City And State: Daily News Updates

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[City And State]

WEATHER: A mix of sun and clouds. New York City, high 69; Albany, high 64; Buffalo, high 63. 

COUNCIL WATCH: FIRST ABOVE EQUALS: City & State columnist Seth Barron analyzes the contest to be the next Speaker of the New York City Council, including the influential role of Democratic county leaders in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx: http://bit.ly/15jEppQ

NEW THIS MORNING:

* The state Legislature and the governor’s office have interfered with the Moreland Commission’s efforts to investigate corruption in Albany, and sources say that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is considering an exit strategy from the commission, The New York Times reports: http://nyti.ms/18M0oGz

* Republican mayoral nominee Joe Lhota said he wanted to cut the municipal workforce by as much as 20 percent if he became mayor, and ripped the Bloomberg administration for vastly expanding the city budget, the Post writes: http://bit.ly/1hyEDfg

* Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended Democratic mayoral nominee Bill de Blasio, saying it would be “unfair” to say that New York City’s crime rate would be higher if de Blasio became mayor, and de Blasio said he “respected” Bloomberg, the Daily News reports: http://nydn.us/15XGpkP

* Video of a meeting between Lhota and the Staten Island Tea Party shows it was not “violent” as Lhota had originally said, as he appeared sympathetic to their positions, and even questioned the city’s teachers union’s patriotism, NY1 reports: http://bit.ly/17RjZ8v

* De Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray was a marketing executive in charge of major ad buys at Maimonides Medical Center during the same time it was being investigated for purchasing ads for Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s radio program, City Council Watch reports: http://bit.ly/GKqaBV

* ConEd is asking for $450.9 million in new revenue next year in filings before the state Public Service Commission, which will make the final ruling in the case, a proposal that would boost New York City gas and electric bills, The Wall Street Journal writes: http://on.wsj.com/1a6YYnD

* New York’s State Police agency has issued a 20-page field guide for its troopers and other law enforcement about how to handle the state’s controversial gun-control law, the SAFE Act, Gannett Albany reports: http://on.rocne.ws/1aiim2w

* A consortium representing hundreds of nursing homes, home care agencies, and other providers is suing Cuomo for instituting a cap on their executive salaries last year, charging that the cap is the province of the Legislature, the Times Union writes: http://bit.ly/17iQ3ha

* Democratic Nassau County executive candidate Thomas Suozzi bashed Republican incumbent Ed Mangano for associating himself with the Tea Party, while Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs questioned Mangano’s attacks against Suozzi, Newsday reports: http://bit.ly/17dkXbL

* Democratic Brooklyn district attorney candidate Kenneth Thompson criticized his opponent Charles Hynes for lying to the public for abandoning the Democratic party and running against Thompson on the Republican and Conservative lines, the Daily News writes: http://nydn.us/15SUGo2

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Current NYC City Council proposals on tobacco product sales will jeopardize over 2,000 licensed tobacco retailers, put 9,700 jobs at risk and cost the City and State $19 million in lost excise and sales tax revenues. A recent Save Our Stores coalition survey found that 71% of stores surveyed believe the proposed regulations would harm their business, 58% would consider payroll cuts or layoffs and 80% expect illicit sales to become a bigger problem: http://www.saveourstoresnyc.com/

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EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Times’ “Room For Debate” section asks four experts if there is any hope for New York City transit, considering the poor fiscal shape of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority: http://nyti.ms/1aikBmw

* The Daily News’ Bill Hammond characterized last week’s rollout of Obamacare as a “train wreck”, noting that in New York, the state’s health exchange could not even say how many applications it processed: http://nydn.us/15jD4PQ

* The Post calls for additional scrutiny into the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty’s former executive director Willie Rapfogel, questioning whether state politicians got donations and than approved funding for the Council: http://bit.ly/18M4wq1

* The Times’ Michael Powell questions Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes’ motives in continuing to defend his seat from challenger Kenneth Thompson, poking holes in his reasons for doing so: http://nyti.ms/1ff9FMk

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HELPING CLIENTS NAVIGATE NEW YORK GOVERNMENT

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WHO’S HIRING: To advertise your employment opportunities in City & State First Read, email [email protected] or call 646-442-1662. 

Account Exec / Senior Account Exec, The Marino Organization

Description: PR firm with prestigious clients seeks AE/SAE to join our public affairs team. Candidates would assist with tasks such as developing campaign infrastructures, coalition building, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates must have 3-5 years of PR experience and a strong interest in public affairs.

For More Information: Please email resumes to [email protected]

 

Associate, Mercury Public Affairs

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Description: Mercury Public Affairs is looking for entry level employee in the NYC office. Person must be punctual, well spoken, organized, good under pressure and ambitious. Candidates must have good research skills and an interest in government affairs. Relevant experience is mandatory. Please provide writing samples.

Further Info: Send resume, cover letter to Nell O’Connor at [email protected].

 

Director, NYC Business Solutions – Brooklyn Center

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Description: Direct all day-to-day operations in the role as Director of the Brooklyn Center. Oversee all aspects of program management for the Center including outcomes measurement, marketing and outreach, partnership development, reports and project coordination. Supervise a highly-motivated staff of Account Managers; provide staff development. Provide primary oversight and strategic management of comprehensive outcomes for the Center, identifying areas for improvement, spearheading corrective action plans, and working closely with staff on strategies to improve overall performance.

Further info: Email resume and cover letter to Carlo A. Scissura, President and CEO at [email protected].

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Jack Kittle, political director, DC9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades … to political consultant Michael Olmeda … to DNAinfo reporter Paul DeBenedetto … and to Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel associate Katrina Baker … and belatedly, on Friday, to Emily Frankel, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel … and on Monday, to Celeste Morris, president of MorrisAllsop Public Affairs.

