 70 percent of the vote.  Donovan has the backing of the Independence Party too, while &#8212; perhaps owing to a <a href="http://gothamist.com/2007/10/24/si_beep_molinar.php">long-standing rift</a> between Donovan and Conservative Borough president James Molinaro, Ryan has the Conservative Party line.<br />
<span id="more-10306"></span><br />
Donovan, who <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20101021/204/3389">ran unsuccessfully</a> for state attorney general last year, first became Staten Island district attorney in 2004. He previously worked for the Manhattan district attorney and served as deputy borough president in Staten Island.</p>
<p>Ryan, who began his career as a probation officer, served as the city&#8217;s acting deputy criminal justice coordinator and was a commissioner on the Board of Elections. He is currently in private practice.</p>
<p>By most accounts the contest between the two men has been spirited. They have <a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/contest_for_staten_island_dist.html">clashed</a> over the borough&#8217;s crime rate, <a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/donovans_camp_rips_staten_isla.html">effort to fight prescription drug abuse</a>, the sharp increase in rape in the borough &#8212; which Donovan attributed largely to a rise in statutory rape &#8211; and Ryan&#8217;s conducts as an attorney, in particular his <a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/former_bp_guy_molinari_slams_c.html">defense of a woman</a> whose pit bulls killed an elderly man. Donovan has <a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/both_candidates_cite_numbers_i.html">cited the relatively low crime rate</a> on the island and his conviction rate, while Ryan has charged him with not taking on touch cases. </p>
<p>Both side have snagged some high profile endorsements. Former mayors Ed Koch and Rudolph Giuliani <a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/dan_donovans_the_man_for_rudy.html">back Donovan</a>, as do an <a href=" http://www.dandonovan.org/2011/endorsements">array of law enforcement unions</a> and the <a href=" http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/uft_endorses_donovan_in_staten.html">United Federation of Teachers</a>. Gov Andrew Cuomo is <a href=" http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/gov_andrew_cuomo_endorses_demo.html">supporting Ryan</a> as are a large number of labor unions. </p>
<p>Donovan had a clear lead in fund-raising. Eleven days before the election, he <a href=" http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=C19538&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">reported</a> raising $117,375 and had a closing balance of $194,170.01. Ryan had <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=C85261&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">raised</a> almost $27,000 and had more than $21, 659 on hand.</p>
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		<title>Here Come the Judges</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/here-come-the-judges/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/here-come-the-judges/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:54:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bar association]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carl landicino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[civil court]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservative party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gabriel tapalaga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kate christoforatos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york state supreme court]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paul atansio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tom long]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10303</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Occupants for 29 seats on the bench in New York City will be selected Tuesday &#8212; at least theoretically. In many cases, though, the primary process and political insiders have filled the posts already &#8212; leaving voters with nothing more than the opportunity to ratify the choice.
All candidates for Manhattan judgeships &#8212; including places of [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Occupants for 29 seats on the bench in New York City will be selected Tuesday &#8212; at least theoretically. In many cases, though, the primary process and political insiders have filled the posts already &#8212; leaving voters with nothing more than the opportunity to ratify the choice.</p>
<p>All candidates for Manhattan judgeships &#8212; including places of the state Supreme Court and Civil Court &#8212; face no opposition. All have  the Democratic Party line; a few also have the GOP nod. In no case, though, have the Republicans &#8212; or any other party for that matter &#8212; put forth candidate who is not the Democratic standard bearer. In the one judicial race on Staten Island the sole candidate &#8212; Acting Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7023807">Joseph J. Maltese</a> &#8212; has support from the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Independence parties.</p>
<p>The contested elections come in Brooklyn and Queens. There are no judicial races &#8212; contested or otherwise &#8212; in the Bronx. </p>
<p>(For more on who can vote and how this year, go <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/10300/">here</a>. For more on the district attorney contest, go <a /href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/here-come-the-judges/">here</a>.)</p>
