"Emails reveal how major Hochul campaign donors seek sway -Communications show campaign aides serving as links to top government staff"
Chris Bragg, Albany, New York Times Union
April 10, 2022
ALBANY — As Gov. Kathy Hochul smashed campaign fundraising records last year, she held dozens of intimate, high-dollar events that gave affluent donors one-on-one time to speak with her.
Like many other attendees, Wayne Chaplin had business interests before state government.
And when Chaplin attended a fundraiser in the Rochester area on Oct. 30, he was not there for small talk.
According to emails Chaplin later wrote, the chief executive officer of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits told Hochul about a contentious bill being pushed by his company, which is the largest wine and spirits distribution company in the United States.
If the proposal became state law, it could add to Southern Glazer’s billions in annual revenue and generate substantial state tax receipts — but increase wine prices and crush smaller competitors.
According to the emails, the governor encouraged Chaplin to follow up on the proposal with her campaign staff — staff that subsequently helped the businessman gain access to a top member of Hochul’s administration.
The day of the fundraiser, five limited liability companies based in Miami, all of which share an address with Southern Glazer’s, donated a total of $25,000 to Hochul’s campaign.
That particular bill has yet to make progress in the Legislature, but the Hochul administration has backed the company's interests in other ways.
During the recent state budget negotiations, according to Democratic state Sen. James Skoufis, Hochul’s office repeatedly shot down Senate proposals to level the playing field within the alcohol industry — ideas strongly opposed by Southern Glazer’s.
In response to a Freedom of Information Law request, Hochul’s office last week provided the Times Union with 161 pages of emails that offer a glimpse of how affluent campaign donors try to leverage that status to land high-level government access.
A significant chunk of Hochul’s campaign fundraising was facilitated through top Albany lobbying firms, which held high-dollar fundraisers that were exclusive to their lobbying clients.
According to the donors’ accounts in the emails, Hochul did not discourage discussion of state business at these events, and directed donors to connect with her campaign staff — which subsequently connected them to top state officials.
In another instance, a board member for a trade group organized a fundraiser in conjunction with Hochul’s campaign, and bluntly stated he’d be able to raise more money for Hochul if she included a $500 million item in the budget.
Hochul's government office and campaign declined to comment on the interactions with specific campaign donors.
But Hochul's campaign spokesman, Jerrel Harvey, said campaign staff has never "encouraged or facilitated donors to engage in conversations about fundraising activities with government officials" nor does "anyone on the campaign advocate on behalf of donors to the administration."
"It is not unusual or improper for the governor to speak with attendees at her events and it is within ethical guidelines for her staff to redirect people to the proper office," he said.
Hochul's governmental press secretary, Hazel Crampton-Hays, said that as public servants, Hochul's government staff receives communications from a "wide range of New Yorkers on a daily basis."
"We welcome the views of different advocacy groups on policy issues, but every decision is made by the governor and her team based on what is best for New Yorkers," she said.
"No donation has any influence on any government decisions, and we strongly reject any implication otherwise."
Liquor lobbying
The Rochester-area fundraiser in October was hosted by Rob Sands, chief executive officer of Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits.
A little more than a month after attending the event, Southern Glazer's chief executive wrote an email to Casey Ryan, Hochul's director of campaign fundraising.
“Per your request,” Chaplin wrote to Ryan, “attached is an outline of the issue we discussed with the Governor when we visited in Canandaigua.”
Chaplin sent Ryan a two-page memo outlining the benefits of the so-called “at rest” bill that Southern Glazer's has been pushing, which would require alcohol imported into New York to be warehoused by a licensed state wholesaler for 24 hours.
Critics say the law would make the cost of doing business prohibitive for smaller competitors in the distribution industry.
Chaplin then stated that Ryan, the Hochul fundraiser, had agreed to forward the lobbying document to Secretary to the Governor Karen Persichilli Keogh, Hochul’s top governmental aide.
“Let me know if the attached is clear and if [Keogh] has any follow up questions,” Chaplin wrote.
“We are looking forward to hosting the Governor on December 17 in Miami."
"Thanks again for your help.”
In response to Chaplin’s Dec. 1 email, Hochul’s campaign finance director wrote that he worked for Hochul’s campaign and did not deal with governmental issues.
Ryan said that requests for state-related action should be made to government staff, and provided the email address for Micah Lasher, Hochul’s director of policy.
In an email to Lasher on Dec, 7, Chaplin forwarded his conversation with Ryan, and wrote to Lasher that he had discussed the “at rest” bill with Hochul at the October fundraiser, again passing along the memo.
“The Governor asked us to follow up with staff and Casey directed us to you,” Chaplin wrote.
“Will you be down for the Florida event next week for us to follow up on this discussion?”
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 064988.php
CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
REUTERS
"NY lieutenant governor Benjamin pleads not guilty to bribery, related charges"
Reuters
April 12, 2022
NEW YORK, April 12 (Reuters) - New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin pleaded not guilty to bribery and related criminal charges on Tuesday, after prosecutors said he directed state funds to a group controlled by a real estate developer who was a campaign donor.
Benjamin entered his plea in Manhattan federal court.
Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Chris Reese
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ny-lie ... 022-04-12/
"NY lieutenant governor Benjamin pleads not guilty to bribery, related charges"
Reuters
April 12, 2022
NEW YORK, April 12 (Reuters) - New York Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin pleaded not guilty to bribery and related criminal charges on Tuesday, after prosecutors said he directed state funds to a group controlled by a real estate developer who was a campaign donor.
Benjamin entered his plea in Manhattan federal court.
Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Chris Reese
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ny-lie ... 022-04-12/
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
"New York Lt. Gov. Benjamin resigns after indictment in campaign finance scheme"
Joshua Solomon, Chris Bragg, Albany, New York Times Union
April 12, 2022
ALBANY — New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned Tuesday afternoon, hours after he surrendered to federal authorities to face charges in an alleged quid pro quo scheme that a federal prosecutor described as "a simple story of corruption."
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Benjamin's decision just after 5 p.m.
"I have accepted Brian Benjamin's resignation effective immediately," the governor said.
"While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor."
"New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them."
Benjamin was indicted on charges of bribery and other offenses related to an alleged scheme to trade a state grant for campaign contributions.
The indictment accuses him of concealing the situation when he was being vetted last year to become Hochul's second-in-command.
According to the indictment, the former state senator is accused of steering a $50,000 grant to a charity run by Harlem real estate developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for campaign contributions, including a number of donations fraudulently given in the names of other people.
At a news conference Tuesday, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, "public corruption erodes people’s confidence and faith in government."
The case is two-pronged: bribery and then a "cover-up," Williams told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
"Quid pro quo; this for that," Williams said.
"That’s bribery, plain and simple."
He said that Benjamin "repeatedly lied" about the situation in the lead up to his confirmation to become lieutenant governor, including on forms submitted as part of his background check.
He declined to specify whether federal investigators spoke about the nomination process with Gov. Kathy Hochul's office or the state officials who handled Benjamin's vetting.
"Public corruption remains a problem in New York," Williams said.
"It is a bipartisan problem."
Benjamin surrendered Tuesday morning.
He later pleaded not guilty during an appearance before a federal magistrate in New York.
His bail was set at $250,000 and came with the condition that he stay away from Albany.
The Times Union reported in March that a $50,000 grant that was steered through the state Senate in 2019 went to Friends of Public School Harlem, an educational nonprofit led by Migdol.
