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<channel>
	<title>The Wonkster</title>
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	<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster</link>
	<description>A blog about the views and spews of editorialists, bloggers and other unsavory opinionated New Yorkers.</description>
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			<item>
		<title>Let Them Eat Pop-Tarts</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/7017/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/7017/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:57:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=7017</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
If you thought a bake sale was just a place to scarf down a brownie think again. To the parents, children and local officials protesting the Department of Education&#8217;s new bake sale policy, the selling of home-made goodies epitomizes democracy, tradition, community and, yes, health. 
As has been widely noted &#8211; and ridiculed&#8211; the Department [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_0674-31.jpg" alt="IMG_0674-3" title="IMG_0674-3" width="225" height="300" class="alignright size-full wp-image-7027" /></p>
<p>If you thought a bake sale was just a place to scarf down a brownie think again. To the parents, children and local officials protesting the Department of Education&#8217;s new bake sale policy, the selling of home-made goodies epitomizes democracy, tradition, community and, yes, health. </p>
<p>As has been widely noted &#8211; and ridiculed&#8211; the Department of Education <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/02/24/half-baked/"><br />
enacted</a> new rules last month that would sharply curtail the sale of homemade treats in cafeterias and at school events. Instead clubs and others looking for funds could peddle 27 department-approved items &#8212; including Pop-Tarts and individually sized bags of some types of Doritos.</p>
<p>To those at today&#8217;s protest near City Hall, this  makes no sense. To drive their point home they set up two tables one with banned treats, including mini-empanadas, pumpkin bread and a vegan cake and the other with the packaged food, the Department of Education apparently prefers.</p>
<p>As three little girls ran around in ban junk food aprons, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio lauded the traditional bake sale as &#8220;an example of the New York we should all want to see. &#8230; This is about people living in a community, caring about their community, their neighborhood, their school as a community.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-7017"></span></p>
<p>And as he has done on other issues he chided the department for not consulting with parents before issuing their rules. </p>
<p>Based on her discussion with an unidentified principal, City Councilmember Gale Brewer said, many individual school administrators will ignore the ban, which also applies to students selling homemade food as an alternative to the institutional school lunch. &#8220;I look the other way,&#8221; Brewer quoted the principal as saying, &#8220;They [students] sell it in the cafeteria. They go to Costco and they make great food.&#8221;</p>
<p>Some parents fear the change will undermine the ability of parent organizations and school clubs to raise funds when budgets already are tight. Melissa Vigilante, bakes on coffee cake &#8212; on  display on the &#8220;banned&#8221; table and, she said, &#8220;a legend&#8221; &#8212;  almost every week to sell at a school bake sale. Each sale raises about $100 for such activities as music and dance.</p>
<p>&#8220;We should be able to do what&#8217;s best for our kids,&#8221; said Vigilante, who was at the demonstration with her daughter, a kindergartener at <a href="http://insideschools.org/index12.php?fs=18"> PS 36</a> in the East Village. &#8220;We wouldn&#8217;t have to have bake sales if we had enough money for band and dance and music.&#8221;</p>
<p>As to that, the department has some tips. Some department officials have <a href="http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2010/03/03/brooklyn_heights_courier/news/courier-yn_brooklyn_heights-tnbakesalepass.txt">proposed</a> hawking t-shirts, with others  <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/03/17/both_sides_firm_on_prepackaged_corp.php"> have suggested</a> selling crafts and jewelry.</p>
<p>In other parents, it&#8217;s time to trade muffins for macrame and packs up the bowls and bring out the beads.</p>
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		<title>A Regional Market at South Street Seaport</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/a-regional-market-at-south-street-seaport/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/a-regional-market-at-south-street-seaport/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:10:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Use]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waterfront]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bankruptcy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic development corporation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[general growth properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seth pinksy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south street seaport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[willets point]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=7007</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Photo (cc) 2006 David Reeves
Is the New York City Economic Development Corp. open to Council Speaker Christine Quinn&#8217;s proposal to create a regional market at the South Street Seaport?
Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky thinks so. 
&#8220;We definitely agree that a regional market is a good use for the South Street Seaport,&#8221; Pinsky said this afternoon [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/seaport2.jpg"><img src="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/seaport2.jpg" alt="seaport" title="seaport" width="400" height="302" class="alignright size-full wp-image-7014" /></a>
<div class="photocredit">Photo (cc) 2006 David Reeves</div>
<p>Is the New York City Economic Development Corp. open to Council Speaker Christine Quinn&#8217;s <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100219/203/3189">proposal</a> to create a regional market at the South Street Seaport?</p>
<p>Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky thinks so. </p>
<p>&#8220;We definitely agree that a regional market is a good use for the South Street Seaport,&#8221; Pinsky said this afternoon at a City Council budget hearing.</p>
<p>The corporation and seaport owner, <a href="http://www.ggp.com/ggpintro.aspx">General Growth Properties</a>, had been working on a <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/06/18/south_street_seaport_redevelopment.php">redevelopment plan</a> for the downtown shopping area for several years. That plan included a specialty food market.</p>
<p>But when Properties filed for bankruptcy in April of 2009 &#8212; predominantly an effect of the real estate bust &#8212; the redevelopment proposal was abruptly put on hold.</p>
<p>Now that General Growth Properties appears to be <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703954904575110102914237396.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">emerging from bankruptcy</a>, Pinksy expects the project to move forward. A hearing on the developer&#8217;s exit from bankruptcy will be <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1823890720100318">later this spring</a>.<br />
<span id="more-7007"></span><br />
In her state of the city this year, Quinn, partnering with the local councilmember, Margaret Chin, suggested creating a permanent regional market at the former site of the Fulton Fish Market near the South Street Seaport. &#8220;Our market would be a destination for residents and tourists of every income. A place to meet friends for shopping, or sit and read over a cup of coffee. A place where kids could see cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, or learn how food gets from the farm to city,&#8221; Quinn said in her address. </p>
<p>Looks like that <a href="http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/officials-seek-permanent-market-at-seaport/">plan</a> may become a reality.</p>
<p>Also this morning, Pinsky said the city is still negotiating with property owners in Queens so it can move forward with its <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20081117/203/2762">Willets Point development</a>. Currently, he said, the city has secured 70 percent of the property and is negotiating the relocation of other property owners for the final 30 percent. </p>
<p>Pinksy said the corporation is waiting out the economic downturn to put the project out to bid, which he projected could happen later this year or early 2011. The corporation <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2009/10/26/return_of_the_megaprojects_willets_point_seeks_developers.php">put out</a> a &#8220;request for qualifications&#8221; &#8212; the precursor to the actual request for proposals &#8212; late last year. They received 29 responses. The city will develop the area piece by piece, starting in the southwest, he added.  </p>