<p>More on the individual judicial races after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10303"></span></p>
<p>In Queens, 12 candidates are competing for six available state Supreme Court seats. Six of the candidates are Democrats &#8212; Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1486">Janice Taylor</a>, Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7025810">Allan Weiss</a>, Civil Court Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1436">Rudolph Greco</a>, Acting Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1407">Timothy Dufficy</a>, Acting Supreme Court Justice and Civil Court Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=8000549">Pam Jackman-Brown</a> and Criminal Court Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7030007">Ira Margulis</a>. Facing them are six candidates with Republican and Conservative backing: Administrative Law Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/jcec/Bio.php?ID=154">Robert Beltrani</a>, criminal defense attorney <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/jcec/Bio.php?ID=154">Gabriel Tapalaga</a>, Ozone Park attorney <a href="http://www.myspace.com/268930313#!/joseph_kasper">Joseph Kasper</a>, Astoria attorney <a href="http://www.votechristoforatos.com/">Kate Christoforatos</a>, Elmhurst attorney <a href="http://www.florezlaw.com/index.htm">Milton Florez</a> and administrative law judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1245">John Casey</a>. </p>
<p>All the Democratic candidates have been <a href="http://www.abcny.org/media-aamp-publications/press-releases/press-archives-2011/1326-new-york-city-bar-association-rates-general-election-candidates-for-district-attorney-supreme-court-and-civil-court-in-new-york-city">rated as approved</a> by the city bar association. Among the Republicans, though, Christoforatos was the only candidate listed as approved; the others were ranked unapproved, (The bar does not provide any back-up for or explanation of its determinations.)</p>
<p>The Democrats <a href="http://www.qgazette.com/news/2011-10-19/Political_Page/DA_Brown_Headed_For_6th_Consecutive_Election_Victo.html"> have an edge</a> in the contests, the Queens Gazette believes, largely because of their advantage in party registration in the borough. In addition, the paper said, &#8220;All six Democrats have won previous elections, five of them for Civil Court judgeships and the sixth for a Housing Court judges position, which boosts their favorite status.&#8221;</p>
<p>Democrats currently hold all the Supreme Court seats in Queens, Conservative Party Chairman Tom Long <a href="http://www.qgazette.com/news/2011-11-02/Features/Brown_Seeks_Sixth_Straight_Term_On_Tuesday.html">has said</a>.</p>
<p>Fundraising tends to be light for these contests. Most of the candidates had not filed with the state elections boa4rd, meaning they have raised less than $1,000 for their races this year. </p>
<p>One exception was Christoforatos who, in her 11-day pre-general election filing, <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=A86329&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011"> reported </a>contributions of $28,520 and $13,740.73 on hand. In addition, Tapalaga <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=A86358&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">reported</a> $11,525 in donations and $10,7095.67 on hand.</p>
<p>On the surface at least, the Brooklyn election seems less open.  Six of the candidates &#8212; Associate Appellate Division Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1256">David Freidman</a>; Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1283">Lawrence Knipel</a>; Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7026644">Betsy Barros</a>; <a href="http://judgepedia.org/index.php/Carl_J._Landicino">Carl Landicino</a>, a lawyer for the Brooklyn Democratic Party who <a href="http://www.cityhallnews.com/2011/09/how-a-brooklyn-democratic-functionary-became-a-brooklyn-judge/">reportedly</a> has spent much of his court time trying to knock challengers to the party establishment off the ballot; Acting Supreme Court Justice <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7029688">Rachel Adams</a> and Acting Supreme Court Justice and Civil Court Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7030078">Johnny Baynes</a> &#8212; have the Democratic and Republican endorsements. All but two of them &#8212; Adams and Knipel &#8212; also have the Conservative Party&#8217;s backing.</p>
<p>Two candidates with just the Conservative Party lines &#8212; attorney <a href="http://judgepedia.org/index.php/Paul_M._Atanasio">Paul Atanasio</a> and <a href="http://www.connorsandsullivan.com/Bio/RenataLandskind.asp">Renata Landskind</a> &#8212; are running, presumably against them. Given the Conservative Party&#8217;s modest membership in Brooklyn &#8212; and the fact that Atanasio and Landskind are the only Brooklyn Supreme Court candidates without bar association approval &#8212; makes the odd against them seem pretty daunting . And Atanasio cannot be helped by his alleged role in the patronage hiring of a project leader on a school construction project. A falling brick from the site killed a 17-year-old girl in 1998, a death a city investigation later <a href=""http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/34/44/all_electiondayprimer_2011_11_04_bk.html">blamed</a> on incompetent contractors, halfway safety measures and laissez-faire supervision.&#8221;</p>
