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Dilan Mails DOT On Deadly Parkway Accident
May 2nd - 1:33 pm
Ranking Senate Transportation Committee member Martin Dilan today sent a letter to state Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald asking her to review safety protocols along a stretch of the Bronx River Parkway where seven family members died Sunday in a car accident.
The DOT this morning announced it would place concrete barriers along the stretch of road where the family’s car, a Honda Pilot, veered off the street and into a non-public area of the Bronx Zoo. The car, which contained three generations of a family, was traveling at mroe then 68 mph, faster than the post 50 mph speed limit.
But Dilan, D-Brooklyn, and Senate Democrats who signed the letter take issue with the lack of attention to dangerous areas along that area of the parkway.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time this segment of road has been the epicenter of tragedy. Following the initial shock of the accident, media outlets have reported accounts of similar accidents near the 177th St. exit. Additionally, your agency, in the recent past, has listed this segment of highway as exhibiting severe safety needs.
NYC GOP Chairs Meet With 2013 Hopeful Allon, Express Support For Catsimatidis
May 2nd - 1:30 pm
Four of the Five NYC GOP county chairs met last night with self-decribed “social liberal/fiscal conservative” Tom Allon, a long-shot contender in the 2013 mayor’s race who has been flirting with the idea of following the Mike Bloomberg model and running as a Republican to improve his chances in a crowded field.
The chairs, released a statement saying that Allon, who (like Rudy Giuliani, back in the day), also has the Liberal Party’s support, is “without question the most moderate, pro-business candidate in the Democratic field,” but it sounds like they’re keeping their options open, which makes sense, considering the fact that the election is still well over a year away.
According to their statement, the chairs – Queens’ Phil Ragua, Brooklyn’s Craig Eaton, Manhattan’s Dan Isaacs and Jay Savino of the Bronx (Staten Island’s Robert Scamardella was unable to attend last night’s get-together) – have been meeting on an almost monthly basis to discuss prospects in the upcoming citywide races.
After 16 years of Republican rule (and then semi-Republican, after Bloomberg changed his enrollment and became an independent) at City Hall, the chairmen are very concerned that control might revert back to the Democrats.
In a city where enrolled members of the GOP are an endangered species, it has long been a point of pride for these party leaders that the mayor had to come to them every four years and receive their blessing to run.
“Any candidate wanting to run on the Republican line for a Mayor or other citywide posts will ultimately need the support of the five chairmen, whose organizations will be critical when it comes to getting on the ballot and other grassroots functions of the campaign,” the statement asserts
“The Chairmen have met routinely with leading New York businessman and philanthropist John Catsimatidis and have also indicated an interest in talking with Ray Kelly, who, like Allon, is not currently a registered Republican. They discussed a wide variety of issues to make certain there is a synergy between their hopeful candidate and the Party base, and to make sure there will be a strong working relationship between the candidate and the Party leadership.”
“Recent news accounts have reported on efforts by some in the Republican Party, including former state GOP Chairman William Powers, to recruit Kelly. Meeting with the five chairmen will be a critical step for Kelly or any prospective candidate if he or she is serious about the possibility of running.”
“Likewise, the Chairman have discussed the pros and cons of others who’s names have been bandied about in the press as potential candidates from time to time including Diana Taylor, Dick Grasso, State Sen. Marty Golden, Eva Moskowitz and Adolfo Carrion.”
The chairmen have been “encouraging” billionaire (read: self-funder) John Catsimatidis to run. Catsimatidis, another Democrat-turned-Republican, switched his enrollment in preparation for a 2009 run for mayor, but then dropped his bid after Bloomberg announced he would seek to extend term limits and run for re-election himself.
Catsimatidis, the owner and CEO of the Red Apple Group and Gristedes Foods, has strong ties to the Queens GOP (Executive Vice Chair Vince Tabone works for him). He’s also related to state GOP Chairman Ed Cox through the marriage of his daughter, Andrea, to Cox’s son, Chris.
