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Turner Nabs Giuliani Endorsement (Updated)
May 23rd - 12:35 pm
Rep. Bob Turner hinted that he was set to receive a high-profile endorsement from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for his U.S. Senate candidacy on Fred Dicker’s Talk-1300 radio show. 
Turner, asked if he had “any surprises” in store for the campaign, hinted that Giuliani’s backing was waiting in the wings as a game-changer ahead of the June 26 primary.
“Yes, he’ll make a difference and yes we have some surprises in store,” Turner said, adding that a formal roll out would come within the next three to four weeks.
Giuliani is perhaps the most the high profile Republican in New York who is up for grabs in the Senate primary, having taken a pass several times now on challenging Gillibrand himself. His endorsement of Turner isn’t too terribly surprising, since he backed the Queens businessman in last year’s NY-9 special election in which Turner stunned the political establishment by defeating Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin.
Former Gov. George Pataki has not yet weighed in on the three-way primary that includes lawyer Wendy Long and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos.
Several of Pataki’s former aides work for Long’s campaign.
“I would continue to hope Gov. Pataki would sign on,” Turner said. “I think he has a certain credibility.”
Endorsement or not, Turner said he will pursue a “Pataki strategy” in the fall against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, hoping to produce a strong showing in the suburban counties and garner at least 35 percent of the vote in New York City.
Turner added that he plans to start producing television and radio ads in select markets of the state.
“We have some TV we’re starting shortly. It will be in a couple of select areas and we’ll see how that goes,” he said.
He flatly predicted that Long, who has strong support from upstate county chairs and the backing of the state’s Conservative Party, was not the best candidate to take on Gillibrand.
“She’s not going to win in November, and that’s what this is all about,” he said.
UPDATE: The Giuliani endorsement is now official, as per a press release from the Turner campaign. Giuliani could help Turner with his so-called Pataki strategy, since his popularity arguably remains highest in NYC – particularly among conservative/Orthodox Jewish voters and outer borough Republicans.
“”Bob Turner is the definition of a citizen legislator who took his lifelong business experience to Washington,” said Giuliani
“Now he is running for Senate for the same reason: to put our country back on a path toward job growth and prosperity. He is a proven winner and the only candidate who can defeat the nation’s most liberal senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, in November. I urge my fellow Republicans to join me in supporting him.”
PEF Endorses Lancman
May 23rd - 10:38 am
The Public Employees Federation is backing Democratic Assemblyman Rory Lancman’s House campaign, a move that nets another victory in what’s become a battle for labor support within the primary.
In a prepared statement, the union pointed to Lancman’s support for the millionaires tax, work on foreclosure legislation and his chairmanship of a workplace safety subcommittee in the Assembly.
“At a time when workers and the middle class are under attack in Washington, we need a fighter who will put the needs of working New Yorkers before the desires of big corporations and special interests,” PEF President Ken Brynien said.
Lancman, seeking the nomination for the redrawn Queens district replacing retiring Rep. Gary Ackerman, has so far netted the plum labor endorsements in the race, including RWDSU, CSEA, 1199 SEIU and 32BJ. The campaign is trying to position him as the labor candidate, a strategy that would help to motivate the all-important get out the vote effort on June 26.
It’s especially important for Lancman to tout the labor endorsements, given that one of his Democratic opponents, Councilwoman Liz Crowley, is a longtime member of the painters’ union.
“I’m proud to accept the endorsement of PEF and their many members who work hard every day to keep our government running and keep us healthy,” Lancman said. “I look forward to working with them on behalf of all working New Yorkers who now, more than ever, need a champion in Washington who will fight for them.”
Cuomo Emails On Justice Center
May 23rd - 10:12 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office today is blasting out an email to supporters of his overhaul of the state’s developmental disabilities system, his key post-budget agenda item that is yet to pass the Democratic-controlled Assembly.
Cuomo wants to create a Justice Center that is aimed at stemming abuse and neglect cases within state-run and state-sponsored care facilities for the disabled.
At a news conference unveiling the legislation, Cuomo urged New Yorkers to write in and support the overhaul measure.
Adopting a similar strategy from last year, Cuomo’s traveled the state promoting the legislation, appearing in Syracuse and Westchester.
