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Letitia James

1 By David Freedlander 1/25 3:56pm

Public Advocate

james

Is Tish James For Real? [Update]

Brooklyn City Councilwoman Letitia James has been quietly laying the groundwork for a run for public advocate for some time now, and in many respects, has a pretty good shot at winning. The field to replace Bill de Blasio (assuming he runs for mayor) is pretty small at this point, and the two other names mentioned as possible contenders--current de Blasio aide Reshma Saujani and State Senator Daniel Squadron--are both young and with less time in public life than Ms. James. Plus, Ms. James is well-liked by her peers and has strong ties  to labor.

But one thing appears to be a serious problem for her going forward:  her anemic fundraising. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 5/27/11 2:17pm

Uncategorized

Responses to Cop Verdict

Although NYPD officers Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were convicted of three counts of official misconduct, their acquittal on more serious rape charges is drawing  a lot of anger.

The City Council sent out a number of statements harshly criticizing the verdict.

City Council Speaker Quinn: "shocked and disappointed."

Councilwoman Lappin: "saddened and dismayed."

Councilwoman Mendez: "disappointing."

Councilwoman Ferreras: "appalled…disheartened."

Councilwoman Brewer: "destroys the trust between women and the police department." Read More
6 By Azi Paybarah 5/25/11 4:11pm

Budget Battles

City Council member Melissa Mark Viverito

Critics of Marijuana Arrests Make an Economics Argument

City Council members Letitia James, Melissa Mark Viverito and Jumaane Williams joined protesters this morning who gathered on 5th Avenue and 79th Street -- the corner where Mayor Bloomberg's town house is located -- to protest the city's record of arresting mostly African-American and Latino people for minor drug offenses.

They tried connecting the city's worsening economy with the expenses the city is paying to bust people for relatively low-level criminality.

Viverito: "During these tough economic times, when we are contemplating severe cuts to basic municipal and human services the $75 million we spend on marijuana arrests each year should be among the first places we look for savings."

Williams: "We wasted between $50-$100 million alone last year arresting individuals for low-level marijuana violations, all at a time where the Mayor proposes cutting essential services to our children and seniors."

James: "Our youth already have to worry about the lack of available jobs, which is difficult enough, the last thing they need is to be victims of illegal searches." Read More