Posts Tagged ‘New York’

From the New York Times:

State Senator Carl Kruger, Assemblyman William F. Boyland Jr. and an influential lobbyist were among eight people who surrendered on Thursday to face charges in a federal corruption case accusing the lawmakers of taking bribes over the course of a decade in schemes large and small, from pushing hospital mergers to extending business hours for liquor stores.

Mr. Kruger, a Democrat from Brooklyn, is accused of “receiving a stream of bribes totaling at least $1 million in exchange for taking official actions.” Among the charges in the complaint is that he shared fees paid to the lobbyist, Richard Lipsky, and then took “the very official acts in favor of which Lipsky had been paid to lobby.”

Indeed, the detailed 53-page complaint portrays Senator Kruger as a lawmaker who offered a full range of corrupt services in exchange for bribe payments, performing official acts that included sponsoring and supporting legislation, lobbying other elected officials and directing state monies for the benefit of Mr. Lipsky and the lobbyist’s clients.

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Democrats distancing themselves from themselves.

From syracuse.com:

State Sen. David Valesky, Central New York’s top Senate Democrat, and three other Democratic senators, announced today they are leaving the Senate Democratic Conference and forming a third legislative conference.

The four senators – Valesky, Jeffrey Klein, D-Bronx, Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, and David Carlucci, D-Clarkstown – will caucus together as the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC).

The surprise move this morning lets the four senators flex some independence from the Democratic leadership. But it doesn’t change the balance of power in the Senate, where the Republicans have a 32-30 majority. Democrats lost their 32-30 edge in the November elections.

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From TimesUnion.com:

Seventeen new members of the Republican Assembly minority sworn in Tuesday include a veterinarian, high school social studies teacher, public health worker and the more-expected lawyers and public officials with local political experience moving up to Albany.

Assembly Republican Leader Brian M. Kolb of Canandaigua says 2010 marks the first time since 1994 that Republican challenger candidates defeated sitting Democrats in the general election. He says the elections marked the largest “flip” in Assembly members since the early 1970s.

Acting Supreme Court Justice Craig J. Doran presided in the ceremony held at the state Legislative Office Building.

“I am proud to welcome the 17 victors of the historic 2010 elections who will be strong new voices for reform and good government to Albany,” Kolb says.

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After a lengthy recount, another chamber flips from Democrat control to Republican control.

From the Washington Post:

Republicans will regain control of the New York Senate after a recount completed Saturday handed control of a key seat on Long Island to the GOP candidate.

The final vote tally gave Republican Jack Martins a narrow win over Democratic Sen. Craig Johnson in the 7th Senate District. Johnson says he will appeal.

Democrats went into the November elections with a 32-30 Senate majority. They have controlled that chamber for two tumultuous years.

Justice Ira Warshawsky (war-SHAW’-skee) finished the recount Saturday morning, which gives the GOP a majority of at least two seats. A recount is still going on in one remaining race, but Republicans would retain control even if they lose.

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From BuffaloNews.com:

The drama appears over in the 60th Senate District—except for Sen. Antoine M. Thompson’s concession speech. Opponent Mark Grisanti’s more than 500-vote lead has held through the counting of paper ballots.

Unless Democratic Party lawyers can pull a rabbit out of a hat, the senator’s tin ear for taxpayer concerns has finally done him in. Voters were not sufficiently wowed by the 102- page book, produced at taxpayer expense, heralding his legislative wonders.

Thompson’s race was one of three Senate contests statewide to reach cliff-hanger status. With the smoke clearing in all three, Democrats in Albany are bracing as though they narrowly lost Senate control to the Republicans, 32-30. (In the two other races, Republican Jack Martins appears to have defeated Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson of Nassau County, while in Westchester County, Democratic incumbent Suzi Oppenheimer appears to have held off Republican challenger Bob Cohen.)

Two things to watch for now:

First, the Democrats will have to shed some patronage jobs. Thompson’s staff numbers between 10 and 20.What to do with those faithful? They’ll swim to other patronage posts at local governments, agencies and authorities—jobs to keep them in formation for future election seasons.

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