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Mayoral Control Sans Control
July 1st, 2009

If you can’t beat them, ignore them.

That might be the philosophy Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the five borough presidents adopted after the State Legislature failed to renew mayoral control of schools by yesterday’s deadline. Instead, they re-established the defunct Board of Education, appointed close allies to the mayor and adjourned for the summer — crossing their fingers that the State Senate would no longer be deadlocked when school starts again.

They then filed into City Hall’s blue room this afternoon to rally support for their move, with Bloomberg berating the State Senate and their squabbling. The borough presidents, mayor and Council Speaker Christine Quinn talked of unity, keeping consistency for the kids and for teachers. Bloomberg emphasized that the new board was temporary — a band-aid fix, not a real solution.

“What we’re trying to do here is to continue on as though mayoral control was approved, and it’s our assumption that it will be sometime in the very near future,” said Bloomberg. “If in the fall we find out that it wasn’t, we have a different set of issues. They have voted for continuity and consistency.”
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By Courtney Gross on July 1, 2009, 2:38 pm
In category: Albany, Education, Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Patrolling Pedicabs
June 29th, 2009

The three-wheeled, human-powered pedicab lobby rolled into City Hall this morning for a surprisingly calm hearing on new regulations that would license the industry for the first time.

It was calm in comparison to the so-called chaos the industry causes in Times Square.

The new regulations — which could be approved by the City Council as early as July, according to Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Leroy Comrie — would do away with a previous cap on licenses and replace it with a 60-day window to apply to operate a pedicab. The City Council had attempted to regulate the human-powered cabs in 2007, limiting their number to 325, but it was then sued by the New York City Pedicab Owners’ Association. The court struck down the city regulations, which the administration opposed as well, and derailed the implementation of the cap.

The new regulations, which the administration and the City Council agreed upon earlier this month, would require pedicabs to register with the Department of Consumer Affairs. They would be subject to safety checks, drivers would be required to have a license and every cab would have to have seat belts, headlights and taillights. Their brakes would also be subject to inspection. Every pedicab business could only license 30 pedicabs.

After the 60-day licensing period, there would be an 18-month freeze on pedicab licensing. Licenses could be transferred between owners.

A major concern for the industry and city officials is safety. Currently, critics say, completely unregulated pedicabs crowd Times Square and speed along roadways, endangering passengers. Earlier this month, before the announcement of the new regulations, a driver and passenger were seriously injured when a pedicab collided with a yellow cab on the Williamsburg Bridge.
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By Courtney Gross on June 29, 2009, 4:03 pm
In category: Environment, Gotham City, Law, Transportation, nextNY
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Thompson Chimes In
June 16th, 2009

Democratic mayoral contender and Comptroller William Thompson just released this statement in response to the mayor and the City Council’s budget agreement last night:

During tough times we must all work to make sacrifices, but the budget agreed upon by the mayor and City Council, while moving to save some important city services, unfairly affects the small business and middle class communities throughout the city.

The approximately $380 million in cuts to the Department of Education is unacceptable. Mayor Bloomberg would rather pull money out of classrooms than admit that under his administration, the DOE has become a top heavy agency that has wasted millions of dollars in no bid contracts and fiscal mismanagement.

The citys agreement to raise the sales tax is a regressive move that will adversely affect New York Citys families and small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy. In a time of economic recession, asking hard-working New Yorkers to pay more for goods and services is simply unfair.

Instead, the city would have been better served by raising the Personal Income Tax on those New Yorkers making $500,000 or more annually, as I have recommended. This would bring in more than $1 billion annually in additional revenue to the city.

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By Courtney Gross on June 16, 2009, 2:14 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Tier V Out in 2010?
June 16th, 2009

There are plenty of proposals that we will soon find out were left out of this year’s budget agreement, which was announced last night by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn — documents are pending.

One which is definitely not included in this plan is the creation of a fifth pension tier for city employees, which earlier this week the administration said was one of its top priorities in Albany this session. A new tier for employees could save the city billions over the long term by reducing benefits and possibly raising the retirement age. The governor brokered a similar deal with state employees’ unions earlier this month.

