Multiethnic Pride Emerges With Inauguration of John Liu

The 2010 inauguration attracted a broader cross section of NYC residents than in years past. The marked increase in cultural diversity was due to the inauguration of John Liu, the first Asian-American to be elected to the position of comptroller, a citywide office.
During his inaugural speech on the steps of City Hall, Liu hinted at the direction of the comptroller’s office under his leadership. Liu promised he would “work every day for the taxpayers as the chief financial officer of this city to serve as a watchdog over use of funds for its infrastructure and generate sustainable opportunities for residents and local businesses and for the future of our retirees through responsible management of investments and protecting the assets of the city’s pension funds.” He promised he will  examine past and future development agreements and ensuring tangible promises of affordable housing and job creation are actually delivered. Liu said he will “work every day for the democratic principles of shared prosperity by ensuring that women and minority-owned businesses receive equal access to city contracts.” Comptroller Liu said he would “work everyday to realize promises of reform, eliminating waste and fraud from the city’s budget by examining the millions of dollars in no-bid contracts where justifications are weak at best.”
After the formal ceremonies, attendees – Blacks and white, Chinese, Sikh, Korean – trekked to Liu’s reception. A diverse group of city, state and federal elected officials congratulated Liu. Michael Mulgrew, UFT President thanked “John personally for standing up to people who don’t like when people stand up to them. John has demonstrated this throughout his career.” State Senator John Sampson said “Immigrants have built this country. It is time we get our just due.” Congressman Jerrold Nadler noted Liu’s remarkable story: “Almost all of us are the children or grandchildren of immigrants. It is rare to see someone who was born in a different country, speaking a different language be sworn into an office this high. That is quite an achievement.”
Bill Thompson introduced Liu with sentimental, heartfelt remarks. “This is my first speech as former comptroller of this city. I feel honored and privileged on this inaugural day – a time of renewal, hope and promise – to celebrate our new city comptroller, John Liu. We celebrate John’s family – his wife, his son, his parents,  and all that they have done. Congratulations to all of you. I know that John will serve with the same dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm that he has shown throughout his entire public life.”
Thompson spoke of his friendship with Liu. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Comptroller Liu for a long time. I have had the opportunity to work with him on a number of pressing issues. I can tell you from experience that he is a man who never lets pettiness or politics get in the way of principles or progress. A man who focuses on the next generation, rather than the next election. A man who never substitutes rhetoric for results. The city confronts an historic economic crisis, one that will continue to shape our communities and test our resolve. I leave office confident because we have a public servant like John Liu taking the helm as our city’s chief financial officer. I am confident because throughout his whole life Comptroller Liu has demonstrated a remarkable ability to rise and meet challenges. His journey to this moment is not a typical tale. It is a journey that stretches from Taiwan to Flushing to the City Council and now to the comptroller’s office. Throughout all, he has defied odds. That is why his unique and inspiring story is in so many ways part of the larger New York story. It is proof that our city remains a beacon of hope and a place where anything is possible. I know that with his passion, his energy and ideas John Liu will be committed to ensuring that future generations will have the same opportunities that he has had.”
Thompson concluded his remarks with this: ” I know that Comptroller Liu will build on many of our successes as well as set a new course that is guided by his own ambition, priorities, and ideas. A course that will uphold NBY’s great tradition as a city of opportunity by using the office to empower communities, help New Yorkers build better lives and better futures. I have no doubt that New York’s brightest days are ahead. However, those days will not come quickly or easily. Hard work lies before us. The next four years will be a time of great change and challenges. Although much of our future remains uncertain – we not know what the future holds – I do know  that New York will be served well by our new comptroller.”
Liu thanked Bill Thompson, and said he was “a great comptroller for 8 years. Thank you Bill, for keeping our  city on sound fiscal footing. For holding people’s feet to the fire in this City, and for making sure our people are well served. And thank you Bill, for the past several weeks, for the smoothest, most efficient transition anybody coming into office could hope for. Bill leaves me with an office of 700 people as public servants in their own right. Ensuring that the people of this city are taken care of.”
Thanking his parents, Liu said, “Without my mom and dad, giving up everything in Taiwan and moving here.so that me and my brothers can grow up American, none of this would have been possible. They made the transition 30-something years ago. To this day, they continue to work hard.” Liu also thanked his brothers Robert and Edward, and his wife Jenny Lee Liu.
Acknowledging the significance of the moment, Comptroller Liu said, “This year has been historic. It was never my intention to be the first Asian to be elected to the City Council, or now to sit in my office as NYC Comptroller. This is an important time for our community. It is our time to have a seat at the table. It is also our time to realize with that seat comes responsibilities. A rising tide lifts all ships. As the Asian-American community continues to grow, so will the rest of NY. As you look at this room, we have NYers of all stripes, all backgrounds, all nationalities, all religions. That is what NY is about.”
Liu addressed the crowd by saying, “We have to make sure we unlock the synergy of the diversity of NYC. It is no longer acceptable just to talk about diversity. That is the only way we can unlock the true potential of NYC. We have to do so in a way that allows everybody the same fair share of equal opportunity.  I will use every power of the Office of the Comptroller to ensure that everybody does have that economic fair share. Equal opportunity. Fair access. A government that protects everybody on a level playing field. A lot of us have seen the other side of the equation when we were left out. No longer. Nobody gets left behind. Going forward as we get through this economic time, we will make sure that everybody rises all together. That is what NYC is about. I will never forget that. Thank you for this opportunity to serve.”
Representing the excitement in  the crowd, one young Asian-American woman beamed with pride. Tina, age 21, said, “John Liu represents a new hope that Asian-Americans can take part in the process. We are no longer just observers.”
A military officer who served 6 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan said he came from Texas to witness the historic event. David C. said, “I want to learn how to be a good public servant. You see [Liu] as a fellow Asian American, being in a situation where he can make a difference. It is inspiring to me. It has given me ambition; something to follow. I came here from Texas at Thanksgiving. I found out about John Liu from my friends.  I wanted to witness this day. It is a proud day for Asian Americans. A proud day for America. A proud day for NYC. I am privileged to be here. One day, I will be Mayor of NYC. That is  my goal. When I get out, I want to serve as a public servant.”
David explained. “To see a man like that rise above all the tribulations as an Asian American,  that is a proud day. When he talked about his family, what they sacrificed to come to the land of the free, America. That is what my parents did as well. My parents are from Seoul, South Korea. They gave up so much, done so much for me and my brother to live this dream, I want to live this dream in NYC, come back home and help the people of NYC and America. I am going to quote a movie – Spiderman – ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’ I have a lot of power, but it does not compare to the power Liu  will have. And if he becomes Mayor of NYC… with power, you can help people. I brought my friends to witness this day. This is a great day for all of us.”

