Pantaleo is fired + Public Campaign Finance Commission meets

Local News

• Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer who killed Eric Garner in 2014, was finally fired on Monday. NYPD officers have reacted angrily to Pantaleo’s firing, insisting that cops are now “afraid to put their hands on people.” Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, called for a work slowdown in response.
• The 9-member New York State Public Campaign Financing Commission, tasked with developing a system of public funding for state elections, held its first meeting on Wednesday. The nine-member group will also determine whether to end fusion voting, which allows candidates to run on more than one ballot line and gives third parties more influence in elections. The commission was created in this year’s state budget as a compromise after legislators failed to create a public campaign finance system for state elections, and the deadline for their report to the state legislature is December 1st.
• On Wednesday, several assault victims announced a lawsuit against the city and the NYPD following a spate of police violence at last Saturday’s Family Day at the Marcy Houses. The community gathering at the NYCHA development in Bed-Stuy ended abruptly when police arrived and violently dispersed the participants.
• A Congressional delegation that included four Representatives from New York City (Hakeem Jeffries, D-Brooklyn; Gregory Meeks, D-Queens; Adriano Espaillat, D-Manhattan) tried to stage a tour of the ICE detention facility in Elizabeth, NJ, and were confronted by protestors demanding they come up with a plan to shut down the facility, and address immigrants being held in local jails, by counties who have contracts with ICE.
• The MTA is grappling with how to implement the congestion pricing plan that was passed by the state legislature in April.
• Two Proud Boys were convicted of felony offenses arising out of a gang assault on antifa protesters outside the Metropolitan Republican Club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
• The City will make credit checks for those entering affordable housing lotteries optional, along with other changes designed to make the process more accessible.

Elections

• City & State reports that Brooklyn Democratic District Leader Josue Pierre is running to represent the Central Brooklyn state Senate seat currently held by Kevin Parker (SD 21). Parker is a nine-term incumbent and has not faced a serious primary challenge since 2008. Pierre plans to run to the left of Parker. Parker has had a number of notable controversies throughout his tenure.
• Former City Councilwoman, and cousin of former Congressman Joe Crowley, Elizabeth Crowley is likely joining the race to succeed Melinda Katz as Queens Borough President. 
• State Senator Brian Benjamin (D-Harlem) is considering running for City Comptroller in 2021.