Migdol was indicted in November for allegedly setting up a straw-donor scheme to benefit Benjamin's unsuccessful campaign for New York City comptroller.
Information contained in the indictment indicates that Migdol then began cooperating with federal authorities.
Benjamin is also accused of engaging in a series of “lies and deceptions" to cover up his scheme, the indictment states.
As recently as Thursday, Benjamin told reporters that he had "not been accused of any wrongdoing."
"I will be very transparent to the public about what I did," Benjamin told reporters at the Capitol.
"I’ve not been accused of any wrongdoing."
"Neither has the campaign, and so I will be making my case to the people."
Appearing earlier in the day at a news conference about a mass shooting in a Brooklyn subway station, Hochul declined to discuss her running mate's arrest, saying she had not had a chance to speak to Benjamin.
Her office, she said, would release a statement.
On Aug. 26, Hochul announced that Benjamin was her pick to become lieutenant governor, one of her first major decisions after Hochul assumed the governorship two days earlier.
The indictment could upend this year's gubernatorial race, in which Hochul has been a clear front-runner.
Benjamin's arrest comes just days after Hochul said she continued to have faith in him after it was revealed he had failed to disclose to her that he had received a federal grand jury subpoena.
According to the indictment, Benjamin and Migdol first met around 2017.
In 2019, Benjamin announced he was running for New York City comptroller in an election being held in 2021; the race was governed by the city’s small-dollar campaign matching funds program, which matches small-dollar contributions with generous amounts of public funds.
In March 2019, according to the indictment, Benjamin attended a meeting at Migdol’s residence, where Benjamin allegedly relayed that he wanted Migdol to procure “numerous” small contributions for the comptroller campaign.
When Migdol replied that his ability to do so was limited, Benjamin allegedly replied, “Let me see what I can do.”
A month earlier, Benjamin had sent a list of projects for which he was seeking discretionary funding to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
The list of projects within his Harlem district did not include Friends of Public School Harlem, which had not sought grant funding in 2019.
But in May 2019, after the meeting at Migdol’s home, Benjamin was notified that he’d been given additional discretionary funding, including $50,000 that could go to educational purposes.
At that point, Benjamin allegedly called Migdol and said he intended to procure the $50,000 for Migdol's charity, whose stated purpose is providing resources to the students and the public schools of Harlem, including school supplies.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Joshua Solomon, Chris Bragg, Albany, New York Times Union
April 12, 2022
ALBANY — New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned Tuesday afternoon, hours after he surrendered to federal authorities to face charges in an alleged quid pro quo scheme that a federal prosecutor described as "a simple story of corruption."
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Benjamin's decision just after 5 p.m.
"I have accepted Brian Benjamin's resignation effective immediately," the governor said.
"While the legal process plays out, it is clear to both of us that he cannot continue to serve as lieutenant governor."
"New Yorkers deserve absolute confidence in their government, and I will continue working every day to deliver for them."
Benjamin was indicted on charges of bribery and other offenses related to an alleged scheme to trade a state grant for campaign contributions.
The indictment accuses him of concealing the situation when he was being vetted last year to become Hochul's second-in-command.
According to the indictment, the former state senator is accused of steering a $50,000 grant to a charity run by Harlem real estate developer Gerald Migdol in exchange for campaign contributions, including a number of donations fraudulently given in the names of other people.
At a news conference Tuesday, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, "public corruption erodes people’s confidence and faith in government."
The case is two-pronged: bribery and then a "cover-up," Williams told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
"Quid pro quo; this for that," Williams said.
"That’s bribery, plain and simple."
He said that Benjamin "repeatedly lied" about the situation in the lead up to his confirmation to become lieutenant governor, including on forms submitted as part of his background check.
He declined to specify whether federal investigators spoke about the nomination process with Gov. Kathy Hochul's office or the state officials who handled Benjamin's vetting.
"Public corruption remains a problem in New York," Williams said.
"It is a bipartisan problem."
Benjamin surrendered Tuesday morning.
He later pleaded not guilty during an appearance before a federal magistrate in New York.
His bail was set at $250,000 and came with the condition that he stay away from Albany.
The Times Union reported in March that a $50,000 grant that was steered through the state Senate in 2019 went to Friends of Public School Harlem, an educational nonprofit led by Migdol.
Migdol was indicted in November for allegedly setting up a straw-donor scheme to benefit Benjamin's unsuccessful campaign for New York City comptroller.
Information contained in the indictment indicates that Migdol then began cooperating with federal authorities.
Benjamin is also accused of engaging in a series of “lies and deceptions" to cover up his scheme, the indictment states.
As recently as Thursday, Benjamin told reporters that he had "not been accused of any wrongdoing."
"I will be very transparent to the public about what I did," Benjamin told reporters at the Capitol.
"I’ve not been accused of any wrongdoing."
"Neither has the campaign, and so I will be making my case to the people."
Appearing earlier in the day at a news conference about a mass shooting in a Brooklyn subway station, Hochul declined to discuss her running mate's arrest, saying she had not had a chance to speak to Benjamin.
Her office, she said, would release a statement.
On Aug. 26, Hochul announced that Benjamin was her pick to become lieutenant governor, one of her first major decisions after Hochul assumed the governorship two days earlier.
The indictment could upend this year's gubernatorial race, in which Hochul has been a clear front-runner.
Benjamin's arrest comes just days after Hochul said she continued to have faith in him after it was revealed he had failed to disclose to her that he had received a federal grand jury subpoena.
According to the indictment, Benjamin and Migdol first met around 2017.
In 2019, Benjamin announced he was running for New York City comptroller in an election being held in 2021; the race was governed by the city’s small-dollar campaign matching funds program, which matches small-dollar contributions with generous amounts of public funds.
In March 2019, according to the indictment, Benjamin attended a meeting at Migdol’s residence, where Benjamin allegedly relayed that he wanted Migdol to procure “numerous” small contributions for the comptroller campaign.
When Migdol replied that his ability to do so was limited, Benjamin allegedly replied, “Let me see what I can do.”
A month earlier, Benjamin had sent a list of projects for which he was seeking discretionary funding to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
The list of projects within his Harlem district did not include Friends of Public School Harlem, which had not sought grant funding in 2019.
But in May 2019, after the meeting at Migdol’s home, Benjamin was notified that he’d been given additional discretionary funding, including $50,000 that could go to educational purposes.
At that point, Benjamin allegedly called Migdol and said he intended to procure the $50,000 for Migdol's charity, whose stated purpose is providing resources to the students and the public schools of Harlem, including school supplies.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
"Suozzi accuses Hochul of fostering 'culture of corruption' -Congressman running for governor says Hochul should 'let voters' select next lieutenant governor in wake of Benjamin's indictment"
Brendan J. Lyons, Albany, New York Times Union
April 19, 2022
ALBANY — U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi on Tuesday called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to delay appointing a new lieutenant governor in the wake of former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin's recent resignation following his indictment on federal bribery and campaign finance charges.
Suozzi, D-Long Island, who is among the Democratic gubernatorial challengers gearing up for a crowded June primary, contends Hochul should appoint the lieutenant governor candidate who emerges victorious from the Democratic primary — or wait until the final outcome in the November election.
"Kathy Hochul has disqualified herself from appointing a new lieutenant governor," Suozzi said.
"She picked the lieutenant governor who she knew, and who everybody knew, had ethical problems; and she continued to defend him until he was arrested right under her nose."
