Little to Fear for Rangel

Posted by Daniel Gold

The NY Times recently ran a profile of Vincent Morgan, a banker (and cousin of Harold Ford) who is challenging Charlie “Teflon” Rangel in the upcoming New York State 15th congressional district election. Rangel, though, probably does not have much  to fear despite being dogged by an as of yet unfinished investigation into widespread allegations of ethics violations. These include not reporting taxes on income earned from a villa in the Dominican Republic and the suspicious revelation that Rangel rented 4 rent-controlled apartments in Harlem at well below market value. The ethics committee has been investigating Rangel for the past 10 months but nothing seems to have come of the charges.

“I do not think Charlie Rangel is vulnerable at all,” the NYTimes quoted assemblyman and leader of the democratic party in Manhattn Keith L. T. Wright as saying. Rangel himself doesn’t seem too concerned. A February 1st article posted by the NY Daily News quotes Rangel, after attending a strategy meeting led by Gov. Paterson, as saying, “I say no one is running against the governor and no one’s running against me either. But until you get a candidate, you can’t intelligently discuss this. Do I have a candidate?…I don’t think so.”

Morgan declared his candidacy last October.

Rangel has been a member of Congress since 1971 and is serving his 20th term. He has won all of his elections since 1970 by at least 85% or so of the vote. It was considered an accomplishment when in 1994 Adam Clayton Powell IV, a member of the prominent Powell family in Harlem, held Rangel to only 58% of the vote in the democratic primary. Despite being viewed as a punchline by many, Rangel is indeed a fearsome incumbent.

Morgan does have some cred with the Harlem community. For one, he worked for Rangel. He has also served as chairman of the 125th Street Business Improvement District. Rangel, though, as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, has been able to put a lot of money into his CD, and many in his congressional district might feel foolish about giving up that sort of power. Money-wise, Rangel is a fund-raising dynamo. He was able to raise  $5,000,000 for his 2008 elections. Currently Rangel is quoted by NYTimes as having raised $770,000 for the current election, compared to $50,000 for Morgan.

Additionally, Rangel is firmly entrenched in the Harlem political machine in which he came up and still has a powerful presence in the community, maintaining relationships with power players like Bill Lynch, Reverend Calvin O. Butts, and ex-mayor David Dinkins. There seems to be very little chance that Rangel could ever lose an election, barring a few scandals way bigger than the ones he’s already survived.

Jay-Z to 'Spread Love' to Clarke

Posted by David Montalvo

From Brooklyn corners, burnin branches of sticky

Spread love, Biggie, Brooklyn, hippie

I pity, the fool with jewels like Mr. T

With long history in my borough, they borrow

With no intentions of returnin, tomorrow

Brooklyn, we go hard! We go hard!

In his latest album, international rap artist Jay-Z brought his old stomping ground on the world stage in his track “Brooklyn Go Hard.” But it’s the superstar’s U.S. tour that may impact Brooklyn in more ways than just adding the name to potentially millions of playlists – the tour may impact local politics.

Rep. Yvette Clark, Democrat of New York’s Congressional District 11 in Brooklyn, will get an early campaign boost – at least financially – next month at a fundraiser event tied with Jay-Z and his BP3 Concert in Washington, D.C.

Sure, Beyonce’s husband might be feeling love for Brooklyn (just see how closely he still identifies to the borough – lyrically), or maybe it’s love for the work the democratic congresswoman has done there. But there’s also a little politics going on worth noting. The concert, managed by Live Nation, a global live entertainment company whose roster includes Madonna and Kylie Minogue, is lobbying Congress on H.R. 848, a performance rights act, which Ms. Clarke has co-sponsored.

Several others of Ms. Clarke’s New York City congressional colleagues also co-sponsored the bill – among them Joseph Crowley, Carolyn Maloney, Jarrold Nadler and Anthony Weiner – though they are not getting the same treatment by Jay-Z (perhaps other Live Nation artists will fundraise for them).

