Tag Archives: NY Senate

(Tipped by JMG reader Scott)

New York state Sen. Rubin Diaz, who is possibly the most viciously anti-gay Democrat in the nation, claims to be bringing 100 buses of Hispanic evangelicals to NOM’s hate march in Washington DC next month. Brian Brown has issued a money beg: I just recently got off the phone with my good friend, New York State Senator, Rev. Ruben Diaz, …

Two years ago today same-sex marriage became legal in New York state, exactly one month after being passed in the state Senate and signed into law by Gov. Cuomo that same day.  Happy anniversary, New York!

“You should know that Erick Salgado is the President of the Council of Youth Christian Churches. Not satisfied with the moral, civic, cultural and political status of New York City according to Mr. Salgado, “after careful consultation with his family, with Mr. Gregory Davidzon and others”, Erick Salgado decided to become a candidate in the Democratic Primary for the Office …

The New York state legislature has approved a bill sponsored by GOP Sen. Martin Golden that will grant tax breaks to the owners of multimillion dollar apartments at five skyscrapers presently under construction in Manhattan. The millionaires buying apartments in a soaring tower rising on 57th St. will get more than sweeping views of Central Park: They’ll also be eligible …

Former NY state Sen. Pedro Espada faces a possible 43 year prison sentence on corruption charges. His lawyer has filed a plea for leniency that includes a claim that Espada was almost molested by a man when he was a child. Via Gothamist: In a 21-page court filing relating to personal hardships that could be factored in to a more …

Ho hum. Another day, another busted Democrat from the New York Senate. Brooklyn state Sen. John Sampson, once one of the most powerful politicians in Albany, surrendered to the FBI on Monday to face charges of embezzling funds from escrow accounts he controlled as a lawyer and using the money to finance an ill-fated run for district attorney. In their …

New York state Assemblymember Deborah Glick and state Sen. Brad Hoylman have endorsed Christine Quinn for New York City mayor.  Via their joint press release: “Christine Quinn has remained a stalwart advocate of civil rights, driven by a passion for equality and justice,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “She is a ‘do-er’ not a ‘say-er’—her commitment to improving housing and …

Unsurprisingly, yesterday’s arrest of NY Sen. Malcolm Smith is dominating today’s tabloids. Smith, City Councilman Daniel Halloran, and two GOP borough party leaders are accused of attempting to bribe Smith’s way into the GOP mayoral primary race. The FBI has hinted that more arrests may come. The Daily News today reported more details. As a Democrat, Smith needed the permission …

Democratic New York state Sen. Malcolm Smith and NYC Councilman Daniel Halloran (R-Queens) were both arrested by the FBI this morning on charges that they had conspired to fix this year’s New York City mayoral race. Mr. Smith was taken from his Queens home in handcuffs before sunrise and Mr. Halloran was arrested at about the same time, the people …

“You should know that on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 12:00 midnight, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will hold an all-night vigil on buses bound to Washington, D.C., to join the National Organization for Marriage who is organizing a demonstration on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 9:00 AM in front of the United States Supreme Court. “You should know …

“You should remember that when Governor Andrew Cuomo used his office and staff to raise money and to orchestrate the passing of gay marriage in the State, it was the National Organization for Marriage among others, who took the fight on their shoulders. With their help, we organized different rallies and demonstrations where thousands of people came together, in front …

Former NY Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) yesterday pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $90K in public money for the sham non-profit group she had established. The Queens Democrat said that she used government grants for her charitable non-profit education organization, the Parents Information Network, to buy personal items and benefit family members. Huntley admitted that she utilized “straw recipients” to help …

The Human Rights Campaign today issued a press release roundly mocking NOM for their failures to make good on their threats.  An excerpt: Opponents’ financing is drying up. They were outspent almost three to one last year, $12 million to $34 million in the ballot campaigns. More broadly, tax documents obtained by HRC last fall show that NOM’s funding declined …

Crackpot anti-gay New York Sen. Ruben Diaz has ten wishes for the new year. 1. For Senator John Sampson, to find better and more faithful friends. 2. For reporters Bob Kappstatter, from the Bronx Times and Jim Odato from the Times Union, to learn how to be impartial and objective journalists. 3. For Senator Jeff Klein and his Gang of …

Former Democratic New York Sen Hiram Monserrate has been sentenced to two years in prison for campaign finance fraud. The ex-Queens politician was also ordered to cough up $79,000 in restitution, following his guilty plea in May to mail fraud. Monserrate is expected to report to prison in March. “Hiram Monserrate was undone by his greed and now will pay …

“Everyone knows that I have always been a Democrat, I am a Democrat, and I will be a Democrat. The only difference is that I am a conservative Democrat. I am a pro-life Democrat, meaning that I am against abortions. I am a traditional marriage Democrat, meaning that I am against gay marriage, and that I believe marriage should be …

As I noted yesterday, newly-elected Democratic state Sen. Simcha Felder has announced that he will caucus with the GOP, imperiling the chance of Democratic control of the chamber for the first time in many years, not to mention jeopardizing the long overdue Gender Non-Discrimination Act, which has languished for a decade. Now the Democrats say they are exploring how to …

Democratic New York state Senator-elect Simcha Felder, who last week won his seat in Brooklyn’s newly drawn and heavily Orthodox Jewish district, has announced that he will caucus with the Republicans. Felder’s decision may upend the Democrats’ coming (for now) one-seat hold on the Senate majority. The Democrat, Simcha Felder, a former city councilman who is a deputy to the …