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State Senate
Grisanti Open To Some Form Of A Minimum Wage Hike
Apr 24th - 12:42 pm
ICYMI: Last night on the show Liz spoke with Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-Buffalo, who said he would be open to a modest minimum wage increase, but not as high as the proposed $8.50.
Grisanti, a yes vote for the legalization of same-sex marriage, has emerged as one of the leading swing votes in the closely divided Republican-led Senate. He said a $1.25 raise would be too hard on small businesses and potentially have a negative impact on low-income wage earners.
But Grisanti conceded that there “does have to be, in my opinion, some change.”
“… We’re only three states in the area or only three states in the nation are at that particular level. I’ve talked to business councils and a lot of small businesses that have family dollars, that have 7-Elevens, Wilson Farms in our area, that can actually hurt your part-time wage employees. Eight-fifty an hour is too high. When I look at some of the numbers over the inflationary rate period, there does have to be, in my opinion, some change, but not at that level. It could be $7.50, somewhere along those lines, but these are numbers that we’re looking at and I’m sure that we’re going to look at over the next few weeks that are remaining.”
Grisanti, a priority seat for the Republican conference to protect this year, lost the backing of the local Conservative Party over his approval of same-sex marriage. The Conservative Party is giving the line to Democrat Chuck Swanick.
In some ways, Grisanti’s situation mirrors that of then-Sen. Nick Spano, who Republicans worried would lose his Democratic-heavy district and, in response, pushed through a minimum wage hike.
The proposal to increase the minimum wage is becoming a central issue in the latter-half of the legislative session this year. As first proposed by Speaker Sheldon Silver in January, the minimum wage would be tied to the rate of inflation.
While some sectors of the business community are deeply opposed, the Retail Council indicated it would be open to a modest bump as long as the inflation tie-in would be discarded.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos continues to insist that the wage increase is a “job killer” but would not say if he would block the legislation from coming to the floor of the chamber.
The measure has broad support in recent polls.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t taken a position, but has supported past increases.
Senate IDC Wants To Ban ‘Charly Sheen’ And Other Drugs
Apr 24th - 11:53 am
The Senate Independent Democratic Conference is perhaps a little tired of #winning, at least as far as the street drug called “Charly Sheen” is concerned.
The IDC released a report this morning calling for a crack down on so-called “designer drugs” that imitate of Ecstasy, LSD, Ketamine, but have gone unregulated.
“No one is fooled by the cynical attempt of these sellers to mask the fact that they are online drug dealers who target young people,” Sen. Jeff Klein said in a statement. “These drugs are deadly, unrestricted, and one click away from becoming the next public health crisis in New York. My legislation will ban these dangerous substances today in order to prevent more tragedies tomorrow.”
In addition to spelling the erstwhile “Two and Half Men” star’s name slightly off, the drugs have monikers like “E-Scape” and “Dust Til Dawn” and arrive over the Internet in brightly colored packaging.
Klein is joining forces with Dr. Mehmet Oz — yes, that Dr. Oz — after his show in November focused on three people in Minnesota were hospitalized after using the drug.
“We must protect adolescents from dangers such as these new synthetic chemicals which present parents and police with unique challenges – mainly that they are available through the immediate, safe and anonymous pathway of the Internet and that without any laws governing their sale enjoy immunity from law enforcement,” Oz said.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Klein has gone after what he considers to be dangerous drugs. He previously became the scourge of the alco-pops industry, working ban drinks like Four Loko that contained a mixture of high caffeine and alcohol, which he said was meant to target kids.
Ulrich Launches Campaign Versus Addabbo
Apr 24th - 10:09 am
Queens City Councilman Eric Ulrich announced this morning his bid to take on Democratic Sen. Joe Addabbo through a YouTube video.
“I will be a state senator that never stops fighting for the middle class,” Ulrich says in the video released just after 10 a.m. this morning. “I’ve watched too many of my friends and relatives pack up and move out of New York because they simply could not afford to live here any longer.”
