Here’s another sign that Assemblyman Michael Gianaris is exploring the idea of running for City Council speaker somewhat seriously.

Gianaris' chief of staff, Michael Sais, is currently on leave from Gianaris’ office and working on Elizabeth Crowley’s campaign for City Council. (Crowley is one of two Democrats running in the special election to fill Dennis Gallagher's council seat).  read more »

One of the city’s most influential lobbying and consulting firms just picked up a key Michael Bloomberg commissioner, Patrick Brennan.

The Parkside Group announced it hired Brennan as a president, adding him to its small but well-connected roster. Brennan was a commissioner for the Community Assistance Unit. Brennan also ran political and field operations for Bloomberg’s re-election campaign in 2005.

Brennan, incidentally, is one of relatively few Bloomberg staffers to have left, despite that fact that the mayor is a lame duck who is -- ostensibly -- not running for higher office at the end of his term.