Senator Gianaris: No Tax Help for Big Electric by Rebecca Henely > YourNabe.com

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State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) condemned a bill passed in the Senate Monday to give tax abatements to power generators, saying it would provide them with an unfair tax benefit.

“I think they’re trying to use the excuse of rate payer relief to give a tax break to their friends in the energy industry,” Gianaris said of the Senate Republicans, all of whom voted for the bill along with three Queens Democrats.

Gianaris has been critical of potential increases to electric rates. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. George Maziarz (R-Newfane), offers property tax abatements to power generators on the grounds that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not take into account the increased peak demand expected from New York City between 2011 and 2014 when setting the tax benefits for the power generators. The bill has been sent to the state Assembly, but has not been passed.

Maziarz did not respond for comment by press time Tuesday evening.

Gianaris, who supports a bill by Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) that would prevent FERC’s increase in energy capacity prices for power generators from being passed on to city residents, said Maziarz’s measure would give a windfall to the energy industry and Lanza’s bill should have been passed instead.

FERC had originally planned to increase capacity prices to offset city property taxes, even though the city already offers property tax credits to power generators. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have come out against FERC’s decision.

“The last thing we want to do is be giving money away to an industry that’s experiencing record profits,” Gianaris said.

The Senate has not passed Lanza’s bill. The Staten Island senator also voted for Maziarz’s bill.

In addition to the Senate Republicans, seven Democrats voted for Maziarz’s legislation, including state Sens. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) and Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone). State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) was excused from voting.

NYS Senator Stewart-Cousins Announces Legislation to Bar Discrimination Against Unemployed | New York State Senate

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Bill Would Level the Playing Field for Unemployed Job Seekers

Today, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District- D/WF/I) announced at a press conference in her district office, the introduction of Senate bill 5316. The bill would make the unemployed a "protected class" in New York and make it illegal for employers to deny out-of-work applicants an interview or position solely because they are jobless. It would also prohibit employers from posting job advertisements that discourage the unemployed from applying to vacant positions.

The bill is co-sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Keith Wright.

Joining Senator Stewart-Cousins at the press conference were several unemployed Westchester residents who said they had all experienced discrimination in some form because they are unemployed. Senator Stewart-Cousins says their experiences are representative of an increasingly common hiring practice throughout New York and the nation.

“It is fundamentally unfair for employers to refuse to hire, or even accept applications from individuals who are out of work. With the unemployment rate in the State still at staggeringly high levels, this prevents people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own from getting back on their feet. It is discriminatory, it is wrong and it must not continue,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins.

This announcement came on the same day that the New York State Department of Labor is set to release its latest unemployment statistics. Last month, the Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate in New York State was 8%.

“This legislation levels the playing field in the job market and makes sure that those who have been hit hardest by the recession are not at a disadvantage in the hiring process,” she continued.

On display at the press conference were several job advertisements by New York employers that expressly stated that applicants would only be considered if they were employed. In one case, a Craigslist ad for a building superintendent position in the Bronx stated “You MUST currently be employed as a Superintendent- This is a REQUIREMENT.” Senator Stewart-Cousins’ legislation would make these discriminatory job ads illegal in New York, similar to a law signed by the Governor of New Jersey in April.

“We have an obligation as legislators, to do what’s right and make sure that the unemployed have a fighting chance at being a part of this economic recovery," the Senator added.

A recent study by SUNY Stonybrook Professor Todd Pittinsky and UCLA M.B.A. students Geoffrey C. Ho, Margaret Shih and Daniel Walters also shows that discrimination against the unemployed is a significant issue. The study found that unemployed job applicants are less likely to receive interviews than employed applicants with the same qualifications.

"Our research suggests that the unemployed may have very legitimate concerns about bias against them,” said SUNY Stonybrook Professor Todd Pittinsky in a statement. “Perhaps most surprising was that these more negative evaluations occurred even when we clarified for research participants that while the worker was unemployed, it was for no cause of his or her own doing.”

