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Senator Klein's decision is a huge gamble - for the IDC and for New Yorkers,"Karyn Scharff, executive director of Citizen Action NY, said in a statement. New Yorkers voted for a progressive agenda, and the IDC is putting that agenda at risk. If the Senate passes Governor Cuomo’s public funding of elections bill, an increase in the minimum wage, and fair funding for our schools, then I’ll give credit where credit is due. If they don’t, then this will be just another Albany coup. Citizen Action's members worked hard to elect Cecilia Tkaczyk and other progressive Democratic candidates because we want a Senate that will pass publicly financed Fair Elections, an increase in the minimum wage and a more progressive tax system to fund our schools. These are issues that Republicans have always blocked. Senator Klein and the rest of the IDC support that agenda, and say this coalition government will allow them to get it done. It’s now their responsibility to use their new found power to deliver these policies to the voters.

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Sens. Jeff Klein and and Dean Skelos will share the role of Senate president rotating the title every two weeks under a power sharing agreement between the Independent Democratic Conference and the Republican conference.

Democrats look to be on the cusp of winning enough seats to control the chamber but Sens. Simcha Felder and Malcolm Smith both bolted the conference.

Felder is conferencing with the Republicans and Smith joined the IDC.

Smith is the only member of color of the five-member IDC. It seems the IDC will have to function as the voice for New York City as Klein, Savino and Smith hail from the five boroughs. The Republican conference has three members from the city but are a body predeominantly made up by legisaltors from upstate and Long Island. 

The full nitty gritty of Senate operations have yet to be made public, but a press release from the IDC gives us a hint of how things will function:

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The Department of Environmental Conservation released new proposed hydraulic fracturing regulations today. The public comment period starts on Dec. 12 but reactions to them have already started to pour in. The DEC has said it won't take any final action until DEC Commissioner Niravh Shah completes his planned health review of fracking but advocates aren't happy that these proposed regulations have been released before the health study has been completed. 

The New York Water Rangers issued this statement: 

"The Cuomo administration's decision to propose revised fracking regulations undermines the governor's oft-stated promise to let the science drive his decision-making process.

By issuing revised rules before the Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH), and their outside experts, have had the chance to undertake a comprehensive review of fracking's consequences, the governor and his staff are signaling that it is not important to understand the public health impacts from fracking. But this knowledge is critical, and must be used to shape regulations and ultimately determine whether or not to permit fracking in New York State.

Millions of New Yorkers who could bear the burden of unknown consequences have been left in the dark.

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Republican Assemblyman Steve Katz is circulating a letter to his colleagues asking them not to reelect Assemblyman Sheldon Silver as Speaker, a position Silver has held since 1994.

"Mr. Silver’s actions in covering the sexual improprieties of Assemblyman Vito Lopez with taxpayer dollars by means of the 'Miscellaneous Contractual Services' account go against everything that we should be united against in a bipartisan manner," Katz writes. "While we may disagree on how to govern, the people of the state of New York deserve to have an open, honest, and transparent government."

Jimmy Vielkind of the Times Union recently documented how Silver and Assembly Democrats dodged any fallout from the Lopez scandal during the elections and actually added seats to their super-majority. It seems unlikely that Katz' effort will come to much but it keeps the scandal alive just a little bit longer. The matter is still reportedly being investigated by JCOPE.

Here is the full letter Katz is circulating among Assembly members:

To My Colleagues in the Assembly:

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent a message to his supporters today asking them to get out and assist in hurricane relief efforts that are ongoing across New York City. 

XXX,

As New Yorkers, we have a lot to give thanks for this year - our communities have stood together to withstand the challenges unleashed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Unfortunately, thousands of our neighbors are still suffering without power, and in many cases, without homes. Volunteers are still desperately needed.

If you are able to help with relief efforts for those in need on Staten Island, Long Island, in the Rockaways and other hard-hit communities, please click here for a list of volunteer resources. If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can also get information about food and water distribution centers, shelters, heat centers, and other storm related resources from the City of New York.