Children at Risk

On December 1, Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes announced a 21-year sentence for Frank Ryer, 49, who raped and impregnated his 12-year-old stepdaughter. The rape occurred between May 15 and June 15, 2007, while Ryer was visiting the girl at her grandmother’s Brownsville home, where the victim lived. The victim was afraid to tell anyone about the attack, but several months later, when her grandmother realized the victim was pregnant – and took her to see a doctor – they alerted the police. DNA testing confirmed that Ryer had fathered the victim’s baby.

Ryer’s conviction and sentencing is one of many sex abuse cases handled by the Brooklyn DA’s office – 19 cases so far this year. In the past 6 years, the DA’s Sex Crimes Bureau has obtained 1

st degree rape convictions in 103 cases. The Sex Crimes Bureau handles rape cases in which victims are 11-years and older.

THE GOVERNOR LAUNCHES “PEOPLE FIRST” CITY-WIDE CAMPAIGN in BEDFORD STUYVESANT

Three thousand people came out to hear Governor David Paterson’s message to the community on Tuesday at Brooklyn’s First AME Zion Church, pastored by Rev. Darren H. Mitchell. The governor was warmly greeted by the standing room only crowd in the first of a series of conversations he is holding across the state.
Governor Paterson spoke of NYS’s budget woes, and put them in a national context. “The amount of deficits states have run are twice the stimulus dollars,” said Paterson. “Without it, things could be worse.” Paterson credited President Obama’s stimulus as mitigating the problem.
The Governor gave an overview of the problem. NYS receives 20% of our tax proceeds from Wall Street. Our tax receipts are down – twice the national average. Governor Paterson identified the national crisis first in July 2008. In August 2008, NYS balanced its budget and was able to create a ½ billion dollar emergency fund that has enabled New York to do far better than other states.
Paterson said 34 states have had to take actions that NYS has not: 26 states shut down all Pre-K and kindergarten programs; 21 states have furloughed workers; 9 states have let prisoners out. Hawaii shortened its school week from 6 days to 4. In addition Hawaii, and Michigan (which has a 16% unemployment rate) have no more after-school programs. Arizona sold its assets, including the state capitol, which is leased back to itself. California’s credit rating is triple B – one step above junk bond status. As a result, California has a $1 billion interest on their debt.
In comparison to many other states, Governor Paterson said NYS policy is “shared sacrifice.” He acknowledged NYS has the 2nd highest tax rate in the country. The state’s rebate on property tax relief has been abolished.
The Governor said 55% of NYS’s budget goes to health care and education. In response to what Paterson describes as “misleading” commercials, 71% of all education costs go to administration; 29% is for children. Paterson said 95% of school districts we cut have reserve funds, therefore he recommended “wealth-based” tax cuts. The state didn’t cut poorer school districts.
Regarding the impact of health care cuts, Paterson said “No Medicaid patients will be denied services due to cuts.”
The Governor gave an example of how painful it has been for him to make cuts to services. In 2004, when he was a State Senator, Paterson co-sponsored a $50 million bill for lead paint. In 2008, that legislation passed. Paterson said, as governor, he had to veto it. The Governor described how he had to face the music from his then-Assembly member co-sponsor, David Gantt who all but “cussed” him out. Paterson said since then, he found $25 million to help victims of lead poisoning.
Paterson said he is cutting now to avoid closings later. “California is closing hospitals. Arizona is closing schools. New York will be recovering in the new economy.”
In contrast to 34 states that are behind on payments, Governor Paterson said, “I’ve balanced 2 budgets in the middle of a recession. We have not missed a payment [obligation]. NY has maintained its credit rating.”
After his opening remarks, Governor Paterson took questions from the audience.
Regarding a question about John White, the husband and father who was convicted for protecting his family and home from a drunken mob, the governor said he “has met with John White,” and explained he “cannot intervene in ongoing court proceedings,” (the case in on appeal) and cannot comment further.
On the ever-controversial Atlantic Yards project, Paterson said he met with representatives of the opponents to Atlantic Yards just prior to his conversation with the audience. The Governor promised “an objective and fair hearing” on the issue. “The state has an interest in Atlantic Yards,” the Governor said. “Upon advisement of [Council woman] Tish James, I will review.”
On the topic of employment, Governor Paterson said NYS’s official unemployment rate is 8.9%, “but I believe 15-18% of able-bodied adults don’t have jobs.” Paterson said he has expanded the W/MBE system. “NYS was 45th out of 50 states” in awarding contracts to W/MBE’s. He explained while “8% of W/MBE’s qualified, only 2/3 of 1% (.66%) were getting business.” Paterson said NYS had one of the worst records in the country, “Mississippi was better.” Under his leadership, Governor Paterson said the rate of M/WBE’s that do business with the state increased from .66% to 11.1%. Paterson views W/MBE’s as a way to “create jobs in the community.”
Governor Paterson was asked about Alton Maddox’s law license and records surrounding the Tawana Brawley incident. Paterson said Maddox’s law license has been suspended for 20 years, amounting to “4 times the maximum suspension” under NYS law. Paterson felt it would be “equitable to give Maddox’s license back.” Regarding the records on Tawana Brawley, Paterson said he doesn’t have those files. Paterson recommended taking up the issue with the independently-elected District Attorney or the state’s Attorney General, Mario Cuomo. There were many more questions than time, and the Governor said he would return to continue the conversation. Oh, and yes the governor is running in 2010.

Family Court In Need of Change

Mrs. And Mr. James’ daughter, Amber, was five years old when ACS came one night and removed her from their home.

At birth, Amber had seizure that led to a stroke. Mrs. James noticed shaking of her left hand and leg. The doctor told Mrs. James that the seizure led to the stroke. Born in N.C. on Oct. 10, 2001, Amber stayed in the hospital until Oct. 14. Ever since, the child suffered from problems with her eyes and skin rashes, according to Mrs. James. “I did not suspect malpractice until a couple of weeks later, said Mrs. James. “If my child had a stroke, should I leave the hospital with the baby? I got no answer.”

