From the Capitol

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What’s On Your Mind?
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 4, 2012 - 11:18am
I know, I know... Everyone's focused on the Super Bowl this weekend. But for some of us, a weekend without politics would be... Well, I'm not sure how to describe it. You tell me... What's On Your Mind? Read more...
What's On Your Mind?
NY Daily News: The Daily Politics: - February 4, 2012 - 11:18am
I know, I know... Everyone's focused on the Super Bowl this weekend. But for some of us, a weekend without politics would be... Well, I'm not sure how to describe it. You tell me... What's On Your Mind?
Feel My Buns
Ridiculous Food Society of Upstate New York: - February 3, 2012 - 8:34pm
As you know, I have been on a mission to home-produce all components of a 3" mini-hot dog w/ meat sauce (from scratch). I had a few critiques of my hot dog recipe/method, you can read about that here.  Anyhow, my next step was to make...
Crowded Race Shaping Up To Replace Robert Jackson
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 6:39pm
Robert Jackson (Photo: Facebook) Councilman Robert Jackson is planning to run for borough president in 2013, and already a host of candidates are lining up to take his place for the Upper Manhattan council seat. Among them are longtime Washington...
Roundup: Looking at Tomorrow’s Nevada Vote
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 5:39pm
Jimmy Van Bramer stands by a painting of a pile of money. (Photo: Facebook) Three primary election dates could create some crazy electoral scenarios. Mayor Bloomberg supports giving money to Komen too. Governor Cuomo's getting the big money. Another...
Extras
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 5:38pm
The Democratic field for 2016 is shaping up to be quite crowded – unless Hillary Clinton decides to make a go of it. US Sen. Chuck Schumer endorsed “worker bee” NYC Councilman Lew Fidler for ex-Sen. Carl Kruger’s seat. Filder said he “never, ever, ever...
End Game: Payroll Up and Unemployment Down
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 5:30pm
Good evening ... here are your p.m. headlines ... The Labor Department’s latest report will be good news for those seeking work. Payrolls rose by 243,000 and the jobless rate dropped to 8.3%, which has not been seen since February 2009. (NYDN) Obama...
End Game: Payroll Up and Unemployment Down
NY Daily News: The Daily Politics: - February 3, 2012 - 5:30pm
Good evening ... here are your p.m. headlines ... The Labor Department’s latest report will be good news for those seeking work. Payrolls rose by 243,000 and the jobless rate dropped to 8.3%, which has not been seen since February 2009. (NYDN) Obama...
It Felt Good to get this off my Chest
The Albany Project: - February 3, 2012 - 5:24pm
I'm glad I got to tell the hacks on LATFOR how pathetic they are at the Brooklyn LATFOR hearing on Wednesday. Here's to free speech.  
Sean Maloney Eyes House Run
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:58pm
A reader emailed a tip earlier today that Sean Patrick Maloney, a former top aide in the Spitzer and Paterson administrations, is mulling a potential House run in whatever becomes of NY-22 – the district currently held by retiring Rep. Maurice Hinchey –...
Krueger: Dead Politicians Shouldn’t Be Spending Campaign Cash
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:42pm
Senator Krueger (Photo: Facebook) The Politicker recently noticed some amusing campaign committee spending, including former Rep. Eric Massa, who resigned under male-groping allegations, using his non-existent campaign to pay his wife, and a former...
Nightmare Scenarios Spawned By Prospect Of 3 Primaries
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:33pm
A reader with a lot of knowledge of the state of play in various New York House districts emailed to note that the possibility of three separate primary dates in New York – April 24 (presidential), June 26 (House and US Senate) and Sept. 11 (state...
Video: CSEA chisels away at budget proposal
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:14pm
Here’s the CSEA TV spot assailing Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal — albeit in ways that offer no specifics whatsoever. It doesn’t even mention Tier VI, for heaven’s sake. Instead, the attack stays broad and very vague. Update...
CSEA Takes Aim At State Budget In New TV Ad
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:01pm
It wouldn’t be February without an ad knocking the proposed state budget, and CSEA didn’t disappoint, releasing the first negative ad of the budget year. The television ad from the state’s largest public-employees union takes aim at the overall budget...
Schumer Continues to ‘Confuse’ Warren Buffett With Mitt Romney
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 4:00pm
Chuck Schumer at a campaign event for Lew Fidler Senator Chuck Schumer had some fun the other day when he "mistakenly" confused the "Buffett Rule," President Barack Obama's tax proposal that the wealthy pay at least the same tax rate as the middle...
This week on ‘NYN’: Silver on dysfunction’s end
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 3:58pm
At least for now: The latest installment of WMHT’s “New York Now” features Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio in conversation with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The Manhattan Democrat hands much of the credit for the smooth...
Becker Says He Is The Front-runner To Take On Hayworth
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 3:39pm
Richard Becker, a Westchester cardiologist and county legislator sent out an email to supporters crowing that he is now the front-runner in the Democratic primary for the right to take on Nan Hayworth for the Hudson Valley congressional seat. "Our...
AG Schneiderman sues banks over foreclosure practices
The Empire: - February 3, 2012 - 3:17pm
Courtesy of the Attorney General’s office. With WNYC’s Ilya Marritz New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit Friday against some of the nation’s largest banks, accusing them of initiating fraudulent foreclosures...
Legislators want bus route covered
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 3:14pm
Democrats on the Board of Legislators say they won’t back County Executive Rob Astorino’s nixing of a bus route in Rye. So they plan on communicating with the state Department of Transportation as it considers approving changes to county bus routes,...
Fidler: I Never Said Storobin Was a Neo-Nazi
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 2:40pm
Councilman Fidler (Photo: Facebook) At a press conference announcing Senator Chuck Schumer's endorsement, Councilman Lew Fidler, who's campaigning for the New York State Senate, addressed the dust-up over his comments that his opponent, Republican...
Kirsten Gillibrand Is Glad Komen Reversed Plans To Cut Planned Parenthood Grants
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 2:39pm
Kirsten Gillibrand (Photo: Wikimedia) Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pleased with the breast cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, reversing its controversial decision to stop giving Planned Parenthood grants for breast cancer screenings. "While...
Dems: Astorino child care cuts ‘mean-spirited’
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 2:38pm
Democrats on the Board of Legislators today accused County Executive Rob Astorino of undermining them on child care and they are calling on him to stop making “mean-spirited pronouncements.” The rebuke came a day after the Republican executive announced...
Quinnipiac Poll Reveals New York As Desired Super Bowl Celebration Spot
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 2:15pm
Take that, Chris Christie! An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers would rather celebrate a Giants Super Bowl win with a parade in Manhattan than one in New Jersey, a new poll finds. The Quinnipiac survey puts Manhattan over a Garden State locale -- 75-...
Quinnipiac Poll Reveals New York As Desired Super Bowl Celebration Spot
NY Daily News: The Daily Politics: - February 3, 2012 - 2:15pm
Take that, Chris Christie! An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers would rather celebrate a Giants Super Bowl win with a parade in Manhattan than one in New Jersey, a new poll finds. The Quinnipiac survey puts Manhattan over a Garden State locale -- 75-...
Civic Groups Request NYPD Investigation
TU Capitol Confidential: - February 3, 2012 - 1:56pm
A group of 33 American Muslim, Arab and South Asian civic groups want state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate how the NYPD investigates Muslim communities in the city. The AP reported today that police began increasing surveillance of "...