NY Observer > Andrew Cuomo

In The Bronx, Silver Explains Rivera's Career

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:12:24 -0400

Here’s Sheldon Silver playfully introducing Democratic County Leader Jose Rivera, also an assemblyman, at the Bronx Democratic County Dinner last night.

Silver told the crowd that Rivera was “in the Assembly for five years and he went to Albany Medical Center and the doctor told him to go on light duty. So, he went to the City Council for 13 years. And then he was all cured and he came back. Now he’s working again real hard.”

“I say that in jest,” said Silver to Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Guests also included Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, likely Republican mayoral candidate John Catisimatidis (who had brief chats with Silver and Cuomo); City Council members Eric Gioia, John Liu, and David Weprin; Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV; and former county leader Roberto Ramirez.

Source: Goldfeder Leaving Cuomo's Office

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:48:28 -0400

Jerry Goldfeder, a prominent election lawyer in Manhattan who has been working for Andrew Cuomo will be joining the law firm Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, according to a source.

Among Stroock’s many clients is the former state comptroller, Alan Hevesi, who is being investigated because of an alleged pay-to-play scheme that allegedly may have included his political consultant Hank Morris, and millions of dollars from the state pension fund.

When asked about the move, Goldfeder e-mailed to say that a statement will be made later in the morning. read more »

Goldfeder closed his private practice and joined Cuomo’s office in March of last year. By December, he had

Cuomo Finishes Filing Period With Over $3 Million

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:57:02 -0400

Andrew Cuomo raised $2,083,528.37 during this last filing period (January 12-July 11), spent $233,143.23 and finished with a closing balance of $3,008,259.86

Here are some notable transactions:

$1,000 donated from Darrison Barrett & Associates, L.L.C., the firm that does fund-raising for David Paterson.

$5,000 donated from Global Strategy Group, the consulting firm that worked with Eliot Spitzer, and now works with Paterson.

$10,000 donated in January from the political action committee for the New York State Troopers, a group of people Cuomo began investigating earlier this year.

$101 was paid to the city’s taxi and limousine commission on June 23.

And $469 was paid to the A. read more »

Poll: Bloomberg for Governor Over Paterson and Cuomo

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:57:37 -0400

These pre-pre election polls have limited significance for any actual contest, but according to this poll from Siena, Michael Bloomberg is benefiting from his continued popularity as mayor, beating both David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo in a hypothetical gubernatorial election.

Here are some other interesting bits:

Paterson wins over Andrew Cuomo among upstate Democratic voters, 51-28.

Rudy Giuliani beats Bloomberg among Jewish Republican voters, 80-20.

Bloomberg beats Paterson among independent voters, 62-26.

And Giuliani edges Paterson among upstate voters, 43-42.

The poll was conducted by phone between July 7 and 10 and included responses from 626 registered voters.

Cuomo: 'Grasso Case Is Over'

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:40:21 -0400

Andrew Cuomo announced he won't appeal the court's decision to side with Dick Grasso, further eroding Spitzer's legacy as attorney general. Here's the statement:

"We have reviewed the Court's opinion and determined that an appeal would not be warranted. Thus, for all intents and purposes, the Grasso case is over."

Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal editorial board called for Cuomo "to cut his – and taxpayer – losses" on the Grasso case.

Cuomo Wins a Beer Battle

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:10:29 -0400

In yet another quality-of-life initiative, Andrew Cuomo announced that after an investigation by his office, Anheuser-Bush will no longer sell alcoholic beverages with caffeine in them. Cuomo's probe found they were being illegally marketing to minors.

Getting alcohol out of the hands of minors is the latest example of Cuomo focusing on tangible issues, in contrast to Eliot Spitzer, who took on the more complicated financial issues of Wall Street.

From Cuomo's office:

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Anheuser-Busch will stop selling all caffeinated alcohol beverages after an investigation showed the company was illegally marketing these drinks to young people. read more »

Cuomo 'Pleased' With M.T.A. Vote, Russianoff Not as Much

Bharat Ayyar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:57:27 -0400

The M.T.A. board voted this morning to amend its policy of handing out free E-ZPasses and transit passes to current and former board members. Now, only current board members will get the perks and only for use on official M.T.A. business.

Andrew Cuomo, who came out strongly against the M.T.A.’s previous policy, was glad:

"I am pleased the MTA board today adopted a new policy recognizing that under the law board members are not entitled to compensation of any kind. In taking this step, the MTA board now recognizes that no one, including government agencies and officials, is above the law. read more »

Cuomo Wants to Hold E-ZPass Freeloaders 'Personally Responsible'

Katharine Jose — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:01:20 -0400

Observer intern Bharat Ayyar reports:

Andrew Cuomo made it clear today that he will be holding former and current M.T.A. board members "personally responsible" for using free E-ZPass tags he says are illegal, although he noted that there is a limit on how far back back the probe will reach.
Speaking during a press conference in his downtown office, the attorney general said he will start by recouping the funds. If the board does not vote to discontinue the practice of doling out free passes during a vote next week, Cuomo said, he will pursue litigation.

He would not say whether the board members will be fined or otherwise punished beyond paying restitution. read more »

Poll: New Yorkers Cool to Bloomberg or Clinton as Vice President

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:46:23 -0400

New Yorkers don’t want to see Hillary Clinton or Michael Bloomberg as anyone’s vice presidential candidate, according to a poll out today by Siena.

New York voters oppose a Clinton vice presidency 49 - 41 percent. They oppose a Bloomberg vice presidency 49 - 36 percent.

But -- just for fun, I guess -- Siena determined that an Obama-Clinton ticket leads a McCain-Bloomberg ticket in New York 55 - 37 percent.

Separately, Michael Bloomberg leads David Paterson in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup for governor in 2010 (making it the second poll to show that kind of result.)

And Democrats chose Paterson over Andrew Cuomo, 43 percent to 31 percent.

Poll: Bloomberg and Giuliani Top Paterson for 2010

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:45:14 -0400

When voters in a new Quinnipiac poll out today were asked who they’d like to elect as governor in 2010, Michael Bloomberg came out on top, slightly edging out Rudy Giuliani.

The survey gave respondents four choices: Bloomberg, Giuliani, David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo.

Paterson, who enjoys a 67-20 approval rating according to this poll, came in third.

Here are the numbers: read more »