For several years now, Catsimatidis, who is a frequent donor/bundler for both parties at the national level, has given quite generously to the state GOP and local organizations.
Catsimatidis has said he is urging Kelly to run, but also says he will run himself if the commissioner does not. Apparently, the chairs aren’t in any rush to choose a favorite. They’re kind of enjoying this in-between stage when candidates come to seek their support.
“The chairmen hope to settle on their candidate before the fall, giving whoever the candidate is plenty of time to prepare a campaign against the eventual Democrat nominee, who is certain to be to the left of the average city voter,” the chairment stated.
“Another topic of discussion centered on whether there would be a special election for NYC Comptroller in the near future and the importance of restoring integrity and competence to that office.”
(Note that little zinger at the end directed at NYC Comptroller John Liu. There would only be a special election if he were to step down between now and 2013 – something that might occur if he’s swept up in the fundraising scandal that has yet to touch him personally. Liu has insisted he’s clean, and also said this week he plans to go “all the way” in 2013 – whatever that means).
Faced With Ulrich Challenge, Addabbo Starts Fundraising (Updated)
Apr 30th - 12:23 pm
A reader forwarded this invite to an upcoming fundraiser for Sen. Joe Addabbo, a Queens Democrat who, as of last week, is facing a spirited challenge from NYC Councilman Eric Ulrich, a GOP rising star.
When Ulrich announced his intention to run against Addabbo, it was widely noted that the senator had just $1,685.07 in his campaign account as of mid-January. DSCC spokesman Josh Scherwin said Addabbo would have the resources necessary to fight to maintain his seat, but the Democrats don’t have much in the way of resources to spread around. (In fact, they’re still in debt to the tune of $1.5 million.
Ulrich has an estimated balance of $14,669 in his NYC campaign account, according to the CFB. The city contribution limits are far lower than the state legislative limits, but I’m not sure how much of that cash he can/will transfer into a new account.
Ulrich’s decision to run surprised a number of observers, including yours truly, because up to the last minute, he was widely believed to be leaning against it.
But, as he noted during a CapTon interview on the day of his annoucnement, Ulrich has little to lose here – other than the $30,000 salary difference between a Council and Senate seat and the time he’ll spend commuting to Albany if he wins – since he’s not up for re-election until 2013.
The Addabbo event is being held on May 23 at RW Prime at the Resorts World Casino NYC. (The invite notes that Addabbo sits on the Racing and Wagering Committee). Tickets range from $500 to $2,500. (I tried to upload this rightside up, but for some reason couldn’t figure out how to do that. Blogger fail. Sorry).
UPDATE: Thanks to an intervention by Azi Paybarah, the invite is now right side up.
Stavisky: New District Is Much Like The Old One (Updated)
Apr 27th - 3:53 pm
Queens Democratic Sen. Toby Stavisky launched her re-election bid today in the newly drawn SD-16, an Asian-majority district that she said in a phone interview is very much like her old district.
“Much of the district is the same and quite frankly the issues continue,” Stavisky said moments before formally announcing her re-election campaign. “The district is culturally diverse. I’ve represented two thirds of it for the past 10 years or so. It’s a district that I’m familiar with and its diverstiy makes it interesting.”
She added, “It may be a new district without an incumbent, but it’s not a new district to me.”
Stavisky had been initially drawn into the same district by fellow Democrat Sen. Tony Avella, a primary that would been both messy and costly for the minority conference that hopes to regain the majority, but has been dealt blow after blow on redistricting this year. Up until recently, she was unsure what to do.
“I always intended to run for re-election, the only question was in which district,” Stavisky said and indicated that she had been waiting to see the outcome of the so-called sixty-third Senate seat litigation, which is currently making its way through the Court of Appeals.
A decision in that case is expected soon.
“It’s obviously been argued before the Court of Appeals, I decided I shouldn’t wait any longer,” she said.
