Tag Archive: Governor Cuomo

Feb 21 2013

Shafran Ditched By Party, Faces Uphill Battle For Queens Council Seat

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February 21, 2013

Austin-Shafran-1

Rumor has it Governor Cuomo would be ashamed to hear that this ‘candidate’ has been setting up a campaign operation and electioneering while he was still taking a paycheck from the government.

Austin Shafran is a bad choice for Northeast Queens.

Now here he is, a textbook opportunist that has never been seen in this community now gearing up for an election in a district that has rejected him from the get-go.

But all that aside, for some reason, Shafran thinks he has the right to run in a district that has never seen or heard from him.

Granted, it’s the right of every person to run for office, but that doesn’t mean they’ve earned the right.

Case in point, at his campaign announcement there were no community or civic leaders present, just Party hacks and his piggy bank.

No offense, but it’s kind of blatant at this point. Here’s a guy who took a patronage gig in the Governor’s office (did we mention no private sector experience?) to give a certain political consultant access just like he did when he got the patronage gig. And that’s what this is all about, access. Access to Northeast Queens so we can sit here and watch our resources poured into the pockets of some bigshot lobbyist.

However, we must give some kudos to Evan Stavisky, who is rumored for once his life to have made the right choice when he chose to support (and take the money of) another candidate.

Seems old grudges die-hard. For as well-connected as Shafran is with the Party, his connection to The Hank Scheinkopf School of Corruption has not been forgotten, and according to reports, may have cost him the party nomination – even if said consultant was not hired.

Sure, you’ll see the Young Democrats stomping around for him, but what does that really mean? Is that enough? The people of Northeast Queens do not know this man and what we do know is that we’ve never seen him.

More on this to follow.

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Jan 10 2013

Energy Alliance Group Reacts To Cuomo’s Speech

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January 10, 2013

 Group outlines praise for Governor Cuomo’s comments, asks for more details regarding energy proposals.

Press Release: New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) Chairman Arthur “Jerry” Kremer today issued the following statement in conjunction with Governor Cuomo’s state of the state address.  Mr. Kremer also served for 23 years in the New York State Assembly, and is the former chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

“Governor Cuomo is to be commended for raising many important issues and offering a number of intriguing energy proposals.  It will be important to determine and learn the costs and time frames for the proposals so that priorities can be set and the appropriate courses of action determined.  New York has a strong, reliable, and clean electricity infrastructure through long-term private capital investment.  This will continue to be of central importance in the future.  We look forward to studying the Governor’s proposals and providing input and feedback.”  

About New York AREA:  Founded in November 2003, the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) is a diverse group of more than 150 business, labor, and community groups whose mission and purpose is to ensure that New York metropolitan area has an ample and reliable electricity supply, and economic prosperity for years to come. New York AREA helps to educate policy makers, businesses, and the general public regarding the necessity and importance of safe, low-cost, reliable, clean electricity.

 For additional information visit: www.area-alliance.org.

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Nov 28 2012

NYC Environmental Chair Supports Cuomo on Hydrofracking Process

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November 28, 2012

ICMYI: Councilman Jim Gennaro, one of the most outspoken opponents of hydrofracking – and the only geologist in the City Council – applauds Governor Cuomo’s initiative to regulate the hydrofracking industry.

PRESS STATEMENT

FRESH MEADOWS, NY (November 26, 2012) – “As the first public official in New York State to speak out in June of 2008 about the potential adverse environmental and public health impacts drilling for natural gas by the use of high volume hydraulic fracturing, colloquially known as ‘hydrofracking,’ I am compelled to voice my strong support for Governor Cuomo’s leadership on this issue,” Chairman Gennaro said.

“As a geologist and Chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection of the New York City Council, I have done my best in the many hearings I have held on this subject to keep abreast of the voluminous amount of emerging science regarding the potential impacts of hydrofracking.  That in itself has been a daunting undertaking, but is nothing compared to what the Governor and his environmental team are trying to do – to create a regulatory paradigm for hydrofracking that will be sufficiently protective of the State’s public health and our irreplaceable water, air and land resources.

Such an endeavor is difficult in the extreme within a milieu of emerging science, and I applaud Governor Cuomo for his diligent science-based approach in this matter.  The Governor has always made it clear in his many public statements on hydrofracking that he would be guided by science and safety, and that the advancement of hydrofrackingwould not come at the expense of our State’s irreplaceable natural resources.  He has lived up to his word and not succumbed to political pressure and artificial timetables.  I applaud him for that.

It should be noted that the Governor and his environmental and energy resources team are trying to do what has not been accomplished – or even attempted – in other states that have permitted hydrofracking:  to regulate hydrofracking such that the gas companies bear the full cost of production of their product, and not have their product “subsidized” by the degradation of the State’s water, air and land resources.  Such resources, of course, belong to the current and future generations of New Yorkers, and do not exist merely to increase the gas companies’ bottom line.

So I thank Governor Cuomo for being open to the economic, employment and energy benefits that would accrue from safely extracting natural gas from gas-bearing shale formations in New York State, but I am grateful that he has prioritized the health of New Yorkers and the long term protection of the State’s irreplaceable natural resources over a short term energy and economic boost from hydrofracking.”

