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john liu

By Colin Campbell 1/31 10:07pm

2013 unity

Bill Thompson shakes hands with Bill de Blasio while Scott Stringer speaks (Photo: YouTube)

Mayoral Contenders Band Together to Criticize School Closures

Earlier this afternoon, four of the five top-tier mayoral candidates stood on the steps of City Hall to criticize recent school closures. City Comptroller John Liu, former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio took to the stand to criticize Mayor Michael Bloomberg's education policies.

The four candidates applauded and supported one another as they spoke, and their messages were largely similar. They all generally indicated the Bloomberg's administration enjoys closing schools or fails to appreciate the significance of such actions.

"To too many people over at Tweed building, closing schools is a panacea. They think it'll solve our problems, to close a school" Mr. de Blasio said. "They think it's a cure-all, but in fact it misses the point."

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2 By Colin Campbell 1/30 4:41pm

koo's defense

Peter Koo (Photo: Facebook)

Koo Defends Liu From ‘Political Entrapment’; Calls Media ‘Unfair’

Councilman Peter Koo, who recently switched parties to the Democratic Party, said the media's treatment of New York City Comptroller John Liu has been biased and wrong in a recent interview with Roberto Perez.

"As an Asian-American politician, I think it's really unfair," he said. "I think the media, they ganged up against him."

Last year, an FBI sting against one of Mr. Liu's campaign bundlers caused Mr. Liu's mayoral ambitions to take a significant hit.

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By Hunter Walker 1/29 1:26pm

Religion

Fernando Cabrera (Photo: NYC Council)

Fernando Cabrera Marching Across The Brooklyn Bridge To Protest Ban On Churches Renting School Space

This afternoon, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera will be marching across the Brooklyn Bridge to ask Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Education to reverse the upcoming ban on religious institutions  using public school buildings on weekends for meetings and worship.

“We stand firm on our position. Equal access for houses of worship makes New York City communities better. Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education need to see just how many people are on this side
 of the debate,” Mr. Cabrera said in a statement announcing the March.
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By David Freedlander 1/18 8:50am

suggested reading

Morning Read: Schumer’s Power; GOP Establishment for Paul; Bloomberg Works Blue

Wikipedia, Craigslist and other websites are going black today to protest impending anti-piracy legislation. The DN has a good explainer here.

At his annual budget address, Andrew Cuomo proposed a new teacher evaluation system. pension reform and the consolidation of some government agencies.

The Times-Union says  Cuomo needs to do more for mandate relief for  cash-strapped counties and municipalities.

The leader of the state's largest public sector union called Cuomo's pension reforms "an assault on the middle class."

State education commissioner John King kept up the heat on teacher evaluations in a conference call immediately after the speech.

The four GOP Senators who voted to legalize same-sex marriage received a big bump in campaign donations, which gay rights activists hope sends a signal to lawmakers across the country that they will back supporters of marriage equality, regardless of party. Read More

2 By Colin Campbell 1/17 5:51pm

2013

Comptroller John Liu (Photo: Wikimedia)

John Liu’s Still-Healthy Fundraising Shows Slowdown

New York City Comptroller John Liu raised over $500,000 for his 2013 mayoral campaign over the last six months, a solid amount that still represents a slowdown from the $1 million he raised in the last reported filing. There is little doubt that a recent fundraising scandal, where federal authorities charged one of Mr. Liu's donors with funneling thousands of dollars in illegal contributions to his campaign, had at least some effect on Mr. Liu's efforts.

Still, Mr. Liu's $2 million cash on hand represents a significant amount of money for a mayoral campaign to work with, even if his typically impressive fundraising operation is unable to add new contributions and donors at the same rate it once could. Additionally, if the scandal passes from the public consciousness, it's possible that skittish donors will return to raise money on his behalf.

