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It’s A Charlie Rangel Dance Party
Feb 22nd - 11:03 am
Rep. Charlie Rangel’s twitter account made the political world aware of this gem of a video posted to YouTube of the congressman showing off his dance moves.
But I can’t help but wonder when and if Rangel’s numerous opponents this year will re-appropriate this into some sort of an attack ad.
Grimm: I’ve Turned Over All Fundraising Documents To Justice
Feb 22nd - 8:34 am
ICYMI: During an interview with my NY1 colleague Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” last night, embattled Rep. Michael Grimm continued to defend himself against allegations in the New York Times that he engaged in illegal fundraising and questionable business practices.
The Staten Island Republican (NY-13) has repeatedly insisted he did nothing wrong and has attacked the Gray Lady for what he says was politically motivated and shoddy reporting.
Grimm, a former FBI agent, said he has undertaken a campaign to clear his name, which includes voluntarily compiling and turning over all his fundraising documents to the US Justice Department.
“As soon as this happened – my name means more to me than my political career – the first thing I did was assemble a team to reach out to Justice, the Department of Justice, to the FEC, and to Congressional Ethics,” the congressman told Louis.
“And they said: Well, why do you want to be so proactive? I said: Because this is my name. My name means more to me than the political arena. I want you to initiate constructive contact, engage them now, and put together all of my documents, every single contribution, and give it over.”
“That’s what I want, because otherwise, how do I clear my name? Do you think the New York Times when it comes back that I’m exonerated, you think they’re going to put that on the front page? We all know they’re not. So it’s up to me to initiate these contacts.”
“It’s all being compiled now, it’s given to my team, and my team has already made contact. How much they’ve already given, that’s up to the relevant agencies how they take possession of the documents, and we’re giving over stuff as we’re compiling it.”
Grimm also again rejected reports that he is no longer a surrogate for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, saying he hasn’t yet heard from the former Massachusetts governor and was never an official representative of his White House bid anyway because he doesn’t have enough time to do that.
Grimm campaigned for Romney in New Hampshire and Florida and appeared on national TV shows (and Capital Tonight) during the run-up to the Granite State primary to defend the candidate after his “I like be able to fire people” gaffe.
The congressman also told Louis that he had asked his political mentor, former Staten Island BP Guy Molinari, to remove himself and Rep. Nan Hayworth from the list of Romney’s national GOP convention delegates long before the NYT stories broke, reasoning that they would have floor passes as House members and should make room for people without that privilege.
UB Officials: We Weren’t Involved In NYPD Muslim Student Surveillance
Feb 19th - 11:26 am
The University of Buffalo released the following statement in response to an Associated Press report on widespread surveillance by the NYPD of Muslim college students attending higher ed institutions far outside the limits of New York City – including some at UB:
“This was the first time that the university learned of this matter. University at Buffalo officials were not contacted by NYPD, and the university did not provide any information to the NYPD.”
“UB does not conduct this kind of surveillance, and, if asked, UB would not voluntarily cooperate with such a request.”
“As a public university, UB strongly supports the values of freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of religion, and a reasonable expectation of privacy. UB welcomes students, faculty and staff from a wide range of diverse backgrounds.”
“The university is committed to ensuring equal employment, educational opportunity, and equal access to services, programs, and activities without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or ex-offender status.”
The AP story cites a NYPD intelligence report from Jan. 2, 2009 that described a trip by three NYC officers to Buffalo, where they met with a high-ranking member of the Erie County Sheriff’s Department and agreed “to develop assets jointly in the Buffalo area, to act as listening posts within the ethnic Somalian community.”
According to this report, the sheriff’s department official noted “that there are some Somali Professors and students at SUNY-Buffalo and it would be worthwhile to further analyze that population.” An NYPD spokesman said the department did not follow that recommendation.
Another NYPD report dated Nov. 22, 2006 indicated officers fro the department’s Cyber Intelligence unit visited the websites, blogs and forums of Muslim student associations as a “daily routine” at a number of universities, including Syracuse University and four SUNY schools: Stonybook, Potsdam, Albany and Buffalo.
A UB student who was a Muslim Student Association board member ended up in a police report for forwarding an email in 2006 about an Islamic conference in Toronto.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Department issued this statement:
“Some of the most dangerous Western Al Qaeda linked/inspired terrorists since 9/11 were radicalized and/or recruited at Muslim Student Associations.”