But there are other representatives benefiting from Jay-Z’s March concert in Washington. Joining Ms. Clarke that evening are election campaigns for Sanford Bishop of Georgia, Andre Carson of Indiana. At this time, neither of them have co-sponsored the bill above.

A contact for Ms. Clarke reelection campaign could not be reached before this posting went live.

Tickets for the Jay-Z-Clarke concert will cost a pretty penny in this sluggish economy: $1500 for one ticket or, for an additional thousand dollars, the ticket buyer can get a second one – and won’t have to go alone.

Serrano Has a Hard Time Taking Wall Street Whining Seriously

Posted by Azriel Relph

Jose Serrano still believes the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other terrorists should take place in New York City.

Most of his fellow New York Democrats have backed away from supporting a trial in the city.  Serrano himself seemed to be cooling to the idea a couple of weeks ago, but said last week that Downtown New York was as good a place as any other to have the trials.

He told the Daily News that his colleagues might be coddling to big business downtown:

“We were all on board with it, and all of a sudden, I think, that the boys of Wall Street began to say, ‘We don’t want that in our neighborhood,’ he said. “Is it truly a concern about safety . . . or is it just coddling corporate America?”

And:

“Well, we’re gonna have a traffic jam,” Serrano needled. “Hello. This is New York. This is new?”

Never one to coddle to Wall Street, perhaps the release of two recent reports, reminding him of the great divide between downtown and his own district, inspired Serrano to keep the issue up.

Earlier in the month, a Gallup survey revealed that more than 36% of residents in New York’s 16th Congressional District could not afford to feed themselves or their families during the last year.  This makes Serrano’s district officially the hungriest in the nation.

Last week, another Gallup survey came out, ranking the relative health and happiness of Americans by congressional district.  Take a guess where Serrano’s district ranked.  It should come as no surprise that the poorest district in the nation ranked as the unhealthiest and the saddest.  The Las Vegas area turned out to be the angriest, but the South Bronx was right behind it in the number two spot.

In the poorest, hungriest, saddest and unhealthiest area of the country, it is probably difficult to take complaints about high costs and traffic jams from your wealthy neighbors seriously.

Precious

Posted by Dana Rapoport

This could have been the week of Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to back down from the KSM trials in Manhattan.

Or the week Congresswoman Velazquez was quoted again, criticizing Obama’s SBA Express plan, as “giveaways to big banks.”

But it was a week that the NYDailyNews reported on an issue that got very little attention. An issue that concerns a very large community in New York—and the largest community in Congressional District 12.

It’s about a new project but a very old epidemic and for some reason it’s under-reported and ignored in Congress.

Last month, a new center for suicide prevention for Latina teenagers opened in Bushwick. The program, ‘Life is Precious,’ started in the Bronx in 2008, and helps 41 Latina teenage girls and their families. According to research, Latina girls in New York are at the highest risk of attempting suicide.

A Bill co-sponsored by Velazquez in 2000, the `Latina Adolescent Suicide Prevention Act’ to promote awareness and allocate money for programs such as this. The bill was re-introduced in 2003, but never passed, according to Velazquez’s office.

A 2007 study, conducted by the ‘Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,’ found that one out of every seven Latina teens, or 14 percent, attempts suicide.

This number, although down in the last decade, is still higher than black non-Hispanic girls (9.9 percent) girls and is almost double the rate of white non-Hispanic girls (7.7percent). Nationally, Latina girls in New York City are at the highest risk in the country.

“When Nydia Velázquez heard about the program in the Bronx, she said: ‘I need this in my district too’,” the creator of the program, Dr. Rosa Gil said.

In Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, Velázquez’s Congressional District 12, there is a 67 percent Hispanic population majority.

Dr. Gil explained that poverty, low-wage jobs, inadequate housing and domestic violence all contribute to high rate of mental illness in Hispanic communities.

Last summer, the Congresswoman worked to secure $3.5 million from federal funding, to support local initiatives. Of this, $167,000 was dedicated for the opening of the “Life is Precious” program.