The issue has also received nationwide attention. News reports by national sources such as CNN, ABC News and HuffingtonPost have pointed to the growing trend of unemployment discrimination in the job market around the country.

In February, the Equal Employment Opportunity Center held a public meeting on the subject after receiving a letter signed by several members of Congress (including five from New York) urging them to investigate the matter. Several presenters at the meeting confirmed that unemployed job applicants around the country are facing discrimination in the hiring process.

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky co-sponsors the legislation. In a statement, she said: "In this difficult economy it is unconscionable that an unemployed job seeker faces discrimination from potential employers. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this bill because people seeking work should be on equal footing -- regardless of employment status -- with all other applicants."

Senator Velmanette Montgomery, also a co-sponsor of S. 5316, released this statement: “In these difficult economic times, when wonderfully capable people have been laid off through no fault of their own, and are not able to immediately find other employment, it is imperative that New York State make a clear statement that discrimination in hiring based on current employment status is illegal and will not be tolerated. I thank and applaud my colleague, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for drafting this important and compassionate piece of legislation. I am proud to be a co-sponsor."

Senator Jose Serrano, who co-sponsors the bill, said: "Considering the high rate of unemployment in New York, excluding a job applicant based on their unemployment status is not only discriminatory, but nonsensical. This bill will level the playing field, giving those who were laid off for reasons unrelated to job performance the opportunity to compete for and obtain any position that they’re fully qualified to hold. I commend Senator Stewart-Cousins for advocating on behalf of unemployed New Yorkers seeking to make positive contributions to our great state."

Another co-sponsor, Senator Michael Gianaris, said: “New Yorkers need jobs and we must do what we can to make it easier for the unemploiyed to find work. Denying the unemployed the opportunity to find a job turns the world on its head and will only prolong the difficult economic climate we face today. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins deserves our thanks for championing this proposal and I look forward to seeing it enacted.”

New York State Senator Joe Addabbo is a co-sponsor of S. 5316 and the ranking member of the Senate’s Labor Committee. In a statement, Senator Addabbo said, “The unemployment rate in Queens, the city and the state, even the nation overall, is between 8.5 - 9 percent. While some pundits have noted that the worst of the long recession has ended, many of my people have been seeking jobs for the past year or even 18 months. Those who want to work and weren't laid off through their own fault, but only due to budget cutbacks, must have a level playing field to compete for jobs. Employers who are allowed to advertise for new hires that make jobs available only to those ‘currently employed’ will just keep our unemployment rate and length of time to find a new job at current all-time high levels. That's why I support Sen. Stewart-Cousins' efforts to change the current New York law that for too long has allowed employers, employment or licensing agencies to continue such an arbitrary, discriminatory practice as targeting the jobless by refusing to hire them."

Jeff Klein Out, Mike Gianaris In as State Senate Democrats' Top Political Strategist by Celeste Katz - NY Daily News

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Queens Sen. Mike Gianaris (left) will replace Jeff Klein (right) as the new head of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

Jeff Klein is out as the state Senate Democrats' top political strategist after a bruising election cycle that left the party facing a possible Republican majority.

Democrats are making Queens Sen. Mike Gianaris the new head of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee instead, the Daily News has learned.

"Mike Gianaris is a dynamic fund-raiser and effective leader who will work with our members to win more Democratic seats," said Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson.

"With his energy and expertise, Senate Democrats are gearing up for a successful election cycle."

Sampson called Klein "instrumental in key victories this year."

But as Sampson applauds Klein, whose district spans parts of the Bronx and Westchester, there is more going on behind the scenes - as usual.

Insiders readily admit Klein had it tough this cycle, what with anti-incumbent sentiment sweeping the nation and the state. It's also not uncommon for leadership of the DSCC to change hands between election seasons.

One top Democrat specifically says Klein could've better managed the Dems' resources.

