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Amedore On That District (Supposedly) Designed Just For Him
Jan 25th - 3:34 pm
The mythical 63rd Senate district, about which much has been written, but nothing concrete has been seen as of yet (thank-you, LATFOR!) was reportedly drawn with GOP Assemblyman George Amedore in mind.
That’s an obvious conclusion, since the new district apparently includes, by the assemblyman’s own assessment, about 99 percent of his current Assembly district. But, Amedore cautioned, that’s going on the report that appeared in yesterday’s TU. He insists he has no inside information on the Senate GOP’s actual plan – or when it might be released, for that matter.
UPDATE: In the interest of fairness, Newsday’s Yancy Roy was actually first with the news of the 63rd seat’s location in the Schenectady area. Props.
Amedore’s interest in running for the Senate is well known. He told me he made his aspirations clear to the Senate Republicans some time ago, just in case his current senator, Sen. Hugh Farley, might be inclined to retire. (So far, no dice).
However, the assemblyman took issue with the suggestion that the 63rd seat has been created just for him, insisting he had no input into the process.
“I’ve got to be honest, I keep hearing that from various people. (The Republicans) didn’t come to me and say, ‘Hey, look!’…Looking at that diagram of that district, and then you do some overall numbers looking at the demographics, right now that enrollment looks more Democrat than it does Republican. People say, ‘Oh, it was designed for you!’ I don’t see that to be the case.”
“I’m certainly interested. I’ll be looking at it more closely Let’s see what happens with the see. Again, I’m honored to be able to serve the people in my community. If this seat was to come about, and I would be able to do more for them, then I think it’s something I should take a look at.”
Amedore was first elected in a (very expensive) special election battle for former Assemblyman Paul Tonko’s old seat back in 2007. (Tonko left to become a member of the Spitzer administration, and has since become a congressman, holding a seat that used to belong to ex-Rep. Mike McNulty).
His win was viewed as a big loss for the Democrats, who have tried to no avail to win back the seat.
Senate GOP ‘Head Fake’ In Queens? (Updated)
Jan 25th - 12:49 pm
There was a lot of anxious talk this morning about the new Asian-majority district the Senate GOP reportedly plans to create with its base in Flushing, Queens, (as per the DN), which has the potential to create a head-to-head contest between a veteran Senate Democrat and one of the minority conference’s newest members.
A source told the DN that there is no incumbent lawmaker living within the confines of this new disitrict, so the community will be able to “elect a candidate of their choosing.” (Oh, if only LATFOR had put out its maps like we thought it was going to this morning!)
From what I’ve been able to gather, the carving out of this new district could end up pitting Sen. Toby Stavisky, who was elected in 1999; against Sen. Tony Avella, a freshman who ousted former GOP Sen. Frank Padavan in 2010.
This would put the Democrats in a pretty awkward situation.
First of all, they spent a lot of money to get Avella, a former NYC councilman, into the Senate, and his victory was a big deal at the time, particularly since Avella’s former colleague, NYC Councilman Jim Gennaro, had come so close to ousting Padavan in 2008.
Second, both Avella and Stavisky are clients of The Parkside Group, a Queens-based political consulting firm that has been favored by the Senate Democrats for several years now. Further complicating matters is the fact that Stavisky is the mother of one of Parkside’s founding partners, Evan Stavisky.
However, things are equally complicated on the GOP side of the aisle. For example, the candidate the Republicans had hoped to run in this new district, NYC Councilman Peter Koo, just defected from the GOP and joined up with the Democrats.
At Koo’s official Democratic coming out early this week, he did not say whether he intended to seek re-election to his Council seat in 2013 or run for some other office. UPDATE: A Republican with knowledge of the majority’s plans insisted Koo was never the preferred candidate for the new Asian district.
Another blow for the Senate GOP: NYC Councilman Dan Halloran, whom the majority hoped to run against Avella, seems disinterested in the idea. Now there’s a report today that Padavan might be interested in making a comeback even though he suffered a mild stroke after his loss in 2010. That would be a seriously fascinating rematch.
While we’re waiting for LATFOR to get its act together, the Queens Democrats are trying to take the long view on whatever the new lines might bring. One party insider reminded me that the last round of redistricting initially put Stavisky into a head-to-head with fellow Democratic Sen. Dan Hevesi (son of former Comptroller Alan Hevesi). Dan Hevesi ended up not seeking re-election, but the district lines in the final version didn’t look like they were originally proposed, either.