Suozzi contends Hochul has "created a culture of corruption with secretive meetings, pay-to-play, abuse of state aircraft and insider deals that resulted in the billion-dollar tax giveaway for the Buffalo Bills."
"Now, she and her henchmen are trying to pressure the ... former lieutenant governor to move out of New York state so she can rig the system and put in another unvetted insider."
The aggressive statements from Suozzi come as state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs this week said they are exploring ways in which Benjamin's name could be supplanted from the primary ballot.
One of the ways that could be done is if Benjamin moves to another state.
If Benjamin moves out of New York, ending his ability to be the state party's nominee, the party would then have to turn to its committee on vacancies to select a replacement for the Democratic ticket.
Hochul's office and her campaign referred to the governor's statements at a news conference Tuesday when she said she is "looking at all the options" when asked if she would nudge Benjamin to move out of New York.
"I am well aware of all of the authorities given to the governor of the state of New York and one of them is selecting the lieutenant governor and I intend to do that," Hochul said.
Earlier this week, the Buffalo News reported that the House Ethics Committee has extended its investigation of allegations that Suozzi may have failed to disclose stock transactions in violation of congressional rules.
The rules, in part, are intended to prevent members of Congress from engaging in insider trading as a result of information they receive in their official roles.
"That's the same thing that it's been since September; it's just working its way through the process," Suozzi said of the investigation.
"Every year, I filed an annual financial disclosure of every single one of the stock transactions that my broker does."
"My broker has complete control; I have no discretion whatsoever over any stock transactions."
Suozzi said that for five years he had filed annual financial disclosure forms that detailed all of his stock transactions.
"After five years they said, 'Oh, in addition to doing the annual disclosure you're supposed to do a periodic disclosure within 45 days of every stock transaction," he said.
"We said that we didn't think we were required to do that because of the fact that every transaction is controlled by independent brokers."
"... We immediately corrected that and have filed all the forms."
Two Democratic lieutenant governor candidates running are Ana Maria Archila, the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, who is New York City Public Advocate, and New York City Councilwoman Diana Reyna, who is Suozzi's running mate.
Reyna characterized the party's efforts to remove Benjamin's name from the ballot as "outrageous ... Albany deal making at its worst."
"This election year is a choice between the same old Albany corruption, or new leadership," she added in a statement.
"Let the people decide who the next (lieutenant governor) will be, just like they will get to decide who their next governor is."
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Brendan J. Lyons, Albany, New York Times Union
April 19, 2022
ALBANY — U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi on Tuesday called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to delay appointing a new lieutenant governor in the wake of former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin's recent resignation following his indictment on federal bribery and campaign finance charges.
Suozzi, D-Long Island, who is among the Democratic gubernatorial challengers gearing up for a crowded June primary, contends Hochul should appoint the lieutenant governor candidate who emerges victorious from the Democratic primary — or wait until the final outcome in the November election.
"Kathy Hochul has disqualified herself from appointing a new lieutenant governor," Suozzi said.
"She picked the lieutenant governor who she knew, and who everybody knew, had ethical problems; and she continued to defend him until he was arrested right under her nose."
Suozzi contends Hochul has "created a culture of corruption with secretive meetings, pay-to-play, abuse of state aircraft and insider deals that resulted in the billion-dollar tax giveaway for the Buffalo Bills."
"Now, she and her henchmen are trying to pressure the ... former lieutenant governor to move out of New York state so she can rig the system and put in another unvetted insider."
The aggressive statements from Suozzi come as state Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs this week said they are exploring ways in which Benjamin's name could be supplanted from the primary ballot.
One of the ways that could be done is if Benjamin moves to another state.
If Benjamin moves out of New York, ending his ability to be the state party's nominee, the party would then have to turn to its committee on vacancies to select a replacement for the Democratic ticket.
Hochul's office and her campaign referred to the governor's statements at a news conference Tuesday when she said she is "looking at all the options" when asked if she would nudge Benjamin to move out of New York.
"I am well aware of all of the authorities given to the governor of the state of New York and one of them is selecting the lieutenant governor and I intend to do that," Hochul said.
Earlier this week, the Buffalo News reported that the House Ethics Committee has extended its investigation of allegations that Suozzi may have failed to disclose stock transactions in violation of congressional rules.
The rules, in part, are intended to prevent members of Congress from engaging in insider trading as a result of information they receive in their official roles.
"That's the same thing that it's been since September; it's just working its way through the process," Suozzi said of the investigation.
"Every year, I filed an annual financial disclosure of every single one of the stock transactions that my broker does."
"My broker has complete control; I have no discretion whatsoever over any stock transactions."
Suozzi said that for five years he had filed annual financial disclosure forms that detailed all of his stock transactions.
"After five years they said, 'Oh, in addition to doing the annual disclosure you're supposed to do a periodic disclosure within 45 days of every stock transaction," he said.
"We said that we didn't think we were required to do that because of the fact that every transaction is controlled by independent brokers."
"... We immediately corrected that and have filed all the forms."
Two Democratic lieutenant governor candidates running are Ana Maria Archila, the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, who is New York City Public Advocate, and New York City Councilwoman Diana Reyna, who is Suozzi's running mate.
Reyna characterized the party's efforts to remove Benjamin's name from the ballot as "outrageous ... Albany deal making at its worst."
"This election year is a choice between the same old Albany corruption, or new leadership," she added in a statement.
"Let the people decide who the next (lieutenant governor) will be, just like they will get to decide who their next governor is."
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
"Court of Appeals throws out New York's Democrat-drawn political maps - Ruling is expected to upend New York's election year, potentially shifting the primary races from June to August"
Joshua Solomon, Brendan J. Lyons, Albany, New York Times Union
April 27, 2022
ALBANY — The Court of Appeals issued a ruling Wednesday striking down new political boundaries for the state Senate and Congress that had been established by the Democrat-controlled Senate, affirming lower court rulings that the new boundaries were intentionally gerrymandered for political gain.
The decision by the state's highest court is expected to upend the political calendar — in a highly competitive year that includes gubernatorial primaries — by potentially requiring some of the June primaries to be shifted to August.
That could necessitate the many candidates for state Senate and U.S. congressional seats obtaining new petitions to get on the ballot for the primary.
The state Board of Elections issued a statement Wednesday saying they were reviewing the decision but did not anticipate it affecting other primaries, including the governor's race.
Initially, the decision stoked confusion among lawmakers and campaigns about whether the gubernatorial primaries, since their petitions were based on now-discarded congressional districts, would need to be delayed and redone.
"We do not foresee the June 28 primary changing for our statewide offices, the state Assembly, judicial delegates and alternates and any local offices that are scheduled to be on the primary ballot," the Board of Elections said in the statement.
"Whatever adjustments need to be made to the ballot-access process for candidates for Congress and state Senate for a new primary will be proposed to the court."
The Court of Appeals' ruling will leave it to a state Supreme Court justice with help from an expert to create new maps.
The court said that "judicial oversight is required to facilitate the expeditious creation of constitutionally conforming maps for use in the 2022 election and to safeguard the constitutionally protected right of New Yorkers to a fair election."
The Court of Appeals said the case centered on two issues.
The first was whether the failure of the Senate and Independent Redistricting Commission to "follow the prescribed constitutional procedure warrants invalidation of the Legislature’s congressional and state Senate maps."
The second, the court said, was "whether there is record support for the determination of both courts below that the district lines for congressional races were drawn with an unconstitutional partisan intent."
