Pedro Espada's Coup is Costing Us $7.4 million

by: Jackbx

Sun Mar 14, 2010 at 16:51:47 PM EDT

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local...

Bottom line--Espada and his Republican co-coup leaders cut a deal for increased staff and more office space in return for ending the coup.  The coup related increases will cost taxpayers $7.4 million.

Pedro's payoff alone will cost NY taxpayers $700,000 in additional dollars.  For example- we are paying for two "district" offices within a relatively small geographic area.  One of the offices is actually outside the district in one of the most expensive office buildings in the Bronx.  See report on his "swanky" digs -- http://www.bronxnewsnetwork.or...

Time to support his Primary Challenger, Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a real Democrat with integrity.
Here's one way to do it:
http://www.actblue.com/page/ch...

Hiram files 5,500 sigs

by: Bouldin

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 08:55:29 AM EST

Via Liz, the Yes We Can [beat the crap out of women and claim victimhood] line, ex-Senator Monserrate's freshly created vehicle to ooze back into office, has filed over 5,500 signatures - far in excess, if valid, of the requirements to get on the ballot in the March 16th special election in the 13th SD.

There is, of course, a statement:

"I am committed, as I have always been, to defend the rights of the voters and never allowing their vote to be disenfranchised. The amount of community support during the past 6 days proves that voters in this district know who best represents them independently from party bosses, political hacks, and Albany insiders."

Then again, that's slightly less unctuous than the time he compared himself to Jesus.

Payback in Queens

by: Bouldin

Mon Feb 22, 2010 at 13:32:09 PM EST

Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19

So begins Tolstoy's great novel of love, adultery and betrayal in Czarist Russia, Anna Karenina.

And so also begins the special election to fill ex-Senator Hiram Monserrate's vacant seat in the borough of Queens.

At bat are disgraced ex-Senator Monserrate, Democrat José Peralta, and Democrat Helen Sears, a former member of the City Council who lost a bitter primary in 2009 against openly gay teacher Danny Dromm. The primary was bitter in part because of accusations leveled at Dromm that he had been arrested as a teenager on charges of prostitution. Ms. Sears blamed her loss on the Queens County Dems, continuing that long political tradition where everything that goes wrong is someone else's fault.

Now that's all very well and good and, perhaps, just ancient history from the convoluted, unappetizing politics of the outer boroughs. Except it's not. The Queens GOP just unanimously awarded their ballot line to Ms. Sears, who if elected will get vengeance on Queens Democrats by caucusing with the republicans in the Senate. And in a three-way race, as Congresswoman Dede Scozzafava might tell you, a split vote can work wonders.

Presto, an even 31-31 split, and your government, dear New Yorkers, will move from mere dysfunction to outright paralysis. Let the games begin.

[Update]: And it's over. Via Liz, Sears has declined the GOP line. So that's that. Now it's Hiram versus Peralta, given that the GOP won't be able to fill their ballot line.

Potential Espada Challenger Emerges

by: bronxbomber7686

Mon Feb 08, 2010 at 13:24:12 PM EST

Bronx News Network EXCLUSIVE:
A Potential Espada Challenger Emerges
By Alex Kratz

Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, a Bronx activist who became the face of last year's strong community push for living wage jobs at the Kingsbridge Armory, is exploring the possibility of making a run at the state Senate seat occupied by Pedro Espada, Jr.

In the past two weeks, in preparation for a possible run, Pilgrim-Hunter has begun assembling a team of advisors and has quietly reached out to potential donors and supporters.

"The next few weeks will basically be a stress test to see what kind of support is out there for me," Pilgrim-Hunter, 53, said in an interview over the weekend. "But I am taking steps to prepare myself should I decide to run. Because one thing is for certain: if I get in, I'm getting in to win. And it's as simple as that."

So far, Pilgrim-Hunter said she has received positive feedback, including this accolade from the head of the retail workers' union.