The video was posted to Ulrich’s new website, which launched this morning as well.
Addabbo, of course, is one of the Democratic senators who switched their no votes to yes on same-sex marriage last year (the others being Sens. Shirley Huntley and Carl Kruger).
Ulrich, considered a rising star in the New York City Republican ranks and a councilman for the last three years, does not mention same-sex marriage or even his potential fall opponent.
Instead, he focuses on middle-class and business tax cuts. He also says he would push for “investment” in higher education so “young people” like him can stay in New York
Ulrich is also the chairman of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s campaign for New York City. Earlier this week Romney said he was in favor of a Democratic-tinged proposal that would help lower student loan debt.
“I believe I can accomplish even more if you send me to Albany,” he says.
The announcement today is curious, considering that only days ago it was reported Ulrich was not interested in running for the seat.
A Senate GOP source was already crowing about what the 32-member majority believes is a chance to expand.
“This is more good news for the Senate Republicans and more bad news for the Senate Democrats, and they didn’t need any more bad news,” the source said. “We’re very high on Eric Ulrich and he’s gonna win this seat.”
Giuliani For Senate
Apr 24th - 8:18 am
…Not the former NYC mayor, although once upon a time, he did flirt with a challenge to US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
No, in this case, we’re talking state Senate. And we’re talking Rudy S. Giuliani, the former mayor’s 28-year-old second cousin.
The younger Giuliani, a Queens native who works for NYC Council Minority Leader Jimmy Oddo, has had several conversations with the Senate Republicans about a potential challenge to Democratic Sen. Tony Avella, according to a GOP source with knowledge of the discussions.
The most recent chat, the source said, took place last Friday with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos himself.
Avella, a former councilman himself, was drawn by the GOP into a potential primary with his fellow Democrat, Sen. Toby Stavisky.
But it looks like Stavisky will probably seek re-election in the newly drawn majority Asian district – assuming she does indeed run.
Giuliani has never run for office before, but he does come from a political family. (Aside from his uncle, his mother, Cathy, is a lobbyist and fundraiser).
He worked on both Uncle Rudy’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential bid and Mayor Bloomberg’s successful 2009 campaign for a third term.
Republicans have done well in certain parts of Queens. (The elder Rudy Giuliani always did well in the district currently represented by Avella, which used to belong to former Republican Sen. Frank Padavan).
Nevertheless, the district is, like the rest of NYC, dominated by Democrats, and would be an uphill battle for any Republican – especially a political neophyte, even if his last name is Giuliani.
Rudy S. has been making calls and seeking advice from various Republicans, my source said.
That includes his uncle, of course, and also Padavan, who was at one point considering a comeback run this year, and hadn’t made a formal decision as of late last month.
Rudy S. will make a decision within the next week or two, according to the source, who said a political career for this young Giuliani is definitely in the cards, but it’s unclear whether this is the right district or the right time. (The presidential race is definitely a factor).
“He’s being encouraged by a lot of folks, and he’s weighing it very carefully,” the source said.
“He’s got a good name – a very good name. And he’s an affable, nice guy who’s been around politics his whole life. His parents are pretty savvy, too.”
“If Rudy (the younger) decides to do this – and it’s a question not if he runs for political office, but when – a lot of Rudy (the elder) supporters will come out. It’s going to be interesting.”
McDonald Pitches For ‘Team Friendship’
Apr 23rd - 2:06 pm
Sen. Roy McDonald insisted he wasn’t involved until late Saturday afternoon with the tussle between the Senate and the Cuomo administration over his invitation to a whistleblower to participate on a panel discussion on developmental disabilities at the Capitol today.
The New York Times’ Danny Hakim reported the administration pressured the Senate to disinvite Jeffrey Monsour, who has been an outspoken critic of his employer, the state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, because OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke was scheduled to participate and did not want to do so if Monsour was involved. The administration changed course after Hakim started making inquiries, however.
