Tuesday, May 1, 2018

NYC Elected Officials and Advocates Call for Instant Runoff Voting


Public Advocate Tish James, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Council Member Brad Lander Join Call on Mayoral Commission to support IRV


Grace Ramsey, Deputy Outreach Director for FairVote, calls on the Mayoral Commission to consider Instant Runoff Voting.

   On the steps of City Hall, New York City elected officials and advocates today call on the Mayoral Charter Revision Commission to implement instant runoff voting. The group, convened by FairVote, a national nonpartisan electoral reform organization, assert this reform is an important step in giving voters a greater voice in elections and bringing more fair representation to city government.

Used in 15 American cities, instant runoff voting (IRV) improves voter turnout over traditional “delayed runoff” systems, saves taxpayer money, and rewards candidates who reach out to more voters. Because voters are allowed to rank candidates, the system is called “ranked choice voting” in some cities using it like Minneapolis, San Francisco and Oakland.

Photo: An example of what an IRV ballot would look like in a City Council election.

With IRV as proposed in New York City, voters will rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate earns more than half of the votes - that is, more than half of first choices - then that candidate wins. If not, all but the top two vote-getters are eliminated, and ballots from the eliminated candidates go to the runoff finalist who is ranked next on each ballot. The winner will earn a majority of the instant runoff vote in this head-to-head contest without voters having to vote a second time.

After the runoff for Public Advocate in 2013, which cost the city $13 million and saw a turnout of only 6.9 percent, elected officials and advocates agree on the need for reform. At today’s public event, speakers touted the benefits of IRV. If a system like IRV were implemented, voters electing government leaders would be more reflective of the city’s racial and ethnic makeup as older, whiter and wealthier voters are more dominant in runoffs. IRV in other cities has shown to give more power to racial minorities and low-income communities.

For additional data on New York City Democratic Primary runoff turnouts, click here

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced during his annual State of the City that the Mayoral Charter Revision Commission would be focusing on campaign finance reform, as well as voting reform, and held its first meeting last week. The commission has the power to increase voter participation by including IRV as a charter amendment on the November ballot.

“It is clear that instant runoff voting increases democracy for all voters and for the voices of communities of color. The voters electing their leaders will be more reflective of the city’s racial and ethnic makeup because older, whiter and wealthier voters are more dominant in the old-fashioned, delayed runoffs. IRV is a proven, common-sense, fiscally responsible means to increase voter participation and ensure all views are respected,” said Rob Richie, executive director at FairVote.

“We must make it easier for New Yorkers to elect those who represent them,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “Instant runoff voting not only makes elections more accessible, but also saves taxpayers millions of dollars. This is a simple solution to make voting more democratic, and ensure that the voices of all New Yorkers are heard equally.”

“Run-off elections take up time and resources – even though most voters don’t participate in them. We need the broadest possible coalition of New Yorkers voting in our elections, rather than a few party faithful. And we cannot afford to be wasting tens of millions of dollars on rounds of elections that people don’t participate in,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “There’s a better, tried-and-true way – instant runoff voting. It’s a system that saves taxpayers and increases voter turnout. It’s a common sense reform that leaders at all levels of government should embrace for New York City.”

“I support instant runoff voting because it enhances the voice of the people while saving taxpayers money. As the charter review process gets underway in the weeks ahead, I look forward to advancing a meaningful dialogue about this progressive policy. We have a golden opportunity to implement electoral reforms that expand engagement in our democracy, particularly in communities who have historically faced underrepresentation,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

“Instant runoff voting (IRV) is a win-win-win,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “It increases voter participation. It makes our elections more inclusive, by encouraging all candidates to reach out to all communities. And it will save the city millions of dollars,” said Councilmember Brad Lander. “It is time for New York City to make this switch to a more democratic and fiscally responsible system. I’m proud to join Fair Vote, Public Advocate Tish James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, good government organizations, and many of my Council colleagues in calling on the Charter Revision Commission to include IRV as part of its deliberations, and to develop a ballot proposal to bring to the voters in November.”