“I think her commitment to her constituents is real and she gets involved in many issues that affect their quality of life such as domestic violence, the suicide prevention center, immigration, etc,” said Albor Ruiz, the NYDailyNews reporter.

Although there’s a tremendous need for this program, ‘LIP’ is only open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, supporting four girls and their families. “If I get more funding I can open every day,” said Gil. Also, they’re hoping at some point to receive more funding to open one in Queens.

Expanding the successful project to other neighborhoods, raise awareness and to help immigrants deal with cultural, social daily difficulties is obviously a priority. Furthermore, efforts should focus on the larger epidemic—the source of depression and distress.

This is one small business the congresswoman should keep promoting, in Washington, and in Congressional District 12.

Crowley Leads Way for Immigration Reform

Posted by Matthew Robinson

In a recent article by the National Journal, Joseph Crowley was named as one of five up-and-coming House Democrats. “They form a second tier of leaders-in-training who could be in line to take over when their top party chiefs either retire or are forced out,” according to the article.

The article also called Crowley the go-to person for immigration reform. Back in September, Crowley, along with 111 House Democrats, wrote a letter to President Obama asking to reform immigration. Obama gave a speech last year on June 25 asking for reform, but the issue hasn’t moved much since then.

The letter detailed elements of reform. Undocumented immigrants would register, go through background checks, pay taxes, study English in order to apply for legal status, and then eventually apply for citizenship. As chairman of the New Democrat Coalition – a pro-business, moderate group – Crowley proposes that taxing immigrants could be be way to generate revenue for the state and provide benefits for those contributing to the workforce.

More than 60 percent of Crowley’s district speaks a language other than English at home, and 40 percent of the population are foreign-born, according to the Almanac on American Politics. So, Crowley should have constituent support for immigration reform.

But his interest in immigration may also stem from a personal connection – his mother. She emigrated from Northern Ireland as a child, according to whorunsgov.com. Given that Crowley has sought leadership roles throughout his career, it seems likely he will run for a more prominent office in the future. So, he must think that reform should add political points in New York.

Moynihan and Coney Island Announcements in Nadler's Disrict

Posted by Colby Hamilton
Rendering of the Moynhian Station interior (Photo The Related Cos.)
Rendering of the Moynihan Station interior (Image: The Related Cos.)

The 8th Congressional district saw two major announcements yesterday.

First, Sen. Schumer announced that just over $83 million in federal stimulus funds have been secured to convert the iconic Farley post office on 33rd Street and 8th Avenue into the long-envisioned, often-RIP’d Moynihan Station. The new transit hub will connect to Penn Station next door and provide Amtrak with additional space.

From Crain’s:

The federal grant means there is now enough money to start the first phase, which will cost about $220 million and take five to six years to complete. It includes expanding access to the various train tracks, creating two new entrances to the Farley building, and adding elevators, stairs and escalators.

“We’ve got the money now let’s get to work,” said Mr. Schumer, in a statement. “The best way to get New York’s economy moving again is to keep building, and the best project to get things started is Moynihan Station.”

Rep Nadler has long supported the project and has historically pushed for area rail projects, most notably the controversially Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel.

While Sen. Schumer braved the snow to deliver the news, Rep. Nadler was with Mayor Bloomberg at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island to unveil new amusement park plans for the historic area. By Memorial Day of this year “Luna Park” is set to open with 19 new rides and hundreds of new jobs. The following summer, “Scream Zone” will add, according to the press release, “additional attractions, including two custom roller coasters, a human slingshot ride, and go-karts.”

The developer, Central Amusement International, has said it will invest $30 million into the project, with the city kicking

Future sites of Luna Park and Scream Zone (Image courtesy of Mayor's office)
Future sites of Luna Park and Scream Zone (Image courtesy of Mayor's office)

in $6.6 million in “site preparation and basic infrastructure.” Recently rezoned, an additional 5,000 new housing units and expanded retail opportunities are planned to be built in Coney Island soon.

