Spin Cycle
News, views and commentary on Long Island, state and national politics
Dan Janison
Dan Janison has been a reporter at Newsday since 1997, much of which was spent as a staff writer for the New York City edition. He has also served as City Hall reporter and as Deputy Long Island editor for politics. Before coming to Newsday, Janison worked as a reporter for the Staten Island Advance, Albany Times Union and New York Post.
GOP's Mattera: No position in Smithtown supervisor contest
Republican legislative primary challenger Mario Mattera, who is also business agent for Plumber Local 200, clarified his position Wednesday on the re-election of Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, who is also facing a GOP primary.
He said his union is backing Vecchio in his primary against town board member Robert Creighton but he personally is taking no position in the race. Mattera said...
Read more »How Weiner's video to announce mayoral run falls short
Disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner — nowhere to be found in person — has, instead of facing the moment of announcement, released an introductory campaign video that in many ways combines a series of political-commercial clichés.
There’s the "just-a-middle-class kid" background that he trotted out eight years ago when he ran for mayor and lost in 2005. He’s sitting in front...
Read more »Poll: Quinn leads Dems, Weiner running 2nd
A new poll out today says City Council Speaker Christine Quinn continues to lead candidates for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor.
The Quinnipiac University survey found Quinn with 25 percent, followed by former Congressman Anthony Weiner with 15 percent. Former city comptroller William Thompson and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio had 10 percent apiece.
Quinnipiac surveyed...
Read more »Silver says JCOPE thoroughly investigated his role in Lopez case
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver faced more grilling Tuesday over his role in approving the confidential settlement in the Vito Lopez scandal, going back and forth over whether he was the target of investigators.
In February, it became clear that the state ethics panel had centered its investigation on Lopez – who was accused of routinely groping and sexually harassing young female staffers...
Read more »Cuomo to tout SUNY-linked biz incentives
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is set to unveil a plan to use tax credits and other incentives to entice businesses to locate near State University of New York campuses, a number of legislators said Tuesday.
Cuomo huddled with Senate and Assembly leaders late Tuesday afternoon to discuss casinos and other economic ideas. Lawmakers said they expect the governor to kick off the initiative this...
Read more »Kolb: Abolish JCOPE in the wake of Lopez scandal
The top Republican in the state Assembly is calling for the abolishment of the state ethics commission in the wake of the Vito Lopez scandal.
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) thinks the Joint Commission on Public Ethics has “proven ineffective,” said his spokesman, Mike Fraser. Kolb unveiled a proposal that would replace the 14-member JCOPE with a new commission that sports...
Read more »Weiner watch: Why some think his bid is preposterous
The true meaning of a still-unannounced Anthony Weiner run for mayor is starting to draw public comment along the lines of what some former aides and colleagues of the overexposed former congressman will only say privately: It’s another self-indulgence for a man of very ordinary presence.
Linked here is an only slightly hyperbolic Daily Beast piece by Stuart Stevens, who’s been a Romney strategist...
Read more »Report: Cuomo told sheriffs to keep quiet
A new report today says that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo told sheriffs around New York to stop voicing their complaints about the state's new gun control law.
Members of the NYS Sheriffs Association were summoned to the State Capitol last month to discuss the law adopted after the Newtown, Conn., school massacre. They thought they were going to discuss potential changes to the law.
The...
Read more »1199/SEIU backing an expected boost for de Blasio
Boasts about the impact of an 1199/SEIU endorsement have long prompted skepticism from other labor groups around the city, who suspect the health-care organization of hyping their electoral power. Still, this backing marks a big pick-me-up for Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, mayoral candidate, who has long been considered an ally of the union – and whose labor support overall is key to his strategy...
Read more »Crowley's Queens Democrats tap ally Quinn amid S.E. backlash
Much has been written over the years about cordial ties between City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the Queens Democratic organization and its chairman, Rep. Joseph Crowley. So it was no shock when she announced the borough leader’s nod Monday. A few years ago, she ruffled some feathers in other boroughs by arranging for a loyal Queens Democrat, Michael McSweeney, to become city clerk...
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