"Desiree is someone I know well from the Kingsbridge Armory campaign, where for years she fought for community benefits including living wages and workers' rights," said RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum in a statement provided through a Pilgrim-Hunter advisor. "She has proven herself to be a strong and effective advocate for the community. The RWDSU is proud to have worked with her."

Pilgrim-Hunter was reluctant to offer specific criticism of Espada, who became Senate majority leader last summer after siding with Republicans in an ugly power struggle that highlighted the state legislature's dysfunctional political culture. (Espada was rewarded with the title of majority leader in exchange for returning to the Democrats.)

But she did not have a problem attacking Albany's sinking reputation.

"No one is happy with what's gone on in Albany over the past year or so. People are angry and distrustful of the process," Pilgrim-Hunter said. "But my message would be, in spite of these feelings, we cannot simply just look away. Because if we don't pay attention to politics we get the candidates we deserve."

In 2008, Espada defeated incumbent Efrain Gonzalez who was, at the time, awaiting trial on federal corruption charges. Espada soundly defeated Gonzalez but garnered less than 5,000 votes.

This would be Pilgrim-Hunter's first foray into politics. She does, however, have some experience running for office.

Three years ago, Pilgrim-Hunter led a successful campaign to replace the executive board at Fordham Hill, a large co-op development near Fordham Road, which counts among its 4,000 residents Assemblyman Jose Rivera and former City Councilman Israel Ruiz, Jr. In the process, Pilgrim-Hunter was elected board president and has helped stabilize the co-op's shaky finances.

For the past five years, as a vocal leader for the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, the area's oldest and largest grassroots organizing group, Pilgrim-Hunter has fought to alleviate school overcrowding, taken on Wall Street for its role in the foreclosure crisis and played a crucial role in fighting for responsible development at the Kingsbridge Armory. The Village Voice recognized her in November as one of the city's "unsung heroes" and has been honored by Congressman Jose Serrano for her community work.

Her nascent effort has already attracted support from different parts of the district, which stretches from Kingsbridge to Mount Hope.

Concerned that no one had yet surfaced to run against Espada, Kingsbridge Heights resident Jack Marth invited friends and neighbors, including allies of Pilgrim-Hunter's, to his house last month to discuss the race. Marth, an attorney who directs the legal clinic at Part of the Solution (POTS) in Bedford Park, and even considered running himself lest Espada run unopposed, believes Pilgrim-Hunter will attract broad support.

"A lot of people who haven't been involved in political campaigns are very interested in this campaign and want to put a lot of time and effort into it," he said, adding that tenants' rights advocates like himself who are disappointed in Espada's record as chair of the Senate's Housing Committee will be drawn to the effort.

Yorman Nunez, who mounted a volunteer-fueled campaign for City Council in the 14th District last year before pulling out over the summer, says his campaign's experience will now be put to good use.

"My race was about getting the people of the community trained and ready to elect people from the community," he said.

Asked for comment, Espada's spokesman, Franck Laboy Strongbow said, "Frankly, I think it's a little early to be commenting on potential candidates." He added, "I think that even those who disagree with Senator Espada on certain issues would agree that he has been, on the whole, good for the district."

Even for the diverse, immigrant-heavy Bronx, Pilgrim-Hunter's background is unusual. Born to Guyanese parents in London, she immigrated to New York City from Lagos, Nigeria in 1962. For the past 25 years, she has lived in the Bronx, where she has raised her two daughters and continues to live with her husband. She recently became an American citizen.

After witnessing the overcrowding in her daughter's high school, John F. Kennedy in Riverdale, Pilgrim-Hunter, who has worked in cosmetics and fashion retail and as a welfare-to-work counselor, decided to join the Coalition and demand more space and smaller classes at public schools.

Pilgrim-Hunter, now a member of the Coalition's executive board, advocated turning part of the Armory site into four new public schools with 2,000 new seats.

This past year, Pilgrim-Hunter became the public face of the Coalition's and Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance's (KARA) effort to guarantee living wage jobs at a revamped Armory, which the city was planning on turning into a shopping mall.

