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Cuomo: Divide Over Minimum Wage Deeper Than Gay Marriage
May 22nd - 3:00 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo continued his pessimistic outlook on increasing the state’s minimum wage later this session, saying the “philosophical divide” with the Senate GOP is bigger than it was for the approval of same-sex marriage.
“This is broader and deeper a divide,” Cuomo told reporters this afternoon. “In my opinion yes. I believe it’s a political, philosophical divide. marriage in some ways was more of a personal judgment for some people — on their personal values. I’ve had long conversations with legislators on this, I understand both sides, you understand my position, I don’t believe we’re going to bridge that gap in this remaining time.”
The passage of samee-sex marriage last year, in a Senate that is narrowly controlled by Republicans, was viewed as a Herculean effort by a newly elected governor who cajoled and negotiated the details of the legisalation that has been his crowning achievement.
It was all the more complicated after several Democrats had to be brought on board as well.
But Cuomo said the minimum wage increase, in addition to the Senate tax cut plan, were untenable for both majority conferences. Democrats have a wide majority in the Assembly, which previously approved the minimum wage increase legislation.
On both issues, Cuomo said it’s unlikely either would pass this year.
“I don’t believe I can convince members of the Assembly for a broad business tax-cut package this year,” the governor said. “I don’t believe I can convince members of the Senate on the inverse. So there are philosophical differences.”
A Siena College poll should support for both measures, which play to the bases of both respective parties.
Cuomo agreed with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s contention that the tax-cut plan proposed by the Senate was unaffordable.
“At this time, with these current economics, which by the way constrain the whole conversation,” he said.
Still, Cuomo said he still considers himself a “broke progressive” albeit one who is not as broke as before.
“Brok-ish. I think we’re doing financially the revenues of the state are on a much more solid footing than they were a year ago,” Cuomo said.
He added, “Right now we have financial handcuffs because you’re right up against the limit and anything that costs any money we don’t have it.”
Silver: Minimum Wage An Issue To Run On
May 22nd - 2:43 pm
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters this afternoon that an increase of the minimum wage could be a strong issue for Democrats — especially Senate candidates — running this fall.
Silver, speaking to reporters following the Red Room news confernece on the NYRA overhaul, was asked if the measure’s failure to pass could be used as a re-election issue for Senate Democrats come November.
“I think it’s an issue,” Silver said. “I think it’s an absolutely significant issue as you go into various parts of the state and discuss the issue.”
The Democratic-led Assembly approved a $1.25 hike to the state’s minimum wage, raising it to $8.50 and then tying future increases to the rate of inflation.
Senate Republicans have balked at the measure and this afternoon Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, ruled out passing any minimum wage increase this legislative session in a brief question-and-answer session (he had previously hedged by saying he would only rule out passing Silver’s bill).
Cuomo has come under fire from some liberal advocates for not strongly pushing for the bill, which he says he supports but blames the gulf between Republicans and Democrats in an election year.
Silver continues to blame Republicans for the blockage, not the governor.
“I think the governor’s done what he can,” Silver said. “He can’t take out a stick and hit them.”
Silver also ruled out passing the Republicans’ tax-cut package, which includes a series of phase-ins for various cuts and incentives.
“I don’t think we can afford to do tax cuts this year,” Silver said.
Keith Wright And Stephanie Miner To Co-Chair State Party (Updatedx2)
May 22nd - 2:07 pm
Multiple sources in the Democratic Party confirm that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tapped Assemblyman Keith Wright and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner to co-chair the party after Jay Jacobs steps down at an organizational meeting in Albany Thurday.
(H/T to CapCon for Tweeting the news out first).
UPDATE: And now we have an official release from the state party, including this quote from Cuomo:
“Mayor Miner and Assemblyman Wright are outstanding leaders both for our party and our state. They have been dedicated community leaders and champions of the key missions of the Democratic Party. I thank them for agreeing to serve in these critical positions and look forward to working with them in their new roles.”
The release includes no quotes from either Miner or Wright, who are scheduled to take over on June 5 after a state committee vote. There are some laudatory comments from Sen. Chuck Schumer and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and also the following from Jacobs, who abruptly announced his earlier-than-expected resignation last week:
“Stephanie Miner and Keith Wright are tremendous choices to lead New York Democrats into the future.”
“They are tireless, experienced public officials and active Democrats who have served their local communities and the state with distinction. They will bring the same energy to this new role, supporting Governor Cuomo’s plan for the future of our great State and building our Democratic Party.”
“I expect to turn the Chairman’s gavel over to both of them with full confidence that they will continue the good work we have done over the last few years supporting our elected leaders and candidates at all levels of government in the State.”
At first blush, this makes a lot of sense, since it enables Cuomo to cover two a number of key bases – upstate, downstate, African Americans, women, the Assembly Democrats.
