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Archive for December, 2010
Paterson Cuts Deal Over ICE Enforcement
Dec 30th - 2:28 pm
Governor David Paterson just announced that he has reached a deal with the Department of Homeland Security to make sure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials focus their attention on illegal aliens who pose the greatest risk to public safety.
Just this morning, on WOR’s “The John Gambling Show”, Paterson talked at length about his research into the issue of immigration as part of the pardon process, and about how he often found that ICE officials were targeting people who were contributing to society, but were being deported for minor offenses that took place decades ago in many cases.
“We have serious problems out there and I was surprised at the amount of energy being spent on these people who aren’t committing crimes,” Paterson told Gambling.”
In the statement, Paterson says advocates for immigration reform brought the matter to his attention. They expressed concern that the old agreement focused too much on minor offenses, which discourages aliens from cooperating with police.
“While I am very concerned with protecting the civil rights of immigrants, I am equally cognizant of the fact that this State is a prime target for terrorism,” Governor Paterson said. “This new agreement balances the homeland security and civil liberties issues that have surrounded the Secure Communities initiative.”
“I continue to believe it is appropriate and important for New York State to share information with the Federal government that could protect us from terrorist attacks. However, advocates have raised valid concerns, which is why I instructed my staff to renegotiate the agreement with the Federal government.”
Paterson signed the agreement earlier this week, on December 28th.
Rattner Agrees To Pay $10m To End Pension Probe
Dec 30th - 1:17 pm
Andrew Cuomo is just hours away from stepping down as Attorney General, but he isn’t done with his work yet. His office just announced that the AG has reached a deal with former Obama Car Czar Steve Rattner, in which Rattner will pay a whopping $10 million in restitution to the state as part of Cuomo’s ongoing pension probe.
Rattner, the founder of Quadrangle Group, LLC, will also be banned from appearing in any capacity before the state public pension fund for 5 years.
As part of the agreement, Cuomo will drop two lawsuits he filed against Quadrangle and Rattner alleging they paid off Hank Morris in order to obtain nearly $150 million in pension fund investments.
“I am gratified that we have been able to reach an agreement in this case, as it resolves the last major
action of our multi-year investigation,” Cuomo said.
“The state pension fund is a valuable asset held in trust for retirees and supported by taxpayers. Through the many cases, pleas and settlements in this investigation, I believe we have been able to help restore and protect the integrity of the state pension fund.”
Over the past few months, Rattner has been a vocal critique of Cuomo. Telling Charlie Rose in an interview that Cuomo was an overzealous prosecutor who let his emotions get in the way of the facts.
But, in the press release today, Rattner makes this statement.
“I am pleased to have reached a settlement with the New York Attorney General’s Office, which allows me to put this matter behind me. I apologize if during the course of this process there is anything I did that may have made reaching this agreement more difficult. I respect the work of the Attorney General and his staff to ensure that the New York State Common Retirement Fund operates properly and in the best interests of New Yorkers.”
The whole press release is after the jump.
Hawkins Advice For Cuomo: Tax The Rich
Dec 30th - 12:01 pm
Green Party Candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins is urging Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo not to make steep budget cuts, and instead increase taxes on the rich or eliminate the stock transfer tax rebate which provides Wall Street firms with billions of dollars each year.
Hawkins has sent a letter to the Governor-elect making his case for many of the positions he ran on in the election. Cuomo campaigned with a pledge not to raise taxes, detailed in a series of policy books. But, public opinion polls have historically shown there is a lot of support for increasing taxes on the richest state residents, and many of the more liberal Democrats in the legislature are likely to push for some increase in taxes to help restore cuts to health care and education.
You can see Hawkins entire letter after the jump.
More >
Silver: Talk Of Criminal Charges For Sanitation Workers Is “Hyperbole”
Dec 30th - 11:28 am
Speaker Sheldon Silver is taking a much different view of the NY Post article alleging that certain Sanitation department bosses specifically instructed workers to respond slowly to routes in order to make a point.
During an interview this morning on “Live from the State Capitol with Fred Dicker” on WDGJ, Silver said he didn’t believe the post story. And when asked about talk of criminal charges, he dismissed it as “hyperbole.” Silver attributed the slow clean up to the size of the storm, and the fact that hundreds of sanitation workers have been laid off over the past year.
Fred Dicker also asked the Speaker about Governor-elect Cuomo’s decision to move his state of the state speech out of the Assembly Chamber. Silver suggested that the people of New York could care less where Cuomo delivers the speech, and made the point that the public cares more about results than speeches.
Silver went on to insist the decision was based solely on the fact that there is more interest in this year’s speech than in the past.
“We can’t fit these people. It is a fire hazard,” Silver said.
State Of The State Lottery
Dec 30th - 10:19 am
The Cuomo administration has released details about the lottery for the public to get tickets to the State of the State address next Wednesday.
Anyone interested has to register online at www.nystateofstate2011.com before the first of the year.
