Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. and his father, Frank, together in 2005. (Photo: NYS Assembly)

During the course of reporting this week's cover story on William Boyland Jr., I spent over a month attempting to speak to the allegedly corrupt Assemblyman including sending emails, Facebook messages, multiple calls to his work number and personal cell phone and visits to his office in Albany, his district office in Brownsville and his home in Bedford Stuyvesant. I finally met Mr. Boyland last Saturday night in the lobby of the Hotel Albany where he was on hand for the annual New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus association weekend.

Upon seeing Mr. Boyland, who was handing his young son money to spend in the hotel gift shop, I immediately walked over, whipped out my audio recorder and introduced myself.

"I know who you are, you stopped by my house," Assemblyman Boyland responded.

Mr. Boyland declined to discuss the pair of corruption trials against him, the bullets fired at his car last August, or the, at last count, 41 lawsuits filed against him by the State Board of Elections for his failure to file required campaign finance disclosures.

"You have a card or something? I'm not going to do any comment now. I'll reach out when you get home OK?"

Even though I already left a card for Mr. Boyland on my visit to his house, I gave him another one. He never called.

Mr. Boyland didn't have much to say to me, but his father, William Boyland Sr., who's better known as Frank, was far more forthcoming.

I met Frank Boyland at the caucus weekend church service at Wilborn Temple in Albany. Both Boylands were in attendance along with several other members of their family. They sat in a place of honor near the front row. As the choir sang, Assemblyman Boyland stood and clapped to the music. When Reverend Jesse Jackson, who served as guest minister, called on members of the audience who knew someone who had been in jail to stand, the assemblyman rose from his pew. He also stood when Mr. Jackson asked if any members of the audience knew someone who contemplated suicide.

Immediately after Rev. Jackson finished his sermon, the elder Mr. Boyland got up and left the church. He needed a cigarette. Mr. Boyland smokes Winstons that he clenches between his teeth and lights one after the other. I followed him out of the church and, as we walked down the steps and, since I began my latest attempt to quit last week, showed him my stash of nicotine gum  to let him know I felt his pain. Mr. Boyland said he hated not being able to smoke inside and doesn't understand why people think secondhand smoke can give them cancer. After briefly discussing smoking and my recent experiences living in Los Angeles, home of some of the country's strictest anti-smoking rules, I pulled out my tape recorder and asked Mr. Boyland about the latest corruption allegations against his son.

"I don't know the answer to cancer and all that," he said.

Sensing Mr. Boyland was about to clam up on me, I shifted the conversation and asked him about the many challengers lining up to face his son if the assemblyman survives his legal woes long enough to run for re-election sometime this summer.

"What race? It's a race out there?" Mr. Boyland asked.

I named some of the candidates hoping to unseat his son and Mr. Boyland dismissed them all.

"Who are these guys?" Mr. Boyland said. "They're always trying."

He went on to describe the candidates hoping to unseat his son as "buttholes." Now that I had Mr. Boyland going, I tried asking about the trial again.

"He beat the hell out of them. Everything you asked, they put it out there. Did he lose? OK, so what's the question?" Mr. Boyland said.

I explained to Mr. Boyland that I was asking about his son's current corruption trial rather than the trial he faced last year, which resulted in an acquittal.

"They throw the kitchen at you, now they want to throw the kitchen sink," he said.

Mr. Boyland went on to reference my comments about having lived in Los Angeles to illustrate his belief everyone has some skeletons in their closet.

"If you dig deep enough into your L.A. experience they'll find something that you did wrong," he said.

Though court documents indicate Assemblyman Boyland is negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors, the elder Mr. Boyland was adamant in his belief his son isn't going to plead out after emerging victorious from his last trial.

"You saw, the guy didn't plea the last time, so what makes you think hell plea on this crap?" Mr. Boyland asked. "Why would he plea if he done beat the crap out of you?"

Mr. Boyland turned the conversation back to discussing the "sons of bitches" planning to run against his son. He said, unlike his son, they offer no solutions for the problems facing Brownsville, specifically the high rate of crime and gun violence. I mentioned the incident last August when shots were fired at the younger Mr. Boyland's car.

"When the situation gets so bad that they shoot at him, something has to be done," he said.

Police believe the shooting was random. Earlier this month, an NYPD spokesman told me the investigation is "ongoing." I asked Mr. Boyland if he had any idea who shot his son.

