Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

State

State

Today’s Lead: Mistrial Up to Jurors in Malcolm Smith Bribery Case


eyeopenerbw2

The jury hearing the bribery and corruption case against Sen. Malcolm Smith will decide whether to declare a mistrial. Judge Kenneth Karas, the federal judge overseeing the case, decided the jury should determinewhether it can stay the extra weeks it may take to translate 28 hours of secretly recorded conversations from Yiddish, which prosecutors only recently admitted existed. If the jury declares a mistrial, the case will be presented anew, to a new jury. Smith is accused of conspiring to bribe Republican officials to secure their ballot line for New York City mayor in the 2013 election. Former Councilman Dan Halloran and Staten Island Republican Chairman Vincent Tambone are also charged in the case.

 

New from Gotham Gazette
Analysts Dissect De Blasio's Accounting Principles in UFT Deal
Kristen Meriwether reports on experts discussing the accounting principles at play in the administration's deal with the UFT - and what the tactics used might mean for other labor deals.

Advocates Ready Last-Minute GENDA Blitz
David King reports on advocates and legislators trying to push a State Senate vote on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act before the legislative session ends this week.

New York City's Classroom Space Crunch
In an op-ed, an education advocate outlines overcrowding in New York City schools and calls for a renewed commitment to creating new school seats.


GOTHAM GAZETTE'S 2014 ELECTION PORTAL IS LIVE!


Other Stories We're Following

Sharpton’s Coolness to Rangel Marks Waning of a Political Generation(NY Times)

Bratton Sees Challenges in New York He Made Safer (NY Times)

Tenants Push For Rent Freeze (Daily News)

Unions, Reform Groups Gird For California-Inspired Lawsuit (Capital)

De Blasio, Local Elected Officials Split Over LICH Deal (Capital)

Cuomo’s Democratic Challenger Embraces Underdog Role (WSJ)

Medical Pot Debate Turns to Smoking (WSJ)

Astorino Unveils Plans to Reform State Ethics (Times Union)

REBNY Head Confirms Retirement (Crain's)

Brooklyn’s Historic Churches Disappear to Make Way For Condos(DNAinfo)

Today’s Lead: Rangel Drops Out of Third Televised Debate


eyeopenerbw2

Rep. Charles Rangel has dropped out of the third and final televised debate in the Democratic Primary for the 13th Congressional District, which is scheduled to tape today and air Monday on BronxTalk. “I’m only upset for the people of the Bronx,” said host Gary Axelbank. A spokesman for NY State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Rangel's leading opponent in the congressional race, issued a statement attacking Rangel for being “out of touch” with Bronx residents. Rangel's team pointed out that the last debate in which he participated actually took place in the Bronx at Lehman College. However, that debate did not focus on issues facing the Bronx. In previous debates, Rangel gave a number of quirky performances: during one debate he used a cell phone as a prop to insult his opponents, during another he was caught using Google on his iPad. Meanwhile, as the federal primary date of June 24th nears, scrutiny has increased on Espaillat’s record in Albany, where he has passed only four bills in the Senate from 2011 to 2013 but has been a leader on immigration issues. The primary is June 24.


New at Gotham Gazette


Despite Administration Launch, Legislators & Advocates Vow to Move Forward on Open FOIL
Kristen Meriwether reports on the de Blasio administration's launch of a City Hall FOIL tracker, with lawmakers and advocates pointing out its flaws and promising to continue pursuit of a bill to mandate a city-wide Open FOIL system.


New York City Must Care for Seniors
In an op-ed, Council Member Helen Rosenthal and advocate Marilyn Williams warn that the city must prepare for an aging population and do more now to support senior services.

Gotham Gazette's 2014 Elections portal is live! See what races are happening this year, who is running in them, and much more


Other Stories We're Following

Poll: Confidence in NYPD Performance Slips (Newsday)

Schneiderman Supports Bill Regulating Payroll Cards (NY Times)

Senate Approves Two Planks of Women’s Equality Agenda (YNN)

Cuomo Biggest Beneficiary of Campaign Finance Loophole he Pledged to Close (ProPublica)

Three-Way Talks Underway on Medical Marijuana (the Post Standard)

Unknown Candidate May Draw Votes From Espaillat (Daily News)

Cuomo Not Willing to Delay Implementation of Teacher Evaluations (Daily News)

Teachout Preparing For Democratic Primary Against Cuomo (NY Post)

Judge Considers Mistrial in Malcolm Smith Case (WSJ)

LICH Judge Asked to Discard His Own Mediator (Capital)

Bloomberg Funded Gun Control Rally at City Hall This Weekend (DNAinfo)

NY Dems Spin Eric Cantor’s Defeat as Good For Them (Crain's)


Today’s Lead: Congressional Debate Shifts to Policy and Records


eyeopenerbw2

The second televised debate for the 13th District Democratic Primary lacked the odd props and the racially-charged tone that defined the previous debate, but that didn’t mean it was courteous. Congressman Charles Rangel and State Sen. Adriano Espaillat slammed each other's record while highlighting differences in their policy agendas and beliefs. Rev. Michael Walrond, the other candidate on the stage, injected himself into the debate, but the rivalry between Rangel and Espaillat dominated. Rangel confirmed his support for hydrofracking, while Espaillat said he was against it. The candidates discussed their positions on Common Core, immigration, and rent control while jabbing each other on their records. Rangel avoided the oddities of past debates where he used a pretend cell phone call to insult his opponents or an iPad, for what it was not clear. Rangel slammed Espaillat as ineffective during his many years in Albany while Espaillat insisted Rangel has been in office too long. The primary is on June 24.


New at Gotham Gazette

Closer to Home
In an op-ed, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera and Elizabeth Gaynes of the Osborne Association argue for amending state law so that people heading to prison are more likely to be placed in facilities closer to home and thus have a better chance of seeing family members, saying that this can reduce recidivism, among other benefits.

Gotham Gazette's 2014 Elections portal has launched: see an overview of New York's 2014 cycle, details on about 20 races to watch, voter registration information, and much more.


Other Stories We're Following

Silver Shuts Down Kellner’s Offices Over Alleged Sexual Harassment(Times Union)

Albany County DA Hosts Secret Meeting of Disbanded Moreland Commission (Times Union)

City Required to Share More Charter School Info (Daily News)

Senator’s Trial Features Video of Bribery Discussion (NY Times)

Cuomo Adds 100 Officers to Heroin Fighting Unit (NY Times)

Jeff Klein to Introduce Modified Version of 25 MPH Speed Bill (Daily News)

De Blasio’s Approval Rating Rises (Daily News)

Cuomo Not Overly Optimistic About End of Legislative Session (Capital)

De Blasio Official On Transparency, and the Media (Capital)

Canera Installations Begin Where Boy Was Killed (WSJ)

Backers of Women’s Equality Act Split on Strategy (WSJ)

City’s Pricey Primary Runoffs Could Be Eliminated Under Council Plan(DNAinfo)

De Blasio Slams Taxi of Tomorrow Despite Ruling (Crain's)

Manhattan Rents Continue to Rise (Crain's)




Print Friendly and PDF

Editor's Choice


Gotham Gazette: New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
New York Voters Approve $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act
Gotham Gazette: 
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
New York City Voters Approve Racial Justice Ballot Measures
Gotham Gazette: 
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Housing Development in New York City Slows to a Crawl as Officials Debate Tax Incentives
Gotham Gazette: 
City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years City Council Examines Low Voter Turnout, Moving Local Elections to Even Years