By Gerald Benjamin   The brief dustup in the Judiciary Committee regarding the nomination of Jenny Rivera for the Court of Appeals is just the latest piece of evidence that Republicans, with their Independent Democrat coalition partners, are presiding in the Senate but not governing through it. The Committee is comprised of 12 Republicans, 9 Democrats and 2 Independent Democrats; unlike the Senate as a whole, it has a Republican majority. The committee chair, John Bonacic, and some GOP members… [More]

Senate Democrats released a report today detailing findings from several forums Senators held on pay equity, domestic violence and womens’ health care, including recommendations for legislation that has been stymied in the Republican-led State Senate. From the release: “Fairness and economic growth go hand-in-hand, and we gave the Senate Republicans many opportunities to get off the sidelines and work for both,” said Senator Liz Krueger. “Equal pay for equal work, safe working environments, and reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers are… [More]

Politicker’s David Freedlander just reported that GOP Senate Candidate Wendy Long’s campaign manager Dick Wadhams has stepped down from his post, and we’ve learned that Wadhams will effectively be replaced by New York-based operative Rob Ryan. We spoke earlier to Long campaign spokesman David Catalfamo, who said when asked if anyone had left the campaign, “No one’s been fired, for sure.” “There are campaign folks who come and go, but there hasn’t been anyone fired and Dick Wadhams who was… [More]

Is Mike Long on a collision course  with the Republican Party? There is a gun hanging over Mike Long’s head. It’s old and dusty and says “Duke” on the handle—a John Wayne replica mounted on the wall of Long’s Bay Ridge office, amid a clutter of political posters, certificates and 9/11 memorabilia. In many ways, Long himself is a replica of the Duke: plainspoken, squinty-eyed, conservative to the core. Wayne played a Marine in several movies; Long played one in… [More]

Don’t forget about 1993! That was the message from the five New York City Republican Party chairmen in response to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recent prediction that his successor would likely be of the Democratic persuasion. The five chairs – Jay Savino of the Bronx, Craig Eaton of Brooklyn, Dan Issacs of Manhattan, Phil Ragusa of Queens and Robert Scamardella of Staten Island – say they are not only committed to fielding a Republican alternative to the expected Democratic candidates, but that… [More]

*  First came the endorsement from Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. Then the New York Times. Now, living wage proponents have another reason to feel thankful this holiday season: one or more City Council members are expected to announce their support for the measure in the coming days, sources say. Twenty-nine Council members are currently signed on as sponsors to the bill, five short of the votes needed to override an expected veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bronx Borough President… [More]

Polls are open across the state today, with several fascinating contests for political junkies. Some are not only unexpectedly competitive but also have major implications for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has thrown his weight around in a slew of down-ballot contests. From Long Island to Staten Island, here’s our preview of today’s notable elections: Erie County The hottest race is in Erie County, where Republican County Executive Chris Collins is in a dead heat with Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic county… [More]

Michael Grimm might be new in Congress, but you might already be quite familiar with him if you watch enough cable news. “A lot of people I know have told me, ‘that guy Grimm, he’s everywhere!’” said one Democratic official. “CNBC, Fox Business, the WB morning shows….he is just always on TV.” A look at a recent month’s worth of media scheduling for Grimm revealed at least seven national televised appearances on ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox and Fox Business News,… [More]

Though far from the Senate leadership, Huntley had one of the largest payrolls. Now, Huntley said, she was scrounging for money to try and hire a few part-time employees to attend community board meetings and other events.… [More]

Every successful Republican ticket over the past several decades has included at least one name from Westchester County. Looking at the GOP bench coming out of the 2010 elections, it would seem Rob Astorino is up next. Astorino, the Westchester county executive who rode that initial wave of voter anger in 2009 to defeat incumbent Democrat Andy Spano, is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. While the Republicans emerged from this election with a much more robust,… [More]