"I don't know," he said, adding rather cryptically, "Knowing me, I would have fixed my own problems."

As we continued to talk, other people began to depart from the church. Mr. Boyland spotted Robert Cornegy, a Democratic district leader and potential Assembly candidate in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

"Hey district leader, what's happening?" Mr. Boyland said.

"How you doing sir?" Mr. Cornegy asked without stopping.

"Come back here!" Mr. Boyland said.

"He's got you," Mr. Cornegy said pointing in my direction.

"No, he ain't got me. He's here asking me something and, normally, if he wasn't a nice young man, I wouldn't even talk to him, but he knows what smoking means," Mr. Boyland said.

Mr. Cornegy laughed and continued walking away.

As the crowds continued to file out of the church, a woman came up to Mr. Boyland.

"Excuse me, sorry to break you up," she said as she pulled him away by the arm.

It wouldn't be my last conversation with Mr. Boyland. At the gala scholarship dinner later that evening, Mr. Boyland came up next to me while I was using the urinal. He wanted to ask me more about my thoughts on the candidates hoping to unseat his son. Since we were in the bathroom, I didn't have my recorder handy. After I stepped away from the urinals, Mr. Boyland remained there and continued to talk for several minutes with his hands on his hips.

Eventually, Mr. Boyland  finished up at the urinal and asked me to join him outside for another cigarette. As he smoked, he regaled me with his views on how nanotechnology, solar power and fish farming represent huge opportunities for the State. He said the Governor's office had approached him about going to Buffalo to research fish farming programs, but he declined because they didn't offer him any money.

Mr. Boyland told me his son is also an advocate of non-traditional, innovative programs and suggested I talk to him. I let him know about my extensive efforts to get in touch with the assemblyman. He said his son was feeling "harassed" by the press. Casting me a sidelong glance, Mr. Boyland asked if I was "an agent" of some type. I assured him I wasn't and simply wanted him and his family to have a chance to share their story. Soon after, we shook hands and parted ways.

Want to buy a car from Gov. Cuomo in almost mint condition? (Photo: Getty)

Earlier this afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he's going to be selling New York State's old stuff on eBay, to the excitement of whomever is interested in the state government's old office supplies, furniture, and highway equipment.

Why is New York State selling its old stuff? Is New York State moving out of its old dusty Albany apartment to a new loft in Williamsburg?

Probably not, it seems.

In his statement, Mr. Cuomo said the government is selling "unneeded equipment and supplies" in order to "reduce operating costs and cut back on excess spending and inventory."

New Yorkers wishing to purchase this inventory can mosey over to NYSStore.com, which will be an eBay-based online platform to sell these unneeded state assets. The sales will begin in April.

Of course, if Mr. Cuomo really wanted to rake home the big bucks for New York's government, he might ask his girlfriend Sandra Lee to place some of her famous tablescapes on eBay along with the rest of the state's old stuff from the attic.

In all seriousness, Mr. Cuomo announced the state has already identified 500 unneeded vehicles. "This initiative is a small part of our work to overhaul government operations and make the state work more efficiently for the taxpayer," he said of the website.

Marty Markowitz pantomimes how sad Mayor Bloomberg will be to not have a job.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg had a cute exchange with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as they trumpeted the success of new job centers yesterday afternoon.

"Marty and I will be losing our jobs in 679 days," Mr. Bloomberg pointed out, joking that one of them might some career advice. Both officials are term-limited out in 2013.

"I have a hunch that one of us will actually be looking for a job in those six hundred and something days," Mr. Markowitz responded when he took the podium.

Mr. Bloomberg proceeded to insist he doesn't have a retirement plan, prompting Mr. Markowitz to sarcastically quip, "Oh, sure."

Mr. Markowitz then pantomimed what the billionaire mayor will be experiencing when he's no longer in office by dramatically pretending to weep. Mr. Markowitz's skepticism is understandable as Mr. Bloomberg doesn't even bother to cash the checks for his $1 yearly salary.

Despite the jabs, the two officials are surely on good terms. As Mr. Bloomberg said at the event, Mr. Markowitz is "one of my five favorite borough presidents."

Watch the exchange below:

New York Leaders for Pension Reform, as the new group is called, say they will lead a  campaign travel to Albany and across the state to push lawmakers to adopt Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pension reform plan, which includes adding a sixth tier to the pension plan and switching new employees from a defined benefit to a defined contribution plan.

