Results tagged “albany”

The time has come. After being found guilty of misdemeanor assault after slashing his girlfriend in the face last December, state Sen. Hiram Monserrate will be sentenced tomorrow. Monserrate faces up to a year in jail for his misdemeanor, and the State Senate is currently deciding whether it has the authority to expel Monserrate for his crime. The Queens Democratic Party has already endorsed state Assemblyman Jose Peralta for the 2010 Democratic primary for Monserrate’s seat. Well, at least his girlfriend wants to continue their "intimate relationship."

Something crazy happened in Albany this week: The Assembly passed a bill, then the Senate passed their version of the bill, and then Governor David Paterson signed it into law—all in two days! Yesterday New York instituted the nation's toughest drunk driving law, making it a felony to drive intoxicated with a passenger 15 years old or under. The bill, "Leandra's Law," was named for the 11-year-old New York girl killed in a DWI crash on the West Side Highway last month. At the signing yesterday, Leandra's father Lenny Rosado vowed to take his crusade to Washington and pass the law on the federal level:

From here on, those that think it’s OK to drink and drive - with children in the car or not - will pay the price...This is not going to be where I stop. I'm going to go out there to as many people as I can and educate them about this terrible disease we have out there...and hopefully we can take it all the way up straight to the White House.

The two state workers busted for turning a parking garage storage area into a makeshift drug-fueled rec room pleaded guilty yesterday. Gary Pivoda, 40, a former custodian for the state’s Office of General Service, and his supervisor, Louis Marciano, 50, both admitted to defrauding the government, and Pivoda also pleaded guilty to grand larceny. He'll do a year in prison for dealing drugs out of the so-called man cave, while Marciano got five years’ probation and has to perform 250 hours of community service. Both men must pay thousands of dollars restitution to the state for the time spent sleeping, playing board games, watching TV, and doing drugs while on the clock.

Aggravating—the State Legislature failed to pass the bill that would make it a felony for drunk drivers to have passengers under 16. The Observer reports, "[State Senator Charles] Fuschillo and State Senator Martin Malave Dilan are standing by a bill that would make it a felony to drive with a B.A.C. of over .08 with a child in the car. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said yesterday that chamber would consider (and most certainly pass) a bill where felony penalties kicked in at a BAC of .18, and kept a misdemeanor charge for anyone blowing .08 to .18." Though there was allegedly a deal, the Senate then walked away from the deal and apparently couldn't pass the original bill (felony at .08) because Paterson had to send the bill down... so now it's stalled.

Get ready for some Albany-style bickering! Tomorrow, Governor Paterson will convene a special session of the Legislature to discussion issues like the $3 billion budget deficit and—possibly—gay marriage, but the NY Times is worried enough that it has an editorial, "Albany’s toughest and most important job right now is to make certain that New York does not become another California, running out of cash, paying bills with i.o.u.’s and watching state credit ratings deteriorate."

Well, would you look at that: Now the State Senate Democrats are going to head to Albany next week for the special session that Governor David Paterson called. The Dems had called it a "photo-op" for the Governor and the Daily Politics reports, "Insiders say not showing would have left them vulnerable to attacks that they are not taking the state's fiscal crisis seriously. Senate leadership fell in line this morning." However, a spokesman for Senate Dems said, "It was about how to make the most productive use of our time while continuing productive negotiations with the governor." So maybe Albany isn't like Bosnia or Tehran after all!

Governor Paterson on how the State Senate doesn't want to head to Albany for a special session to deal with issues like the budget and gay marriage: "I'm getting some push back about even being allowed to speak before my colleagues. Now if this was Bosnia or in the middle of Tehran, maybe I would understand why this is happening, but this is New York State and the United States of America." This is how the Daily News explains it, "Senate Democrats don't want to return to Albany if there is no budget deal. And if there is a deal, there is no reason for Paterson to address lawmakers, the aide said." Jeez, can they do their jobs already and figure out the budget?

Gov. Paterson has called for the Legislature to return to Albany on Nov. 10 to deal with the state's woeful budget situation. And he means business, saying yesterday, "They'll come back and we'll stay there until we get it done." When the Daily News asked Paterson's spokeswoman if he'd resort to calling weekend and holiday sessions a la during the coup, she said: "The governor expects the Legislature to return to Albany for a special session to address the current year deficit." No word on whether or not he set the Nov. 10 date in case of a game 7.