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Oct 08 2012

CUOMO ENDORSES STATE SENATOR ADDABBO FOR RE-ELECTION

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October 8, 2012

A handshake worth more than a billboard.

On Columbus Day, Governor Cuomo’s endorsement brings Senator Joseph Addabbo one step closer to reelection.

Cuomo extolled the virtues of incumbent Senator Addabbo saying he is a man of conscience,  integrity, and courage.

Press Release: Today at Columbus Citizens Foundation’s annual Columbus Day Parade, Governor Andrew Cuomo endorsed Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. for his third term representing New York Senate’s 15th district.

“Senator Addabbo has done great work. We’ve had a very productive, past two years on anyone’s book in Albany,” said Governor Cuomo. “The reason the state government has made progress is partially due to some very difficult but correct votes that the Legislature has taken. Now, a number of elected officials are in difficult elections, I believe, in part, because of votes they took.”

“Political courage, which Senator Joe Addabbo displayed, should be encouraged, not discouraged. And I want his constituents to know today that he is a man of conscience, he is a man of integrity, he is a man of courage, and that’s what you want in an elected official — especially in Albany,” said Governor Cuomo.

“Governor Cuomo’s endorsement is a true honor, as we have worked closely alongside each other to bring fiscal stability and ethics reform to Albany,” said Senator Addabbo. “I look forward to continue working with Governor Cuomo to improve educational opportunities, create jobs, fight for stronger gun control, and once again be proud of our state government.”

Governor Cuomo and Senator Addabbo have successfully worked together to create on-time budgets, and fight for important legislation to implement common sense gun laws, bring ethics reform to Albany, and expand access to quality education for New York children.

During his two terms representing New York Senate’s 15th district, Senator Addabbo has fought for the issues that matter most to his constituents including the creation of jobs, access to affordable health care, stronger gun control laws, senior services, and quality education. Senator Addabbo is one of the strongest advocates for raising the minimum wage, and consistently stands up for New York’s working men and women. He is also the ranking member of the Senate Elections Committee.

New York Senate’s 15th district encompasses many Queens neighborhoods including Forest Hills Gardens, Glendale, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Maspeth, Middle Village, Hamilton Beach, Ridgewood, Woodhaven, and parts of Elmhurst, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, the Rockaways, and South Ozone Park.

 

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Mar 30 2012

Budget Talk With Jay Jacobs & Charlie King

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March 30, 2012

We recieved this email regarding budget news in Albany. Enjoy!

Dear Fellow Democrat,

We had some important news coming out of Albany on Tuesday. Governor Cuomo, Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Skelos announced an agreement on a landmark budget for 2012-2013. The Legislature has been passing the bills and we are on course for an on-time or early budget.  The budget builds on the Governor’s record of fiscal responsibility by closing a multi-billion dollar deficit with no new taxes, fees or gimmicks. For the second year in a row, the budget holds growth to two percent or below.  The cornerstone of the budget is the Governor’s blueprint for economic growth and job creation in our state, the New York Works program. Key components of the program include:

  • A $15 billion initiative to invest in the state’s infrastructure and create tens of thousands of jobs; this fund will leverage an array of funding sources and uses only $743 million in new state appropriations;
  • A second round of funding for the Regional Economic Development Councils to support job development  efforts throughout the 10 regions of the state;
  • The first phase of a multi-year $1 billion economic development package for Buffalo;
  • Initial funding for planning of an energy highway to facilitate billions of dollars in private sector investments and ensure the availability of energy across the state; and
  • An expansion of the Governor’s NY SUNY 2020 program to increase the quality of education for our students and ensure our university system becomes a driver of economic development and jobs.

The budget also brings help to our local governments and school districts throughout the state. It contains the four percent increase in education that the Governor pledged for this year, including a $125 million appropriation for a competitive education performance grant program to facilitate student achievement and school accountability. The costs of Medicaid growth will be assumed by the state on a phased in basis and will save counties and New York City $1.2 billion over five years. This follows the historic pension reform enacted last week that will save the state, local governments and school districts $80 billion over the next 30 years. Furthermore, the Governor’s budget makes important investments to build and protect our local communities. Among a few of the highlights are:

  • A first-of-its kind Office of New Americans to help legal residents prosper in their community and in the business world;
  • Continuation of the reforms to the juvenile justice system started last year to reduce crime and promote healthy lives for young people;
  • A 10% increase in public assistance, as well as the preservation of child care subsidies for low-income working families;
  • Mortgage foreclosure counseling services to help New Yorkers keep their homes; and
  • Greater funding for community colleges to give students the opportunities they deserve.

Click here to learn more about the budget agreement. This is a budget that all New Yorkers can stand behind and is an important next step in fulfilling the Governor’s promise to build a new New York. Again we congratulate the Governor and the Legislature for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the people of New York. We thank you for all that you do for the Democratic Party and for helping to make these successes possible.

Thank you,
Jay Jacobs and Charlie King

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