McDonald was unabashed in using the dust-up to generate publicity for a topic that is enormously important to him and families of people with disabilities, but unfortunately – and with the notable exception of Hakim’s award-winning “Abused and Used” series – doesn’t usually generate much press.
“What I’m here for is maybe not what you folks are here for,” McDonald told reporters. “You’re (here) for sensationalism. I don’t care.”
“What I’m here for is those 200,000, approximately, who are clients in nonprofit and state-owned facilities…I’m not being clear because I don’t care. I did not disinvite anybody.I did not invite anybody. I just came in this morning and started making a bunch of phone calls. And people were calling me. Instead of working in an adversarial relationship, what I was doing was trying to bring people together.”
“…We went through the issue, and that was the commissioner evidentally communicated, OK, with various people on the second floor. But that was rectified this morning. I think it might have been second floor or the Senate, but not by me. I don’t know the gentleman. I didn’t find out about this until four o’clock on Saturday…It’s not easy to be the guy that tries to keep everybody happy and on target. What’s the target? The target is to help the folks that need the help the most.”
McDonald said he “didn’t have to insist” to the second floor that Monsour be included on today’s panel, adding: “I think they were coming in my direction anyway. If we didn’t have a little controversy, you might not even be talking to me right now.
The senator, who is locked in a battle for his own political life, fighting a primary challenge mounted by Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione, declined to criticize the governor.
“I think the governor is very supportive of mental health and disabilities, and he always has been.” McDonald said. “It goes back to his mother and father, OK? They were supportive when his father was governor.”
“I don’t think there’s anybody in the second floor, I don’t think there’s anybody in the Assembly or anybody in the Senate that’s not supportive. It’s trying to get everybody on the same page to get everybody to turn around and accomplish our goals. Make life better…Sounds easy. It’s not. It’s hard. And we need to be a team. A friendship team. A team that gets along….There’s a role for everybody. Including whistleblowers. Including advocates.”
Gresham: ‘Common Sense, Common Decency’ Require Maziarz To Stand Down On ‘Stand Your Ground’
Apr 23rd - 1:27 pm
One day before George Zimmerman was released on $150,000 bond to await his trial on charges of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the WFP sent supporters an email urging them to sign an on-line petition calling on WNY Republican Sen. George Maziarz to withdraw his proposed “stand your ground” bill here in New York.
The email was signed by 1199/SEIU President George Gresham, who happens to be black. This is the first I can recall Gresham lending his name to a high-profile WFP campaign – at least in recent memory.
“The killing of Trayvon Martin has made the dangers of Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law clear to every American,” Gresham wrote. “This is the law that gives people the right to ‘shoot first, and ask questions later.’ Sadly, Florida is not the only state with this kind of law on the books.”
“In fact, 24 states have passed similar laws. Most are based on model legislation produced by the corporate lobbying group ALEC. And if State Senator George Maziarz has his way, New York could be next – he’s introduced a bill to make New York a ‘stand your ground’ state, too. We’re asking Senator Maziarz to withdraw the bill. Common sense, and common decency, require that he do so.”
“…Senator Maziarz should not make New York the 25th state to go down this dangerous path. We’ve seen what these laws can do: they enable needless violence – they don’t prevent it. We don’t have to make this mistake in New York.”
Gresham’s email hit in-boxes early Saturday afternoon. Zimmerman was released from prison around midnight Sunday.
Maziarz has defended his “stand your ground” bill, which he first introduced in 2008. The measure has no Assembly sponsor, and a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has said there are no plans to move it out of committee for a floor vote.
Felder Up For Grabs
Apr 19th - 2:34 pm
Ever since word broke that former NYC Councilman Simcha Felder will be running for the new so-called Super Jewish district in Brooklyn, there has been speculation over whether the downstate Democrat will caucus with members of his own party, cross the aisle to sit with the Republicans or perhaps shun both conferences and go the independent route by casting his lot with the IDC.