From the email:
Thank you for all that you’ve done to support and spread the word about Governor Cuomo’s proposed Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Since it was launched, over 30,000 people have visited www.Justice4SpecialNeeds.com. Thousands more have signed up to support the Governor’s plan and voiced their support on Twitter and Facebook. The Governor’s Coalition for the Protection of People with Special Needs continues to grow: 119 advocacy groups, providers and non-profits have now joined, spreading the Governor’s message to nearly 10,000 New Yorkers. The Governor and his Commissioners have been making stops throughout the state to present this crucial legislation directly to New Yorkers. At these events, many New Yorkers with special needs and their familes have been brave enough to share their experiences with abuse and neglect in the system.
The center has come under criticism from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, who told reporters this week he is concerned that the proposal lacks an independent reporting component for abuse cases, echoing concerns raised by Michael Carey, an advocate for the disabled.
Cuomo officials have pushed back against that claim, pointing to independent oversight provisions, including an outside not-for-profit organization to monitor the system and providers wuold be required to have an incident review committee.
A host of advocacy groups for the disabled have been sending out emails to the press as well backing the legislation.
A source told The New York Post earlier this week that the Civil Service Employees Association is opposing the measure in order to achieve an unrelated giveback — a charge that the union strenuously denied yesterday.
The full email is after the jump. More >
Ulrich Breaks With Senate GOP, Backs Minimum Wage Hike
May 23rd - 7:53 am
This is an ICYMI post, because the news of NYC Councilman/state Senate hopeful Eric Ulrich’s support for increasing the state’s hourly minimum wage broke last night just as most of the LCA was in pre-show mode (in other words, not covering news).
Ulrich issued a statement shortly before 6 p.m. declaring that he not only supports increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour, but also supports a provision to periodically adjust the minimum wage to reflect the rate of inflation.
That’s also known as “indexing,” which is a feature of the bill passed by the Assembly, but has long been a non-starter with the Republicans and the business community – even those select members who support the idea of a wage increase.
Ulrich noted that he voted last week in the Council in favor of a resolution supporting the Assembly bill and calling for it to be passed by both houses and signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“People are hurting in Queens and the current minimum wage simply isn’t enough to make ends meet for families here,” Ulrich said.
“Single parent households are especially hit hard by the rising cost of living in New York. The bottom line is that there simply aren’t enough hours in the week at $7.25 per hour to pay the rent or mortgage and to buy the basic household items they need.”
“I have listened to both sides of this argument, but one truth resonates more than any other: If we don’t take this action, too many families are going to go under.”
“The minimum wage should not be a partisan issue. I believe that people who work hard to support their families deserve a better standard of living.”
Ulrich, as you’ll recall, is challenging Democratic Sen. Joe Addabbo this fall.
(He might first have to fight former Giuliani administration attorney Juan Reyes in a GOP primary. But while Reyes has registered a state-level campaign committee, he has yet to formally announce his candidacy).
Considering the fact that the minimum wage hike is an issue that polls off the charts, it’s smart for Ulrich to get on board with the idea – particularly since he’s seeking election in a Democrat-dominated district that is home to lots of blue-collar workers.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has called the Assembly bill a “job killer” and made it quite clear there’s no way his members will back it.
Skelos’ comments were parsed to mean that support for something other than the speaker’s bill – say, a non-indexed version of the minimum wage measure, which doesn’t exist yet – or maybe something linked to the majority’s own “New Jobs-NY” plan might yet be possible.
However, Cuomo has repeatedly thrown cold water on the idea of a minimum wage deal before the session ends next month.
Just yesterday, the governor suggested it would be tougher for him to broker an agreement on minimum wage that it was to push the same-sex marriage bill through last summer.
It’s hard to say whether Cuomo is building up to a dramatic climax in which a last-minute deal is reached, enabling him to swoop in and save the day, or if he really means what he says and the whole minimum wage issue is moot – at least until after the fall elections.
Either way, there’s no political downside I can see for Ulrich in taking this stand.
Here And Now
May 23rd - 7:25 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in Albany with no public schedule.
Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan is the latest cabinet member to hit the road to present Cuomo’s plan to better protect the state’s residents with special needs. He’ll be at Binghamton University (Vestal) at 11 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m., LG Bob Duffy will deliver remarks at the annual emergency services memorial dedication ceremony. (Empire State Plaza, between the Capitol and the Egg).