“As a result, the NYPD deemed it prudent to get a better handle on what was occurring at MSA’s via open sources like websites – hence we lawfully assembled reports under Handshu guidelines on same in 2006 and 2007.”
“We were focused on radicalization and/or recruitment specifically by groups like Al Muhajiroun, Islamic Thinkers Society, Revolution Muslim and others.”
Caucus Weekend: Defending Liu, Treading Lightly With Cuomo
Feb 19th - 10:48 am
The Hotel Albany (formerly the Crowne Plaza) was crowded last night as caucus weekend participants schmoozed, sipped and munched their way through the numerous receptions that are the hallmark of this annual event.
The evening kicked off with a cheese, fruit and hors d’oeuvres event hosted by NYC Comptroller John Liu in honor of organized labor.
The room was packed with union members – including UFT President Michael Mulgrew – and sundry supporters of Liu, who has had a rocky several months thanks to multiple investigations into his fundraising practices that so far have resulted in one indictment.
(Xing Wu Pan, a major Liu bundler, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud charges during his arraignment in Downtown Manhattan on Saturday).
No mention was made of Liu’s troubles, which he has insisted will not deter him from running for NYC mayor in 2013, until Sen. Eric Adams took to the podium.
Adams likened Liu’s election in 2009 as NYC’s first citywide Asian-American official to the election of President Obama in 2008, telling the largely black crowd that the comptroller’s elevation meant the same thing to the Asian community as the former Illinois senator’s breaking of racial barriers did to their own.
The Brooklyn Democrat, never one to be shy about speaking his mind, directly addressed what he called the “pink elephant in the room,” seeming to suggest that Liu’s troubles and the harsh media coverage has a racial component. (Adams isn’t alone in expressing this sentiment).
Adams, who’s planning a run for Brooklyn borough president in 2013, called Liu a “great comptroller” and urged the crowd to sing his praises because “other folks are off key.”
He lamented the fact that Liu’s children have to see negative coverage of their father, and the comptroller later admitted he has had to explain some stories to his 6-year-old son, Joey, who has taken to reading the editorial pages.
That was the only passing reference Liu made about the cloud hanging over his head.
He preferred to stick to happier topics, like the hot streak of Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. Liu said Lin’s success has made him particularly proud because it proves something he has been saying “my whole life,” that Asian-Americans aren’t “just math nerds.”
Senate GOP’s ‘Tremendous’ Investment In Storobin: $67K? (Updatedx3)
Feb 17th - 12:53 pm
Earlier this week, David Storobin, the Republican running in the March 20 special election for ex-Sen. Carl Kruger’s old seat, confidentally announced at a Brooklyn Young Republican meeting that the Senate majority is putting a “tremendous” amount of money into his campaign, adding: “In the last ten years, all of the money that all of the other candidates got times ten is not even close to what we’re getting.”
According to the 32-day pre-special election filing that Storobin’s campaign just posted, the SRCC has transferred just $27,000 into his campaign to date, with just over a month remaining in this race. UPDATE1: The Senate Republican Campaign Committee’s filing is now up, and reflects $40,353 worth of spending on Storobin’s behalf. That’s still not a lot compared to what the GOP has spent on past specials. No word yet on what the state GOP has spent.
The deadline for filings reporting spending on the March 20 special elections (there are five – this Senate race and four Assembly contests) is today. So far, no SRCC reports are appearing on the state Board of Elections website, so it’s possible there are direct expenditures on the race by the committee on Storobin’s behalf that haven’t yet appeared on-line.
Storobin also received $500 from the Kings County Conservative Party. No individual senators – not even Majority Leader Dean Skelos – contributed a dime.
The attorney and political newcomer loaned $50,000 to his campaign. He also owes $18,000 to Danu Media for a “radio contract.”
Overall, Storobin started this period, which started on Jan. 15, with $112,062 on hand. He raised $50,991 and spent $34,653. He has $128,400 on hand.
The filing for Storobin’s Democratic opponent, NYC Councilman Lew Fidler, isn’t yet on-line. As of mid-January, he had $406,070 on hand.