A primary opponent is yet to be announced, but as Colin Campbell at The Observer reports, former City Council candidates S.J. Jung and Yen Chou are being eyed by Queens politicos.
Update: Campbell reminds me that there is a (non-Asian) primary challenger.
SD-16 includes parts of Flushing and Forrest Hills.
Republicans had considered drawing an Asian district during the redistricting process, in part, to entice then-Republican Councilman Peter Koo to run. Koo ultimately defected to the other side of the aisle and was scheduled to appear at Stavisky’s news conference today.
There are no Asian members of the state Senate.
Several times during the interview, Stavisky praised the new district.
“One-hundred thirty languages are spoken in the schools,” said Stavisky, the ranking minority member on the Senate Education Committee. “It’s just a wonderful sight to walk into an elementary schooln and see they’re in calss, they’re learning English and to me that’s the face of the future.”
She said whether Democrats, who have 29 seats to the Republicans’ 32 members (not counting the four-member IDC), regain the majority is matter of whether a last-minute change to the redistricting maps drawn by the GOP will come through.
“I think a lot depends on what the court says,” she said. “If we have a fair redistricting process it’s no question we take the majority. I think the Senate Democrats come November I think will be celebrating taking the majority. We’ve made mistakes in the past and these are not mistakes we are going to make again. I think we’re going to have good candidates to speak on the issues who are in touch with their constituents.”
Clarke: Threats ‘Did A Disservice’
Apr 27th - 12:16 pm
Rep. Yvette Clarke was mindful of the Gabby Giffords shooting when she reported threats made to her office to the Capitol Police.
“We’re not going to take any threats as being just minimal,” Clarke said in an interview with our NY1 colleagues.
Clarke, a Brooklyn congresswoman, said the video posted by The Blaze, a conservative news and commentary outlet run by Glenn Beck, that made her appear critical of the Tea Party movement was taken out of context.
But she said the video led some Beck followers to call her office to complain, with some making not-so-veiled threats.
“If you think we’re crazy, just wait to see what we have in store for you,” she said of the tone of one of th calls. “That was what you could infer what was said. I think these folks are doing a disservice to the organization they are apart of”
Clarke said her comments came at an endorsement meeting for candidates and was comparing the Tea Party enthusiasm that gripped segments of the Republican Party to what grassroots organization is needed in the Democratic Party.
“I was basically explaining to them what the climate is like in Washington and why I thought it was important for everyone to become actively engaged in our democracy,” she said.
But in the interview with NY1, Clarke said the calls — some of which included swearing and disparging remarks about women — reinforced some of her views toward the movement.
“My experience with them is trying to be intimidating and just really bad behavior and our office has really been inundated with people who validated that — calls that validated that,” she said.
‘Support’ Rally For Liu
Apr 26th - 5:33 pm
A reader forwarded an email invite sent by veteran Democratic consultant Bill Lynch to a “support” rally being held Monday for embattled NYC Comptroller John Liu “in light of recent investigations.”
The event is being held at a church, and Lynch is careful to note that this is NOT a campaign event, nor an effort to secure endorsements, but merely a moment to demonstrate general support for the comptroller as he battles for his political life.
Lynch’s firm, Bill Lynch Associates, served as the general consultant for Liu’s successful 2009 run for comptroller.
Liu has refused to pull the plug on his aspirations to run for NYC mayor in 2013, despite the fact that a top campaign aide was arrested in February on allegations of campaign finance fraud and a bundler was indicted on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.
It will be interesting – not to mention telling – to see who shows up Monday. Here’s Lynch’s email in full:
Dear Friends:
This Monday, April 30th, at 6:00 pm there will be a rally in support of our city’s Comptroller, John Liu, in light of recent investigations. The rally is to take place at Mother A.M.E. Zion Church located at 140-7 W. 137th Street, between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard.
