February 12, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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Silver Applauds Bloomberg on Minimum Wage
January 12th, 2012

Mayor Michael Bloomberg used his State of the State address to announce his support for an increased minimum wage. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver backs the idea big time and he issued this statement:

“I applaud and thank Mayor Bloomberg for joining our call to increase the minimum wage. As I have said, it is wrong to expect anyone let alone working families to be able to afford the cost of living today and invest in their future on a salary of $7.25 an hour. Increasing the minimum wage would benefit more than 14 percent of our workforce. Mayor Bloombergs commitment to helping the more than 1.2 million low wage workers in New York climb the ladder of financial security is welcome news.”

By David King on January 12, 2012, 3:26 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Eye on Albany, Gotham City | No Comments »

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State of the City
January 12th, 2012

Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered his State of the City Address today at Morris High School in the Bronx. Here are his prepared remarks:

Thank you. Mayors Koch and Dinkins, Speaker Quinn and Minority Leader Oddo, Public Advocate De Blasio, Comptroller Liu, Borough Presidents, District Attorneys, members of the City Council and State Legislature, my fellow New Yorkers its great to be in the Bronx.

This is the birthplace of legends like Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the workplace of legends like Mariano Rivera. And its also the home of future superstars like every member of The Celia Cruz High School Latin Band, the PS 32 Chorus and the Keltic Dreams Irish Dancers. Werent they fantastic?

In a city that is the Capital of Innovation this one borough has given us some of the worlds great authors, artists and architects, not to mention the pioneers of hip-hop and salsa.

The Bronx has always been a borough of innovators and we can see it most recently in the students here at the Academy for Collaborative Studies, who built an award-winning robot. How about the Robot Club? Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on January 12, 2012, 1:17 pm
In category: City Hall, Gotham City | 1 Comment »

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Cuomo Gives Legislature Late Heads Up on Convention Center
January 10th, 2012

Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to legislative leaders today to tell them about that um…you know…that massive convention center he mentioned he wants to build during his State of the State speech last week. Cuomo has been criticized for seemingly avoiding any of the steps mandated by state law for a project involving gaming in the state. He addresses the point in the letter stating:

“In the past selection of gaming operators, race track issues, VLT designations have raised serious ethical and legal issues for the state. To be sure, the states current gaming arrangements are varied and controversial. I look forward to the opportunity to bring a logic and strategy to gaming operations in the state over the next two years through development of casino legislation and regulations.

In the interim, any transaction that the state makes with Genting or any modifications to the current state agreement will be submitted to the legislature for full review and action before becoming binding. Given the past history, while I may have the legal authority to proceed unilaterally, I choose to only proceed in full public view and with support of the legislature in a spirit of cooperation.”

Dear Majority Leader Skelos and Speaker Silver: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on January 10, 2012, 3:35 pm
In category: Albany, City Hall, Eye on Albany, Land Use | 2 Comments »

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Cuomo Weighs in on Race to the Top
January 10th, 2012

“Secretary Duncans report saying New York is on the watch-list for failure is yet another warning that the inability of school districts across the state and their unions to come together has jeopardized the quality of our kids’ education. New York States students are now in danger of losing hundreds of millions of dollars because of the failure to devise a teacher evaluation system that works,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo just said in a statement released in response to a warning from the federal Education Department that the state has failed to meet certain obligations in the Race to the Top program that doles out millions of dollars in federal grants. Here is the full statement from his office: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on January 10, 2012, 2:49 pm
In category: Albany, Education, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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Bronx Business Incubator Opens
January 9th, 2012

The Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a city-backed business incubator in the Bronx earlier today. The Sunshine Bronx Business Incubator at 890 Garrison Ave. in Hunts Point is set up to house 400 entrepreneurs. The New York City Economic Development Corporation helped started the incubator with a $250,000 grant. The incubator is the 8th to open as part of the city’s network of incubators.
Here is the release from the Mayor’s office: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on January 9, 2012, 1:13 pm
In category: Economy, Gotham City, Land Use, Public Finance, Tech, Work and Labor | No Comments »

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Coalition Wants Corporate Tax Loopholes Closed
January 9th, 2012

In Albany today, a group of progressive groups gathered together to call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the legislature to close corporate tax loopholes that they say would raise $1 billion for the state budget this year. The groups that include various Occupy groups, The Fiscal Policy Institute, Citizen Action and others want the money gained through the closing of the loop holes to be used to prevent cuts to services and perhaps even make some restorations. The groups provided a list of what they say are the worst “tax dodging companies” in the state.