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		<title>Putting the State Police in Check</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/putting-the-state-police-in-check/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/18/putting-the-state-police-in-check/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:58:58 +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[david paterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hakeem Jeffries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liz Krueger]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=7004</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries are pushing legislation that would keep an eye on the relationship between the State Police Superintendent and the executive branch.  The legislation would have the governor appoint a superintendent to a single term of 10 years.The candidate would be confirmed by the legislature. The governor will no longer [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sen. <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=krueger&amp;submit=search">Liz Krueger</a> and Assemblyman <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=jeffries&amp;submit=search">Hakeem Jeffries</a> are pushing legislation that would keep an eye on the relationship between the State Police Superintendent and the executive branch.  The legislation would have the governor appoint a superintendent to a single term of 10 years.The candidate would be confirmed by the legislature. The governor will no longer have the ability to simply fire the superintendent. Instead the superintendent would have to be removed by a majority vote by both houses of the legislature.</p>
<p>The superintendent would also be required to check in with the legislature once a year.The bill would require a record be kept of interactions between State Police leadership and other government agencies.  According to a release from Krueger&#8217;s office the record would include,&#8221;information detailing any special requests from the Executive and the Legislature for  services of the State Police beyond traditional services provided by the State Police.&#8221;  The bill follows some <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20100305/204/3203">recommendations</a> made by criminal justice experts following the scandal involving Gov. David Paterson, his top aide and the State Police. <span id="more-7004"></span></p>
<p>The bill is likely to get some traction as Republicans have been pushing legislation that would set the superintendent to a 3-year-term.</p>
<p>“Too often, Superintendents have confused their responsibility to the public with their desire to please a Governor,” said Krueger in a statement. “Unlike an agency or authority, who follows the direction of an Executive, the State Police must maintain a level of independence from the political needs of whomever occupies the Governor’s Mansion, as well as accountability to the people of this state. The reputation of those who commit themselves to the State Police should not suffer because of poor decisions made by Superintendents.”</p>
<p>&#8220;Throughout the administrations of the last three governors, the State Police have been subjected to improper and coercive political influence that undermines their role as a professional law enforcement organization,” said Jeffries in a statement. “This legislation will help de-politicize the state police and restore desperately needed accountability to the institution.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Bloomberg&#039;s Film Crew</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/bloombergs-film-crew/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/bloombergs-film-crew/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:27:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tech]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=7000</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If Mayor Michael Bloomberg decides to test the waters for a possible presidential bid in 2012 what will it cost the cash strapped city?
In an article in this week&#8217;s Village Voice, Tom Robbins looks at possible costs of the mayor&#8217;s last flirtation with the White House. Shortly after he re-election in 2005, Bloomberg began to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If Mayor Michael Bloomberg decides to test the waters for a possible presidential bid in 2012 what will it cost the cash strapped city?</p>
<p>In an article in this week&#8217;s Village Voice, Tom Robbins <a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-03-16/columns/bloomberg-the-movie-at-your-expense/1">looks</a> at possible costs of the mayor&#8217;s last flirtation with the White House. Shortly after he re-election in 2005, Bloomberg began to travel widely and give speeches. &#8220;We later learned this was mostly about setting the stage for a potential run for president,&#8221; Robbins writes. &#8220;One of the interesting features of this publicity push was that &#8212; despite his own fabulous wealth &#8212; the mayor wasn&#8217;t shy about using city resources to promote his image.&#8221;</p>
<p>According to Robbins, &#8220;starting in February 2006, the Bloomberg administration began assigning a team of video camera operators from the city&#8217;s television station &#8212; <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/home/home.shtml">NYC-TV</a> &#8212; to follow and film  the mayor&#8221; on trips to such places as  Shanghai, Beijing, Bali, Paris, London, Mexico City, Belfast, Berlin, Jerusalem and cities across the United States.  Even though, unlike their boss, the city workers flew commercial, a trip by a camera crew to say, Oklahoma, cost some $3,4000. An Asia jaunt was $16,400.</p>
<p>Robbins reports that he tried to get this information in a Freedom of Information request last May. The <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/doitt/html/home/home.shtml"> Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications</a> did not respond until a few weeks ago &#8212; and then only after a lawyer intervened.</p>
<p>While the tech office has sought to portray the trip &#8212; and the filming &#8212; as business as usual, when contacted by Robbins, spokespeople for the previous three mayors seemed unfamiliar with such a practice. </p>
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		<title>Paterson Administration Loses Another</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/paterson-administration-loses-another/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/paterson-administration-loses-another/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:34:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gov. david paterson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6997</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. David Paterson&#8217;s press secretary Marrisa Shorenstein resigned from her post today. Shorenstein was involved in in the scandal surrounding Paterson, his aide David Johnson and the State Police. Shorenstein is the fifth major administration official to resign following a bombshell report by the New York Times.
Shorenstein issued this statement:
“It has been a privilege to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. David Paterson&#8217;s press secretary Marrisa Shorenstein resigned from her post today. Shorenstein was involved in in the scandal surrounding Paterson, his aide David Johnson and the State Police. Shorenstein is the fifth major administration official to resign following a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/nyregion/25paterson.html">bombshell report</a> by the New York Times.</p>
<p>Shorenstein issued this statement:</p>
<p>“It has been a privilege to serve New York State for the past two years and I thank the Governor for giving me the opportunity to do so. Due to the circumstances that have led to my unwitting involvement in recent news stories, I can no longer do my job effectively. Throughout my career, I have performed my duties professionally and with integrity, basing my actions on what I believed to be true at the time. I therefore tender my resignation as press Secretary to the governor.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/last-flack-standing.html">Morgan Hook</a> will take over for Shorenstein.</p>
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		<title>Dancing on Monserrate&#039;s Grave</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/dancing-on-monserrates-grave/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/17/dancing-on-monserrates-grave/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:26:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hiram Monserrate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Tarver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jose Peralta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marcia Pappas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheldon Silver]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6991</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assemblyman Jose Peralta defeated former Sen. Hiram Monserrate last night in a landslide and now some politicos want to savor the moment.