The recovery isn’t finished yet—for some communities it has hardly begun—but I know that with everybody pitching in, we can get all of our neighbors back on their feet. I hope you are able to share in the season's spirit of giving, service and compassion, and are extended the same kindness in return.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Sincerely,

Eric Schneiderman
Attorney General

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo has made it clear he is angry at utility companies for their response to Hurricane Sandy. Thousands of people have been without power and heat for weeks and Cuomo has questioned whether the utilities were prepared for the storm despite fair warning. Now Cuomo has officially acted on his anger by issuing an executive order under the Moreland Act to form a commission to investigate all of the utilities that were charged with maintaining their infrastructure in the wake of Sandy.

Cuomo has repeatedly threatened the Legislature with the Moreland Act to get them to move on ethics legislation but he never used the authority in that case. Now Cuomo has chosen to invoke the power in the wake of Sandy. Utility companies are likely the only group more disliked by the Legislature, and the move is almost certain to boost Cuomo's already staggering approval ratings. 

Here is the make up of the commission that will hav ethe power to subpoena and examine witnesses under oath: 

Co-Chair Robert Abrams, former Attorney General of New York State
Co-Chair Benjamin Lawsky, Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services
Peter Bradford, former Chair of the Public Service Commission
Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University
John Dyson, former Chairman of the New York Power Authority
Rev. Floyd Flake, Senior Pastor of Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral
Mark Green, former New York City Public Advocate
Joanie Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive
Kathleen Rice, Nassau County District Attorney
Dan Tishman, Vice Chairman at AECOM Technology Corporation, and Chairman and CEO of Tishman Construction Corporation

And here is the Executive Order that Cuomo signed: 

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Councilman Eric Ulrich announced via Twitter this morning that he has conceded to Sen. Joe Addabbo in the race for the 15th Senate District in Queens. 

“This morning I called Joe Addabbo to congratulate him on a decisive victory & pledged to work w/him to unite our community," he tweeted. He followed that tweet up saying, "This was a hard-fought campaign and while I truly appreciate the strong support I received on election day, its time to get back to work." 

This was a bitter contest between two men who went to the same school, attended the same church and are beloved and respected figures in their neighborhood. Hurricane Sandy ravaged the district and saw both men drop their campaigns to focus on the recovery. But Ulrich's camp complained that the response to damaged polling places was detrimental to their campaign. Ulrich is still seen as a bright star for the Republican Party and holds his seat on the Council. 

Meanwhile, it seems that Senate Democrats have defended their turf and can only add seats depending on the outcomes of the races in the 41st and 46th districts. Senate Dems still have to contend with the Independent Democratic Conference if they want to hold a majority but even if they don't take control, as Nick Reisman of State of Politics pointed out this morning, the enrollment numbers favor them so strongly that it seems to be only a matter of time before they take control for good. 

Senate Democrats became increasingly confident of pickups in the days leading up to the election. It looks like their confidence was justified. 

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order allowing voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy to vote at any polling place in the state.

Voters from the five boroughs can fill out an affidavit ballot at any polling place in the state and the local Board of Elections will then mail their ballots to the correct county.

However, ballots will only be available for local elections, so voters who are displaced out of their Senate or Assembly districts will only be able to vote for the statewide races. 

"We want everyone to vote. Just because you're displaced doesn't mean you should be disenfranchised," Cuomo said at a press conference this evening. 

The move could drive down turnout in lower-ballot races. The contest between Sen. Joe Addabbo and Councilman Eric Ulrich in Queens could be severely impacted. 

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In "A Daily Show Tribute to Institutional Competance" John Stewart highlighted the fast reaction, bipartisanship and quirks of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Stewart sends out a special love note to Bloomberg's sign language interpreter Lydia Callis. This video could in fact brighten up your Sandy-tainted week.

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U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer has endorsed Andrew Gounardes for the 22nd State Senate District, saying the Democratic challenger "will fight to create jobs and raise the minimum wage."