Here is a collection of quotes from the group’s leaders. Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on January 9, 2012, 1:07 pm
In category: Albany, Economy, Eye on Albany, Governing | No Comments »

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Quinn on Fingerprinting for Food Stamps
January 5th, 2012

Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemingly went after the city’s policy of fingerprinting people who want access to food stamps in his State of the State Address. The Bloomberg administration has supported the measure as a way to stop fraud and Bloomberg dismissed Cuomo’s statement in a press conference following the speech. Council Speaker Christine Quinn just weighed in via press release and she is taking Cuomo’s side.

In these tough economic times, we need to help New Yorkers get the federal services they qualify for, not put obstacles in their way. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg and I couldnt disagree more fingerprinting food stamp applicants is a time consuming and unnecessary process, which stigmatizes applicants and has prevented 24,000 New Yorkers from getting the help they deserve. The State has the authority to eliminate finger imaging in New York City, and the Mayor should not even think of challenging Governor Cuomos decision.

Cuomo said in his State of the State yesterday that, “One of the things we do now and makes the stigma actually worse and creates a barrier for families coming forward to get food stamps is we require fingerprinting. I’m saying stop fingerprinting for families, said Cuomo.

Bloomberg told reporters, “Its not a stigma, and it may be elsewhere in the state, and maybe thats what he was referring to, but its certainly not a stigma.”

By David King on January 5, 2012, 4:51 pm
In category: Albany, City Hall, Eye on Albany, Gotham City, Governing, Health, Social Services | No Comments »

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Cuomo Gets to Work?
January 4th, 2012

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s schedule for Thursday has just been released. Fresh off his second State of the State address what will the governor be doing? Well…we don’t really have a great idea as his public schedule is as dense as it ever was.

Thursday, January 5

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is in Albany

Meanwhile, CitizenConnects, the site that was designed to connect Cuomo to the people has not been updated with his detailed public schedule since August 2011. What has the governor been doing? Who has he been meeting with?

By David King on January 4, 2012, 7:24 pm
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Details On State of the State
January 4th, 2012

Gov Andrew Cuomo is still delivering his State of the State address but his office just sent out an outline of the major points of his speech–they include “building the largest convention center in the nation.”

An Economic Blueprint for New York

Governor Cuomo said, “Our challenge for 2012 is this: How does government spur job creation in a down economy while limiting spending and maintaining fiscal discipline? The answer is forging public-private partnerships that leverage state resources to generate billions of dollars in economic growth and create thousands of jobs.”

New York Will Build the Largest Convention Center in the Nation: To build on New York’s strength as an international tourist destination, Governor Cuomo proposed a project to build the largest convention center in the country at the Aqueduct Race Track venue in New York City. The 3.8 million square foot convention center would accommodate the nation’s largest events, drive demand for hotel rooms and restaurant meals, and create new tourism revenues. The project would be a $4 billion private investment that is estimated to generate tens of thousands of jobs and create new economic activity throughout the state.

Master Plan for the Jacob Javits Site: With plans for a new convention center in New York City, the Governor called for a master plan for the Jacob Javits site to create a mixed use facility and revitalize New York City’s West Side with 18 acres of planned development. The plan would follow the successful Battery Park City model and involve more than $2 billion in estimated private sector development funds to create a new 21st century neighborhood on the West Side.
$1 Billion Economic Development Package for Buffalo: Buffalo is the third poorest city in the nation with 28% of its residents living in poverty and chronically high unemployment. To combat this, the Governor announced that New York State will offer national and global industries up to $1 billion in multi-year economic development incentives to come to Buffalo. By inviting large investments in growth industries- similar to those which made the Capital Region into a world-class center for nanotechnology innovation and the home of major semiconductor manufacturers- the Governor’s plan for Buffalo is designed to create thousands of jobs and spur at least $5 billion in new investment and economic activity.

