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David Paterson
You Know Things Are Really Bad When…
Apr 14th - 9:49 am
…someone creates a new cocaine-related iPhone app that includes a special “New York Governor” mode.
Yeah. That’s us, the laughing stock of the app world. Look for the SNL/Fred Armisen shout-out.
(NOTE: This YouTube video may not be suitable for viewing by minors, but it’s a heck of a lot cleaner than anything GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino may or may not have forwarded).
It All Depends On How You Ask The Question
Apr 14th - 8:49 am
New Yorkers either really hate the so-called “fat tax” proposed by Gov. David Paterson, or they think it’s a really great idea.
That’s basically the upshot of a somewhat less-than definitive today’s Q poll, which found voters oppose “obesity tax or a fat tax on non-diet sugary soft drinks,” 66-31, unless they’re told the proceeds would be used to fund health care.
When the question is posed that way, voters are split – 48-49 – on the measure.
Interestingly, white voters are more opposed (72-26) than blacks (51-43). Fat tax advocates have been arguing that the obesity epidemic is fueled in large part by the over-consumption of sugary beverages, and low-income/minority communities are hit the hardest. Perhaps that campaign is having some effect.
Not surprisingly, parents of children under 18 shift from 66-32 opposed to 53-46 when told the revenue generated by the fat tax would be used to pay for health care (including, according to the Paterson administration, anti-obesity programs).
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Some Swipes From Silver
Apr 12th - 2:21 pm
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver isn’t taking too kindly to Gov. David Paterson’s suggestions that the Legislature is to blame for the extremely. slow. budget. negotiations.
NY1′s Erin Billups caught up with Silver outside his office at the rear of the Assembly chamber this afternoon. The speaker said his house will pass the second round of bare bones budget extenders sent up by the governor because “we can’t afford to allow hospitals to lose their Medicaid payments and other people to not get paid; plain and simple.”
Silver insisted progress is being made on the budget – “Very slowly, but we’re moving,” he said. “It’s slow. These are difficult times.” He said the Senate and Assembly have achieved about $6 billion in savings between cuts and revenues, which puts them about $3.2 billion apart.
And that, he said, is without borrowing.
That’s about the same place the two sides were as of April 9, according to CapCon’s Jimmy Vielkind, so it’s kind of hard to see where progress is actually being made here.
Nevertheless, Silver said Paterson’s characterization of the Senate-Assembly budget stalemate is “inaccurate,” adding:
“If he would only talk to his budget director and get the story on what was originally presented and where we are today, I think those number indicate that we’ve cut more.”
Asked by Billups if it’s possible the legislative leaders might heed Paterson’s call to keep their members in Albany through the end of the week in hopes of landing a deal, Silver replied:
“It’s possible. But certainly if he’s in Cortland…The Legislature is here. So, you know, we have been doing our work. I suggest that we’re been here more than the governor.”
Powell’s Theory
Apr 12th - 2:02 pm
Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV today appeared to embrace the so-called “Paterson exit strategy” theory that first surfaced last fall, which more or less entails his opponent, Rep. Charlie Rangel, getting re-elected and sticking around just long enough to hand-pick his successor – perhaps providing a landing place for the embattled governor.
While Powell didn’t suggest outright Gov. David Paterson would be the beneficiary of this strategy, he was not shy about sharing his suspicion that the former Ways & Means Committee chair will run, win, resign and then pick his replacement through political dealmaking.
“When you run for two years – for a two year term, you’re supposed to stay there for two years,” Powell said at his campaign announcement this morning, which was covered by NY1′s Josh Robin.
“Rather than running with the idea that already you’re trying to figure out how you’re gonna manipulate the process with a county committee and all of that to put somebody else in there. That is not right.”
A similar political sleight-of-hand could be accomplished if Rangel files petitions and then declines the nomination, enabling his committee on vacancies to select a candidate to run in his stead. In this case, however, it’s highly unlikely Paterson would be tapped, since he has too much baggage to run for his own job, let alone someone else’s.
Gov To Legislature: Please Stick Around (Updated)
Apr 12th - 1:01 pm
Gov. David Paterson said earlier today that he will ask state lawmakers not to depart Albany midweek as planned and instead remain at the Capitol in hopes of hammering out a deal on the 2010-2011 state budget, which is now almost two full weeks late.
Paterson himself was not in Albany this morning. Instead, he traveled to Cortland State, where he announced the Jets will be returning to summer training camp there (this is very big news for Central NY).
YNN’s Katie Gibas was at the governor’s press conference, and sent the following comments from Paterson, who was asked for a budget update:
“I am going to ask lawmakers to stay longer in the week,” the governor said. We have got to get this done. I think this budget can be passed in two weeks if we put ourselves into it.”
“But the most difficult part of passing the budget doesn’t involve time, it involves understanding that you just can’t keep hesitating or dithering or ignoring the fact that the state is in dire financial state. There are tough decisions, cuts that need to be made. Programs that have to be reduced. And a budget that needs to be balanced. It’s not time that creates that decision. It’s understanding. Commitment. And duty to the public.”
Paterson said he plans to speak with the legislative leaders today and signaled that he is losing his patience.
Cuomo Parts Ways With Darrison
Apr 12th - 12:18 pm
As he ramps up his all-but-announced campaign for governor, AG Andrew Cuomo has severed ties with fundraiser Cindy Darrison as of March, Darrison confirmed.
“They hired up full-time people, and I’m continuing to help; I’m putting together some tables for a Women for Cuomo event,” explained Darrison, who noted she now has no statewide clients – a fact about which she is actually “relieved” because “it has been an emotionally trying two years.”
It has actually been longer than that.
Darrison has been pretty much working non-stop since the Eliot Spitzer days. She raised money for him during the eight years of his tenure in the AG’s office and then in 2006 for his gubernatorial run. She departed Spitzerland not long after his election, but was brought back by Paterson in April 2008 after he ascended to replace Spitzer in the governor’s office.
Bill ‘Nice Guy’ Samuels For LG
Apr 12th - 11:21 am
Bill Samuels formally kicked off his LG campaign this morning, pledging to fight in a Democratic primary battle against the running mate of presumptive gubernatorial contender, AG Andrew Cuomo, if necessary.
Samuels is running on a “five pillars of reform” platform (redistricting, member items, outside income etc. – the usual), but insists he’s not a protest candidate and is in the race to win. The one thing he won’t do, however, is fight dirty.
Samuels has hired Ben Kallos (that’s Mr. Open Legislation, to you) to do “research,” stressing that “research” does not mean “oppo,” which he finds “boring.” (Interestingly, Kallos last worked for Mark Green’s 2009 public advocate campaign, during which Green said he swore off oppo, too).
Samuels said he notified Cuomo and Gov. David Paterson that he intends to run for LG, but hasn’t spoken to either of them in detail about his plans. He insisted he will go to the convention next month – “I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, I’m running against the entire party,’” – but will petition he way onto the ballot if necessary.
“I’m sure Cuomo will pick someone who is good and that person will probably have a different definition of how the lieutenant governor can play a constructive roll,” Samuels said. “…And to have a debate on the sate Senate president will be healthy.”
(Samuels also plans on running for the Senate president job, which the LG traditionally holds, presiding over the chamber and breaking ties, if necessary – although there’s been some debate over when he can cast that vote).
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