“The first time I traveled to Albany as Mayor in 2002, pension costs accounted for $1.5 billion of New York City’s budget. Now, pension costs account for one out of every six dollars – or 12 percent of New York City’s entire budget. These costs are unsustainable,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Local governments around the state are all in the same boat, and we are joining together to support Governor Cuomo’s push for pension reform to ensure that boat does not become a sinking ship.  Passing responsible pension reform is essential to ensure that we can afford retirement benefits for tomorrow’s workers – and the public services that today’s citizens deserve and demand.”

Labor and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have resisted a defined contribution plan, saying that it would do nothing to cure the immediate budget woes and could hurt later retirees.

This effort marks yet another coalition of elected leaders that Mayor Bloomberg has formed in order to push for specific agenda items. His previous efforts however, which include a coalition to reform gun laws and coalition to liberalize immigration laws, have focused on national issues and been national in scope. This is, to my knowledge at least, the first similar statewide push.

The coalition is a veritable who's who of local executives from across the state, and the only name missing, as best I can tell, is Buffalo mayor Byron Brown.

The full release is below:

Mayors and county executives from across New York State, representing more than 15,000,000 New Yorkers, today announced that they have formed a bipartisan coalition to address the crisis of skyrocketing pension costs. New York Leaders for Pension Reform will lead a vigorous campaign across the state to ensure state legislators understand the importance to local governments of passing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s reform plan to get pension costs under control without reducing retirement benefits for a single existing public employee. Coalition members also will travel to Albany later this month to advocate for the Governor’s plan.

Taken together, annual pension costs to local governments across the State have gone from $1.7 billion in 2002 to $12.5 billion today – an increase of more than 630 percent. Despite opposition to reform by Comptroller DiNapoli and others, members of the coalition know first-hand how runaway local pension payments have already significantly reduced localities’ ability to fund education, public safety, social services, economic development and other services – and how skyrocketing costs threaten to force severe budget cuts or tax increases in the years ahead. That is why local government leaders are demanding action from the Legislature now.

Governor Cuomo’s plan will create a new tier of pension benefits for yet-to-be-hired employees who are participating in the New York State and New York City retirement systems. Existing employees and retirees will be unaffected. The new plan would reasonably raise the retirement age for newly hired employees, and exclude overtime from the formula used to calculate the final average salary for pension payments. Further, the proposal would provide employees with the option of participating in a defined contribution plan – similar to plans common in the private sector – that some employees may decide is a better choice for their individual career path.

Today, coalition members – full list below – spoke out in favor of the Governor’s proposal:

“Exploding pension costs are the single biggest threat to local government’s ability to deliver needed services,” said Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino. “It will be impossible to provide any real property tax relief while operating under these debilitating labor costs that automatically increase every year at an unsustainable rate. The Governor’s proposal is a good first step toward delivering savings in the long-term and I thank Mayor Bloomberg for spearheading this coalition. We must continue working together to enact this plan and other reforms that will provide relief for both today and the future.”

“Suffolk County’s pension costs per employee have risen over 1,200 percent in the past decade, that is an unsustainable mandate and it is crowding out other investments we must make in our communities,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “I am pleased to join with Mayor Bloomberg and local officials from throughout New York who understand the need for pension reform.”

“In Wyoming County we collect $15,184,695 in property tax levy. Wyoming County simply cannot afford to maintain this level of pension costs,” saidChairman of the Wyoming County of Board of Supervisors Douglas Berwanger. “Therefore, the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors supports Governor Cuomo’s efforts to achieve passage of the pension reform initiative.”

“The first time I traveled to Albany as Mayor in 2002, pension costs accounted for $1.5 billion of New York City’s budget. Now, pension costs account for one out of every six dollars – or 12 percent of New York City’s entire budget. These costs are unsustainable,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Local governments around the state are all in the same boat, and we are joining together to support Governor Cuomo’s push for pension reform to ensure that boat does not become a sinking ship.  Passing responsible pension reform is essential to ensure that we can afford retirement benefits for tomorrow’s workers – and the public services that today’s citizens deserve and demand.”

“Rapidly increasing pension costs have become an unsustainable burden for local governments throughout New York,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. “Pension reform is urgently needed in order to relieve pressure on both taxpayers and municipal services.”

