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Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo’s Battery Park Contributors
May 17th - 1:26 pm
The New York World’s story about two deals cut by the Battery Park City Authority board of directors on former Chairman Bill Thompson’s watch that benefited two real estate developers that just so happen to be big contributors to the former NYC comptroller’s political campaign raised a lot of eyebrows.
But an astute and politically connected reader noted Thompson is hardly the only recipient of the largesse of these two real estate giants – Brookfield Properties and Milstein Properties. The duo spreads plent of campaign cash around – including to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
As you can see from the two Excel spreadsheets below, Brookfield and its chairman, John Zuccotti, and his wife, Susan, has given $86,781 to Cuomo since 2008, while Howard and Abby Milstein have given $125,000 – all in $25,000 increments.
Thompson recently resigned from his chairmanship to focus on his 2013 NYC mayoral campaign. He was appointed to the Battery Park post by Cuomo’s predecessor, former Gov. David Paterson.
But knowing the hands-on approach of the Cuomo administration, it’s hard to believe the governor and/or his top staffers weren’t aware of the decisions that generated a nice windfall for some prominent campaign contributors.
Thompson and Cuomo have been political allies for some time. Then-AG Cuomo endorsed Thompson during his 2009 NYC mayoral bid and stumped with him – a mutually beneficial effort, since it boosted Cuomo’s standing with the black community.
After Thompson failed to oust Mayor Bloomberg, he was reportedly urged by the Cuomo camp to consider a primary challenge to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, whose own relationship with Cuomo has been turbulent.
Thompson declined, but he did agree to co-chair Cuomo’s 2010 campaign and served as an important surrogate for the governor – particularly when he came under fire from other black leaders, particularly the Rev. Al Sharpton, for the lack of diversity on the statewide ticket. After Cuomo was elected, Thompson was tapped to head his MWBE Task Force.
Cuomo To Attend Malloy’s Wake
May 17th - 11:27 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo will not be in Albany after all, opting to attend the wake of longtime New York City labor leader Edward Malloy who died at the age of 77 this week.
The wake is at 2 p.m. at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
Malloy, a member of the steamfitters union, served as president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York from 1992 to late 2008 when he was replaced by Gary La Barbera.
The schedule update does not indicate the wake is closed to the press, but Cuomo typically does not do question and answer sessions with reporters after attending memorial services.
Lt. Gov. Bob Duffy is in Albany to announce the administration was moving to end the fingerprinting requirement for foodstamps in New York City. That news conference is at noon.
Dem Sources: Charlie King Is NOT Jay Jacobs’ Replacement
May 16th - 4:33 pm
The conventional wisdom since state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs’ abrupt resignation decision has been that Executive Director Charlie King move up to replace him in the No. 1 slot.
There’s logic to that assumption. After all, King goes waaaaaaay back with Cuomo, serving under him at HUD, running as his LG in his ill-fated 2002 gubernatorial campaign and then, at then candidate-Cuomo’s request, serving as the official party attack dog during the 2010 campaign.
(Of course, there was that little bump in the relationship road when King challenged Cuomo in the 2006 AG’s race, but he ended up dropping out and backing Cuomo, so that’s all water under the bridge now).
I’ve heard from two highly-placed Democratic sources, however, that King is NOT in fact Cuomo’s choice to lead the party.
One source tells me King actually asked not be to considered because he wants to return to the private sector “well before” Cuomo’s 2014 re-election bid because he has some college tuitions to start saving for, which means whoever does replace Jacobs – and I haven’t managed to get any names confirmed yet – is going to have the opportunity to pick his or her new executive director fairly soon after taking control of the party.
It has been clear for some time that Jacobs’ days were numbered. Even Jacobs himself admitted as much when I talked to him briefly last night after news of his imminent departure broke in the NYT.
Another source insists nothing in particular is behind the timing of Jacobs’ departure, the administration just happened to “get around to it” now after kicking around the idea of a party re-organization for several months.
“The notion is they need someone acceptable to the state committee and the county chairs, not just someone pulled out of nowhere, but also someone who will elevate the profile of the party, someone real,” this source said.
And, of course, the person in question has to be loyal as the day is long to Cuomo, AND be able to raise money – although the governor is no slouch in that department.
