Our Favorite Elected Official, Photobombed

If you missed Taylor’s fantastic presentation about the dysfunction in Albany last night — email Heather to find out how we can bring “Restoring Democracy to NY: A Call to Action By MYD” to you! secretary [at] goMYD [dot] com. It’ll tell you all about why officials like Pedro make life suck for all of us New Yorkers.

Cuomo: Don’t Vote for Pedro

According to the Daily News, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo “has found ‘extensive evidence’ of illegal and improper actions by embattled Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. and the companies he controls,” DN Albany Bureau Chief Ken Lovett reports.

As it turns out, Cuomo has been investigating Espada and his various companies for nearly 9 months (that’s before the June Senate coup). You see, in addition to being a State Senator, Pedro Espada is also President and CEO of both Soundview Healthcare Network and Soundview Management Services (which provides janitorial services for Soundview Healthcare). Cuomo has subpoenaed Espada’s Senate records and his companies for months, but he has yet to comply. In his defence, non-disclosure is something of an art form for Espada since he routinely fails to submit campaign finance filings as well.

Cuomo is now looking to have a judge force Espada to comply. Read more at the Daily News or check out the court documents conveniently provided by DN’s Elizabeth Benjamin.

Now, listen to the NY Times and buy a shirt (http://gomyd.com/2010/01/12/first-fashion-trend-of-2010/).

What’s Going On With Vacancy Decontrol?

State Senator Hiram Monserrate, whose felony battery trial is set for September, is broadly expected to take over the Senate’s Housing Committee this fall.  Our favorite Pedro Espada Jr. ran the committee until the June debacle which bestowed upon him the illustrious title of Majority Leader. Monserrate’s leadership means some strange new friendships for tenant and housing advocacy groups.  Advocates, who are pushing the repeal of vacancy decontrol, may need Monserrate’s help.

So what is vacancy decontrol, and why does it matter for young Dems in NYC? Vacancy decontrol is the common name for legislation which allows landlords to begin charging market rate for rent controlled apartments that become vacant. This affects young Manhattanites, because they are effectively barred from the rent-controlled market. Over 100,000 apartments, including many that young people will move into, are affected by the law on an annual basis. Vacancy decontrol also means that when rent on a rent-controlled apartment reaches $2,000, the apartment is automatically eligible for decontrol. This cap is extremely low in the context of Manhattan’s rental market. Unsurprisingly the repeal of vacancy decontrol has strong support from downstate lawmakers; the city’s Public Advocate has also addressed the need to pass the legislation.

Legislation repealing vacancy decontrol has already passed in the Assembly.  However, it typically dies in the Senate. This year, in the face of a budget crisis, Senate leaders promised to put the pending legislation first on the this fall’s agenda.  Monserrate has also claimed he supports such housing programs. But his leadership of the housing committee may not even survive until voting time.  If Monserrate is convicted on September 14th, he will be removed from the Senate.

Whose next to control our rent future?  Only in New York!

Rally Round the Family – Espada Style

Besides offering affordable health care for constituents in the Bronx, the non-profit community health care center run by State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. also provides lots of jobs for the community… of people related to Espada. The Post’s Isabel Vincent has donned her Hazmat suit to take a closer look at Espada’s Soundview HealthCare Network, which stays afloat thanks to millions of taxpayer dollars.

NY Post with a Hat-Tip from Gothamist

New York Bizarrocracy

So the good news is that Pedro Espada Jr’s newly hired son abruptly resigned, you know, after the AG decided to look into whether it was illegal to create a brand new $120K a year position (“Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Relations”) for, as the Post learned, a family member that doesn’t even have to show up for work. Apparently, Espada’s son hadn’t even seen his office yet, and only showed up after he learned the Post was there, and even needed a staffer to coach him as to how everything was set up. Fun.

What’s your dad done for you lately?

PEDRO-KIN ‘NO SHOW’ NO-NO (NY Post, via Gothamist)

Support Pedro Espada Jr’s Entire Family!

Just pay your taxes!!

Espada’s son, Pedro G., has been hired by the Senate for the job of “deputy director of intergovernmental relations.”

He’s not replacing anybody; it’s a newly created position that pays $120,000 a year. Pedro G. is not to be confused with Espada’s other son Alejandro, who runs one of his father’s controversial health clinics and recently admitted to roughing up a reporter. No, this Espada spawn is a former Bronx assemblyman and City Council member (though his Facebook page says his employer is Soundview Health Center).

You’re Now Paying Pedro Espada’s Son $120K a Year (Gothamist)

The Mixed Up Files of Pedro Espada

Deadlines don’t seem to be much of a threat to State Senator Pedro Espada.  The Senator owes a whopping $61,000 dollars to the New York Campaign Finance Board which was due this past Monday.  It is now Thursday and the CFB has yet to see any of the money.

The real kicker is that these fees were not really due on Monday….in fact, they were due in 2001 after Espada ran for Bronx Borough President eight years ago.  The New York Daily News reports:

For a second straight day, Espada’s lawyer Laurence Laufer said payment was “imminent.”

Espada said a check was to be delivered to Laufer late yesterday. The lawyer would then send it to the board.

“They’ll get their money,” Espada said.

In addition to the $61,000 Espada owes the city, he owes the state $10,309 in late campaign finance fees as well as 23 disclosure reports.  All this from your esteemed Senate Majority Leader?  Espada continues to sit at the helm of the State Senate while he defrauds the state and his constituents in the Bronx (or is it Westchester?).  It’s time for our leadership in Albany to step up and act respectably.

But remember…Don’t get mad, get the t-shirt!  “Don’t Vote for Pedro” t-shirts are still for sale!  Order online here.

Take a Hard Look: Dems Just Gave this Guy $2 Mil

More here (Gothamist)

We Meant It. We Still Mean It.

Really Folks – DON’T VOTE FOR PEDRO.

PHILLIES SIGN PEDRO!!

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