Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
Gas or electric? It’s the question that everyone seems to be asking now … for some reason. Few probably thought that the week would bring with it fervent political debates on the merits of gas stoves versus going electric. Even Gov. Kathy Hochul got involved when she included a ban on gas hookups in new buildings as part of her State of the State. Even though the debate is happening nationally, it’s a good reminder of the old adage that all politics is local. Even something like this.
Nancy Hagans -
It’s a good week for New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans. After three days of nurses strikes at the Mount Sinai and Montefiore Health Systems, the union secured a tentative deal with the hospitals to address their concerns regarding ongoing staffing shortages. While a vote is still needed to finalize the deal, nurses have happily returned to work with many of their demands being met.
Carlo Scissura & James Whelan -
Things are looking promising for New York Building Congress President Carlo Scissura and Real Estate Board of New York President Jim Whelan. After Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address this week prioritized housing, the pair stand to greatly benefit. The governor affirmed her pledge to build 800,000 housing units over the next decade which means big opportunities for Scissura and Whelan. You know what they say … build baby build!
Lester Chang -
In that age-old question of which is more valuable – a Republican Assembly seat or a rent stabilized apartment – Lester Chang may have made his fateful pick. Chang notched a major win last week as Assembly Democrats backed off threats to remove him from the chamber over doubts about his Brooklyn residency. But in the course of making the case that his primary residence is in Brooklyn and not Manhattan, Chang may have put his rent stabilized Manhattan apartment at risk thanks to the requirement that rent stabilized units are a tenant’s primary residence.
Harriet Thompson -
Maybe it was the “holy ghost” that came and got her – to resign as Brooklyn Surrogate Court judge. While in one of the city’s cushiest judicial positions, Thompson was accused of making a series of hateful and racist remarks, including that “Being gay is an abomination to mankind. The Holy Ghost (is) going to get them.” Thompson fought back for months … but eventually lost. She agreed to step down, and never seek a judgeship again.
Andrew Davis -
As Hochul delivered her State of the State address Tuesday, a very different sort of operation was being quietly carried out about a block from the state Capitol. Little information has yet to be shared to the public on why the State Police Special Investigations Unit raided the Albany headquarters of a union representing thousands of current and retired police officers. Still, it certainly doesn’t look good for Andrew Davis, acting president on the board of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, which has been recently embroiled in allegations centered on policy violations like undisclosed conflicts of interest and questionable financial practices.
George Santos -
This one writes itself honestly. What do you get for doubling down on not resigning from Congress after you’ve been called out for lying about your entire resume by members of your own party? A special guest appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast! And as a special bonus, Rep. George Santos had the pleasure of being interviewed by one of the few people in Congress he can call “friend,” Rep. Matt Gaetz.
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