Although both worked, the James’ did not have health coverage for five years. Married 25 years, Mr. James said they are a working family. “No welfare.”

While in intensive care, the hospital had the baby under hot lights. There was no family history of health problems; no problems during the pregnancy. The James’ have a healthy 24 year old son. They say they were given no medical diagnosis for their daughter.

Amber never had a seizure again. She began to have chest pains in 2006. They took her to Parkway Hospital in Queens. The James’ were told to take their daughter home and observe her.

Amber’s eyes would itch and hurt. “Allergy medications never worked,” said Mrs. James. They would give daughter vitamins and “feed her properly.” Without medical coverage, the James’ would take daughter to a clinic referred by HHS. Mrs. James said daughter’s practitioner was “one year out of medical school.” After a second visit, the James’ were given a prescription that was in Mrs. James’, not Amber’s, name. According to Mrs.James, when she put it in Amber’s eyes, “she started screaming.” She called the doctor and asked what the medication was for. “At 12:05, midnight, ACS was at my door.” Amber was removed form their home, despite a report said the child was well cared for.

Mr. James, a case manager for mentally ill, chemically dependent patients, said he thinks “the doctor had a with a Black couple questioning her authority.” Later, the doctor sent Mr. James an email stating, ” she didn’t want the child to be removed from the home.”

“Family court demonized my wife,” said Mr. James. “They would give me my daughter if I kicked my wife out of the house and got an order of protection. It’s divide and conquer.”

In April 2008, Mrs. James was arrested and put in Elmhurst Hospital Psych Ward. “They lied,” said Mrs. James, “and said I knocked a big woman down, scared my daughter, and threatened the foster mother. Unbeknownst the them, all our visits were taped.” The wife’s visitation was suspended for a year, although there is no police report for the alleged assault.

The James’ said while in foster care, Amber was hospitalized three times for pneumonia. Amber was placed in three foster homes in 4 months.

When Amber claimed she was touched improperly while in foster care, the child was placed in Kings County psych ward and at midnight was left there by the social worker. “A five year old in a teen psych ward,” said Mrs. James. “She was thrown around like a sack of potatoes.”

Mr. James gave his assessment: “There are 17,000 children in ACS care. Poverty was their only crime. The children equal money; disabled children are worth more. Traumatize a child, then provide medication. It is nothing but modern day slavery.”

The last time the James’ saw their Amber, they took her to the Michael Jackson celebration in Prospect Park. They say their daughter is not the same.

Lauren Raysor has heard stories like this, and many more. An attorney who specializes in custody, visitation, and child support cases, Raysor says she has issues with “the way people of color are treated” in NYC Family Court. “The system is twisted, Family Court should assist in family re-unification.” Instead, said Raysor, “Children are a great commodity for the city. The foster care system has to get paid. There is great incentive to remove the child from the home.”

Raysor gave general examples of situations she has seen. A common scenario occurs when a child reaches adolescence and exhibits developmentally normal rebellious behavior. That behavior – staying out all night, getting into trouble, risking their own safety – does not conform with the Black value system. Raynor says, if the parents attempts to discipline the child, that discipline opens the door for all manner of disruptions.

“Corporal punishment is out of the question,” Raysor said, but if a parent seeks to restrict the child from hanging out all night, risking danger to him or herself, the child can make a complaint against the parent. That parent then becomes becomes the focus of an investigation, not the child’s behavior.

Raysor described a situation in which a parent took a child’s cell phone away, because the child refused to do school work. The child complained to a teacher. An investigation of the parent was initiated. Raysor said removing an iPod or cell phone from a child is “withholding,” a form of child abuse under the law. “The parent has no ability to assist their children.”

According to Raysor, an investigation of the parent is initiated when a parent makes a PINS request, seeking help with an out of control child. Ultimately, the child’s legal representative advocates for the child’s wishes, even though the child makes demands that are against their own best interests. “If you don’t want parents to have control over the child,” said Raynor, “then allow the child, age 16 and older, to be emancipated. As it stands, parents are in a Catch 22 situation: the parent is responsible if the child is hurt, yet has no control over guidance.”

There are other common scenarios, according to Raysor. When removed from the home, too often, the system “puts children up for adoption, rather than give the children to their grandmother. That is not our way.” Raynor added, “Foster care is no joke, either. Children are abused in foster care.” Raysor is also concerned about the application of child support.

Attorney Raysor has several legislative proposals that might remedy some situations: 1) emancipation, 2) mandatory, not statutory child support, and 3) child support tax deductions.

“Family court, as it is now set up,” said Raysor, “obliterates families.”

 

 

 

One Valiant Effort: Thompson Concedes Run for Mayor

 

              During his yearlong quest for Mayor, Bill Thompson faced the biggest multi-million dollar campaign juggernaut in municipal history. He did so with style, grace and a gentlemanly comportment. The Thompson campaign spent election night at the New York Hilton, where hundreds of supporters packed the ballroom.

            A Who’s Who of Democratic leadership made remarks. Moderated by Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright, those who addressed the crowd during the hours as the vote count between Bloomberg and Thompson remained tight (48% to 49%)  included  Norman Seabrook of the Corrections Officers Association, DC 37’s Exec. Dir. Lillian Roberts, President of RWDSU Stewart Applebaum, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association Steve Cassidy, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz, Jr., Councilwoman Letitia James, Assemblyman Darryl Towns, Assemblyman Espaillat, NYS Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, Assemblywoman Debra Glick, Assemblyman Jeff Genowitz, Congressman Anthony Weiner, and Rev. Al Sharpton. 

            Bill DeBlasio said “our candidate Bill Thompson is one of the most decent people in public life. He has done everything right. He has served with distinction. Bill Thompson has served us well.  John Liu told the crowd that Bill Thompson “has confounded” every pollster, referring to re-election polls that inflated Bloomberg’s lead. Liu said, “we have seen results that speak well of democracy in NYC.” NYS Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith said, “It is Thompson’s time.”

            As the night wore on, the crowds jubilant mood began to change as word spread that the vote total moved to 51% for Bloomberg, 46% for Thompson.