After it became clear the city and the developer would not guarantee living wage jobs, Pilgrim-Hunter and KARA successfully lobbied to have the project scrapped. In December, the City Council killed the proposal in a rare and overwhelming defeat of a Bloomberg-backed development project.

Pilgrim-Hunter said the rejection of the Armory plan sent a message to the mayor and developers. "Development should be about creating a partnership with the community," she said. "[The mall plan] was not a true partnership."

If she runs, Pilgrim-Hunter said she will make the community a partner in the political process as well.

"For me, politics is about making sure the community's voice is part of every conversation or policy decision in Albany," Pilgrim-Hunter said. "It's about being faithful to the best interests of this community, and putting the people first. If I get into this race, the people of this district will know that my loyalty to them is not for sale at any price."

Saland's email - part of Congressional Republican campaign

by: HylasBrook

Fri Feb 05, 2010 at 09:36:05 AM EST

The rest of the email is full of Republican talking points and lies.  (See below)  Looks like Republicans are working on keeping Republican state legislators in office.

One more thing we need to counter.

SD-26: Cohen's Out

by: demahir

Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 16:30:58 PM EST

Cohen released a statement citing professional and personal reasons that prevented him from mounting a successful campaign.

"Giving the people of this district anything less than a fully committed alternative to the status quo would be wrong," he wrote in an e-mail.

Clearly, helping The Donald erect ugly monoliths and do whatever else he does is more important than taking the time out for public service.  Krueger's response to the news (via Liz Benjamin) is great:

I called Krueger to break the news. Her initial response: "Oh, dear, and I didn't even get to meet him."

While Liz is definitely one of the good ones and we should be happy this guy's out of the mix, it's sort of a mixed blessing.  I was kind of hoping that watching Cohen's campaign would provide us with some insight into the practical ramifications of the real estate industry's supposed plans to team up with the Independence Party to take over the known universe, starting with the state senate.  Oh well.

SD-26: Krueger Challenger Eyes Republican & Independence Lines

by: demahir

Wed Jan 20, 2010 at 02:08:25 AM EST

Breaking: Foley to introduce resolution expelling Monserrate

by: Bouldin

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 15:48:04 PM EST

SENATOR FOLEY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION EXPELLING SENATOR MONSERRATE FROM SENATE

Following report from committee investigating Monserrate's domestic violence conviction, Foley calls on his colleagues to join him in condemning Monserrate

ALBANY, NY - Today, Senator Brian X. Foley (D - Blue Point) announced plans to introduce a resolution expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the New York State Senate.

Senator Foley made the announcement after the Senate Select Committee investigating Senator Monserrate released its final report condemning Senator Monserrate's conduct.  The committee, comprised of a bi-partisan group of senators, strongly recommended sanction against Monserrate.

As a longtime advocate for domestic violence victims and a board member of the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Senator Foley has consistently called  for Senator Monserrate's  removal from the senate, following his conviction related to domestic violence charges. Senator Foley has repeatedly urged Senator Monserrate to resign, in order to avoid expulsion proceedings.

"While we would all prefer that Senator Monserrate resign from the senate, his refusal to do so has left us no choice but to forcefully expel him," said Foley. "Domestic violence has no place in our society. It certainly has no place in the New York State Senate.

"By allowing Senator Monserrate to continue his tenure, we would be doing a disservice to victims of domestic violence across our state. I urge my colleagues to join me in not only condemning the actions of Senator Monserrate, but removing him from the senate. Senator Monserrate has been given ample opportunity to defend himself. He not only refused to testify in his criminal trial, he also refused to cooperate with the senate committee investigating him.  Senator Monserrate's reprehensible conduct has rendered him unfit to hold office as a New York State Senator."

Monserrate hearing Livestream *Updated*

by: Bouldin

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 11:34:45 AM EST

Panel Finds Monserrate Unfit to Serve

Concluding that State Senator Hiram Monserrate lied about a domestic dispute in 2008 that left his companion with a gash to her face, a special Senate committee has recommended an immediate vote to remove the senator from office.

