It's Official: NY State Senate To Add 63rd Seat

  Here is the link To a story by Celeste Katz of the Daily News on just how and why senate Republicans are going to increase the number of state senators from 62 to 63. 

  One must read the letter of explanation to see why the borough of the Bronx has only two full state senate district (the 32nd and 33rd Senators Diaz and G. Rivera), while the other State Senators Klein, Espillat, Serrano, and Hassel-Thompson, cover parts of the Bronx and either Manhattan or Westchester County as was the case back in 1894.  In 1894 the area of the Bronx was split by the Bronx River, with one side considered to go with Manhattan and the othe to go with Westchester. 

The letter makes for some interesting reading, and maybe the Bronx in 2012 can be seen as an entire county and not parts of Manhattan or Westchester County.  

 

Independent Democratic Conference Releases 2012 Legislative Agenda

 

NEW YORK, NY - The Independent Democratic Conference  released its 2012 legislative agenda Thursday aimed at strengthening New York's economy, improving the lives of New York residents, and preserving New York's progressive tradition.

The agenda was released on the anniversary of the IDC's formation and after a successful year that saw many of the conference's 2011 priorities made into law.

"We put progress over partisanship last year and because of it, New York shined," said Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester.)
"The Independent Democratic Conference is committed to keeping this momentum going by focusing our 2012 agenda on issues that matter most to New Yorkers. By working to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, we continue to move this state forward."

The IDC's 2012 agenda includes:

- Cutting Red Tape, Allowing Small Business to Thrive & Helping our Economy Grow

- Improving Upon the Toughest Anti-Foreclosure Laws in the Country

- Identifying Government Waste and Creating Government Efficiency

- Standing Up for Our Most Vulnerable Populations

- Delivering Mandate Relief for Local School Districts and Municipalities:

- Protecting Reproductive Rights in New York

- Strengthening New York's Agricultural Economy

- Combating the Rise of Prescription Drug Abuse

The full agenda is enclosed.

We're looking to help those who need it most. We want to help small businesses , local governments, and schools  lower costs and lower taxes. In short: We want to help New York," said
Senator David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/ Orange). "We accomplished a lot last year, but there's more work to do."

In its inaugural year, the Independent Democratic Conference, Senators Klein, Carlucci, Diane Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn), and David J. Valesky, (D-Oneida), passed 68 bills, 32 of which became law and issued 21 legislative reports detailing how to save more than $1 billion, reform Albany, and improve the lives of New Yorkers.
Additionally, IDC legislative priorities, including the implementation of a property tax cap, marriage equality, ethics and MTA tax reform, were made law.

"This is year two of the Empire State restoration project," Senator Savino said. "As we work to rebuild our economy, we must also make sure that our rights remain protected and our most vulnerable don't fall through the cracks."

"The only way we can move forward is by building upon our strengths," Senator Valesky said. "With this agenda to help our farms, our small business owners and our residents, the IDC is focusing on what makes this state great and what we believe is needed to keep New York on the right track."

Congratulatory Letter to Archbishop Timothy Dolan

Archbishop Timothy Dolan
Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Dear Archbishop Dolan:

On this Feast of the Three Kings, I join with New Yorkers to celebrate the news that you have been selected to serve as a Cardinal in the Catholic Church.

I heard you say in a television interview that you are “honored and humbled” by this inspired choice of Pope Benedict XVI and as one who considers you a friend, I would like you to know that New York is blessed by this choice.

In the great spirit of interfaith unity, I look forward to your years of leadership in New York and I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

May the Lord continue to bless you as you continue to serve His people.

Respectfully,


Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz
32^nd District

Petition Distribution (January 11) and Petition Clinic/Obama Campaign Kick-off (January 14)

Here is one we received from the Ben Franklin Club about the beginning of the election season we like to call "Duck Season.  Watch as candidates Duck Debates, Duck Questions, and even Duck out of the race as one Republican Presidential candidate has done this past week.

 

This will be a busy political year. Our efforts will focus on Congress, Assembly, State Senate and local party offices (district leaders, state committee, judicial delegates, and county committee), all of whom will be elected in this year’s primary election.  While the primary date has not yet been set, it is expected to be in June rather than September.  That means petitioning for our endorsed candidates will start in early March.   

We would like you to join us in this important effort. Of course, the Club is also supporting the re-election of President Barack Obama.  On this Wednesday, January 11, we will make petitions available for the President and Delegates to the National Convention. The following Saturday, January 14, we will hold a petition clinic and then formally kick off our participation in the 2012 Obama presidential campaign.

The petitioning later this year is done wholly within our assembly district, unlike the petitioning for President.  It is a challenge because in order to qualify our grassroots county committee candidates, we have to collect signatures in each of about a hundred election districts. You may be most familiar with that petitioning -- a critical task in which your participation has always been essential.