            Governor Paterson said he could not leave the stage without telling the truth, “The fact is, there are too many Democrats who stayed home today, because they listened to the polls. They stayed home because they listened to people who represented everybody else’s interests except there own. Democrats need to believe in a Democratic party and those that represent the Democratic party – fighting against poor housing; fighting against drugs; crime; unemployment and underemployment. Fighting for decent educational facilities. Fighting to save the environment. And fighting for the education of our children.” Paterson added, “I want to congratulate Bill for not giving up.”

            Bill Thompson was called to the stage with the crowd chanting, “Billy! Billy!” and was greeted by warm, enthusiastic applause.

             Thompson’s words announcing he had just called to congratulate Michael Bloomberg was met with disapproving boos at the election results. Thompson said, “Although we have had our differences, we have always found common ground in our deep desire to serve this city. And to build a better future for this city.” He added, “And I pledge to do whatever I can to put the differences of the campaign behind us. And help him move this city forward as we work to address some very serious challenges.”

            With his head held high, Thompson said, “Tonight when the final votes are counted, the results will not be in our favor yet we still have much to be proud of.  This campaign was about standing up for your core values. This campaign was about standing strong, standing tall, and never backing down in the face of a formidable challenge. We are New Yorkers, That’s what we do.”

            “The work we started during this campaign doesn’t end tonight, in fact, it’s just beginning,” said Thompson. “I’ll continue to work with you to  make this city better. For others. It is our duty to make sure the issues we highlighted do not fade back into the shadows of our public dialog.”

            Thompson said he learned about public service from parents, a school teacher and an appellate court judge. He said, by their example, “I dedicated my life to giving back to this city that has given so much to me.”

            Citywide voter turnout was 1.1 million votes. Preliminary results are Bloomberg 51%  (557, 059  votes);   Thompson 46% (506,717 votes). Thompson won Brooklyn by 18,331 votes, and took the Bronx with 32,755 more votes than Bloomberg.

            Mayor Bloomberg spent upward of $90 million dollars, outspending Thompson by 14-to-1. With an average of $157.27 per Bloomberg vote compared to $13.12 per vote for Thompson, some attendees noted that Thompson may indeed be the better money manager.

            Thompson ended his remarks by saying, “Your support, your enthusiasm and desire for change is what carried me to this point.  We may not have won this election, and yet I know, this campaign had to be waged. I’ll never forget how much you gave to our cause”

            In central Brooklyn, election night affirmed the results of the primary. Councilwoman Letitia James won with 92% of the vote; Al Vann 63%; Mathieu Eugene 94%; Darlene Mealy 95%; and Charles Barron 93%. Jumaane Williams, who unseated Kendall Stewart, won with 76% of the vote.

            Public Advocate elect Bill DeBlasio won with 77% and John Liu, Comptroller elect, won with 76%.

Thompson Offers Comprehensive Economic Plan For All New Yorkers

     New York has had eight years of what mayoral candidate Bill Thompson calls a “barbell economy” that “created low-paying jobs with no benefits on one end, high-paying jobs predominately in finance and business services on the other, and very few jobs in between.” According to Thompson, the “middle class, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and working families have been shut out.” Thompson has introduced a comprehensive plan “that focuses on  real solutions to create a diverse post-boom era economy that produces long-term, living-wage jobs.”

Thompson’s A New Direction for a New Economy has a three-pronged approach: make New York City a true center of entrepreneurial, small business growth; restructure our workforce development system to give New Yorkers the skills required to hold jobs that pay good wages; and include the entire city and all economic groups in the creation of long-term, living-wage jobs and career ladders to the middle class as a top priority.

In a recent presentation to the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Bill Thompson spoke of the plight of New York’s historic Garment District as an example of how private sector jobs and businesses have been negatively impacted by current policies.  

New York’s world-class Garment District has traditionally thrived because of the close proximity of talent across the field – clothing designers, pattern makers, fabric manufacturers, producers of buttons, zippers and trim makers, garment manufacturers, showrooms and merchandisers, and fashion show operations. These entities require space to sustain and grow the industry. Thompson points to Bloomberg’s development and rezoning policies as a threat to the industry – an assertion supported by the Garment Industry Development Corporation.

According to Thompson, since 2002, nearly 2,000 acres of manufacturing zones have been rezoned for other uses. “To make matters worse,” said Thompson, “the city now wants to rezone another 1,800 acres – a combined 20 percent of our manufacturing acreage and 40 percent of already-built industrial space – despite the fact that many of our 7,000 manufacturers are looking to expand.” Thompson said he will “enforce existing zoning regulations that were established to protect manufacturers from real estate speculators who offer only short-term leases – a practice that has discouraged many manufacturers from locating in New York City.” Thompson would place a “moratorium” on the proposed rezoning of an additional 1,800 acres in manufacturing zones. He said he will also “work with manufacturers, the fashion industry and labor unions to arrange for up to one million square feet of dedicated garment manufacturing space in nonprofit buildings, the amount of space the industry says it requires to thrive and to expand.”

With help from low-cost financing and grants, Thompson said he will also “replicate programs like the highly successful Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center which helps nonprofits acquire, rehabilitate and renovate run-down industrial properties. These new centers will be designed for occupancy at affordable rents by small manufacturers and creative firms in fields such as architecture, design and high tech.” In addition, as mayor, Thompson said he would develop a centralized, online, searchable  database of all available commercial space under 5,000  square feet for small business tenants looking for open, small commercial space. He would also establish “Retail Retention Zones” which would offer incentives to property owners so that “independent retailers can compete for retail space with deep-pocketed retail chains and banks.”

To better support NYC’s small business and long-term economic health, “We must also help New Yorkers acquire the skills they need to compete for jobs created by these newly empowered businesses,” said Thompson. “Under Mayor Bloomberg, the current $925 million dollar city-administered [workforce development] system is uncoordinated and often at odds with itself.” Thompson’s office found “the system lacks a unifying mission, and that its 33 different programs report to three different deputy mayors with no reference to a citywide economic development strategy.” Specifically, Thompson said, “It’s incredible that the Department of Education’s Career and Technical programs – which trains thousands of high school students in everything from aircraft mechanics to computer technology – are entirely separate from the rest of the workforce development system, and that no one is in charge of coordinating the whole effort.”

