We repeatedly see policies and proposals put forth with no rational basis aside from personal gain. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara may have exposed some of the more egregious examples of political corruption in the recent round of arrests, but in reality there are other pervasive and subtle forms of self-dealing which are doing long-term damage to the public interest.… [More]

“Being powerful is like being a lady,” mused the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. “If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” In Albany, as in every political arena, bluster is often mistaken for true power. Of course, even the perception that one has influence can yield genuine authority, but more often that not, those with true power in government are not the grandstanders but those who work dutifully, quietly and shrewdly behind the scenes to achieve their… [More]

  It was a huge week for Anthony Weiner, who thrust himself back into the public eye with a flattering cover story in The New York Times Magazine just two years after his infamous crotch tweet and cover-up stalled a once promising career. Now Weiner is mulling a comeback in a crowded Democratic primary field for mayor of New York City. And this week, that makes him one of our Weiners and Losers. Can’t get enough of our winners and losers?… [More]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed legislation allowing district attorneys to enforce public corruption cases across the state and that increases penalties for politicians on the take - but State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman would be left out.… [More]

When you are a relatively unknown candidate running for mayor of New York City on the Republican ticket, you might as well go “all-in” early. In the next two weeks, George McDonald’s challenge to New York City’s campaign finance laws will be decided by the New York Supreme Court. The result will either upend New York City’s vaunted campaign finance system in the middle of a mayoral campaign and garner McDonald substantial publicity, or deal a serious blow to a… [More]

  Mr. Independent, Mr. Self-sufficient, Mr. Keep-your-distance. Mayoral candidate Adolfo Carrión snagged the Independence Party’s endorsement this week, keeping his heart protected so that he’d never feel rejected by the Republican or Democratic parties. But what is that feeling taking over? It’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo opening the door to, surprise! A state-imposed teacher evaluation bill that’s real for New York City. But Cuomo miscalculated on a Medicaid rate change delivering a $500 million hit to the state budget, leaving us… [More]

Three New York City mayoral candidates will testify on Tuesday in Manhattan at a public hearing Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is holding on disclosure rules for nonprofits engaging in politics. It’s the first of four hearings that will occur throughout the state, followed by Albany, Buffalo and Long Island, to allow members of the public to comment on new regulations in person. Schneiderman wants to require that nonprofits, including 501(c)(4) organizations registered with the state, report how much of their expenditures go toward… [More]

  You’ve fanatically opened up First Read each Friday to find out our picks for winners and losers of the week. Taking all 52 weeks into consideration, who were the crème de la crème and the bottom of the barrel? With 2012 drawing to a close, we offer a special extended edition of Winners & Losers to share our nominees for the biggest winners and losers of the year. Preet Bharara – If anyone can clean up New York politics,… [More]

  The holiday season is in full swing and we couldn’t be happier. Congress may send $60 billion in Hurricane Sandy aid to the New York region, which means we better start knitting a bigger stocking. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman wants to make a list requiring nonprofits to report which percentage of their expenditures go toward electioneering, and then check it twice. And Mayor Michael Bloomberg lit the world’s largest menorah and hosted a bevy of parties at Gracie Mansion, including one for New York’s very own… [More]

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is already winning praise for his regulation proposal Wednesday that would require tax-exempt organizations that spend money in state elections to disclose their donors. Working Families Party Executive Director Dan Cantor commended the proposal for increasing the transparency of New York’s campaign finance system. “Anonymous big-money donors influencing politics and policy behind closed doors is not a sign of a healthy democracy,” Cantor said. “It’s a recipe for corruption, and it drowns out the voices of… [More]