Whether it was the Senate stalemate or a backlash from city unions, we don’t know. But it looks like the administration isn’t anticipating it for this budget cycle. Here is the mayor’s response last night when asked whether it was in the new budget:

“We are expecting and hoping that Albany will help us The biggest problem we have is our uncontrollables, mainly those in the hands of Albany, (which) are up 6 percent. And we just have to do it. We cannot afford going forward (with) the kind of pension costs and health care costs that we have had. We did negotiate some health care costs with the unions, and they deserve a lot of credit for coming to the table. It was a long negotiation. It was not an easy one, but we came to an agreement. Thats what democracy is all about. Thats exactly the kind of relationship we want to have We have to do something in Albany for changing the pension system cause otherwise it will be something we cant afford whatsoever in another few years. It is growing unchecked and if the stock market does not recover between now and the end of this month we are going to have to repay into the system all the monies they lost. We can do it over a six year period, but we have to make up those.”

A spokesperson later confirmed it wasn’t in the plan.

By Courtney Gross on June 16, 2009, 2:10 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Meeting A United Senate?
June 12th, 2009

Gotham Gazette’s Jackie Pearce reports from 250 Broadway:

Senate Democrats came out of their meeting at 250 Broadway in the same fashion they went in an hour before: Saying nothing about the fate of their majority.

But they had no problem displaying a cohesive front.

Our conference is very united, reported Sen. Malcolm Smith, the disputed leader of both the (former) majority and the State Democrats.

Were a united conference doing the business of the people of the state of New York, echoed Sen. John Sampson, who could be stepping in for Smith.

Smith did not respond to questions over whether or not he was still, in fact, the majority leader. Notably absent from the meeting was Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who supposedly will not rejoin the Democrats unless Smith is replaced.
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By Courtney Gross on June 12, 2009, 5:37 pm
In category: Albany, Electoral Politics, Eye on Albany, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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A Heartbeat Away
June 11th, 2009

Along with bringing Albany to a grinding halt, empowering another billionaire and putting the future of key legislative initiatives in doubt, the so-called coup in Albany puts Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. first in line for the governor’s seat should something happen to David Paterson.

“The prospect is a little scary,” said Assemblymember Michael Cusick a Democrat from Staten Island.” “Light a candle for Paterson, please. For New York, also,” pleaded the Post — not exactly Paterson’s biggest fan.

If the prospect of Espada leading the state makes you pine for George Pataki — or Paterson, for that matter — blame it on Eliot Spitzer and the state constitution. As DeNora Getachew wrote in Gotham Gazette last month, the position of lieutenant governor became vacant when Eliot Spitz resigned last year. And the state’s constitution does not provide for allowing the office to be filled.

Getachew sets out what other states do — and how New York could correct the problem. But, she cautions, do not expect change anytime soon. So if you’re worried about State Sen. Espada becoming Gov. Espada you might join the Post in praying for our current governor, however unpopular he might be.

By Gail Robinson on June 11, 2009, 2:02 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Law, Voting
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Hiram at the Council
June 11th, 2009

Not long ago, the state’s now infamous Democratic defector, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, was a member of the New York City Council.

There, he established a primarily Democratic record, and he rarely (like the rest of his colleagues) voted against the City Council speaker’s agenda. For the most part, he kept in line.

Maybe the air in Albany sparked something in him?

He did seem to have a moderate streak, voting against a bill to restrict campaign contributions from those that do business with the city, the city’s green cart legislation and also a cell phone ban at performances. In total, Monserrate voted no 26 times from January 2006 until January 2009, when he left the council to join the Senate.

When asked yesterday about his time at the council, Council Speaker Christine Quinn said she would let his “record speak for itself.”

You can check out his full voting record through our handy City Laws Database.

By Courtney Gross on June 11, 2009, 1:12 pm
In category: Albany, Electoral Politics, Environment, Health, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Fordham Deal
June 10th, 2009

A deal has been struck between Fordham University, the local community and Councilmember Gale Brewer, which will allow the university to expand its Lincoln Center campus.

The deal, with modifications, will head back to the city’s Planning Commission, and the council is expected to vote on it by the end of June, according to a release from Brewer’s office.

Details of the deal, and the release in full, are after the jump.
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By Courtney Gross on June 10, 2009, 4:36 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Housing, Land Use, Law, Voting
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Community Boards Get the Steps
June 9th, 2009

cbpiccrop

Scores of community board members, comptroller and mayoral candidate William Thompson Jr. and four out of the five borough presidents took to the steps of City Hall this afternoon to urge the administration and the City Council to roll back cuts to the city’s 59 community boards.