It’s kind of hard to find someone with all those qualities. It will be interesting to see who the governor picks – or rather, has picked, because it’s highly unlikely the news of Jacobs’ resignation would have leaked if Cuomo didn’t have a replacement chair already lined up.
Cuomo Administration Proposes Executive Pay Regulations
May 16th - 4:26 pm
The Cuomo administration today announced a new set of regulations designed to limit executive compensation at non-profits and for-profit groups receiving state funds, with total compensation capped at $199,000.
The regulations, the result of an executive order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this year, does provide an escape hatch by allowing a provider to keep compensation below the top 25 percent in the field. Another way of lifting the cap would require the approval of an organization’s board of directors, plus two independent directors and be subject to a review of comparability data in order to receive the waiver.
The proposed guidelines would take effect Jan. 1, but include a rolling phase-in of reporting requirements and enforcement actions as the organizations operate under the new system.
Hospitals, health-care networks and other Medicaid recipients are most likely to be impacted by the regulations.
The regulations stipulate that at least 75 percent of a provider’s operating expenses go toward services provided and not administrative overhead.
At a presentation unveiling the regulations, top Cuomo aide Larry Schwartz stressed that the regulations were aimed at a “few bad apples.”
Still, the regulations target a set of non-profit organizations that pay their administrative staff exorbitant salaries while benefiting from state dollars.
“We want the money to go to services,” Schwartz said. “We want the money to go to people. We don’t want it to go to bad actors.”
Schwartz also said the regulations were not meant to address criminal wrongdoing in the non-profit world.
Non-profit organizations that apply to the new regulations would have to annually report the public dollars it has received and the compensation of its highest-paid employees, plus their administrative expenses.
Cuomo: There’s Always A Reason Not To Do Something
May 16th - 1:32 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters in Syracuse today that he thought there’s “plenty of time” remaining in the legislative session to approve his overhaul of the state’s procedures for caring for the developmentally disabled.
The Republican-led Senate unanimously approved the legislation, which creates a Center for Justice to handle abuse cases, but Democrats in the Assembly are yet do so. Speaker Sheldon Silver said on Tuesday he approves the bill’s broader framework, but indicated some unspecified changes will have to be made to the legislation.
“In Albany there’s always a reason not to do something, right? And for every reform there’s change and change brings about opposition,” Cuomo said. “Have I heard a good reason not to do this? No. And if I somebody has a good reason, I’d like to hear it and we’ll address it. But in my opinion, we have seven weeks left, it’s plenty of time.”
In a separate statement, Cuomo praised the Senate for approving the bill as is. The measure is in some respects similar to the expansion of the DNA database, which Silver sought some changes to in order to please his Democratic conference.
The bill has been criticized some advocates, including Michael Carey, a well-known proponent of tightening reporting requirements whose son died under state-supervised care.
Cuomo has made the Justice Center legislation the centerpiece of his post-budget legislation before the end of the legislative session, which wraps on June 21.
“This is one more task before they go home,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo also declared victory with his tax cap after school districts across the state overwhelming approved their spending plans save for scattered districts. Few were able to override the cap and many stayed within the defined ceiling.
Cuomo trotted out the old chestnut that the “cap isn’t really a cap” because of the supermajority override provision.
The tax cap was approved last year and was linked to rent control laws for New York City.
Cuomo also said the cap on increases of 2 percent, but most districts were able to raise their levies higher because of a complex formula built into the legislation.
He said the main benefit of the cap was starting a conversation about fiscal austerity on the local level.
“A school district can raise above the 2 percent and a lot of them didn’t want to have that conversation,” the governor said. “We changed the culture, we changed the dialogue to maybe we have to find some economies of scale. Maybe we have to reduce spending and maybe the answer isn’t find more money from the taxpayer.”
Asked about the ongoing problems of the New York Racing Association’s leadership, Cuomo said the corporation needs to rebuild its tattered reputation.
The NYRA investigation is an ongoing investigation, but there’s no doubt that NYRA has been a long troubled agencies. There have been problems at NYRA that go back decades. It doesn’t have the public’s trust and it hasn’t earned the public trust and that’s what we have to change.
Cuomo Spox: No Deal On Minimum Wage This Session
May 15th - 7:23 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s spokesman Josh Vlasto said in a statement late this afternoon that there is no time for a deal on increasing the state’s minimum wage this legislative session.