“The pension system cannot continue as it exists, it is bankrupting localities across the state,” said Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham. “I look forward to working with Mayor Bloomberg and my colleagues in government to achieve these reforms.”

“The Governor proposes pension reforms that would create flexibility in pension and retirement choices for public employees. Next to Medicaid, pension costs in New York State are the most significant burden on local governments. Unsustainable at its present rate of double digit growth, the new proposal ensures long term affordability for taxpayers while offering a secure retirement system for New York State’s public employees,” said Genesee County Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock. “We urge support for the pension reforms and the other important mandate relief measures in the 2012-2013 Executive Budget.”

“All local governments in New York State are dangerously close to financially ruin due in large part to the cost of public employee pensions, we need reform and Governor Cuomo’s proposal is a step in the right direction,” said Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan. “As New York State’s longest serving mayor, I have never seen such dire financial times as we currently face, we must have a new tier now.”

“It is imperative that Albany Legislators support pension reform including the new tier proposed by Governor Cuomo. The present system is unsustainable and unaffordable and is directly affecting every municipality from New York City to Plattsburgh,” said Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak. “I fully support immediate pension and retirement mandate reform and strongly urge the Albany Legislature to do the same as well.”

“Pension contributions are one of the fastest growing costs every county government faces,” said Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney. “Onondaga County’s pension costs have more than doubled in only four years. These increases are not sustainable and real pension reform is needed now”

“New York State has reached a point where we can no longer afford the expensive public pension system,” said Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano. “Governor Cuomo’s reform plan would have no impact on current workers or retirees, rather it is part of a long-term strategy to be fair to both future employees while saving taxpayer money and reform a system that has become untenable.”

“Pension reform has been at the top of my legislative agenda in Albany,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “Our pension bills have been growing exponentially each year and are a significant reason upstate cities are in precarious fiscal shape. I am pleased to join Mayor Bloomberg and other leaders to advocate for the initial reforms advanced by the governor.”

“The out-of-control increases in pension costs are threatening every local government’s ability to provide essential municipal services and adequately maintain and compensate our workforce,” stated New York Conference of Mayors President and Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson. “Governor Cuomo’s reform proposal makes total sense, is long overdue and is good news for taxpayers, communities and public employees.”

“Governor Cuomo’s vision for reform is fair to those receiving pensions now and for those who will receive pensions in the future.  More important, his plan protects taxpayers who can no longer afford to underwrite this unsustainable benefit,” said Utica Mayor Robert A. Palmieri. “Pension obligations make up more than 10 percent of Utica’s budget. The very survival of our cities depends on changing the pension system.”

“I’ve spoken numerous times about the need for pension reform and it’s very promising to see that Governor Cuomo is acting to address the issue,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “I am confident that the Governor, working with the Assembly and Senate, can craft a solution that protects the retirement savings of our public workforce and their families, while addressing the economic realities presented to Erie County and municipalities across the state.”

“If retirement costs continue to escalate, counties and other local governments will have to make very difficult budget choices that pit the needs of paying for retirement against the need to provide services. None of us want to make those choices,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. “The proposal that the Governor has drafted provides the benefits that public employees deserve, at a cost that governments can afford. This is a compromise that reflects the fiscal reality of our times, and I believe it is an important and essential step New York must take.”

“I am pleased to be working with Mayor Bloomberg and my colleagues around the state on this critical issue. Pension payments are one of the top budget drivers in my city,” said White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach. “The pension reform plan put forth by Governor Cuomo in his Executive Budget is a sensible one – and one that must be passed if we are to have any hope of bringing these costs under control in the future. At the same time, it rightly recognizes and protects existing pension benefits for current employees.”

“The skyrocketing increases in our current, unsustainable retirement program will not only threaten the financial viability of every local government, school district and the state itself, but in the long run, will destabilize and bring down the very retirement system that so many claim to be concerned about. It stands to reason, if those who are paying the bills can no longer afford to do so and are going broke in the process, it’s really only a matter of time before the retirement system itself collapses under its own mounting weight,” said Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi. “The Governor’s proposal is a solid and effective step in the right direction and needs to be enacted as soon as possible.”

“I strongly support Governor Cuomo’s pension reform legislation. Under this proposed reform, new employee contribution rates would increase, bringing much-needed relief to county governments like Rockland,” said Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. “It is vital that the state government address the huge unfunded mandate liability of pensions, which have significantly increased costs to the 62 counties of New York.”

