Public Money Flows Freely At The NYC Board Of Elections

The Daily News proved this weekend what a lot of people either suspected or knew to be true, that the Board of Elections in our city is corrupt. Tim Robbins knew something was wrong over there when he tried to cast his vote but at least that could be labeled incompetence. The story of them getting the NY State Legislature to boost their incomes while pampering themselves on the city's dime is pure, unadulterated greed.

From The NY Daily News:

The city's elections commissioners won approval for a big fat pay raise last year, after swearing they needed extra cash because they're not reimbursed for board-related expenses.

One problem: It's not true.

All but one of eight sitting commissioners received thousands of dollars in reimbursements for air fare, luxury hotel accommodations and meals, a Daily News investigation has found.

The commissioners and agency employees appear to routinely get taxpayers to pick up expenses barred by city rules -- everything from a "deep tissue" massage to an $800 dinner.

As the article points out, the board commissioners held Grimaldi's pizza parties, went to conferences more than regulations allowed (paid for by you and I) and many, many more expenses that had no business being picked up by the city. And of course, the commissioners swear that they didn't write the legislation for their additional pay raises, and neither did the co-sponsors of the bill, Vito Lopez (figures) and Serph Maltese (also figures). With both sides denying writing the language, that most likely means that the commissioners and Lopez/Maltese wrote it, with the benefits going around to all involved. Just my opinion of course, but this is New York politics we're talking about.

Addabbo And Maltese Square Off In Queens

Queens County has the ability to turn the status of power in the State Senate this year and Joseph Addabbo can be a part of that change. He is one of two Democratic Councilmen running for higher office, including Jim Gennaro who is running against Frank Padavan in the nearby 15th District. Addabbo is considered to have a good shot at throwing out the incumbent Serphin Maltese and was out to prove it at their debate last night.

From The Queens Chronicle:

Addabbo positioned himself as an agent of change, arguing that his city council record, along with his energy and fresh ideas, would allow him to reinvigorate the 15th Senate District. He cited as an example his “Adopt-A-Station” plan, similar to the “Adopt-A-Highway” program already in place, which he had proposed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow local businesses “to help beautify the A and J lines.”

The debate heated up when Maltese emphasized the advantages of being a 20-year incumbent. “Councilman Addabbo would come in as a new man, a neophyte, somebody that would not command the authority and funds that I do,” he said. “He would come in as sixty-second out of 62 senators, and that’s not going to command a great deal of attention for any plan he may come up with.”

Addabbo responded with one of the many one-liners he delivered that night: “At least I have a plan.… You don’t need seniority to have confidence in working with the MTA.”

What Addabbo didn't mention is that when the Senate has a Democratic Majority, Serphin's longevity in the Senate won't amount to a hill of beans. Being in the minority is a huge disadvantage to any politician, whether they're in there for thirty days or thirty years.

Also according to the Chronicle, Addabbo was cheered by the immigrant community for opposing Maltese's legislation that promoted racial profiling after 9/11. In the most diverse areas of the country, the old ways of thinking about immigrants should not be tolerated in our 21st century society, whether that be at the Presidential level, or on the State Senate side of things.

The article also focuses on whether a train station smells of urine or not and the seriousness of going to check out the problem as soon as possible, which adds for a little humor to the debate.

Self-Interest Motivates Bloomberg To Stump For Maltese

Rumors may be swirling that Michael Bloomberg may run for re-election as a Democrat but it really is hard to gauge what party he wants to hang his hat on. He recently endorsed Democratic challenger Dennis Shulman for Congress out in New Jersey, but his latest push is for old-time Republican State Senator Serphin Maltese.

From PolitickerNY:

Michael Bloomberg will make his first campaign appearance with Republican State Senator Serf Maltese of Queens, who is in a tight race for re-election against Democrat Joe Addabbo, a City Councilman.

Bloomberg, an independent, has spoken openly about the need to help Republicans maintain their control of the State Senate since Democrats already control the governor's mansion and the Assembly.

The irony here is that Bloomberg's efforts may be undone by Addabbo, who Bloomberg aides encouraged to run two years ago.

Bloomberg makes himself out to look independent with his endorsements of various candidates, but looking at the big picture shows that he is only looking out for #1. He exaggerated New York's fiscal status to scare people into giving him a shot at running for re-election. He is helping Republican Chris Shays in Connecticut, someone who has like-minded constituencies they both enjoy serving. Dennis Shulman is in New Jersey and gives Bloomberg political cover for sticking with Republicans like Maltese back here in New York.

Really when it comes down to it, Bloomberg is trying to hold onto as much power as he can to remake New York into a playground for the rich. With the Republicans holding on to the Senate, a bill that could overrule his term limit gambit would be stuck in the Assembly where it is currently gaining support. Further, a Democratic State Senate is something Bloomberg opposes because it would open the floodgates for legislation that would help New Yorkers other than wealthy developers. So the Mayor will do whatever it takes to keep Republicans in control so that ultimate authority in New York City will continue to rest with him.

Another State Senate Primary Comes To An Early Close

Just two weeks after Jimmy Dahroug dropped out his State Senate campaign in the 3rd district for establishment-favored Brian Foley, Albert Baldeo is letting his primary opponent off to face incumbent Serph Maltese on his own. Baldeo, like Dahroug had run this race before and in this Queens district, had nearly ousted the veteran Maltese, missing by only 800 votes. Now he's throwing his support to Addabbo.

From The Daily Politics:

This is not good news for Maltese, who is one of the Democrats' top targets as they try to take control of the Senate from the GOP this fall. Baldeo had threatened to remain in the general election on a third party line, which could have made a difference in a contest that's expected to be very close.

Baldeo surprised New York Democrats when he nearly toppled Maltese with no assistance whatsoever from the party and made leaders realize just how vulnerable the Queens Republican is.

That is another similarity with Dahroug, who made the establishment take notice of Republican Senator Caesar Trunzo. Though from what I know in the progressive community, Addabbo has had more support than Foley did before Dahroug dropped out. Regardless, we now have two strong Democratic challengers who can knock out Trunzo and Maltese....and make our State Senate blue again.