Lawmakers renewed calls for Assemblyman Vito Lopez to resign after the release of an explosive ethics report that detailed years of abusive behavior but stopped short of guaranteeing his ouster from the chamber this year. Lopez allegedly groped, goaded and gawked at eight female employees, creating a hostile work environment over a two-year period. Four of the women brought complaints to the state Assembly, and all eight shared their testimony with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, which released its findings… [More]

Behind every New York City mayoral candidate, there’s a woman: our next potential First Lady. But who are these partners, and what impact will they have on the race?  Amid the blur of constant campaigning and fundraising, Tamra Lhota, wife of Joe Lhota, the former MTA chief turned Republican candidate for mayor, maintains she has given little thought to the idea of possibly becoming New York City’s First Lady. Lately, though, she has been forced to give the subject quite… [More]

  Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? The feds finally came for state Sen. John Sampson and indicted him on Monday on embezzlement charges. A federal court document also revealed the names of five additional state senators, plus a city councilman, whom state Sen. Shirley Huntley secretly recorded in cooperation with the FBI. Oh, and last Friday, Assemblyman William Boyland got indicted. Again. Our losers list is spilling over, but we’ve pared it down to bring you the Winners and Losers of… [More]

MATTHEW DRISCOLL President and CEO, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Q: What does the Environmental Facilities Corporation do? MD: It is the arm of the Cuomo administration that helps communities finance drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Q: What is your top priority? MD: My top priority is to help municipalities take advantage of our low interest rates to finance infrastructure that is critical to ensuring sustainable communities. Creating an efficient wastewater system or a reliable drinking water supply can be… [More]

State of Emergency: A Policy Forum on Distressed Local Governments in New York Club 101, 101 Park Avenue, Manhattan. Thursday, June 20th Featured Speakers Dick Ravitch Stephanie Miner Bob Ward Mike Hein Schedule Breakfast and Registration (7:30 – 8:15 am) Opening Keynote: Richard Ravitch (8:15 am) Panel I. Discussion on Municipal Budgets (8:45 am) Moderator: Morgan Pehme, Editor in chief, City & State. Stephanie Miner, Mayor, City of Syracuse. Mike Hein, County Executive, Ulster County. Additional Panelist to be Announced.… [More]

For nearly two and a half years, a Yeshiva World News blogger who goes by the name of Dov Gordon appears to have been one of New York City Councilman David Greenfield’s biggest fans in the local Jewish media. Gordon wrote in 2010 that the city’s potential restoration of funding for after-school vouchers was a “major victory for the newly elected Greenfield.” This past fall, Gordon wrote in a “Backroom Deals” column that the councilman’s “strong endorsement” of an individual… [More]

Gov. Andrew Cuomo began the year with a bang, passing the nation’s toughest gun control laws after two deadly shootings in the Northeast jarred the nation—but the recoil from Republican voters has surprised him.… [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]

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 100. ROBERT DUFFY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR The former mayor of Rochester is in a largely symbolic role now, standing in for the governor at ribbon-cutting ceremonies and serving as Cuomo’s personal cheerleader. But he could be the next David Paterson. You never know. 99. DAVID GRANDEAU ETHICS COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT, DAVID GRANDEAU & ASSOCIATES; BLOGGER The ethics gadfly has been a consistent thorn… [More]

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 10. THOMAS LIBOUS SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER Upstate New York’s most powerful legislator is also one of the shrewdest, and the governor’s toughest sparring partner. He has sponsored Kendra’s Law, fought for improved services for the disabled, and is pushing Cuomo to legalize hydrofracking. 9. PREET BHARARA U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT Bharara, who keeps racking up high profile convictions… [More]