Andrew Cuomo got most of what he came to Albany to accomplish already--a balanced budget that doesn't raise taxes, an ethics bill, same-sex marriage. But one agenda item remains outstanding--a nonpartisan redistricting commission that would take away lawmakers' ability to draw their own districts. With that push stalled (and with the Legislative Task Force on Read More
After a nationally watched campaign in upstate New York, Kathy Hochul made her New York City debut Monday morning at the stately University Club on West 54th Street.Hundreds of guests attending the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Breakfast milled around a breakfast buffet of muffins and fruit salad, while their host, Nora Brenes, introduced Mrs. Hochul as the winner of a special election "that came about as a result of our male New York congress members who keep taking their shirts off," according to one attendee.
The crowd laughed, because an Anthony Weiner joke at a Democratic political function is one that needs no explanation. He is, much to the chagrin of his New York colleagues, everywhere: overshadowing their message, imperiling a safe congressional seat, and affecting their redistricting plans. Read More
Could Anthony Weiner's district be spared, thanks to non-partisan redistricting?
Governor Cuomo said his plan to have an independent panel draw legislative lines in New York would replace "a process that has been widely criticized for placing political considerations that protect incumbent office-holders and partisan objectives above the people's interest in fair and equal representation."
But the proposal's biggest supporter, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch said he woudn't have a problem if Weiner's seat was drawn out of existence.
"It would be stupid to think there are no political considerations," Koch told me in an interview. "If you have someone who is under attack for a host of reasons, similar to that of Weiner, and the Democratic Party believes it would lose that seat if Weiner ran, there's nothing wrong with if they have to give up the seat, to say that's the seat we will give up. I don't see anything wrong with that." Read More