A report by the committee, which was released on Thursday, determined that Mr. Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, put his interests above the safety of his companion, Karla Giraldo, and never expressed a sincere apology.

"The decisions made that night by Senator Monserrate as to the treatment of someone he ostensibly loved and cared for, were not consistent with the obvious need to obtain swift medical care for an injury of the seriousness of Ms. Giraldo's," the report states. "Whether the senator was worried for his political future or not, the evidence demonstrates both recklessness and callousness."

The nine-member committee, led by Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Democrat from Manhattan, also found that Mr. Monserrate's actions damaged the reputation of the Senate and demonstrated "a lack of fitness to serve in this body."

You can read that report in PDF here. Key grafs per CapCon:

The Select Committee finds that the nature and seriousness of Sen. Monserrate's conduct ... showed a reckless disregard for Ms. Geraldo's well-being and for the severity of her injury. We therefore find that ... Sen. Monserrate's misconduct damages the integrity and reputation of the New York State Senate and demonstrates a lack of fitness to serve in the body.

Accordingly, the Select Committee recommends that Sen. Monserrate be sanctioned by the full Senate, and that the Senate vote to impose one of two punishments: expulsion, or in the alternative, censure with revocation of privileges.

Update: Senator Liz Krueger says Hiram should do the right thing and resign already:

Following Hiram Monserrate's conviction, I requested his resignation from the New York State Senate. Based on the information before the public, I found his behavior deplorable and his conduct well below the standard by which elected officials should be held.

Soon after, the bi-partisan Special Committee on Inquiry quickly began an exhaustive review of not just the evidence leading up to Monserrate's conviction, but his conduct since--including his unwillingness to participate in the committee's process after publicly alleging his full cooperation.

I appreciate the seriousness with which this committee compiled their report, and after reviewing its findings, stand by my belief that Hiram Monserrate has no place in this or any other legislative body or elected office.  Senator Monserrate still has a chance to finally do something right for the people of New York and resign, but as that seems unlikely, I am fully prepared to take action and vote for his expulsion.

Dominoes fall: Onorato out

by: Bouldin

Mon Jan 11, 2010 at 09:37:46 AM EST

State Sen. George Onorato, a veteran Queens Democrat, won't seek reelection to the seat he has held since 1983, clearing the way for a run this fall by Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.

At 82, Onorato is the Senate Democrats' oldest member. His recent "no" vote on gay marriage made him vulnerable to a primary challenge, worrying party leaders who urged him to step aside, insiders said.

Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, who had been touted by reformers as a breath of fresh air untainted by the Albany incumbency, has bowed out of the race.

But soon-to-be-former Senator Onorato can stand as a testament to the career-ending risks inherent in opposing civil rights for all Americans.  

This ain't Oklahoma - or Tennessee, for that matter.

Common Sense Court Reform Can't Get Through State Senate

by: BingChester

Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 16:13:49 PM EST

The most ambitious efforts in decades to reform New York State's vast network of small-town courts - where sessions can be held in a garage, and where more than 1,450 judges who are not lawyers conduct trials - have stalled in Albany. Even a seemingly modest compromise, one that would allow a defendant to request that the judge be a lawyer, seems doomed, its sponsor says.

Just a few years ago, critics of the courts said major changes seemed possible after nearly 100 years of failed efforts. The Legislature and a judicial commission held hearings, and state court officials instituted reforms.

But efforts toward more extensive changes have recently slowed to a crawl. The seemingly simple idea that the local justices should have law degrees went nowhere. Now, even a compromise legislative proposal that would give people facing jail the option of having their cases transferred to a judge who is a lawyer is failing in Albany.

The proposal has been angrily opposed by the justices, who, in addition to conducting trials, also rule on search warrants and send people to jail. But it has also been opposed, though more quietly, by the state's top court administrators, who often walk a tightrope as they work to keep the courts running. A sponsor, Assemblyman Daniel J. O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat, said it was unlikely to pass this year. He said colleagues had told him that it threatened the stature of the justices, who are often tightly woven into local politics.  