Thompson said as mayor, he would establish a Mayor’s Office of Skills Development to ensure that “our city’s workforce development efforts are comprehensive, coordinated and focused on sectors where our city seeks a competitive advantage.”

Thompson’s support for small businesses as NY’s economic engine is concrete. According to Thompson, “Roughly 98 percent of New York City firms have fewer than 100 employees. These businesses account for almost half the city’s private-sector payroll.”

The Office of the Comptroller under Bill Thompson has paid particular attention to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises. A recent audit found the Department of Small Business Services (DSBS) did not completely comply with Local Law 129, which was enacted in response to a disparity study commissioned by the NYC Council in 2005. The study found that there was a significant disparity in contracting opportunities afforded to certain M/WBE groups in the procurement of construction, professional services, standard services and goods. Local Law 129 was intended to address the disparities revealed by the study. As stated in the law, DSBS “shall administer, coordinate and enforce a citywide program established by local law for the identification, recruitment, certification and participation in city procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises.”

Thompson said, “The fundamental goal of the program is to increase M/WBE participation in the city’s procurement process, not merely to give these companies an opportunity to compete.” The Comptroller’s Review of FY 2008 agency purchases from M/WBEs found that of the 23 agencies that were required to submit an agency utilization plan, 12 agencies met a total of 21 prime contract utilization goals out of 241 applicable categories. The total value of the prime contracts entered into by these agencies was $369,417,386, with a targeted goal to spend $107,816,905 in contracts with M/WBEs. “However,” said Thompson, “the actual value of contracts with M/WBEs was a paltry 14 percent of that goal, or $14,882,561.”

Comptroller Thompson found several noncompliance issues of contractors that were discovered by DSBS, including: a prime contractor adjusted the subcontracting requirements of a contract without notifying the agency; no proof of payment to a subcontractor was provided by the prime contractor for two contracts; and a prime contractor did not meet its subcontracting goals.  The Comptroller’s Office surprisingly found that although noncompliance was discovered, DSBS never notified the audited agencies and contractors of the findings.  “If an agency is not made aware of the audit’s outcome, especially when there are findings of noncompliance, there is no way to ensure they know what is taking place and certainly have no means to ensure the problem gets rectified,” Thompson said. “Common sense was missing here.”

Thompson has made several recommendations, including that DSBS should: immediately meet with all agencies not meeting their goals to discuss ways that they could improve, and document the results of those meetings; at least annually review and document its review of the utilization of M/WBEs by the agencies subject to the local law requirements to determine if they are meeting the goals stated in their M/WBE utilization plans; meet and document its meetings with the agencies that are not achieving their M/WBE utilization goals to determine the reason(s) the goals are not being met and whether the agencies are making all reasonable efforts to do so. In addition, based on the results of these meetings, DSBS should determine whether any common factors exist among the agencies that may need to be addressed, and establish a system whereby audit findings are followed up with contractors (both prime and subs as appropriate) and contracting agencies in a timely manner.

Bill Thompson has established on the Comptroller’s website a list of procurement resources for Minority and Women-owned businesses.

 

 

 

 

     

Medgar Evers College Commemorates Domestic Violence Month

Domestic violence came close to home this year at Medgar Evers College. Two days after the beginning of the semester, a tragic case of domestic abuse occurred on the streets near the college.

On a bright, sunny afternoon student Kaidan Ramsey, 22, was confronted by her enraged husband, Lenox Ramsey, 25, as she was entering the campus. Lenox Ramsey dragged Kaidan down the street. According to witnesses, when she broke free, desperately screaming for help, Ramsey chased Kaidan, grabbed her arm and screamed, “I got a gun, don’t —- with me!” After Ramsey fired two warning shots into the air to scatter the crowd, Lenox shot Kaidan twice in the back. Kaidan was taken to Kings County Hospital in stable condition. She survived the attack. Police arrested Lenox shortly after the incident. Lenox Ramsey told detectives he thought his wife was having an affair with a fellow Medgar Evers student.

Kaidan had moved out of the couple’s home three days earlier. Lenox, a security guard, was known to frequently fight with his wife and fellow residents in the couple’s apartment building in Brownsville, according to neighbors.

The horrific incident was recorded on a nearby surveillance camera.

On Monday, October 19th at 1:30 pm, the Male Development and Empowerment Center (MDEC) will host a special domestic violence forum in the Founders Auditorium. The gathering, entitled “Domestic Violence: Moving Men from Allies to Activists,” is designed for male students as part of an ongoing effort to address the issue of domestic violence from a male perspective.

“We are trying to raise awareness amongst men,” said Larry Martin, director of the Male Development and Empowerment Center, “and attempting to educate and re-educate our men about their personal responsibility in ending men’s violence against women.”

Special guest speakers are community voices who work with men on a wide variety of issues. Quentin Walcott is program director of CONNECT Training Institute (CTI) – an organization whose mission is to expand the number of professionals and community members who have a deep understanding of the dynamics and consequences of violence in the family. By providing intensive training, CTI participants with tools necessary to develop community-based solutions for the complex problem of family violence. Lumumba Bandele is a SEEK program instructor and domestic violence activist. Kevin Powell is a community activist, author and Male Development spokesman who has spoken and written extensively on the issue of domestic violence.

Through this event, MDEC hopes to prompt a discussion that assists men in identifying abusive tendencies, educates them on avenues for finding help with this issue, and trains those who are faced with this difficult situation on means of safely intervening.

“We are targeting men and what they can do,” said a spokesperson for Medgar Evers President William L. Pollard. This year’s gathering, in recognition of Domestic Violence Month, is part of President Pollard’s overall mission to make Medgar Evers College a “student-centered campus.”
The event is open to the community.