The best chance of figuring out that political puzzle seemed to be to put the question to the candidate himself. So I did (via text), and he responded that he would caucus (assuming he wins) with “anyone that will help the district and New Yorkers most.”
Well. That clears things right up now, doesn’t it?
As an Orthodox Jew, Felder is a fairly conservative Democrat. He also crossed party lines to endorse Mayor Bloomberg when he ran for re-election in 2005. (The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent mayor was in his GOP phase at the time). In return, Bloomberg endorsed Felder when he unsuccessfully challenged Democratic Sen. Kevin Parker in a primary in 2008, and had two former aides – Phil Goldfeder (now an Assemblyman) and Patrick Brennan – work on Felder’s campaign.
During that race, however, Felder characterized himself as a “Malcolm Smith Democrat,” adding: “I look forward to making sure that the Senate Democrats regain control of the Senate. I’ve always been a Democrat, and I’m going to continue to be a Democrat.”
He stopped short, however, of promising that he would not cast a vote for then-Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno if he got the chance.
The whole question of who Felder would support turned out to be moot since he lost the race. But it’s relevant again now that he’s making a second attempt at running for the Senate at a time when the chamber remains closely divided and the Republicans and Democrats are preparing to duke it out (yet again) over the majority.
Last fall, Felder met with GOP Senate leaders to discuss the possibility that he could be their super Jewish candidate this year.
Now that he’s actually decided to throw his hat in the ring, Felder told Hamodia that he will be running on the Democratic line.
Felder was spotted in Albany earlier this week, though he wouldn’t confirm or deny being there. (He simply didn’t address the text I sent asking about the trip). Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans would say whether any sit downs occurred, but they did send the following statements.
From a Democratic spokesman:
“While we do not disclose the the substance of private conversations, Simcha Felder is a community leader with a distinguished record and would be a formidable candidate for any office he chooses to seek.”
From Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif:
“We continue to focus all of our attention on completing the count in the still undetermined (David) Storobin/(Lew) Fidler race, and ensuring that the taxpayers and families in Southern Brooklyn have representation in Albany. At the appropriate time, we will turn our attention to other districts.”
Rivera For Espaillat
Apr 19th - 12:44 pm
Sen. Gustavo Rivera has thrown his support to fellow Senate Democrat, Adriano Espaillat, as he seeks to oust Rep. Charlie Rangel in the June 26 primary.
“As a fellow senator, I have watched Adriano successfully fight for working families and immigrants,” Rivera said in a statement released by Espaillat’s campaign.
“Senator Espaillat’s leadership helped extend and strengthen crucial tenant protections, which kept millions of New Yorkers in their homes. Together, we have successfully advocated for education funding for our schools, affordable housing for our residents and more opportunities for immigrants who call New York home.”
“I am proud to endorse Adriano for Congress because he will bring the same passion and energy to Congress and deliver the change we need in Washington D.C. I look forward to campaigning for Adriano, particularly in the Bronx, to get him elected as our next Congressman.”
The newly-drawn NY-13 encompasses Rivera’s district, which he won by ousting former Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. in the 2010 primary. (Espaillat, who was an assemblyman running for former Sen. Eric Scheniderman’s seat at the time, endorsed Rivera in that race).
A Rivera aide noted that the senator has several years of experience working in East Harlem on various races prior to his own political career.
Espaillat’s campaign called Rivera’s nod an “important milestone” because he represents a portion of the district that could “prove decisive” in the election.
Rivera’s entire district (in its pre-redistricting state) is located in the new NY-13. The area was not previously located in the congressional district, and so is new – arguably up-for-grabs – territory, although there has been an influx of people to the Northwest Bronx from Washington Heights, where Espaillat is well known.
