The New York Observer » Jeff Klein http://www.observer.com Just another WordPress site Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:18:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Cuomo’s Independent Redistricting Plan Gets Mixed Response From Lawmakers State legislators from across the aisle and both ends of the statehouse are responding to Andrew Cuomo's proposed plans for independent redistricting legislation and their reactions should surprise no one: enthusiastic cheers from those in the minority, and wait-and-see from those who have the power to redraw the lines. 

Democratic Leader John L. Sampson has released Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2011/politics/legislators-respond-cuomos-independent-redistricting-legislation Sampson Envisions New Look, Same Leaders ALBANY—John Sampson thinks, not unreasonably, that the State Senate needs a new look.

"We need to come out of the box in January and start to really pass some progressive and positive legislation because people have one characterization of us," Sampson, the leader of the chamber's Democratic conference, told reporters during an informal chat in Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/sampson-envisions-new-look-same-leaders With Sampson’s Support, Malcolm Smith Might Just Hang On ALBANY—Malcolm Smith is supposed to leave the top post in the State Senate with the New Year. But nothing in the chamber is ever that easy.

Smith, a Queens Democrat who was

"He's like an ambassador for the State Senate," said his spokesman, Austin Shafran. He added that Smith and Sampson "have an outstanding Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/with-sampsons-support-malcolm-smith-might-just-hang-on Benedetto Considers State Senate, Depending on Some Things ALBANY—Assemblyman Michael Benedetto has formed a campaign committee to look at a run for Jeff Klein's State Senate seat, should Klein run for attorney general, should Attorney General Andrew Cuomo run for governor.

Benedetto had promised to do this previously, and now Benedetto for New York is registered with the State Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/benedetto-considers-senate-depending-things Collateral Inconvenience: Bruno Case Ties Up Senate Computers ALBANY—There's a computer shortage in the State Senate because federal investigators seized over 100 terminals in connection with their investigation of former Majority Leader Joe Bruno, whose trial is now underway.

"Due to the allegations against former majority leader Joe Bruno, the feds confiscated a number of Senate computers, which left the senate Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/bruno-case-ties-senate-computers Last Try for Same-Sex Marriage? ALBANY—It's a Hail Mary pass for same-sex marriage.

State Senator Tom Duane, the measure's sponsor in that chamber, just walked across the back of the floor trailed by Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and Eric Adams, his top lieutenant. Along with Senators Malcolm Smith, Eric Schneiderman and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, they walked Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/last-try-same-sex-marriage Citing Albany Dysfunction, Rudin Says No to a Senator in Need Bill Rudin, the civic-minded real estate billionaire, admired in New York for his family’s remarkable success, apparent functionality, and steadfast devotion to New York civic life, made a startling declaration on Wednesday morning at the Harvard Club.

“I got a call the other day from an Albany politician,” said Mr. Rudin, the chairman of the Association Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/citing-albany-dysfunction-rudin-says-no-senator-need Citing Albany Dysfunction, Rudin Says No to a Senator in Need Bill Rudin, the civic-minded real estate billionaire, admired in New York for his family’s remarkable success, apparent functionality, and steadfast devotion to New York civic life, made a startling declaration on Wednesday morning at the Harvard Club.

“I got a call the other day from an Albany politician,” said Mr. Rudin, the chairman of the Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/citing-albany-dysfunction-rudin-says-no-senator-need The Consequences for Monserrate (and the Senate) ALBANY—State Senator Hiram Monserrate is guilty--but not guilty enough to automatically lose his seat or throw the already-unstable chamber into complete disarray.

Already there are rumblings in the chamber to have a committee review the matter; under the Legislative Law, senators could then approve Monserrate's expulsion.

"Hopefully he would step aside on his Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/5664/consequences-monserrate-senate Diaz Doesn’t Want to Fight With Jeff Klein ALBANY—State Senator Jeff Klein's quote this morning in The Capitol about his colleagues in the Democratic conference was pretty blistering: he said that "quite frankly, all of these people shouldn't be in the majority."

 "I'd hate to have to be the judge, but they should really be in the minority. Because they're really not Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/5504/diaz-doesnt-want-pick-fight-jeff-klein Klein Endorses Yassky, Who Doesn’t Want to Talk About Liu State Senator Jeff Klein, who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester, endorsed David Yassky for city comptroller, bucking the county organization in the Bronx that is going with rival Melinda Katz.

At a press conference this morning by City Hall, Yassky said, “I’m talking to every single voter and every elected official about their Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/5013/klein-endorses-yassky-who-doesnt-want-talk-about-liu As an Agent of Their Embarrassment Gets Promoted, Senators Ask ‘What’s Going On’ ALBANY—John Flateau would be a reasonable fall guy given the current state of things in State Senate's Democratic conference, whose hiring practices are now a punchline.

But Flateau, who unilaterally signed off on the hiring of Pedro G. Espada, will be transitioned full-time onto the Senate payroll. He is currently an hourly employeeRead More

]]> http://www.observer.com/4919/agent-embarrassment-promoted-senators-whats-going-on How Legislators Eat (When the Campaign Is Paying) ALBANY—Jeff Klein likes the filet mignon at 677 Prime, with a side of chopped salad. Dean Skelos is partial to the eggplant at Amo la Bella. Malcolm Smith enjoys the mussels at the Brown Derby. And you can find Tom Libous at Lombardo's on Madison. During the six months of the legislative session, the four Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/how-legislators-eat-when-campaign-paying How Legislators Eat (When the Campaign Is Paying) ALBANY—Jeff Klein likes the filet mignon at 677 Prime, with a side of chopped salad. Dean Skelos is partial to the eggplant at Amo la Bella. Malcolm Smith enjoys the mussels at the Brown Derby. And you can find Tom Libous at Lombardo's on Madison.

During the six months of the legislative session, the four Read More

]]> http://www.observer.com/4610/how-legislators-eat-when-campaign-paying Klein Outraises Everyone, Espada Tells an Untruth About Filing ALBANY—State Senator Jeff Klein raised more money in the last six months than any other member of his chamber.

Klein's filing shows that the deputy majority leader raised $638,564, and has $866,984 in the bank. That's more than President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith, who raised $575,835; Republican Leader Dean Skelos, who Read More

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