The Court of Appeals ruled that answer to both of those questions is "yes."
The maps discarded by the ruling could have delivered additional Democratic members to Congress at a time when the balance of control in Washington is up for grabs in the upcoming midterm elections.
The retooled maps will now be created by a court with input from an independent expert.
"The decision today from the Court of Appeals affirms our position that under one-party rule, Albany politicians engaged in obvious partisan gerrymandering, violating the state Constitution," said state Senate GOP Minority Leader Robert Ortt.
"Despite a clear directive from the voters of New York, Albany’s ruling class decided to put their political survival ahead of the will of the people."
Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, said they "disagree with the Court of Appeals decision and believe in the constitutionality of the congressional and state legislative maps passed earlier this year.
"The state Senate maps in particular corrected an egregious partisan gerrymander and have not been overturned on the merits by any court," Murphy's statement continued.
"We will make our case to the special master appointed by the court."
The case was argued before the Court of Appeals on Tuesday morning during a proceeding that took just over an hour.
The case challenging the political boundaries drawn by the Democratic majority in the Legislature was filed in early February in Steuben County.
Republicans won their argument before a state Supreme Court justice that the Legislature did not have the right to draw the maps and that the Independent Redistricting Commission had failed to complete the process.
They said the maps Democratic lawmakers produced are designed to favor Democrats in the election.
A mid-level appeals court in Rochester largely sustained the lower court's decision, finding the maps were "drawn to discourage competition and favor Democrats."
But the appeals court ruled the Legislature had the right to draw the maps after the commission became mired in political gridlock.
Democrats argued that the maps had to account for "communities of interest."
Those locations could be places such as metropolitan areas, college towns, religious or ethnic neighborhoods, and that they should be kept together as much as possible.
The communities of interest standard was not at play in prior map drawing, which Democrats argued is a reason that makes it difficult to have an "apples-to-apples comparison" between the lines used over the last decade, drawn by a judge, and what has been proposed by the Democratic supermajority.
The change that created the communities of interest standard was included in a 2014 ballot proposition that voters supported, although Capital Region voters rejected it.
The amended also created an "Independent Redistricting Commission."
But after a political stalemate in the commission's efforts to produce bipartisan maps, the Legislature took over the job and produced maps that Republicans had alleged were drawn mostly to damage their party in future elections.
The Court of Appeals agreed.
"The Legislature responded by creating and enacting maps in a nontransparent manner controlled exclusively by the dominant political party — doing exactly what they would have done had the 2014 constitutional reforms never been passed," the ruling states.
The League of Women Voters had supported the 2014 ballot proposition and, under the current court case, had submitted briefs that support the arguments made by the Republican petitioners that the maps were intentionally gerrymandered and drawn by a Legislature that did not have the right to do so.
The ballot language in 2014 voters read said the Legislature "may only amend the redistricting plan according to the established principles if the commission’s plan is rejected twice by the legislature," but it did not give a scenario if the commission failed to present two sets of maps in the first place.
Judges throughout the three court proceedings have panned the redistricting commission and its ability, under current law, to bring forward fair maps.
A mid-level justice called it "useless."
The low-level judge wrote in his ruling that "nothing in the Constitution that permits the IRC to just throw up their collective hands."
"Was this supposed to completely go off the rails and there's nothing anyone could have done about it?" Associate Justice Anthony Cannataro asked the attorneys arguing the case before the Court of Appeals this week.
A memo on a 2013 bill, which eventually led to the ballot proposition and creation of the commission, said the intent was to "achieve a fair and readily transparent process" to draw political lines.
The process, nearly nine years later, broke down during private talks between lead Republican and Democrat representatives for the commission.
A final set of maps was never brought forward for a public-facing vote.
"This far-reaching reform will set the standard for independent redistricting throughout the United States and provide a template for other states to follow," reads the 2013 bill memo, which was sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and signed into law by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Joshua Solomon, Brendan J. Lyons, Albany, New York Times Union
April 27, 2022
ALBANY — The Court of Appeals issued a ruling Wednesday striking down new political boundaries for the state Senate and Congress that had been established by the Democrat-controlled Senate, affirming lower court rulings that the new boundaries were intentionally gerrymandered for political gain.
The decision by the state's highest court is expected to upend the political calendar — in a highly competitive year that includes gubernatorial primaries — by potentially requiring some of the June primaries to be shifted to August.
That could necessitate the many candidates for state Senate and U.S. congressional seats obtaining new petitions to get on the ballot for the primary.
The state Board of Elections issued a statement Wednesday saying they were reviewing the decision but did not anticipate it affecting other primaries, including the governor's race.
Initially, the decision stoked confusion among lawmakers and campaigns about whether the gubernatorial primaries, since their petitions were based on now-discarded congressional districts, would need to be delayed and redone.
"We do not foresee the June 28 primary changing for our statewide offices, the state Assembly, judicial delegates and alternates and any local offices that are scheduled to be on the primary ballot," the Board of Elections said in the statement.
"Whatever adjustments need to be made to the ballot-access process for candidates for Congress and state Senate for a new primary will be proposed to the court."
The Court of Appeals' ruling will leave it to a state Supreme Court justice with help from an expert to create new maps.
The court said that "judicial oversight is required to facilitate the expeditious creation of constitutionally conforming maps for use in the 2022 election and to safeguard the constitutionally protected right of New Yorkers to a fair election."
The Court of Appeals said the case centered on two issues.
The first was whether the failure of the Senate and Independent Redistricting Commission to "follow the prescribed constitutional procedure warrants invalidation of the Legislature’s congressional and state Senate maps."
The second, the court said, was "whether there is record support for the determination of both courts below that the district lines for congressional races were drawn with an unconstitutional partisan intent."
The Court of Appeals ruled that answer to both of those questions is "yes."
The maps discarded by the ruling could have delivered additional Democratic members to Congress at a time when the balance of control in Washington is up for grabs in the upcoming midterm elections.
The retooled maps will now be created by a court with input from an independent expert.
"The decision today from the Court of Appeals affirms our position that under one-party rule, Albany politicians engaged in obvious partisan gerrymandering, violating the state Constitution," said state Senate GOP Minority Leader Robert Ortt.
"Despite a clear directive from the voters of New York, Albany’s ruling class decided to put their political survival ahead of the will of the people."
Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, said they "disagree with the Court of Appeals decision and believe in the constitutionality of the congressional and state legislative maps passed earlier this year.
"The state Senate maps in particular corrected an egregious partisan gerrymander and have not been overturned on the merits by any court," Murphy's statement continued.
"We will make our case to the special master appointed by the court."
The case was argued before the Court of Appeals on Tuesday morning during a proceeding that took just over an hour.
The case challenging the political boundaries drawn by the Democratic majority in the Legislature was filed in early February in Steuben County.
Republicans won their argument before a state Supreme Court justice that the Legislature did not have the right to draw the maps and that the Independent Redistricting Commission had failed to complete the process.
They said the maps Democratic lawmakers produced are designed to favor Democrats in the election.
A mid-level appeals court in Rochester largely sustained the lower court's decision, finding the maps were "drawn to discourage competition and favor Democrats."
But the appeals court ruled the Legislature had the right to draw the maps after the commission became mired in political gridlock.
Democrats argued that the maps had to account for "communities of interest."
Those locations could be places such as metropolitan areas, college towns, religious or ethnic neighborhoods, and that they should be kept together as much as possible.
