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The Week That Was in New York Politics, June 5


photo 


Gotham Gazette's Week in Review, June 1-5

Photo of the Week
via The Villager: State Senator Brad Hoylman and other state and city officials and advocates protest outside Governor Cuomo's office, demanding stronger rent regulations

Hoylman Villager

Tweet of the Week
via @Azi

"complicated heart of @harrysiegel's column: "If we really want a fairer NY, that may mean...a bit more crime" http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/harry-siegel-guns-drawn-de-blasio-stands-ground-article-1.2245739?cid=bitly  #NYPD"

Top 5 Stories of the Week, June 1-5

1. De Blasio and Cuomo Settle In: Last week's heightened tensions between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio softened this week as each had more complimentary and conciliatory words for the other. Cuomo restated his support for two of de Blasio's top priorities in Albany, mayoral control of city schools and strengthening rent regulations. The two have been most contentious over the 421-a tax abatement program and continue to disagree, though they shared kinder words this week when describing their disagreement and the work ahead. Related: Gotham Gazette, WSJ, Observer, NY Magazine

2. De Blasio Responds to Increase in Shootings and Homicides: The New York Times reported that shootings in New York City have risen for two consecutive years and this is the first time this has happened since the 1990's. There has been a 20% increase in shootings this year but as Mayor de Blasio noted, there has been a 6.6% decrease in overall crime compared to this time last year. This will also be the second summer of the "Summer All Out" program, sending police officers from precincts that are low in crime to other precincts. This effectively increases police coverage without necessarily increasing the total number of NYPD officers. NYT, Observer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/nyregion/gunplay-rises-in-new-york-reviving-issue-for-de-blasio.html?_r=1
http://observer.com/2015/06/de-blasio-cites-low-crime-stats-to-downplay-spike-in-shootings/
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to be surveyed by New York Agencies: A five-page, 22-question survey was distributed to state agencies by Governor Cuomo's office probing the performance of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office. The survey comes a week after Mr. Schneiderman proposed his "End New York Corruption Act" claiming to lower contribution limits and close donation loopholes. While this bill would certainly strengthen the reach of the Attorney General's office, the survey of the AG's office, if negatively reflective, could do just the opposite stripping authority and funding. The New York Times reported that Governor Cuomo's office had added that the Governor himself "had no knowledge of the survey". NYT, Times Union
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/nyregion/cuomos-team-surveys-new-york-state-agencies-for-opinions-on-attorney-general.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Legislature-can-still-pass-ethics-reform-this-6287305.php
Calls for stronger rent regulations: Affordable housing prices have become increasingly closer to market prices with Mayor de Blasio backing stronger rent regulations in early May, Governor Cuomo coming out to support the strengthening of rent control laws this past Wednesday and the June 15 expiration date fast approaching. However, state and city legislators, such as Council Member Jumaane Williams and New York State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, believe further action is necessary, calling for a repeal of vacancy decontrol and peacefully protested outside of Governor Cuomo's office before being arrested Wednesday night. Current New York City law allows for vacancy decontrol, or allowing landlords to raise a rent-stabilized apartments' price every time the apartment is turned over, giving incentive to landlords to allow their apartments to fall into disrepair in order to encourage tenant turnover. Governor Cuomo's office had organized a rally for Thursday afternoon but this was pushed to an unspecified future date. Mayor de Blasio and Assembly Housing Chair Keith Wright will be holding a housing rally this Saturday in Harlem. Office of the Mayor, Capitol Confidential, WSJ, Observer, Crain's, Capital.
http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/288-15/mayor-de-blasio-calls-stronger-rent-laws
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/236405/cuomo-says-hes-fighting-to-improve-and-expand-rent-laws/
http://www.wsj.com/articles/nyc-council-members-arrested-at-albany-rent-protest-1433365026