UPDATE2: Fidler’s spokeswoman Jennifer Krinsky sent over this comment:
“With claims of campaign donations that don’t exist and disappearing blog rants, Mr. Storobin seems better suited to run for Senator of Fantasyland than in Brooklyn.”
UPDATE3: A reader forwarded this mailer that was sent on Storobin’s behalf. But according to the fine print, it was paid for by the state GOP, not the Senate Republicans. To be fair, they could be waiting for the final weeks of the campaign for a last-minute blitz of cash on Storobin’s behalf.
But since Fidler is favored to win this special election, perhaps the GOP is husbanding its (considerable) resources for the main event this fall and hoping to get rid of him through redistricting.
Addabbo Mails Kelly: More Cops Needed For Ozone Park
Feb 17th - 11:42 am
Queens Democratic Sen. Joseph Addabbo writes in a letter to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly that there’s a need for more police officers in the 106th precinct given both the rise in crime in the area and the potential for a new convention center and casino near the Aqueduct Racetrack.
Addabbo also writes that there’s been a rise in crime in the area, and predicts that more than 100,000 additional people will come to the area should the casino be built.
The letter was sent Feb. 8.
The convention center in Queens, meant to replace the Jacob Javits Center, is the centerpiece of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s agenda this year. It is being built on state-owned property, but Genting New York is paying for all construction costs.
A Quinnipiac survey this week found that New York voters support building the convention center, 49 to 39 percent. Though Cuomo insists it won’t cost any public dollars, New Yorkers by a margin of 50 to 37 percent think it will wind up costing taxpayers a lot of money. But the same poll also found 60 percent think it will be ultimately good for the economy.
Teacher Evaluation, Appeal Deals Amendments
Feb 16th - 6:57 pm
Get ‘em while they’re hot.
So far, we’ve only seen the education-related 30-day amendments. Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said this afternoon that other amendments would:
- Make technical changes to the solar equipment tax exemption for the leasing of equipment and the Green Jobs/Green NY programs, and add fiscal notes related to the creation of a Tier VI pension benefit for newly hired employees.
- Make modifications to the Excess Medical Malpractice Liability Coverage Pool to conform eligibility requirements to the intent of the program and allow the Pool to operate within the funding level reflected in the Executive Budget.
- Insert language to restore the farm vehicle hours-of-service exemption while maintaining compliance with the Federal motor carrier guidelines.
- Duplicate in the appropriation bill the language already contained within the Executive Budget affecting preschool special education and summer school special education.
Here’s the amendment – released five hours before the midnight deadline – that includes the teacher evaluation system deal struck by SED and NYSUT and announced with great fanfare this afternoon by leaders of the teachers unions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Education Commissioner John King:
…and here’s the amendment that includes the appeals process for NYC teachers.
This was a major sticking point between the UFT and the Bloomberg administration. Cuomo said this afternoon that with this out of the way, he didn’t see why the two sides wouldn’t be able to come to a deal on other outstanding issues, but the mayor’s decision to continue his push to close, reorganize and reopen 33 NYC schools is likely going to be an obstacle. The UFT says it’s reviewing its legal options.
All the amendments will be posted here “shortly,” according to Vlasto.
DLCC Emails For Fidler
Feb 15th - 2:19 pm
The increasingly ugly battle for the Brooklyn Senate seat vacated by Carl Kruger has attracted national attention as the clock ticks down to the March 20 special election.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee emailed a fundraising appeal this afternoon on behalf of the Democratic candidate, NYC Councilman Lew Fidler, calling this race “the front line in the battle to retake one of the most important legislative chambers in the country” and “one of the most important elections for progressives anywhere in the country between now and the Wisconsin recalls.”
“Lew is asking voters for their support for one primary purpose: so he can join with those fighting to make all of New York’s government accountable to its people,” wrote DLCC National Political Director John Winston. “That makes Lew a threat to the GOP establishment and their lone, historic foothold in New York – the State Senate where they hold a narrow 2-seat majority.”
“… Republicans can’t afford to let reform-minded Democrats like Lew Fidler win this year. Like they are across the country, right-wing extremists in New York are ignoring the struggles of middle class families, and instead they’re leading a vicious, sustained attack against reproductive rights and equal access to healthcare for women of all ages.”
“The GOP Majority is cutting backroom deals and doling out special interest giveaways to the state’s worst polluters. But Democrat Lew Fidler has earned the trust of his community in this conservative leaning South Brooklyn district through his long track record of putting government to work for the people and advocating for seniors, students and taxpayers.”