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli will hold a 1:30 p.m. teleconference to discuss how the pension fund performed during the fiscal year that ended March 31. (He’ll also be on CapTon tonight).
Former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV will endorse his 2010 primary target, Rep. Charlie Rangel, at noon in Harlem. (Fittingly, the event takes place at 125th St. and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd).
Rangel has also reportedly secured the support of a key Dominican leader, Assemblyman Guillermo Linares, who is running for the seat held by Rangel primary rival, Sen. Adriano Espaillat.
It could help Rangel in his newly-drawn district to play up the fact that his is half Puerto Rican, but he hides that side of himself out of a hatred for his father, who he says hit his mother and abandoned the family.
Members of the state Democratic Committee are in Albany today and tomorrow for a meeting.
This comes on the heels of outgoing Chairman Jay Jacobs’ announcement of his earlier-than-expected retirement, and Cuomo’s selection of Assemblyman Keith Wright and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner as new party co-chairs.
The Capitol press corps is getting a late start this morning after last night’s smashingly successful 11th LCA show. There was a great turnout – Cuomo stopped by briefly during the cocktail hour, but did not stick around for the dinner and show.
The show was called “iGov” – a takeoff on Cuomo’s infamous “I am the government” comment.
Thanks to all the cast members, crew, people in the audience and responders – Sen. Mike Gianaris, state GOP Chairman Ed Cox and Cuomo (via video) – for all their hard work. Hope to see you all next year for the 112th!
Today’s headlines…
Don Gianaris And His Fruitless Redistricting Quest
May 23rd - 6:44 am
Here’s the video that served as Sen. Mike Gianaris’ response at last night’s LCA show, in which he and his fellow reform-minded Democrats poked fun at their quixotic quest for an independent redistricting process.
The seven-minute spoof opens with Gianaris, who has been pushing for an overhaul of the state’s political line-drawing system since he was in the Assembly, brainstorming with Sens. Kevin Parker and Liz Krueger about how to make Gov. Andrew Cuomo stick to his pledge to veto the Senate GOP’s gerrymandered plan.
At his colleagues’ urging, Gianaris places a personal call to the governor’s office, only to be hung up on by a secretary.
He plays through, however, pretending for his fellow senators’ sake to to give the governor a piece of his mind while in reality, the dial tone is echoing loudly in his ear.
Other cameos: Former Gov. David Paterson, former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, state Sens. Gustavo Rivera, Daniel Squadron and Jose Peralta, Common Cause NY’s Susan Lerner and, of course, the granddaddy of redistricting reform, former NYC Mayor Ed Koch.
Also, kudos to my NY1 colleagues Zack Fink and Errol Louis for playing themselves so well.
Miner: I Was A Little Surprised
May 22nd - 5:21 pm
Syracuse Mayor Stefanie Miner says she was surprised “a little bit” that she was tapped to be the co-chair of the NYS Democratic party during an interview this afternoon with YNN’s Bill Carey.
Miner says it was important for her to take on this role because she believes in an election year the Democrats need to advocate for the parties message.
“I don’t think I am stepping into a difficult endevour at all. I am proud to be a Democrat. I have always been a Democrat. I have stood by those values. And the more you talk to people about those values and policies, in particularly a year like now, talking about economic fairness, talking about making sure we allow women to have the choices they want for reproductive health for themselves, talking about making sure we have an equitable and fair tax system,” Miner said.
“I am really excited to make those arguments and stand with people like Dave Valesky, Kirsten Gillibrand, and of course Governor Cuomo and President Obama. It makes it very easy.”
Miner went on to say she prefers the co-chair format and said she’d have turned down the position if it was offered to her by herself because it would have been too difficult to balance her duties as Mayor of Syracuse. She also says that she feels the choice of Assemblyman Keith Wright displays the diversity that makes the party strong.
Extras
May 22nd - 4:50 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s new hand-picked state Democratic Party chairs, Assemblyman Keith Wright and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, have never met. But Wright says he’s heard “she’s an absolutely dynamic woman.”
Michael Tomasky is the latest to speculate on the Hillary Clinton-Joe Biden VP switcheroo.
BuzzFeed plans to open a bureau in Washington, D.C.
Drug law reform advocate/comedian Randy Credico is going to run for mayor of NYC in 2013.