Peralta&#8217;s victory is particularly sweet to Marcia Pappas, president of the National Organization for Woman of New York State, who issued this statement:
&#8220;For months, we&#8217;ve been saying that the citizens of Queens deserve better,&#8221; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assemblyman Jose Peralta <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17hiram.html?ref=nyregion">defeated</a> former Sen. Hiram Monserrate last night in a landslide and now some politicos want to savor the moment.</p>
<p>Peralta&#8217;s victory is particularly sweet to Marcia Pappas, president of the <a href="http://www.nownys.org/">National Organization for Woman of New York State</a>, who issued this statement:</p>
<p>&#8220;For months, we&#8217;ve been saying that the citizens of Queens deserve better,&#8221; said Pappas.  &#8220;Echoing those sentiments in the voting booth, the proud citizens of Queens spoke loudly. They have cleared the way for Mr. Peralta to be their next State Senator. They now have a Senator who represents them in an honorable way, who does not abuse women, and who understands the importance of women&#8217;s rights and women&#8217;s equality. This is an election year and it&#8217;s time for everyone who cares about women&#8217;s equality and safety to clean house, as did Queens, by electing people who will do the right thing for the women that they represent.&#8221;</p>
<p>Joe Tarver, interim executive director for the <a href="http://www.prideagenda.org/">Empire State Pride Agenda</a>, issued this statement:</p>
<p>&#8220;We congratulate Jose Peralta on his big victory tonight. He will be a Senator who stands up for the rights of all the people of the 13th Senate District in Queens. Jose has demonstrated time and time again that he is a tireless advocate for equality for LGBT New Yorkers and that he doesn’t duck-and-run when our bills come up for a vote. He will be a promise keeper and not a promise breaker like the person he is replacing.<br />
Now is the time to go back to work in the State Senate. We have just over three months left in the legislative session and the Pride Agenda is ready to work with Jose Peralta, the Senate Leadership and every Democrat and Republican Senator who is ready to advance LGBT issues and make New York a better place to live.&#8221; <span id="more-6991"></span></p>
<p>Assembly Speaker <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=sheldon+silver&amp;submit=search">Sheldon Silver</a> issued a statement congratulating Peralta.</p>
<p>&#8220;On behalf of the Assembly Majority, I congratulate our friend and colleague, Jose Peralta on his victory in the special election to represent the 13th Senate District in Queens. Throughout his eight years as an assemblyman, Jose Peralta clearly distinguished himself as a strong, charismatic leader and as a champion of equality and justice for all New Yorkers; particularly our immigrant and working families.  We will miss his presence in the Assembly Chamber, but we are delighted that this bright, young leader will be continuing his public service in the Legislature.  We wish him well in his new endeavor and we look forward to working with Senator Peralta to address the many challenges facing the State of New York.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Peralta Wins</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/peralta-wins/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/peralta-wins/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:54:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6988</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assemblyman Jose Peralta won the special election to fill the Queens senate seat vacated when Hiram Monserrate was expelled. Early reports have Peralta with 60 percent of the vote compared to Monserrate&#8217;s 34 percent.
Peralta enjoyed the majority support of the Democratic Party. Monserrate had little organized support and ran a campaign with no paid staffers. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assemblyman Jose Peralta won the special election to fill the Queens senate seat vacated when Hiram Monserrate was expelled. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17hiram.html?hp">Early reports</a> have Peralta with 60 percent of the vote compared to Monserrate&#8217;s 34 percent.</p>
<p>Peralta enjoyed the majority support of the Democratic Party. Monserrate had little organized support and ran a campaign with no paid staffers. Senate Democrats have been unable to advance any major legislation without the help of Republicans while waiting for the special election. Peralta will switch from assemblyman to senator during dire budget negotiations that so far have made little outward progress.</p>
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		<title>9/11 Bill Advances in Congress</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/911-bill-advances-in-congress/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/911-bill-advances-in-congress/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:43:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6981</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[james zadroga, 9/11 responders, 9/11 emergency workers]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A bill that would provide permanent health care for 9/11 emergency and cleanup workers has advanced a step in Congress, according to the mayor&#8217;s office. The House Health Subcommittee today approved the <a href=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/03/15/2010-03-15_ny_pols_press_for_911_aid_urge_congress_to_step_up_to_the_plate_and_provide_long.html>bill</a>, known as the <a href=http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h847/show>James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act</a>.</p>
<p>The move comes less than a week after the city and 9/11 workers reached a <a href=http://www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-37/1268386796262820.xml&#038;storylist=simetro>tentative agreement</a> to give a total of $575 million to workers who became sickened from their time at the trade center site. Those one-time payments, though, would not provide ongoing coverage.</p>
<p>In a statement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed the passage as &#8220;an important step in our effort to secure sustained medical monitoring and treatment for the first responders and survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks,&#8221; and reiterated his oft-expressed opinion that the issue deserved a federal response. The mayor also urged passage of the bill by the full House and Senate.</p>
<p>For more on the legislation, see <a href=http://gothamgazette.com/article/health/20100216/9/3155/>9/11 Health Care Bill Could Get Boost in Congress.</p>
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		<title>A Call for Charter Openness</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/a-call-for-charter-openness/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/16/a-call-for-charter-openness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:32:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill de Blasio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[city charter review commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Liu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6975</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now, that&#8217;s preemptive. 
Even before the newly minted Charter Revision Commission announced its first meeting, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu and 24 council members sent its members a letter calling for openness and webcasted meetings. 
