Covering and explaining state and local politics.
Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on June 14, 2017 The New York Times reports on what they describe as "unfamiliar territory" for Mayor Bill de Blasio--in the lead. He came from behind to win both his races for Public Advocate in 2009 and then for Mayor in 2013. This time, however, he has few serious opponents in the Democratic primary. The Republican challengers, Assemblywoman…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on June 14, 2017 In the closing days of the legislative session, the opioid crisis is turning into the latest flashpoint. State Senate Republicans passed a bill to make it easier for law enforcement to arrest drug dealers and impose longer sentences. Meanwhile, Gov. Cuomo has lined up with the Assembly Democrats in advocating for more treatment, including more…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on June 9, 2017 Mayoral control of New York City schools is set to expire, threatening to plunge the school system into chaos, unless the state legislature passes a law extending the program. However, the Senate GOP threatens to continue mayoral control only if NYC allows more charter schools. They are also pushing to include a tax cut for…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on May 18, 2017 Critics say the new homeless shelters planned by Mayor Bill de Blasio break the City's fair share rules that require services to be equitably distributed across the city. The shelters are going in area with the most homeless people, which tend to be predominately black and Latino. Residents of those neighborhoods want fewer shelters around them…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on May 18, 2017 The Office of Congressional Ethics is looking into Republican Chris Collins. He was involved in passing a law to speed up drug trials. That benefitted a biotech company that he invested in. Collins also told others including Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to buy stock. Collins then bragged in front of reporters about "how…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on May 18, 2017 Corrections Commissioner Joe Ponte is stepping down following a series of devastating stories about his leadership of the increasingly-dangerous Rikers Island jail. Then news came out that he took a government car on weeks of vacation and allowed a deputy to eavesdrop on investigations into the jail. While Ponte is on his way out, he already fired…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on May 11, 2017 Buffalo Fixer Steered Illegal Donation to Cuomo Legendary Buffalo political operative Steve Pigeon was already headed to trial for violating election laws. Now, he faces one more charge: helping a Canadian online gambling company make an illegal $25,000 contribution to Gov. Cuomo's 2014 re-election campaign. Doesn't look like Pigeon will be able to fly the coop. Queens…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on May 4, 2017 No Go, Bo! As expected, Bo Dietl won't be able to run as a Republican for Mayor since Republican county leaders chose to deny him a Wilson-Pakula certificate. While he says he'll still run, he's going to be only a minor, third-party candidate. That means we can all safely ignore Bo Dietl's campaign for Mayor.…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on April 3, 2017 Mayor Bill de Blasio is in a tricky spot as he runs for re-election. The mother of Ramarley Graham, the teen killed by police officers in front of his family in 2012, accused the Mayor of being disrespectful in a Daily News op-ed and critiqued him for not doing enough to reform the NYPD. Meanwhile,…
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Michael Spitzer-Rubenstein on April 3, 2017 The Albany Times Union is doing some great investigative work into state government. Teaming up with the Investigative Post, ProPublica, and the Daily News they dug into the "State of Subsidies": how New York spends billions on subsidies for businesses with very little return. This weekend, they revealed how state legislators spend millions of taxpayer dollars on…
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