Rivera is Puerto Rican, and I believe he is the first Puerto Rican elected official to endorse Espaillat, who would be the first Dominican-American elected to the House. Since the black vote is going to be split in the primary, thanks to the presence of Clyde Williams, Joyce Johnson and Craig Schley in the race, the Rangel camp is counting on the support of Puerto Rican voters as a sort of “firewall” to help him stave off Espaillat, according to a Democratic operative familiar with the race.
Fight For ‘Super Jewish’ Senate Seat Shapes Up
Apr 19th - 7:57 am
Nachman Caller, a wealthy real estate attorney who has been trying to break into politics for several years now, is going to seed his campaign for the new so-called “super Jewish” Senate seat with $100,000 of his own money.
That’s according to GOP operative and former aide to ex-Gov. George Pataki Michael Fragin, who is advising Caller.
As was reported last night by Hamodia, former NYC Councilman Simcha Felder will make his second attempt at a Senate seat by running in the new district.
(He’s running as a Democrat, but a GOP-friendly Democrat who is willing to work with “anyone and everyone” who will help his community).
Caller will be making his debut as a candidate at tonight’s state GOP dinner in Manhattan, Fragin said.
It’s unlikely he’ll be welcomed with open arms by everyone there – particularly the senators who might be in attendance, since Caller’s candidacy complicates thing for David Storobin if he manages to eventually defeat NYC Councilman Lew Fidler in the too-close-to-call race for ex-Sen. Carl Kruger’s seat.
(Storobin, of course, complicated things to begin with, since no one thought he would actually win. The idea was for him to merely force the Democrats to spend money to defend a seat that was then drawn out of existence by the GOP).
Caller has been planning this run for some time.
Back in February, he paid for an ad that ran in Orthodox Jewish newspapers downstate challenging voters to repeat the election of GOP Bob Turner and reject Fidler’s candidacy.
Felder, an ally of Mayor Bloomberg, lost a primary challenge to Sen. Kevin Parker in 2008. He had been preparing to run for NYC Comptroller, but decided to take a chance on Albany instead.
When that didn’t work, Felder resigned his Council seat to take a job as a deputy in the office of the man who won the 2009 comptroller’s race, John Liu. But the job was never really a comfortable fit, as Felder never lost the political bug.
According to Hamodia, Felder still has about $318,000 on hand in his campaign committee.
In 2010, Caller started running in the race for the seat Felder vacated, but dropped out of the running after a chat with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was backing another candidate, Joe Lazar.
Lazar ended up losing the special election to David Greenfield, the former the executive director of the Sephardic Community Federation, who is still in office.
Senate Passes MMA, Fate In Assembly Unknown
Apr 18th - 5:16 pm
The Republican-led Senate this afternoon approved the passage of a bill that would legalize and regulate mixed-martial arts events in New York, but Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he has “mixed feelings” on the issue.
The bill passed 43-14 and has been approved twice before.
It’s main backer, Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome, said in a statement that he hoped Gov. Andrew Cuomo would ultimately back the idea.
As usual, lobbyists for MMA brought along a professional fighter to personally lobby, and today was no exception, bringing Ronda Rousey, an Olympic medalist, to help push the issue.
“I am glad to see the Governor has said that he would strongly consider taking a position that I have held for four years now – that bringing MMA events to New York State will have a tremendously positive impact through the jobs that can be created and the spending that will stimulate the economy,” Griffo said.
In the Democratic-led Assembly, however, the bill hasn’t gotten far. Still, as Gannett noted earlier today, the measure has received the backing of key lawmakers including Assemblyman Joe Morelle, a Monroe County Democrat believed to be in line as the next majority leader of the chamber.
But Silver did not embrace the idea at a news conference on new tenant protection legislation earlier today (video from that event can be here).
“I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I do believe it’s rather violent and it sets a tone for people,” Silver said, noting that the bill has failed in committee in the past. “On the other hand, you can turn on the television and see it, a child can see it from their homes on a regular TV and we’re one of the few states that don’t legalize it.”
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