UNITE FOR JOBS RALLY, SEPT. 10TH

Join the MYD Health Committee, 1199 SEIU, the TMA Workers Union, and several other progressive unions on in Harlem on September 10th for a rally of solidarity for jobs!

This march has one purpose: to use our strength in numbers to demand an economy that works for all Americans, not just the top 1%.

United for Jobs Event Flier

The rally will start at 4:00 p.m. at the former North General Hospital on 122 Street and Madison Avenue, and will march to 134 Street on Lennox Avenue, right in front of Harlem Hospital.

It would be great to see you there! We need as many young people there as possible to help demonstrate that our economy is not just hurting blue collar workers, but also recent college graduates!

Please feel free to contact me at any time for more information: Health@gomyd.com

Healthcare Reform Hits New York: NY Bridge Plan – $421/month!

Great news for all New Yorkers:

Obamacare came to New York in earnest Monday as the state started offering coverage for the uninsured with preexisting medical conditions.

Here are the details:

In March 2010, Congress passed the health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law created a temporary program until January 2014 that makes coverage available for individuals who have a pre-existing medical condition, have not had insurance for six months, and who are legal US residents.

This new program is called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) and will be available throughout the country. In New York State, the PCIP plan is the NY Bridge Plan, administered by GHI, an EmblemHealth company.

PCIP plans will operate until the year 2014. At that time other provisions of health care reform will go into effect and state health benefit exchanges will be available for individuals to purchase coverage.

People who are eligible for the plan, which will have premiums running at a (relatively speaking) reasonable $421/month:

• Are legal US residents.
• Reside in New York State.
• Have one or more pre-existing medical conditions.
• Have not had health care coverage for the last six months.

Find more info about the NY Bridge Plan here.

Daily News

Hat tip: Elizabeth

Majority of New Yorkers Want Continued Democratic Control of the NYS Senate

While polling at the national level for midterm elections has looked grim for Democrats, it looks like the story is more positive at the state level:

New York Democrats have had to face a rocky economy and recession-induced budget shortfalls in their first few years as the majority party in the State Senate.  But New York voters remember the previous 40 years of GOP control, and according to a new Siena College poll, only 27% of New York voters want to go back:

• 33%:  Want to see Democrats expand their State Senate majority
• 34%:  Prefer the status quo, in which Democrats hold a narrow edge
• 27%:  Want to see Republicans re-take a majority

This has to be unwelcome news for State Senate Republicans.  Between the GOP infighting occurring up and down the ballot and the atrophy of the Senate Republicans’ statewide campaign apparatus, Republican Senate candidates were depending on a hostile electorate to carry them over the top in key districts.

But that electorate, while clearly hostile to incumbents (only 31% plan to re-elect their incumbent Senator in a generic question), is not scapegoating Democrats for the state’s troubles.  And with Republicans showing extreme weakness in every statewide contest tested in the Sienna poll, there are no coattails for GOP legislative candidates to ride.

But, making sure the Democratic majority is expanded–so that we can avoid situations like the last summer’s coup and really get going on enacting a progressive agenda for the state–is going to be hard work over the next three months. Learn why it’s so important we fight for better Dems and a better Albany by watching MYD’s Take Back NY video here:

Check out information on campaigns here and get plugged in with the MYD field team by emailing Colin at field [at] goMYD [dot] com!

The Albany Project

Deputy Mayor Suggests Plan To Make NYC Government Leaner

Just four months after being appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to head the Office of Operations, Stephen Goldsmith has hit the ground running while gaining the confidence of good government groups and administration critics on the way. The recent praise has come after two recent reports analyzing cost efficiencies in mayoral agencies with a separate report exclusively on the Department of Education. Highlights included a drastically different picture than the top down, highly-organized bureaucracy normally professed by City Hall officials. Surprising many, Deputy Mayor Goldsmith pointed out multiple areas where officials have been wasteful and prescribed belt-tightening adjustments which could save the city $500 millions over the next 4 years.

Recommendations focused on operational efficiency and accountability, with suggestions in the following areas:

Information Technology in the city “currently operates in a large and fragmented … environment, consisting of more than 80 data centers that support approximately 3,000 applications in more than 50 different locations.” The report suggested that consolidating and modernizing this infrastructure would save nearly $60 million over the next four years.

