Colby Hamilton

Jay Walder’s resignation as head of the MTA last month caught city and state officials totally by surprise. It also added another thing to sweat about during a brutal heat wave. The man that had guided the transit agency through the fiscal crisis fallout by implementing harsh but largely unavoidable cutbacks—fare hikes, and budget gouging—was leaving. He’s taking a gig in Hong Kong that pays three times as much, running a system that is posting sizable profits.

A few days later, Walder and the rest of the MTA board dropped the latest budget numberson riders. The agency’s five-year capital program—the money pool that pays for big projects, like construction on the 2nd Avenue subway line and the 7 train extension, as well as overall maintenance—was underfunded by $9 billion for the final three years. The agency is adding a fare hike in 2015, on top of the scheduled fare increase next year. It also wants to borrow $6.9 billion to help cover these costs.

This is a sorry song that straphangers have been listening to for years now. The public response was less of an outrage than an exhausted sigh. Given the perennial state of crises the MTA finds itself in, and the continued financial burdens being passed along to riders, it’s worth rememberingthe immortal words of David Byrne: “You may ask yourself, ‘Well, how did I get here?’”

In a story that will undoubtedly have major political ramifications across the city, the AP's Adam Goldman reports that the NYPD has been using a CIA-like intelligence unit to monitor area Muslims. From the story"

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the NYPD has become one of the country's most aggressive domestic intelligence agencies. A months-long investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that the NYPD operates far outside its borders and targets ethnic communities in ways that would run afoul of civil liberties rules if practiced by the federal government. And it does so with unprecedented help from the CIA in a partnership that has blurred the bright line between foreign and domestic spying.

Neither the city council, which finances the department, nor the federal government, which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars each year, is told exactly what's going on.

Click here to read more.

Getty Images

As intrepid reporter Azi Paybarah noted earlier today, former New York Governor George Pataki had his presidential campaign inadvertently go live. The governor's press person said the release was "premature"--he hasn't, it seems, officially made his way into the race--but, as we reported earlier this week, any presidential Pataki campaign can amount to only two things: a possible VP slot on a ticket that needs his centrist credentials, or a slot somewhere in the new Republican administration.

She might make land on Sunday and it looks like the governor's trying to get the state prepared for Hurricane Irene:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today ordered the state's Office of Emergency Management to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene, which may hit New York State this coming Sunday. The Governor has instructed the state's Emergency Operations Center in Albany to track the storm and to work with other state agencies to prepare the state's response.

At the Governor's direction, agencies and local governments around the state will meet today to plan coordinated response efforts, such as emergency operations support and field staff deployments to areas that are expected to be hit the hardest. Relevant state agencies have also been in communication with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service to discuss the potential tracks of the storm and to determine storm planning efforts.

"We are actively working to ensure that New York State is prepared for the potential impact of Hurricane Irene," Governor Cuomo said. "The state government is coordinating with our federal and local partners so that we can effectively respond to any emergency situation that may arise due to the storm. I encourage New Yorkers to pay close attention to the track of the hurricane and, if necessary, to follow the instructions of emergency officials. By properly preparing in advance, we can most calmly and decisively take action if the storm arrives."

The New York Civil Liberties Union just released a report on the rise of anti-Muslim activities throughout the state. The report, according to NYCLU, "examines the role that federal national security policies, law enforcement agencies and politicians have played in inflaming anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-mosque activities."

“Government policies that cast blanket suspicion on all Muslim residents are misguided and divisive,” Udi Ofer, one of the paper's authors, said in a statement. “Religious profiling was unconstitutional before 9/11, and it’s unconstitutional after 9/11. Our elected officials must stand up for religious freedom and ensure that New Yorkers treat each other with respect and understanding.”

Nine incidents of anti-Muslim activity across the state are reviewed in the report. NYCLU says the acts on the Muslim community put First Amendment religious protections at risk for everyone.

“While opponents of mosque projects have a constitutional right to express their views, our public officials must work to ensure that New York remains a welcoming place for all who want to live and worship here, and that the rights and freedoms of those who wish to build mosques are also protected,” NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in the statement.

Check out the full report after the jump.

