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Michael Johnson
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Posts by Michael Johnson
Exit Interview: Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward
Mar 7th - 9:03 pm
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward has spent 10 years in Albany but now she is not seeking re-election to spend more time with her family. She sat down with Liz to talk about her time in office, and the increasing partisanship in politics.
Senate GOP Takes Issue With Special Master’s LI Lines
Mar 7th - 9:53 am
The Senate Majority has delivered their response to the lines drawn by a Special Master, raising concerns about Long Island’s new lines, Republican Bob Turner’s new district, the newly proposed Staten Island district, the district drawn for Rep. Chris Gibson, and a small concern about the Western New York seats.
Long Island is where the majority of their concern is. In the response, they argue that the special master failed to “respect the cores of
current districts and the communities of interest that have formed around them” arguing that traditionally the districts ran North South, but now the special master has created a South Shore and North Shore district. Here’s an excerpt:
This change dramatically realigns the existing districts without any apparent basis in traditional redistricting principles: whereas the Senate Majority Plan maintains 89.8% of the core of Rep. Israel’s existing district and 82.9% of the core of Rep. King’s existing district, see Ex B, the Proposed Plan would preserve only 38.8% and 47.3%, respectively, of these districts.
They add that they would like to see Smithtown entirely in District 1, and not divided between the proposed 1st and 3rd districts.
They also argue that the special master needlessly paired Rep. Bob Turner in the same district as Rep. Meeks.
They write, “the Proposed Plan fails to respect communities of interest by dividing among a total of four districts (districts 5, 8, 9, and 10) traditional Russian and Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and traditional communities of interest in Far Rockaway Peninsula, Howard Beach, and Ozone Park, which also include substantial Jewish populations. These are communities that were previously unified and should remain unified in Rep. Turner’s district. In this respect, too, the Proposed Plan fails to respect political subdivisions by needlessly having district 5 cross into Nassau County.”
There are a few other arguments they make. They don’t believe Coney Island should be removed from the current Staten Island district. Correction. Senate Republicans argue that a housing project near Coney Island should be moved from the current Staten Island district to the proposed 8th District, and traditional communities in Midwood should be put back in the Staten Island seat.
Upstate, they take issue with Rep. Chris Gibson’s new district saying it “omits communities in the Hudson Valley that were traditionally part of this district, including the counties of Warren, Washington, and Saratoga.” They also argue that the counties of Livingston and Wyoming should not be split up, as they are in the proposed 23rd and 27th Districts.
Alexander Still Confident About Congressional Bid
Mar 6th - 11:13 am
After seeing the proposed congressional maps released today by the Special Master, Democratic Congressional candidate Matt Alexander issued the statement below expressing confidence that the new district would favor his candidacy.
“The release of the Special Master map bears out our earlier predictions — this seat is moving north and west. While we are losing portions of Westchester, we are gaining Democratic strongholds including Newburgh and Middletown. We need a Democratic candidate who has experience working with the people of the villages, towns and cities throughout the new district — a candidate who has been able to pick up endorsements and build name recognition north of Westchester. That candidate is Matt Alexander.
As we noted earlier, the Wappingers Falls mayor is going to face at least one Democratic challenger in Cortlandt Town Councilman Dr. Richard Becker – who has pledged to move into the district even though he is not required to do so.
In the press release, Alexander argues that he is the best Democrat to challenge Rep. Nan Hayworth because of his ties to the Hudson Valley, his endorsements from local Democratic committees and members of Congress like Rep. Carolyn Maloney and because he is the only candidate to report any fundraising for the seat who still lives in the district.
Becker Still Pledges To Move Into Hayworth’s District
Mar 6th - 9:37 am
Democratic congressional candidate Dr. Richard Becker wasted no time in sending out this statement below – reaffirming his commitment to challenging Rep. Nan Hayworth.
Under the special master’s plan released today, Becker, a Cortlandt Town Councilman, would be in new district that includes much of Rockland and Westchester County – which is actually a mix of Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel’s districts. But Becker has pledged to move into Hayworth’s district (even though there is no requirement that he live in the district, just that he lives in the state).
“For the last three decades, I’ve been practicing medicine and building small businesses throughout the Hudson Valley. With the release of today’s draft Congressional maps from the special master, it appears I’ll be moving a couple minutes down the road. I’ve been a part of our community for over thirty years and I fully intend to represent us in Congress. I am in this campaign to win it, and am certain that we will replace “No Comment Nan” with a real leader who’ll represent us instead of the party bosses and financial elites,” Becker said.
“We’ve known for a while that the lines might shift a little, but these maps don’t change anything about the underlying dynamics of this race. I’m the only candidate fellow Democrats in this district are getting behind, supporting, and donating to. I’m the only candidate with a full campaign already up and running. And as a physician, small business owner, and environmental activist, I’m still the only candidate who can stand toe-to-toe with Nan Hayworth, debate her on the issues, and win.”
Currently there are 5 Democrats who have announced bids to run against Hayworth – Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander, Duane Jackson, a Times Square vendor who helped thwart a terrorist car bomb plot there in 2010, Tuxedo Park Mayor Tom Wilson, and registered nurse Ann Jacobs Moutrie.