<p>Here, too fundraising seems light. Many candidates reported no activity. Knipel <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=A84377&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">reported</a> having about $3,700 in campaign funds on hand. While Adam&#8217;s 11-day <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=A84238&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">pre-general election filing</a> found her $466.18 in the red.</p>
<p>The contest for Civil Court in Brooklyn looks more competitive. Two Democrats &#8212; Sharen Hudson, a court attorney at the <a hrf="http://www.courtinnovation.org/project/red-hook-community-justice-center">Red Hook Community Justice Center</a> who has the <a href="http://www.kensingtonprospect.com/tag/democratic-primary-civil-court-judge">support of the party organization</a>, and Supervising Civil Court Judge <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/applications/judicialdirectory/Bio.php?ID=7029861">Peter Sweeney</a> &#8212; are running against two Republican/Conservatives &#8212; attorney <a href="http://www.nycourtsystem.com/Applications/JCEC2011/Bio2011.php?ID=1417">Joseph Elhilow</a> and lawyer <a href="http://www.rocketlawyer.com/profiles/view-profile-VINCENT+F+MARTUSCIELLO.aspx">Vincent Martusciello</a> &#8212; for two seats. Only Hudson reported campaign finance activity with a <a href="http://www.elections.state.ny.us:8080/plsql_browser/efs_summary_page?comid_in=C85233&#038;rdate_in=28-OCT-2011&#038;reportid_in=E&#038;eyear_in=2011">negative balance</a> late last month of $672.36.</p>
<p>All of them are approved by the bar association except for Martusciello.</p>
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		<title>A Quiet Election Day</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/10300/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/10300/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:39:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bronx district attorney robert johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daniel Donovan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike ryan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[qeens district attorney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ruben wills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[special election]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[staten island district attorney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[uncontested elections]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/10300/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Even by the standards of the off-off-year election &#8212; those contests in odd-numbered years when there is no mayoral race &#8212; this is a non-election election year. 
There are no contested races of any kind in the Bronx or Manhattan, according to the Board of Elections&#8217; lists of candidates. In Queens and Brooklyn, the sole [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Even by the standards of the off-off-year election &#8212; those contests in odd-numbered years when there is no mayoral race &#8212; this is a non-election election year. </p>
<p>There are no contested races of any kind in the Bronx or Manhattan, according to the Board of Elections&#8217; <a href=" http://vote.nyc.ny.us/pdf/documents/boe/2011GeneralElection/CandidacyList.pdf">lists of candidates</a>. In Queens and Brooklyn, the sole seats up for grabs are judgeships. Only Staten Island residents will have the chance to vote for or against someone they might actually have heard of: Republican District Attorney <a href="http://www.dandonovan.org/2011/">Daniel Donovan</a>, who faces a challenge from Democrat <a href=" http://www.mikeryanforda.com/">Mike Ryan</a>. It&#8217;s a repeat of their 2007 contest.</p>
<p>(For details on the district attorney race, go <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/the-races-for-da/">here</a>. For more on the judicial contests, go <a /href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/11/06/here-come-the-judges/">here</a>.)</p>
<p>Sleepy elections occur about once every four years in New York, Unlike the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/iotw/20071105/200/2339">one in 2007</a>, this year&#8217;s features no ballot measures, fewer contests for the bench and no particularly high profile ones. As is often the case in general elections in New York City, many candidates including those for some important posts face no opposition.</p>
<p>More voting details after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10300"></span></p>
<p>In Queens, for example, <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/28">Ruben Wills</a>, a Democrat, faces no opposition for the City Council seat he originally <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20101025/203/3392">won in a special election</a> last fall. Bronx District Attorney <a href="http://bronxda.nyc.gov/office/biography.htm">Robert Johnson</a> has the Republican, Democratic and Conservative party lines in his quest for another term. The Bar Association of the City Of New York <a href="http://www.abcny.org/media-aamp-publications/press-releases/press-archives-2011/1326-new-york-city-bar-association-rates-general-election-candidates-for-district-attorney-supreme-court-and-civil-court-in-new-york-city">lists</a> Johnson as not approved for the post but voters have little choice  &#8212; but he&#8217;s unopposed anyway. So is Queens DA <a href="http://www.queensda.org/dabiography.html">Richard Brown</a>, who is &#8220;approved.&#8221;</p>