Rep. Nadler has requested millions of dollars in appropriation funds for the area. These projects include shore protection work through the Army Corps of Engineers and improving the the 9th floor of Coney Island Hospital.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Nadler said at the press conference yesterday. “I cannot remember a time when we weren’t talking about revitalizing the amusement area at Coney Island.“

“This really should be a rebirth of this area. A rebirth that involves, as was said, no relocation, no dislocation. Only constructive endeavors.”

While the degree of “rebirth” needed in the area is debatable (Coney Island, to some, appeared to be doing just fine revitalizing itself), Rep. Nadler’s cooperative stance with the mayor over Coney Island is in stark contrast to the West Side Stadium fight a few years ago.

Still, it will remain to be seen if — and when — these two major projects meet their expectations.

Meeks Cries Race in Racino Allegations

Posted by Katie Honan

Rep. Greg Meeks, embroiled in his non-profit scandal for the past two weeks, came to the defense of Reverend Floyd Flake last week over Flake’s involvement in the controversial bidding process for the development of the Aqueduct racetrack into a racino.  On Thursday Sheldon Silver requested a a formal investigation surrounding the selection of the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, in which Flake holds a stake in.

While the case against Meeks’ “slush fund” charity continuing to grow–public records show that workers from the New Direction Local Development Corporation were on the payrolls of Meeks and Smith’s staff and there are new revelations that he funneled close to $300,000 to a anti-drug non-profit without any assets–he jumped at the chance to say good things about his predecessor in Congress.

“They should get extra credit for trying to include the local community,” he told the Daily News. “Who’s better in southeast Queens to do development work than Rev. Flake?”

On Wednesday, Meeks again spoke out about the racino deal, this time accusing the investigation of being racist.

“If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck…” he told the Daily News.

To get elected in southern Queens, it helps to have the support of the Reverend Floyd Flake, and not just because he is Meeks’ predecessor.  His church owns commercial and residential developments throughout the area, as well as a 750-student private school and other commercial and social service organizations.  These groups, according to Flake’s website, are one of the largest private sector employers in Queens and are credited with revitalizing parts of Jamaica, Queens.  Both politicians–and Sen. Malcolm Smith, too, whose name has been thrown into the scandal–always claim to have the best interest of the community in mind, even when deflecting embezzlement scandals old and new.

But do they really?  The two most dangerous precincts in Queens–the 109th in Jamaica and the 101st in Far Rockaway–are in the Sixth Congressional District.  Schools in the area are closing and being “restructured”.  Jamaica has the highest foreclosure rate in the city, leaving entire streets decimated and empty.  Far Rockaway isn’t far behind.

And if the rumors are true, Rep. Greg Meeks is lining his pockets with donations from his own constituents who think their money is going to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.  If it turns out to be true, it would be hard to deny what he is to the people who’ve kept him in office for so long.

As the saying goes, if it looks like a duck…

Quack.

McMahon brings home the bacon, but is it enough?

Posted by Joseph Tacopino

ribbon1On Sunday’s Meet the Press, left-leaning commentator Rachel Maddow lambasted Rep. Aaron Shock for his seemingly contradictory position of voting against (and railing against) the economic stimulus then hyping the stimulus results to his constituents back home.

Mike McMahon caught some flak from Staten Islanders (most notably the Tea Party) when he sided with the Democratic leadership and voted for the economic stimulus  plan.

But last week McMahon was on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new retail space at the St. George Terminal of the Staten Island Ferry, in an attempt to show the positive effect of the stimulus bill.

He touted the event in press releases and on his website:

“The retail space at the Ferry is being completed in large part thanks to the Economic Recovery funds.”

The event is especially notable because the newly renovated ferry terminal has been vacant since it was completed a few years ago.

The neighboring area of St.George has desperately tried to transform into a Manhattan-centric commuter haven, with trendy apartment buildings meant to lure yuppies to the Island.

The Staten Island Yankees (yes,  that’s their name) ballpark next to the ferry in St. George has a wide swath of retail space which has been vacant since 2001.