MOVING ON: Josey Bartlett joined Councilman Daniel Dromm’s staff as director of communications, replacing Alex Florez, who is now director of communications for Rep. Joe Crowley … and Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Gold is joining Vice Magazine as a head staff writer.

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Independent Jack Hidary goes up on TV in race for NYC Mayor. If you think two career politicians with the same old ideas are your only choice for mayor, then you don’t know Jack. Jack Hidary’s new TV ad highlights his innovative background as a successful tech entrepreneur, founding member of the Clinton Global Initiative and a champion for quality education. Watch the ad and get to know Jack at www.JackForMayor.com.  

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TODAY’S SKED:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in New York City with no public schedule.

8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. – EffectiveNY.org, City & State, Baruch College School of Public Affairs, and SUNY New Paltz’s Center for Research, Regional Engagement and Outreach host a New York State Constitutional Conference, Baruch College, Newman Library and Administration Building, William and Anita Newman Conference Center, 7th Floor, 151 E. 25th St., Manhattan.

8:30 a.m. – Mayoral candidate Joe Lhota addresses the Association for a Better New York, Empire Ballroom at The Grand Hyatt, 109 E. 42nd St., Manhattan.

8:30 a.m. – The Coalition of Education Equality joins parents, students and educators to rally for charter schools before a march across Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn War Memorial, Cadman Plaza, 186 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn.

9 a.m. – Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the International Downtown Association World Congress and 59th Annual Conference Plenary Session, Pratt Institute, Memorial Hall Auditorium, 200 Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn.

10 a.m. – The New York State Senate holds an insurance regulatory reform forum, Senate Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19th Floor, Manhattan.

10 a.m. – The New York State Assembly Veterans’ Affairs and Mental Health committees and the Subcommittee on Women Veterans holds a hearing on military-related suicides, Legislative Office Building, Second Floor, Roosevelt Hearing Room C, Albany.

10 a.m. – Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. officially launches the 19th annual “Tour De Bronx,” the largest free cycling event in New York State, New York Botanical Gardens, The Native Plant Garden Center, Bronx.

10:15 a.m. – Bloomberg speaks at NBC’s Education Nation Summit, New York Public Library, Bartos Room, 476 Fifth Ave., Manhattan.

10:15 a.m. – Lhota joins New York City parents at a rally in support of charter schools, City Hall Park, Manhattan.

11 a.m. – Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy delivers remarks at the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony, New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Empire State Plaza, Albany.

11 a.m. – Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes announces he will run for his office in the general election, Borough Hall steps, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn.

12 p.m. – Councilwoman Letitia James hosts a post-election briefing with reporters to discuss her plans for the public advocate office, MirRam Group Office, Fifth Floor Conference Room, 895 Broadway, Manhattan.

1 p.m. – Bloomberg introduces mayoral candidates Bill de Blasio and Joe Lhota at CityLab’s Closing Program Lunch, Conrad Hotel, 102 North End Ave., Manhattan.

1 p.m. – State Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk and Assemblywoman Pat Fahy join advocates for and parents of young children with developmental disabilities to address the growing crisis in the Early Intervention program, LCA press room, LOB 130, Albany.

1 p.m. – The state Senate holds a banking regulatory reform forum, Senate Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19th Floor, Manhattan. 

1:35 p.m. – Lhota and de Blasio give remarks at the City Lab: Urban Solutions to Global Challenges summit, Gallery Ballroom at The Conrad Hotel, 102 North End Ave., Manhattan.

4 p.m. – Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Council members Daniel Dromm and Leroy Comrie and others speak out against proposed school co-locations in Queens, Queens Borough Hall steps, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Queens.

5:30 p.m. – City Comptroller John Liu hosts a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Surrogate’s Courthouse, 31 Chambers St., Manhattan.

6 p.m. – State Sen. Liz Krueger sponsors a forum on what the new federal health care law means for New Yorkers, including the state’s new health plan marketplace, New York State of Health, Lighthouse International, 111 E. 59th St., Manhattan.

6:30 p.m. – State Sens. Bill Perkins and Velmanette Montgomery and Assemblyman David Weprin host a forum on school governance reform, St. Francis College, First Floor, Founders Hall, 180 Remsen St., Brooklyn.

7 p.m. – Road to City Hall features Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and John Burnett in a New York City comptroller debate, NY1, NY1 Noticias and WNYC.

7:30 p.m. – Liu speaks at the Coalition for a District Alternative meeting, Village View Community Room, 175 E. Fourth St., Manhattan.

8 p.m. – Liu speaks at the Gouverneur Health 128th anniversary gala, Jing Fong Restaurant, 20 Elizabeth St., Manhattan.

 

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Mayoral Candidates: Show Us The Plan For Post-Sandy Resiliency. The one-year anniversary of Sandy is a reminder that the clock is ticking. NYC’s next mayor must take immediate steps to prepare for the next big storm and we need to pressure the candidates now — before the election — to clearly articulate their plan. Help us focus the candidates’ attention on this critical issue by joining the NYLCV Education Fund’s campaign at www.showustheplan.org.

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KICKER: “There is a tremendous unfairness once teachers decide to unionize, and they created this system where everybody’s treated the same. It is unfair, almost un-American.” – Republican mayoral nominee Joe Lhota speaking to the Staten Island Tea Party in April, questioning the patriotism of New York City’s teachers union, via NY1.

 

First Read is the morning email newsletter from City & State, covering politics and government in New York. Copyright 2013 City and State NY, LLC.

 

 

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