Vlasto said in the statement that Cuomo supports raising the minimum wage, which he said was a position was “made clear repeatedly.”
“The governor supports raising the minimum wage, as we have made clear repeatedly. Unfortunately, we do not believe there will be an agreement this session, as we have also said repeatedly.”
The legislative session ends June 21.
The Democratic-led Assembly approved an increase in the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 and then ties future increases to the rate of inflation.
Republicans in the Senate reiterated their opposition earlier today to the measure introduced by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, calling it a “job-killer.”
Silver said at a news conference that he believed the governor now supported his bill.
A Siena College poll showed 78 percent of New York voters — including a majority of Republicans — backed the measure.
Jacobs: ‘Time To Move Along’
May 15th - 6:36 pm
State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs confirmed the NYT report that he has tendered his resignation to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, clearing the way for the governor to select his own leader of an organization of which he became the de facto head when he was elected back in 2010.
This move is not unexepected – in fact, it has been speculated since the gubernatorial campaign when Cuomo installed his political frenemy, Charlie King, as the party’s executive director. King, as you’ll recall, worked for the governor at HUD, ran as his LG in that ill-fated 2002 race and then challenged him (and dropped out) in the 2006 AG race.
Jacobs, who was elevated by former Gov. David Paterson in 2009 over Cuomo’s objections (he replaced June O’Neill, an Eliot Spitzer holdover who had worked in the Cuomo I administration), acknowledged that his departure has been under discussion “on and off” for some time, although he insisted there was “never any urgency” to the talks.
“It’s certainly something that has been discussed. The sense was: What’s a good time for the party.”
“We’ve got a presidential election coming up, and it just seemed a better time than in late September (when his current two-year term officially ends)…You always discuss these things when you’re state chair, but listen, my political obituary has been written a lot of times already. I do like to be underestimated.”
The party hasn’t been terribly active since the 2010 campaign. I’m not sure it even has a headquarters anymore, although there are press releases sent out from time to time dinging this or that Republican or boosting this or that Democrat – particularly in the more competitive House races around the state.
One of the secrets to Jacobs success – and his longevity – has been his deep pockets and ability to tap fellow wealthy Democrats. At times, Jacobs has almost singled handedly kept the state party afloat. He told me during a brief telelphone interview that he intends to keep giving.
“I’m different than a lot of people, maybe, in politics in that I actually believe in this stuff,” Jacobs said. “So, I will continue to support the party. I like supporting the party. I don’t know that my wife likes it as much, but I sure do. I think it’s meaningful. We’ve done some great things, and you need money to get your message out.”
Jacobs said he plans to keep his hand in politics, too. He’s keeping his job as Nassau County Democratic chairman. (The fact that he had dual titles rankled some Democratic insiders). He also has his summer camp business to run, which is about to hit the high season.
Jacobs declined to comment on whom Cuomo might select – or has already selected – as his successor, but said an announcement will come “soon.” He’s due in Albany later this week for a state committee meeting, so perhaps we’ll know then.
The departing chairman also side-stepped my question about whether Cuomo will be running for president in 2016 – a move he no doubt would not make without his own hand-picked state party chairman to keep a lid on things back home.
“That I can’t comment on,” Jacobs said. “That I just don’t know.”
Cuomo Claims Victory In Espada Verdict
May 14th - 4:43 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who got the ball rolling against Pedro Espada Jr. during his stint as state attorney general, clearly feels vindicated by the jury’s conviction today of the former Senate majority leader on four counts of theft from his taxpayer-funded Bronx health clinic.
Espada has repeatedly accused Cuomo of targeting him in a political “witch hunt” in order to boost his own credentials as a erformer – a reputation on which he rode to the governor’s office in 2010 while pledging to clean up the infamously dysfunctional and corruption-ridden state Capitol.
The governor has largely declined to comment as Espada’s case wended its way through the legal system, but in the wake of today’s verdict, Cuomo released the following statement:
“As Attorney General, I brought an action against Pedro Espada for siphoning millions of dollars from a taxpayer funded not-for-profit and using the money to support a lavish lifestyle for himself, his family, and his friends, as well as for supporting his political operation. Mr. Espada was the prime example of government corruption.”