Thompson Offers Comprehensive Economic Plan For All New Yorkers

New York has had eight years of what mayoral candidate Bill Thompson calls a “barbell economy” that “created low-paying jobs with no benefits on one end, high-paying jobs predominately in finance and business services on the other, and very few jobs in between.” According to Thompson, the “middle class, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and working families have been shut out.” Thompson has introduced a comprehensive plan “that focuses on  real solutions to create a diverse post-boom era economy that produces long-term, living-wage jobs.”
Thompson’s A New Direction for a New Economy has a three-pronged approach: make New York City a true center of entrepreneurial, small business growth; restructure our workforce development system to give New Yorkers the skills required to hold jobs that pay good wages; and include the entire city and all economic groups in the creation of long-term, living-wage jobs and career ladders to the middle class as a top priority.
In a recent presentation to the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Bill Thompson spoke of the plight of New York’s historic Garment District as an example of how private sector jobs and businesses have been negatively impacted by current policies.
New York’s world-class Garment District has traditionally thrived because of the close proximity of talent across the field – clothing designers, pattern makers, fabric manufacturers, producers of button, zipper and trim makers, garment manufacturers, show rooms and merchandisers, and fashion show operations. These entities require space to sustain and grow the industry. Thompson points to Bloomberg’s development and rezoning policies as a threat to the industry – an assertion supported by the Garment Industry Development Corporation.
According to Thompson, since 2002, nearly 2,000 acres of manufacturing zones have been rezoned for other uses. “To make matters worse,” said Thompson, “the city now wants to rezone another 1,800 acres – a combined 20 percent of our manufacturing acreage and 40 percent of already-built industrial space – despite the fact that many of our 7,000 manufacturers are looking to expand.” Thompson said he will “enforce existing zoning regulations that were established to protect manufacturers from real estate speculators who offer only short-term leases – a practice that has discouraged many manufacturers from locating in New York City.” Thompson would place a “moratorium” on the proposed rezoning of an additional 1,800 acres in manufacturing zones. He said he will also “work with manufacturers, the fashion industry and labor unions to arrange for up to one million square feet of dedicated garment manufacturing space in nonprofit buildings, the amount of space the industry says it requires to thrive and to expand.”
With help from low-cost financing and grants, Thompson said he will also “replicate programs like the highly successful Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center which helps nonprofits acquire, rehabilitate and renovate run-down industrial properties. These new centers will be designed for occupancy at affordable rents by small manufacturers and creative firms in fields such as architecture, design and high tech.” In addition, as mayor, Thompson said he would develop a centralized, online, searchable  database of all available commercial space under 5,000  square feet for small business tenants looking for open, small commercial space. He would also establish “Retail Retention Zones” which would offer incentives to property owners so that “independent retailers can compete for retail space with deep-pocketed retail chains and banks.”
To better support NYC’s small business and long-term economic health, “We must also help New Yorkers acquire the skills they need to compete for jobs created by these newly empowered businesses,” said Thompson. “Under Mayor Bloomberg, the current $925 million dollar city-administered [workforce development] system is uncoordinated and often at odds with itself.” Thompson’s office found “the system lacks a unifying mission, and that its 33 different programs report to three different deputy mayors with no reference to a citywide economic development strategy.” Specifically, Thompson said, “It’s incredible that the Department of Education’s Career and Technical programs – which trains thousands of high school students in everything from aircraft mechanics to computer technology – are entirely separate from the rest of the workforce development system, and that no one is in charge of coordinating the whole effort.”
Thompson said as mayor, he would establish a Mayor’s Office of Skills Development to ensure that “our city’s workforce development efforts are comprehensive, coordinated and focused on sectors where our city seeks a competitive advantage.”
Thompson’s support for small businesses as NY’s economic engine is concrete. According to Thompson, “Roughly 98 percent of New York City firms have fewer than 100 employees. These businesses account for almost half the city’s private-sector payroll.”
The Office of the Comptroller under Bill Thompson has paid particular attention to Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises. A recent audit found the Department of Small Business Services (DSBS) did not completely comply with Local Law 129, which was enacted in response to a disparity study commissioned by the NYC Council in 2005. The study found that there was a significant disparity in contracting opportunities afforded to certain M/WBE groups in the procurement of construction, professional services, standard services and goods. Local Law 129 was intended to address the disparities revealed by the study. As stated in the law, DSBS “shall administer, coordinate and enforce a citywide program established by local law for the identification, recruitment, certification and participation in city procurement of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises.”
Thompson said, “The fundamental goal of the program is to increase M/WBE participation in the city’s procurement process, not merely to give these companies an opportunity to compete.” The Comptroller’s Review of FY 2008 agency purchases from M/WBEs found that of the 23 agencies that were required to submit an agency utilization plan, 12 agencies met a total of 21 prime contract utilization goals out of 241 applicable categories. The total value of the prime contracts entered into by these agencies was $369,417,386, with a targeted goal to spend $107,816,905 in contracts with M/WBEs. “However,” said Thompson, “the actual value of contracts with M/WBEs was a paltry 14 percent of that goal, or $14,882,561.”
Comptroller Thompson found several noncompliance issues of contractors that were discovered by DSBS, including: a prime contractor adjusted the subcontracting requirements of a contract without notifying the agency; no proof of payment to a subcontractor was provided by the prime contractor for two contracts; and a prime contractor did not meet its subcontracting goals.  The Comptroller’s Office surprisingly found that although noncompliance was discovered, DSBS never notified the audited agencies and contractors of the findings.  “If an agency is not made aware of the audit’s outcome, especially when there are findings of noncompliance, there is no way to ensure they know what is taking place and certainly have no means to ensure the problem gets rectified,” Thompson said. “Common sense was missing here.”
Thompson has made several recommendations, including that DSBS should: immediately meet with all agencies not meeting their goals to discuss ways that they could improve, and document the results of those meetings; at least annually review and document its review of the utilization of M/WBEs by the agencies subject to the local law requirements to determine if they are meeting the goals stated in their M/WBE utilization plans; meet and document its meetings with the agencies that are not achieving their M/WBE utilization goals to determine the reason(s) the goals are not being met and whether the agencies are making all reasonable efforts to do so. In addition, based on the results of these meetings, DSBS should determine whether any common factors exist among the agencies that may need to be addressed, and establish a system whereby audit findings are followed up with contractors (both prime and subs as appropriate) and contracting agencies in a timely manner.
Bill Thompson has established on the Comptroller’s website a list of procurement resources for Minority and Women-owned businesses.

Brooklyn For Barack Hosts Comptroller Debate

The latest Comptroller debate took place in central Brooklyn, hosted by Brooklyn for Barack. Lead organizer Jordan Thomas said the Comptroller debate is “part of a series of activities designed to keep people engaged after the historic 2008 election of Barack Obama.”