This rally is not related to the Liu’s campaign and is not and endorsement effort; this is an opportunity for you to show your support for our Comptroller and stand with him during this challenging time.
We hope that you will be there and stand with us as we support our friend, John Liu. Please contact Arelis Tavares at 212-xxx-xxxx for more information or to RSVP.
Sincerely,
Bill Lynch, Jr.
Chris Ward On NYC Mayoral Run: ‘Never Say Never’
Apr 26th - 8:04 am
ICYMI: Last night on “Inside City Hall” former Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward refused to issue a Shermanesque statement ruling out a run for NYC mayor at some future date.
Here was his brief exchange on the subject with ICH host Errol Louis:
Ward: “I think I’ve said ‘no’ enough to that so maybe people are going to believe it. Look, it’s flattering. I love public life.”
Louis: “No because it’s not likely and not in the near future, or no because you just don’t ever want to do it?
Ward: “Never say never.”
That’s a consolidated version of what Ward said last October as he was on his way out the door at the Port Authority and when the speculation he might run for mayor first surfaced. At the time, he commented:
“I’m now reminded of General Sherman here at this point. Let me just say that it’s obviously extremely flattering that people would consider me for a post such as the mayor of the city of New York.”
“Given the politics of this town, it’s highly, highly unlikely that I would ever have that opportunity. But public service is what I’ve always enjoyed doing.”
Ward played a key role in overseeing rebuilding at the World Trade Center site, and was widely viewed as a competent and thorough hands-on manager.
However, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his New Jersey counterpart, Chris Christie, didn’t share that opinion.
Ward saw the writing on the wall and resigned. He now works in the private sector as executive vice president of the large international construction company Dragados.
Ward is keeping his finger in politics. He’s listed as a member of the host committee for an upcoming infrastructure-themed fundraiser for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand at which Sen. John Kerry is to be the “special guest.”
Rangel Fundraises Off Obama Student Loan Push
Apr 25th - 4:05 pm
Rep. Charlie Rangel emailed supporters today to tout his role in reducing federal student loan interest rates when he was Ways and Means chairman and lauding President Obama’s push to prevent that law from expiring this July.
The veteran Harlem Democrat, who is facing mulitple primary challengers for the second year in a row, took his “Republican colleagues” to task for refusing to heed Obama’s call for the so-called Buffett Rule to help pay for extending the measure that reduced the interest rate from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent.
“My Republican colleagues need to prioritize the future of America’s students instead of tax breaks for the wealthy,” Rangel wrote. “Average American families should not be forced to choose between their children’s education and their own financial well-being.”
“I would not be where I am today if I didn’t have the opportunity to get an education. I have co-sponsored both the Student Loan Forgiveness Act, H.R. 4170, and The American College Tax Relief Act, H.R. 3826, which would take large steps towards making college affordable. These bills would forgive loans and reduce some interest rates for millions of Americans. I hope that I can count on your support as I continue to fight to expand access to education for all Americans. “
Rangel’s email includes a link to Obama’s appearance on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” last night, during which the president joined the host in “slow jamming” the student loan news – a continuation of Obama’s obvious effort to bolster his support among young voters who were key to his election in 2008.
There’s also a link to the fundraising page on Rangel’s campaign website.
Not mentioned is the fact that Rangel hasn’t been Ways and Means chairman since the spring of 2010, when he stepped down following after an ethics panel found he had violated House gift rules by accepting corporate funding for trips to the Caribbean.
At the time, Rangel was still the subject of other ethics probes focused on his misuse of rent-controlled apartments, failure to disclose income from a villa in the Dominican Republic and allegations that he misued his office to land a $1 million gift to CUNY’s Charles Rangel Center. Rangel was later censured by the House for financial misconduct in December 2010 – just months after he won both the September primary and the November general election.