<p>For those of you who do plan to vote, polls will be open on Tuesday, as usual, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find out if you can vote or the location of your poll site, call (toll-free) 866-868-3692.</p>
<p>Going to the Board of Election <a href="http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm">poll site locator</a>, will not only enable you to find out where to vote but  for the first time  will also provide a sample ballot for your area. (Note you will see a sample ballot  and can even vote  if all candidates running from your area are unopposed. You may decide it&#8217;s not worth the trouble, though.)</p>
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		<title>Fred Dicker&#039;s Evolving View of Occupy Albany</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/24/fred-dickers-evolving-view-of-occupy-albany/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/24/fred-dickers-evolving-view-of-occupy-albany/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:46:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fred Dicker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NY Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Occupy Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10226</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In his column this morning NY Post&#8217;s Fred Dicker described Occupy Albany protesters as &#8220;200 mainly young, hippie-like demonstrators,&#8221; but only hours later his view of the group seems to have changed. Dicker, who has acted as a one-man cheer leading squad for Gov. Andrew Cuomo now seems to view the people who are running [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In his <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/24/is-cuomo-overreacting-to-occupy-albany/">column this morning</a> NY Post&#8217;s Fred Dicker described Occupy Albany protesters as &#8220;200 mainly young, hippie-like demonstrators,&#8221; but only hours later his view of the group seems to have changed. Dicker, who has acted as a <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20110308/204/3482">one-man cheer leading squad</a> for Gov. Andrew Cuomo now seems to view the people who are running the group as wealthy &#8220;trust-fund baby type people&#8221; who are &#8220;slender&#8221; and &#8220;well-dressed.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Albany County District Attorney seems less concerned about the protesters and what they look like&#8211;he has informed law enforcement officials that he <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/24/soares-on-occupy-albany/">does not plan to prosecute any peaceful protesters</a> &#8211;despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s push to have them arrested for violating a city curfew.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Occupy Albany seems to be <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/24/occupy-albany-set-to-expand/">emboldened</a> and <a href="http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/84676/is-occupy-albany-about-cuomo-is-it-now/">driven</a> now that Cuomo has taken notice of them and is annoyed by their presence. A rally involving groups that support the millionaires tax is <a href="http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/84676/is-occupy-albany-about-cuomo-is-it-now/">planned for Thursday</a>.</p>
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		<title>Former Bloomberg Aide Found Guilty of Larceny</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/21/former-bloomberg-aide-found-guilty-of-larceny/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/21/former-bloomberg-aide-found-guilty-of-larceny/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:01:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independence party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[john haggerty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10209</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[John Haggerty, the political consultant charged with stealing millions from Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s campaign, was found guilty of grand larceny in the second degree and his company was found guilty of money laundering in the second degree.
Haggerty avoided the more serious charge of larceny in the first degree. Haggerty was accused of funneling $1.2 million [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>John Haggerty, the political consultant charged with stealing millions from Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s campaign, was <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/149390/former-bloomberg-aide-found-guilty-of-stealing-campaign-funds">found guilty</a> of grand larceny in the second degree and his company was found guilty of money laundering in the second degree.</p>
<p>Haggerty <a href="http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/10/haggerty-found-guilty-of-larceny-money-laundering/">avoided the more serious charge</a> of larceny in the first degree. Haggerty was accused of funneling $1.2 million of campaign cash through the Independence Party to strengthen ballot security but instead used $1.1 million of the money to buy a house.</p>
<p>Bloomberg had to testify on the stand and Haggerty&#8217;s lawyers claimed Bloomberg lied and that Haggerty was paid for the work he had completed. Haggerty could face 15 years in prison.</p>
<p>The case is seen as a major victory for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance whose office has suffered major public defeats this year.</p>
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