Jimmy Vielkind

In State of the State, Paterson Goes All-In, Again

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 9:23 pm

ALBANY—It's David Paterson against the... READ MORE»

Silver Likes Some Reforms, Not Others, Will Work on His Own Bill

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 6:13 pm

ALBANY—Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is split on David Paterson's government reform proposals: he likes public campaign financing but thinks forcing lawyers to disclose their clients treads into a "complicated area of... READ MORE»

Elsewhere: Ayers Insults, Cuomo Kisses

By Azi Paybarah and Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 5:24 pm

Nick Ayers made a blind joke, then retracted it. George Marlin has advice for Ed Cox on how to revive the G.O.P. in New York. Bill Hammond decodes John... READ MORE»

Republicans Claim Paterson, Kind Of

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 5:07 pm

ALBANY—David Paterson--Republican hero? "It seems to me that there's a question of conscience that's bothering him, and that's whether all of the taxes and fees that he's supported not just in last year's budget, but also when he was a senator in the minority," Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said in a press conference after his formal response to Paterson's State of the State speech aired on TV. "I hope that this has been a... READ MORE»

Cuomo: Good Outline, But How do We Get There?

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 4:41 pm

ALBANY—Andrew Cuomo had a reception outside his Capitol office right after the State of the State speech, which was packed with lobbyists, and legislators of both parties saying hello. Eventually, reporters cornered the attorney general, who began by kibitzing with the now-bearded Danny... READ MORE»

Pataki: It Was 'Exactly the Right Message'

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 3:57 pm

ALBANY—The only other governor present for David Paterson's State of the State speech was George Pataki, a Republican who told me David Paterson was spot... READ MORE»

The Republican Response

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 3:07 pm

ALBANY—Here's the Republican response to David Paterson's State of the State address, as delivered by Senator Dean Skelos. Skelos lauded Paterson's focus on fiscal issues, but blamed him and Democrats for "an opportunity that was squandered" to use stimulus funds for investment. Here's the text, and YouTube clip, of the... READ MORE»

Nope, No Hiram

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 2:35 pm

ALBANY—Senator Hiram Monserrate is not, in fact, here. His appearance was scheduled, as his spokesman told the Daily News this morning, but his other (less official) spokesman and colleague Ruben Diaz Sr. just toe me ta he will not be attending. I didn't see him anywhere in the chamber. "You will not have the pleasure," he told... READ MORE»

The State of the State, With Slaps

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 2:03 pm

ALBANY—In his State of the State Address, David Paterson dispensed with all pleasantries and attacked the past actions of the legislators and other prominent New Yorkers sitting before him. "My colleagues, the times are measured. I would ask for your understanding that we dispense with the flourishes and formalities," he said, and launched immediately into an anti-legislative, anti-special-interest theme that he has used recently in plugging a deficit and trying to bolster his political... READ MORE»

Critical Congressman at Paterson Speech

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 1:23 pm

ALBANY—Several members of New York's Congressional delegation who have expressed displeasure with David Paterson are here at the Capitol on the day of his speech. I saw Representatives Scott Murphy and Paul Tonko of the Capital Region, Mike McMahon of Staten Island, Mike Arcuri of Utica, Eric Massa of the Southern Tier and Steve Israel of Long Island. Also present are Jerry Nadler and Greg Meeks. All are... READ MORE»

Two Events, Two Cities, One Day

By Jimmy Vielkind | January 6, 2010 | 12:46 pm

ALBANY—Percy Sutton's funeral, or State of the State? That is the question, which officials have answered with either their presence or absence at the Capitol today--David Paterson, who will give the speech, is managing to do both by miracle of a State Police... READ MORE»