These cuts, they say, would cripple the boards so much that they could be “rendered ineffective.” That, said Thompson, may be the point.

“One has to believe at a certain point that is what the mayor is intending to do,” said Thompson. “They are trying to cut them to the point that he’ll be able to turn around and say, ‘Let’s get rid of borough presidents. Let’s get rid of community boards,’” Thompson said of the mayor.

For an in-depth look at the future of community boards, see Endangered Community Boards.

Saying it’s the “best buy for city government,” Borough President Scott Stringer argued community boards are necessary to ensure the administration has a link to communities. The cuts would “hamstring” City Hall, he added.

“The bottom line is this mayor will not get re-elected if he picks apart democracy,” Stringer said.
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By Courtney Gross on June 9, 2009, 2:01 pm
In category: Albany, Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Land Use, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Diaz Jr.: Glad Sr. Stayed Out of It
June 9th, 2009

The newly minted Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is glad his father, State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and member of the Gang of Three, stayed out of this one.

“I’m so happy that Rev. Diaz is not a part of it,” said Diaz Jr. at a rally at City Hall this morning.

He also thinks aligning with Republicans could make Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. vulnerable in his Bronx district later.

“Pedro Espada had problems in the past when he sat with the Republican party,” said Diaz Jr. “When it’s all said and done, people in their district are Democrats, want them to sit with the Democrats to push the Democratic agenda, not the Republican agenda, not to empower people like Dean Skelos, who is not friends to people in our community.”

Diaz, who along with Assemblymember Carl Heastie, helped orchestrate a change in leadership in the Bronx late last year, wouldn’t say Espada will definitely have a challenger, but he imagines Bronxites will want a Democratic representative who will caucus with the Democrats.

By Courtney Gross on June 9, 2009, 12:47 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Worst Case Scenario
June 9th, 2009

So let’s say Albany is deluged in chaos and mayhem for another three weeks.

Let’s say they can’t get their acts together — whoever is in charge — and the city is left without an approved revenue package.

Then what?

“Without that we have a $900 million hole in our budget,” said Councilmember David Weprin, a comptroller candidate and head of the council’s finance committee. “If it goes on past (the July 1 budget deadline), then we will have to do some temporary measure to close that.”

The council and the Bloomberg administration are banking on the State Legislature to approve a revenue package they agreed upon last week. The package includes a 0.5 percent increase in the sales tax, the rolling back of a sales tax exemption for clothing sales over $110 and an expansion of the sales tax to non-utility customers. It also includes a number of restructured corporation and unincorporated business taxes.

The whole package is worth $887 million.

If that is stalled upstate, Weprin said the city would only have a number of options. The only tax they could increase on their own is the property tax, which they could be less inclined to do since they raised it last year. Weprin said they could take funding from the city’s health care trust fund — worth $2.6 billion.
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By Courtney Gross on June 9, 2009, 12:14 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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What Now?
June 8th, 2009

The Associated Press is reporting that Senate Democrats are likely to challenge today’s chaos in court.

But any court proceeding would obviously delay any movement on the legislative measures Albany was supposed to be steering through in the last two weeks of their session this year.

That includes an increase in the sales tax and the taxing of clothing over $110 — both of which are integral to the city’s budget revenue package. Both of those proposals account for $637 million in revenue, which the Bloomberg administration had planned on using to plug a serious budget deficit.

This upheaval upstate could put those measures, which need state approval, in jeopardy. The city must have a budget by July 1.

Today’s events also throw the revision or extension of mayoral control up in the air. Senate Republicans are more likely to favor the extension of mayoral control, while Senate Democrats were looking to revise the policy.

UPDATE: Later this evening Bloomberg, expressed concern about the impact the shift could have on the city tax hikes. “I expect to have an on-time budget, but we have to have reasonable assurances that revenues will be there. And if this were to get held up, and I don’t know if that’s the case, this is hypothetical, we would not be facing anything that we’ve seen before. We would have to consult with the lawyers,” Bloomberg said, according to the Daily Politics

By Courtney Gross on June 8, 2009, 4:18 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Electoral Politics, Eye on Albany, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Horse Races Start Tomorrow
June 8th, 2009

And they’re off.

