Spin Cycle
News, views and commentary on Long Island, state and national politics
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...
Read more »NYC: Will Weiner keep his $$ reporting on the level?
Just a friendly warning mentioned by local political vets: Former Rep. Anthony Weiner may not want to play it too cute with the New York City Campaign Finance Board. His camp, such as it is, lets it be known that "friends" are "volunteering" in the making of a televised campaign ad using his parents' porch in Brooklyn. (Story is here).
There was another fellow years ago,...
Read more »One formal step to go in the long goodbye to Vito Lopez
Nearly a year ago, Vito Lopez lost the Assembly housing committee, then had to give up the chairmanship of Brooklyn Democratic Party. Then he was investigated and cleared of criminal charges last week after former ally and Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes kicked the case over to Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan.
The state’s ethics commission has found a substantial basis for charges that he broke...
Read more »Gov's office circulating form letter to generate support for LIPA plan
Photo credit: AP
The Cuomo administration is trying to generate support for its plan to overhaul the Long Island Power Authority by getting business groups to sign a letter it is circulating.
The letter underscores the administration’s rush to get the state Legislature to back LIPA reorganization — and do so in the next few weeks.
“For years, LIPA has not worked for Long Island’s business community,”...
Read more »