The Club will be open on Wednesday, January 11, at which time petitions and the names and addresses of your fellow Democrats in your building or neighborhood will be available.  The following Saturday before the Obama campaign kickoff we are holding a petition clinic for first-time petitioners, those who want to sharpen their skills, and experienced hands who wish to share their experience. Here are the dates and times of these January campaign events:

• PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION PETITION DISTRIBUTION Wednesday, January 11 from 11am–1 pm and 7 pm–8:30 pm

• PETITION CLINIC  - Saturday, January 14 from 11 am–12 pm  

• OBAMA CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF - Saturday, January 14 at 1 pm

Please come by and be part of the action.

Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assemblyman
Bruce Feld, District Leader
Randi Martos, District Leader

 

A Bad Start for the New Year 

From Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.

  New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz released the following statement in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2012 State of the State Address:

Although I may be the lone voice crying in the wilderness, I need to publicly and ardently disagree with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and his plans to call for an amendment to the State Constitution to legalize casino gambling.  I also need to express my strong opposition to his proposal in his State of the State Address to build a DNA databank of samples taken from criminal defendants in New York State.

Like the rest of us, Governor Cuomo must know that by legalizing casino gambling, gambling addiction will increase and more and more families and children will suffer. Rent will not get paid.  Food will not be on the table.  In a State where poverty levels have increased, gambling revenues will not draw from expendable income but from families’ necessities.  Instead of helping the many New Yorkers who already suffer from gambling addiction, this amendment will only continue to destroy their worlds and further exploit vulnerable and poor New Yorkers and their families.

Governor Cuomo has already legalized gay marriage.  Now he wants to legalize casino gambling.  What’s next – legalizing prostitution and marijuana and drugs – all in good “faith” to make money to raise tax revenues for the State?

In regard to Governor Cuomo’s hopes to build the DNA database, he must be aware of the racial injustice that exists within New York’s prison system.  It is unsettling how on one hand, the Governor says that he opposes harsh fingerprinting requirements for families who need food stamps, and on the other hand, he wants to expand the DNA databank samples of criminal defendants.  The racial imbalance targeted by both of these rules is clear, and the disregard of civil liberties and privacy protection laws and the implications it gives to the authorities is also clear.

To some, Governor Cuomo may seem to be unstoppable, but I do not see him as our economic savior.  I see him as quite the opposite.

State Senator Ruben Diaz To Celebrate Three Kings Day In The Bronx

  On Saturday, January 7^th, State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz along with Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization and other elected officials, will come together to provide the children of our community a Three Kings Day Celebration.  The first 500 children between the ages 1- 9 years old, will receive  a toy and a book bag. “There will also be live music and entertainment for the children,” stated Senator Díaz.
 
This activity will take place :

        On:                        Saturday,  January 7, 2012

        At:                        P.S 5
                                564 Jackson Avenue (corner 149^th St.)

Time:                        12:00 pm


For more information, please contact Brendaliz Candelaria at (917) 701-0297.

 

Honoring the Legacy of 

Reverend Dr. Marting Luther King Jr.

Keeping His Dream and Hope Alive For all Future Generations Trinity Baptist Church     In Conjunction With Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Invites You to A Community Interfaith Service    Honoring the Legacy of   Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   Monday, January 16, 2012 10:00am Trinity Baptist Church  808 East 224th Street, Bronx, NY (Between Barnes & Bronxwood Avenues)   Please RSVP to 718.590.3989 smalave@bronxbp.nyc.gov

LIU STATEMENT ON MSG CHANNEL BLACKOUT FOR NEARLY 2 MILLION CABLE SUBSCRIBERS

City Comptroller John C. Liu today stated the following about the blackout of Madison Square Garden-owned channels for Time Warner Cable customers:

“New Yorkers deserve to get what they pay for. This ongoing corporate dispute does nothing more than unfairly punish their customers and City residents.  What started as a blackout of the Fuse channel has now escalated to the MSG sports networks, causing nearly 2 million customers to be without access to their beloved Knicks and Rangers. We have asked the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to step up and hold the company accountable and
make sure it reimburses subscribers for the loss of these channels. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Background:

Last week, Comptroller Liu’s office contacted DoITT concerning the blackout of the Fuse channel for Time Warner customers as a result of the ongoing cable dispute. As the City agency responsible for enforcing cable agreements, Comptroller Liu demanded that DoITT develop a plan for future blackouts, as well as update his office on what discussions have taken place with cable providers regarding consumer protections.

Four months ago, the New York City Franchise Concession and Review Commission authorized cable franchise agreements with Time Warner and Cablevision. As a member of the FCRC, Comptroller Liu expressed concern that the City needed to protect cable consumers during blackouts such as the one that Time Warner subscribers are now faced with.

In addition, Comptroller Liu has written to the FCC expressing support for additional consumer protections during blackouts, as well as DoITT concerning the blackout of the Tennis Channel during the U.S. Open.