Cuomo Keeps it Divisive & Former IDC Members Contemplate Their Futures

Local News:

• Gov. Cuomo is already indicating how he will pit Long Island/Upstate Democrats against the City should Democrats take control of the New York Senate next year.

• Mayor De Blasio criticized ex-Mayor Bloomberg’s apparent plans to run for President as a Democrat in 2020.

• The City’s competing Charter Revision Commissions, and a lack of a publicity campaign from the Mayor’s office, have led to confusion about what aspects of the revision process will be on the ballot next month.

• The Working Families Party’s decision to replace Cynthia Nixon with Andrew Cuomo as its gubernatorial candidate has brought scrutiny to New York’s fusion voting system.

• Despite the announcement earlier this year that Central Park will be now be “car-free,” placard abuse by cops and other City employees has continued to endanger cyclists and pedestrians in the park.

• Gothamist breaks down the $4.5 billion of public money spent thus far on the development of Hudson Yards.

• The Department of Justice has abandoned its effort to deport Pablo Villavicencio, who was detained by ICE while delivering a pizza to Fort Hamilton army base.

• New York City and The United Federation of Teachers have reached a tentative contract deal. However, some teachers are dissatisfied with the average wage increase being less than 2019 Federal Cost of Living Adjustment standards and the rapidity with which they have been asked to ratify the contract.

• The State Comptroller released a report highlighting the dreadful of state of the MTA and its current lack of funding solutions.

Elections:

• After narrowly losing to John Liu in September’s Democratic primary, Tony Avella (District 11, Northeast Queens) has formally announced that he will still mount a campaign in the general election in November on the Independence and Women’s Equality Party lines. So far, Avella is the only former IDC member who lost in September to stay in the race, although Jeff Klein is sitting on over a half million dollars and has not made any announcements since the primary.

• Despite trailing significantly in the polls, the Republican nominee for State Attorney General, Keith Wofford, has more cash on hand than his heavily favored opponent, Tish James. James, the NYC Public Advocate, is less well-known upstate, and GOP donors apparently see the AG race as their best chance to exert influence in Albany.

• State Senator Marty Golden (R-South Brooklyn) debated his opponent Andrew Gounardes, and admitted to not knowing what the Child Victims Act was.

• New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli debated his three opponents for the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. DiNapoli has held the position since 2007, and has resisted calls to divest from the fossil fuel industry.