Both Wright and Miner have long been loyal supporters of the governor, though there are a few complications.
For example, he’s also the Manhattan Democratic chairman and is widely known to harbor designs on Rep. Charlie Rangel’s seat, though he is not among the Democrats currently primarying the veteran Harlem congressman.
Miner’s city is in dire financial straits – so much so that she asked former LG Richard Ravitch to come in and lend a hand in hopes of righting the fiscal picture.
The mayor has also been critical – although not nearly as vociferously as some – of the governor for pushing through the 2 percent property tax cap without coinciding mandate relief, and has even warned that Syracuse could go bankrupt without significant assistance and/or changes from Albany.
Also, the dual chair thing hasn’t worked so well in the past. Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer tried the upstate-downstate thing with Dave Pollak and June O’Neill. Pollak was forced out shortly after David Paterson took over for Spitzer, and O’Neill followed not long after that. (She’s also no longer a state committeewoman).
Paterson then selected Jacobs, the Nassau County Democratic chairman, to run the state party, which wasn’t a choice Cuomo agreed with. And now, as has long been expected, the governor has moved to solidify his control over the party by picking his own people to run it.
UPDATE2: According to a Democratic insider, Miner’s selection has been predicted for some time. (Jimmy Vielkind points out that while she’s a freshman mayor, she has a long history in politics – including a stint working for Cuomo I). The choice of Wright, on the other hand, took some people by surprise.
Also, both of these appointments are interim – through Jacobs’ unserved term, which ends in September. If I understand the party rules correctly, there’s a reorganization meeting after the primary at which there needs to be another chairman (or person, or people, as it were) election.
In the meantime, Wright sent out an email about his new role, which follows after the jump.
State To Assume Control Of NYRA Board
May 22nd - 1:19 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a sweeping reorganization of the New York Racing Association today, a move that paves the way for a government control board for the remainder of the governor’s current four-year term that will tackle a variety of issues within the beleaguered sport.
The new 17-member board, reduced from the current 25, will include seven appointed by Cuomo, four from the Legislature and five from the current NYRA board.
A board chairperson will be nominated by the governor and subject to NYRA’s approval.
The overhaul comes after former NYRA President and CEO Charlie Hayward and chief counsel Patrick Kehoe were fired after it was revealed they may have had direct knowledge that the public benefit corporation was violating state law for not lowering pari-mutuel take out rates on exotic bets.
The agreement, signed off on by NYRA, is subject to broader legislative approval.
At a news conference in the governor’s Red Room with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and NYRA board members, Cuomo said the plan was needed to overhaul the troubled racing industry’s public reputation.
“This is not a new situation,” Cuomo said. “Our job in government today is how do you fix it.”
A “national” search will be conducted to find replacements for Hayward and Kehoe, the governor said.
Cuomo also said the new board would tackle drug use in the horse racing industry as well as deaths of thoroughbreds at the state’s race courses overseen by NYRA. Cuomo also indicated that the board may look into the permanent hires the association made after Hayward and Kehoe were fired.
“There have been a series of episodes that have shaken the public trust,” Cuomo said. “If we have a racing industry that provides for consumer confidence, I think we can have an industry that is significantly improved.”
He also sought to temper concerns that the temporary take over was a power grab on the part of the administration. The board reverts to private control after three years.
“Government should not be in the horse-racing management business long term.,” Cuomo said.
It’s unclear if the new government-run board will be subject to the state’s open records laws, Cuomo said. But Skelos said the board would operate in daylight.
“With this new composition of the NYRA board we’re going to see an increase in transparency,” Skelos said.
The overhaul comes as New York will host the the third-leg of the sport’s Triple Crown. With I’ll Have Another, The Belmont Stakes on June 9 may see the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed achieved the feet 34 years ago.
Cuomo said the announcement of the overhaul with the loomin Belmont Stakes was coincidental. He added that he would attend the race if his schedule allowed.
State’s Primary Now On Sept. 13
May 22nd - 11:22 am
Without much fanfare, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation yesterday that changed the state’s primary from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13.
The bill had been swiftly approved by the Republican-led Senate and Democratic-controlled Assembly after firefighters, police and other first responder groups lobbied lawmakers to make the change.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said earlier this month he was conflicted on the matter.
“You really want to keep it on September 11 so those murderers don’t win,” he said.
But after speaking with police, firefighters and victims’ families who requested the change, he backed the legislation.
Skelos said at a news conference, “They indicated to me and they’re right that this is such a personal thing for police, firefighters, so many people in this state and obviously in this country, memorial services that will go on forever, that they just asked if we could change it to the 13th and I think it’s a very reasonable request and we’ll do it.”