Starting tomorrow, candidates for city office will be scrambling to get signatures to get on the ballot for this fall’s primary. Council candidates are required to get 900 signatures, borough wide candidates need 4,000, and citywide candidates must get 7,500.

Some candidates are kicking off their petition campaign this evening, with parties and fundraisers. Council candidate Yetta Kurland, who is vying for Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s seat, is among them.

Candidates will have until July 16 to get all of their signatures. It’s customary for serious candidates to collect many more than the needed amount — securing themselves from the ever cumbersome challenge process. For instance, Kurland is looking for volunteers to collect “several thousand” signatures before the July deadline.

A volunteer appeal from public advocate candidate Norman Siegel, who is holding a training this evening for petition collectors, says he hopes to get three times the amount necessary — or about 22,500.

Send any petition collector sightings our way.

By Courtney Gross on June 8, 2009, 1:20 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Law, Voting, nextNY
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It's Official
May 27th, 2009

Citing the mayor’s unlimited campaign spending and a campaign that is likely to rely on advertising as opposed to substance, Rep. Anthony Weiner made his non-candidacy candidacy official this morning with an op-ed in the New York Times declaring he will sit this one out.

In response, the Bill Thompson campaign, which along with Tony Avella will vie for the Democratic ticket, released this statement:

“Congressman Anthony Weiner would be a formidable candidate for any position that he seeks. I respect his decision to stay in Washington during this important time in our nation’s history. However, my decision to run for Mayor has nothing to do with who else may be in the race and everything to do with how I will bring change and new leadership to City Hall. I am running for all New Yorkers who want good paying jobs, affordable housing, support for small businesses and a school system that focuses on educating our children.

By Courtney Gross on May 27, 2009, 11:23 am
In category: Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Obama Chooses Bronx Judge
May 26th, 2009

President Barack Obama has just announced that he has selected Sonia Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge raised in the Bronx, as his nominee for the Supreme Court. If confirmed to replace retiring Justice David Souter, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic on the court — her parents came here from Puerto Rico — and only the third woman.

Sotomayor, whose father died when she was 9 years old, went to Catholic schools. Raised in a housing project, she attended Princeton, which she once likened to an “alien country.” She went on to Yale Law School, serving as editor of the Yale Law Journal. After graduating she worked for the Manhattan district attorneys office. The first president George Bush named her to federal district court in 1991, and in 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed her to her current job.

Despite her compelling personal story, Sotomayor could attract opposition from conservatives who see her as too activist a judge. With her name under consideration for the nomination, a video circulated in which she said the courts are the place where “policy is made,” although she added, “And I know this is on tape and I should never say that, because we don’t make law. I know.”
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By Gail Robinson on May 26, 2009, 10:38 am
In category: Civil Rights, Gotham City, Law
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Bills Aimed At Abatements
May 11th, 2009

Almost two years ago, two firefighters died in a blaze at the former Deutsche Bank building in Lower Manhattan.

Today, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and members of the Bloomberg administration announced the introduction of 11 bills aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The legislation focuses on abatement and demolition practices as well as standpipe and sprinkler systems.

At the former Deutsche Bank, firefighters were unable to quickly put out the blaze because a standpipe had been disconnected during the deconstruction and abatement of the tower. The abatement process created “maze-like” conditions in the 40-story building, which was being taken down after it was severely damaged in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia died as a result.

Charges have been filed against the contractor in charge of the project, the John Galt Corporation. Three men have been charged with manslaughter for dismantling the standpipe, which would have fed firefighters battling the blaze gallons upon gallons of water.

This afternoon, Graffagnino’s father came to City Hall, standing side by side with city officials, to congratulate them on the legislative package.

“I think this is absolutely fantastic,” said the firefighter’s father, who is also named Joseph Graffagnino.

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By Courtney Gross on May 11, 2009, 5:28 pm
In category: Gotham City, Health, Law, nextNY
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Quinn Quiet on Firehouses
May 6th, 2009

At her pre-stated press conference today, Council Speaker Christine Quinn did not take sides on the mayor’s plan to decrease the amount of firefighters on about 64 engines — a proposal the Firefighters Union is stiffly opposing.

In his executive budget released last week, the mayor has suggested lowering the amount of firefighters from five to four on 64 engines in the city. The city would not layoff any fire fighters, but would redistribute positions through attrition. The union has balked at the idea.