The communities of interest standard was not at play in prior map drawing, which Democrats argued is a reason that makes it difficult to have an "apples-to-apples comparison" between the lines used over the last decade, drawn by a judge, and what has been proposed by the Democratic supermajority.
The change that created the communities of interest standard was included in a 2014 ballot proposition that voters supported, although Capital Region voters rejected it.
The amended also created an "Independent Redistricting Commission."
But after a political stalemate in the commission's efforts to produce bipartisan maps, the Legislature took over the job and produced maps that Republicans had alleged were drawn mostly to damage their party in future elections.
The Court of Appeals agreed.
"The Legislature responded by creating and enacting maps in a nontransparent manner controlled exclusively by the dominant political party — doing exactly what they would have done had the 2014 constitutional reforms never been passed," the ruling states.
The League of Women Voters had supported the 2014 ballot proposition and, under the current court case, had submitted briefs that support the arguments made by the Republican petitioners that the maps were intentionally gerrymandered and drawn by a Legislature that did not have the right to do so.
The ballot language in 2014 voters read said the Legislature "may only amend the redistricting plan according to the established principles if the commission’s plan is rejected twice by the legislature," but it did not give a scenario if the commission failed to present two sets of maps in the first place.
Judges throughout the three court proceedings have panned the redistricting commission and its ability, under current law, to bring forward fair maps.
A mid-level justice called it "useless."
The low-level judge wrote in his ruling that "nothing in the Constitution that permits the IRC to just throw up their collective hands."
"Was this supposed to completely go off the rails and there's nothing anyone could have done about it?" Associate Justice Anthony Cannataro asked the attorneys arguing the case before the Court of Appeals this week.
A memo on a 2013 bill, which eventually led to the ballot proposition and creation of the commission, said the intent was to "achieve a fair and readily transparent process" to draw political lines.
The process, nearly nine years later, broke down during private talks between lead Republican and Democrat representatives for the commission.
A final set of maps was never brought forward for a public-facing vote.
"This far-reaching reform will set the standard for independent redistricting throughout the United States and provide a template for other states to follow," reads the 2013 bill memo, which was sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and signed into law by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
REUTERS
"New York judge rules law allowing non-citizens to vote is unconstitutional"
By Jonathan Allen
June 27, 2022
NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) - A New York state judge struck down a new law on Monday that gave hundreds of thousands of non-citizen residents of New York City the right to vote in municipal elections.
Judge Ralph Porzio, of New York State Supreme Court for Staten Island, ruled the law violated the state constitution, which says that "every citizen" is entitled to vote.
The City Council, controlled by Democrats, passed the law last December, and it went into effect after both Mayor Bill de Blasio and his successor in January, Eric Adams, declined to either sign it or veto it.
The law allowed an estimated 800,000 to 1 million non-citizens living in the city as lawful permanent residents of the United States or with U.S. authorization to work here to vote in elections for city-wide office, but not in state-wide or federal elections.
There are about 6.7 million people of voting age in New York City.
The law required that a person must have been a resident of the city for at least 30 days prior to the election they wished to vote in, which critics of the law said was too short.
Republicans opposed the law in part on the belief that a majority of immigrants are more likely to vote Democrat.
Proponents of the law said it enfranchised the city's huge population of non-citizens who pay taxes and contribute to the life and culture of a city that has long been a beacon for immigrants, as symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
Opponents, including the Republican Party and New York lawmakers who sued the city, said the law unfairly and unconstitutionally diluted the power of citizens' votes and would harm politicians by forcing them to restructure their election strategies.
There was no immediate comment from the City Council.
The city's law department, which could challenge the ruling in a higher state court, said the city was evaluating its options.
"This is a disappointing court ruling for people who value bringing in thousands more New Yorkers into the democratic process," the statement said.
Michael Tannousis, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn in the New York State Assembly, was one of the plaintiffs who accused the council of trying to manipulate the electoral system.
"As the son of immigrants that came to this country legally and worked tirelessly to become citizens, I consider voting to be a sacred right bestowed on American citizens," he said in a statement.
"The idea that a person can move to New York City and register to vote after 30 days is preposterous and ripe for fraud."
Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Leslie Adler
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-yo ... 022-06-27/
"New York judge rules law allowing non-citizens to vote is unconstitutional"
By Jonathan Allen
June 27, 2022
NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) - A New York state judge struck down a new law on Monday that gave hundreds of thousands of non-citizen residents of New York City the right to vote in municipal elections.
Judge Ralph Porzio, of New York State Supreme Court for Staten Island, ruled the law violated the state constitution, which says that "every citizen" is entitled to vote.
The City Council, controlled by Democrats, passed the law last December, and it went into effect after both Mayor Bill de Blasio and his successor in January, Eric Adams, declined to either sign it or veto it.
The law allowed an estimated 800,000 to 1 million non-citizens living in the city as lawful permanent residents of the United States or with U.S. authorization to work here to vote in elections for city-wide office, but not in state-wide or federal elections.
There are about 6.7 million people of voting age in New York City.
The law required that a person must have been a resident of the city for at least 30 days prior to the election they wished to vote in, which critics of the law said was too short.
Republicans opposed the law in part on the belief that a majority of immigrants are more likely to vote Democrat.
Proponents of the law said it enfranchised the city's huge population of non-citizens who pay taxes and contribute to the life and culture of a city that has long been a beacon for immigrants, as symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
Opponents, including the Republican Party and New York lawmakers who sued the city, said the law unfairly and unconstitutionally diluted the power of citizens' votes and would harm politicians by forcing them to restructure their election strategies.
There was no immediate comment from the City Council.
The city's law department, which could challenge the ruling in a higher state court, said the city was evaluating its options.
"This is a disappointing court ruling for people who value bringing in thousands more New Yorkers into the democratic process," the statement said.
Michael Tannousis, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn in the New York State Assembly, was one of the plaintiffs who accused the council of trying to manipulate the electoral system.
"As the son of immigrants that came to this country legally and worked tirelessly to become citizens, I consider voting to be a sacred right bestowed on American citizens," he said in a statement.
"The idea that a person can move to New York City and register to vote after 30 days is preposterous and ripe for fraud."
Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Leslie Adler
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-yo ... 022-06-27/
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
"Justice Department settlement details Cuomo's misuse of grants for Chamber staff - Federal investigation grew out of Times Union reporting on Cuomo’s extensive payment of Executive Chamber employees using state agencies and public authorities to obscure staffing costs"
Chris Bragg, Albany, New York Times Union
Sep. 1, 2022
ALBANY — The state Environmental Facilities Corp. has agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to settle allegations that it repeatedly received payments from a clean water fund to pay for staffers that were working in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s office.
The investigation grew out of reporting by the Times Union in 2016 and 2017 concerning Cuomo’s practice of paying Executive Chamber staffers through various state agencies and public authorities — a tactic that obscured the true size and cost of the chamber's payroll.
Those stories prompted an FBI investigation in 2017 that lasted several years.
While the investigation did not result in any criminal charges, U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman's office began pursuing a civil case under the False Claims Act.
The $500,000 civil settlement between her office and the EFC was announced on Thursday.
The EFC paid the settlement to resolve allegations that it falsely certified individuals were working in support of a federal water-quality improvement grant when, in fact, they were working for Cuomo in positions unrelated to that funding.
As part of the settlement agreement, the EFC admitted that former senior officials included part of those individuals’ salaries and benefits in federal funding requests made to the federal Environmental Protection Agency — without disclosing that they were actually working for Cuomo’s office.