A Second Round of Regional Economic Development Awards: Building on the success of the Regional Economic Development Councils, Governor Cuomo announced that New York will keep the momentum going with a $200 million second competitive round of regional economic development awards in 2012. The Councils have transformed the state’s economic development approach from a top-down model to a bottom-up, community-based one. The second round of awards will allow each region to continue creating its own economic destiny. In addition, the New York Open for Business campaign will step up its efforts to market New York to the world as a place to invest and will expand its promotion tourism by highlighting regional treasures like the Adirondacks, Catskills, wine country, and Long Island beaches.
A Comprehensive Approach to Casino Gaming: Recognizing that New York is losing tax revenue, tourism dollars and jobs to neighboring states, Governor Cuomo announced that he will support a constitutional amendment to allow gaming in New York State. An estimated $1 billion in economic activity could be generated from gaming in New York State.

The New York Works Fund and Task Force: To help create private sector jobs and rebuild New York’s infrastructure, Governor Cuomo announced the creation of the New York Works Fund and Task Force to coordinate and leverage capital investment- twenty private sector dollars to every public dollar- and put thousands of New Yorkers to work. The fund will support projects to improve or replace more than 100 bridges including the Tappan Zee, repair work to 2,000 miles of roadways, upgrades to 90 municipal water systems, improvements to 48 state parks and historic sites, and repair work to 114 flood control projects and dams.
An “Energy Highway” System to Power New York’s Economic Growth: To ensure a cost efficient and reliable supply of power is available to fuel the state’s economic growth, the Governor announced a plan to build a private sector funded $2 billion “Energy Highway” system that will tap into the generation capacity and renewable energy potential in Upstate and Western NY to bring low-cost power to meet the tremendous energy needs in Downstate New York. The plan also calls for the repowering of old and dirty plants to stop pollution in urban neighborhoods.
Invest in Solar While Protecting Ratepayers: Noting that New York is a national leader in cost-effective, renewable energy production, Governor Cuomo announced that his administration will launch the NY-Sun Initiative to expand solar energy production in the state while keeping costs under control to protect the ratepayer. NY-Sun will help increase competitive procurement of large, commercial-sized solar projects and expand rebate programs for residential and commercial small-to-medium systems. The program will strengthen the state’s energy sector, and is designed to quadruple New York’s solar capacity by 2013.
Expedite On-Bill Financing for Consumer Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Governor Cuomo announced that On-Bill financing, a statewide program that allows consumers to retrofit their homes with energy efficient upgrades and pay for the cost on their monthly energy bill, will be offered to homeowners beginning in January 2012. On-Bill financing was scheduled to go live in June, but an agreement between the state and utilities expedited the start, allowing for new jobs to be produced immediately and benefits to be delivered to 40,000 homes across the state.
Master Plan for Energy Efficiency in State Facilities: To promote energy efficiency, save taxpayer money, create jobs, and reduce pollution, Governor Cuomo announced that the State has developed a master plan for accelerating energy-saving improvements in state facilities. The plan is designed to save millions of dollars through new economical energy efficiency measures and would come at no cost to the state as the upfront investment would be repaid from the energy savings. The program will create thousands of high skilled jobs and reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 8.1 million metric tons.
Farm-NY: Strengthening New York’s Agriculture Sector: Recognizing that agriculture contributes billions of dollars to New York’s economy, Governor Cuomo announced a series of measures to support farmers and help the agricultural industry grow. To improve access to low interest loans that will assist farmers with infrastructure upgrades, the New York State Linked Deposit Program will be expanded to provide farmers in any part of the state with capital at affordable interest rates. Noting that 1.5 million New Yorkers live in areas with limited supermarket access, the Governor called for expanding the successful FreshConnect farmers’ market program to provide more residents with healthy, New York-grown food. In addition, the Governor called for the creation of large-scale distribution hubs strategically located across the state to improve promotion of produce grown by New York farmers.

A Reimagined Government

Governor Cuomo said, “To tackle this ambitious agenda, we need a government that can make it happen. This is not a question of tinkering around the edges. We need a government that performs better and costs less.”

Long Term Commitment to Fiscal Discipline: Recognizing that the State is more competitive when taxes are reduced, Governor Cuomo called for holding the line on spending this year and closing the remaining $2 billion budget deficit with no new taxes or fees.

