Tag: New York (state)

As Democrats calibrate their political messaging in advance of the November midterm elections, Senator Tammy Duckworth cautioned her party not to become too starry-eyed about the success in New York of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who won an upset primary victory this week. Trump taunts Democrats over calls to abolish Ice: 'They'll never win another election' Read more While Ocasio-Cortez’s platform of Medicare for all and free college tuition might work in New York’s 14th congressional district, said Duckworth, the junior senator from Illinois, her brand of Democratic socialism would not work in the Midwest. “I think that you can’t win the White House without the Midwest,” Duckworth told CNN’s State of the Union. And I believe that what we’re really seeing is just a movement for healthcare, housing and education in the United States.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) A major point of my campaign: in the safest blue seats in America, we should have leaders swinging for the most ambitious ideas possible for working-class Americans. She won a decisive Senate election victory in 2016 against a Republican incumbent who had swooped on a seat vacated by Barack Obama in 2008. Trump anti-abortion supreme court pick 'not acceptable', says Collins Read more Duckworth said Ocasio-Cortez’s appeal was likely limited to her district, which bridges the Bronx and Queens. “I think that we, as legislators, need to listen to our constituency and get out there. She pounded the pavement, and she was out there talking to every one of her constituents. “She turned out her voters and reflected the needs of her district.” Duckworth said the same of Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Democratic senators in states that voted for Trump who are thought likely to support his forthcoming supreme court pick. The three red-state Democrats “vote in whatever they need to do to take care of the people of their state”, Duckworth said.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old upstart who a year ago was working as a bartender at the gourmet Manhattan taqueria Flats Fix, and who had been inspired to run by Bernie Sanders, had swamped Crowley everywhere, from the barrios of the Bronx to the white liberal enclaves of Astoria and Jackson Heights. Joe Crowley was the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the likely next Speaker of the House and for a decade and a half had presided over the Queens County Democratic machine. I voted for her.” When Crowley entered the restaurant, he conceded immediately, pledging to support Ocasio-Cortez. “I may not have gotten proper credit for all the things I have done,” Crowley told New York while the band played “Ramblin’ Man” behind him. “The people in this district know me. It is what it is.” He defended not going to the debate in the Bronx, saying that the paper that sponsored the debate “had already endorsed my opponent, and they wouldn’t work with my schedule.” “I was never a good debater anyway,” he added. “I think anybody who has ever seen me debate knows that.” Crowley’s campaign team had no sense that he was vulnerable. She railed against Crowley’s ties to the Queens machine, in particular highlighting how high-level officials in the county Democratic Party serve as lawyers before Surrogate’s Court. The Queens Democratic Party had 300 foot soldiers knocking on doors on Crowley’s behalf on Election Day, and he had every major union in the city doing the same. It’s about the people.

Rhodes is not wrong to frame health care in explicitly local terms. A Swing District Packed With Democratic Contenders New York’s 19th, which stretches from the New York City weekend-home havens of the Hudson Valley to the Catskill Mountains in the west and the Leatherstocking District in the north, is a top target for Democrats this November. The New Democrat Coalition PAC, backed by pro-business House Democrats, has contributed to Ryan’s campaign through a donation to Serve America. Although he and Ryan are the only two candidates in the race who don’t support Medicare for all, Delgado is not shy about his progressive credentials. He has the endorsement of Citizen Action of New York, one of the state’s most influential left-leaning grassroots groups, as well as Andrea Mitchell, the health care activist filmed pressing Faso for answers. For his part, Delgado is vulnerable to future Republican attacks about his ties to the district. (Ryan returned to the district from New York City in 2017, but grew up in Kingston.) Residency questions prompted Zach Feuer, a Livingston-based Democratic activist and co-founder of the popular Facebook group “Listen to us, John Faso,” to rule out Delgado and Flynn. At the same time, Ryan’s early-career surveillance work was a deal breaker. Feuer endorsed Rhodes in a lengthy June 17 Facebook post; the New York Times editorial board endorsed him that day as well.

NEW YORK (AP) — Billionaire conservative icon David Koch is stepping down from the Koch brothers' network of business and political activities. David Koch is leaving his roles as executive vice president and board member for Koch Industries and a subsidiary, Koch Chemical Technology group, where he served as chairman and chief executive officer. Koch is also stepping down as chairman of the board for the Americans For Prosperity Foundation, the charity related to Koch brothers' primary political organization. He will continue to serve as the CEO of Koch Industries and the unofficial face of the network's political efforts. Democrats have demonized the Koch brothers for their outsized influence in conservative politics over the last decade. Citing concerns about Trump's style and substance, the network refused to endorse either presidential candidate in the 2016 election. And while they have praised Trump's policies on taxes, de-regulation and health care, they have aggressively attacked the Republican administration's trade policies. David Koch, who served as the Libertarian Party's vice presidential candidate in 1980, had begun focus more on philanthropy in recent years. The Manhattan resident donated $150 million to New York City's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in 2015, the largest gift in the organization's history. And David is much more into elective politics than I am."

