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Mike Whittemore
Mike is a Senior Video Journalist and Producer for Capital Tonight, New York's only nightly statewide political television program.
Homepage: http://www.capitaltonight.com/stateofpolitics
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Posts by Mike Whittemore
Zimpher: We’re Cooperating Fully With IG, Comptroller
Jun 2nd - 12:28 pm
SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher says she welcomes a collaboration with the Inspector General and the State Comptroller, both of whom are investigating the internal practices of the SUNY Research Foundation.
“I began my concerns about any audit by calling the comptroller so my assumption is that he’s responding to my request to engage him in this process,” said Zimpher.
“I’m quite pleased the right people are taking the lead in these audits and investigations and pledge my full support, but I did make the inquiry myself.”
According to a spokesperson for Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, the probe will focus on employment, hiring practices and the payroll of the billion dollar foundation.
Both investigations come in the wake of news that foundation president John O’Conner allegedly gave a no-show job to former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno’s daughter, Susan. He has since taken a leave of absence.
Labor Groups To Use Resources To Push For Same-Sex Marriage
Jun 1st - 3:07 pm
Representatives from CSEA, PEF, NYSUT, SEIU, and others joined the Empire State Pride Agenda’s push to convince the legislature to pass a same-sex marriage bill by the end of the session.
Mary Sullivan, Executive Vice President of CSEA (pictured on the far left), said her organization decided to take a stand as a service to their members, some of whom are in the LGBT community.
“Labor has always been out in the forefront of human rights issues and social justice issues,” said Sullivan.
“(Our members) deserve to be represented just like all the other members we represent. They want this bill. Their unions are supporting their desire to have this bill.”
Unions are often a welcome ally to a cause because of their ability to organize and mobilize. Sullivan says the groups will do anything asked by ESPA to help push lawmakers to pass a bill.
“If we need to go out and leaflet, if we need to go door to door to get this legislation passed, if we need to go camp out on some Republican Senators’ doorstep, we’ll do it,” Sullivan added.
Animal Lovers Lobby For Tougher Abuse Laws
Jun 1st - 12:55 pm
Dozens of animal advocates, along with their four-legged friends, are working their way through the Capitol today to lobby for several bills that would toughen animal cruelty laws in New York as part of the first-ever Animal Advocacy Day.
Some of the bills expected to be taken up in the Senate and Assembly would expand on the 1999 Buster’s Law, which made aggravated cruelty to animals a felony, to include a psychiatric evaluation requirement following conviction. Other bills would also require offenders to be placed on a registry of animal abusers and increase penalties for animal fighting.
Several lawmakers pushing the legislation brought their dogs to the event including Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R-Saratoga), who was accompanied by his Corgi, Gracie, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) and her dog, Peanut (seen above), and Sen. Greg Ball (R-Carmel), who called his “first love” Hanna to the stage to stand next to him.
“She’s beautiful, she’s smart, she’s loyal and she doesn’t ask me to take out the trash,” Ball joked. “People wonder why I’m still single.”
Ball and Tedisco urged advocates to visit individual lawmakers’ offices throughout the day to make sure all of the bills make to the floor of both houses for a vote.
‘Bones’ Jones: Take It From Me, MMA Is Safe
May 23rd - 3:48 pm
The state Senate is taking up a bill that will legalize mixed-martial arts in New York.
On hand to help secure votes for the bill’s passage is UFC light heavyweight champ and fellow Union-Endicott graduate Jon “Bones” Jones.
Jones says the sport is much safer than when the UFC first came on the scene, which is why New York may is hesitant to join the other 31 states that have legalized MMA.
“The original UFC that came, there wasn’t as many rules to protect the fighters like ‘fish-hooking’ and pulling hair; it was very barbaric at first,” said Jones.
“The UFC has come a very long way. There are so many rules and regulations and testing to make sure that we’re as healthy and safe as possible.”
Jones also pointed out he doesn’t have too many scars as a result of his bouts.
Fiala Confirmed As DMV Commissioner
May 17th - 5:16 pm
The state Senate unanimously confirmed Barbara Fiala as the new Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles this afternoon. She was appointed to the post by Gov. Cuomo back in February.
Fiala has worked in county government for 30 years in a number of different roles including county clerk and most recently, as Broome County’s first female executive. This latest gig as head of the DMV brings her back to her roots (albeit on a much higher level); she served as motor vehicles supervisor for Broome in 1981.
Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous, who also represents parts of Broome County, praised Fiala’s fair and bi-partisan approach to governing as he seconded her nomination in the Senate:
O’Connor Taking Leave, Files Complaint With IG
May 16th - 7:46 pm
John O’Connor, State University of New York Research Foundation President, announced he is taking a leave of absence after being accused of allowing Joe Bruno’s daughter, Susan Bruno, to work at a no-show job.
O’Connor accused the Commission on Public Integrity of leaking information and, according to a statement, is filing a formal complaint regarding the matter.
In the statement, O’Connor says he will be taking a leave of absence using accrued time so the Inspector General can review the complaint. His entire statement is below:
Statement of John J. O’Connor
“I am extraordinarily distressed that in thirty years in service in public and private higher education, my integrity and ethics are now being called into question as the result of a flawed process by the New York State Commission on Public Integrity.
The Commission has issued a Notice of Reasonable Cause based on testimony which is factually incorrect and intentionally disregards information and documents provided to them. Furthermore, leaks by Commission staff to the news media, beginning more than two years ago have been harmful to me and violated the confidentiality of the ethics process. I have not been given the opportunity to make my case as the law allows regarding my management of the Research Foundation.
I have filed a formal complaint with the New York Inspector General and have indicated my commitment to fully cooperate in all aspects of what I am asking be a full and speedy review of the actions of the Commission on Public Integrity over the past two and a half years as it has on and off investigated this matter.
At this time, I have advised Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and SUNY Board Chairman Carl Hayden that I will voluntary take a leave of absence – using accrued time – from my responsibilities as President of the Research Foundation and also from my duties as Senior Vice Chancellor and Secretary of the University – beginning today through July 1st while the Inspector General undertakes a review.
I want this action to signal my strongest commitment to and compliance with all ethical practices across SUNY, New York State government and public service.”
Wine Sorbet, Anyone?
May 16th - 4:58 pm
Also passed by the Senate today was a delicious bill that would allow more frozen treats to be made with wine in New York.
The idea is to spur more economic activity using products made in New York State. Current law only allows the manufacture of ice cream made with wine. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton), would expand the law to include alcoholic sherbets and sorbets.
The bill also limits the percentage of alcohol in frozen desserts to not more than five per centum of alcohol by volume–making it more of a risk to your wallet and waistline to rely frozen dessert wine to get a buzz.
A version of this bill was passed back in 2010 with Sen. David Valesky (D-Oneida) as the sponsor and was the subject of a spirited debate at the time. It passed unanimously today.
Senate Passes Bills To Ban Radar Detectors, Dashboard TVs
May 16th - 4:32 pm
The Senate passed two bills this afternoon that will limit some electronic devices allowed in vehicles, including radar detectors.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset), essentially expands the definition to include new devices that can block or jam a radar signal from a police officer in addition to those that only audibly warn of a nearby speed trap.
According to the Senate website, these devices are “sold for the sole purpose of evading police speed-detecting equipment.”
If signed into law, New York would join California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Virginia, Nebraska and Washington D.C all who have outlawed the use of radar detectors.
Also passed by the Senate today was a bill (also sponsored by Marcellino) to outlaw display monitors that could distract a driver including TVs or DVD players. It would only apply to devices within view of the driver and would not apply to GPS displays.
Duffy: Comparing Cuomo To Spitzer An ‘Overreaction’
May 16th - 1:28 pm
Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy said this morning that he rejects the notion that Gov. Cuomo is adapting the “steamroller” style made famous by Eliot Spitzer to push the Legislature in his direction, calling it an “overreaction” by critics.
“I think [Gov. Cuomo] has been very clear and very specific in terms of his expectations and he’s also been respectful,” Duffy said.
“I have listened to him speak. He is not calling out individual legislators; he’s not embarrassing anybody. He’s stating facts that I think everybody understands. I don’t think there has been a governor in recent memory who has done more to create relationships with the legislature.”
Lawmakers have been pushing back on the governor in recent days for his criticism of the Legislature. Last week on Capital Tonight, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said ethics reform should include the executive branch, and today, Speaker Sheldon Silver called the effectiveness of the governor’s tour across the state “irrelevant.” Silver also said over the weekend that his members would rather cut deals “than listen to speeches.”
Duffy spoke to reporters following a speech to the NYS Coalitions of Community Development Financial Institutions at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany.
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