Organizer Amanda Thompkins said planning for the event began when voters were asking themselves who they would vote for. Knowing there is not much information in voters’ minds regarding what the Comptroller does, Thompkins presented a brief overview of the office’s duties: to ensure the financial health of New York City by advising the Mayor, the City Council and the public of the city’s financial condition; making recommendations for city  programs and operations, fiscal policies and financial transactions; analyzes and approves the budget; audits the agencies; approves the contracts; manages the pension funds; and manages a staff of 700 people, including administrators, accountants, attorneys, computer analysts, engineers, claim specialists, budget and financial analysts.

The event’s moderator was lead organizer Yoruba Richen, who gave each candidate in attendance (Council members David Yassky, David Weprin and John Liu) a different question related to the Comptroller’s office.

First to arrive was Council member David Yassky. He began by encouraging voters to get engaged in this year’s election. He believes as last year changed national politics, change can take place in the city as well, “not just change in politics, but change in results, with the ultimate goal of getting something done for the people we are serving.” For example, Yassky said when luxury development was to take place on the Brooklyn waterfront, he wrote into it affordable housing. Yassky said he sued Exxon to clean up their oil spill in Greenpoint and worked to require developers to pay full property taxes. He introduced a bill to make taxis gas and electric hybrids.

Council member David Weprin said of all the people running, he is the only one with both public sector and private sector financial experience. He served in Governor Mario Cuomo’s administration as Deputy Superintendent of Banking, the state bank regulatory agency regulating $2 trillion in assets in commercial  banks, savings and loans, credit unions and licensed lenders. He had a 20-year career as an investment banker and chaired the Securities Industry Association of New York district, the trade union for Wall Street. In 2001, when elected to the Council, he became the Chair of the Finance Committee.

Weprin said he is committed to bringing the Office of the Comptroller to the people by opening 5 borough-wide community offices. These offices would deal with predatory lending, mortgage foreclosure, contract and pension issues. He said he would be independent of the Mayor and has demonstrated that independence by leading the fight against congestion pricing, tolls on the bridges, and the change in term limits without a public referendum.

Richen asked Yassky what would be his top agenda as Comptroller and how would it affect the lives of everyday New Yorkers. Yassky said his three priorities would be to have audit in-house management consultants to look for 10% waste across city agencies in order to pay for the things residents need; develop sectors other  than Wall Street, such as film and television production, bioscience and green technology; and reigning in cost overruns on construction projects.

Yassky was asked is there anything the Comptroller’s office can do to prevent the problems on Wall Street from happening again. He said he didn’t think the city could have headed off the national recession. Follow up question: The Comptroller oversees the  Commercial Banking Division, how can you ensure that banks headquartered in NYC actually lends to NYC businesses and residents? Yassky’s answer: the Comptroller works with every major money center bank in the city, both as a depositor and as an underwriter, and is in a position to strongly request that banks be responsive to the community’s needs. He would follow the state Comptroller’s example by setting aside a portion of funds to lend directly in the city. When asked about term limits, Yassky said he thinks it is bad policy, but disagreed with how the Mayor went about changing them.

Richen asked Weprin about the relationship between the Mayor and the Comptroller. Weprin said due to the nature of the position, it is very important that the Comptroller be independent of the Mayor. Independently elected. The Comptroller is in charge of auditing all city agencies, which are under the control of the Mayor. It is the Comptroller’s fiduciary responsibility to be independent. Weprin was asked about the situation with Alan Hevesi, the former city and state Comptroller. He said Hevesi, as state Comptroller, had some advisors who sold access to management of  the pension funds. The corruption was because of the sole-trustee structure of the state Comptroller’s office. “He doesn’t have to answer to pension boards. Some people around the Comptroller said ‘I am best friends with the Comptroller, I can get you the business.’ It was pay to play. At the city level, that is less of a problem because of the five pension boards, with $80 billion in pension money, with their own trustees and financial advisors. He can make the decision where investments go. I prefer, from a potential corruption point of view, the city structure, although here are problems with the city structure. It takes so long to switch allocation of assets, to move money around, to take advantage of  changing financial markets. I would like to keep the city structure, but streamline the process.”

Regarding the Atlantic Yards development, Hevesi said he “supports some form of development. It is very important the community have input. Regarding  I know there was a Community Benefits Agreement. There were commitments that were supposed to provide housing. From what I understand, there is some disagreement whether that commitment is being fulfilled. I have questions about where the project is going. I have reservations about the project’s size and scope and a situation where we throw good money after bad money. It happened after ground zero. Nothing there is happening sufficiently after 8 years. I would hate to see that kind of situation happen at Atlantic Yards. As a citywide official, the Comptroller can use the bully pulpit, but the Comptroller does not have direct control in that particular development, per se.”

Weprin was asked about the Dept. of Corrections, one of the biggest vendors in the city. He said it is a city agency; the Comptroller can audit it. Weprin would like to “see an audit of the outside contracts. No-bid contracts have ballooned in all the city agencies to over $6 billion. Our entire budget is $60 billion. I would look to see that the outside contracts are competitively bid and make sure there is a lot of oversight. While we are at it, something has to be done about the outside contracts in the Dept. of Education. They have more outside contracts than anyone, $2 billion, most of which are no-bid contracts.

Regarding the credit crisis, credit card debt and keeping housing affordable, Weprin said through his proposed 5 borough-wide offices, those are issues he would deal with – rent issues, contract issues, job issues.

John Liu was last to arrive, having come from being endorsed by the 504 Democratic Club, which focuses solely on disability issues. Liu spoke about his career prior to being elected to the Council. He was a manager at Price Waterhouse Coopers, where he “gained a great deal of financial expertise.” He would bring to the Office of Comptroller  his skill set to institute financial reforms, make sure to eliminate waste from our budget, use his pension actuarial background to shore up the pension funds and restore the confidence of city workers and retirees, and to use the procurement powers of the Office of Comptroller to ensure that contracts are actually used to create jobs for New Yorkers.

Richen asked about the financial crisis that was largely started by Wall Street. Liu said that as Comptroller, he would use the Comptroller’s contract and procurement powers to “use city employees as much as possible,” rather than contract out services at higher prices to do the same work. He would “ensure that more contracts would go to women- and minority-owned businesses, companies that have a proven track record of hiring people in our city.” Liu has seen the economic stimulus dollars are going to our City agencies, and going to the same relatively small number of companies that are not making a huge effort to recruit people from our NYC neighborhoods. He would use the powers of audit to review huge development deals. Regarding Atlantic Yards, that have announced promises of thousands of jobs, affordable housing and years later “I don’t see where all those promises are materializing. I would use the powers of audit to see how far short they are and put these projects on a strict timetable to make sure those promises are delivered to the people.”