New York politics can be confusing. For years, the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference helped Republicans maintain control of the state Senate. Another Democrat, state Sen. Simcha Felder, still caucuses with the GOP. In the Assembly, Democrat Erik Bohen ran and won as a Republican and now can’t caucus with either conference. Actress Cynthia Nixon, who shares a last name with (but is not related to) former Republican President Richard Nixon, is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary. And everyone and their mother wants to run for state attorney general. City & State is here to help with a handy-dandy guide to some of New York’s difficult to pronounce political names so you can seamlessly discuss state politics with friends, loved ones and strangers on the subway. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEER-sten JILL-ih-brand) note: NOT Kristen Rep. Adriano Espaillat (ay-dree-AH-no ehs-pie-YAHT) Rep. Elise Stefanik (eh-LEASE ste-FAHN-ick) Rep. Thomas Suozzi (TOM-iss SWAH-zee) Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NIH-dee-ah vell-AZ-kez) Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (KATH-ee HO-kuhl) Dutchess County Executive and GOP gubernatorial candidate Marcus Molinaro (MAR-kiss moe-lin-AIR-oh) State Sen. Michael Gianaris (MY-kuhl gee-ann-ARE-iss) State Sen. Marisol Alcantara (marry-SOLE al-CAN-tar-ah) State Sen. John Bonacic (JAHN BON-ah-sick) State Sen. Thomas Croci (TOM-iss CROW-chee) State Sen. Simcha Felder (SIM-kah FELL-der) State Sen. Rich Funke (RICH FUN-key) State Sen. Kathy Marchione (KATH-ee mar-SHOWN) State Sen. Shelley Mayer (SHELL-ee MAY-er) State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (rocks-ANN per-SAWD) State Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer (MY-kuhl RAN-zen-hoff-er) State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (loo-EES seh-PULL-vee-duh) Assemblyman Dov Hikind (DOHV HI-kehnd) Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (nih-COLE mal-ee-oh-TAH-kiss) Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (ME-kai-ale so-LAHJ) Assemblyman Joseph Morelle (JOE-sehf more-EHL-ee) New York City Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel (ah-LEE-kah AM-pree-SAM-yoo-ehl) New York City Councilman Costa Constantinides (COST-ah con-stan-tih-NEE-dees) New York City Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. (RAH-berht CORN-egg-ee) New York City Councilman Mark Gjonaj (MARK JOE-nigh) New York City Councilman Ben Kallos (BEN KAY-lows) New York City Councilman Mark Levine (MARK leh-VEEN) New York City Councilman Steve Levin (STEEV LEH-vin) New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (ee-DAHN-iss rod-REE-gez) New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams (joo-MAH-nee WIHL-yuhms) New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (khEYEm dietch) Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini (TIHM SEE-nee) Former New York City Housing Authority Chairwoman Shola Olatoye (SHOW-lah oh-LAH-toy-yay) Former state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (DEEN SKEH-lows) State Senate candidate Andrew Gounardes (ANN-drew guh-NAR-dez) U.S. Senate candidate Chele Chiavacci Farley (SHELL kee-ah-VAH-chee FAR-lee) Billionaire John Catsimatidis (JAHN cats-eh-mah-TEE-dees) Gristedes (griss-TEE-dees) note: above billionaire’s grocery store chain Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch (ED KAHTCH) Billionaire Republican donors Charles and David Koch (CHAHRLZ and DAY-vid COKE)

