And the New Speaker of the Assembly Is -

  When the state assembly meets on Monday it is a forgone conclusion by Monday afternoon the speakers seat will be vacant either by current speaker Sheldon Silver stepping down or being voted out by the assembly body. The field of replacement candidates have dwindled down as some candidates have taken their name out of the running for one reason or another. 

  

  Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright who many (including myself) thought was the front runner for the speaker's seat has decided to throw his support behind Carl Heastie. The reason, Wright wants to replace Charlie Rangel in the 15th Congressional district which has about 26 percent of the Bronx. This way the Bronx Democratic County organization should be backing candidate Wright for the vacant 15th Congressional district in 2016.   . 

  Assemblyman Joe Lentol of Brooklyn has also withdrawn his name to back Heastie for speaker. Lentol is currently chair of the Assembly Codes Committee, so it is unclear what Lentol will gain from the endorsement.

  Queens Democratic County Leader Joe Crowley has announced his support of Heastie for speaker which now drains Queens Assemblywoman Kathleen Nolan's bid to be the next speaker. This leaves only the interim speaker to be Assemblyman Joe Morelle in the way of Carl Heastie. As of this morning it is rumored that Heastie has or is very close to securing the 74 needed votes to become the next speaker of the New York State Assembly.

  Our congratulations to the next speaker Carl Heastie. 

  However as it goes in politics "One never knows what will happen next".

Silver’s Golden Parachute

  I found this on the Empire Center NY Torch Blog.

  Based on his 38 years as a state assemblyman and the speaker’s salary of $121,000, Silver is now eligible for a pension of $87,120 — $7,620 more than the base pay he will collect as a mere Assembly member with no leadership title.

  But Silver’s pensionable “service credits” may add to that amount. If he was enrolled as a full-time member of the New York City pension system when he began working as a Civil Court clerk in 1971, he could have Tier 2 status, boosting his benefit to as much as $98,010.

  Both of these figures assume Silver chooses the “single life option” and doesn’t owe the system money for loans against his pension.

  Under current state law, Silver can continue to collect his pension even if he is convicted on the charges filed against him by federal prosecutors last week.

  Here is the link to this entire article.

3 Put Names Into Assembly Speaker Race

  While his seat is still warm 3 assembly members have announced their intentions to be the next speaker. 

  1 -   Queens Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, (the assembly Education Committee chair) who would be the first woman to lead either legislative chamber in Albany, launched her campaign to replace Silver. Nolan's only possible shot at being the next speaker would have Queens Democratic County Leader Joe Crowley go to bat for her. There is good relations with the Bronx, but Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie has also thrown his name into the speakers race.

 2 -   Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie (the Bronx Democratic County Leader)  is the chair of the Labor Committee, and would be the first African-American speaker. Heastie wrought the Bronx Democratic County Leadership away from the previous Bronx county leader in the infamous 'Battle at the Paradise Theater' in 2008. There was a possibility of a coup at the 2014 Bronx Democratic County Convention, that was squashed before it could gain any momentum. Heastie  is saying that he would fight for all New Yorkers and increase accountability and transparency, but he could be another Sheldon Silver type of leader.

2 -   Assemblyman Joseph Lentol of Brooklyn the chair of the Assembly Codes Committee threw his hat into the ring as well, saying he would “liberalize the operations” of the Assembly as speaker. Right now it is unknown if Lentol has the backing of the Brooklyn Democratic organization.

  Also expected to throw his name into the mix is Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright. Wright chairs the Housing Committee. 

  The interim Speaker will be the Majority Leader of the Assembly Joseph Morelle who must also be considered for the permanent speaker position. The state assembly will choose a new permanent speaker on February 10th. 

Any Possibility of Reform in Albany - Now With the departure of Sheldon Silver

  In an interview with City and State  a diverse group of assembly members from New York City and upstate have held a series of meetings to discuss the best way to ensure that there is reform to Assembly operations going forward. C&S states that this group of 20 - 25 members had talked reform, even before 'SILVERGATE'. 

  “Our angle is to present a set of reforms that we’re going to formalize to all the candidates that put their names out there as potential speaker and see how they stand on these reforms,” said Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda. “We want to open [the process] up and make it more democratic and not invest so much power in one person.”

  Members of the reform movement have not yet thrown their support behind a particular candidate for speaker, but Sepúlveda said that any contender who didn't express interest in discussing these reforms would be a “non-starter” for him.

  Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer stressed that the movement has not been formalized in any way—it is not yet a conference or a caucus—and that the list of reforms is still being drafted. “There’s a range of issues in which we have a difference of opinion, but I think in general our interest is in making sure these interests are fully vetted before the next speaker is elected and that there’s both some short-term changes and a long-term commitment,” Mayer said.