Regarding Mayoral control and the provisions in the renewal that provides for the Dept. of Education to be audited, Liu said the Comptroller now has the authority to review DOE contracts, which the City Comptroller was not able to do before. The DOE has the single largest line item in the city budget, and was “untouchable” by the Comptroller. If elected, Liu said he would immediately use those powers to look at the Dept. of Education and audit the contracts, the operations and some of the products used by the DOE. “We have seen over the years that test scores have gone up. It is true that some scores have gone up, particularly state exams. The federal scores are actually declining. Why this divergence in exams that are supposed to access the same educational achievement? The answer is simple. There is more coaching,  more teaching to the test on state exams. The state scores may be a reflection of the kids being taught to take tests more expediently, not learning the subject matter.  Turning kids into test-taking machines. As Comptroller I would sink my teeth into that agency immediately.”

Richen asked both Liu and Weprin what they would do about the “behemoth, the MTA.” Liu said the NYC Comptroller does not have full authority to review all the operations of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.  “It is a state agency. But the City Comptroller does have a tremendous amount of review over NYC Transit, by virtue of the fact that the NYC budget contributes hundreds of millions of dollars every year into the operating budget. NYC Transit is the largest piece, by far, of the MTA group of subsidiaries. As Comptroller, I would use my experience as the Council Chair of the Transportation Committee to review irregularities, such as when they were showing two sets of financial statements at the same time back in 2003 when they were looking to raise fares at an historically high level. There were hundreds of millions of unused capital dollars from previous capital plans while they were still claiming deficits.” Liu asked why eight years after 9/11, has MTA not terror-proofed the subway system.

Weprin said he would work with the state Comptroller regarding the MTA. He said he was the only elected official to testify at the last hearing when the MTA proposed draconian cuts and a huge fare hike. Weprin said he proposed “bringing back the commuter tax at 1% (it used to be ½%), with ½ % – about $700 million – going to the MTA to keep fares low, and the other ½ % going to NYC to help deal with basic services like police, fire, and sanitation, as well as all the other services the city provides that non-residents who work in the City benefit from. I think that is much fairer than fare increases and other tax increased that were proposed.”

During the candidate forum, Liu joked that he would run for President of the United States, once he serves as Comptroller. “I am hoping that Arnold Schwarznegger changes the U.S. Constitution so that I can run. I am an immigrant, and proud to be an immigrant.”

Democratic Senate Majority is Good News for Central Brooklyn

The New York version of “to the victor go the spoils,” blatantly implemented through  the Republican dominated NYS Senate for 40 years, abruptly ended with the emergence of a Democratic majority. One of the benefits of Democrats being in the majority is how community project funds, a.k.a. member items, are distributed.

Member item dollars distributed to the NYS Senate totaled $85 million a year for the past ten years. “Nine of those ten years, Democrats got about $8 million. This year, they got $76 million,” said Travis Proulx, a spokesman for Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith. Prior to this year, the exact reverse was status quo. During nine of the past ten years, Republicans divided $76 million among themselves, leaving $8 million for Democrats. According to Proulx, over the past 10 years, Republicans allocated a total of $692 million, while Democrats got $148 million.

Not surprisingly, Senate Republicans never saw a problem with the disparity – until this year. On June 8, as the Senate prepared to vote the Democrat dominated allocations into law, the now infamous surprise coup  interrupted the process. For a month, all legislative votes were stalled. Once the Senate version of order was restored, a deal was negotiated that would allocated two thirds of member items to the majority party and a third to the minority. The deal will take effect not this year, but next.

Since Senate Democrats are clustered downstate, NYC is a major beneficiary of this year’s funding agreement. Central Brooklyn received a sizable chunk for programs serving a variety of needs. Community icons, such as Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp., Medgar Evers College, Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, James E. Davis Stop the Violence Foundation, and Crown Heights Youth Collective are among the beneficiaries of the new Senate majority.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson led central Brooklyn with $3.04 million for service groups and special projects. Sampson funded $75,000 for a mobile science lab for a local public school; $150,000 for a litigation clinic at Albany Law School; and  $95,000 for peer to peer recovery services at Paul J. Cooper center for Human Services.

Next is Velmanette Montgomery, with $3 million provided to worthy causes. The Center for Law and Social Justice received $150,000. The Brooklyn Public library got $100,000 for a youth internship program. Another $100,000 went to Long Island University for an after school program. Polytechnic Institute received $100,000 for a youth in engineering and science program.

Kevin Parker brought $2 million to his district. There is $75,000 for the Caribbean Women’s Health Association. $100,000 for the Flatbush YMCA. $100,000 for the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club. Another $100,000 for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts. Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush was given $100,000 for home ownership education and predatory lending counseling. $250,000 went to the NY Blood Center to purchase a mobile coach for blood donations and diversity outreach.
Eric Adams funded projects totaling $1.05 million. Youth America, Inc. received Adams’ largest allocation ($430,000), providing educational, anti-crime, and cultural programs for youth, young adult and seniors. $50,000 went to the East Flatbush Immigrant Assistance Center. Another $50,000 went to a financial assistance program in Crown Heights.
Numerous programs were allocated amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.  A wide variety of services are being funded, such as fatherhood initiatives, mental and physical health services, youth development programs, computing equipment, multi-lingual legal resource guides, precinct community councils. Central Brooklyn’s Senate representatives gave financial support to diverse ethnic, religious, cultural and community groups from the Irish, Jewish, Caribbean to tenant associations, blind and other disabilities, arts and athletics.
Central Brooklyn’s portion of senate member items total more than $9 million of the City’s share, just some of what NYC was deprived of during Republican domination of the Senate. For years, Mayor Bloomberg financially supported state Republicans. Published reports state Bloomberg has given $2 million to the NYS Republican party. He has supported Republican challengers to Democratic senate seats (including his own State Senator Liz Krueger).  His efforts stalled the emergence of a Democrat majority in the Senate. But the day has come. NY’s Democratic Senate districts are better for it.

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