Hey Pedro, remember -- primary in September!

Instead of apologizing to taxpayers for shutting down the NY State Senate with the Coup last year, Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr and Minority Leader Dean Skelos are wrecking havoc again by making it impossible for the NYS Senate to pass a budget. The Senate has been passing emergency budget bills on a weekly basis for a while now. If a deal isn’t reached by Monday, government services will literally cease to be funded. State officials are preparing for the first-ever government shut down.

Paterson has proposed a budget with deep cuts to health care as a way to force the lawmakers to accept his proposals. Dems oppose the cuts, while Republicans are in unified opposition because the cuts don’t go far enough. (Hooray for the Party of No!) So far, Espada and Diaz have said they will not support the emergency budget bill to keep government operating.

The latest re: our favorite State Senator:

Both threatened to oppose future emergency spending bills – even if state government must go dark. For all of its dysfunction, Albany had never sunk that low.

If Paterson loses legal authority to spend money, no one can be sure what agencies will close, what programs will stop, what havoc will be wreaked.

[...]

Espada postured as defender of the downtrodden.

“We have to stop hurting working families and poor,” he huffed – as if those people wouldn’t be the hardest-hit victims of a government shutdown.

This is especially hard to take from Espada, the poster boy for government waste. As CEO of a chain of health clinics for the poor – financed entirely with state and federal funds – and he lives scandalously high on the hog. He has not only drawn a fat salary, but Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says he looted $14 million to support a flashy lifestyle.

His bank account is proof there’s plenty of fat in the state budget, yet he’s going to force a crisis rather than accept cuts.

Espada and Skelos – your state Legislature at work.

Daily News: Bill Hammond

“We are Democrats, but we do not believe that just because someone has a ‘D’ next to their name they deserve our unwavering support!” yelled Harris, her voice booming down the quiet Beechwood Drive where Espada resides in a picturesque two-story dwelling that stands in contrast to the brick apartment buildings dotting his 33rd District. (Though Espada claims he lives in a Bronx cooperative, which Cuomo’s suit says is paid for with a stipend from his Soundview HealthCare Network, the 20 grand in Japanese takeout also outlined in that suit was delivered to his Mamaroneck address.)

So along with $4.95 pre-made California rolls purchased from a Manhattan Duane Reade, the group packed voter registration cards into their wicker delivery basket, just in case Espada wanted to reflect his real residence. “We also have a red mesh jersey because he played for the Republicans,” said Al Benninghoff, a Manhattan Young Democrats president emeritus.

Other goodies included the group’s riff on the Napoleon Dynamite campaign tee, a number of sushi takeout menus, a first aid kit (because Albany needs fixing), and a framed picture of Espada and Monserrate at a Yankee game. They fringed $2 million in play money, representing the amount of member-item cash that spurred the defection, around the basket.

Here is our video from the event:

And our photos:

Click the image to watch on CBS.com

Also check out Heather’s awesome quote on the coverage at LoHud.com:

Heather James of the Manhattan Young Democrats said the protest was meant to bring attention to corruption in Albany.

“We have a few people who need to go and we think Espada is one of them,” she said. “This is to commemorate the coup when Espada switched sides.”

Protesters Call for Espada’s Ouster at NY Home

PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES HOLD SENATE COUP ANNIVERSARY BLOCK PARTY AT REAL  HOME OF PEDRO ESPADA JR.

~

THE MANHATTAN YOUNG DEMOCRATS HOST A COALITION OF PROGRESSIVES IN PROTEST OF LAST YEAR’S UNDERHANDED POWER GRAB AND THE CONTINUED CORRUPTION IN ALBANY

Dozens of New Yorkers wearing “Don’t Vote For Pedro” shirts and armed with bullhorns and signs gathered outside the REAL home of State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. Saturday before marching to a nearby park for an afternoon of sushi and protesting in honor of the Senate Coup Anniversary.

Protestors delivered a “Welcome to Mamaroneck” basket filled with symbolic offerings, including sushi takeout menus, a signed anniversary card, 2 million dollars in phony money,  and a framed photo with coup-cohort Hiram Monserrate to the Espada residence. Afterward guest speakers, including Bill Samuels from the New Roosevelt Initiative addressed the crowd.

The Backstory:

Nearly one year ago, the New York State Senate sank to new lows when it ceased to function for six solid weeks, depriving 20 million New Yorkers of a functional legislature. Though many — including a disengaged public — share responsibility for fostering the vacuum of effective governance in Albany, one elected official has become the poster child of the capitol’s corruption and irresponsible behavior. That person is the current Majority Leader and State Senator from the 33^rd District, Pedro Espada Jr.

Last year’s coup is not Espada’s only claim to fame. Espada has also racked up more than $60,000 in fines related to campaign finance violations. Espada has repeatedly been accused of funneling money to himself an family members through personal non-profits. In April, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed suit against Espada for allegedly siphoning $14 million dollars from Soundview Health Clinic for personal expenses, including $20,000 worth of sushi and lavish Vegas vacations.

Statements From Sponsoring Organizations:

Manhattan Young Democrats:

“We are Democrats. But just because someone has a ‘D’ next to their name does not mean that they deserve our unwavering support. MYD has spent the last year educating our membership and the youth of NYC about the importance of the state legislature. We have given presentations to students and produced a short video to raise awareness about last year’s coup to highlight Albany’s fundamentally undemocratic approach to governance. We know that a whole host of issues that we care deeply about—from women’s empowerment to affordable housing to campaign finance reform to transportation funding—are affected by the quality of leadership in Albany. We recognize that the Pedros of the world often prevent truly progressive Democrats from doing their job.”

