6 minute read
FIRST READ
Democratic state Sen. Robert Jackson, above, successfully got Foundation Aid school funding in the state budget.
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THE STATE FINALLY HAS A BUDGET
It came seven days late, but New York approved a new state budget. The spending agreement totals $212 billion, larger than both the governor’s plan and proposals by the state Legislature. It includes $29.5 billion in school aid that for the first time fully funds Foundation Aid with a $1.4 billion increase in funding. The bump in spending resolves the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit that found some schools in the state were getting shortchanged. The budget also includes $2.4 billion for rent relief for those struggling during the pandemic and a $2.1 billion fund for undocumented workers who had been ineligible for unemployment and federal COVID-19 relief. The fund was one of the most contentious parts of the budget that was vehemently opposed by Republicans and was met with concern by some Democrats. Another one of the sticking points was the legalization of mobile sports betting, which made it into the final budget. In addition to everything else, the budget included new taxes on the wealthy, including new tax rates for high-earners, that will raise $4.3 billion annually. Although it falls short of the $7 billion the Legislature had proposed, it still represented a victory for progressives and legislative Democrats. Gov. Andrew Cuomo had long opposed tax hikes of any kind. Although the progressive left did not get everything they wanted, the budget deal was still a win
THE ARTS ARE BAAACK
New York City’s fight against COVID-19 may be stagnating, but the show must go on. Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the reopening of theater and arts venues last week, including at an outdoor concert for health care workers. We’re not sure about the inspiration behind an art installation at Lincoln Center featuring sheep puppets, but it’s been a long year inside. We may need some practice flexing our artistic muscles.
– Assembly Member Charles Barron, a longtime budget dissident, via Twitter
– Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie joking with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, via Twitter for the Legislature against a governor weakened by multiple scandals. Both chambers have Democratic supermajorities this year and they seemed willing to flex their influence in ways not seen in recent memory during the budget.
NEW DETAILS ON CUOMO GROPING ALLEGATIONS
The aide who accused Cuomo of groping her provided additional details about the incident for the first time since the allegation came to light about a month ago. Although her name is still not public to protect her identity, the current Cuomo staffer detailed this and other experiences with the governor. The woman said that Cuomo had been grooming her for two years through increasingly inappropriate behavior that started with tight hugs and kisses on the cheek. In a newly detailed incident, the staffer described how the governor reached under her shirt and grabbed one of her breasts over her bra. She also described a separate incident when the governor asked to take a selfie, and then began to rub her butt when they got close for the picture. After the alleged groping took place, and after ex-staffer Lindsey Boylan first made her allegations of sexual harassment in December, the woman said Cuomo told her she can’t talk
about anything he tells her, or “anything else.” The aide said she took this as a threat to keep quiet about the groping.
REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CHALLENGERS EMERGE
In the wake of budget negotiations that showcased a weakened governor amid multiple scandals, one Republican announced his intention to challenge him in 2022, while another suggested he might run. Rep. Lee Zeldin from Long Island, who had recently been rumored to seek the governor’s mansion, officially said that he would be running. The staunch Trump supporter rose to prominence for his defense of the thenpresident. Zeldin enters the race already with the support of both of the chairs of the Nassau and Suffolk County Republican parties. Meanwhile, Andrew Giuliani – son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani – said that he’s “heavily considering” running against Cuomo. The younger Giuliani has no experience as an elected official, but did serve as an official in the Trump administration.
Rep. Lee Zeldin, a pro-Trump Republican who represents Long Island, announced he plans to run for governor.
Robert Cornegy’s endorsements that weren’t
In the crowded field to be the next Brooklyn borough president, New York City Council Member Robert Cornegy is increasingly standing out as the establishment choice. He has amassed a lengthy list of endorsements, including a number of state legislators, City Council colleagues and publicsector unions, and he enjoys the backing of many mainstays of the local machine, such as former Brooklyn Democratic Chair Frank Seddio and Assembly Member Erik Dilan.
However, Cornegy’s campaign has inflated its endorsement count: Three people who the campaign told City & State endorsed Cornegy have not done so.
City & State requested a list of endorsements recently from Cornegy’s team for a story about the borough president race. The list the campaign shared over email included former Chair of Community Board 10 Joanne Seminara, District Leader Christopher McCreight, who is also chief of staff to Council Member Justin Brannan, and District Leader Josue Pierre, who is running to replace City Council Member Mathieu Eugene.
After the story was published, City & State was contacted by sources stating that Seminara, McCreight and Pierre have not endorsed Cornegy for the race. A staffer for Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon’s campaign for borough president reached out to clarify that Seminara has not endorsed Cornegy, but has endorsed Simon for the race. City & State contacted Seminara, who confirmed that she has not endorsed Cornegy. She added, “I wholeheartedly support and endorse Jo Anne Simon.” City & State contacted McCreight, who said, “I have not endorsed Cornegy for the race.”
Pierre’s campaign contacted City & State to say that Pierre has not endorsed Cornegy or anybody else for borough president. “I mean we’ve had conversations, but there was no ‘Hey, I’m thinking of an endorsement’ or anything like that. So, I think there may have been some type of confusion, I don’t think they were trying to mislead someone,” Pierre said.
Cornegy’s team said in an emailed statement that the errors were accidental. “In identifying the long list of elected officials, issue advocates and community leaders who enthusiastically endorse Robert E. Cornegy Jr for Brooklyn Borough President, there were a few individuals inadvertently included. The Cornegy campaign is proud of its strong support across Brooklyn, and hopes to earn the endorsements of these people as well in the course of this campaign.”
– Sheneca Sharpe
THE WEEK AHEAD
WEDNESDAY 4/14
A coalition of organizations supporting the aging, including LiveOn NY, host a 9:30 a.m. virtual forum for New York City mayoral candidates to discuss services for seniors. WEDNESDAY 4/14
State lawmakers reconvene for a twoday work week after getting some time off after passing the state budget. INSIDE DOPE
State lawmakers worked around the clock in the final few days to pass the $212 billion budget deal about a week after the April 1 deadline. FRIDAY 4/16
Rochester legislators join City & State to discuss the big issues affecting their constituents at a 10 a.m. virtual event sponsored by AARP.