As we reported yesterday, the event has been moved from the traditional location in the Assembly Chamber to the larger Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
Gov Says Sanitation Bosses Actions Could Be Criminal
Dec 30th - 8:50 am
Governor Paterson thinks an investigation should be launched into today’s NY Post report that some sanitation department bosses specifically told workers to take off routes and plow major arteries less frequently in order to send a message to Mayor Bloomberg for cutting their budget.
During an interview on WOR’s John Gambling show, Paterson agreed with the host that if the allegations are true, criminal charges should be pursued.
“I would have to check and see what crime they could be charged under,” Paterson said. “But criminality is a heightened sense of wrong doing. And in this case, there were people who were certainly harmed by these actions.”
The Governor also spoke about his recent controversial commutation of manslaughter convict John White, the black Long Island resident who shot and killed a white teenager who was part of a group of teens who were harassing his family.
Paterson says he spoke with the family of the victim, Daniel Cicciaro, for an hour. He says he explained why he felt that White should be released with time served.
Here And Now
Dec 30th - 8:03 am
Cathie Black is clear to become NYC Schools Chancellor, but an appeal is expected.
The Post praises outgoing commissioner Joel Klein.
Dick Dadey says 2011 is going to be a “horrible year of reckoning.”
Despite vigils across the state, layoffs of state workers are expected to take effect at the end of the week.
The Democrat and Chronicle wants the new public authorities watchdog office to have more power.
The NYS League of Women Voters says the new voting process needs improvements.
Catskill Casino project moves forward, but still awaits federal approval.
Victims in line for 9/11 health benefits are being instructed to avoid lawyers.
Rep. Pete King is blasting President Obama for his recess appointments.
Sen. Gillibrand is moving into her mom’s home in Albany., while looking for a bigger home in D.C.
The DN is calling for an immediate review of the snow response.
Post reports that some sanitation bosses responded slowly in protest of budget cuts.
More >
Courts Uphold Waiver For Black
Dec 29th - 6:39 pm
Finally some good news for Mayor Bloomberg.
A state supreme court has ruled against elected officials and education advocates who argue that Cathleen Black is not qualified to be the New York City Schools Chancellor, and should not get a special waiver.
Black, the former chairman of Hearst Magazines, needed a waiver to become Chancellor because she doesn’t have a background in education. The state allows waivers when the candidate has exceptional background.
“This decision should bring an end to the politicking and grandstanding and allow us all to focus on what matters most: continuing to improve the quality of education we offer New York City’s public school children,” Mayor Bloomberg said.
“Cathie has been working hard and is ready to hit the ground running on Monday, her first official day on the job, and I know she is looking forward to building on the tremendous progress we’ve made over the past eight years.”
No word yet on whether or not their will be an appeal of this ruling.
Extras
Dec 29th - 5:00 pm
Mayor Bloomberg is taking responsibility for the bad storm response.
He says there is still a lot of work to be done.
But, all city streets should be cleared by 7pm tonight.
Rep. Pete King wants answers to why some planes spent more than 10 hours on the tarmac at JFK.
It was moving day in the State Senate.
Senate Republicans say their Democratic counterparts overspent on staff by as much as $10 million.
The Rochester City Council will vote next week to set a date to replace outgoing Mayor Bob Duffy.
NYRA is now streaming races live in NYC, which they hope will increase their betting numbers.
The Times Union finally got a look at the Stockbridge Munsee casino contract.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is proud of the city’s strong Kwanzaa history.
Redistricting prognostication has begun in Central New York.
Chris Gibson for President? Really?
Rep. Charlie Rangel thinks Obama will be elected in 2012, because he has moved to the center.
Sen. Schumer is one of several DC Pols who are still sitting on huge campaign war chests, despite this year’s election.
Christine O’Donnell could be in some trouble for allegedly spending campaign cash on personal items.
Here’s a really bad Hillary Clinton impression.
Log Cabin School
Dec 29th - 2:26 pm
Since 2011 is a really slow election year, the Log Cabin Republicans are upping their efforts towards educating their members. On January 1st they are launching an initiative they call “Starting at 1″.
Log Cabin Chairman Gregory Angelo tells me he got the idea from Republican Lt. Governor candidate Greg Edwards, who pointed out to him that the date on January 1st is 1/1/11.
“Right now we have a politically savvy membership, and it’s time to take things to the next level,” Angelo said. “Starting at 1 is designed to take the enthusiasm we’ve seen from our members for everything from joining their local Community Board to becoming more involved in the Republican County Committee and even running for office.”
Angelo says he hopes this new plan will bring Gay Republicans out of isolation and make them more of a part of the GOP.
He suggested one thing they would like to do is get members up to speed on some of the parliamentary procedure in the state legislature. One example he brought up was explaining what it takes to get a same sex marriage bill to the floor for a vote.
Another goal is to provide Gay Republicans direct information, through email alerts, facebook, and twitter, on how to join other Republican organizations in the state, whether it be county committees, or groups like the New York State Federation of Republican Women.
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