The first meeting of the commission will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the New York City [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Now, that&#8217;s preemptive. </p>
<p>Even before the newly minted <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/charter/html/about/about.shtml">Charter Revision Commission</a> announced its first meeting, <a href="http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/">Public Advocate Bill de Blasio</a>, <a href="http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/">Comptroller John Liu</a> and 24 council members sent its members a letter calling for openness and webcasted meetings. </p>
<p>The first meeting of the commission will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. There will be no public comment at the meeting, but it is (as will all the commission&#8217;s meetings) be open to the public.</p>
<p>The letter is after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-6975"></span></p>
<p>March 9, 2010<br />
Charter Revision Commission</p>
<p>Dear Commissioners:</p>
<p>We commend you for taking on the important responsibility of reforming the City Charter. We urge you to use this opportunity to meaningfully engage New Yorkers in discussions about how to make government more responsive to their needs.</p>
<p>A successful charter revision commission must include:</p>
<p>- Frequent, open public forums in every corner of the City that encourage New Yorkers to provide their recommendations about their visions for New York and to observe the commission’s deliberative process;</p>
<p>- Outreach to New Yorkers about charter revision using all available modes of communication – social networking media, civic, community and religious organizations, webcasting, video- and teleconferencing, and transcribing and posting all testimony and information about commission meetings and hearings online; and</p>
<p>- Clear and concise questions and extensive public education about what voters can expect to see on the ballot on Election Day.</p>
<p>We are committed to working with you over the coming weeks and months to make this a reality.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Bill de Blasio<br />
Public Advocate for the City of New York</p>
<p>John Liu<br />
Comptroller of the City of New York</p>
<p>City Council Members</p>
<p>Fernando Cabrera (14th CD)<br />
Margaret Chin (1st CD)<br />
Leroy Comrie (27th CD)<br />
Erik Martin Dilan (37th CD)<br />
Daniel Dromm (25th CD)<br />
Mathieu Eugene (40th CD)<br />
Helen Foster (16th CD)<br />
Daniel Garodnick (4th CD)<br />
Robert Jackson (7th CD)<br />
Letitia James (35th CD)<br />
Brad Lander (39th CD)<br />
Jessica Lappin (5th CD)<br />
Melissa Mark-Viverito (8th CD)<br />
Rosie Mendez (2nd CD)<br />
Annabel Palma (18th CD)<br />
Diana Reyna (34th CD)<br />
Joel Rivera (15th CD)<br />
Deborah Rose (49th CD)<br />
James Sanders Jr. (31st CD)<br />
James Vacca (13th CD)<br />
James Van Bramer (26th CD)<br />
Albert Vann (36th CD)<br />
Jumaane D. Williams (45th CD)<br />
Thomas White Jr. (28th CD)</p>
<p>Organizations</p>
<p>Citizen Action of New York<br />
Common Cause<br />
Pratt Center for Community Development</p>
<p>Cc:</p>
<p>NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg<br />
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn</p>
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		<title>NYCHA Still in the Woods</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/15/nycha-still-in-the-woods/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/15/nycha-still-in-the-woods/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:58:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[federal funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[john rhea]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city housing authority]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYCHA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obama]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6969</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s announcement of a $400 million infusion to the New York City Housing Authority will get the authority off of critical condition.

Photo (cc) DaveTheRavingWave (Dave Sanders)
 
But it isn&#8217;t out of the woods yet. 
Testifying at a budget hearing just hours after the announcement of a federal funding boost, New York City Housing Authority Chairman [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today&#8217;s announcement of a <a href="http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/151741">$400 million infusion</a> to the New York City Housing Authority will get the authority off of critical condition.<br />
<span class="photo_right"><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nycha.jpg"><img src="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nycha.jpg" alt="nycha" title="nycha" width="170" height="130" class="alignright size-full wp-image-6978" /></a>
<div class="photocredit">Photo (cc) DaveTheRavingWave (Dave Sanders)</div>
<p> </span><br />
But it isn&#8217;t out of the woods yet. </p>
<p>Testifying at a budget hearing just hours after the announcement of a federal funding boost, New York City Housing Authority Chairman John Rhea said the authority still faces a more than $100 million deficit in the current fiscal year.</p>
<p>&#8220;While we have made huge strides in addressing our long-term infrastructure needs and moving the authority towards financial health, ultimately reducing our section 8 and public housing operating forecasted deficit from $137 million to $103 million, we still have work to do,&#8221; said Rhea. </p>
<p>To close that gap, of which a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/nyregion/18vouchers.html">large part is from the over enrollment of Section 8</a>, the authority has four options, Rhea said, including terminating families from section 8, reducing section 8 payments or getting more funding from either the federal or local governments. </p>
<p>The news soured a more jovial announcement this morning from the Bloomberg administration that 21 NYCHA housing developments, originally built by the city and state after World War II, would become <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/15/nyregion/15housing.html">eligible for federal funding</a>. Since these developments were built by the city and state, they never received federal funding, and they gradually stopped receiving city and state subsidies in the 1990s. Through a partnership with Citibank, who will own a stake in the developments, these <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/03/15/2010-03-15_city_housing_authority_gets_415m_from_feds_stimulus_and_state.html">properties will receive about $400 million in public and private money</a> &#8212; the majority of which will go to capital improvements.<br />
<span id="more-6969"></span><br />
The agreement covers more than 20,000 units.</p>
<p>These developments will also now receive up to $75 million a year for operating expenses. </p>
<p>While the agreement is a clear boost for the authority, officials said today it&#8217;s not a panacea. </p>
<p>&#8220;This was factored into your forecast and we&#8217;re still seeing deficits, which is obviously of great concern,&#8221; said Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito at today&#8217;s hearing. </p>
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		<title>Bloomberg, Gillibrand and the Latest Challenger</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/15/bloomberg-gillibrand-and-the-latest-challenger/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/15/bloomberg-gillibrand-and-the-latest-challenger/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:30:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6963</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s antipathy for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, apparent to all who watched his unsuccessful efforts to recruit  Harold Ford and  Mortimer Zuckerman to challenge her &#8212; emerged into open political discourse Saturday as the Times published an article on Gillibrand&#8217;s fruitless campaign to win over the mayor.