Seems like they’re laying it on a bit thick, especially considering the Democratic enrollment edge in SD27. Fidler is favored to win in March, what will happen to him after that is anyone’s guess, thanks to ongoing redistricting batte.
The Senate GOP’s plan redrew Fidler into Minority Leader John Sampson’s district, dividing Kruger’s old district between Sens. Diane Savino, Marty Golden and a new so-called “super Jewish” district. Fidler has insisted he will be running for re-election – assuming he defeats his GOP special election opponent, David Storobin – regardless of what ultimately hapens with the lines.
Lhota Apologizes To Perkins (Updated)
Feb 14th - 2:42 pm
Here’s something you don’t often see in these overheated political times: One high-profile public official apologizing to another for some less-than-flattering comments he made in a news report.
The apologizer is MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, who made some very disparaging remarks in this morning’s New York Times about Sen. Bill Perkins, an outspoken Harlem Democrat who is pushing to pass legislation that would ban food consumption on the NYC subway system.
Perkins’ target is rats. Lhota opposes the ban even though both he and the senator have spent the better part of a decade trying to address Big Apple’s rodent problem. Lhota was even known as the “rat czar” during the Giuliani years when he served as a deputy mayor.
In the NYT report, Perkins was very laudatory of Lhota, crediting him for helping get a so-called “rat summit” at Columbia University in 2000 off the ground, (Perkins was a NYC councilman at the time; Lhota testified at the event).
But the newly-minted MTA chairman, who was unanimously confirmed by the Senate back in January despite the fact that the MTA is an authority many lawmakers – particularly a few Senate Dems – love to hate, did not return the favor.
“The idea that we worked together in the past goes far beyond the reality,” Lhota said of the senator. “As a legislator, he does nothing but talk and talk and talk, and he does nothing.”
This afternoon, however, Lhota changed his tune, issuing the following statement:
“I would like to apologize to Senator Perkins for my comments in the NY Times today. Bill is an excellent legislator with great constituent services, and I share his commitment to addressing the problem of rat proliferation in New York City.”
“Though we agree on many rat related issues, we disagree on banning food on the subways. I have a great deal of respect for Senator Perkins.”
UPDATE: Actually, this wasn’t an entirely unprovoked act of contrition by Lhota, as Sen. Adriano Espaillat called for an apology earlier today, saying:
“Commissioner Lhota should be focused on improving subway services, not taking on elected officials. Last I checked, it was part of the MTA commissioner’s job to collaborate, not pick fights with state legislators.”
“Commissioner Lhota’s remarks in the New York Times are immature and counterproductive. Whether or not you agree with Senator Perkins’, or any other senator’s legislation, it’s inappropriate to level personal attacks, instead of focusing on the issues. I urge Commissioner Lhota to offer Senator Perkins an apology and get back to work, fixing the MTA.”
‘Why Do Some Politicians Go After Teachers?’
Feb 13th - 6:25 am
The UFT is out with an ad that continues the latest trend: Shooting the message, but avoiding the messenger.
The 30-second spot, which features a number of real-life educators lauding their students’ achievements and a cameo by UFT President Mike Mulgrew, does not address any specific woes. Instead, it laments “some politicians,” who shall remain nameless, and their propensity to “go after teachers.”
It’s well-known that the UFT is locked in battle with the Bloomberg administration over the creation of a teacher evaluation system, leading Gov. Andrew Cuomo to threaten to force the issue in the 2012-13 budget, and is also none too pleased – along with its fellow unions – with the Tier 6 proposal Cuomo has proposed.
Yet this ad makes no mention of any of that, despite the fact that Thursday is the deadline set by the governor to automatically amend his executive budget to unilaterally impose teacher-evaluation requirements statewide.
The ad starts airing today on broadcast stations and cable television networks in the New York area. In addition to running on NY1, it will appear during the Today Show, Good Morning America, Morning Joe, Top Chef, Project Runway, Jeopardy , David Letterman, the Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, Conan, and Rangers and Knicks games,
The broadcast buy is designed to reach more than 8 million broadcast and cable TV viewers multiple times, according to the UFT. The spot was produced by Shorr, Johnson and Magnus Strategic Media.
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