Mandate Relief: Noting that by next year, pension costs for schools, state, and local governments will have increased more than 100% since 2009, Governor Cuomo called for reform to the pension system and the creation of a Tier VI retirement plan. The Governor announced that he will ask the joint Legislative and Executive Mandate Relief Council to hold public hearings and issue a package of recommendations to be voted on this legislative session.

Transforming Public Education: New York spends more money on education than any other state, yet places 38th in graduation rates. To reform the state’s education system, Governor Cuomo announced that he will appoint a bipartisan education commission to work with the Legislature to recommend reforms in key areas including teacher accountability, student achievement, and management efficiency.
Redesigning New York’s Emergency Management System: The destructiveness of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee revealed limitations in the state’s emergency response operations, including breakdowns in communications and transportation, as well as inadequacies in deployment of personnel. In an effort to build the best state emergency operation in the country and prepare New York for future emergency situations, Governor Cuomo called for a new statewide network of municipal and regional emergency responders. The network will improve statewide communications and help ensure that resources can be deployed effectively in emergency situations.

A New York Vision for a Progressive Future

Governor Cuomo said, “New York has a long and proud history as the progressive capital of the nation. It’s a legacy that we reestablished last year. We must build on our success this year.”

Foreclosure Prevention Assistance: The financial crisis has taken a serious toll on homeowners across New York State, with many forced out of their homes and others facing foreclosure, Governor Cuomo announced that the Department of Financial Services will create a Foreclosure Relief Unit to provide counseling and mediation services to help New Yorkers stay in their homes.
Creating a Tenant Protection Unit: To better protect tenants and ensure the tough rent regulations enacted in 2011 are properly enforced, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State Homes and Community Renewal will create a Tenant Protection Unit to investigate fraud and prosecute landlords who fail to maintain essential services.

A Continued Commitment to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses: To build on last year’s efforts to expand economic opportunities for minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBEs), Governor Cuomo announced new measures to continue support for MWBEs. With credit access difficulties hindering the competitiveness of many MWBEs, New York will extend credit to give MWBE contractors the backing they need to succeed. The program will support at least $200 million in contracting for MWBE firms.

Additional SUNY Challenge Grants: For years, SUNY has been the great equalizer for the middle class by allowing New Yorkers from working families to gain a quality education. To build on last year’s efforts to rebuild SUNY through bringing together academic excellence and economic development, the Governor announced that program to allow SUNY’s 60 campuses to compete for three $20 million challenge grants. The grants will continue the Governor’s work to build SUNY institutions into leading centers of excellence, innovation, and job creation.
No Child Should Go to Bed Hungry in New York: With 1 in 6 children in New York State living in homes without enough food on the table, Governor Cuomo declared that no child should go hungry in New York State and his administration will do all it can to prevent it. Thirty percent of New Yorkers who are eligible for food stamps do not receive them, leaving over $2 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year. To help these New Yorkers, the Governor announced that his administration will seek to increase participation in food stamp programs by reducing barriers including fingerprinting for working families, and work to eliminate the stigma associated with the hunger assistance programs.

Create an All-Crimes DNA Database: To better protect New Yorkers and improve the state’s criminal justice system, Governor Cuomo announced that he will propose legislation to create a databank to obtain DNA from all convicted criminal defendants that are found guilty of any felony or Penal Law misdemeanor. Currently, DNA is only collected from those convicted of less than half the crimes on the books in New York. The DNA databank as it currently exists has provided leads in over 2,700 convictions and led to 27 exonerations of the wrongfully accused. Under the legislation the Governor will propose, DNA will be key to exonerating the innocent, convicting the guilty, and protecting New Yorkers in a fair and cost-effective way.

Establish a Tax Reform and Fairness Commission: Continuing efforts that began at the end of 2011 to reform the state tax code to boost job creation and improve fairness, Governor Cuomo announced the creation of the Tax Reform and Fairness Commission to propose additional, long-term changes to corporate, sales, and personal income tax systems, and to find ways to close tax loopholes, promote efficiency in administration, improve New York’s business climate, and enhance collection as well as enforcement.