“”I worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York to initiate a criminal case, delegating my Deputy Chief of Staff, Mitra Hormozi, to become a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in order to facilitate the criminal action. These efforts between state and federal investigators culminated in today’s jury verdict, convicting Mr. Espada of multiple felonies.
“I commend the diligent work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in seeing that justice was done in this matter.
“Those who would abuse the public trust have a pointed lesson in the downfall of former Senator Espada. My comments at the time I filed the original charges bear repeating: in New York, we will have no tolerance for government corruption. As Attorney General and as Governor, I have fought to bring performance, integrity and pride back to what was, at one time, the best state government in the nation. We are making progress.
“Mr. Espada has made many accusations and comments about me since my actions began. Today the jury spoke loud and clear making Mr. Espada a convicted felon.
“The State Department of Health will continue to work with other area health care providers in the Bronx as well as the insurance plans that cover Soundview patients to ensure that those individuals will have ready access to quality health care.”
Cuomo Donates Gay Marriage Bill For Ex-Wife’s Auction
May 14th - 2:23 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has donated his signed, personal copy of the bill that legalized same-sex marriage to auction raising money for The RFK Center For Justice and Human Rights, the organization run by his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy. The highest bid as of this afternoon is $2,250.
The same-sex marriage legislation in New York is Cuomo’s crowning achievement so far as governor. The measure took on heightened significance this week after President Obama said New York’s approval of the law last June weighed heavily on his decision to say he personally support the gay marriage rites.
The bill includes the governor’s signature, frame and the pen he used to sign it.
H/t @thomaskaplan
Siena Poll And Controlling The Senate
May 14th - 12:24 pm
Republicans and Democrats this morning seem to be cherry picking from today’s Siena College poll results.
And there is indeed good news for both conferences.
For the Republicans, voters back the plan to provide sweeping tax cuts and credits to small businesses and a 46 percent approval rating of the chamber where they hold a narrow 32-29 majority — an unusually high number given the Legislature’s historically awful reputation with New Yorkers.
“Despite the fact that New York is a blue state, the Siena poll shows New Yorkers are pleased with the bipartisan results Senate Republicans have delivered,” said Senate Republican spokesman Scott Reif in a statement. “Working with the Governor, Senate Republicans have successfully controlled spending and taxes, and laid the groundwork for the creation of thousands of good jobs. We’re confident that when voters are reminded Democrats raised taxes and spending by $14 billion, and brought dysfunction and disgrace to the New York State Senate in their two disastrous years in the majority, they’ll vote overwhelmingly to keep Republicans in charge.”
But the poll also shows 56 percent of voters preferring to return Democrats to power following their tumultous 2-year term in power.
And voters across the board overwhelmingly back raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50.
“Today’s Siena Poll confirms that, by a nearly 20% margin, New Yorkers believe that Senate Democrats better represent their values,” said Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy. “Whether it is raising the minimum wage, protecting women’s health or standing up for the environment New Yorkers agree with the Senate Democrats’ agenda and prefer that the Senate returns to Democratic control this November.”
The stats on the minimum wage increase are especially stark and comparable to the sky-high approval voters had last year for imposing a cap on local property tax increases. That measure was ultimately bundled together with rent control laws for New York City. Naturally, we are watching this year to see what will be tied to the minimum wage increase.
“It even has support of 58 percent of Republicans,” said Siena College poll spokesman Steve Greenberg. “This is an issue that transcends upstate-downstate, Democrat-Republican. New Yorkers want to see an increase in the minimum wage. You generally don’t see that.”
Cross-tabulations also show 94 percent of Latino voters back the minimum wage increase.
These are eye-popping numbers. It would not be out of the realm of possibility for Senate Republicans to back a deal for a less-generous increase in order to get the issue off the table in an election year, like they did for same-sex marriage.
By the same turn, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver can could hold out and keep the minimum wage issue going in order to expand his own gigantic Democratic conference.
The Democratic-led Assembly may vote on their own minimum wage bill later this week.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has support past minimum wage increases, hasn’t taken a position on the Silver-backed bill. Administration sources said that raising the wage via executive order was looked into, but ultimately it was decided the only route was to go by legislation.
Cuomo is under zero political pressure to do a minimum wage increase this year: His name isn’t on the ballot this November.
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