Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in New York City with no public schedule. The Assembly and Senate are in session in Albany.
A calendar of today’s events appears at the end of this post.
Headlines…
Officials say SUNY Polytechnic and its leader, Alain Kaloyeros, one of the point people for the Buffalo Billion program, is under investigation by state AG Eric Schneiderman over a contract awarded for a new dormitory building at the public college he runs in Albany.
Schneiderman’s investigation is focused, in part, on the possible improper “coordination” of the bidding process for a proposed 500-student dorm. That process resulted in just one company, Columbia Development of Albany — whose owners and subsidiaries have contributed more than $100,000 Cuomo’s campaign committees — submitting a bid.
In a statement, Richard Strassberg, an attorney for SUNY Polytechnic, said: “Fuller Road Management Corporation and its affiliates have cooperated fully with this investigation from its start in September 2015. Based on our own investigation we have seen no evidence of impropriety by anyone at Fuller Road or SUNY Poly.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former right-hand man, Joe Percoco, who is under federal investigation, got nearly 100 percent financing on his sprawling Westchester home through a shady lender with close ties to the state Capitol. Percoco and his wife, Lisa Toscano-Percoco, obtained an $800,000 “balloon” mortgage to buy their $815,000 South Salem house in 2012, and needed a new loan two years later to avoid default, records show.
Though Cuomo repeatedly said Percoco was a “consultant” to his 2014 re-election campaign, state Board of Elections records list the 17 payments made to Percoco between April and December by the governors campaign committee as “WAGES.” They were paid every two weeks, and rarely varied from a regular sum of $5,240.83.
Nearly 100 civic and community groups called for U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to create a blue-ribbon panel akin to the shuttered Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption and clean up the “pay-to-play” culture they said rules real-estate development in New York City.
Moving toward its goal of building 80,000 new affordable housing units over 10 years, the de Blasio administration plans to announce today that it will lease public housing land to build nearly 500 apartments for low-income tenants, most of them elderly.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio received a generally friendly welcome from Senate Republicans throughout several hours of testimony in Albany yesterday during a hearing on mayoral control of city schools, for which the mayor is seeking a seven-year extension.
Sen. Terrence Murphy, whose 2014 Democratic opponent benefitted from contributions directed by the mayor that are now under investigation, invoked the many investigations swirling around the de Blasio administration to ask why he should trust the mayor with control of the city’s schools.
Striking workers at Verizon Communications are drawing benefits from a union strike fund, as the walkout nears the one-month mark. The CWA said its members receive $200 per week after two weeks on strike, a figure that increases to $300 per week after three weeks on strike.
Members of the new majority elected to the Buffalo School Board Tuesday do not appear to be looking for a major reset regarding Superintendent Kriner Cash and the agenda he has laid out for the schools, but there are some major issues on which they will likely take a different approach – especially when it comes to the teachers union contract.
The day after feisty elections upset the balance of power on the Buffalo School Board, its members got back to the business last night of coming up with a budget for the next school year.
Judge Alan Simon, who presided over the Spring Valley Village Court and the Ramapo Town Court in Rockland County, was found by a judicial oversight commission to have a history of bullying and verbally abusing court staffers, and has been suspended with pay pending a review of the allegations against him.
Teen apparel retailer Aeropostale filed for bankruptcy in New York carrying $223 million in funded debt, and it plans to immediately close 154 stores, becoming the latest apparel chain to seek court protection amid fierce competition and the changing buying habits of consumers.
The percentage of Buffalo Public School graduates who went on to a two-or four-year college increased to 67 percent for the Class of 2015, putting the district on the heels of the national rate for more affluent districts.
Republican elected officials, donors and strategists grappled uncomfortably yesterday with the inevitability of Donald Trump as their presidential nominee, an unexpectedly sudden denouement that left many in a state of political paralysis and others vowing to oppose the party’s new standard-bearer.
Trump indicated that he is preparing in earnest for the general election — which includes balancing his ticket with a running mate who has legislative chops.
In her first interview since Trump became the last Republican standing, Hillary Clinton saidshe is “absolutely” ready to face off against the billionaire real estate developer in the general election, though she insists she’s not yet the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Though he called him “Lyin’ Ted” during their bruising primary battles, Trump said he’d be open to making former rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, his running mate.
An anonymous GOP “insider” says a “secret deal” has been struck between Trump and Rudy Giuliani to make the former NYC mayor homeland security chief if The Donald becomes president.
Members of the Republican State Committee in the Syracuse area have appointed several long-time party leaders to serve as delegates to the GOP national convention in July. Onondaga County GOP Chairman Tom Dadey will be a Trump delegate, Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco was tapped to represent Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whosuspended his campaign yesterday.
A federal judge is saying he could order Clinton to testify under oath about her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.
Instead of meeting with three sex abuse survivors, DeFrancisco opted for an afternoon pizza party with the Syracuse women’s basketball team. Steve Jimenez, Kathryn Robb and her sister Dorothy Robb Farrell wanted to talk to the conservative lawmaker about the Child Victims Act, but the senator said: “I can’t see you now. I am sorry.”
The chief investment officer of the New York state pension fund doesn’t like the fees hedge funds charge to manage money. Vicki Fuller, who oversees the $185 billion fund, said the hedge fund industry’s “2 and 20″ fee model is “unfair,” and “alternative structures” are being considered.