Today, the NY Times launched announced its new editorial series on the incompetence of the NY State government, called "Failed State." A year away from state elections, a fired-up Times rails against the "inbred system [which] allows so many lawmakers to abuse the public trust," summarizing some of the more egregious abuses of the past couple years and some of the major grievances which they plan to address in the series. Warning—if you don't already want to head up to Albany with a pitchfork, you will now:

Governor Paterson continues to swing wildly at any and all challengers who might want a shot at his governorship, whether they are actually coming for him or not. And apparently now he's also paranoid that Richard Ravitch might want his job. After chatter that he'll resign, Paterson is reportedly worried that such speculation is going to the head of Richard Ravitch, the man whom he handpicked and fought for in court to be lieutenant governor. An "insider" told the Post's Fred Dicker, "I think Paterson thinks that Ravitch can't wait for him to go so he can take over and become governor."

When we heard the State's Office of General Services is offering "Capitol Hauntings" tours of the Capitol Building in Albany, we were hoping it would involve a room where the bodies were buried after the State Senate coup or maybe an echo chamber with Spitzer saying he's a "fucking steamroller." But, alas, it just involves things like "the legend of the 'Secret Demon' near the Great Western Staircase" and "which two Presidents of the United States are said to have visited the State Capitol after they died." (PDF with more info.)

Today, former governor George Pataki unveiled his official portrait (the one with the smile he doesn't like) in Albany, but PolitickerNY reports that he refused to partake in speculation about his potential entry into next year's elections. Pataki said, "It would be premature to answer hypotheticals. This is not a day for politics. This is a day to recognize Governor Paterson for his graciousness and to thank the people of the state for the great privilege. Politics can wait."

Earlier this month, upstate Assemblyman Mark Schroeder said Bronxchester Senator Espada was a "thug" and should resign. Now state Senator Neil Breslin of Albany is piling on, telling churchgoers at a public gathering that Espada is a "crook" who "should be in jail." Espada is still under investigation by the Bronx DA (for allegedly residing in Westchester, outside his Bronx district) and the Attorney General (for whether he illegally used a nonprofit group he controls—Soundview Health Clinic—to promote his political campaigns). But both those investigations were launched back in May, and here we are on the cusp of October, with Espada still "doing a cha-cha" around the law, as one Albany insider put it. So while it's nice to hear Senator Breslin state the obvious, the dance grinds on!

The "will he or won't he" talk surrounding Governor Paterson's 2010 campaign is once again getting overshadowed by speculation that Paterson may not even finish his term. "One of the state's most prominent Democrats" tells Fred Dicker that they think the governor may pass the state's reins over to Richard Ravitch by next spring. Dicker adds that a longtime Paterson backer called his appearance "a pathetic performance" and other Dems are referring to him as "finished," "dead meat," and "not among the political living."

Andrew Cuomo came within a hair of missing out on President Obama's now famous public nod the attorney general in Troy on Monday because he was insistent on taking his daughters to school that morning. Good thing Cuomo made it to his unofficial canonization by Obama or else his assistant may have had no use for the anecdote. Instead, it was shared with both local tabloids in their respective Cuomo coming of age bios in this Sunday's papers. When Cuomo learned they were running late for the big Obama greeting, apparently the state's most popular Democrat said, "Oh no. I’m dropping the kids off at school. It’s what I do. And if we miss the president, we miss the president."

Governor Paterson's insistence on running to stay in the governor's mansion next year may have less to do with his concern for the Democrats and more to do with his love of the party. Yesterday the governor explained why he is so headstrong in sticking around despite suggestions to the contrary from some pretty heavy hitters. Paterson said, "It has been the most exciting time in my life. It has been the most challenging time in my life. ... I'm gonna keep doing it until the public tells me it's time to stop."

In yet another bit of bizarrerie coming from the NY Governor's office, Paterson now appears to be denying the story that President Obama requested that he not run for governor next year. In an interview with NY1 Noticias Paterson said, "I never got an authorized invitation from the White House not to run for governor. There was a New York Times article about Congressman Meeks telling me to get out of the race. It never happened. And Congressman Meeks confirmed it on the record."

Our new lieutenant governor does not know what Twitter is and has a playful sense of swearing. Richard Ravitch wasted no time in spinning out the "I don't give a shit" charm that makes him so appealing to many New Yorkers, telling reporters, "I know that my golf game is going to go to hell in a basket."

[UPDATE BELOW] Governor David A. Paterson's facial hair is no more. Days after meeting with President Obama (amid rumors that Obama requested him to leave the governor's race), Paterson has bared all on his face, losing his celebrated mustache before New Yorkers really got a chance to get to know it. The dramatic change was revealed when the governor arrived this morning for a meeting with state leaders.

The statements and actions of President Obama and Governor Paterson in the past few days have made it clear that the de facto Democratic Party leader has given the patriarchal blessing to Andrew Cuomo. Obama began his speech yesterday in Troy thus: "We have special guests here that I want to acknowledge. First of all, a wonderful man, the governor of the great state of New York, David Paterson. Next, your shy and retiring attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is in the house. Andy is doing great work that has to be done."