What to watch for this week in New York politics: We're less than a month from New York's congressional primaries, to be held Tuesday, June 26. As those congressional primary races hit the home stretch, we're also now fully into campaign season for the state-level primaries that will be voted on September 13. That group includes Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, and Zephyr Teachout, who is running for attorney general against Public Advocate Letitia James, who won the Democratic state committee's designation at last week's convention. A water testing demonstration will be conducted dockside at Minneford Marina in City Island, Bronx on Tuesday” at 11 a.m. At 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Comptroller Scott Stringer will attend the UFT Retired Teachers 55th Annual Luncheon. At 6:15 p.m., Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James will attend the Agudath Israel 96th Annual Dinner. Panels will discuss “The Future of Housing Development in New York”; “Rezoning NYC”; and “Buildings and Infrastructure Ideas that Better NY.” On Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Albany, a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Committee on Labor “To examine the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises program, and consider potential legislative solutions to create a more effective and efficient program to enhance New York’s business climate.” On Wednesday at the City Council: the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will meet at 9:30 a.m. and the Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions will meet at 2 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Cooper Union, “Open House New York will host Redefining Safety and Justice for the 21st Century City, a special conversation about the future of New York's justice system,” the “launch event for Spaces of Justice, a new yearlong series about the architecture and infrastructure of our city's criminal justice system, the program includes a presentation by Elizabeth Glazer, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, followed by a conversation with Stanley Richards, Executive Vice President, The Fortune Society, moderated by Rosalie Genevro, Executive Director, The Architectural League.” Thursday The state Legislature is scheduled to be in session in Albany on Thursday. This is an organizational meeting and does not include public testimony.” On Thursday at 6:30 p.m. "the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC (SDNYC) will host its 2018 Annual Event at Raise New York,(416 3rd Ave, Manhattan) and will recognize outstanding LGBT advocates: Hon. Friday and the Weekend Mayor de Blasio may make his weekly appearance on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show on Friday morning at 10 a.m. On Friday, the second annual Summit on Latin@s in New York City (SOL NYC) will be held by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Hunter College- CUNY), the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, the Jaime Lucero Mexican Studies Institute at CUNY, the Hispanic Federation, and the Council of the City of New York, “to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the City’s Latinos, assess policy priorities, and develop an action agenda for today and tomorrow.” “On Friday, June 1, New York University’s Institute of Human Development and Social Change (IHDSC) will host a one-day summit to address how researchers, New York City government agencies and practitioners can work together to improve the systems and opportunities that support vulnerable youth in New York City. There will be a keynote speaker and three panel sessions, each of which will focus on a specific sector: immigration, juvenile justice, and special education and mental health.” On Saturday at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, “The New York State Democratic Party is hosting a Volunteer Grassroots Summit this year in order to engage activists from across New York City and surrounding areas.

“When I think about what motivates me to be in government, it’s making change and impacting public policy,” Miner said on a recent episode of the Max & Murphy podcast from Gotham Gazette and City Limits, adding her contention that “real people are suffering” because of poor public policy in transit, affordable housing, and infrastructure across the state. Miner, a Democrat who was term-limited out of office as mayor of the state’s fifth biggest city at the end of last year, has for months explored the possibility of challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo in this year’s gubernatorial primary election. Her resume also includes the fact that she was the first woman to be elected mayor of Syracuse and her time as the chair of the state Democratic Party, a position she earned in part because of support from Cuomo, who she subsequently had a major falling out with. “For me backroom dealings and politics as usual is not serving anybody,” she said on the podcast. Some of those accused, including another former top aide and several major donors to Cuomo, are set to stand trial beginning in June. “I think elected officials are more interested in serving the needs and desires of vested special interests who give big campaign contributions,” Miner said. Solving these problems is especially difficult in a “brittle” system that discourages a considered and forward-thinking discussion of issues, Miner said. But there’s a fundamental change in leadership need, she said -- New York needs people in power who are collaborative, who listen, who consider alternative viewpoints. You’re always going to know why I disagree with you, and what those grounds are, and that was not something that was tolerated in Andrew Cuomo’s world,” she said. People are hungry for change.” [LISTEN: Max & Murphy Podcast: Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner] Sponsored