NYC Council members have watered down a bill to regulate the costumed characters besieging Times Square, in an effort to get it passed after languishing for 18 months.
The Council today is expected to pass a controversial bill that would put at least a 5-cent fee on plastic and paper shopping bags.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering two proposals to shut down the L train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn that would close the subway line under the East River or reduce its service by 80 percent. The proposals will be outlined at a public meeting in Brooklyn tonight.
Testing has confirmed that three Onondaga County residents were infected with the Zika virus at some point while traveling outside the United States.
SUNY Upstate Medical University should play a leading role in finding ways to treat and prevent the mosquito-borne Zika virus that has swept across Latin America, threatening the United States, according to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Three New York lawmakers – Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney – are calling on the federal Environmental Protection Agency to immediately test the city of Newburgh’s water supply, which has been found to be contaminated with a toxic chemical.
Owners of more than 1 million rent-regulated apartments in New York City are bracing forwhat they see as a defeat at the hands of the city Rent Guidelines Board. The nine board members, who all were appointed by de Blasio, voted this week to consider a range of possible rent adjustments from a freeze to a 2 percent increase for one-year.
President Obama made a vow to people filling the Northwestern High School gymnasium and tens of thousands others across the city that every drop of water in the city flowing to Flint homes would be safe. Obama sipped local water during his appearance, and declared it “drinkable.”
The owner of the Film Center Building on Manhattan’s West Side is creating new office space from relics of the tower’s past—vaults designed to store highly flammable film.
Advocates and families of crime victims are urging state lawmakers to take up a long-stalled bill in the final seven weeks of the legislative session that would increase the time between mandatory parole hearings for those convicted of a serious violent crime.
National Life Group, an insurance company based in Vermont, says Armory Square in Syracuse is one of the best examples of “main street values” in the United States.
Cuomo’s office announced more than $1 million to beef up security at prisons using a new technology to detect hard-to-find contraband.
Albany City court candidate Joshua Farrell swiped the Democratic Party’s endorsement from rival James Long last night despite Long’s early support by party brass.
A new venture is turning manure from the Buffalo Zoo into rich, exotic compost.
Happening today…
At 10 a.m., NYC Council members Donovan Richards and Helen Rosenthal attend the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies city advocacy day press conference, City Hall steps, Manhattan.
At 10:30 a.m., Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, Sen. Boyle and Sen. Amedore call for passage in the Assembly of “Kirby & Quigley’s” Law to make a felony harming pets during commission of another felony, state Capitol, Assembly Chamber, Albany.
At 11 a.m., New York City parents and Families for Excellent Schools call on the state Legislature to establish an independent monitor for school safety in New York City, City Hall steps, Manhattan.
Also at 11 a.m., congressional candidate and former Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV hosts an office grand opening and Cinco de Mayo celebration, 350 E. 116th St., Manhattan.
Also at 11 a.m., mothers, families, workers, elected officials and advocates of children with developmental disabilities call for the reopening of a rehabilitation center, Community Resources and Services for Children, 3410 Broadway, Manhattan.
At 11:15 a.m., NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton deliver remarks at the One Police Plaza Memorial Wall in honor of fallen members of the service, Manhattan.
Also at 11:15 a.m., mothers of New York’s youth charged as adults call on Cuomo and the state Legislature raise the age of adult criminal prosecution, LCA Pressroom (130), LOB, Albany.
At 12:30 p.m., actress Kathleen Turner and Citymeals on Wheels ask members of the City Council for their support of the charity’s $800,000 budget request, City Hall steps, Manhattan.
At noon, residents impacted by the CPV Valley Energy Plant currently under investigation by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara will hold a press conference and then deliver a letter to the governor signed by over 300 community organizations and individuals, LCA Pressroom (130), LOB, Albany.
At 1 p.m., de Blasio speaks at Google’s New York Offices to discuss the company’s expansion in New York City and mark the commencement of work to transform Pier 57 into a new hub of innovation and open space, 85 10th Ave., Manhattan.
Also at 1 p.m., Council members Steve Levin and Barry Grodenchik and Food Bank For New York City representatives call for an increased funding for the emergency food assistance program, City Hall steps, Manhattan.
Also at 1 p.m., the U.S. EPA holds workshop with the Hudson River PCBs Site Community Advisory Group on the second five-year review for the Hudson River PCBs Superfund site, Saratoga Spa State Park Administration building, Gideon Putnam Room, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs.
At 1:30 p.m., the NYC Council meets and is expected to pass a controversial 5-cent tax on plastic bags, Council Chambers, City Hall, Manhattan.
At 2 p.m., Bratton lights the Empire State Building in blue and purple, to commemorate Police Memorial Week and pay tribute to fallen NYPD officers, Manhattan.
At 3 p.m., the NYC Board of Elections is scheduled to certify the results of New York’s presidential primaries, 42 Broadway, Manhattan.
Also at 3 p.m., on the National Day of Prayer, faith and community leaders, elected officials, and other members of The Bronx community will gather at the Kingsbridge Armory for prayer in support of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, W. Kingsbridge Road and Davidson Avenue, the Bronx.
At 6 p.m., MTA Chairman & CEO Thomas Prendergast, NYC Transit President Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, and other MTA personnel will host a community meeting to update the public on the Canarsie L Tunnel reconstruction project, provide details on construction and service options under consideration and hear community concerns and recommendations, New York State Armory, 355 Marcy Ave., Brooklyn.