The story portrays Gillibrand as mystified [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s antipathy for Sen. <a href="http://gillibrand.senate.gov/">Kirsten Gillibrand</a>, apparent to all who watched his unsuccessful efforts to recruit <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/nyregion/06ford.html"> Harold Ford</a> and <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/02/mort_zuckerman_considering_a_r.html"> Mortimer Zuckerman</a> to challenge her &#8212; emerged into open political discourse Saturday as the Times published an <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/nyregion/13gillibrand.html?pagewanted=2&#038;hp">article</a> on Gillibrand&#8217;s fruitless campaign to win over the mayor.</p>
<p>The story portrays Gillibrand as mystified by the mayor&#8217;s attitude and offers a few none-too-convincing theories: her flip-flopping on gun laws (even though she flipped to the Bloomberg side), her alleged lack of conviction (the Times, forgetting about <a href=" http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/04/11/2008-04-11_mayor_bloombergs_aides_plotting_path_aro-2.html">term limits</a> and <a href=" http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/28/bloomberg-now-opposed-to-holding-terror-trials-in-new-york-city/">terror trials</a>, said, Bloomberg (&#8221;prides himself on his willingness to stand up for principles, whatever the political cost&#8221;) and her coming from a political family.</p>
<p>The Albany Project, though, <a href=" http://www.thealbanyproject.com/diary/8050/nysen-why-is-bloomberg-campaigning-against-gillibrand"> thinks</a> the Times omits the likeliest explanation: &#8221; Nowhere does the story mention Caroline Kennedy, Bloomberg&#8217;s <a href=" http://www.villagevoice.com/2009-01-14/news/bloomberg-maneuvers-to-crown-a-kennedy/">very public candidate</a> for the Senate appointment&#8221; that went to Gillibrand, the blog says. </p>
<p>Running Scared agrees. &#8220;It&#8217;s entirely possible that all of this has nothing to do with the black eye Bloomberg and Sheekey and the Times got when their efforts on behalf of Caroline Kennedy, their high-profile candidate to be appointed to Hillary Clinton&#8217;s seat, went very badly indeed and the seat, messily, went to Gillibrand,&#8221; the blog <a href=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/03/bloombergs_galp.php>comments</a>. &#8220;I feel certain the Times would have mentioned that.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-6963"></span></p>
<p>As much as she tries to woo the mayor it will likely be for naught, the Albany Project concludes: &#8220;There is nothing she can do or say to change Bloomberg&#8217;s conceit that that Senate seat should be held by someone who is personally beholden to him.&#8221;</p>
<p>Daniel on the Talking Point Reader Blog <a href=" http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/d/s/ds4/2010/03/bloomberg-wants-to-be-senator.php">concurs</a>. &#8220;Bloomberg is a controlling figure,&#8221; he writes. &#8220;He&#8217;s used to doing things his way especially when he&#8217;s in charge. So what he probably really wants out of Gillibrand is someone who will check with the mayor before she votes for &#8212; anything. &#8221;</p>
<p>The latest Bloomberg ally who was rumored as a challenger to Gillibrand is former state banking official Diana Taylor, Bloomberg&#8217;s significant other. Saturday, though, Taylor <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34411.html"> ruled that out</a>.</p>
<p>That leaves Dan Senor. Senor, often <a href=" http://gawker.com/5493378/a-guide-to-the-man-bloomberg-may-be-backing-for-senate?utm_source=feedburner&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gawker%2Ffull+(Gawker)">described</a> as a Bush loyalist, served as an advisor to the Iraqi coalition government in 2004 and 2005 and defended the policies from those days in the New York Times. He recently met with Bloomberg&#8217;s political operative Kevin Sheekey.</p>
<p>Writing on Talking Pont Café, <m>j. Rosenberg <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/12/nixon_opposes_dan_senor_candidacy/">expresses doubts</a> about the neoconservative Senor&#8217;s strength as a candidate: &#8220;He&#8217;s from Ohio. No one has ever heard of him. And pretty much everyone in New York (especially African-Americans and Jews) hated the Iraq war and despise the neocons who lied us into it.&#8221; (Of course we never learned how Bloomberg felt about all that.)</p>
<p>Senor might want to consider an embrace with Bloomberg. Whatever the mayor&#8217;s power, wealth and ability, he does not do too well in getting his allies in the Senate. Just ask Kennedy, Ford and Zuckerman.</p>
<p></m></p>
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		<title>Weekly Web Wrap</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/13/weekly-web-wrap-62/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/13/weekly-web-wrap-62/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:25:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Muller</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[weekly web wrap]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6959</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bringing Basements to Code
(Urban Omnibus)
Bloomberg Ranks 20th Most Powerful in World
(Forbes)
Albany&#8217;s Crime Spree
(The Weekly Standard)
The State&#8217;s Sugar Campaign
(The American Prospect)
Paterson Typical of State&#8217;s Political Culture
(Newsweek)
Ground Zero Workers at Higher Risk of Heart Disorder
(Bloomberg)
Atlantic Yards: Making Dangerous Streets Worse
(Tri-State Transportation Campaign)
Albany&#8217;s Wage Theft Bill
(DMI Blog)
DiNapoli Proposes Ending &#8216;Backdoor Borrowing&#8217;
(NY Fiscal Watch)
Thoughts on Snow Removal
(Regional Plan Association)
The [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bringing Basements to Code<br />
(<a href="http://urbanomnibus.net/2010/03/bringing-basements-to-code/" target="_blank">Urban Omnibus</a>)<br />
Bloomberg Ranks 20th Most Powerful in World<br />
(<a href="http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_Michael-Bloomberg_C610.html" target="_blank">Forbes</a>)<br />
Albany&#8217;s Crime Spree<br />
(<a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/albany%E2%80%99s-crime-spree" target="_blank">The Weekly Standard</a>)<br />
The State&#8217;s Sugar Campaign<br />
(<a href="http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=sugar_high" target="_blank">The American Prospect</a>)<br />
Paterson Typical of State&#8217;s Political Culture<br />
(<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/234846" target="_blank">Newsweek</a>)<br />
Ground Zero Workers at Higher Risk of Heart Disorder<br />
(<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-13/world-trade-center-collapse-may-be-linked-to-heart-disorder.html" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>)<br />
Atlantic Yards: Making Dangerous Streets Worse<br />
(<a href="http://blog.tstc.org/2010/03/12/atlantic-yards-making-dangerous-streets-more-dangerous/" target="_blank">Tri-State Transportation Campaign</a>)<br />
Albany&#8217;s Wage Theft Bill<br />
(<a href="http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2010/03/albanys_new_wage_theft_bill_co.html" target="_blank">DMI Blog</a>)<br />
DiNapoli Proposes Ending &#8216;Backdoor Borrowing&#8217;<br />
(<a href="http://www.nyfiscalwatch.com/?p=2460" target="_blank">NY Fiscal Watch</a>)<br />
Thoughts on Snow Removal<br />
(<a href="http://www.rpa.org/2010/03/spotlight-vol-9-no-5-theres-no-business-like-snow-business.html" target="_blank">Regional Plan Association</a>)<br />
The Teachers Union and the Budget<br />
(<a href="http://lwvny-blog.blogspot.com/2010/03/heres-hint-why-budget-will-be-late.html" target="_blank">League of Women Voters of New York State</a>)<br />
State Income Taxes by Place of Residence<br />
(<a href="http://www.r8ny.com/blog/larry_littlefield/new_york_state_income_tax_payments_by_place_of_residence.html" target="_blank">Room Eight</a>)<br />
Twenty-One Local Housing Developments to be Federalized<br />
(<a href="http://ibo.nyc.ny.us/cgi-park/?p=132" target="_blank">IBO Web Log</a>)<br />
Cartoonist on Paterson Scandals<br />
(<a href="http://www.cagle.com/politicalcartoons/pccartoons/permalink.asp?artist=zyglis&#038;date=100304" target="_blank">Adam Zyglis</a>)<br />
How Empty Ships Led to Paved Roads<br />
(<a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/shaped_by_our_shipping_part_1_empty_wooden_ships_led_to_paved_roads_16158.asp" target="_blank">Core77</a>)<br />
Lessons From Newsday&#8217;s Paywall<br />
(<a href="http://paidcontent.org/article/419-media-summit-the-medium-isnt-the-message-the-brand-is/" target="_blank">paidContent.org</a> via <a href="http://www.nyconvergence.com/2010/03/newsdays-paywall-experience-provides-lessons.html" target="_blank">NYConvergence</a>)<br />
Removing &#8216;Versus&#8217; from the Education Reform Dialogue<br />
(<a href="http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2010/03/removing-versus-from-our-ed-reform.html" target="_blank">The Innovative Educator</a>)</p>
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		<title>The City&#039;s Denial</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/the-citys-denial/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/the-citys-denial/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:19:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6954</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The city law department has responded to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determination that the Department of Education discriminated against Debbie Almontaser (see below), the former interim principal of Khalil Gibran International Academy &#8212; and the city is not budging an inch.