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By Colin Campbell 1/17 3:51pm

2013

Dan Garodnick (Photo: Wikimedia)

Potential Comptroller Candidates Post Strong Fundraising Numbers

Two of the candidates vying to replace New York City Comptroller John Liu, who looks like to run for Mayor in 2013, will report raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for their campaigns at the close of the most recent filing period. This sets the stage for a spirited Democratic primary between two Councilmen seeking this citywide office.

Councilman Domenic Recchia, who's term-limited out in 2013, reported raising over $275,000 with $540,000 in the bank, while Councilman Dan Garodnick sent out an email to supporters announcing $1,000,000 in total fundraising and $280,000 over the last six months. A source close to the Garodnick campaign said that his cash on hand will be about $940,000.

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By Hunter Walker 1/16 6:50am

Fighting Words

John Samuelsen speaking at the TWU rally. (Photo: Hunter Walker)

Transport Workers Union President Tells Cuomo To ‘Shove It’ at Contract Rally

As the MTA's contract with the Transport Workers Union Local 100 was set to expire at midnight last night, hundreds of workers gathered in the bitter cold outside the negotiations at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown for a raucous rally where they were joined by several local politicians.

"I've been bargaining for the better part of the last 48 hours," TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. "I'm going to go back into that hotel and I'm going to tell the chairman of the MTA, I'm going to tell the governor to take their petty demands and shove it." Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/13 12:52pm

unionization

Cablevision (Photo: Wikimedia)

Prominent Elected Officials Criticize Cablevision on Union Policy

Demonstrating the traction that the issue has among elected officials, a plethora of prominent officials have signed a letter to the CEO of Cablevision, James Dolan critical of what they feel are anti-union efforts on behalf of the company. The list includes several top 2013 candidates in Comptroller John Liu, Speaker Chris Quinn, and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, as well as other notable names like Reverend Al Sharpton, Minority Leader John Sampson, Congress Members, Council Members and more.

"We are very disappointed that Cablevision refused to participate in the public, union-management debate this past Wednesday, over the merits of union representation for your Brooklyn workforce," the letter begins. "This debate would have provided an opportunity to bring conversations about joining the union out of the darkness of your 'captive audience' meetings and into the public where Cablevision, union organizers and workers could have an open discussion."

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3 By David Freedlander 1/03 10:33am

2013

Controversy Continues To Swirl Around Erection Of Mosque Near Ground Zero

As Liu Falters, Stringer Touts Work With Asian Community

As a federal investigators dig-in to John Liu's fundraising practices, the city comptroller has tried to keep up a steady schedule of appearances and has suggested that he will not be derailed in his 2013 plans, telling one group of supporters, "I know that in a couple of years, we’ve got a tremendous opportunity. I’m certainly ready for that opportunity.”

Still, it is hard to find anyone in the political class who genuinely believes that John Liu will be a viable contender in 2013. News of the investigation into his campaign finance practices was an A1 story in The Times and the Daily News and the Post have kept up a steady drumbeat of pressure since.  He may even struggle to hold on to his current job.

Thus, it is more than a little interesting that Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer's first public event in the new year is an event that, according to his press office "HAILS GROWTH IN ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION ON MANHATTAN COMMUNITY BOARDS, ENCOURAGES MORE ASIAN AMERICANS TO APPLY." Read More

4 By David Freedlander 1/02 2:22pm

crime

Cuomo, Bloomberg, ’13ers, Decry Anti-Muslim Attacks In Queens

Muslims were apparently the targets of a string of firebombs that hit  an Islamic cultural center and a Hindu house of worship Queens last night.

This morning, elected leaders in the city and state have been quick to condemn the violence and have pledged a full investigation.

"The four reported attacks on Sunday night go against everything we stand for as New Yorkers and Americans," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Attacks such as this have no place in our open and inclusive society and we must do all we can to ensure New York remains a safe and tolerant place for all. I am thankful that there were no reported injuries. To make sure those who perpetrated these attacks are brought to justice and we prevent future bias crimes, I have asked Superintendent of State Police Joe D’Amico and Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Liz Glazer to provide any assistance that is needed on the investigation.” Read More