Implement Campaign Finance Reform: Governor Cuomo called for comprehensive reform of the state’s campaign finance system to make sure that all New Yorkers have an equal voice in the political process. New York ranks 48th in the nation in voter turnout and a smaller percentage of New York residents contribute to candidates to state office than anywhere else in the nation. The Governor called for a better campaign finance system that system that includes matched contributions and lower contribution limits, and increase enforcement at the Board of Elections.

Create an Office for New Americans: To ensure that New York remains a land of opportunity for all, Governor Cuomo announced that his administration will create an Office of New Americans to assist legal permanent residents who come to New York State. The office will provide a variety of services, including helping those with high-skills training and experience obtain the licenses and credentials they need to earn their way; helping those with limited formal education receive access to adult education and job training; and helping new legal permanent residents navigate the path to citizenship. It will also encourage entrepreneurship and take steps to protect new Americans as they transition to full participation in New York’s communities.

Train Leaders for a New New York: To help address the state’s human capital crisis, Governor Cuomo announced that his administration will launch the New New York Leaders Initiative to create opportunities for the state’s next generation to dedicate their careers to public service. The first component of the initiative, the Student Intern Program, will assign students to a particular branch of government to provide hands-on experience for interns to interact with government leaders and policy makers. The second component, the Empire State Fellows Program, will be a full-time leadership training program that will prepare the next generation of talented professionals who are members of underrepresented groups for careers as state policy makers. The New NY Leaders Initiative is designed to renew the connection between young people and the state and ensure that state government is diverse, talented, and prepared to lead the way for decades to come.

Protect Reproductive Rights: To continue to vigorously protect a woman’s right to choose, Governor Cuomo pledged to fight for passage of the Reproductive Health Act. The Act protects the fundamental right of reproductive freedom and ensures that the rights of individuals to make difficult and personal health care decisions are preserved.

By David King on January 4, 2012, 2:33 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 2 Comments »

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IOGA Demands Yet Another Fracking Study
December 21st, 2011

The Independent Oil and Gas Association is none to happy that the Department of Environmental Conservation announced that it is hiring an outside firm to study the financial burden of natural gas exploration on communities across the state. Its solution is to have the state hire a consultant to hire an outside firm to study the cost to the state of the state putting a moratorium on fracking in 2008.

“IOGA of NY calls on the agency to also determine the full negative impact this delay has had on the state, especially the Southern Tier by examining lost sales, income and property tax revenue; outward job migration and jobs lost to other states; how the higher cost of fuel has impacted business growth in the state; and how many foreclosures could have been avoided.”

It just so happens the DEC was criticized for an earlier report by the same consultant because the report focused on the financial benefits of fracking without analyzing possible costs to communities, such as impacts on infrastructure.

Here is IOGA’s statement:

The DECs expanded study of community impacts resulting from advanced natural gas exploration announced yesterday should also analyze the lost opportunities and unrealized positive impacts since the states moratorium went into effect in 2008.

IOGA of NY calls on the agency to also determine the full negative impact this delay has had on the state, especially the Southern Tier by examining lost sales, income and property tax revenue; outward job migration and jobs lost to other states; how the higher cost of fuel has impacted business growth in the state; and how many foreclosures could have been avoided.

Earlier this month a report by IHS Global Insight showed that natural gas production in the United States will support 870,000 jobs and result in an additional $118 billion in economic impact over the next four years. New York must be part of this growth.

By David King on December 21, 2011, 5:10 pm
In category: Albany, Environment, Eye on Albany | 2 Comments »

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Common Cause Praises LATFOR Co-Chair
December 21st, 2011

Assemblyman Jack McEneny told me yesterday that he and his colleagues at LATFOR have been anticipating the release of Common Cause’s redistricting lines. “We have been anticipating them for some time. We will take a look at them and see what good parts we can incorporate into our plan. Then I would expect we will begin to have public hearings in January,” he was quoted in this article.

McEneny’s comments made Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause, very happy and she released this statement:

“I want to commend Assemblyman McEneny for opening up the typically secretive process of redistricting to include our fair, non-partisan, incumbent blind maps. Our maps provide an alternative vision of what non-gerrymandered lines might look like, and we are happy to provide LATFOR with further input.”