Bill Samuels, The New Roosevelt Initiative:

“This year, which is a year of change, will see cynical, corrupt Senators like Pedro Espada voted out and decent people of integrity voted in.  I have launched The New Roosevelt Initiative, a multi-year effort to oust Senators who stand in the way of reform and elect ‘New Roosevelts’ in their place.  I have committed a minimum of $250,000 in funding for this Initiative to use in voting Pedro Espada out of office by developing smart field operations and providing independent support for Espada’s opponent in the Democratic Primary.”

ReBootNY:

“RebootNY is proud to be a co-sponsor with our friends at Manhattan Young Democrats and other groups to ‘party’ to take back New York and Fire Pedro. Reform starts with booting the worst of the worst.  Pedro Espada is the personification of everything wrong with Albany”.

Citizen Action:

“Less than 24 hours after the coup in Albany, Citizen Action of New York was on the scene in force to protest this hijacking of our state’s Senate. One year later, in the midst of a growing financial crisis, Albany is still dysfunctional, still awash in campaign cash from special interests and lobbyists. We’re joining this ‘celebration’ to remind New Yorkers that we need citizen financing of all election campaigns so we can finally get a government in Albany that actually works for the people of New York State.”

Greater NYC For Change:

“With Democrats taking control of the State Senate of the first time in decades and looking to finally move forward on long-neglected issues like repealing vacancy decontrol, navigating through our budget crisis, reforming state healthcare funding, and passing tough, fair ethics and campaign finance reform, many of us feared the worst — that New Jersey would edge out New York as ‘least functional state government.’  Luckily, the rebels from last year’s attempted coup sprung into action, returned Albany to a state of gridlocked despair that we’re still recovering from, and showed the corrupt politicians of New Jersey how it’s *really* done.  Bravo, we say!”

Not busy tomorrow? Annoyed by under-investigation Bronx state Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr.? Here’s one option: Celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Senate coup at what critics call his “real” home — in Mamaroneck.

“Dozens of New Yorkers wearing “Don’t Vote For Pedro” shirts and armed with bullhorns and signs will gather outside the REAL home of State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. before marching to a nearby park for an afternoon of sushi and protesting in honor of the Senate Coup Anniversary,” says the invite in my inbox.

“Protestors will deliver a “Welcome to Mamaroneck” basket filled with symbolic offerings, including sushi takeout menus, a signed anniversary card, a Mamaroneck bumper sticker, $2 million in Monopoly money, and a framed photo with coup-cohort Hiram Monserrate to the Espada residence. Afterward, guest speakers, including Bill Samuels from the New Roosevelt Initiative will address the crowd.”

Espada, as you know, is under all kinds of investigations for allegedly chiseling money meant for the poor from his Soundview health clinics to bankroll his personal life.

Email vp [at] goMYD [dot] com if you’re not on the bus list — we’ll do our best to find a way to get you up to the party!

Click on the image to reserve your seat!

You’re invited to an Anniversary Celebration of last year’s State Senate June Coup at the home of the current State Senate Majority Leader, Pedro Espada Jr. An afternoon of indictments, corruption, special interests, FREE sushi and FREE t-shirts in Mamaroneck!

FREE Buses available from NYC to Mamaroneck!

Manhattan Bus Pick-Up:
On 33rd St btw 7th & 8th Ave | Bolt Bus Pick-up | Corner of Penn Station @ 12PM

Bronx Bus Pick-Up:
Location TBD @ 12PM

Or meet us there directly at 115 Beechwood Drive at 1PM.

Contact Emmy by June 1 to RESERVE YOUR FREE SEAT:
203-444-9465 or vp@goMYD.com or fill out the form here

Find it on Facebook here

Avella said he will probably jump into the race by the end of the month and plans to focus on the same issues he championed on the Council, such as fighting overdevelopment and ethics reform, along the campaign trail.

Avella’s earned his reputation as a reformer and someone unafraid to tackle tough challenges.  He attempted an uphill primary against Bill Thompson for the Democratic nomination for mayor last year.  He opposed the extension of term limits for city officials that Mayor Bloomberg forced through, and didn’t take try to take advantage of the extension once the deed was done.  So Avella looks like he’s got the right resume to bring some change to Albany, and he definitely knows the score:

“The one thing I found surprising on the Council is how little power the city has and how much of the legislation I introduced was dependent on Albany,” he said. “I think I have the reputation for being a reformer. If there’s any place crying out for reform, it’s Albany. I want to make government more responsible and ethical.”

Word.

Keep your eyes on this one, and get psyched for it.  Frank Padavan is one of the 30 Republicans who voted no while polling indicated the majority of New Yorkers were ready to say yes to marriage equality as long ago as last summer.  Padavan is also one of the 30 Republicans without whose help the coup could not have happened and our state would not have been held hostage by two opportunistic senators, both one of whom is still in the senate.  So essentially Frank Padavan is:

• For turning Albany into even more of a mess than normal
• Against equal rights
• (A Republican)

Get psyched for this campaign – it’ll be one of (hopefully) several opportunities for NYCers to take our government back in 2010.

Now that State Senator Hiram Monserrate has rejoined the Democratic caucus and thrown the Senate into a 31-31 tie, the state Supreme Court judge who was going to hear Democrats’ and Republicans’ arguments over who should rule the Senate this morning instead said both sides need to resolve it themselves.