“Nothing’s real until there’s actually lines approved by courts,” the insider told me. “The Senate Republicans may be trying to create mischief…A lot of this is just a head fake. In the end, we’ll figure it out.”
Local Medicaid Cost Creates Potential Budget Sticking Point
Jan 20th - 8:19 am
ICYMI: Sen. Patrick Gallivan told me on CapTon last night that he has no plan to drop his push for a full state takeover of the local share of Medicaid just because Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered counties half a loaf in his budget proposal.
Gallivan said he expects his bill, which has bipartisan support and some 70 co-sponsors, will be approved by members of the Social Services Committee (which he chairs) next week.
“The budget’s not done yet,” the freshman WNY GOP lawmaker said. “The governor introduced it; it’s a starting point for discussion.”
“We, of course, will work to provide some more immediate relief rather than waiting until the second quarter for counties of 2013, and a greater amount, a quicker takeover of the increase of the local share – a freeze.”
After Gallivan et al first debuted their bill last year, Cuomo flatly rejected it.
The governor said state doesn’t have sufficient funds to fully assume the county portion of Medicaid – something only a handful of states have – not even under the slow, phased-in approach over eight years that Gallivan championed.
In his budget, Cuomo proposed taking over the growth in the counties’ share of Medicaid costs – a move that he says would save them $1.2 billion over five years.
Later on in the CapTon interview, Gallivan called Cuomo’s partial takeover plan a “good place to start.”
That sentiment was echoed by his colleague, Sen. Jim Seward, who told Gannett’s Jon Campbell earlier this week:
“(Cuomo) opened the door, but I’d like to be much more aggressive than the governor has suggested in his budget when it comes to Medicaid.”
Senate Democrats, Republicans Spar Over Womens Health Resolution
Jan 19th - 2:44 pm
In a sign that the 2012 legislative session will feature sharp (and partisan) battles in the Senate, Democrats are accusing the GOP majority of trying to edit out references to abortion, reproductive rights and contraceptives in a largely symbolic resolution calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare next week “Reproductive Rights and Justice Week.
Democrats said at a news conference after the short session ended today that Republican rejected language in a proposed resolution, but then sent back their own edited version of the measure which largely included pabulum-like language promoting health and good eating habits.
“We submitted it on Friday and then late yesterday we were given a friendly alternative suggestion,” said Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan.
She added: “This was part of a national exercise of legislators coming together and saying, let’s bring this to the floor for a vote. And let’s be honest: as you look around the halls of capitols around the country, reproductive rights are under attack.”
Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Queens, said it’s unusual for a measure to be edited by the majority, who said the proposed resolution uses the word “abortion” only once.
“I don’t remember if we’ve ever been shut out of resolutions on reproductive health rights,” Stavisky said.
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, refuted the Democrats’ version of the events. Spokesman Mark Hansen called the claims “pure politics” and that the resolution failed to follow proper legislative guidelines.
“The Senate Majority never rejected their resolution,” he said. “The Democrats agreed with us that their proposed resolution didn’t adhere to guidelines, agreed on by the Majority and Minority, because it was based on opinions, not facts. The resolution guidelines are the same ones the Democrats used when they were in the Majority. The Senate Minority counsel asked us to help them draft a resolution that would meet the guidelines. As part of that process we suggested acting on a resolution in May during Women’s Health Week, but the Democrats refused.”
Mike Murphy, a spokesman for the Democrats, emailed to refute that claim as well.
“The Republicans are playing a game of smoke and mirrors and refuse to even discuss women’s reproductive health,” he said. “To say our resolution is based on opinion rather than fact is offensive.”
This is likely the first shot of many the two conferences will take this year, a highly charged political environment that includes redistricting and the possibility of a Democratic takeover of the chamber. Republicans control the Senate 32-29 with a one seat vacancy, but have allied with the four-member Independent Democratic Conference.
How Ruben Diaz Gives Senate Dems Heartburn In 291 Words
Jan 18th - 5:05 pm
Sen. Ruben Diaz admits he’s not a professional pundit or strategist, but he felt compelled to explain this afternoon why he and his Senate Democrats are in trouble and possibly won’t realize their quest to re-take the majority.
The Bronx Democrat says that:
*Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer’s retirement makes regaining the majority difficult.