Klein signed off on too much money to back Democratic hopefuls like Susan Savage and Joanne Yepsen in races where polling suggested near-certain defeat, the insider griped.

"We spent a million on those two races, and they both got killed," the source said. Klein could not be reached.

That money, insiders say, could've gone instead to put boots on the ground in races like that of Long Island's Craig Johnson, whose next court date in his struggle to keep Republican Jack Martins out of his seat is today.

Gianaris steered clear of talking about the rumblings that the replacement of Klein, who's still deputy leader of the conference, had to do with any designs he might have had on Sampson's leadership post.

He also insisted there was "no merit" to any suggestion that Sampson, who's made a few not-too-laudatory headlines of his own, might fear being toppled.

"We have a lot of work to do," said Gianaris, who moved up from the Assembly to the Queens Senate seat vacated by George Onorato.

"The Democrats around the country had a difficult year last year," Gianaris said.

"The state Senate came out of it in a lot better shape than some of the other Democratic institutions in New York and around the country," he said in praise of Klein.

And he has a vow: "Even if we end up in the minority, we will not be in the minority for very long."

Through the special elections that tend to crop up each year, Gianaris said: "I have a prediction Democrats will be in the majority before the end of 2011."

Development Flows Slowly Along Gowanus And Newtown - As Predicted, Superfund Designation Supersedes Building Plans in Brooklyn by Laura Nahmias - City Hall News

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Superfund designations at Newtown Creek on the Queens/ Brooklyn border in October and at the Gowanus Canal last March incited panicked waves among developers and city administrators worried over the impact the label could have on growth in the city's most populous borough.


And the worries have only continued to fester, like the gonorrhea in the Gowanus.


The designation at Newtown Creek did not spur as much vocal debate as the Gowanus designation, but there is still potential for the label to have an adverse impact on the city’s hopes for economic development in the area, in Brooklyn and Queens, according to Marc LaVorgna, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office.


The Bloomberg administration openly opposed the Superfund designation at Gowanus, advocating for an alternate cleanup plan that would allow prospective developers to voluntarily contribute funds for the work.


The 140-year-old, four-mile-long canal is lined with thick sludge from years of toxic dumping, most from untraceable sources.


At Gowanus, Toll Brothers planned to stop building a $250 million development if the designation were approved, and when it was, they did. The Bloomberg administration was not pleased.


The parties responsible for the pollution at Newtown, on the other hand, are well known—ExxonMobil, BP and Chevron, along with several industrial companies along the waterfront. The city supported the designation at Newtown because there was “no other way to clean it up,” Lavorgna said.


One reason the designation at Newtown may have been less openly controversial is that locals already associate the neighborhood with toxicity. There is nothing wrong with the neighborhood’s water, but residents still use Brita filters anyway. The neighborhood is downwind from one of the city’s sewage treatment plants. Locals call the area “Stinkpoint.”


More importantly, awareness has been growing of the massive oil spill, under the neighborhood’s northern end, since it was first discovered in 1978; over the past several years, environmental impact studies, news articles and a lawsuit from the attorney general’s office have helped publicize the presence of oil—an amount scientists have estimated to reach 17 million gallons, or three times the size of the Exxon-Valdez spill.


According to Assembly Member Joe Lentol, who represents the part of Brooklyn affected by the designation, the Super-fund label is a relief.


“People are optimistic that something is finally happening,” he said of his constituents.


Lentol, who grew up in Brooklyn and says he swam in Newtown Creek as a child, used to believe the designation would drive down property values in the area, he said.


“My misgivings were that, you know, I don’t want the people of Greenpoint to think they’re living in such a contaminated place that they’re going to move out. I don’t want them to think that their property values would be lowered. It’s a delicate issue for people who live here. A lot of people remember Love Canal, and when they think of Superfund, they think of contamination. They think of people dying from cancer,” Lentol said.