Special Master’s Map Good For Rep. Buerkle
Mar 6th - 9:18 am
One member of Congress who was thrown under the bus a little by both the Senate GOP and Assembly Democrats plans was freshman Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle. Both plans they submitted drew liberal Tompkins County into her seat making it difficult for her to win re-election.
But the plan the special master put forth today makes Tompkins County part of Rep. Tom Reed’s heavily rural and Republican district, while Buerkle’s current lines remain mostly unchanged – outside of the addition of parts of Oswego and what looks like all of Cayuga County – 2 Republican strongholds.
Buerkle has been the most conservative member of the NY delegation during her time in office. She is already being challenged by two Democrats, former Congressman Dan Maffei, and newcomer Brianne Murphy.
PEF Launches TV Ad Against Budget Cuts (Updated)
Mar 5th - 10:22 am
PEF is launching a new television and web ad campaign today – pushing back against cuts to state services in the budget. The ad is designed to highlight the impact cuts will have on public safety, and for people with cancer, mental illness, or developmental disabilities.
We are still waiting for a copy of the ad from PEF. UPDATE: The ad appears below.
PEF says they will be running the 30-second TV spots on networks and cable stations, including YNN, through March 18. They are also going to run the ads on various stations throughout the state on Thursday and Friday of this week. And they will be running web ads on newspaper websites throughout the state as well.
The labor union is already out with an ad attacking the Governor’s Tier 6 Pension proposal.
Becker Looks For House In New NY-18
Mar 1st - 3:17 pm
Democratic Congressional Candidate and Cortlandt Town Board Member Rich Becker just sent out a statement saying he is committed to defeating Rep. Nan Haywroth this year. So committed that he is already planning on moving into the district if he needs to.
“As soon as we saw the maps at midnight last night, my wife and I began a search for a house in the any of the district’s proposed iterations. Even though no lines are yet finalized, we are fully prepared to see this through,” Becker said in a statement.
He goes on to blast “special interests groups” and Republicans for drawing him out of a competition with Hayworth – though doesn’t specify who the special interests are.
“I am in this campaign to win it despite any attempts by special interests groups or Republican power brokers in Albany to disenfranchise the voters of the Hudson Valley by drawing the strongest Democratic candidate by far out of the district. We are 100% committed to defeating Nan Hayworth and once again electing a Congressman who’ll fight for all of us and not just the political and financial elites,” Becker said.
As we mentioned earlier today, Becker is one of 5 Democrats who has announced that they are challenging Hayworth. The lines proposed separately by the Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats leave only one of those candidates in the same seat as Hayworth – Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander.
Extras
Feb 29th - 5:52 pm
The GOP ballot order in New York’s April 24 primary (as determined by lottery): Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum.
There are now three Republicans vying to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The third, hedge fund manager and Rye Town Supervisor Joe Carvin announced his campaign today.
Gillibrand challenger Wendy Long picked up endorsements today from Wayne County Conservative Party Chairman and state Conservative Party Vice Chairman Jim Quinn. (No link).
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the push to expand the DNA database bill: “I don’t want to play the normal Albany game with this bill, which is, let’s use this bill to accomplish unrelated things that we want to get done anyway.”
The end of an era: The Watertown Daily Times is shuttering its DC Bureau.
The conservative Club for Growth released its annual congressional scorecard.
Jeremy Peters, LCA veteran, has moved on to bigger and more alcoholic things.
The NY Farm Bureau’s annual Taste of NY reception is next Monday.
Sen. Tom Libous went to bat for rural school districts.
NYC Councilman Lew Fidler’s health is preventing him from debating his Senate special election opponent, David Storobin. (He has been hospitalized for a week after experiencing a severe allergic reation to medication he took to treat gout).
Mayor Bloomberg’s counsel, Anthony Crowell, will leave the administration to become the next dean of NYU Law School New York Law School. (Fixed, thanks).
That Gumby line was a joke, Cuomo says. (He apparently believes the press corps lacks a sense of humor).
Mitt Romney does not support the Blunt amendment, which would empower employers and insurers to deny health coverage they find morally objectionable.
The Legislature will consider a bill this session that increases the penalty on convicted criminals who victimize houses of worship.
This is not the first governor named Cuomo to struggle with whether to sign a flawed legislative redistricting plan into law.
NYC resident Bob Kerrey changed his mind about running for the US Senate in his home state of Nebraska.
The Saratoga County GOP was supposed to meet this weekend to endorse a candidate in the 43rd SD, but Chairman Jasper Nolan delayed the get-together, citing the lack of a final redistricting plan.
LG Bob Duffy was a last-minute add on the agenda for tomorrow’s NYLCV Eco-breakfast at the Fort Orange Club.
Praise for Cuomo’s teacher evaluation system deal from the Mahattan Institute’s Marcus Winters.
Bloomberg and NYC Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott will participate in a panel discussion on education with their Chicago and LA counterparts in Washington, D.C. Friday.
Circles within circles: The attorney defending NYC Comptroller John Liu’s campaign treasurer on fraud charges is being paid out of Liu’s own campaign funds.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is a grandfather.