By Emma Jacobs/WRVO for the The Innovation Trail

When Governor Andrew Cuomo pulled together the Central New York regional council on the economy he tapped business leaders and university presidents. Some of those council members were in the room on Tuesday night for a giant public brainstorming session at Lemoyne Le Moyne College. So were regular folk, like retiree Diane from Dewitt. She said she came to the event to find solutions.

“Consolidation and reducing taxes. That’s what drives kids and businesses out of our area,” she said.

Teenager Zack Kukulsky was at the table to speak for the younger set. He said he would stay in the region if he could.

“If there were jobs I could support a family on and live, go out and buy cars and all,” he said.

Jobs and work opportunities were the theme of the night. Participants said the challenges were big, and would require a lot of resources.

The regional councils have to present their plans by November to compete for a pot of state funds.

Weprin, left, and Turner, right, with the debate organizers Monday. (Colby Hamilton / WNYC)

But do their claims hold water?

Over the course of the rowdy hour-and-a-half long debate in Queens on Monday, Republican Bob Turner and Democrat David Weprin were asked what scared them most about their opponents.

Weprin began, “I’m very scared of his Tea Party philosophy and his…” The chorus of boos forced him to stop. He continued, “I’m sorry you’re having trouble with the truth. ‘Cut, cut, cut—cut the budget 35 percent and not consider any taxes’…” He was interrupted again by someone shouting, “Stop the spending” to a round of cheers. “And I’m scared of those extreme views even by some of his supporters in the audience.”

“Mr. Weprin is tainted by a long career in politics,” Turner said when he took the mike, silence punctuating his pause between sentences. “He’s part of the system. And that’s why he has got to go.”

With just a few weeks before the election to decide who will succeed Anthony Weiner as the congressman from the 9th Congressional District, the candidates have been going head-to-head in debates this week. A televised debate was taped yesterday, and another live debate was scheduled in the district last night.

Even before the debate, both sides have painted each other as caricatures. One the Obama-loving corrupt career politician who leaves a trail of questionable ethics behind him as he clambers for higher office. The other an obstructionist, dangerous Tea Partier bent on destroying the social safety net that so many in the district count on. In truth, they’re not so much running against each other as test driving the 2012 arguments their respective parties hope will carry them to the White House and into control of Congress.

Halfway through her opening statements, Jane Deacy decided to stop and start over. She was off to a rough start making her case for the 23rd Assembly District in Queens, stumbling over her sentences, and, as she put it, rambling a bit. She recovered, going on to discuss her qualifications: former police officer and teacher, long-time resident, who will help rein in the excesses of Albany.

She finished. The host, Queens Courier publisher Vickie Schnapps, thanked her. “Thank you,” Deacy responded a little too loudly.

She and her Democratic opponent Phil Goldfeder sat in a Queens Public Television studio in Flushing. Six or so people were in the audience, mostly members of the candidates’ campaigns. A large screen behind the set displayed an American flag-homage graphic and the words “23rd Assembly District,” the seat the candidates are running for.

The debate—if you can call it that—was being taped for broadcast soon, and might be the one and only time voters get to measure the candidates up, side-by-side. Special elections are usually snoozefests, but this year’s batch of races for the Assembly have produced a few surprising contests. The race in the 23rd is one.

While the message was directed at Democratic Assemblyman and congressional candidate David Weprin, we couldn't help but feel also admonished by the sternness of the Turner campaign in this new press release. To be fair to Weprin, the offense in question actually came from the national Democratic Party, but that's no excuse!

"Today's earthquake frightened a lot of New Yorkers, including children and seniors citizens who remain deeply unsettled from the tremors," said Turner campaign spokesman William O'Reilly. "Using a terrifying incident like an earthquake - an hour after it occurred - as a political punch line is highly inappropriate.  We would ask that Mr. Weprin use better judgment in the remaining days of this campaign." [Emphasis added.]

To those children and seniors we may have offended, we apologize. If David Weprin did the same, he'll have to tell you sorry himself.

From DoH's spokesperson Diane Mathis:

The Department is continuing to have discussions with members of the Peninsula Hospital board and potential investors regarding possible strategies that would preserve the hospital.