*There’s a good chance NYC Councilman Lew Fidler will lose the March 20 special election to replace erstwhile Diaz amigo and former senator, Carl Kruger.
*The Independent Democratic Conference is highly unlikely to return to the fold unless the leadership (ie John Sampson et al) starts negotiating with Sen. Jeff Klein et al ASAP and agrees to give them pretty much anything they want.
Here’s the full missive:
“I am not a political analyst, I am not a political consultant, neither am I a political strategist, but looking at our recent situation as Democrats in the New York State Senate, I cannot refrain from putting in my two cents.”
“Can our leadership re-claim the Majority in the next year’s election? From what I see, this is not impossible, but it will be very difficult due to the fact that Senator Oppenheimer is resigning and I am very concerned that her seat might be won by a Republicans and the Democrats could lose that seat. Also, with Senator Carl Kruger’s resignation, that open seat might also be in jeopardy – there is a very good chance that a Republican may win that seat also.”
“There are other Senate seats occupied by Democrats throughout the state that might be in jeopardy. Aside from that, I believe that the four Senate Independent Democrats will never come back just to be simple Members of the Democratic Conference.”
“This is my opinion, and my advice for the Democratic leadership in New York State and in the State Senate: They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.”
“Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back. The leadership needs to start this conversation now – before it’s too late. Otherwise, I am afraid that we will never see the Majority again.”
“These are my two cents.”
Espada Indicted – Again
Jan 18th - 8:19 am
Former Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. and his son, Pedro G., were indicted yet again for allegedly bilking hundreds of thousands of dollars from their healthcare network, Soundview, which received both federal and state funding.
The superseding indictment that appears below was handed down late yesterday.
It adds two counts of false statement (basically allegedly the former Bronx lawmaker lied to the federal government about profits realized by a janitorial services company he and his son had set up to contract with Soundview and his own compensation) to the litany of charges the Espadas are facing – all of which they deny.
Arraignment will be next Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m.
Grisanti Still Reaping Gay Marriage ‘Yes’ Vote Rewards (Updated)
Jan 17th - 3:49 pm
Sen. Mark Grisanti has raised a whopping $246,687 since the November general election, the bulk of which came from deep pocketed donors who supported Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s successful push to legalize same-sex marriage in which the WNY Republican lawmaker played a key role.
Grisanti, who has voluntarily filed six financial reports with the state Board of Elections since September even though he didn’t run for re-election this year, started out with $72,642, spent $35,056 and now has $284,273 on hand.
The senator’s individual donors included: Charles McDonald, of Virginia, who maxed out at $16,800; former Giuliani administration Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro ($500); Cory Singer and his husband, Andrew Singer, who is the son of hedge fund manager and GOP donor Paul Singer ($16,800 each); Martin Geller, Mayor Blomberg’s accountant who frequently gives campaign contributions to candidates the mayor supports ($5,000).
Grisanti also received two $16,800 contributions from Intrust Wealth Management, based in Witchita, KA. The cash was directed to the senator by conservative Tea Party funded David Koch and his wife, Julie.
The senator transferred $24,000 to the SRCC. He should probably keep up the fundraising, since he’s a top target of the DSCC this fall. Although, it’s unlikely that Gov. Andrew Cuomo would actively campaign against Grisanti – or any of the other three Republicans who voted “yes” on gay marriage: Steve Saland, Jim Alesi and Roy McDonald – no matter how much the Senate Democrats want to flip the chamber back into their own hands.
As we’ve previously reported, Saland raked in more than $425,000 over the past six months, much of it coming from pro-gay marriage advocates – including the Kochs and the Singers (father Paul maxed out at $16,800 in the Hudson Valley Republican’s case, too).
UPDATE: A reader points out that 10 checks from individuals are for the double-max (primary & general) of $16,800. For each of those, only $10,300 can be used in a general election, so $65,000 of what Grisanti has is unusable in a general election.
SD37 Fundraising Numbers
Jan 17th - 12:03 pm
Republican Bob Cohen, who plans to run again for the seat his 2010 Democratic target, Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, is giving up at the end of the year, has a healthy $210,221 on hand, according to his Jan. 15 financial filing.
Cohen didn’t stop fundraising after he came within several hundred votes of ousting Oppenheimer, taking in $112,817 since mid-July.