In March 2021, the Times Union's Capitol Bureau investigated whether the federal clean water grant was being misused to pay at least four Executive Chamber employees.
The Times Union did not publish a story on the topic after a spokesman for the Division of Budget — which is part of the governor's administration — claimed that the information was false.
But details of the settlement agreement announced Thursday — which was authorized by Cuomo's successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul — suggest the Cuomo administration improperly sought reimbursement for least two of the Executive Chamber employees the Times Union asked about last year.
"The Environmental Facilities Corporation falsely certified that employees were supporting a clean water grant when they were actually working directly for former governors in unrelated positions," Freedman said in a statement.
"I am pleased that current EFC leadership was willing to admit what happened, resolve EFC’s liability, and implement new compliance measures that should ensure ethical and legal behavior in the future."
"We will continue to use all of our resources to make sure that federal grant administrators follow the rules and that clean water grant money is used to improve water quality for all New Yorkers.”
Cuomo's spokesman, Richard Azzopardi, said Thursday that the former administration had provided federal investigators with "irrefutable evidence" that the employees in question had not been paid with federal funds.
He also criticized the long-running FBI investigation, which more generally concerned the Cuomo administration's practice of paying Executive Chamber staffers through the payrolls of agencies and public authorities.
“This was a multi-year attempt to criminalize a practice that went back to at least Gov. (Nelson) Rockefeller and involves positions, some of which predated our administration, and while we were obviously not a party to this settlement, our position remains that no federal money was misused and EFC was able to unequivocally demonstrate to the feds that no federal dollars went to these individuals,” Azzopardi said.
The Environmental Facilities Corp. is a public benefit corporation that assists communities in undertaking critical water quality infrastructure projects by providing access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance.
According to the settlement, the false funding submissions to the EPA began when former Gov. David Paterson was in office and continued after Cuomo was elected in November 2010.
Between 2009 and 2019, according to the settlement, senior Executive Chamber staff asked then-EFC officials to pay the salaries and benefits of several individuals hired to work in the governor's office in unrelated positions.
"More than one" now-former senior EFC official agreed to that arrangement, according to the settlement.
The individuals hired under the practice, according to the settlement, were not retained to work for the EFC or to support the federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, even though the EFC sought federal payments for their salaries from the grant.
The settlement states that one individual whose salary and benefits EFC paid was "hired by the Executive Chamber to work on the former governor’s advance team while another was hired to help run the former governor’s Washington, D.C., office.”
Eighteen months ago, the Times Union had asked then-Division of Budget spokesman Freeman Klopott about EFC-funded employees fitting very similar profiles: Ryan Dalton, who was deputy director of Cuomo’s Washington, D.C., office, and Jennifer Darley, who before joining Cuomo’s office had been the "national advance lead" for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and filled a similar role for Cuomo.
"Your questions are based upon a faulty premise," Klopott said in March 2021.
"The salaries of these employees were not charged to a federal grant and the documents do not indicate that they were."
"Indeed, each of these individuals was paid entirely with state dollars."
"... EFC never received any federal funding it was not entitled to and no federal money was used to pay for the employees you're asking about."
Klopott, now a spokesman for the state Office of Cannabis Management, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
Hochul’s office also did not immediately comment.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Chris Bragg, Albany, New York Times Union
Sep. 1, 2022
ALBANY — The state Environmental Facilities Corp. has agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to settle allegations that it repeatedly received payments from a clean water fund to pay for staffers that were working in Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s office.
The investigation grew out of reporting by the Times Union in 2016 and 2017 concerning Cuomo’s practice of paying Executive Chamber staffers through various state agencies and public authorities — a tactic that obscured the true size and cost of the chamber's payroll.
Those stories prompted an FBI investigation in 2017 that lasted several years.
While the investigation did not result in any criminal charges, U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman's office began pursuing a civil case under the False Claims Act.
The $500,000 civil settlement between her office and the EFC was announced on Thursday.
The EFC paid the settlement to resolve allegations that it falsely certified individuals were working in support of a federal water-quality improvement grant when, in fact, they were working for Cuomo in positions unrelated to that funding.
As part of the settlement agreement, the EFC admitted that former senior officials included part of those individuals’ salaries and benefits in federal funding requests made to the federal Environmental Protection Agency — without disclosing that they were actually working for Cuomo’s office.
In March 2021, the Times Union's Capitol Bureau investigated whether the federal clean water grant was being misused to pay at least four Executive Chamber employees.
The Times Union did not publish a story on the topic after a spokesman for the Division of Budget — which is part of the governor's administration — claimed that the information was false.
But details of the settlement agreement announced Thursday — which was authorized by Cuomo's successor, Gov. Kathy Hochul — suggest the Cuomo administration improperly sought reimbursement for least two of the Executive Chamber employees the Times Union asked about last year.
"The Environmental Facilities Corporation falsely certified that employees were supporting a clean water grant when they were actually working directly for former governors in unrelated positions," Freedman said in a statement.
"I am pleased that current EFC leadership was willing to admit what happened, resolve EFC’s liability, and implement new compliance measures that should ensure ethical and legal behavior in the future."
"We will continue to use all of our resources to make sure that federal grant administrators follow the rules and that clean water grant money is used to improve water quality for all New Yorkers.”
Cuomo's spokesman, Richard Azzopardi, said Thursday that the former administration had provided federal investigators with "irrefutable evidence" that the employees in question had not been paid with federal funds.
He also criticized the long-running FBI investigation, which more generally concerned the Cuomo administration's practice of paying Executive Chamber staffers through the payrolls of agencies and public authorities.
“This was a multi-year attempt to criminalize a practice that went back to at least Gov. (Nelson) Rockefeller and involves positions, some of which predated our administration, and while we were obviously not a party to this settlement, our position remains that no federal money was misused and EFC was able to unequivocally demonstrate to the feds that no federal dollars went to these individuals,” Azzopardi said.
The Environmental Facilities Corp. is a public benefit corporation that assists communities in undertaking critical water quality infrastructure projects by providing access to low-cost capital, grants and expert technical assistance.
According to the settlement, the false funding submissions to the EPA began when former Gov. David Paterson was in office and continued after Cuomo was elected in November 2010.
Between 2009 and 2019, according to the settlement, senior Executive Chamber staff asked then-EFC officials to pay the salaries and benefits of several individuals hired to work in the governor's office in unrelated positions.
"More than one" now-former senior EFC official agreed to that arrangement, according to the settlement.
The individuals hired under the practice, according to the settlement, were not retained to work for the EFC or to support the federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, even though the EFC sought federal payments for their salaries from the grant.
The settlement states that one individual whose salary and benefits EFC paid was "hired by the Executive Chamber to work on the former governor’s advance team while another was hired to help run the former governor’s Washington, D.C., office.”
Eighteen months ago, the Times Union had asked then-Division of Budget spokesman Freeman Klopott about EFC-funded employees fitting very similar profiles: Ryan Dalton, who was deputy director of Cuomo’s Washington, D.C., office, and Jennifer Darley, who before joining Cuomo’s office had been the "national advance lead" for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and filled a similar role for Cuomo.
"Your questions are based upon a faulty premise," Klopott said in March 2021.
"The salaries of these employees were not charged to a federal grant and the documents do not indicate that they were."
"Indeed, each of these individuals was paid entirely with state dollars."