The NYLCV is laying the groundwork to oust one – possibly two – incumbent state lawmakers in the upcoming elections in its ongoing effort to influence environmental policy in Albany.
Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has formed an advisory committee to implement a requirement that prospective lawyers do at least 50 hours of pro bono work before being licensed to practice law in New York.
Due to the OGS “restacking initiative,” the state Board of Elections is relocating and its website is down until further notice.
The Republican women of Congress recorded a video introducing themselves – collectively – to voters. (Cameos from two NYers: Reps. Ann Marie Buerkle and Nan Hayworth).
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who endorsed Obama in 2008, called Romney a “good man” and said he’s keeping his powder dry in this year’s White House race – for now.
AG Eric Schneiderman announced settlements with Century 21, JCPenney, and Petland Discounts to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to the merchandise, services, and amenities provided by each of their New York based stores.
Rep. Charlie Rangel is trying – with some success – to keep himself in check when fielding questions he doesn’t like from the press.
Seeking to shore up his Latino support (as he battles primary challengers including, among others, Sen. Adriano Espaillat), Rangel picked up the endorsement of Rep. Jose Serrano – AKA “the most senior Member of Congress of Puerto Rican descent.”
One of Rangel’s 2010 primary challengers, former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, is reportedly set to endorse Rangel.
The Senate Republicans unveiled their “New Jobs-NY” plan.
A group of advocates who support an income-based circuit breaker form of tax reform want to know where Cuomo’s Tax Reform and Fairness Commission is.
The EPA is investigating a fracking-related spill in Colorado.
Brooklyn community organizer Jesus Gonzalez has scheduled a date for the kick off of his campaign for the seat currently held by NYC Councilman Erik Martin Dilan.
The over-prescription of antibiotics “truly is a national emergency,” according to Rep. Louise Slaughter.
Wright: ‘When the governor asks you to serve, you say yes.’
May 22nd - 4:33 pm
With an assist from our NY1 colleague Zack Fink, here’s Assemblyman Keith Wright’s brief question-answer session with reporters after the news broke he will be one of two co-chairs to lead the state Democratic Party.
Wright, a Manhattan Democrat, was picked alongside Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner to serve as dual co-chairs of the party, replacing outgoing Chairman Jay Jacobs.
It’s a clear downstate-upstate dictomy. Wright said it’s unclear how the labor will be divided between the two.
“Hopefully it’s fifty-fifty,” he said.
Both appointments are subject to take over on June 5 after a state committee vote.
Wright said he wanted to elect as many Democrats as possible.
“You never have a enough gains, you never have enough victories,” he said. “Looking forward to making sure New York is a state that votes overwhelmingly for our president Barack Obama and on down the Democratic ticket.”
Still, Wright said he didn’t have any conversations with Cuomo on electing more Democrats to the state Senate.
“There have been no conversations about it as far as that’s concerned,” he said.
Skelos: Tax Cuts Designed To Send Message To Biz
May 22nd - 4:00 pm
The package of tax cuts and incentives the Senate GOP is championing is aimed at providing more stability to the state’s business community, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skeos said this afternoon during and question-and-answer session with reporters.
Skelos also answered the criticism from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that the $495 million plan can’t pass this year because of the state’s economic situation.
“Some of the proposals that we have will take effect next fiscal year,” Skelos said. “I think it’s important that we send a message to the business community that looks to plan in advance, not by day to day that we’re serious about creating jobs especailly in the small-business sector. To me, it’s about creating jobs and not about killing jobs.”
The plan includes a 20 percent corporate tax cut aimed at small businesses, the elimination of a tax on manufacturers that would be phased-in over a three year period and a post-production tax credit from 10 percent to 30 percent.
Republicans also want to codified a 2 percent spending cap on the state’s budget.
Most of what the Senate GOP conference is proposing are political non-starters for the Democratic-led Assembly, but clearly plays to the Republican base in an election year.
The tax package also serves as a counter to the effort of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to raise the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 and tie future increase to the rate of inflation — a move that Skelos says he’s opposed to.
Cuomo said today it is unlikely he can push either the minimum wage measure or the tax cut plan through the different houses of the Legislature.
The Nassau County Republican, who left the door ajar on the wage issue when he would not rule out on several occasions passing a minimum wage increase this session, slammed the door this afternoon.
“I’ve said all along that we’re not doing a minimum wage increase in the Senate,” he said.
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