Every day hundreds (possibly thousands in the summer months) of tourists take the Staten Island Ferry for its picturesque view and promptly exit into the St. George Ferry Terminal where they immediately board the next ferry back to Manhattan.

This new retail space is probably the best effort Staten Island has made in years to lure tourists out of the terminal and onto the rest of the island. The $750,000 fish tank was a dud, and actually killed most of the exotic fish. The ferry trolley tour of the island has been nixed.

So while those on the right continue to gripe about runaway government spending the question is whether initiatives such as this one will be enough to convince McMahon’s constituents that the stimulus bill, the Democratic agenda, and his career in Congress is achieving positive results.

Anthony Weiner's Attention to detail

Posted by Michael Drury

Three days after a headline-making appearance on the Daily Show with (his old roommate) Jon Stewart, Anthony Wiener showed up in Queens to promote the latest “cash for …” aspect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This latest iteration offers consumers who buy appliances that meet Energy Star standards up to $555 in rebates for turning in their old energy guzzling appliances.

Kew Gardens P.C. Richards

Speaking on the floor of the Kew Gardens P.C. Richard & Sons, Weiner told those present that…”The savings not only come from the purchase, but they come from the fact that there have been great advances in the energy efficiency of all of these appliances”

Not quite the headline-making magic of the Daily Show appearance, but typical for Weiner who has a reputation for intensity and follow through when it comes to the policy minutia of his constituent’s interests… Getting a rebate on an a refrigerator and then saving a few pennies on the Con Ed bill is not going to stave off foreclosure or put the kids through school.

But, every dollar counts in the middle-class neighborhoods that Weiner represents, which have seen only marginal increases in incomes while most things… parking tickets, tolls on the Verrazano Bridge, health insurance… have risen relentlessly.

And Weiner has demonstrated a knack for thinking of unusual ways to bring money and jobs to New York. For example he once used his position on a Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee that was weighing in on immigration issues to argue for allowing more European models to get working visas to support New York’s fashion industry.

While he admitted the bill he proposed to further this goal was “a little bit of nibbling at the edge” of immigration reform, he postulated that his Brooklyn constituents were affected by the lack of working visas for models because of the loss of jobs in the fashion industry and connected businesses.

Weiner claimed that modeling agencies had begun photo-shopping stock photos of New York City behind pictures of models taken in Eastern Europe.

Weiner was taking up the good fight… on behalf of Brooklyn’s fashion photographers, stylists, photo-shoot caterers, make-up and hair professionals and renters-of-lighting-equipment.

They may not be the constituency that wins Weiner’s next election but looking out for them allows him to say things like: “As mayor, I’ll not just concentrate on the big skyscrapers of Manhattan,”

Engel Expects Reconciliation

Posted by Graham Kates

With his own reelection all but certain this year, Eliot Engel is free to focus on the Democratic party’s big campaign picture.

Engel thinks “the likelihood is quite good” that Congress will pursue reconciliation in an effort to get its stalled Health Bill to President Obama’s desk. With the loss of the Democratic “super-majority” (by way of Scott Brown’s special election victory last month), passage of the controversial bill suddenly became a complex matter.

According to the New York Times, since reconciliation is reserved for budgetary matters, House and Senate Democrats have…

concluded that the only way to overhaul health care, in a comprehensive way, was by pursuing a complex two-bill strategy.

First, in negotiations with the Senate and the White House, they would agree on changes to the Senate bill. These changes would be incorporated in a separate “budget reconciliation” bill. The House and then the Senate would pass the budget bill. The House would pass the Senate health bill. The two measures would be presented to the president at about the same time.

Democrats Ask, Can Health Care Bill Be Saved?

Despite the protestations of Republicans, reconciliation makes a lot of sense for a Democratic party concerned with mid-term elections. While Republicans are set to hammer the majority party for pushing through legislation they say is unpopular, it would be more damaging for Democrats to approach November as the party that can’t get anything passed.

Engel and other supporters of reconciliation know that it’s tough to rev up the “get out the vote” machine, when your platform is “we’ll keep trying to get something done.”