http://observer.com/2015/06/lawmakers-get-arrested-protesting-at-governors-office-for-rent-regulations/
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150531/BLOGS01/150529847/albanys-rent-control-conspiracy-explained
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/06/8569495/de-blasio-wright-will-join-forces-housing-rally
Cuomo identifies his end of session priorities: As the end of session approaches Governor Cuomo has pushed three of his session priorities, the Parental Choice in Education act, the New York State Property Tax Cap as well as Raise the Age. The Parental Choice Education act is an education tax credit program that looks to offer "$50 million annually in tax credits for donors who contribute to scholarship funds" for students in private or religious schools. Donors can give "up to one million dollars, and in exchange receive a credit of $750,000 on their taxes". The Governor invited different church leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, to the Governor's mansion this past Monday to persuade legislators who had not yet signed the bill. Governor Cuomo is also looking to "make permanent a 2-percent property cap" by expanding on the New York State Property Tax Cap. Just this past Wednesday, Governor's office released a report that states that the cap leads to "real, significant savings for taxpayers". Even though the cap does not expire until June 2016, it's tied to the rent-control law expiring on the upcoming June 15 and the Governor has taken this opportunity for legislators to take up the tax cap. Governor Cuomo's Raise the Age legislation received ample support this past week, including Mayor de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner William Bratton. Mr. de Blasio, Commissioner Bratton and other law enforcement officials wrote an open letter stating that "treating 16 and 17 year olds as adults in the criminal justice system" is one area where New York is "behind all but one other state in the country". The legislation would effectively raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18, changing the juvenile justice system. While Governor Cuomo has pushed for these specific pieces of legislation before the end of session he also backed a continuation of mayoral control of New York City schools as well as strengthening rent regulations. Capital, WBFO, Capital, Property Tax Cap Report, IBT.
http://news.wbfo.org/post/cuomos-education-tax-credit-plan-falling-short-assembly
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/06/8569409/cuomo-calls-making-property-tax-cap-permanent
https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/PropertyTaxCap.pdf
http://www.ibtimes.com/after-rikers-island-scandal-nyc-officials-push-juvenile-justice-reform-raise-age-bill-1950698
This Week's Numbers:
Shootings in NYC have spiked by 20%. (439 shootings) NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/nyregion/gunplay-rises-in-new-york-reviving-issue-for-de-blasio.html?_r=1
MTA is pushing for $14 billion more to fully fund their five-year capital plan. CBS New York.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/04/28/mta-fare-hikes/
Mayor de Blasio's "mansion tax" claims that it will "raise about $200 million annually to finance about 37,000 affordable apartments". Crain's.
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20150601/REAL_ESTATE/150609989/de-blasio-mansion-tax-hike-may-keep-home-prices-below-1-75m-ibo-says
The Glory and The Goat:
It was a good week for Council Member Karen Koslowitz who was elected chair of the Queens City Council delegation. She is the longest tenured member of the City Council and will be replacing Council Member Mark Weprin.
http://observer.com/2015/06/karen-koslowitz-elected-chair-of-the-queens-council-delgation/
It was a bad week for Governor Cuomo with his lowest approval rating ever at 44-42.
http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-york-state/release-detail?ReleaseID=2231
The Flash:
This week last year Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo both expressed a push towards a $10.10 an hour minimum wage. Observer, The Business Journals.
http://observer.com/2014/06/bill-de-blasio-wants-citys-minimum-wage-beyond-10-10/
http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2014/06/02/ny-gov-cuomo-pushes-plan-to-raise-minimum-wage.html
In June of 1846, the New York State's Constitutional Convention of 1846 was held and the Third Constitution of New York was written. As a result the term of a senator is shortened to two years from four and it is decided that senators and assembly members will be elected from one of thirty-two districts.
http://www.nysenate.gov/timeline
https://www.nycourts.gov/history/legal-history-new-york/documents/Publications_1846-NY-Constitution.pdf
Watch out for... (sneak peeks into Week Ahead)