A report issued by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests the impact of the designation on property values is mixed, and changes from site to site, with some sites’ property values rebounding after designation, before the cleanup is complete. The exact costs, extent and time frame for cleanup at both sites is speculative until more research is done, said EPA regional spokesperson John Senn.


Knowledge of the pollution and the Superfund label have not impacted average home prices in Greenpoint yet. Sales prices for two-family homes have risen over the past year from $771,449 to $799,386. The number of total home sales dropped off though, by about half, according to records from the city’s Department of Finance.


But the city is still concerned over the future of development near Newtown Creek, according to the mayor’s office. There are 184 blocks and two miles of waterfront still developable in Greenpoint, as well as the possibility for up to 7,000 additional units of housing and 7.9 acres of open space along less than a mile of waterfront, LaVorgna wrote in an e-mail. Those plans are contingent on private investment to reactivate the East River and Newtown Creek waterfront.


One part of the designation that has received little consideration is how it will affect the Queens side of the creek, specifically Hunter’s Point South, which was rezoned for development in 2008, LaVorgna wrote.


The area is cited for 5,000 housing units, a new public school, $175 million worth of utility and road infrastructure and 10 acres of waterfront park, he added.


Perhaps most crucial are $500 million in planned capital improvements for the area. Those projects could stall as the area comes under federal control, Lavorgna said.


The cleanup might not be controversy-free even if it began that way. In mid- October, Queens politicians, including Borough President Helen Marshall, Assembly Member Catherine Nolan, Assembly Member Michael Gianaris and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, issued a letter to the regional EPA coordinator taking the agency to task for what they perceived as a lack of attention to cleanup in the borough.


Few of those issues were raised by constituents when the EPA opened up the designation to public comment, Senn said.


“I will say that we got a lot more comments from the public about possibly putting the Gowanus Canal (more than 800) on the Superfund list than we did about possibly listing Newtown Creek (several dozen),” Senn wrote in an e-mail.


The reason for the limited feedback was not clear, he said.


But legislators say the designation in both areas cannot ultimately be held responsible for stagnation in development.


Lentol acknowledged that 45 planned building projects have stalled in Greenpoint since the recession began. Those developments were the byproducts of two rezonings—one in 2005 to open up the waterfront to high-rise condominiums and increased affordable housing, and another in 2008 to entrench the lowprofile post-war housing in the neighborhood’s center.


At Gowanus, Toll Brothers planned to stop building a $250 million development if the designation were approved, and when it was, they did.


The Bloomberg administration was not pleased.


Council Member Brad Lander, whose district encompasses parts of Gowanus, said he thought the developer might have had to pull out anyway, given the state of the economy. Other planned developments for the area, such as speculative plans for a Whole Foods, were never as concrete as the Toll Brothers housing development, he said.


Both Lander and Lentol suggested the designation would ultimately be good for their neighborhoods. Lander hoped the EPA could contract out cleanup work to local firms, stimulating the local economy. Lentol hoped the Newtown Creek designation would clear the way for eventual residential rezoning of the areas directly adjacent to the waterfront. Those sites are currently industrial, but the waterfront has been desolate for years, Lentol said.


“Everybody was waiting for industry to come back, and guess what?” Lander said. “It wasn’t ever coming back.”

Surprise Move in Election Battle by Lisa L. Colangelo - NY Daily News

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1 of 3 Dems Withdraws

THE RACE for a western Queens Assembly seat took an abrupt turn last week, when one of three Democrats dropped out.

Jeremiah Frei-Pearson said he halted his campaign in order to avoid a messy primary battle.

That leaves Democratic Party pick Aravella Simotas and former local school board president John Ciafone to battle it out in September.

"This certainly changes the dynamics of the race," said Ciafone, a 40-year-old lawyer who touted himself as the most conservative of the candidates.
Frei-Pearson, according to Ciafone, may have been able to siphon some progressive votes from Simotas. They both support gay marriage, while he opposes it.