In the summer of 2010, Obama called the allegations against Rangel “very troubling,” and said he hoped the congressman would be able to “end his career with dignity” – a comment widely interpreted as a not-so-subtle push by the commander-in-chief for the congressman to retire.
But Rangel refused, and now he is again seeking re-election, facing multiple primary challengers – including Sen. Adriano Espaillat – and insisting he intends to serve out a full two-year term if the voters return him to D.C., despite persistent speculation that he will retire mid-term in hopes of controlling the selection of his successor.
The full text of Rangel’s email appears after the jump:
Addabbo Says Gay Marriage Vote A ‘Non-Issue’
Apr 25th - 4:03 pm
Sen. Joe Addabbo isn’t too concerned about how his vote in favor of same-sex marriage will play in Queens district, even as his Republican opponent Erich Ulrich tries to paint him as a “flip flopper.”
Last night on the show, Liz asked Ulrich, a major New York City supporter of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney (who has been accused of a few flip-flops in his day), how the vote in favor would play. Addabbo was one of several Democrats in the Senate who had cast no votes against the bill the last time the measure came up in 2009, but relented during last year’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo-led push.
“I think that his flip-flop on gay marriage is going to hurt him,” Ulrich said. “I don’t believe that I’ll have to bring that up. I think that that’s clear as day.”
My NY1 colleague Zack Fink caught up with Addabbo, who practically downplayed the significance of the vote.
“We vote here in Albany on well over 2,000 pieces of legislation and the marriage equality bill was to benefit a certain segment of the population,” Addabbo said. “We vote on issues like the budget which effects everybody. I think a year later from the marriage bill people realize for many it didn’t concern them and it’s a non-issue for many of the people that I speak to in my district.”
He added voters in the district care more about pocket-book issues.
“I think people are more concerned about the issues that concern them each and every day like taxes and health care,” he said.
As Liz noted this morning, the four Senate Republican yes votes have been showered with both praise and money from deep-pocketed LGBT advocates. But the Democrats who changed their votes haven’t fared as well.
Sen. Carl Kruger, who The New York Post outed in a front-page story, is no longer in office following a guilty plea in a federal corruption case. Sen. Shirley Huntley has also faced questions over her staff’s use of public dollars.
Former Sen. Bill Stachowksi of Buffalo, a “no” vote in 2009, was defeated by Sen. Tim Kennedy in a Democratic primary that saw a major effort of fundraising from gay marriage advocates. Kennedy voted for the measure.
Another Duane Re-enters Political Arena
Apr 25th - 2:47 pm
Sen. Tom Duane’s brother, John, has created a campaign committee to run for the NYC Council in the 19th CD in Queens – a district currently represented by Dan Halloran, who is the sole Republican running for Congress in the newly-drawn NY-6.
John Duane is an attorney who served in the state Assembly for a single two-year term in the 1980s, and, as he put it, “was beaten by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, who swept the Democratic district.”
He tried to return to the Assembly in 2010, running for the seat vacated by Democrat Ann-Margaret Carrozza, but lost to Ed Braunstein, a former aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and a nephew of powerful Albany lobbyist Brian Meara.
City&State’s Chris Bragg reported back in January that John Duane was mulling a potential challenge to Halloran and had started meeting with people to discuss the race. Bragg said Duane is popular in progressive labor circles and speculated that the Queens Democrats might back the former assemblyman in what could shape up to be a crowded Democratic primary in the 19th.
Democratic State Committeeman Matt Silverstein has already announced his intention to seek Halloran’s seat (assuming it still belongs to him in 2013 – if he wins in NY-6 this fall, there will be a vacancy a lot earlier). NYC Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.’s brother, Paul, who has been trying to break into the family political business for some time now, is also reportedly interested.
Community Board chairman Jerry Iannece was also reportedly a contender, although he has signaled he’s more likely to run for Rory Lancman’s seat now that Lancman is running for Congress in NY-6 and has said he won’t try to retain his current post even if he’s unsuccessful on June 26.
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