"... EFC never received any federal funding it was not entitled to and no federal money was used to pay for the employees you're asking about."
Klopott, now a spokesman for the state Office of Cannabis Management, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
Hochul’s office also did not immediately comment.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/articl ... 09a3f12c1f
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
NEW YORK STATE IS IN ACTUALITY A THIRD-WORLD COUNTRY WITH THE TYPE OF CORRUPT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ONE WOULD EXPECT TO FIND IN A THIRD-WORLD COUNTRY LIKE HAITI OR SOMALIA ...
UPI NEWS
"New York declares state of emergency amid growing number of polio cases"
Simon Druker
9 SEPTEMBER 2022
Sept. 9 (UPI) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency Friday over the rising number of polio cases being detected in wastewater in multiple jurisdictions.
Hochul made the declaration in an executive order because of "evidence of circulating poliovirus," with Nassau County, N.Y., the latest to detect it.
The declaration runs through Oct. 9 and increases the availability of state resources in affected areas.
Polio was declared eliminated in the United States in 1979, primarily due to high vaccination rates.
But there has been a recent outbreak of cases.
A case of paralytic polio was identified July 21 in an unvaccinated resident of Rockland County, N.Y.
The person had no international travel during the incubation period for the paralytic virus.
Friday's confirmed case in Nassau County has been genetically linked to the case in Rockland County, state health officials confirmed.
In mid-August, health officials in New York City confirmed the polio virus in sewage after other recent discoveries elsewhere in the state.
Authorities have been publicly urging people to get vaccinated against polio.
People can spread the virus even if they do not know they are sick, and asymptomatic spread is a high concern among health officials.
"On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said in a statement.
"If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real."
"I urge New Yorkers to not accept any risk at all.
"Polio immunization is safe and effective -- protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses."
"Do not wait to vaccinate."
"If you are unsure of you or your families' vaccination status, contact a healthcare provider, clinic, or local county health department to make sure you and your loved ones receive all recommended doses."
Polio can be a life-threatening illness.
The virus is spread from person-to-person and enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/ ... 464785bd28
UPI NEWS
"New York declares state of emergency amid growing number of polio cases"
Simon Druker
9 SEPTEMBER 2022
Sept. 9 (UPI) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency Friday over the rising number of polio cases being detected in wastewater in multiple jurisdictions.
Hochul made the declaration in an executive order because of "evidence of circulating poliovirus," with Nassau County, N.Y., the latest to detect it.
The declaration runs through Oct. 9 and increases the availability of state resources in affected areas.
Polio was declared eliminated in the United States in 1979, primarily due to high vaccination rates.
But there has been a recent outbreak of cases.
A case of paralytic polio was identified July 21 in an unvaccinated resident of Rockland County, N.Y.
The person had no international travel during the incubation period for the paralytic virus.
Friday's confirmed case in Nassau County has been genetically linked to the case in Rockland County, state health officials confirmed.
In mid-August, health officials in New York City confirmed the polio virus in sewage after other recent discoveries elsewhere in the state.
Authorities have been publicly urging people to get vaccinated against polio.
People can spread the virus even if they do not know they are sick, and asymptomatic spread is a high concern among health officials.
"On polio, we simply cannot roll the dice," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said in a statement.
"If you or your child are unvaccinated or not up to date with vaccinations, the risk of paralytic disease is real."
"I urge New Yorkers to not accept any risk at all.
"Polio immunization is safe and effective -- protecting nearly all people against disease who receive the recommended doses."
"Do not wait to vaccinate."
"If you are unsure of you or your families' vaccination status, contact a healthcare provider, clinic, or local county health department to make sure you and your loved ones receive all recommended doses."
Polio can be a life-threatening illness.
The virus is spread from person-to-person and enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/ ... 464785bd28
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
"Hochul says New Yorkers safer under Democrat rule, pitches GOP conspiracy"
Luke Gentile
31 OCTOBER 2022
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) appeared to push a conspiracy theory Sunday that Republicans are lying about crime and Americans are actually safer in blue states.
"[Republicans] are master manipulators," Hochul told the Rev. Al Sharpton on his MSNBC show.
"They have this conspiracy going all across America trying to convince people that in Democratic states that they're not as safe."
"Well, guess what?"
"They're also not only election deniers, they're data deniers."
Pro-gun Republicans are hoodwinking voters, she argued.
"The data shows that shootings and murders are down in our state by 15% in New York City, down 20% on Long Island, where Lee Zeldin comes from," according to the governor.
"The safer places are the Democratic states," Hochul said.
Recently released crime statistics appear to disagree with Hochul's claim that New Yorkers are safer under Democrat control.
Although the overall murder rate in New York City is down from where it was a year ago, incidents of rape, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto in Sept. 2022 are all higher than they were the same time last year, according to New York City's index crime statistics.
On the whole, total crime is up more than 15%, the index reported.
Crime on the New York City subway, in particular, is grabbing the nation's attention.
New videos continue to emerge on social media showing horrific attacks including stabbings, beatings, and New Yorkers being pushed in front of oncoming trains.
Killings on the subway have reached their highest levels in 25 years, according to one report.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/wa ... c3305bc791
"Hochul says New Yorkers safer under Democrat rule, pitches GOP conspiracy"
Luke Gentile
31 OCTOBER 2022
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) appeared to push a conspiracy theory Sunday that Republicans are lying about crime and Americans are actually safer in blue states.
"[Republicans] are master manipulators," Hochul told the Rev. Al Sharpton on his MSNBC show.
"They have this conspiracy going all across America trying to convince people that in Democratic states that they're not as safe."
"Well, guess what?"
"They're also not only election deniers, they're data deniers."
Pro-gun Republicans are hoodwinking voters, she argued.
"The data shows that shootings and murders are down in our state by 15% in New York City, down 20% on Long Island, where Lee Zeldin comes from," according to the governor.
"The safer places are the Democratic states," Hochul said.
Recently released crime statistics appear to disagree with Hochul's claim that New Yorkers are safer under Democrat control.
Although the overall murder rate in New York City is down from where it was a year ago, incidents of rape, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto in Sept. 2022 are all higher than they were the same time last year, according to New York City's index crime statistics.
On the whole, total crime is up more than 15%, the index reported.
Crime on the New York City subway, in particular, is grabbing the nation's attention.
New videos continue to emerge on social media showing horrific attacks including stabbings, beatings, and New Yorkers being pushed in front of oncoming trains.
Killings on the subway have reached their highest levels in 25 years, according to one report.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/wa ... c3305bc791
Re: CORRUPT AND INEPT GOVERNMENT
THE NEW YORK POST
"‘Last thing we need’: Pols want NYers to pay $300M so illegal migrants can stay"
Story by Zach Williams
30 NOVEMEBER 2022
A pair of Albany Democrats from New York City want taxpayers to pick up as much as $300 million in legal fees to help illegal immigrants fight deportation – despite worries it could also help potentially “dangerous people” stay in the country.
“We have a moral obligation to make sure that new Americans have legal representation."
"Otherwise, the odds are without a lawyer they’ll be sent back to their country of origin and could face dire circumstances, including death,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said of legislation he is sponsoring alongside Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Queens).
Legislators estimate the effort would cost $300 million once fully funded, with supporters pushing for a $55 million down payment next year.
But critics say the bill could hurt public safety and the state’s bottom line if enacted, especially as New York City is already grappling with an estimated $1 billion in costs tied to the flood of asylum-seeking migrants shipped here from the southern border since May.