Here is the full release from Common Cause: Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on December 21, 2011, 12:24 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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Cuomo and Bloomberg Make a Taxi Deal
December 20th, 2011

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have reached a deal to provide taxi service to the outer boroughs. Cuomo will sign the bill that is sitting at his desk and the legislature has agreed to introduce a chapter amendment next year. The sticking point according to Cuomo’s office, “failed to address the needs of individuals with disabilities and did not provide any incentive for the livery industry to ensure disabled New Yorkers had full access to the taxicab system.”

Here is the full statement from Cuomo’s office:

Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on December 20, 2011, 9:36 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany, Transportation | No Comments »

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Common Cause Breaks Out the Maps
December 19th, 2011

Common Cause NY released its own district lines today, beating the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment to the punch. And just in case it wasn’t enough that they showed the legislature that a good government group without the the resources of the state behind it could draw up a set of decent maps, they also released a site where anyone can draw up fair district lines.

Sen. Liz Krueger has said many times that LATFOR has lost its “mystique” thanks to the internet. “Now anyone with a decent computer and mapping software can sit down and draw fair lines,” Krueger told me during special session.

By David King on December 19, 2011, 2:31 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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Lifton's Remarks on Local Fracking Bans
December 19th, 2011

Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton was quoted in Sarah Crean’s article on the efforts of communities around the state to ban hydraulic fracturing. She was quoted saying: We have a very strong tradition of home rule in New York State. Its in our state constitution that locals have the power to regulate. If it (home rule) applies to gravel mining, it also applies to gas.

Lifton however says that she was misquoted and what she really said was:

We have a very strong tradition of home rule in New York State. Its in our state constitution that locals have the power to restrict and ban outright. If it (home rule) applies to gravel mining, it also applies to gas.

By David King on December 19, 2011, 2:05 pm
In category: Albany, Environment, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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Cuomo and Dicker Define Special Interests
December 15th, 2011

On the day that a New York Public Interest Research report showed that the lobbying group Committee to Save New York spent just under $10 million on their efforts this year Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the NY Post’s Fred Dicker devoted a good deal of Dicker’s radio show to attacking special interests.

Cuomo told Dicker that lobbying has become, “much more sophisticated than I remember.”

Ironically the Committee to Save New York is a lobbying group that was created to lobby for Cuomo’s financial policy. In fact, the Committee is funded by large real estate and business interests that could be considered “special interests.”

But Dicker and Cuomo made sure to clarify that the Committee to Save New York is a good sort of “special interest,” or, uh, something like that.

Cuomo then took to defending the Joint Commission on Public Ethics. He said criticism of the agency and the picks to serve on it are “nonsensical.”

One of the criticism’s is that Cuomo named sitting Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore to chair JCOPE. I’ll let the Times Union’s Capitol Confidential Twitter feed response to Cuomo’s comments take it from here:

TUCapCon: “DiFiore will raise money from lobbyists as a candidate. (This, we must suppose, is the less harmful kind of lobbying.)” 4 hours ago reply retweet favorite

By David King on December 15, 2011, 3:07 pm
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Does Batra Read Grandeau's Blog? Grandeau Hopes so.
December 14th, 2011

Ravi Batra, the Senate Minority’s pick to serve on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, has raised a lot of eyebrows. And now it seems he is doing his best to show critics that he is involved and interested in ethics…so much so that in his latest statement he gives form David Grandeau, the former head of the now defunct New York State Lobby Commission and attack dog blogger, a big sloppy wet kiss of an endorsement to head the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

Liz Benjamin over at State of Politics has the details. Batra writes, “I propose as the first order of business of JCOPE is the formation of a search committee so JCOPE can have the best executive director possible. Some one like a David Grandeau.” Wowzers!

Batra also hits on something Grandeau and a number of journalists have pointed out–that JCOPE has a staff that no one actually had the authority to give it because the commission has not yet selected an executive director.

“I am troubled that Barry Ginsberg, PICs executive director has on his own taken over as JCOPEs acting executive director in violation of law and rules,” wrote Batra in a statement. “Only a majority of the JCOPE commissioners can hire him. I am informed by the IGs report, particularly, pages 152-154. I am also informed by the Findings by the same IGs Report. I for one do not accept any action taken by an executive director JCOPE didnt hire. I wish Mr. Ginsberg well, and Godspeed.”