After an earthquake shook New York City this afternoon, candidates from across the city condemned the action, vowing to get to the bottom of the seismic activity. Those running from local party spots to congressional seats promised to work closely with government officials and community groups to ensure whoever was responsible for this afternoon's disturbance would be held accountable.

When asked for specifics about who, exactly, they felt was responsible for the earthquake, candidates said it was too soon to point fingers. A person close to the candidates, however, said the candidate's opponents, or their opponents parties, or their opponents views on anything they the candidates disagreed with were likely involved in whatever created the earthquake. The source spoke anonymously because they did not want to upset the candidate.

Community leaders said the candidates they supported had promised to do everything in their power to keep earthquakes out of the communities. Passing a local, state and/or federal "No Earthquakes" bill was discussed.

The candidates praised emergency responders and security personnel throughout New York City and State, while saying the MTA should do more to keep earthquakes from inconveniencing riders.

Let's take a quick look, shall we, at the State Board of Elections campaign filings.

In the race for the 27th Assembly District, Democrat Michael Simanowitz has brought in over $114,000 since the special election campaign started. His opponent, Republican Marco Desena, did not file the required 32-day filing (or it's just not up). On his July filing, Desena's campaign had raised $9,200.

Having out-raised his opponent by more than 10-to-1, the race for the 27th appears to be as easy a win for Simanowitz--the long-serving chief of staff to the assemblywoman whose resignation opened the door for his run--as expected.

The race for the 23rd Assembly District is a bit different. We're going to be covering the race again before the election, but it's worth noting the fundraising totals. Phil Goldfeder, the Democrat in the race, has over $107,000 on hand as of his latest filing. He's also spent almost $50,500. Jane Deacy,whose office opening we covered, has lent her campaign $10,000 and has almost $44,000 in the bank heading into the final month.

The senator put out this statement just a bit ago:

Senator Martin Malave Dilan has submitted an amicus brief (“friend of court”) to the State Supreme Court in Albany supporting the constitutionality of the 2010 law requiring prisoners to be counted at their prior “homes of record” for state legislative redistricting.  At stake are state legislative districts reflecting proper “one person, one vote” populations.

The amicus brief is submitted in connection with Little v. LATFOR, a challenge to Part XX of Chapter 57 of the laws of 2010.  The amicus brief  supports the law and urges the court to deny the plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion.  LATFOR (Legislative Advisory Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment) is the state legislative task force that develops new legislative redistricting plans and is charged with implementation of the new prisoner counting law.

Included within the brief are copies of written communication between Senator Dilan and the Department of Corrections and Community Services (DOCCS) while he was Co-Chair of LATFOR in 2009-2010 and began implementation of the law.  Also included are communications between Senator Dilan and current LATFOR Co-Chairs Senator Michael Nozzolio and Assemblyman John McEneny regarding the need to continue the technical work of reassigning prisoners to their prior residences.

Senator Dilan remains a vocal proponent of LATFOR following current state law and has made repeated demands for LATFOR to continue the work he began.  Senator Dilan’s amicus brief filing makes it clear to the court his interest as a LATFOR member to see the law upheld.

A copy of Senator Dilan’s court submission is attached.

Jerry Sullivan addresses the press with Chief Dolan, left, and a supporter at today's protest. (Arun Venugopal / WNYC)

Late yesterday morning I received this in an email about a protest today.

FURIOUS NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTERS AND OFFICERS  AND 9/11 FAMILY MEMBERS WILL DEMAND THAT NO TAXPAYER MONEY GO IN TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF GROUND ZERO MOSQUE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 22ND  AT 12 NOON OUTSIDE ST. PAUL'S  CHURCH YARD AT THE CORNER  OF CHURCH AND VESEY  STREETS IN DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN.

The funds in question were part of a $17 million Federal block grant the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation received. Last September LMDC announced it was accepting applications from "not-for-profit and government organizations engaged in cultural or community programs or projects that benefit the residents, workers, and communities of Lower Manhattan."

In November 2010, Park51 announced it was applying for a portion of the funds on its website:

Park51 has applied for a Lower Manhattan Development Corporation grant which would in part fund social service programs for all the residents of Lower Manhattan such as domestic violence prevention, Arabic and other foreign language classes, programs and services for homeless veterans, two multi-cultural art exhibits and immigration services.