Ciafone, however, must first fight off charges that he doesn't live full-time in the 36th District.

Earlier this month, he told the Daily News he used his mother's home as his main residence, while his wife and children live in another part of Astoria outside district lines.

He and his family also spend time at a $1.7 million waterfront mansion in Whitestone he called a "summer place."

"This is my home, this is my neighborhood," he said of Astoria. "I was born and raised here."

The seat is currently held by Democratic Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, who is running for state Sen. George Onorato's seat in the fall. Onorato announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection.

Ciafone admitted he faces an uphill battle against Simotas, a 31-year-old lawyer and Community Board 1 member who has the support of local Democratic elected officials, including Gianaris, Onorato and City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.

But he said his conservative stance on gay marriage and support of charter schools may help him gain some votes.

Simotas, who also grew up in Astoria, downplayed any fallout from Frei-Pearson's decision to leave the race.

"I'm continuing to do what I have been doing all along, which is knocking on doors and speaking with voters about issues important to our neighborhood," said Simotas. "Nothing has really changed."

Her campaign said Simotas has support among all sectors of the community, including Onorato, who was criticized for his opposition to gay marriage.
Frei-Pearson said he was troubled by the fact that in order to win he would have had to run a "very negative race" against fellow Democrats.

The 32-year-old lawyer said he liked some of Simotas' ideas, but stopped short of saying he would endorse her.

"I will certainly do what I can to make sure we get a progressive into the seat," he said.

Lawyer Jeremiah Frei-Pearson Cans Queens Assembly Bid by Celeste Katz - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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Just confirmed that Jeremiah Frei-Pearson of Astoria is dropping out of the three-way Democratic primary for state Assembly in District 36.

"Because the dynamics of the race have recently changed and the only path to victory would contrast our shared values as Democrats, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson has decided to end his Assembly campaign. I commend him for putting the principles that unite us as Democrats ahead of one election. It has been my great honor to work on his campaign and I look forward to his continuing leadership in our community," spokesman Michael Murphy told me.

According to Frei-Pearson's website bio,

He works as an attorney for Children's Rights, where he helps get children out of broken foster systems into caring, safe, and healthy homes. He's well known in Astoria as part of the legal team who won a $63 million dollar settlement from ConEd to compensate the victims of the 2006 Queens Blackout and fund neighborhood Greening projects to improve the quality of life in our communities. Jeremiah rallied with the gay and lesbian community to fight for marriage rights and helped found Western Queens for Marriage Equality. He works with the Long Island City Alliance to keep poorly-planned development from disfiguring our neighborhoods.

Frei-Pearson, a lawyer, has been competing against two other candidates for the Assembly seat being vacated by Michael Gianaris, who's looking to move up to the state Senate.

Aravella Simotas, a lawyer who seeks to become the first Greek-American woman elected to the Assembly, has the backing of Gianaris and Rep. Joe Crowley, the county chairman, as well as locking up a slew of institutiional and labor support, including Rep. Carolyn Maloney, state Sens. George Onorato and José Peralta, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. and his son, Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr., Councilmen James Van Bramer and Daniel Dromm and Assemblymembers Grace Meng and Micah Kellner.

Also vying for the seat: John Ciafone, who has faced questions -- including from the Daily News -- about his legal residence.

Ridgewood Democratic Club Annual Dinner Dance on June 10th, 2010 at Riccardo's By the Bridge...

The Ridgewood Democratic Club (RDC) held it's annual Dinner Dance at Riccardo's by the Bridge in Astoria on June 10th, 2010...The affair was hosted by RDC President James Grayshaw, Assemblymember and 37th Assembly District - Part B District Leader Cathy Nolan, 37th Assembly District - Part B District Leader Tom Bornemann, and RDC President James Grayshaw and RDC Executive Board members Lois Marbach and Joan C. DeCamp...