As a law student myself, I find it hard to believe that we have a system built by lawyers where a non-lawyer could actually be a judge.  Historically it may have made sense to let small town courts run by non-legal personnel.  But the 20th century saw an explosion in the legal profession and there's no shortage of lawyers to act as court officials.  The entire point of the legal profession is to train a set of professionals on the rights and responsibilities of the public.  We the people deserve to have well-trained judges who understand the law as the arbiters of justice.

Of course even if you oppose the proposal, the way this specific action is being dealt with by Albany is revealing about the new order.  Remember the days when Albany was run by three men in a room and whatever the leader of each chamber wanted would fly through the chamber?  Those days are over.

The sponsor of the bill in the State Senate, John L. Sampson of Brooklyn, the Democratic leader, said in an interview that he hoped to persuade Judge Pfau and the state's current chief judge, Jonathan Lippman, to change their minds. He said some defendants had clearly been subjected to improper treatment in the town and village courts.

But if the court officials continue to oppose the proposal that came out of their own commission, its future is not bright.

"I will not do it unless they sign on to it," Mr. Sampson said, "because it does need to be implemented."

(emphasis added)

Wow.  John Sampson is the "leader" of the Senate and he's taking his marching orders from the state judiciary?  How on earth do we expect to get anything passed through this Senate if every bill is subject to the will of the special interest under attack?

Yikes.  Our State Senate needs new blood .

Albany Forgets to Re-Authorize MTA Passenger and Worker Representation

by: BingChester

Tue Jan 05, 2010 at 16:02:01 PM EST

Rider and union advocates lost their combined six seats on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board Friday when state legislation authorizing the nonvoting posts expired.

"This is a real shame," said Andrew Albert, one of the affected board members. "I guess it just wasn't on the radar."

Albert sat on the board as a member of the NYC Transit Riders Council, on behalf of subway and bus riders. The Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road riders councils also had one member each on the board. "We may not vote, but we're involved in the decision-making and are consulted," another former board member, Ira Greenberg of the LIRR riders council, said.

One of New York's best transit bloggers, Benjamin Kabek, cut right to the point in his analysis :

As with most of Albany's recent transit policies, for the state to allow these key appointments to expire at a time of fiscal crisis for the MTA is simply irresponsible. To make matters worse, four State Senators earlier this year sponsored S4480, a bill to extend the the term until 2012. The bill was committed to the Rules Committee in July and has languished there ever since. It's just your typical Albany support for the MTA.

Just another daily reminder of how dysfunctional our state government is and how we desparately need to fix it .

SD-38: Vigil calls on Morahan to justify his vote against marriage equality

by: cliffweathers

Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 15:02:07 PM EST

There were gay families, there were straight families, and there were both the young and the old. There were seasoned politicians and there were those who never attended a political event before. Many of us were strangers, and those of us that know each other often vehemently disagree on many topics. Despite this, we stood in solidarity and delivered a strong statement to Senator Morahan and the entire State Senate:

We will accept nothing short of marriage equality.

Sen. Hiram Monserrate sentenced to 3 years probation - UPDATE

by: Andrew C. White

Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 14:24:49 PM EST

The sentencing shows both the privileges that come along with holding a position of power and the difficulties that women and courts face in dealing with domestic violence cases.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Kessler recommended 60 days in jail along with three years probation, domestic violence counseling and a $1,000 fine. Kessler argued correctly that Monserrate has shown no understanding of the seriousness of his actions or underlying problems, nor has he taken any responsibility for his actions.

Their remains little doubt that on the night of Dec. 19, 2008, Hiram Monserrate in a jealous rage took a broken drinking glass and slashed his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, across the face causing 40 stitches worth of damage. Giraldo, in a situation all too common in domestic abuse cases, told the truth to health care providers while being treated in the emergency room but later recanted and told a whopper of a story to cover up for her abuser.

