State Sen. John Sabini’s DWI guilty plea revs up call for ouster
February 19, 2008
A local activist and a dozen other protesters demanded the resignation of state Sen. John Sabini last week after he pleaded guilty to a charge stemming from a drunken-driving bust.
“That is a slap in the face to his constituency and I believe he needs to be held accountable,” said Lefrak City activist Al Blake.
On Nov. [...]
Abortion Battle Brews Between Spitzer, Church
February 19, 2008
Tensions are running high between the Spitzer administration and the Catholic Church, which is mounting an unusually aggressive campaign to stop the state from enacting a new law that would declare abortion a fundamental right for women.
Governor Spitzer, whose administration drafted the legislation and is pressing lawmakers to pass it this year, is coming under [...]
Castro Resigns as Cuban President
February 19, 2008
An ailing Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba’s president today after nearly a half-century in power, saying he was retiring and will not accept a new term when the new parliament meets Sunday.
“I will not aspire to nor accept — I repeat, I will not aspire to nor accept — the post of President of the [...]
Assemblyman David Gantt: County made up threats
February 15, 2008
Assemblyman David Gantt apologized Thursday for what he said were “inappropriate” remarks he made this week while being escorted from the Monroe County legislative chambers.
But Gantt, D-Rochester, and Minister Ray Scott went on to allege that Monroe County officials manufactured threats of violence to support an excessive show of force by law enforcement at the [...]
Teachers Get Big Gift From GOP
February 15, 2008
Two weeks after the state’s largest teachers union gave Senate Republicans a boost by endorsing their candidate in a critical special election race, Republican lawmakers fast-tracked a bill that would allow New York City teachers to retire with full benefits five years sooner than they can now.
The changes to the pension plan agreed to by [...]
Darrel Aubertine and Will Barclay Debate over TV Ad (Video)
February 15, 2008
Darrel Aubertine and Will Barclay were mildly less above the fray Wednesday night.
While their advertisements and campaign staffs did the heavy lifting of attacking the other guy until Wednesday night, Aubertine and Barclay finally broached the subject in a very public forum - the second of their two debates, at Jefferson Community College.
Barclay asked Aubertine [...]
Charles Barron to run for Assemblyman?
February 15, 2008
A lot has been made in the press about controversial councilmember Charles Barron’s 2009 bid for Brooklyn Borough President, but Barron might not go through with it after all.
The Brooklyn Optimist’s inside sources tell him that Barron might opt out of the race for BP to run for embattled Assemblywoman Diane Gordon’s seat if Gordon [...]
Tony Avella Eyes Mayoral Race
February 15, 2008
On our way to a coffee shop for an interview, City Council Member Tony Avella of Queens said, “I don’t believe in labels, but I guess you could call me a conservative Democrat.”
I said facetiously, “Gee, I thought you were all dead.”
By the end of our meeting, however, I discovered that he fit that description [...]
Campaign Finanace Board Fines Adriano Espaillat, Jessie Fields and Robert Jackson
February 14, 2008
The CFB announced its latest round of 2005-era penalties against two Manhattan borough president candidates (Adriano Espaillat and Jessie Fields) and Councilman Robert Jackson.
Fields was fined $1,250 for non-campaign expenditures worth $9,559, while Jackson’s total was $3,330 for a range of violations (mostly for lateness).
Espaillat was fined $2,000 for $3,156 worth of non-campaign related expenditures, [...]
Inspector General Hits Spitzer Admin With Energy Ethics Scandal
February 14, 2008
It took almost a year, but state Inspector General Kristine Hamann’s report on the alleged threatening by former Spitzer administration energy czar Steve Mitnick of PSC Commissioner Cheryl Buley has finally been released, DN Capitol Bureau Chief Joe Mahoney reports.
The IG also investigated Spitzer’s pick to chair the PSC, former energy industry lobbyist Angela Sparks-Beddoe, [...]