Still, lawmakers could not agree on a unified primary date for state and Congressional primary elections. A federal judge ruled federal primaries must be held on June 26 in order to comply with a federal law governing access to military ballots.
Biz Groups Mail On Out Of Network Coverage Bill
May 22nd - 11:16 am
A coalition of business groups is pushing Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to not approve a measure that the groups say would establish minimum payments for doctos who do not participate in a network health plan.
The bill’s sponsors say the measure adds greater transparency for paitents and the insured by requiring standardized disclosure of health insurance companies’ out-of-network payment policies.
In the letter sent this week, the groups contend there is a hidden cost in the measure that would mean an increase in premiums for all of the insured.
When a provider is not in a health plan’s network, they are free to charge a patient any amount they believe they are entitled to. This bill (S.5068A/A.7489B) establishes a minimum payment for all non-participating doctors, which not only creates a strong incentive for additional doctors to not participate in health plan networks. Moreover, the bill fails to address the doctor turning around and billing the consumer for any amount they desire. The result is a windfall for the doctors and an increase in the cost of premiums for all of us.
But lawmakers in the bill’s accompanying memo say the legislation would provide greater information to the insured when receiving out-of-network care.
The measure has same-as versions in the Senate and Assembly.
The full memo and bill’s text, can be found here.
Diaz Smells A Rat!
May 22nd - 11:02 am
In another installment of Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.’s “What Your Should Know” emails, the Bronx Democrat ruminates on who is spreading the notion that Senate Minority Leader John Sampson won’t be in charge of the Democratic conference come 2013, with his finger pointing at Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
As blogged earlier, Ken Lovett’s Monday column noted Sampson, D-Brooklyn, is unlikely to lead the conference come 2013, even if the Democrats regain the majority.
But Diaz suggests that a number of ambitious lawmakers — his fellow Democratic conference members — are thinking of launching an attempt to gain control next year.
And Diaz says he sees the long arm of Cuomo as well.
You should know that as soon as I read the article, I went around asking people, “Who do you think is this high ranking source plotting to knock Sampson out?” It is interesting to see all of the names that people mention, starting with Jeff Klein, Liz Krueger, Mike Ginaris and – now hold on to your hats folks – Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Out of all of them, Andrew Cuomo is the most frequent name mentioned. Even during our Democratic closed-door Conference, his name was mentioned by most of the Senators. To many, this plot is an act of desperation by those who already visualize a victory in November by the Democrats when the Republicans (will probably) lose their Majority and control of the Senate.
Diaz also says that the behind-the-scenes relationship between the Senate Democratic leadership and the governor is toxic due to the perception that the second floor has sided with Republicans on nearly every issue.
Diaz notes that if Sampson were to become majority leader, it would be a direct threat to Cuomo’s ability to govern.
“They say that Sampson will be back as Majority Leader with all of the experience and know-how he has obtained by the mistakes committed back when we were in the Majority. He will be a bionic reconstructed man, better, faster, and stronger. Knowing very well now, who are the friends and who are the enemies and that my dear reader will be a threat to the Governor and to those who have been having tons of fun with our Conference.”
The email was blasted out just as Sen. Mike Gianaris told Fred Dicker on Talk-1300 that he backed Sampson’s leadership this year, but did not take a firm stance on whether the Brooklyn Democrat would be in charge next year.
“Things change rapidly around here,” Gianaris told Dicker.
The full email is after the jump. More >
Gianaris Backs Sampson’s Leadership (For Now)
May 22nd - 10:51 am
Sen. Michael Gianaris repeatedly insisted on Fred Dicker’s Talk-1300 show this morning that he backed Senate Minority Leader John Sampson as the head of the Democratic conference.
And next year? Well, that’s a long way off, Gianaris told Dicker.
“You’re talking about what’s happening next year, that’s like me asking you what you’re doing for New Year’s Eve,” Gianaris said.
Speculation that Sampson, D-Brooklyn, wouldn’t be leader even if the Democrats regain the majority increased this week after Ken Lovett’s column on Monday expanded on the subject.
Gianaris in the radio interview said Sampson had the confidence of the conference.
“It’s a distraction,” Gianaris said. “Republicans want to stir the pot. If that had changed, he wouldn’t be the leader today.”
The Queens Democrat took a number of digs at Republicans, and gave his own conference credit for forcing the GOP’s hand on the tax-code overhaul in December and same-sex marriage (I’m sure Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s folks would argue that he had something to do with those items as well).
It’s unclear if Cuomo will campaign actively for the Senate Democrats, a fractured and disorganized conference that spent a two dysfunctioal years in the majority before losing power in 2010. Cuomo has worked well with the 32-member GOP conference, though Gianaris said in the interview that the popular Democratic governor was essentially fighting with one hand tied behind his back.