Time to clean house...well, Senate, actually

by: furiousdee

Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 12:14:03 PM EST

The NYS legislature met once again to try and fill a %3.5 billion budget gap. Carl Kruger floated more tax increases, Governor Paterson wants to cut education funding mid-year, Majority Leader (if he still is, I can't keep track) Espada seems to be absent from any real solution, while Senator Diaz continues to proclaim his love for his gay brothers, grandchildren, and staffers, while at the same time ensuring they remain second-class citizens.

I would like to remind NYS Democrats that an election is coming up in 2010. All 62 seats in the state Senate are up for grabs. Every single one deserves a primary challenge by a progressive, reform-minded Democrat.

We can no longer rely on those sitting in power now to do the people's business; they will not, hasn't it been proved over and over again? Go to:

http://www.elections.state.ny.us/

and find out how you can become a candidate for the NYS Senate now.

There is no time like the present, No Day, but Today!

Daniel Squadron is Turning 30

by: Roatti

Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 01:54:20 AM EDT

Very few politicians actually follow through on their campaign promises, but Squadron is one of those rare portraits of integrity.  He could have taken his victory and the perks of incumbency and faded into obscurity like so many of his colleagues.  But as a Freshman Senator, he is actually actively trying to change Albany.

For his birthday, he is having a fundraising party.  The few reformers in Albany need to know that we have their back- I highly recommend checking it out:

Assemblyman Jose Peralta to Challenge Criminal Monseratte

by: Roatti

Wed Oct 28, 2009 at 18:37:11 PM EDT

With statewide elections a year away, the Queens Democratic Party will take the unusual step on Thursday of announcing its support for a primary challenger to embattled State Senator Hiram Monserrate, who was convicted of a misdemeanor assault charge two weeks ago.

José R. Peralta, 37, an assemblyman from Jackson Heights who is considered one of the party's rising stars, said he would announce his decision to run for the seat whether or not Mr. Monserrate, a fellow Democrat, resigned or was expelled. And Mr. Peralta will enjoy the backing of the Queens Democratic Party, whose leader, Representative Joseph Crowley, said he would unveil his endorsement during the party's pre-election dinner.

Apparently this is necessary because the Criminal is rebuffing all calls to resign.  Even though I don't know much about him, I'm inclined to support Peralta against Monseratte unless a better challenger emerges.  

5 to go... Who will be the lucky 1000th to

by: Andrew C. White

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 22:02:34 PM EDT

This is a man that needs firing. He has no place in government. If you haven't signed yet... will you now? Will you be the 1000th to FireMonserrate!

What the people are saying

by: jmcbride

Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 10:26:55 AM EDT

Some comments about domestic violence:

If we do not remove Montserrate, we are sending a TERRIBLE message to all the girls and women trying to strategize about their options or escape abuse and violence.

If our lawmakers can get away with domestic violence, then what message does that send to everyone else?

What a classic case of scaring the victim to lies.
He should be imprisoned.

Comments about the impact on government:

Senator Monserrate should do the right thing and resign. I am so tired of the lack of ethics and the bad behavior of many of our State Democrats, and was especially upset by the actions during the summer. For the first time in a long long time, we had a chance to show the Republicans how to govern. We (or should I say YOU) blew it. The reputation of all the representatives has been destroyed. You have to do better. We- the people who voted for you all -deserve better.

Nothing will hurt the Democratic party more in New York than keeping people like this in the Senate.

Several signers have made this point:

This requires courage to do the right thing, but is morally, ethically and politically the right course of action.  Do not hesitate.

There are hundreds of comments, and I have not been able to read them all.  There are several more after the flip.  

US Sen. Gillibrand calls for NYS Senator to resign

by: Andrew C. White

Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 14:55:52 PM EDT

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has sent us the following statement in support of our demand for the resignation or removal of Hiram Monserrate from the New York State Senate:

Senator Gillibrand's official statement:

"Domestic violence has no place in our society, and certainly has no place in the State Legislature.  A court of law has found Sen. Monserrate guilty of domestic violence, and I believe he should resign immediately. If he does not resign, then the Senate should move to expel him.  We must take a hard line against violence toward women in our society."

Please sign the petition and ask your friends to do likewise. It's at FireMonserrate.com