Human Resource Management was described as being “highly decentralized” and lacking any kind of citywide coordination evident by the one human resources employee for every 38 workers ratio, compared, to an average 95:1 ratio in organizations “similar to the city”. In his report, Goldsmith cities that centralizing resources could save more than $100 million over the next four years.

Fleet Operations come at a hefty price tag with a fleet that includes over 26,000 vehicles and other mobile equipment, at a cost of $667 million a year. Downsizing, consolidating and privatizing services could save up to $71 million over four years.

Payment and Revenue Collection reaped the city over $40 billion last year in taxes, fines, rents and other revenue. But according to findings, the same work could be done in addition to saving $25 million to $35 million by consolidating collection operations. Looking to stronger enforcement techniques would  increase collections by $100 million.

Real Estate Management did not escape the cross-hairs of Stephen Goldsmith. Of the 19 million square feet of office space currently leased at a cost of $435 million per year, the report suggests reducing the city’s rental space by 1.2 million square feet. Putting a single agency in-charge of property acquisition and management in addition to these changes would save $36 million a year by 2014.

In addition, The Office of Operations also issued a report with an exhaustive review of Joe Klein’s Department of Education — which is definitely worth taking the time to read. The information is refreshing in it’s detail, and specifically discusses the role of principals who currently navigate a decentralized system that invests increased decision-making power on the local level. The review explains why some school leaders flourish while others languish without a rigid structure.

In the end, all this information is priceless to advocacy groups that have been locked out from knowing the fiscal practices of city government.  If this is any indicator of the work we can expect from the Indianapolis technocrat, then on behalf of vigilant New Yorkers everywhere, let me say: Welcome to the Big Apple!

New York Neighbors for American Values

MYD is proud to add our name to the list of supporters to New York Neighbors for American Values Coalition.

Our Position:
As Americans and as New Yorkers we are stronger when we work together. New York Neighbors for American Values embraces the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity, and equality. We stand together and rebuff the crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us.

New York Neighbors for American Values is proud to include Muslim-American community members and institutions in our community, as we do all communities working to strengthen the fabric of our vibrant city. We reject the idea that any neighborhood in our great City is off-limits to any particular community. We welcome the effort of Muslim New Yorkers to build institutions that serve their communities and our diverse City.

We feel very strongly that religious freedom is inherent to our country, and we encourage said freedom across the board.

There will be a press conference today at 12 at City Hall, details are on the website http://nyneighbors.org/, and you can follow the progress on twitter @nyneighbors

Sampson Cares More About Yankees Than Job

The Daily News reported this morning that John Sampson, the Democratic Majority Conference Leader, did not attend “crucial budget talks with Senate Dems on Sunday to host a lavish fund-raiser at Yankee Stadium.” I can’t say I’m shocked to hear that a State Senators doesn’t much care about the state, or his constituents. The Daily News continues:

So while Sampson’s colleagues sweated out the prospects of an unprecedented government shutdown, he scooped up $2,500 a head from 75 donors in a swank luxury suite – fattening his war chest by $187,500.

The fund-raiser had more than financial perks.

Sampson, the Senate Democratic conference leader, received a private tour of the Stadium before the Yanks completed their three-game sweep of the Houston Astros.

And he was rewarded with a pregame trip to the dugout, where he chatted up Yankee greats Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia, his aides admitted.

“It was just something that the organization wanted to do for him to be hospitable,” said Josh Cherwin of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

Cherwin, who noted the cash bash was scheduled long in advance, said the campaign picked up the tab for the luxury suite and catering.

Sampson tried to pull off a political version of the double play, rushing to Albany after the game to make the 7p.m. Democratic budget summit.

He didn’t get to the state Capitol until 8:15 p.m. – and he never made it to the meeting.

Love to Laugh? Get $5 off at Comix!

Our good friends over at Comix are offering a $5 discount on all shows through August if you use the code “MYD” while ordering tickets! Sometimes even the fanatical optimists here at MYD need a little laugh to get us through the day!