“New York City’s current scanning voting machines, the ES&S DS-200 can easily be programmed to handle instant runoff voting. Minneapolis uses the same voting scanners as New York City and has very successfully managed the switch to instant runoff voting,” said Douglas Kellner, Co-Chair of New York State Board of Elections.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

  The above ballot was used in New York City for School Board elections which were eliminated after years of use. One problem is that when people rank their choices their vote will sometimes go to a candidate which was not a top preference. This creates a false percentage of vote received since a second, third. fourth or even lower choice is counted as a first choice vote. That happens when candidates other than the top two vote getters are eliminated, and the vote is dropped down to the higher of the two remaining candidates in the run off. 

  This system encourages candidates to work together so that if one is eliminated those votes would then drop down to the other candidate in the race. That creates a false winner since all one would have to do is make it into the run off, and have enough votes dropped down to them to win. Thus the candidate who receives the most votes under the minimum needed to win could and would lose the race with the drop down system rather than winning in a one-on-one run off election. 

Monday, April 30, 2018

Former Arkansas State Senator and Representative Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Bribery


  Former Arkansas State Senator and State Representative Henry (Hank) Wilkins IV pleaded guilty today to conspiring to accept over $80,000 in bribes in exchange for influencing Arkansas state legislation and transactions, including steering approximately $245,000 in Arkansas General Improvement funds to his co-conspirators, and to devising a scheme to conceal the bribe payments as donations to St. James United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where Wilkins also served as a pastor.
Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland for the Eastern District of Arkansas made the announcement.
Wilkins, 64, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, who represented Arkansas’s House District 17 as a state Representative from 1999 to 2001 and again from 2011to 2015, and District 5 in the Arkansas Senate from 2001 to 2011, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.
“By misusing his elected office to line his own pockets, Henry Wilkins undermined the integrity of our political process and abused the public’s trust,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Cronan. “The Criminal Division is committed to rooting out such corruption and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”
“Public corruption destroys the trust that is necessary for our republic,” said U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “In this case, the citizens of Arkansas were betrayed by Mr. Wilkins, and elected officials who abuse their position for personal gain must be held accountable for that violation of the public trust. Investigating and prosecuting individuals such as Mr. Wilkins is essential to restoring confidence in elected officials. This office will continue to relentlessly pursue anyone who tries to undermine our system of government.” 
As part of his plea, Wilkins admitted that from 2010 to 2014, while serving in the Arkansas General Assembly, he accepted a series of bribes from lobbyists and non-profit organizations that were transmitted both in the form of cash and checks funneled from lobbying firms to a discretionary fund held in St. James’ name where Wilkins had access to the deposited funds.  In exchange for the cash and check bribes, Wilkins performed, and agreed to perform, official acts in his capacity as an Arkansas legislator including filing shell bills, sponsoring full bills, voting in favor of specific legislation, and steering approximately $245,000 in General Improvement funds to entities that funneled bribes to Wilkins through his church.
The FBI investigated this case. This is a combined investigation with the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice, the Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas, and the Western District of Missouri.

Two Alarm Fire at 3900 Greystone Avenue



  As you see fire truck ladders on different sides of 3900 Greystone Avenue are checking the crawl space below the roof. This fire was localized to one top floor apartment which was devastated. The fire began in the kitchen area of the apartment according to the superintendent of the building. He said that he tried to put out the fire, but it was to much for him to extinguish. He then closed the front door on his way out of the apartment to call the fire department. Twenty fire trucks from as far away as Fordham Road responded to what became a two alarm blaze. Five ambulances were on hand also. The apartment was unoccupied at the time the fire started, and there will have to be a usual investigation by the arson squad to determine just how the fire started. more photos are below.


Above - The back of the building where the fire started suffered the most damage with part of the roof collapsing into the apartment. 
Below - The front of the building suffered less damage as only the front window in the bedroom is broken. 




Above - The DEP was called, probably to explain why the hydrant was leaking from the top. and was so low to the ground.
Below - You can see some of the emergency vehicles that were parked on Manhattan College Parkway and around the building on other streets.



Joint Statement by Councilmembers Justin Brannan, Steven Matteo, Joseph Borelli, Paul Vallone, Barry Grodenchik, and Mark Gjonaj on FY 2019 Executive Budget


  “We are extremely disappointed that in the $89 billion budget Mayor de Blasio unveiled Thursday there is no property tax relief to help seniors, retirees, working and middle class families who are struggling to make ends meet, as their taxes have skyrocketed and their incomes have stagnated.