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The gala affair began with a visit by New York State Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch...The award for Labor Leaders of the Year were presented to Michael Mulgrew - President of the United Federation of Teachers and Pat Collins, Jr., - President of the Steel Workers International Union...

The Business Leaders of the Year were Mary Gasparic - Amalgamated Bank, Ridgewood Branch Manager and Michael Lewis - Lewis Monument Company of Ridgewood, NY...

The Man and Woman of the Year were awarded to Donna Dowd and John Sendlein...

The Lifetime Service Awards were presented to Ann Maggio and John Mistrella...

The Community Service awards were presented to Chet Szarejko - The Polish-American Congress and to Paul Finnegan - New York Irish Center...

And, the Public Service Awards of the Year were presented to Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and New York City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer...

Local political leaders on attendance at the reception were Member of Congress Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Joe Addabbo, New York Assemblymember Michael Miller and New York City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley....

Senate Rumors Churn As Hillary Gets Tapped by Brian M. Rafferty - Queens Tribune

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After weeks of speculation, President-elect Barack Obama named U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton as the next Secretary of State. Once she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate she will resign her position and Gov. David Paterson will name her replacement.

The names swirling around of potential replacements change from day to day, and will likely continue to do so through the time that the Governor makes his pick, which is not expected to happen until late January at the earliest.

Several names related to Queens have been discussed as being directly or tangentially affected by the Governor’s choice. The names of possible direct replacements have included U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), who said Tuesday that she would be thrilled if her name was considered.

“I certainly have worked hard for the district that I represent,” she said, noting that her district carries the two largest mass transit projects in the nation – the Second Avenue subway extension and the East Side Access project.

Other local politicians on the potential list also include U.S. Rep. Nydia Velasquez (D-Ridgewood) and U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), as well as Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who grew up in Jamaica Estates.

Maloney authored the 9/11 Health Bill, was co-chair of the 9/11 caucus, serves on the Financial Services Committee and chairs the subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.

A longtime advocate for women’s rights, Maloney recently published a book titled “Rumors Of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated,” which highlights the rolled back opportunities for women, especially during the Bush administration.

Ultimately, Maloney knows full well that the decision for the next Senator from New York will come solely from Gov. Paterson.

“In New York State we have many talented leaders, and I believe we need someone who would work hard and be successful in helping the State of New York,” Maloney said, adding that if she were selected, “I’d be incredibly honored to have the opportunity.”

There has been speculation if Cuomo replaced Clinton, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) could fill the Attorney General post. Gianaris declined to comment on the speculation.

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Kew Gardens) said the day after the November election that he would rather stay in the House of Representatives or be mayor of New York City.

Political insiders have said it is likely that Paterson would appoint a woman, a minority or an upstate representative to fill the role.

No matter who ends up being selected to fill Hillary’s important Senate shoes, her other colleagues from Queens unilaterally wish her well.

“It’s hard to imagine a person who comes to the job as Secretary of State better qualified than Sen. Hillary Clinton,” Weiner said. “She not only has the experience dealing with world leaders from every part of the globe, having been first lady and now as Senator, but also having represented New York whose diversity is renown. We’re not losing her – we’re just sharing her with the rest of the world.”

Congressman Crowley shared a similar belief.

“President-elect Barack Obama’s ground-breaking nomination of Senator Clinton to Secretary of State speaks volumes of his desire to put the United States relationships with international community back on track,” he said. “It has been an honor and pleasure to work with her on behalf of the people of New York and while we will be losing her as an advocate for our state, the entire United States has gained an extraordinary Secretary of State who knows the world at-large.”

Frank Gulluscio Campaign Kick-off for CD 32 Seat at Roma View Restaurant - April 10th...

Sunny

Barbara Brumberg

David M. Quintana

Madeline Quintana

Jack

Frank Singh and guest

Jonah Cohen - Deputy Chief - West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Dept

Dorothy McCluskey

Councilman Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman Michael Gianaris

Rochelle

Joanne

Andrew and Pamela Baumann