  Both Mayer and Sepúlveda said challenging the Assembly's seniority rules will be paramount. Traditionally, influence and leadership roles—such as chairmanships or speakership—are gained largely through seniority. Currently, about 40 percent of the Assembly is made up of members who have been newly elected in the past 6-8 years.

  “This is a once in a lifetime—at least for us new members, 42 percent of the body is relatively new—this is an opportunity for us to reflect change,” Sepúlveda said. “No one person should have this much power.”

The entire City and State article can be found at this link.

WILLIAMS TO CHAIR COUNCIL HEARING TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE EXPIRATION OF THE 421-A TAX EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 10:00 AM CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL

Tomorrow, the New York City Council's Committee on Housing and Buildings, Chaired by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader, , will hold an oversight hearing entitled "A Review of the 421-a Tax Benefit Program." The 421-a program was designed to encourage residential development of underused land by significantly reducing the property taxes for time periods ranging from 10 to 25 years, and has has two main objectives - stimulate residential development and increase access to affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers.  Housing advocates argue that the tax exemption is a give away for developers and costs the city more than $1 billion in tax revenue per year, while others argue that 421-a is a necessary tool to meet the Mayor's ambitions 10-year affordable housing goal. The Rent Act of 2011 extended the 421-a tax exemption to June 15, 2015, and unless the State Legislature extends the program, the tax exemption will expire on that date.  This hearing will focus on the benefits and drawbacks of the program, including a consideration whether or not the tax exemption should be allowed to sunset this June. WHO: Council Member Jumaane D. Williams; members of the Council's Housing and Buildings Committee; those testifying, including members of the Administration,  elected officials, housing developers, housing advocates, members of the real estate industry, and other interested members of the public. WHAT: Council Oversight Hearing on 421-a Tax Exemptions for Residential Developments WHERE: Chambers of City Hall WHEN: Thursday, January 29, 2015, 10:00 AM CONTACT: William Gerlich, wgerlich@council.nyc.gov or 917-608-8784

And the Next Speaker of the Assembly IS --

  With his future as the speaker of the assembly in great doubt ever since having been arrested by the U.S. Attorney's office on several counts of corruption, assembly Democrats are scrambling to find an interim speaker if and when Silver steps down as speaker. That move however would require a change in the assembly rules.  ODDS for a new speaker EVEN MONEY.and dropping every minute.

Current Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle who is now being touted as a caretaker speaker until mid February or even for 90 days, then a permanent replacement to Silver will be chosen. ODDS 8 - 1

 

Bronx Democratic County Leader Carl Heastie has gained some momentum, as it appears that Heastie may have the backing of Queens Democratic organization. However that will not be near enough votes to become the next speaker. ODDS 20 - 1

My money is on Manhattan Democratic County Leader Keith Wright. In the redrawing of the 15th congressional district one version had the district go through the Bronx and into Mount Vernon. This was the best case scenario for Assemblyman Heastie, but the district remained a majority Manhattan district to the advantage of Assemblyman and Manhattan county leader Keith Wright.  ODDS 3 - 5

Any other assembly Democrat ODDS are 10 - 1.to 99 - 1.

Any assembly Republican  the ODDS are off the board.

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: NYS Assembly Leadership

  "As the members of the Democratic conference of the New York State Assembly consider the future of their leadership, one thing must be clear throughout the process: the next speaker of the Assembly must be elected from New York City.

“New York City has always been at the forefront of Democratic Party polices and principles, and the New York State Assembly has traditionally led the charge on issues this city holds dear, be it rent control and tenant protections, the minimum wage, public education and transportation funding, to name a few.

"Without an Assembly Speaker from the five boroughs, no leadership position in the legislature would be held by a legislator from New York City. Abandoning that tradition would be of grave concern to the 8.5 million residents of the city of New York," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Assembly Leader Hopefuls Down to 2 Names

    Rumors are swirling around Albany that the proposed 5 person care taker assembly leadership team is now down to only 2 names. The original 5 included Denny Farrell (former Manhattan Democratic County Leader), Carl Heastie (Bronx Democratic County Leader), Kathleen Nolan (Queens), Joe Lentol (Brooklyn), and Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle (Rochester). 

   And the 2 finalist are - Denny Farrell and Joe Morelle. Farrell is from Manhattan, but turns 83 soon and Morelle is from upstate Rochester, unlike Sheldon Silver who was from Manhattan only. It has been said any new speaker would have to come from NYC. 

  Governor Andrew Cuomo has publicly rejected the idea of an assembly leadership by committee, as has Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Assembly and senate Republicans have only said that Sheldon Silver should step down, and have no name to replace him.

  Just like the snow falling outside, it could be a while until we see the end to both items.