If it’s not done, the mayor has said, the only alternative would be to close 16 companies, which the City Council will likely oppose.

When asked about the proposal today, Quinn said, “That’s an issue my colleagues and I on the budget negotiating team will discuss… I want to avoid negotiating each and every one of them in the press.”

Budget hearings are scheduled to start next week at the council.
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By Courtney Gross on May 6, 2009, 1:24 pm
In category: Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Land Use, Law, Voting, nextNY
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Senate Passes Construction Safety Legislation
April 29th, 2009

The Senate passed a bill today that requires the NYC Department of Buildings to re-inspect construction sites that have been issued hazardous violations . There is currently no mandate in place for the buildings department to re-inspect sites that have dangerous code violations and therefore companies have little motivation to correct the problems.

The bill also allows the buildings department to issue fines from $1,500 to $5000 if the problem is not corrected. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger and was authored in response to recent construction accidents including two fatal crane collapses. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and community activists supported the bill.

A release from Krueger’s office follows. Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on April 29, 2009, 3:49 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Gotham City, Law
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Atlantic Keeps on Giving
April 24th, 2009

This post incorrectly reported that employees of the Atlantic Development Group contributed to the campaign of Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., which is incorrect. The group’s principals gave to his father, former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. It has been corrected.

I am invoking the Beach Boys here: Atlantic Development Group, well, they get around.

The employees of the development group which could be at the center of an inquiry by the city’s Department of Investigation have given more than $93,000 to city campaigns since 1999, according to filings by the city’s Campaign Finance Board. The group spearheaded the major development project in the Bronx — Boricua Village — which received a boatload of public subsidies.

The architect of that project also designed renovations to the home of former borough president turned Obama aide, Adolfo Carrion, which he never paid for. Their Sixth Avenue offices were raided by the city yesterday.

Reports allege the group could be involved in a bribery scheme between developers and city officials. The department, according to the Post, has executed a dozen search warrants on several companies during the probe.

According to the Campaign Finance Board’s filings, the group not only gave money to Carrion, but also gave to more than a dozen other city officials. Last year, the group’s principals gave $5,500 to comptroller candidate and Councilmember Melinda Katz. The year before that Council Speaker Christine Quinn received $1,000 from them. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer received $7,000 from the group’s employees last year. Former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., public advocate candidate and Councilmember Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz all received campaign contributions as well.

One of the group’s principals, Peter Fine, also did some serious bundling (or acting as an “intermediary” to collect contributions for candidates) for Stringer and on-again, off-again mayoral candidate Rep. Anthony Weiner last year. He bundled $40,150 for the two candidates.
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By Courtney Gross on April 24, 2009, 10:53 am
In category: Community Development, Crime, Electoral Politics, Finance, Gotham City, Land Use, Law, nextNY
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Bronx BP Race Tomorrow
April 20th, 2009

<i>From Diaz's campaign site.</i>

From Diaz's campaign site.

The approximately 1.4 million residents of the Bronx will get a new borough president tomorrow, but from the looks of it no one seems to notice.

A race where the results are pretty much predetermined, tomorrow’s election pits Assemblymember Ruben Diaz Jr., a Democrat, against actor Anthony Ribustello, a Republican. Technically, tomorrow’s special election — triggered by the resignation of former president Adolfo Carrion who now works for the Obama administration — is nonpartisan. Diaz is expected to win the seat handily.

For more on the intricacies of this race and Bronx politics, see “The Bronx Family Feud.”

In the 2005 general election, 158,761 people turned out to vote for the borough president race. Tomorrow’s election turnout is expected to be much, much smaller.

This race was not always lackluster. At one point, Councilmember Joel Rivera — whose father had headed the Bronx Democratic party until late last year — was expected to challenge Diaz for the seat. That race never happened. Rivera said he wanted to put “politics aside” (in effect, raising the white flag in a political dispute that had mired the Bronx for months).

Since then, Diaz has denied public financing to run the campaign, saying it was less than “competitive.” Since Rivera dropped out, Diaz has doubled the size of his campaign account, from a little over $200,000 to $405,677, according to the latest campaign finance records.
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By Courtney Gross on April 20, 2009, 2:57 pm
In category: Albany, Community Development, Electoral Politics, Gotham City, Law, Voting, nextNY
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