Carvin Pledges $1 Million To Get Campaign Off Ground
Feb 29th - 5:21 pm
Rye Town Supervisor and hedge fund manager Joe Carvin, who launched his campaign for US Senate against Sen. Gillibrand today, is pledging to put $1 million of his own money into the campaign. After that he does not intend to put in any more money saying he “does not want to buy the campaign.” He did indicat that he has already started lining up campaign donors as well.
In a phone interview, he told us that his motivation for running is the growing deficit and debt the nation is facing. “Basically I don’t think the politicians are addressing the issues that need to be addressed,” he said. When asked for specifics he talked about his concern that the debt to gross domestic product ratio is 100%, and went further to decry the unfunded liabilities debt that is currently at closer to $117 trillion.
“If the United States was a private company we would be insolvent,” Carvin said.
Carvin also says the country needs tax reform. He said he would have adopted tax code put forth in the Bowles/Simpson debt reduction plan which calls for a simpler tax code with reduced rates on personal and corporate taxes. He also criticized President Obama for not doing more to get it passed.
Carvin is also pro-choice. He says he is primarily because he believes Roe v. Wade is settled law. On same-sex marriage, he says he is for civil unions and says his position is basically in line with President Obama’s.
More >
GOP, Dems Agree Hinchey Seat Must Go (Updated)
Feb 29th - 2:47 pm
A Senate GOP source confirms several reports that the congressional district currently held by retiring Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) has been carved up in the their House redistricting plan, along with Democratic Rep. Gary Ackerman’s seat.
The Assembly Democrats have also decided to axe Hinchey’s district, which stretches from Kingston to Ithaca. However, the two sides cannot agree on elimination of a second seat, as required by New York’s slow population growth over the past 10 years relative to the other states.
Under the Republicans’ proposal, Ackerman would be forced into a primary with his fellow Democrat, Long Island Rep. Carolyn McCarthy. This face-off was first reported Daily News earlier this month.
Speculation about the elimination of Ackerman’s district reached a fever pitch this past weekend, thanks to a Twitter rumor – started and fueled by Republicans – that Ackerman is planning to retire. The congressman has insisted that is not the case.
The GOP source says that the decision to carve up Hinchey’s seat was more or less a no-brainer, given his decision not to seek re-election this fall.
Ackerman’s seat was picked because it had the “perfect balance” to fit the population loss New York City saw over the past decade. The source also says the GOP plan keeps 44 counties whole. He suggested that the Assembly plan will carve up many upstate counties.
Earlier today, it was reported that the Assembly plan would also eliminate Hinchey’s current district, but in New York City it would cut up Republican Rep. Bob Turner’s Queens/Brooklyn district – something the Republicans very much oppose.
It had been speculated the Assembly Democrats would try to preserve Turner’s district (NY-9) because it’s Democrat-dominated and, the thinking goes, difficult for the GOP to hold onto for long.
Gannett’s Jon Campbell caught up with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who said his conference’s plan will consolidate a number of districts in Queens and Nassau County to eliminate the second seat. There would be at least one incumbent Democrat and Republican in the same district in Queens, which seems to indicate a head-to-head between for Turner – the only Republican in that area (I can’t imagine they’ll touch Rep. Peter King, the most senior GOP delegation member).
Assemblyman Rory Lancman has announced his intention to challenge Turner, but said he would not challenge Rep. Joe Crowley, whose district (NY-7) is adjacent to Turner’s.
Crowley has long wanted to lose the piece of his district that is in the Bronx, and solidify his base in Queens where he’s the Democratic chairman. A long-standing fear of a challenge from a Latino candidate has fueled many of Crowley’s political decisions in recent years – hence his decision to dump former Sen. John Sabini in favor of now-former Sen. Hiram Monserrate back in 2008 (a decision we now know was incredibly ill-fated).
Apparently, Crowley’s needs ultimately trumped the Assembly Democrats desire to try to win back NY-9.
According to the DN’s Ken Lovett, the Senate GOP plan maintains Rep. Charles Rangel’s lines (NY-15), effectively turning it into a Hispanic-majority district. That’s going to be a problem for the Assembly Democrats and Latino lawmakers who have been pushing for creation of a new Latino seat while preserving the African-American majority in Rangel’s district by extending it north into the Bronx and Westchester.
Intense fighting over control of Rangel’s potential new district between Assemblyman Keith Wright – a potential Rangel successor and chair of the Manhattan Democratic Party – and Assemblyman Carl Heastie, chair of the Bronx Democratic Party – has reportedly been holding up the Assembly Democrats’ efforts to draw their House map.
It will be interesting to see how the Democrats break up Hinchey’s district, which was gerrymandered to be Democrat-dominated and is surrounded by districts held by Republicans. I can’t imagine those Republicans will be very happy to welcome a lot of new Democrats into their respective districts in a presidential year.
Both the Assembly and Senate House maps will be submitted to a court appointed special master who is tasked with drawing the lines by March 12th. We expect to see the plans later today, although the deadline to file is midnight. They should be viewable at this link (scroll to the bottom).
NOTE: This post has been updated throughout.
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