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Ruben Diaz

By David Freedlander 1/13 4:58pm

bills

diaz

Council Comes To Accord On Living Wage Bill

Christine Quinn and members of the New York City Council announced today that they had come to an agreement on a contentious living wage bill.

The new bill will not require companies in buildings in which the developer has received subsidies from the city to pay a living wage; instead, only those employees of the developers in those buildings will receive the living wage.

"I believe it is fair and appropriate for government to place requirements on a business that has voluntarily entered into an economic development agreement with the city," Ms. Quinn said. "At the end of the day, they have a choice as to whether or not they want both the money offered to them and the wage requirements. This is a policy that is fair, one that will help workers, will not deter job growth and is one that I am honored to support." Read More

1 By David Freedlander 1/05 4:33pm

Casino Royale

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Who Wants The Cuomo Casino?

For the last several weeks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been pushing the idea of bringing casino gambling to New York State. In his annual State of the State address yesterday, the governor suggested that New York could see $1 billion in revenue.

In an interview with The Daily News last month, Mr. Cuomo laid out the possibilities of where the casino would be located.

“New York City is a real location,” he said. “Albany is a real location. Buffalo is a real location.” Read More

4 By Hunter Walker 12/22/11 4:51pm

Amores Perros

Senator Ruben Diaz (Photo: RubenDiaz.com)

Ruben Diaz Criticizes Unmarried Fornicators Including Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo

Earlier this week, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. wrote a scathing, Spanish-language blog post criticizing unmarried couples including Mayor Bloomberg and Diana Taylor, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. According to Senator Diaz, all these unmarried couples are a bunch of unholy fornicators.

"I, for my part, don't want to offend anyone, but the Bible, the word of God; calls it fornication to live as husband and wife without having made this union a wedding officially blessed by God and man," Senator Diaz wrote in remarks translated from the original Spanish.
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By David Freedlander 12/19/11 3:06pm

Responses

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Diaz Defends de Blasio Over Living Wage Letter

This is getting curious.

Last night, public advocate Bill de Blasio announced his support for the living wage measure now before Council Speaker Christine Quinn. This morning, a coalition of groups who have been pushing the measure blasted Mr. de Blasio, saying that the timing of his announcement was political and saying they supported Ms. Quinn's deliberate process.

Now, a chief supporter of the living wage, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, has rushed out his own support of Mr. de Blasio. Read More

1 By Hunter Walker 12/05/11 5:47pm

C.R.E.A.M.

Senator Ruben Diaz (Photo: New York State Senate)

Senator Ruben Diaz on Tax Plan: ‘Governor Cuomo Cannot Have His Cake And Eat It Too’

Governor Cuomo is pushing for an overhaul of the state tax code that he claims will "fairer distribution of the tax burden." Senator Ruben Diaz, who is a member of the State Senate Finance Committee, told the Observer he doesn't know the specifics of Governor Cuomo's proposal yet, but no matter what, he won't support any plan that doesn't include a higher tax rate for wealthy New Yorkers. "He cannot have his cake and eat it too. He's either for taxes for the millionaires or he's against it," Senator Diaz said.

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By David Freedlander 9/14/11 11:09am

Proclamations

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Break Out The Cipro: It’s Anthrax Day in the Bronx

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz officially declared today "Anthrax Day" in the city's northernmost borough, but fear not, and put those hazmat suits away.

There is, apparently, a concert tonight.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is rolling out the welcome mat for fans coming to town to see iconic heavy metal bands Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer, "The Big 4," all performing live right here in the Bronx on Wednesday, September 14 at Yankee Stadium

The "Big 4" concert also represents a homecoming for Anthrax, which features three native Bronxites among their members--Charlie Benante, Frank Bello and Rob Caggiano. Both Benante and Bello grew up in Throggs Neck, while Caggiano is a native of Pelham Parkway. In honor of the band's return home, Borough President Diaz will officially declare September 14 as "Anthrax Day in the Bronx."

If you want to see a somewhat awkward encounter between BP Diaz and members of the band, complete with the Sign of the Horns, click below: Read More
3 By David Freedlander 8/03/11 1:55pm

The Gillibrand Vote

ruben diaz

Diaz to Gillibrand: Now You Are Against Tax Hikes On The Rich?

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sure is receiving flack from unlikely quarters for her vote yesterday against raising the federal debt ceiling on the grounds that it wasn't a "balanced" approach.

First, State G.O.P. Chairman Ed Cox remarked on Gillibrand's "political transformation."

"In just over 2 years in the United States Senate, she has gone from upstate conservative Democrat Congresswoman to downstate liberal, representing the views of the most radical elements of her party," he said. Read More

By David Freedlander 7/11/11 1:31pm

same-sex marriage

Rev. Diaz: They Love Me!

Throughout the debate over same-sex marriage, Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz quickly alerted reporters to the mounds of  hate-mail that he was receiving for his opposition to the bill.

But now that the debate is over and Diaz's side lost, the Pentecostal minister wants you to know that it hasn't all been bad. Earlier today his office emailed out a compilation of all the love that Diaz has been receiving. Read More