Brooklyn Democratic Party

City Council members Palma, Yassky and James made the case for their more radical 421-a reform bill on Room 8 on Tuesday.

Most of it will sound familiar to those following the debate, except for the bit about how, "We introduced our bill in part to make it clear to state legislators that a significant number of City Council members supports this position." In other words, they don't think they will beat Speaker Christine Quinn, but they want to provide back-up for Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who is pushing a similarly radical bill in the state Legislature (and who also happens to be the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, and therefore may play a role in Yassky and James' political futures).

- Matthew Schuerman

(via The Daily Politics)

The Brooklyn Democratic Party's executive committee voted last night to back Andrew Cuomo.

"It was probably the least contentious endorsement meeting in recent memory for the organization," says an aide to county leader Vito Lopez.

The results:

26 Cuomo 5 Green 1 O'Donnell 1 Maloney

It wasn't on Freddy's public schedule, but The Politicker is told he stopped by a Brooklyn Democratic Party regular event, District Leader Steve Cohn's annual breakfast at Junior's. However most of "the action," one of the notables there says, was on 2006. Other guests included Mark Green and Andrew Cuomo, and a couple of the contestants for Lieutenant Governor.  read more »

It's not exactly SCOTUS, but the New York City Bar Association is out with its judicial recommendations, and there's another round of bad news for the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

Three of their favored judicial candidates, including Richard Velasquez, a protege of party leader Vito Lopez, got the "not approved" rating.  read more »

Of course, that never seems to stop anyone in Brooklyn.

A wave of moral shock, it appears, did not wash over the Brooklyn Democratic Party in the wake of Clarence Norman's conviction.

At least that seems the right way to read this line from a notice acting party chair Freddie Hamilton sent out announcing the meeting to select Clarence's replacement:

"While we are all distressed by the tragedy which has befallen our colleague and friend, we need to retain our resolve to insure the future strength and vitality of our Party."

You have to love the passive voice.  read more »

Oh, also: "A light supper will be served."