Mayor Bloomberg thinks that he could strong-arm local Republican state senators into voting for a gay marriage bill, but he doesn't seem to believe that the Democrats have the cajones to bring Governor Paterson's same-sex marriage legislation to the floor. Asked why he thought he could change the minds of some pretty staunch GOP gay marriage opponents, Bloomberg said, “I’m the main funder. You know, you can’t dictate every piece of legislation, and I don’t want to say that they’re bribable. But they know where I stand, and they want me to be a supporter.”

On the heels of news that Governor Paterson is one (giant leap of a) step not closer to running for reelection, Rick Lazio is finally ready to give us the craved announcement of the 2010 campaign season—throwing his hat into the govenor's race Tuesday even though he basically all but said it months ago. That will likely soon be followed by Rudy "I'll only beat myself" Giuliani once again making Lazio the sacrificial lamb, this time to Andrew Cuomo. [Newsday]

According to a recent profile in the Times, Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. enjoys "cultlike devotion" from a band of fervent supporters, who made a hagiographic short film titled The Espada Odyssey: A Profile of Courage, Compassion, Perseverance and Leadership, which is set in part to the theme from Superman and includes a shot of Espada superimposed against a lone wolf howling at the moon. (Watch here!) But the infamous Senate coup leader seems to see himself less as a wolfman and more as a catastrophic weather pattern. While visiting a farm accused of exploiting migrant workers, Espada has a confrontation with the owner, who says, "I know you. The traitor, right?" According to the Times, "Espada’s smile faded and his face reddened. 'We need to have a little coup in here... You think I did something to the Senate? Wait till I get through with you.' He threw his hands toward the sky, where thunderclouds gathered. 'Hurricane Espada is going to turn this place upside down!'" Later, the Hurricane explains that the Democrats have lost their identity, and he's "going to help them find their soul." Something tells us they're gonna need some FEMA trailers up in Albany.

After Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor was struck down again recently in a state appeals court, it appeared to be curtains for one of Paterson's most popular moves in an attempt to combat the state senate takeover this spring. But yesterday the state's top court gave the governor and Ravitch a glimmer of hope after they were unexpectedly tough on the state senator who took the appointment to court, Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos.

How much do our elected officials in Albany get by on their salaries as legislators and how much of their regular expenditures come from campaign money raised for nonexistent election battles? The Daily News has an extensive piece today investigating just what state senators and assemblymen are using their campaign funds for—all within the scope of the law.

Governor Paterson may have spent his summer struggling through a legislative mess brought on by the Senate coup and continually sagging poll numbers that threaten the possibility of his 2010 bid, but he wants to make it clear that he hasn't forgotten his pledge to bring gay marriage to New York. Paterson told that he intends to put his same sex marriage bill on the floor when senators convene for a special session he expects to call later this month. Lawmakers are not required to vote on legislation brought up by the governor, but there may be more of a chance for that now that John Sampson is Democratic Conference Leader. Former Majority Leader Malcolm Smith had a deal with the Three Amigos not to bring same sex legislation to the floor. But the most vocal opponent of gay marriage, Senator Ruben Diaz Jr., told the News, "I tell you - as a man, before God - if that issue comes to the floor, there's going to be chaos in the Democratic conference. You can take that to the bank." However Diaz also said, "(But) I'm not going to join the Republicans. Never. Never."

Senator Pedro Espada Jr. defected to the Republicans and brought the state legislature to a standstill in order to get the $2 million in pork that was rightfully his, and this is the thanks he gets: The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce, a "business advocacy group," has decided it would rather not be associated with the esteemed Senator from Bronxchester.

Finally! After nearly a year and a half of speculation, former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani is considering to run for Governor of New York. Now that the top ranks of the NY State Republican party are shuffling, the NY Times reports, "Mr. Giuliani has told associates that he will decide on a candidacy within 30 to 60 days, as he weighs whether he can be elected statewide and what impact another campaign would have on his business interests." Rudy's had talks with various Republicans in state, Democrat- turned-Republican- turned-independent Mayor Bloomberg and Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island)—King told the Times, "Several times, he said to me that he sees state government similar to where New York City was in 1993: out of control. So many people are saying the state can’t be governed, which is what everyone was saying about the city then. In Rudy’s mind, this is a challenge."

If Governor Paterson expected to look up after his comments Friday that we are not living in a "postracial period" and found a reaction of one person daring to applaud his nobility, building slowly toward a standing ovation, then he was sadly disappointed with the reality of the actual response. After the governor went on the radio and claimed that the media was orchestrating his perceived failure and that President Obama would be the next target, everyone seemed to respond with a "not quite, Dave," including reps for the president himself.

With sources saying that Governor Paterson is having his first real doubts about whether he will actually go through with an election campaign next year despite such abysmal poll numbers, the governor lashed out at how he's been lambasted in the press, claiming that the movement to push him out has been "orchestrated" and is racially motivated.