Ginsberg has been a constant target of criticism on Grandeau’s blog.

“I hope he reads my blog,” Grandeau told me after I asked him what he thought of Batra’s statements. “Give Ravi credit,” said Grandeau. “He is the fist commissioner to publicly say, ‘let’s do the right thing.” By the right thing Grandeau means Batra’s focus on why Ginsberg is still at JCOPE, seemingly acting as the executive director and under whose authority.

Grandeau said he thinks Ginsberg is actually violating a state statute, “impersonation of a public official.”

“Barry Ginsberg has done us all a favor,” said Grandeau, “now we can see where each commissioner stands on right and wrong.”

By David King on December 14, 2011, 1:35 pm
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JCOPE Off to Slow, Rocky, Start
December 14th, 2011

Who knew so many ethical questions would be raised by the appointment of an ethics board? Let’s review.

On Friday, the remaining employees at the hobbled Commission on Public Integrity were finally told that they should come to work on Monday. Before that they had no idea whether they would be employed past that date. It isn’t clear who had the authority to keep the employees on as part of the new ethics agency because the new ethics agency didn’t exist and had not yet picked a chair. Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto simply told the Times Union, “JCOPE starts immediately and existing staff is under the boards direction until the chair makes further notice.” Neither Vlasto or his boss technically had the authority to keep the employees on.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders announced their picks to serve on the the Joint Commission on Public Ethics on Monday evening via press release–just squeaking in under the deadline. Cuomo has since refused to answer questions about JCOPE members.

Serious ethical questions have been raised about the appointments of the Senate Minority and Assembly Minority. The Senate Democrat’s choice, Ravi Batra, has a colorful history and is connected to a jailed former Assemblyman. The Assembly Republican’s pick, David Renzi, is the husband of a sitting Senator.

Gov. Cuomo’s choice to head the organization, Janet DiFiore is going to be pulling double duty–holding down her day job was Westchester District Attorney while chairing JCOPE–a proposition that could be extremely ethically dicey. Another of Cuomo’s appointees Mitra Hormozi won’t start until early January in order to get around the pesky clause that says you can’t serve on JCOPE if you have worked for the state or legislature in the past year. Hormozi worked in the Attorney General’s Office under Cuomo and she has been serving as Cuomo’s choice to chair the now defunct CPI.

In fact the Daily News thinks Albany might just be playing “Cronyville” with JCOPE.

And then as the Times Union’s Jimmy Vielkind points out–none of those employees that were kept on from CPI are actually investigators. It is unclear when JCOPE might actually meet to, you know, hire some investigators and start doing its job.

By David King on December 14, 2011, 9:15 am
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Frack Calculator
December 13th, 2011

The Independent Oil and Gas Association is eager to get started with this whole hydraulic fracturing thing and they want New York residents to see how much tax revenue their counties could pull in if and when it becomes sanctioned by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To that end they have created a calculator tool on their website. You can find it here. All you do is choose your county and click a button. Fortunately/unfortunately for me the calculator told me that my county (Albany, AKA The 518) is, “an unlikely candidate for Marcellus development.”

This simple calculator on the IOGA of NY websites homepage tells a dramatic story in just a few words, said John Holko, president of Lenape Resources in Alexander and an IOGA of NY director, in a statement. The calculator shows the amount of ad valorem tax the operator pays to a county in one year if only one Marcellus Shale well would be drilled in that county. This tax revenue stays in the county and supports essential services to county residents.

Fracking opponents say fracking could cost counties and the state a great deal of money if the waste water from the process contaminates local water sources. They also say that those who lease their land to oil and gas companies may not come out as well as they might hope because of the cost of possible water contamination.

By David King on December 13, 2011, 4:48 pm
In category: Albany, Environment, Eye on Albany | 8 Comments »

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The Controversy Over Ravi Batra
December 12th, 2011

Ravi Batra is the Senate Democrats’ choice to serve on the Joint Commission on Public Ethics–that isn’t to say they all approved. While Sen. John Sampson denied to me last Wednesday that their was any friction over his choice, a number of Democratic Senators were very concerned by his selection. Why?