***
by Ben Max and Erika Wang, Gotham Gazette
@GothamGazette

How We Got Here: New Law Aims to Increase Transparency and Diversity at the FDNY


fdny medal day

2015 FDNY Medal Day at City Hall (photo: @FDNY)


"Diversity is strength – and the world's greatest fire department will grow even stronger when it more closely resembles the city it serves." -Mayor Bill de Blasio, June 2, 2015

On June 2, 2015 Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law Intro. 0579-A, allowing for greater transparency into the New York City Fire Department application and hiring processes by requiring that an annual report be made with regard to the racial and gender makeup of applicants. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Elizabeth Crowley, was a result of years of scrutiny on diversity in the FDNY. Currently, less than .5 percent of over 10,000 FDNY firefighters and officials are women. In 2014, the city agreed to a $98-million-dollar settlement paid out for lost wages and benefits to 1,470 black and Hispanic firefighter applicants.

Read more: How We Got Here: New Law Aims to Increase Transparency and Diversity at the FDNY

Schneiderman's Evolution on Ethics


AG

AG Schneiderman (photo via AG's flickr account)


Scandal fatigue hit Attorney General Eric Schneiderman differently than it hit Governor Andrew Cuomo and leaders of the state legislature.

Conventional wisdom is that the arrest and indictment of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver earlier this year sent shockwaves through Albany. And yet as far as ethics reforms go, the result of the indictment of the man many saw as the most powerful man in "the room," a man who controlled the Assembly for over two decades, was actually quite routine. Albany went to its fallback, responding to ethical crisis by tinkering around the edges, haggling over small pieces of a larger puzzle, lauding incremental ethics reform as "the toughest in the nation."

Read more: Schneiderman's Evolution on Ethics

SCOTUS Case Could Diminish New York City, Democratic Clout in Albany


scotus

SCOTUS (photo: Carol M. Highsmith (Library of Congress))


A case brought to the United States Supreme Court by two voters in Texas has the potential to significantly alter the political dynamics within New York. By looking at what exactly is meant by "one person, one vote," the Court could set a national precedent that would significantly reduce New York City's representation in state government.

Read more: SCOTUS Case Could Diminish New York City, Democratic Clout in Albany

Proven Homelessness-Fighting Program Loses State Funding, Faces Uncertain Future


Cuomo church appearance

Gov. Cuomo (photo: Office of the Governor - Kevin P. Coughlin) 


More than 60,000 people will spend the night in a New York City homeless shelter tonight. Estimates suggest roughly one-third struggle with untreated mental illness, many of whom find themselves trapped in a turbulent cycle of life including jail, psychiatric wards, homeless shelters and living on the streets.

Read more: Proven Homelessness-Fighting Program Loses State Funding, Faces Uncertain Future

Flanked by Business Leaders, De Blasio Continues Mayoral Control Push


bdb classroom visit

Mayor de Blasio in a classroom (photo: @BilldeBlasio)


After meeting privately with a bipartisan group of business leaders at City Hall on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio told members of the media that there is widespread agreement mayoral control of city schools must be extended by Albany lawmakers. And, he said, these business leaders, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and others believe it must be extended for at least three years.

Read more: Flanked by Business Leaders, De Blasio Continues Mayoral Control Push

Would Expired Rent Regs, Mayoral School Control Spell Doomsday for New York City?


BdB Cuomo

De Blasio & Cuomo (photo: Governor's Office via flickr)


"Mayor of the City of New York, frustrated with Albany? Now there's a shocker," Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded on Thursday to reporters who inquired about Mayor Bill de Blasio's concerns over Albany's reluctance to deliver more than simple extenders of policies like mayoral control of schools and rent regulations that impact millions of city residents.

Read more: Would Expired Rent Regs, Mayoral School Control Spell Doomsday for New York City?

Education Upheaval in Albany is Backdrop to DOE Budget Hearing


farina via levine

Chancellor Carmen Farina testifying Thursday (photo: @MarkLevineNYC)


With an eye on Albany, it was time Thursday morning for New York City schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña to again testify in front of the City Council about her agency's proposed fiscal year 2016 budget and key education issues facing the city. The heightened level of concern with events in the capital comes amid shakeups in state leadership, important legislation on the negotiating table with deadlines looming, and recently passed controversial state teacher evaluation laws.

Read more: Education Upheaval in Albany is Backdrop to DOE Budget Hearing

With Legislative Package, Schneiderman Challenges Lawmakers to Act on Ethics


AG

AG Schneiderman at Tweed Courthouse on Wednesday (Ben Max)


Standing on the steps of Manhattan's Tweed Courthouse, surrounded by activists, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman unveiled a legislative package Wednesday that is designed to challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers who have written off negotiating ethics reform this year despite the arrest of two of the most powerful men in Albany on corruption charges.

"I'm done vouching for incremental reforms," Schneiderman announced to cheers from the gathered crowd on the steps of Tweed, his unamplified voice somewhat drowned out by the roar of passing traffic on Chambers Street.

Read more: With Legislative Package, Schneiderman Challenges Lawmakers to Act on Ethics 

Does 2015 Offer Return of the Albany Big Ugly?


Cuomo

Cuomo had linked the EITC & DREAM Act (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor)


Pop quiz: what do the DNA of felons, casinos, teacher performance, the drawing of legislative district lines, and pension reform have to do with one another? This isn't a trick question - in Albany all of these issues were crammed together by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders in 2012 to form the traditional Albany deal that has come to be known as "The Big Ugly." The only thing that stood out about it was that the 2012 big ugly was achieved in March, three months earlier than the traditional end-of-legislative-session deal.

Read more: Does 2015 Offer Return of the Albany Big Ugly?



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