“I have lived in Brooklyn my entire life, and rarely have I seen a candidate who works as hard as Andrew,” said Schumer, in his endorsement of Gounardes, who wants the seat now being held incumbent Republican state Sen. Marty Golden.

“Middle-class families from Marine Park to Bay Ridge deserve a State Senator as hardworking as they are,” Schumer said in a statement. “Most of all, they deserve someone who represents today’s Brooklyn, which is more dynamic than ever. I know that Andrew Gounardes will be that person.”

Gounardes is challenging one of the few remaining Republican state Senators in the five boroughs in a district that although Democratic in registration leans conservative.

Golden has made a number of gaffes including crossing a Verizon picket line and holding an "ettiquette" forum for women but defeating the long-term incumbent will certainly be no easy task.

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo took to his official radio show this morning to have host Fred Dicker vet his latest policy ideas, including possible reforms to the state's ethics panel. Cuomo said he wants a,“campaign finance reform special session, and a JOPE reform special session.”

JCOPE was signed into law last Summer and only started functioning this past winter and yet reforming the organization is already on tap. 

Cuomo has been floating a series of ideas for a special session of the state Legislature that is expected to take place in November, including pay raises for legislators even though legislators are doing their best to convey just how horrible an idea they think pay raises would be. 

Other possible ideas include a minimum wage hike, making the Legislature subject to Freedom of Information Laws, strengthening gun laws, decriminalizing certain amounts of marijuana and somehow reforming public financing of campaigns. 

“We have a legislative agenda that has not been passed, which is the priority for me,” Cuomo said earlier this month at a graduation of the newest class of State Troopers. “If there is an opportunity for the Legislature to act, I’m going to be looking for them to act on the people’s agenda. I understand they may have an interest in a pay raise. I’m interested in a people’s agenda and that’s what the session would be about.“

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The top court in the state declined to hear an appeal from New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms on overturning the state's same-sex marriage law today. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued this statement: 

Today, the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the State, denied leave to appeal the validity of the Marriage Equality Act, which affords same-sex couples in this State the right to marry. New York State has served as a beacon for progressive ideals and this statute is a clear reminder of what this State stands for: equality and justice for all. With the Court’s decision, same-sex couples no longer have to worry that their right to marry could be legally challenged in this State. The freedom to marry in this State is secure for generations to come.

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The Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional today by a Federal Appeals Court in Manhattan. Gov. Andrew Cuomo who successfully championed the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York issued this statement:

In June 2011, New York State inspired the rest of the nation by becoming the largest state to achieve marriage equality. Today’s ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit provides further momentum for national progress on this important civil rights issue. What we did here in New York can only be the beginning, and we must continue to work together until all Americans are free to marry whom they love and are entitled to all of the rights and benefits of marriage equally, regardless of sexual orientation."

Cuomo congratulates Sen. Tom Duane on the floor of the Senate after the passage of same-sex marriage legislation. Photo courtesy of The Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

 

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You can add one more issue to the pile of things Gov. Andrew Cuomo might get from the legislature in return for agreeing to legislative payraises. Today Cuomo told Fred Dicker of the New York Post that the making the legislature subject to freedom of information laws may be part of a deal for legislative pay raises. Earlier this week Cuomo said he wouldn't consider signing off on payraises until the legislature handles, "the people's business." 

That "business" according to Cuomo at the time included hiking the minimum wage and decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. However, other issues have also been mentioned for a post-election special session, including campaign finance reform. Cuomo discussed why the public might have seen the Assembly's sexual harassment settlement with Assemblyman Vito Lopez's accusers as "secret" and brought up the the FOIL process. Cuomo said:

"If there's no foil you wouldn't get these agreements unless they're voluntarily disclosed so that's a reform agenda I'm saying that we can take up."

Cuomo and his office have had an interesting relationship with FOIL, just ask the Times Union. Cuomo's office has battled with the Times Union over access to his records as AG pertaining to the Troopergate scandal. 