Batra has ties to Clarence Norman a former Brooklyn Assemblyman/political boss who worked at Batra’s law firm. Norman was jailed for taking campaign contributions from judges in exchange for their support.

Batra’s selection is seen by many politicos–especially Brooklyn politicos–as a big Christmas present from Sen. John Sampson to the Brooklyn political machine–starting with its boss, Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who has faced a number of ethical questions.

By David King on December 12, 2011, 6:38 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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JCOPE Commissioners Announced
December 12th, 2011

The Cuomo administration unveiled the names of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics appointees just a bit after 5 p.m by press release. There was no press conference. Note that some of these folks barely meet, or don’t quite meet the criteria to serve on JCOPE. Former State Senator Mary Lou Rath left the Senate in 2009–putting her in just under the requirement that she not have been in the legislature for three years. Meanwhile, Mitra Hormozi, who worked for Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Attorney General’s office and served on the Commission on Public Integrity up until today, will join JCOPE on January 5, 2012–one year after she left Cuomo’s employ. It doesn’t look like this list will make New York Public Interest Research Group’s Russ Haven very happy. Haven said many times these picks should come from outside legal and political circles and perhaps even be “everyday people, like your neighbor.”

The selection of Ravi Batra was the source of major tension between Senate Democrats. Batra has close ties to some Democrats and has actually come under investigation for ethical conflicts.

Here is the rundown from the press release:

Governor Cuomos appointments:

Janet DiFiore, Chair. Elected in 2005 and reelected in 2009, District Attorney DiFiore is the chief law enforcement officer of Westchester County. She also serves as the president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. Prior to her current position, she served as a Judge of the Westchester County Court and as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. District Attorney DiFiore was also appointed by former-Chief Judge Judith Kaye to serve as the Supervising Judge for the Criminal Courts in the 9th Judicial District and was appointed by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to serve as Co-Chair of the New York State Justice Task Force. District Attorney DiFiore received her J.D. from St. Johns University School of Law and her B.A. from C.W. Post College, Long Island University.
Vincent A. DeIorio. Mr. DeIorio is the Chair of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Board of Directors. He is an attorney with private practices in Purchase and New York City. Mr. DeIorio has previously served on the New York State Court of Claims. Mr. DeIorio is a graduate of the Utica College of Syracuse University and the University at Buffalo Law School. Mr. DeIorio will resign from NYSERDA in order to serve on JCOPE.
Mitra Hormozi. Ms. Hormozi has served as the Chairperson of the New York State Commission on Public Integrity since her appointment earlier this year. Ms. Hormozi is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. She previously served as the Special Deputy Chief of Staff in the New York Attorney Generals Office, where she supervised high-profile initiatives involving public integrity. Prior to that, she spent more than six years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where she was the Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section and received numerous top law enforcement awards. Ms. Hormozi is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the New York University School of Law. Ms. Hormozi will join JCOPE on January 5, 2012, one year after she left the Attorney Generals Office.
Daniel J. Horwitz. Mr. Horwitz is currently a partner at Lanker & Carragher, LLP. He previously served as a New York County Assistant District Attorney in the Frauds Bureau. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Horwitz served as Legislative Director to Congressman Thomas J. Downey. Mr. Horwitz received his J.D. cum laude from the American University Washington College of Law and his B.A. from Columbia University.
Gary J. Lavine. Mr. Lavine is associated as counsel with Green & Seifter, Attorneys, PLLC. Mr. Lavine served in the U.S. Department of Energy as Deputy General Counsel for Environment & Nuclear Programs during the administration of President George W. Bush. He also served as senior vice president and chief legal officer of Niagara Mohawk Holding Inc. Mr. Lavine has served in a number of staff positions with the New York State Legislature, including legislative counsel to the Minority Leader of the Assembly. He received degrees in both business administration and law from Syracuse University.
Seymour Knox IV. Mr. Knox is the CEO of Knox International, LLC, a New York based private equity firm. For twenty years, Mr. Knox served as Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Buffalo Sabres. Mr. Knox is a graduate of Lake Forest College.

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By David King on December 12, 2011, 5:27 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »

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