Founding members of New York Leaders for Pension Reform are:

Mayors

Albany: Mayor Gerald D. Jennings

Hornell: Mayor Shawn Hogan

Jamestown: Mayor Samuel Teresi

New York City: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

New Rochelle: Mayor Noam Bramson

Ogdensburg: Mayor William D. Nelson

Plattsburg: Mayor Donald M. Kasprzak

Rochester: Mayor Thomas S. Richards

Syracuse: Mayor Stephanie Miner

Utica: Mayor Robert A. Palmieri

Watertown: Mayor Jeff Graham

White Plains: Mayor Thomas M. Roach

County Executives and Legislative Leaders

Albany: County Executive Daniel P. McCoy

Dutchess: County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro

Erie: County Executive Mark Poloncarz

Genesee: Legislature Chair Mary Pat Hancock

Monroe: County Executive Maggie Brooks

Nassau: County Executive Edward P. Mangano

Oneida: County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.

Onondaga: County Executive Joanne M. Mahoney

Orange: County Executive Edward A. Diana

Rockland: County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef

Suffolk: County Executive Steve Bellone

Westchester: County Executive Robert P. Astorino

Wyoming: Chairman of the County of Board of Supervisors Douglas Berwanger

Charlie Rangel, dancing! (Photo: YouTube)

Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel may have been serving in Congress since the early 1970s, but that doesn't mean he can't bring the funk, should the situation call for it.

Indeed, earlier this morning, his Twitter account blasted out the YouTube video below with the message, "At 82, I still got the dance moves!"

The video is described as a "turn out the vote rally" for a 2010 election, but it was just uploaded to YouTube today for the world to enjoy. It's worth watching the smiling Mr. Rangel clearly enjoying himself on the dance floor:

(h/t Capital Tonight)

Tish James (Photo: NYC Council)

Last Friday, Gay City News reporter Andy Humm printed a column accusing Councilwoman and likely candidate for Public Advocate Tish James of defending "KKK access to schools." The story was based on a testy exchange about the controversy over whether churches should be allowed to hold worship services in public schools when class is not in session that took place between Ms. James and Ms. Humm after a public forum on stop-and-frisk at the LGBT Community Center where both were speaking. Ms. James, who supports allowing religious organizations access to school buildings, gave her side of the story to The Politicker and clarified her position on the controversial issue.

"The comment was made in jest, and apparently, it was taken very seriously by a reporter who obviously was very disappointed in my position regarding allowing access to organizations of faith, who have used and want to continue to use public schools on days that schools are closed," Ms. James said.

Mr. Humm's story, which was subsequently picked up by other media outlets, quoted Ms. James as saying the Klan is "entitled to equal access." Ms. James, who said she knows Mr. Humm, described her interaction with Mr. Humm as a conversation that devolved into a "shouting match" and said she made the remark in an attempt to end the argument:

"I respect him but, as I indicated to him then, and as I will state now, we agree to disagree and it should have been left at that. To continue to raise pointed questions and issues and distinctions in this particular area just raised the level of conversation to an argument and to a point where it was just a shouting match. Unfortunately, whenever it rises to the level of a shouting match nothing constructive could ever come out of it, and so what I attempted to do was really try to limit the conversation by just giving him, I guess, an answer that he wanted, but it was said in jest, most of the individuals who were around us at the time did not take my comment seriously. He indicated he was going to print it, I didn't take him really seriously. I was tired at that point in time and I really just wanted to end the conversation. I wanted to end it on the point that we agree to disagree."

In his column, Mr. Humm described his conversation with Ms. James as a "heated debate." We witnessed the argument between the two, which lasted for over 20 minutes and included Mr. Humm blocking Ms. James from leaving the area and pushing his finger into her chest as she repeatedly said, "Let's agree to disagree."

On February 12, Mayor Michael Bloomberg put a ban into effect barring churches from renting school buildings to hold services on Sundays, when the buildings are otherwise closed. Four days later, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska issued a restraining order blocking the ban, but on February 21, a three-judge panel at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals narrowed Judge Preska's order to only include a single church, the Bronx Household of Faith, which has been fighting a legal battle to have access to school buildings on Sundays for more than fifteen years.

Ms. James described the issue as a "delicate balance" and said she doesn't support giving all organizations access to public school buildings.