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a radio interview today that he will stump for President Barack Obama in other states. Cuomo has been rather low key when it comes to the presidential election and that may be because his intentions regarding 2016 are under the focus of much discussion. 

“They’ve asked me to do surrogate work in other states, I’ll do whatever they ask me to do,” Cuomo said. But added: 

I’m very aware of that for the simple reason that it hurts me as governor,” he said. “If you politicize me, you cast aspersion on my motivations and intent, you suggest I have my own political agenda for doing things, you’re going to hurt my capacity and ability to serve as governor. I just won’t allow that to happen.

Photo provided by the Office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

 

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"The second debate was clearly a decisive victory for President Obama. He demonstrated he has an effective record as commander in chief, presented a real plan for moving America's economy forward, and provided a stark contrast to Mitt Romney's endorsement of the same failed ideas that led us into this fiscal crisis in the first place. New Yorkers and all Americans were given a clear choice in this debate for our nation's future and the President's performance has made it an easy choice," said Cuomo in a statement. 

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The National Organization for Women and Common Cause New York rallied today to call for a broader investigation into the "culture of sexual harassment in Albany."

The groups outlined a list of expectations for the Joint Commission on Public Ethic's investigation into the Assembly's handling of the Assemblyman Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal. 

"JCOPE has an opportunity to prove itself by conducting a real investigation which reveals how pervasive the problem is, whether other instances of sexual harassment were properly addressed as well as bringing forth the full facts of who knew what and when they knew it. A hurried report which fails to address the full scope of the Assembly, and Mr. Lopez's, wrong doing is unacceptable," said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, in a statement. 

Its unclear at the moment how far JCOPE's investigation will go into the sexual harassment scandal, but a spokesman for the commission told the Wall Street Journal that the probe would be thorough.

”As with any investigation undertaken by the Joint Commission, the evidence is followed wherever it may lead," spokesman John Milgrim said. 

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Sen. Martin Golden and his Democratic challenger Andrew Gounardes faced off last night in front of a raucous crowd of their own supporters. It wasn't the most civilized debate. Zingers were exchanged and the men got uncomftorably close to each other at a few points but they did discuss the issues including: energy, gun violence, fair pay for women and emergency contraception. 

The Bensonhurst Bean has full video of the debate

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Sen. Joseph Addabbo is holding a news conference tomorrow at Russo's on the Bay in Queens to discuss hydrofracking and "its adverse affects, and what it would mean for the district and state if hydrofracking is legal."

Addabbo used his opponent Councilman Eric Ulrich's support of hydraulic fracturing as a way to paint him as falling in line with the wishes of the mostly upstate Republican Senate Majority in a recent interview with Gotham Gazette.  Ulrich has used his cash advantage over Addabbo to air a blitzkrieg of television spots focusing on small business in the district.

The Addabbo camp has responded with events dealing with small business across the district but this event may be an attempt on their part to dictate the issues of the campaign. A recent Siena Poll showed Addabbo only two points over Ulrich and also found that jobs and the economy are a major concern across the district. 

Both men will debate at Our Lady of Grace Church, at 100-05 159 Ave. in Howard Beach on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

The debate will be co-hosted by The Queens Chronicle and Citizens Union, the sister organization of Gotham Gazette. Members of public can send questions for the candidates to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Sen. Liz Krueger sprung to the defense of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his handling of the review of hydraulic fracturing today after he was criticized in a Bloomberg article by a member of the pro-fracking Joint Landowners Coalition.

Coalition member Brian Conroy said in the story published by The Syracuse Post-Standard:

We’ve given him a long leash and now it does look like politics is coming into play…Either there’s incompetence, where they just can’t handle a complex technical study like this, or the potential of cowardice, where he isn’t being decisive and is floundering with decisions.

Cuomo recently said that the state would conduct a health review of fracking before it moves towards regulating it. Krueger responded in a statement: 

The idea that the Joint Landowners Coalition has Governor Cuomo ‘on a leash’ is offensive to all New Yorkers."

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