What to watch for this week in New York politics: This week we're continuing to dissect Mayor Bill de Blasio's recently-released $89 billion Executive Budget plan for fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1. e-mail Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max: bmax@gothamgazette.com*** The run of the week in detail: Monday On Monday at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, "Mayor de Blasio will hold a public hearing for the following eleven bills that aim to reduce workplace sexual harassment: Intro. On Monday at 1 p.m. at City Hall, "delivery workers will be joined by Asian American Federation, Make the Road New York, Biking Public Project, Transportation Alternatives, Legal Aid Society, New York City Council Member Margaret Chin and other elected officials to lay out five steps the de Blasio administration must take to ensure their needs are not forgotten in light of recent proposed clarifications on rules surrounding class 1, pedal-assist e-bikes. The New York State Legislature will be in session on Tuesday in Albany. Wednesday At the City Council on Wednesday: --The Committee on Standards and Ethics will meet at 10:30 a.m. to discuss a proposed law relating to “the advisory opinions of the Conflicts Of Interest Board.” --The Committee on Land Use will meet at 11 a.m. to discuss the “approval of cemetery uses on land acquired in Queens before 1973.” --The Committees on Justice System and Consumer Affairs & Business Licenses will meet jointly at 1 p.m. to discuss proposed laws relating to the bail bonds industry. The New York State Legislature will be in session on Wednesday in Albany. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Business Council of New York State will host its annual “Conference on State Taxation,” featuring business leaders discussing the impact of recent tax issues on businesses in the state. The conference will take place at the Renaissance Albany Hotel. At 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, criminal justice reform advocates will gather at the west gate of City Hall to call on the city to “pass protections for consumers regularly exploited by the predatory bail bonds industry.” At 6 p.m. Wednesday, the New York City Bar Association will host “How To Get on the Ballot in New York City,” discussing the complex process of becoming a candidate for public office in New York City. At noon Thursday, the New York State Board of Elections will hold a commissioners’ meeting in Albany.

What to watch for this week in New York politics: The week begins with the New York political world fixated on the race for Governor after the Working Families Party endorsed Cynthia Nixon on Saturday. Added attention will come as state legislators return to Albany for three session days this week after the annual post-budget break. ***Do you have events or topics for us to include in an upcoming Week Ahead in New York Politics? e-mail Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max: bmax@gothamgazette.com*** The run of the week in detail: Monday At the City Council on Monday: --The Committees on Health and Parks & Recreation will meet jointly at 10 a.m. to discuss a proposed law “requiring defibrillators at softball fields where youth leagues play.” --The Committee on Justice System will meet at 1 p.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “investigations and prosecutions of low wage theft.” The New York State Legislature will be in session on Monday in Albany, returning from the post-budget recess. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, City Council Member Carlos Menchaca and the Consulate General of Mexico will host a welcome ceremony for new Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza at Sunset Park High School in Brooklyn. The New York State Legislature will be in session on Tuesday in Albany. At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy will rally at Bronx Borough Hall to protest Mayor de Blasio's “proposed cuts to English and other adult literacy programs in the City Budget.” Wednesday At the City Council on Wednesday: --The Committees on Land Use, Finance, and Education will meet jointly at 10 a.m. for an oversight hearing reviewing the recent Council report “Planning to Learn: The School Building Challenge,” to discuss several proposed laws relating to school sitings and land use for education, and to discuss two resolutions: the first one calling on the state to confer the city with broad design-build authority for all capital projects, and the second calling upon the School Construction Authority “to more clearly communicate to the general public how city residents can submit potential school sites and the guidelines used by the School Construction Authority in considering whether a suggested school site meets the evaluation standards used by the authority.” --The Committee on Economic Development will meet at 10 a.m. for an oversight hearing regarding “modifying helicopter routes to reduce noise over residential neighborhoods,” to discuss a proposed law relating to “an annual helicopter sightseeing plan,” and to discuss a resolution “calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to amend the North Shore helicopter route to extend further west to cover Northeast Queens.” --The Committee on Technology will meet at 1 p.m. for an oversight hearing regarding LinkNYC. Speakers include U.S. At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Mayor de Blasio will appear at the 2018 Inner Circle Show at the New York Hilton Midtown. *** Have events or topics for us to include in an upcoming Week Ahead in New York Politics?

The president’s advisers have concluded that a corruption investigation in New York presents a more imminent threat than the special counsel’s inquiry. Nearly a week after a deadly suspected chemical attack, the United States and its allies launched airstrikes on Syria. Additional reading Excerpts from James B. Comey’s memoir, which describes Mr. Trump as “untethered to truth,” were released. The president fired Mr. Comey in May. Additional reading Additional reading Speaker Paul D. Ryan announced he would not seek re-election, sending Republicans scrambling seven months before the midterm elections. As many as 50 House Republican seats are at risk in competitive races this year, and his departure makes it more difficult for the Republican Party to hold onto the House majority. Additional reading Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, testified before Congress for the first time. Mark Zuckerberg answered nearly 600 questions from skeptical lawmakers over two days after revelations that Facebook, the company that he repeatedly mentioned he started in his Harvard University dorm room, failed to protect the data of more than 87 million users from being harvested by a political consulting firm. Additional reading The Trump administration continued to seek trade deals — including one it left last year — but it remains unclear how those deals will unfold. In a sharp reversal, Mr. Trump said on Thursday that the United States was looking to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multinational trade agreement he pulled out of during the first few days of his administration.