“Many of the deportations that occur in New York State are because an undocumented individual commits an underlying crime unrelated to their immigration and is subsequently flagged by ICE,” state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Newburgh) told The Post.
“It is particularly concerning that this bill extends public funds to these situations that would potentially keep dangerous people in New York State,” he said.
The proposal would help any detained immigrant who meets certain requirements – no matter what criminal convictions triggered removal proceedings.
“With a financial crisis looming, and a mass exodus of New Yorkers for other states, the last thing we need is to foot the bill for a problem not of our doing,” New York City Councilman Bob Holden (R-Queens) said.
Federal immigration enforcement officials have highlighted in recent years how state and city sanctuary laws have blocked efforts to deport people whose rap sheets indicate a potential threat to public safety.
Other Democratic and Republican officials say spending millions on immigration lawyers will undermine efforts to get President Biden to take care of costs associated with the deluge of migrants sent to New York from places like Texas — by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the city of El Paso and the federal government itself.
New York City is currently grappling with getting federal help to cover more than $600 million in costs brought by thousands of migrants arriving in New York City to seek asylum.
“New York State and New York City are in a budget crisis."
"If the federal government wants to pay for it, then fine,” state Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) said of the renewed push by Hoylman and Cruz.
Powerful advocacy groups are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to support the idea along with $100 million in funding via the state budget due April 1.
“Without access to legal representation, immigrants are far more likely to lose their legal cases, be ripped from their loved ones, and be deported back to countries where they’re where their lives and livelihoods may be in jeopardy,” Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, a key player in efforts to legalize drivers licenses for undocumented people, said at a Wednesday press conference in Manhattan.
“Everyone deserves an advocate at their side to help them understand their legal options and constitutional rights in a complex and daunting system,” Cruz said.
The newly-elected Gov. Kathy Hochul, who beat Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin by mere single digits, also showed a willingness Wednesday to pick up the legal costs by announcing $3 million for nonprofits helping newly-arrived migrants with their political asylum applications.
But the governor declined to take definitive stands on touchy issues while running for a full term in office and has typically refrained from commenting about bills before the Legislature.
A spokeswoman did not provide comment Wednesday about whether the governor will back the bill to provide legal help to the much larger group of illegal immigrants.
A Hochul spokeswoman did not provide immediate comment Wednesday amid criticism that the proposed bill could help convicted criminals stay in the U.S.
“We should reject the notion that some immigrants are more deserving than others."
"We are talking about parents, business owners and longstanding neighbors,” Cruz said of those in the U.S. illegally.
Colleagues on both sides of the aisle say they will nonetheless oppose the bill in the legislative session scheduled to begin next month.
“Democrats’ complete failure on border security and immigration shouldn’t result in a $300 million tax on New Yorkers."
"We’ve seen similar proposals in the past, and fortunately they haven’t gone anywhere,” said Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay (R-Pulaski).
With Hochul now developing her budget plans, Barclay said she has a chance to show a move away from far-left progressive positions on hot-button issues like immigration after a closer-than-expected race against Zeldin.
“Last year, New York City’s radical Democrats wanted non-citizens to vote in local elections."
"Now they expect the public to spend hundreds of millions to provide free deportation lawyers."
"Their political statements do not need to be contained in the state spending plan.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics ... d9c5310a01
"‘Last thing we need’: Pols want NYers to pay $300M so illegal migrants can stay"
Story by Zach Williams
30 NOVEMEBER 2022
A pair of Albany Democrats from New York City want taxpayers to pick up as much as $300 million in legal fees to help illegal immigrants fight deportation – despite worries it could also help potentially “dangerous people” stay in the country.
“We have a moral obligation to make sure that new Americans have legal representation."
"Otherwise, the odds are without a lawyer they’ll be sent back to their country of origin and could face dire circumstances, including death,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said of legislation he is sponsoring alongside Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Queens).
Legislators estimate the effort would cost $300 million once fully funded, with supporters pushing for a $55 million down payment next year.
But critics say the bill could hurt public safety and the state’s bottom line if enacted, especially as New York City is already grappling with an estimated $1 billion in costs tied to the flood of asylum-seeking migrants shipped here from the southern border since May.
“Many of the deportations that occur in New York State are because an undocumented individual commits an underlying crime unrelated to their immigration and is subsequently flagged by ICE,” state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Newburgh) told The Post.
“It is particularly concerning that this bill extends public funds to these situations that would potentially keep dangerous people in New York State,” he said.
The proposal would help any detained immigrant who meets certain requirements – no matter what criminal convictions triggered removal proceedings.
“With a financial crisis looming, and a mass exodus of New Yorkers for other states, the last thing we need is to foot the bill for a problem not of our doing,” New York City Councilman Bob Holden (R-Queens) said.
Federal immigration enforcement officials have highlighted in recent years how state and city sanctuary laws have blocked efforts to deport people whose rap sheets indicate a potential threat to public safety.
Other Democratic and Republican officials say spending millions on immigration lawyers will undermine efforts to get President Biden to take care of costs associated with the deluge of migrants sent to New York from places like Texas — by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the city of El Paso and the federal government itself.
New York City is currently grappling with getting federal help to cover more than $600 million in costs brought by thousands of migrants arriving in New York City to seek asylum.
“New York State and New York City are in a budget crisis."
"If the federal government wants to pay for it, then fine,” state Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) said of the renewed push by Hoylman and Cruz.
Powerful advocacy groups are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to support the idea along with $100 million in funding via the state budget due April 1.
“Without access to legal representation, immigrants are far more likely to lose their legal cases, be ripped from their loved ones, and be deported back to countries where they’re where their lives and livelihoods may be in jeopardy,” Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, a key player in efforts to legalize drivers licenses for undocumented people, said at a Wednesday press conference in Manhattan.
“Everyone deserves an advocate at their side to help them understand their legal options and constitutional rights in a complex and daunting system,” Cruz said.
The newly-elected Gov. Kathy Hochul, who beat Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin by mere single digits, also showed a willingness Wednesday to pick up the legal costs by announcing $3 million for nonprofits helping newly-arrived migrants with their political asylum applications.
But the governor declined to take definitive stands on touchy issues while running for a full term in office and has typically refrained from commenting about bills before the Legislature.
A spokeswoman did not provide comment Wednesday about whether the governor will back the bill to provide legal help to the much larger group of illegal immigrants.
A Hochul spokeswoman did not provide immediate comment Wednesday amid criticism that the proposed bill could help convicted criminals stay in the U.S.
“We should reject the notion that some immigrants are more deserving than others."
"We are talking about parents, business owners and longstanding neighbors,” Cruz said of those in the U.S. illegally.
Colleagues on both sides of the aisle say they will nonetheless oppose the bill in the legislative session scheduled to begin next month.
“Democrats’ complete failure on border security and immigration shouldn’t result in a $300 million tax on New Yorkers."
"We’ve seen similar proposals in the past, and fortunately they haven’t gone anywhere,” said Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay (R-Pulaski).
With Hochul now developing her budget plans, Barclay said she has a chance to show a move away from far-left progressive positions on hot-button issues like immigration after a closer-than-expected race against Zeldin.
“Last year, New York City’s radical Democrats wanted non-citizens to vote in local elections."
"Now they expect the public to spend hundreds of millions to provide free deportation lawyers."
"Their political statements do not need to be contained in the state spending plan.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics ... d9c5310a01