"Obviously, we needed to change the statute to ensure that organizations that preach hate, such as the KKK, and organizations that appeal to the prurient interest, such as pornographic organizations would not be in a position to use our schools," she said.

Ms. James said this could be solved through the creation of "a review board or perhaps some strict language."

Critics of allowing religious organizations to rent space in school buildings argue many religions are anti-gay.

"Some great gay organizations are going to argue that some churches preach hate in their sermons and are not friendly to the LGBT community," Ms. James said. "My point is and my position has always been an issue of access and providing some criteria so that organizations who are of a certain ilk would not be in a position to have access to our schools."

Another criticism of the push to allow religious organizations to rent school space is that Jewish groups cannot take equal advantage of the policy, because Jewish Sabbath takes place on Saturdays and schools are only closed on Sundays. Ms. James rejected the idea that the push to allow religious groups to worship in schools is a "Christian movement."

"When we marched over the bridge that day, what I noticed was that there were Jews, there were Christians, there were Muslims, there were blacks, whites, Asians, there was Latinos, there was everyone," Ms. James said. "There are some mosques that use the schools and there are some Jewish organizations that use the schools as well."

Ms. James also pointed out that religious groups are currently allowed access to school buildings for uses other than worship.

"It's important for people to understand that houses of worship be, they Christian, Jewish or Muslim can use our schools currently, it's the question of prayer," Ms. James said. "They can use it to teach, they can use it to sing songs, they can use it to educate, but it's the prayer aspect of it. ... Some people want a complete ban and that's what I oppose, because for me it's an issue of access, allowing organizations to use it that do not preach hate and do not appeal to the prurient interest."

Ms. James said she believes lawmakers in Albany are trying to work on a compromise to settle the issue.

"I think, and I'm not sure, at this time that the Speaker of the Assembly is trying to strike a compromise," Ms. James said. "I do know that there is a liberal wing within the Assembly amongst the Democrats who are opposing this, who have taken a very strong position. Som I'm going to defer to the Assembly on this particular issue."

Michael Treybich (Photo: Facebook)

Michael Treybich, an attorney and deputy legal director for the New York State Young Democrats, is looking more likely to formally enter the campaign for term-limited Councilman Domenic Recchia's Council seat, at least if you believe a fundraising invite a reader forwarded to The Politicker.

"My good friend from law school, Michael Treybich is beginning what will be a historic political career, with a run for city council in 2013," the email from fellow attorney Adam Roth begins.

Mr. Treybich opened up a campaign account for the seat a while back, and has raised a tiny chunk of money, $1,400, from a handful of donors, according to the last filing. A formal campaign fundraiser represents an additional step in his campaign.

If Mr. Treybich does pull the trigger on a campaign, that could place him on a collision course with Democratic Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, who City & State reported is "all but certain to run" for Mr. Recchia's seat.

A number of other candidates have campaign committees open for the seat, but one Brooklyn Democratic source thought them unlikely to challenge Mr. Brook-Krasny should he enter the race. These include John Lisyanskiy, a legislative financial analyst for the New York City Council who raised $64,000 for the 2009 campaign but nothing since, attorney Brian Gottlieb, who has raised a few dollars since 2009 and sits on over $50,000, and Todd Dobrin, a community activist sitting on $34,000, and who has also done some light fundraising recently.

View the fundraising invite below:

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

My good friend from law school, Michael Treybich is beginning what will be a historic political career, with a run for city council in 2013.

As you all know, politicians need the support of their constituents. So I ask all of you to come out for a happy hour on March 1, 2012 from 6-9 pm.

The happy hour includes drink specials and wonderful food at the gastropub West 3rd Common. It is located just west of Broadway on 3rd Street in Greenwich Village.

Although there is no charge, we do ask for a $25 donation to the campaign. As you may be aware, New York City matches contributions from New York City residents 6 to 1, so every dollar you donate becomes 7 to the campaign.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Otherwise, hope to see you there.

Ms. Kennedy, you will recall, made a very public effort to be named to the Senate seat being vacated by now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The decision was ultimately up to David Paterson, and after a long-drawn out process, he named Kirsten Gillibrand to the seat, and Ms. Kennedy sounded through with politics.