There also is no indication of how this administration intends to address the glaring inequities of a property tax system that charges the owner of a modest home in our districts more than the owner of a multi-million dollar brownstone in Park Slope.
We are all for making New York City more fair and that’s why we will continue to forcefully advocate for a property tax rebate throughout the budget negotiation process; homeowners in this city need property tax relief in a big way, and they need it now. I know we speak for just about every property owner in the five boroughs when we say, ‘C’mon man, give us a break!'”

A.G. Schneiderman Releases Open Letter To Weinstein Company Bankruptcy Stakeholders


AG Urges Stakeholders to Include Bid Enhancements to Compensate Victims, Protect Employees, and Not Reward Wrongdoers

  New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released an open letter to the various participants in the Weinstein Company bankruptcy cases, urging the stakeholders to use the sale process as an opportunity to ensure that survivors of past misconduct and current employees are protected. This open letter follows prior efforts by the Attorney General’s office to advance victim interests before and during the bankruptcy process.

“Our requests of each of the stakeholders are straightforward,” Attorney General Schneiderman wrote. “Bidders should propose bid enhancements that set aside financial resources to compensate and provide support services for injured employees and industry talent, both of whom are essential to the company’s future success.  Bid enhancements also should include nonmonetary terms that protect future employees and contractors and avoid rewarding wrongdoers.”  
In February, Attorney General Schneiderman filed a civil rights lawsuit against TWC, Harvey Weinstein, and Robert Weinstein, detailing a long pattern of sexual misconduct and repeated violations of New York law.
Since filing suit, Attorney General Schneiderman has sought to ensure that victims would be compensated, employees would be protected moving forward, and the perpetrators and enablers of the misconduct would not be unjustly enriched. As the letter notes, in March, Attorney General Schneiderman received express commitments from parties involved in a potential non-bankruptcy sale of TWC that those conditions would be addressed. While that purchase was ultimately not consummated for unrelated reasons, the Attorney General’s office has continued to work to advance those interests since the bankruptcy filing – engaging in the process in order to advocate for victims, including through victim representation on the Unsecured Creditors’ Committee.
In March, TWC agreed to release victims of and witnesses to sexual misconduct from non-disclosure agreements, a step the Attorney General’s office had long sought throughout his investigation and litigation. The Attorney General encourages anyone who would like to share their story as part of his investigation to contact his office at 212-416-8250.
Attorney General Schneiderman’s lawsuit remains active and investigation remains ongoing.

Bronx DA Scheduled Cases of Interest Week of April 30th


Cases of Interest for the Week of April 30, 2018

Monday, April 30, 2018
ADA
Judge
Part #
Status
Defendant Name
Case Details
AP4
Appearance
Adam Fridson

 NYPD Officer charged with flashing two young girls while off-duty on Oct. 4, 2017.
Dolan, M.
Montano
96
Appearance
Curtis Batchelor
Charged with Murder, Manslaughter, Rape and other related crimes for the 1999 killing of 56-year-old Elsa Grullon in Highbridge.
Borgstedt, A.
Fabrizio
92
Conference
Oumar Fofana

Charged with Attempted Rape, Sexual Abuse and other crimes for allegedly trying to rape a 41-year-old store clerk near East 157th St. and Third Avenue in August 2015.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
ADA
Judge
Part #
Status
Defendant Name
Case Details
Powers, M.
Barrett
60
Decision on Motions

Raul Olmeda

 NYC Police Officer charged on sex offenses and other related crimes stemming from alleged videos he made with teenage girl performing sex act.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
ADA
Judge
Part #
Status
Defendant Name
Case Details
Browne, W.
Lieb,
IDV-SCT
Possible Disposition
Clarence White
Charged with Attempted Murder, Assault and other crimes for allegedly shooting his wife in the face on July 27, 2017.
Whelan, P.
Lieb
IDV-SCT
Appearance
Darrin Rose
Bronx man charged with Murder and other crimes for allegedly fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend in their apartment on November 1, 2017.
Gottlieb, T.
Fabrizio
92
Appearance
Jonathan Jolivert

Charged with Murder for the March 24, 1993 death of Michelle Page Gilliam. Recent scientific developments enabled DNA under the victim’s fingernails to link Jolivert to the crime.
Perrotto, A.
FB
Possible SCA
Karel Delgado
FDNY paramedic charged with Sexual Abuse and other sex crimes for allegedly groping female patient he was transporting to a Bronx hospital.
Falasca, K.
Lieb
IDV-SCT
Decision on Motions
Naomi Olmeda
Charged with Murder, Manslaughter, and related crimes for the alleged slaying of her sanitation worker boyfriend inside his Throggs Neck home in March, 2017.