There were a few notes in the press at the time. As LMDC has not official announced who will be receiving the funds, there isn't any specific, recent event that might trigger renewed interest in the subject. Except. of course, for Republican Bob Turner's congressional race out in Queens.

msnbc.org

As our sister site It’s A Free Country reported earlier—and a number of other outlets have been speculating about recently—former New York Governor George Pataki is testing the water on a potential presidential run. With the national Republican field splintered and no clear frontrunner present, Pataki’s entry would be as the saner centrist candidate. But few see either an opening nationally or a legacy as governor back in New York that gives Pataki a chance.

“George Pataki is an extremely nice man and he was a good governor for his first term,” said political consultant George Arzt. “But to think, with his values, he would stand a chance in a Republican—in a right-wing Republican—primary, that is really ludicrous.”

Those values as governor, as Gerald Benjamin, a professor of political science at SUNY New Paltz, noted, were likely to be seen more as liabilities than assets among Republican primary voters. “Having to come to term with the labor unions, his spending record, his record on social issues, suggest it would be very hard to get nominated,” Benjamin said.

While the consensus is that getting the presidential nod—especially this late in the process—is near impossible (“I think all the other Republicans would have to be on a bus that went off a cliff,” one person noted), other options were still on the table. The potential to counterbalance a right-leaning ticket with the Northeastern moderate Pataki could be a more realistic place for the former governor to end up. Likewise, taking out airtime in New Hampshire reminds any Republican candidate that, should they get elected, Pataki is there man for a high-level political appointment in their administration.

“That’s the conclusion you’re driven to,” said Benjamin.

Additionally, there is no indication that Pataki has tapped his fundraising network, or that he has generated much interest inside the state party. Without funds or a base of support, a potential presidential run by Pataki will amount to little more than speculation by a former governor with not much name recognition or legacy to run on.

“I think he’s really been invisible since he left office,” said Baruch College political science professor Thomas Halper. “I don’t even remember him being discussed when [Governor] Paterson was having all his problems. I don’t remember anyone saying, ‘Pataki, remember the good old days?’”

By Patricia Willens, with reporting by Marie Cuskick/WHMT of The Innovation Trail

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens (Courtesy of DEC)

As New York wrestles with how to regulate gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is bringing together people from both sides of the hydrofracking debate. The new 17-member advisory panel met with the DEC for the first time yesterday. It's made up of gas industry representatives, environmentalists, and local government officials. Five more people were added to the original panel to include more local voices, including a Farm bureau rep and a New York-based gas and oil association member.

They're charged with making sure that state and local governments have enough resources to handle everything that comes along with the controversial drilling technique, from regulations and permits, to roads and infrastructure.

“There are existing revenue sources to the state and local governments from this activity. We want to assess what those are and how those compare to the needs that are likely to be required if high-volume hydraulic fracturing proceeds like we anticipate it will,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens told reporters after the closed-door meeting.

The panel will convene over the next few months, with recommendations expected by early November.

Robert Moore is the executive director of Environmental Advocates of New York and one of the panel members. He believes it will be a daunting task to make sure drilling is done right.

"The governor has said time and time again if this is done, it will be done safely. He didn't say it will be done cost effectively, he didn't say it will be done as safe as we can afford ... he said it will be done safely. That was the promise made to New Yorkers and I take the governor at his word," says Moore.

The public gets to weigh in and comment on the DEC’s next draft ofits rules that will regulate drilling. That report is due by the end of the month.

[To hear the candidates in their own words, check out the videos of the debate on the Brooklyn Politics Blog. Apologies to Colin for my fat head getting in the frame.]

(L to R) Towns, Gonzalez and Espinal. (Colby Hamilton / WNYC)

At their best, candidate debates--especially intra-party ones, and this intensifies the further you move down the political ladder--can be sport. Because of the unpolished candidates, the unapologetic provincialism, and the passions brought out by local factions fighting over the tiniest pieces of the pie, they can become combative, chair-throwing, name-calling, finger-pointing affairs.

More often they are just the snooziest. There are two people essentially agreeing on all the issues. Their appeal to individual voters is based on the slimmest of nuanced differences.