Ms. Kennedy was a prominent backer of Mr. Obama's 2008 effort, convincing her uncle Teddy Kennedy to endorse his campaign in a move that was largely viewed as a slap-in-the face to Ms. Clinton. Ms. Kennedy cited her experience with that campaign in stating why she decided to put her name out there to be named to Ms. Clinton's Senate seat.

It remains to be seen how public Ms. Kennedy is in support of Mr. Obama this time around. The job of campaign co-chairs seems to mostly be to stay out of the news.

The full release, and the rest of the co-chairs, are named below:

Obama for America announced today the campaign’s National Co-Chairs, a diverse group of leaders from around the country committed to re-electing President Obama. They will serve as ambassadors for the President, advise the campaign on key issues, and help engage and mobilize voters in all 50 states.

“The President’s National Co-Chairs will be tremendous assets on the ground as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history,” said Jim Messina, Obama for America Campaign Manager. “They each share the President’s vision for a future where every American can have a fair shot at success, where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.”

Our National Co-Chairs’ varied backgrounds and experiences will prove invaluable as they connect with the President’s supporters and advocate on his behalf on the campaign trail. They are proud of the President’s record and leadership in rebuilding the economy after the worst economic crisis in generations and helping restore security to middle-class families through cutting taxes, investing in education, expanding manufacturing, increasing America’s energy independence, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health care, and making sure that everyone – from Wall Street to Main Street – plays by the same rules.

·         Lynnette Acosta – OFA volunteer leader from Florida

·         Marc Benioff – CEO of Salesforce.com

·         Senator Michael Bennet – U.S. Senator from Colorado

·         Mayor Julian Castro – Mayor of San Antonio

·         Governor Lincoln Chafee – Governor of Rhode Island

·         Ann Cherry – Retired teacher and OFA volunteer leader from North Carolina

·         Representative Judy Chu – Representing the 32nd District of California

·         Representative Emanuel Cleaver – Representing the 5th District of Missouri

·         Bill Daley – Former White House Chief of Staff to President Obama, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce

·         Maria Elena Durazo – Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

·         Senator Dick Durbin – U.S. Senator from Illinois

·         Mayor  Rahm Emanuel – Mayor of Chicago

·         Senator Russ Feingold – Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin

·         Representative Charles A. Gonzalez – Representing the 20th District of Texas

·         Loretta Harper – High School Counselor and OFA volunteer leader from Nevada

·         Attorney General Kamala Harris – Attorney General of California

·         Sai Iyer – Student at Virginia Commonwealth University and OFA volunteer leader from Virginia

·         Caroline Kennedy – Author/President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

·         Eva Longoria – Actress and Philanthropist

·         Felesia Martin – OFA volunteer leader from Wisconsin

·         Bishop Vashti McKenzie – African Methodist Episcopal Bishop

·         Attorney General Tom Miller – Attorney General of Iowa

·         Kalpen Modi – Actor/Former White House Associate Director for the Office of Public Engagement

·         Admiral John Nathman – Retired U.S. Navy Admiral

·         Governor Deval Patrick – Governor of Massachusetts

·         Secretary Federico Pena - Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Secretary of Energy

·         Elaine Price – Retired Ohio resident and OFA volunteer leader from Ohio

·         Penny Pritzker – Founder and CEO of PSP Capital Partners

·         John Register – U.S. Army Veteran and Paralympian

·         Representative Jan Schakowsky – Representing the 9th District of Illinois

·         Senator Jeanne Shaheen – U.S. Senator from New Hampshire

·         Joe Solmonese – President of the Human Rights Campaign

·         Alan Solow – Partner at DLA Piper LLP and past Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

·         Governor Ted Strickland – Former Governor of Ohio

·         Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – Mayor of Los Angeles

Statements from National Co-Chairs:

Governor Deval Patrick: “I am proud and honored to serve as a co-chair for President Obama's reelection campaign. We need this President’s continued leadership to help us leave our country better than we found it."

Senator Jeanne Shaheen: “President Obama has the right vision for this country. I am proud to support a campaign that embraces investment in America’s future and support a leader in innovation, education, and energy.”

Marc Benioff: “It’s an honor to serve the President as a campaign co-chair. His focus on American jobs and support for companies that create jobs here in America are just what we need to keep this recovery moving.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: "I am honored to serve as a national co-chair for Obama For America because this is a 'make or break' moment for the middle class. November's election will provide voters with a clear choice: On the one side is a President who is fighting to create jobs, investing in our future, and working to reform our immigration system. On the other side is a Republican Party that is rejecting common-sense jobs measures, gutting investments in our future, and espousing 'self-deportation' policies that divide us as a nation."