We’re co-sponsoring some up coming shows that we think you’d particularly love, check them out:

Christian Finnnegan
From his Comedy Central special “Au Contraire!,” “Best Week Ever,” MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” & “Chappelle’s Show”
Thursday-Saturday, June 17^th-19^th @8:00 and 10:30 PM (Thurs, @ 7:30 only)
Tickets HERE

Michael Ian Black [ed note: AWESOME!]
Star of “Michael & Michael Have Issues,” “The State,” “Stella,” “Viva Variety” and the film “Wet Hot American Summer”
Thursday-Saturday, June 24^th-26^th @ 8:00 and 10:30 PM (Thurs 7:30 only)
Tickets HERE

The Daily Show and Friends at Comix
Producer Rory Albanese gathers friends of “The Daily Show” with regular drop-ins by John Oliver, Wyatt Cenac, Rob Riggle & more!
Wednesday, July 28^th @ 8:00 PM
Tickets HERE

Monserrate’s Ex-Chief Of Staff Arrested For…A Few Things

Monserrate just makes it too easy. Not only is he a mook, but he apparently surrounds himself with his own ilk. What did his ex chief of staff, Wayne Mahlke, do?

• Insult a Police Officer
• Drive alone with a learner’s permit
• Try to evade arrest
• Produce an expired State Senate official business placard (Monserrate was expelled from the Senate)
• Produce a laminated photocopy (i.e. a fake) police placard

Well, all in a days work. Read the full article here. Or an excerpt about the things Mahlke did below.

Police Officer Denise McDonald was working at the corner of Queens Plaza North and 29th Street in Elmhurst on Sunday morning when Mr. Mahlke, who lives nearby, yelled out a window of his 2009 Honda Civic, “Why don’t you do your job,” followed by an epithet. (Whatever it is that he was unhappy about, the release did not disclose.)

Mr. Mahlke’s car was stopped at a red light when he made his comment at the police officer. When Officer McDonald approached and asked Mr. Mahlke for his driver’s license and registration, he tried to drive around her, but she managed to block him by planting herself in front of the vehicle.

He pulled out a New York State Senate official business plaque and a laminated photocopy of a police placard, and then he told the officer: “You don’t know who I am. I’m higher ranking than you. I work for Mayor Bloomberg.” But as it turns out, Mr. Mahlke is unemployed, or so he said at the time of his arrest, according to prosecutors. He also did not have a driver’s license, just a learner’s permit.

Espada Walks Out Of CBS Interview

When asked this weekend about whether he is really living in Westchester, State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. stormed off in the middle of Tv interview:

He got testy when reporter Marcia Kramer reminded him that when she approached him last year outside his Mamaroneck home, he donned an orange ski cap and held a baby in front of his face to hide from the camera before speeding off in a car driven by his wife.

“I was not hiding from anybody. I’ve owned that home since 1991,” he said. “This is not a mudslinging session, so I say. If you want to make it that, you can come hide in the bushes at my house and you repeat the same thing all over again. Human decency should prevail, even on this show.”

As the program went to a commercial break, he took off his microphone and walked out.

“Please direct me to the way out, please,” he said over the anchors’ requests to come back.

You can watch a video of the interview here and you can watch him walk out below.

New Agreement Makes Rubber Room A Thing Of The Past

This week Mayor Bloomberg, Chancellor Klein and the United Federation of Teachers have finally agreed on terms that would end the $30 million teacher detention center more commonly referred to as the “Rubber Room”. The administration and the union have called this an agreeable solution for scrapping a system both sides have described publicly as in complete disarray.

Details of the agreement include the reassignment of teachers accused of minor infractions to administrative tasks inside or outside the school; however, more serious ramifications are reserved for cases that involve suspicion of sexual abuse or financial misconduct.  The City hopes new procedures agreed to by both parties will assist with the phasing out of existing cases by the end of this calendar year.

Some highlights of the agreement include:

• No new educators assigned to the ‘Rubber room” after September
• Number of arbitrators up to 39 from 23 and will hear 7 instead of 5 cases a month
• Completion of the review process will be drastically reduced from 18 months to about 6 months
• A hearing must start 15 days after the accusation is first made and the proceedings cannot drag on beyond 60 days

While this is not expected to save much money because of the extra personnel that will need to be hired for meeting the demands of a stricter time line, education officials hope that some funds can be recaptured by keeping more teachers who are on the Department of Education’s payroll in the classroom instead of in trial limbo.

Click here to read an article by UFT President Michael Mulgrew on this landmark decision.

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