The e-mailed statement by Paul Marks, deputy chief of labor and employment law, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The city law department has responded to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determination that the Department of Education discriminated against Debbie Almontaser (see <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/a-discrimination-finding-aginst-doe/">below</a>), the former interim principal of Khalil Gibran International Academy &#8212; and the city is not budging an inch.</p>
<p>The e-mailed statement by Paul Marks, deputy chief of labor and employment law, reads in full: &#8220;The EEOC&#8217;s finding is without any basis whatsoever. The DOE in no way discriminated against Ms. Almontaser and she will not be re-instated.  If she continues to pursue litigation, we will vigorously defend against her groundless allegations.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>A Discrimination Finding Against DOE</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/a-discrimination-finding-aginst-doe/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/a-discrimination-finding-aginst-doe/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:58:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[debbie almontaser]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[equal employment opportunity commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[khalil gibran academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[khalil gibran international academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city department of education]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6946</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a determination that the Department of Education discriminated against an employee who was playing a key role in the creation of school focusing on Arab culture and language by, for all intents and purposes, succumbing to a media frenzy against her.
The case involves  Debbie Almontaser, long-time education [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a determination that the Department of Education discriminated against an employee who was playing a key role in the creation of school focusing on Arab culture and language by, for all intents and purposes, succumbing to a media frenzy against her.</p>
<p>The case involves <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/commentary/107.almontaser.shtml"> Debbie Almontaser</a>, long-time education department employee who has been active in promoting racial and religious harmony, particularly after 9/11. IN 2007, Almontaser was project director and interim principal during the planning of the <a href=" http://www.kgiany.org/">Khalil Gibran Academy</a>, a small public school, and seemed a likely candidate to be the school&#8217;s principal when it opened. (The copy of the determination came Almontaser&#8217;s lawyer; the commission said it is barred from commenting on discrimination complaints &#8211; or even confirming they exist.)</p>
<p>All that changed as a number of blogs and the New York Post stepped up <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2007/05/07/lessons-from-kahlil-gibran-2/">attacks on the proposed school</a>, calling it a madrassa and trying to portray Almontaser as a jihadist who would seek to spread radical Islam in city schools. The breaking point came after the New York Post interviewed Almontaser about the meaning of the word &#8220;intifada&#8221; and some t-shirts bearing the word.</p>
<p>The resulting <a href=" http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/item_UerzwvF7fcSQY8YOP1ln4K"> story</a> bore the headline &#8220;City Principal is Revolting.&#8221; Writing on behalf of the commission, district director Spencer Lewis Jr. concluded, &#8220;The most inflammatory parts of the article as published were neither quotations from Ms. Almontaser nor legitimate background information; they were characterizations and opinions either from the reporter or as attributions to unnamed others.&#8221;</p>
<p>Despite that, the Bloomberg administration <a href=" http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/08/11/2007-08-11_head_of_arabic_school_drops_out.html">urged</a> Almontaser to step down from her post as interim principal and rejected her application to become permanent principal.<span id="more-6946"></span></p>
<p>According to the commission&#8217;s report, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott told the EEOC that Almontaser had become a &#8220;flashpoint&#8221; and that what he saw as her inability to handle the press had undermined the prospects for the school. This apparently prompted him to ask for her resignation.</p>
<p>In doing this, commission said, &#8220;DOE succumbed to the very bias that the creation of the school intended to dispel, and a small segment of the public succeeded in imposing prejudices on DOE as an employer.&#8221;</p>
<p>In her complaint, Almontaser asked to be reinstated as principal and receive lost wages (she was demoted to a lower paying teacher&#8217;s post following the furor) and $300,000 in compensatory damages.</p>
<p>In an email, Almontaser&#8217;s lawyer, Alan Levine, said she would seek a settlement along those lines. If an accord cannot be reached, he said,  &#8220;We will bring suit on our discrimination claim.&#8221;</p>
<p>In a written statement, Levine said &#8220;To its everlasting shame, the DOE did the bigot&#8217;s work. Now the EEOC has reminded us that it is the responsibility of government to stand up to the forces of discrimination, not give in to them.&#8221;</p>
<p>We are awaiting a response from the Department of Education and will pass it along when we get it.</p>
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		<title>Espada Holding Town Hall Meeting, Out of Town</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/espada-holding-town-hall-meeting-out-of-town/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/espada-holding-town-hall-meeting-out-of-town/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:01:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedro Espada]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6943</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada is hosting a town hall meeting that isn&#8217;t in his town. Espada will host virtual town hall meeting, &#8220;live from the floor of the Senate Chamber&#8221; on Sunday, March 21 from 7-8 p.m.