Thursday, May 3, 2018
ADA
Judge
Part #
Status
Defendant Name
Case Details
Adler, S.
Michels
77
Appearance
Brian Febus
Charged with Attempted Murder and several other crimes for attacking a woman after forcing his way into her apartment in a botched burglary attempt in May 2017.
Borgstedt, A.
Villegas
SCA
Possible SCA

Lynneke Burris 
Charged with Rape and Robbery against a Bronx teacher in her Concourse Village apartment on April 13, 2018.

Friday, May 4, 2018
ADA
Judge
Part #
Status
Defendant Name
Case Details
Sztejnberg, M.
Neary
70.
Appearance
Earnestine Russell
Charged with Grand Larceny for allegedly stealing $112,000 from a state-administered, federally funded grant designed to support after-school programs for middle school children.
Miras, J.
Gross
71
Sentencing  
Gilrael Ruperto
To be sentenced after pleading guilty to a series of robberies targeting elderly women as as well as for jail house violence at Rikers Island.

Please note: All court proceedings are scheduled for after 9:30 a.m. 
at 265 East 161st Street, the Hall of Justice, Bronx Supreme Court 
unless otherwise specified.

MAYOR DE BLASIO HOLDS PUBLIC HEARINGS ON LEGISLATION AIMED AT REDUCING SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SIGNS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A CHARTER REVISION COMMISSION


  Mayor de Blasio held public hearings for eleven pieces of legislation that aim to reduce workplace sexual harassment. Intro. 612-A requires annual anti-sexual harassment training at City agencies; Intro. 613-A requires assessing workplace risk factors associated with sexual harassment within City agencies; Intro. 614-A mandates information about sexual harassment to be made available online for public access; Intro. 630-Acreates an "Anti-Sexual Harassment Rights and Responsibilities" poster; Intro. 632-A mandates anti-sexual harassment training for private employers; Intro. 657-A expands sexual harassment protections to all employees;Intro. 660-A makes improvements to clarify and strengthen the City's Human Rights Law; Intro. 663-A changes the City's Human Rights Law statute of limitations for sexual harassment to three years; Intro. 664-A relates to climate surveys and action plans to combat sexual harassment; Intro. 653-A mandates annual reporting on workplace sexual harassment within City agencies and; Intro. 693 relates to the Division of Labor Services employment reports. 

The Mayor also held a public hearing for and signed Intro. 241-B which establishes a charter revision commission. Appointments to the commission are authorized to be made by the Mayor, Speaker of the City Council, Public Advocate, Comptroller and Borough Presidents.

Cynthia Nixon Joins Picket Line With Columbia University Grad Workers Union on Strike


Cynthia Nixon joins striking graduate workers at Columbia University in their fight to secure a union contract.

  Cynthia Nixon, Democratic Candidate for Governor, joined the weeklong strike and picket line at Columbia University. Nixon called on Columbia University to recognize the Graduate Workers Union and begin negotiating a union contract.
“I stand in solidarity with you today because I know that your story is part of a larger story in New York. New York has become the single most unequal state in the country,” Cynthia Nixon said. “But one of the most powerful ways to tackle systemic inequality and austerity is through joining a union.”
3,000 teaching and research assistants at Columbia University began a one week strike on Tuesday, April 24 to protest the university’s refusal to bargain with the graduate workers union. The strike comes nearly a year and a half after Columbia’s graduate workers voted overwhelmingly to unionize with the United Automobile Workers Local 2110.
“I’ve been a union member ever since I started my acting career,” said Nixon. “I know the power and importance of unions. A union for the graduate workers at Columbia would help many of them them fight back against cuts to their already low-salaries of nearly $30,000 a year. A union can help combat sexual harassment in the workplace and help workers gain dignity, respect, and power.