Representative Emanuel Cleaver: “President Obama has called for a national commitment to create an economy built to last – one based on fairness, opportunity, and investments in our future.  With strong investments in K-12 and higher education in our most vulnerable communities and investments in job training, infrastructure and community reinvestment, the President has helped ease the burden for hard working American families and open doors of opportunity for generations to come. I am committed to working tirelessly as a National Co-Chair for Obama for America to ensure the President can continue to carry out his vision for an economy built to last and continue to bring positive change to our great country."

Elaine Price: “In a time of great uncertainty, President Obama stepped up and saved our community from a depression and rescued the auto industry – our region’s biggest employer. Now we are growing and the American auto industry is again leading the world. Both my community and everyone I speak with feels like they have a new lease on life. The President’s sincerity and vision for America keeps me passionate about doing everything I can to make sure he has a second term.”

Attorney General Kamala Harris: “As a longtime supporter of Barack Obama, I am honored to serve as a National Co-Chair for Obama for America.  Since taking office, the President has worked tirelessly to provide relief for struggling middle-class families and to lay a foundation for a strong economy that’s built to last.  The President’s leadership and vision for the future will continue to move the country forward, rather than taking us back to the failed policies of the past.”

(Photo: Getty)

Last night, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle posted 14 minutes of audio from Governor Andrew Cuomo's interview with their editorial board, the same discussion where he outlined a clear alternative to vetoing the legislature's redistricting proposal. Asked why he didn't more publicly push Albany into adopting the independent redistricting reform he said he favors, Mr. Cuomo responded bluntly.

"I've done it, they said no. I just lost, is what happened," he said.  "It's not that they didn't hear me, and not that I didn't advocate, they just rejected my suggestion."

When pressed as to what Mr. Cuomo may have done to twist the legislator's arms, the famously assertive governor asserted he's "not an arm-twister."

"I'm a cajoler at best," he tried to explain to the skeptical audience.

Good government groups maintain Mr. Cuomo could still "win" the battle for reform by vetoing the legislature's redistricting proposal and letting the courts intervene in the absence of a signed agreement. However, during the interview, Mr. Cuomo placed a heavy emphasis on the legislature's legal authority to draw the lines and stressed the need for a constitutional amendment that would likely not take effect until the next round of redistricting, in 2022.

"I'm old enough to have seen this movie a couple times. And we're going to see it again in ten years. And I'm like, 'Let's stop the madness,'" he said. "You want to change it, then you have to change the constitution."

Congressman Grimm (Photo: NY1)

Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm, who The New York Times' sources allege took illegal bribes, continued his efforts to push back against the allegations last night, appearing on NY1's "Inside City Hall." The host, Errol Louis, pressed him the specifics of the case that centered on an Israeli mystic, Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, and one of his top aides, Ofer Biton.

Disputing he raised anywhere close to the $500,000 the Times reported he raised from Rabbi Pinto's followers, Mr. Grimm aggressively defended his relationship with Rabbi Pinto.

"The Rabbi introduced me to many important businessmen, very successful business people, and that's how I raised money," he said, adding later that the businessmen supported him because he was "pro-Israel, lower taxes, strong for business, that's what they were looking for and that's why they supported me."

Much of the Times story places Mr. Biton at the heart of the alleged fundraising scheme, but Mr. Grimm was incredulous that Mr. Biton could have done any of the things reported.

"Ofer was nothing more than the Rabbi's assistant. Nobody listens to his assistant," he said.  "The Rabbi made the introductions and Ofer merely did administrative things like reminding me who I met and where to go see them."

When Mr. Louis asked Mr. Grimm if he was overly concerned with the Times report that Mr. Biton is being investigated by the F.B.I. and federal prosecutors for embezzling money from Rabbi Pinto, Mr. Grimm also doubted the credibility of the report.

"To be honest with you, I was in the FBI as a special agent for 11 years. I've never heard of an FBI agent leaking that stuff to the press," he answered. "First of all, if this guy is an Israeli, why would you leak to the press that he's under investigation? He could just flee. Why would they do it? It just doesn't even make sense that they would do that."

"I have no proof that there's an investigation," he added.