But he also still owes himself $135,000 from his unsuccessful campaign. Cohen’s surprisingly strong showing in 2010 and his ability to self fund make him a very attractive candidate for the GOP.
Assemblyman George Latimer, who is being mentioned as the likely Democratic candidate for Oppenheimer’s seat, has just $66,307 on hand.
Latimer raised just $60,881 over the past six months and spent $38,744. No doubt he would ramp up his fundraising considerably if he’s tapped by the Democrats to run in what is likely to be a key swing district in the re-match for the majority.
Fidler On Senate GOP Criticism: ‘That’s Just Silly’
Jan 16th - 4:28 pm
Democratic Senate hopeful Lew Fidler kicked off his campaign to replace the disgraced former lawmaker Carl Kruger by addressing the criticism leveled by Republicans, namely that holding the event on the steps of City Hall makes him some sort of Albany insider akin to the hapless House candidacy of David Weprin.
“I know the Senate Republicans said that we are coming to City Hall today because I’m being supported by a bunch of insiders,” he said in his opening remarks. “But I just want you to know that everyone who is standing behind me here is a civic leader, a community leader, someone who has given their time to make our city a better place. And today in the cold, I can’t think of a more apt description than to call them outsiders.”
Later, a NY1 colleague asked him about the criticism and Fidler, a city councilman, noted that he has “266 civic leaders” who back his campaign, many of whom were at the event.
“That’s just silly,” he said. “Look at all the folks behind me here.”
Asked what he was holding it in on the steps of City Hall and not in the Brooklyn Senate district, Fidler riffed, “To be convenient for NY1.”
The race is shaping up this way: Republicans, emboldened by the upset victory of Bob Turner after Anthony Weiner stepped down, will try to make Fidler seem like a latter-day Weprin. Democrats know this is yet another race for them to lose, but are also using it as a test run for their 2012 political operations.
Democrats are also working hard behind the scenes to show this is anything but the Weprin-Turner race, pointing out that Fidler was endorsed by former Mayor Ed Koch.
Fidler also revealed in a press scrum that he’s raised “a substantial amount of money. It’s certainly in excess of $400,000.”
The number most likely reflects the last six months, since he reported $350,000 in a Senate campaign account back in July.
Republicans in the district are expected to coalesce around attorney David Storobin.
Siena Poll: Voters Support Most Of Cuomo’s Agenda
Jan 16th - 9:30 am
On the eve of his second budget proposal, voters support nearly all of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposals laid out in his State of the State address earlier this month, a Siena College survey found.
But voters are less than enthusiastic over plans for Genting to build a massive casino and resort in Queens, possibly foreshadowing a difficult slog on the issue.
“The governor has overwhelming support for his proposals for an education commission, campaign finance reform – which would include a system of public campaign financing and lower contribution limits – and public-private partnerships for capital investments in the state’s infrastructure,” Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg said.
“There is weaker support for a constitutional amendment to authorize non-Indian casino gambling in New York, and for investing a billion dollars in Buffalo.”
The poll found that the governor’s plans to create a commission for teacher evaluation and improvement holds the broadest support – about 82 percentage points.
Similarly, Cuomo’s call for an overhaul of campaign-finance laws is favored by a margin of 74 percent to 20 percent.
Private investment in return for the rebuilding of infrastructure also polls well, with 73 percent support the notion.
Expanding casino gambling in New York is more lukewarm, but still has a majority of support, by with 53 percent to 42 percent backing a constitutional amendment.
And as usual, Cuomo continues to enjoy wide approval from voters. His favorable rating stands at 73 percent to 20 percent.
Though the governor in his public statements has praised lawmakers for approving his agenda, the Legislature doesn’t seem to have much luck in gaining approval from voters – not the best news heading into an election year.
Perhaps the best news for Cuomo in the survey is that for the first time in six years, a majority of New Yorkers think the state is on the right track, the poll found.
“The Cuomo glow does not seem to have rubbed off on the Legislature,” Greenberg said.
“There is little change among voters in their views of the two houses over the last six months, although both houses are viewed noticeably more favorably today than they were a year ago.”
“While 23 percent of voters say they have more
confidence in the Legislature today than one year ago, 20 percent have less confidence and a majority of 55 percent has the same level of confidence in the Legislature.”
The Siena College survey of 805 voters was conducted Jan. 8-12. It has a margin of error of 12.5 percentage points.
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