&#8220;This is an opportunity for residents of the Bronx, and across the city, to have a very real [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=espada&amp;submit=search">Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada</a> is hosting a town hall meeting that isn&#8217;t in his town. Espada will host virtual town hall meeting, &#8220;live from the floor of the Senate Chamber&#8221; on Sunday, March 21 from 7-8 p.m.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is an opportunity for residents of the Bronx, and across the city, to have a very real voice in what is expected to be a difficult and challenging budget process,&#8221; said Espada in a statement. &#8221; I will discuss the concerns they express in their questions, as well as my role in protecting education, health care, transportation, public safety, jobs and affordable housing from budget cuts,” Senator Espada said.</p>
<p>&#8220;Questions for Senator Espada can be submitted in advance, between now and 7 p.m. on March 21st, by going to EspadaTownHall@gmail.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-930-9964,&#8221; according to a press release from his office.  You can watch the meeting a at this <a href="www.nysenate.gov/espadabudgettownhall.com">link </a>on the 21st, 0r listen by calling 1-800-857-6563.</p>
<p>Espada has been accused of not actually living in the Bronx district he represents. The Gazette <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/albany/20090601/204/2931">visited with Espada</a> in his supposed Bronx residence last year. The controversial senator is also  <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knickerbocker/cuomo_subpoenas_espada_son_UKX4GqPHpDr20Vhe5tRf3H">under investigation</a> by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.</p>
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		<title>Padavan Against Gambling</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/padavan-against-gambling/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/padavan-against-gambling/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:31:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6940</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sen. Frank Padavan has had his fill with the state&#8217;s love affair with gambling.
Gov. David Paterson&#8217;s proposed budget would remove restrictions on Quick Draw Lottery eliminating restrictions on operating hours, and requirements on the size of establishment allowed to operate the game. The budget also has a measure that would remove limits on the operating [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sen. Frank Padavan has had his fill with the state&#8217;s love affair with gambling.</p>
<p>Gov. David Paterson&#8217;s proposed budget would remove restrictions on Quick Draw Lottery eliminating restrictions on operating hours, and requirements on the size of establishment allowed to operate the game. The budget also has a measure that would remove limits on the operating hours for video lottery terminals.</p>
<p>Padavan is concerned that the state will exacerbate gambling addiction which will in turn cost the state money.</p>
<p>“Who bears a major responsibility for putting New York at the top of the list in terms of citizens with gambling problems- the state itself,” Padavan said in statement.  “In short, we have turned from the Empire State to the Gambling State. New York must end its practice of state-sponsored and state supported gambling. Simply put, New York continues to make bad bets for our future with increase gambling option and opportunities.”</p>
<p>“Economists have argued that gambling at best is a zero-sum game &#8211; meaning that the impact on the state economy as a result of the social costs, increased crime, disruption of non-gambling business sector and overall job loss produces a net loss. As a matter of fact an economist from the University of Illinois concluded that for every $1 that gambling contributes it cost taxpayers at least $3,”  Padavan said.</p>
<p>“But, despite all the warning signs and evidence to the contrary, what is the state’s latest response as outlined in the budget submitted by the Governor and other actions under consideration – you guessed it- more of the same, more gambling.  The elimination of all restrictions on Quick Draw (ie food sale, hours of operation, and size of facility) will lead to the gambling game at almost every place you can imagine.  The removal of restrictions on operating of hours of VLT’s will lead New York to become Vegas East with twenty-four hour a day slot machine venues.”</p>
<p>Padavan has pushed legislation in the past to fight gambling. One piece of legislation would have increased the gambling age. &#8221; I&#8217;ve been a dismal failure on that subject when it comes to convicining my colleagues it is the way to go,&#8221; said Padavan. &#8220;They say, &#8216;You&#8217;re right&#8230;but&#8230;&#8217;&#8221;</p>
<p>In a year when the state faces an fiscal crisis of unprecedented proportion it isn&#8217;t likely that Padavan will win the battle this time around either.</p>
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		<title>Ending Wage Theft</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/ending-wage-theft/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/ending-wage-theft/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:11:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carl heastie]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diane Savino]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6937</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sen. Diane Savino and Assemblyman Carl Heastie stood with advocates today to announce their support for legislation that would reform labor laws t0 punish businesses that illegally shirk overtime and minimum wage requirements.
A report by the National Employment Law Project found that  $18.4 million in wages a week is stolen from workers in New York [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sen. Diane Savino and Assemblyman <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaigns/whosrunning.php?searchterms=heastie&amp;submit=search">Carl Heastie</a> stood with advocates today to announce their support for <a href="http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/api/1.0/html/bill/S7050">legislation</a> that would reform labor laws t0 punish businesses that illegally shirk overtime and minimum wage requirements.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://nelp.3cdn.net/990687e422dcf919d3_h6m6bf6ki.pdf">report</a> by the National Employment Law Project found that  $18.4 million in wages a week is stolen from workers in New York City alone.  They estimate more than $1 billion is stolen from them in a year.</p>
<p>&#8220;This money that would otherwise be spent on food, rent and school supplies,&#8221; said Anna Maria Archila,  co-executive director of Make the Road New York, &#8220;This bill will turn around the perverse economic incentives that currently encourage wage theft, undermine responsible businesses, and steal from our tax base.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The Wage Theft Prevention Act is a comprehensive bill to change the perverse incentive by increasing penalties, increasing protection for workers who speak up, and adding tools that the Department of Labor and Courts can use to investigate cases and actually collect the money that workers are owed,&#8221;said Heastie in a statement.</p>
<p>The bill,<a href="http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/api/1.0/html/bill/S7050">S.7050</a>, has been refereed to the Senate Labor Committee.</p>
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		<title>Peralta&#039;s Lead</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/peraltas-lead/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/12/peraltas-lead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:33:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6933</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hiram Monserrate&#8217;s efforts to cast himself as a defender of traditional values and a victim of vengeful state Senator, do not seemed to have gained much traction in the Senate district he used to represent &#8212; and wants to represent again. According to a Siena Poll conducted earlier this week, Assemblymember José Peralta leads Monserrate [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Monserrate>Hiram Monserrate</a>&#8217;s efforts to cast himself as a defender of traditional values and a victim of vengeful state Senator, do not seemed to have gained much traction in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Monserrate">Senate district</a> he used to represent &#8212; and wants to represent again. According to a <a href="http://www.siena.edu/uploadedfiles/home/parents_and_community/community_page/sri/sny_poll/SNYSD130310%20Release.pdf">Siena Poll</a> conducted earlier this week, Assemblymember <a href="http://joseperalta.com/">José Peralta</a> leads Monserrate among likely voters in next week&#8217;s special election.</p>
<p>(For more on the issues and the candidates, see Gotham Gazette&#8217;s <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100312/203/3210">Monserrate Fights for His Old Job &#8211; and &#8216;Traditional Values.&#8217;</a>)</p>
<p>Some 60 percent of those polled supported Peralta, the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate, with Monserrate, who is running as an independent for the specially created Yes We Can Party, bringing in 15 percent. Republican <a href=http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=334652307161>Robert Beltrani</a> has 9 percent and 16 percent remain undecided. While 60 percent have a favorable view of Peralta, only 25 percent of those responding have a good view of Monserrate. Almost three quarters of the voter followed the issue around Monserrate&#8217;s assault trial and expulsion from the Senate closely or very closely.</p>
<p>The poll found voters in the district split evenly on same sex marriage, which has emerged as a big issue in the election, with Peralta in favor and Monserrate opposed.  Monserrate voters are likely &#8212; by a two to one margin &#8212; to be against same sex marriage, but even many voters who agree with Monserrate&#8217;s stand on that issue said they would vote for his opponent on Tuesday.</p>
<p>In a statement accompanying the release of the numbers, Siena New York pollster Steven Greenberg cautioned that in special elections, which tend to have low turnouts, &#8220;anything can happen.&#8221; However, he added, &#8220;it seems unlikely that ‘former Senator’ Monserrate will be losing the first word in that title come next Tuesday.”&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Cuomo Appoints Kaye to Head Paterson Investigation</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/11/cuomo-appoints-kaye-to-head-paterson-investigation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/11/cuomo-appoints-kaye-to-head-paterson-investigation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:38:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[david paterson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6928</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recused himself  and appointed former Chief Judge Judith Kaye as &#8220;independent counsel&#8221; weeks after initializing an investigation into the Paterson administration.