“In that environment he’s managed to achieve those accomplishments,” he said.
Whether Cuomo actively campaigns for Senate Democrats this year is unclear. He has repeatedly said that he’s focused on governing and can’t risk the good public relationship he has with GOP leaders.
“We’re hopeful and optimistic that he’ll be a great asset moving in to November,” Gianaris said.
Here And Now
May 22nd - 7:06 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in Albany with no public schedule.
The LCA show is tonight; we do not yet know if the governor will attend.
Mitt Romney is back in NYC for yet another fundraiser.
Outgoing NYS Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, Rep. Jerry Nadler and UAW Region 9A Director Julie Kushner will hold a 4 p.m. press conference at the union’s HQ to “highlight his failed jobs record” as Massachusetts governor, according to a press release.
The Assembly Democrats and the Cuomo administration are at odds over the new justice center the governor has proposed setting up to investigate and prosecute reports of abuse of New York’s disabled community.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters: “We have concerns about obviously it being a totally internal process and that there is no outside review. I think there has to be some way in which somebody can be heard other than by an employee of the State of New York.”
The Senate Republicans plan to vote on their business tax cut program next week. It remains unclear whether it might be linked to some sort of minimum wage increase deal.
Silver shrugged off Cuomo’s prediction there will be no minimum wage hike this year, saying: “He’s a great governor. I’m not sure he’s a great prognosticator.”
A Bronx judge suggested Soundview sue its founder, ex-Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., and not the state, to try to recoup stolen Medicaid funds.
Cuomo admitted JCOPE could use some “fine-tuning.”
A coalition of anti-gambling interests is gearing up to fight the Cuomo administration’s effort to expand non-Indian casino gaming in New York.
Amid upset from housing advocates and liberal Democrats who say the president’s special unit to investigate mortgage fraud lacks muscle, AG Eric Schneiderman says there’s work going on behind the scenes and more than 20 civil subpoenas have been delivered.
Extras
May 21st - 4:59 pm
AG Eric Schneiderman filed an amicus brief in a challenge to Montana’s campaign finance laws, which he deemed the “first significant challenge” to the Citizens United ruling.
Forty-three Roman Catholic dioceses (including NYC), schools, social service agencies and other institutions filed lawsuits in 12 federal courts challenging the Obama administration’s contraception health insurance coverage rule. (Here’s the complete list of plaintiffs).
The Albany County DA’s office has received no requests that it investigate JCOPE.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is choosing sides in contentious primaries in which fellow women lawmakers are involved – even if it puts her against powerbrokers like Brooklyn Democratic boss Vito Lopez.
Congress is dumbing itself down, or perhaps communicating more effectively, depending on how you look at it.
Rep. Charlie Rangel: “It would surprise me if the president could have time enough to get involved in any primary races. His concern is the party. His concern is the majority. I’m flattered that reporters would ask, but I would not have asked myself from the president…to get involved in my race.”
The anti-incumbent Super PAC targeting Rangel is soliciting small-dollar donations.
Taxi fares might be going up considerably.
…which does not sit well with Gothamist.
Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. rapping with Doug E. Fresh. (No word on whether Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. might be next to take the stage).
NYT Public Editor Arthur Brisbane will leave his position on Sept. 1 of this year, completing a two-year term as in-house watchdog for the paper.
Long Island consultant Brad Gerstman is hosting a meet-and-greet – “not a fundraiser!” – for Rep. Steve Israel.
Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod chastised Newark Mayor Cory Booker for his “Meet the Press” criticism of the president’s anti-Bain Capital rhetoric.
“When you are president, as opposed to the head of a private equity firm, job is not simply to maximize profits. Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country gets a fair shot.”
More importantly, is the president growing a mustache?
Google will donate space so Cornell University can have a temporary home for the applied sciences school it plans to build in NYC.
The Queens Democrats held off on endorsing a candidate for Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s seat.
Seventy-two percent of New Yorkers believe being thin is the key to being happy.
Mitt Romney is set to raise about $10 million during a fundraising swing through New York and Connecticut later this week.
Department of Financial Services Superintendent Ben Lawsky was elected to the Board of Directors of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors - the nationwide organization of banking regulators.
Senate Minority Leader John Sampson brought up the DN report that his leadership days are numbered during a closed-door conference today. No members stood to defend him.
North Country Tea Partiers are going to fundraise for congressional hopeful Matt Doheny.
The British government is backtracking on fracking.
Here’s US Senate hopeful Wendy Long telling YNN’s Casey Bortnick that she and her two primary opponents are doing “pretty well” at heeding state GOP Chairman Ed Cox’s directive to abide by Reagan’s 11th commandment. (She must have forgotten this….and this - or perhaps she simply doesn’t consider Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos a real contender).
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