Last night's debate in the Cypress Hills section of Brooklyn, between the three candidates running for the open seat in the 54th Assembly District, veered toward the latter. In fact, it wasn't until the debate had moved past the hour mark that the distinctions between Deidra Towns, Jesus Gonzalez and Rafael Espinal became fully understood.

By Alec Hamilton, additional reporting by Colby Hamilton

(Courtesty of the candidate's Facebook page.)

Deidra Towns is running to succeed her brother as the 54th Assembly District representative in Brooklyn. She’s also the daughter of Congressman Ed Towns—a fact that could explain why she’s getting a significant amount of financial support from out-of-state donors. According to a WNYC analysis of state Board of Election filings, a full third of the nearly $91,000 she has raised came from outside New York.

This is in contrast to her opponents, Democratic Party pick Rafael Espinal and Work Families Party-supported Jesus Gonzalez, who have raised, respectively, four and fifteen percent of their campaign chest from non-New Yorkers. The Espinal campaign has raised a total of $74,440, while Gonzalez leads all fundraising efforts with $100,632 raised so far.

Receiving support from out-of-state contributors is nothing new in local politics, but Deidra Towns’ filings reveal the dominating influence Congressman Towns has had on her fundraising efforts. A quick look at some of the biggest donors listed in the two filings submitted to the state Board of Elections show a number of donations that come from the campaigns of sitting Congressmen, funds setup by Congressmen, and lobbyists connected to Congress, as well as donors who also gave to Congressman Towns.

The state's Department of Labor just came out with the latest economic portrait of the city and state. State and city unemployment held steady in July, at 8 and 8.7 percent respectively. Both figures were below the national average of 9.1 percent.

“The New York State economy added 14,100 private sector jobs in July 2011, continuing its recovery from the effects of the last recession,” said the state's labor stats chief Bohdan Wynnyk in a statement.

For both the city and state, a clump of sectors--educational & health, professional & business services, and leisure & hospitality--have led in job growth coming out of the recession. Government jobs and manufacturing have continued to see contraction across the state.

Even as job growth continues, the department's analysis of the city's job situation remained uncertain:

Despite strong over-the-year job growth and a generally positive July, the labor market remains mixed with five sectors adding jobs over the past year while four sectors plus government all lost jobs. This is a much more uneven picture than statewide where only manufacturing and government lost jobs over the year.

This, despite the fact the city's private sector growth rate of plus-2 percent outdid both the state and nation.

One area where the tentative recovery news is not being shared is in the African American community. Between July 2010 and June 2011 African Americans were the only tracked group who saw an increasing in unemployment, from 14.2 percent to 14.3 percent. That is more than double the unemployment rate for whites.

By Karen DeWitt, WXXI Capitol Bureau Chief

(Courtesy of the Governor's office)

When Governor Andrew Cuomo signed ethics oversight legislation into law yesterday, he said it was a “major step forward" in restoring the people's trust in Albany. He touted the stricter disclosure requirements for lawmakers’ outside income, a 14-member ethics panel empowered to probe corruption charges, and the elimination of pensions for future elected officials convicted of felonies.

The deal was indeed a major step but one with big flaws, say anti-corruption champions in Albany. And they want to see the governor tackle “Round Two” of ethics reform ASAP.

“Like in boxing, round two follows up very quickly after round one,” said Senator Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat.

Krueger says she's irked that the pension forfeiture only applies to new lawmakers and spares current or former elected officials found guilty of felonies. She also doesn't like the rules for who can sit on the corruption panel.

[At least eight members of the board have to agree to an investigation, and at least two must be of the same political party, a rule that could mean just three commission members could block the wishes of 11 other members of the panel.]

At the time the bill was passed, legislative leaders and Cuomo admitted compromises were made to get something done on ethics reform which had eluded state government for years.

The next step, says Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters, should be campaign finance reform, including public financing and a ban on politicians using campaign funds for personal expenses.

She says it's “the lynchpin" to returning New York State government to the constituents and out of the clutches of special interest groups. The goal: to upend what Bartoletti calls the “incumbency protection program” in which about 96 percent of state lawmakers get re-elected, over and over again.