Cuomo&#8217;s office is simultaneously conducting two investigations into Paterson. The first investigation, that stems from a report by the New York Times involving Gov. David Paterson and his use of State [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recused himself  and appointed former Chief Judge Judith Kaye as &#8220;independent counsel&#8221; weeks after initializing an investigation into the Paterson administration.</p>
<p>Cuomo&#8217;s office is simultaneously conducting two investigations into Paterson. The first investigation, that stems from a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/nyregion/25paterson.html">report by the New York Times</a> involving Gov. David Paterson and his use of State Troopers in a domestic violence incident, was called for by Paterson himself. The second case was referred by the Public Integrity Commission that has to do with <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/03/more-rain-on-patersons-soggy-parade/">tickets to the World Series</a> that Paterson received.</p>
<p>Many critics cried foul that Cuomo, who was Paterson&#8217;s chief political opponent, would investigate the sitting governor. A recent Marist Poll found Cuomo&#8217;s popularity has slipped 13 points since he started his investigation. Cuomo said that the move to recuse himself was based on the law and had nothing to do with polling.</p>
<p>As for the two investigations into the Paterson administration, Cuomo said preliminary research has revealed that there are &#8220;credible issues to be resolved.&#8221; Cuomo has promised to finish the probe as quickly  as possible. There was chatter there could be a result by the end of this week. That is now clearly not the reality.</p>
<p>&#8220;An immediate resolution of these matters does not appear to be at hand,” Cuomo said. “We are fully cognizant of the need to do the investigation quickly, as well as the need to do the investigation thoroughly.”</p>
<p>Cuomo is expected to be the Democratic nominee for for Governor but he has consistently dodged questions about when he might actually formalize his campaign. Many expected Cuomo was waiting for Paterson to exit the race before he got in, but <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/03/01/2010-03-01_andy_cant_get_race_in_gear_till_probes_wrap_up.html">sources have said</a> that Cuomo won&#8217;t announce until after several investigations his office is conducting conclude.</p>
<p>Liz Benjamin <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/03/of-cuomos-and-kaye.html">points out</a> that Cuomo and his father Mario have had a long history with Kaye.</p>
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		<title>With Cops Down, Kelly Promises to Keep Crime Low</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/11/with-cops-down-kelly-promises-to-keep-crime-low/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/03/11/with-cops-down-kelly-promises-to-keep-crime-low/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:31:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ray kelly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[terror trials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[terrorism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=6924</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Come January 2011, the city&#8217;s police ranks will be as low as they were in the 1990s, said Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., the chair of the council&#8217;s public safety committee, this morning.
For Vallone, that is intolerable. 
&#8220;1990 was before safe streets, safe city,&#8221; said Vallone. &#8220;It was a time when the City Council realized we [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Come January 2011, the city&#8217;s police ranks will be as low as they were in the 1990s, said Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., the chair of the council&#8217;s public safety committee, this morning.</p>
<p>For Vallone, that is intolerable. </p>
<p>&#8220;1990 was before safe streets, safe city,&#8221; said Vallone. &#8220;It was a time when the City Council realized we cannot police this city with this many police officers.&#8221; </p>
<p>Including academy class sizes and attrition, the police department headcount is expected to be at 34,875 in July, lowering to 34,475 in January 2011, <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/home.shtml">Police Commissioner Ray Kelly </a>testified at a preliminary budget hearing today. No unit, he added, will be held harmless. </p>
<p>&#8220;Virtually every unit, every entity, is going to be affected,&#8221; Kelly said. &#8220;No unit is spared, certainly in a mega sense.&#8221; </p>
<p>At the beginning of the fiscal crisis, the police department was one of the City Council&#8217;s top priorities. Members <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20081218/203/2784">fought tooth and nail </a>to keep academy class after academy class. </p>
<p>This year, after several years of budget cuts, it may not be the same. With <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/02/25/2010-02-25_city_should_spare_kids_the_budget_ax.html">day care centers on the chopping block</a> and fire companies set for slashing, police officers may not be the council&#8217;s number one priority in <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100201/203/3167">fiscal year 2011</a>. Much of the noise coming from City Hall&#8217;s steps refers to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/10/2010-03-10_ralliers_cry_against_govs_25m_cut_for_senior_centers.html">social service cuts</a> and the <a href="http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-city-proposes-fdny-firehouse-closures,0,2912891.story">Fire Department</a>, not necessarily New York&#8217;s finest.<br />
<span id="more-6924"></span><br />
Nonetheless, the city is at the very beginning of its budget process. Much of the details are to-be-determined until the state approves its budget. </p>
<p>What&#8217;s not in the department&#8217;s budget, Kelly said this morning, is funding to support security for the proposed terror trials in Lower Manhattan. Kelly said it would likely cost $200 million a year to secure Lower Manhattan during the trials, which federal officials estimate could last between two to five years. </p>
<p>The location of those trials, which are extremely politically unpopular in the Big Apple, is still under <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/us/politics/09terror.html">debate</a> in Washington. </p>
<p>When asked by the council whether the department&#8217;s budget could still keep New York City safe from terrorism, Kelly said, &#8220;We are going to do everything we possibly can to protect the city.&#8221; He added the department must be successful every day, while a terrorist only has to be successful once. </p>
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