Latest news with #DC37
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Readers sound off on Mamdani and Medicare, troops in L.A. and poor paper delivery
Flushing: Re 'Why I am the best candidate for mayor' (op-ed, June 8): Zohran Mamdani is a disingenuous, phoney-baloney socialist. He does not support the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees' four-year battle to keep our earned public Medicare along with its Medigap Part B supplement, GHI Senior Care. Mamdani would prefer to have Henry Garrido, president of DC 37, endorse him. Garrido, along with Mayor Adams, is hell-bent on throwing NYC retirees into the fires of Medicare Advantage. Mamdani forsook his chance to appear at the NYCORGPSR Mayor's Forum on April 17 at the CUNY Graduate Center to not displease Garrido. Apparently, his socialist platform ends when it comes to currying favor with a mean-spirited and despotic union president. NYCORGPSR has not endorsed Mamdani because he shows no palpable evidence or interest in supporting Medicare — not just for NYC retirees but for all who are Medicare-eligible. We retirees are fighting the good fight for all older Americans and the disabled. We are fighting against Project 2025, which will force all into Medicare Advantage by an AI-assisted default option. Mamdani is no friend to seniors, the disabled, 9/11 first responders or the caregivers who need and who have worked for the benefits of traditional Medicare, as mandated by Lyndon Johnson in 1965. I would suggest that Mamdani school himself in protecting and advancing the agenda of health care for all New Yorkers instead of bowing down to the likes of Garrido, who has betrayed not only NYC retirees, but NYC employees as well, with a new health plan contract that will diminish their health benefits by 10%. Lisa Flanzraich Flushing: I'm not a fan of Scott Stringer, but I just want to thank him for having the guts to call President Trump a schmuck on TV, something many of us would love to say to his face. Every time I hear it, it makes my day. Keep it up, Scott. H. Manuel DaSilva White Rock, British Columbia: Apparently, without any tariff relief in return from the Trump administration, Alberta's government has lifted its ban on U.S. liquor imports. Maybe Alberta can also import Trump's new personal brand of his very own bottled used bathwater to sell to his Canadian fans? Trump can also claim that his fine product has been aged for 100 years. Indeed, it competes with some of the finest wines for sale out there! Sure, his supporters and worshipers everywhere know the number is simply not possible, but who's going to dare question His Holiness? Frank Sterle Jr. Plainview, L.I.: Journalism the racehorse may now have finished second to Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but journalism itself may finish 'out of the money' (about $500 million) if Trump's executive order to cease direct funding to NPR and PBS to stop their news coverage is enforced because our Congress does not oppose it constitutionally. Richard Siegelman Brooklyn: I must say, I'm appalled that Trump so hastily sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles. After the Jan. 6 incident, I didn't realize he knew how. I can only surmise that Trump was in need of a bigger diversion to keep our minds focused on something other than the fact that he gave Elon Musk permission to gather all the security information on anyone in the United States. Did he not know that included him? I'm wondering if Musk kept copies of all this information. The saga continues. Mary Whitaker Delray Beach, Fla.: Trump sends in the National Guard to L.A. to help quell what he claims are attacks by protesters against the police, ICE agents and federal buildings and other property. Yet, he had no problem when the Proud Boys and his other supporters were beating up and spraying with bear spray the Capitol Police officers on Jan. 6 and causing destruction to the U.S. Capitol Building. He's OK with that. He's such a hypocrite. Barry Rudd Staten Island: If Trump actually cared about violence against law enforcement, he wouldn't have pardoned every single one of the dirtbags who attacked the officers who defended our Capitol on Jan. 6. Violence against police is permitted so long as you're doing it for him. Michael Rosenkrantz Ormond Beach, Fla.: The progressive left has moved farther away from the values and beliefs of most Americans than ever with its position on supporting biological men in women's sports, bathrooms and locker rooms, its stance on open borders and interfering with the attempts by ICE to make our country safe, its support of DEI policies and identity politics, and its resistance to our attempts to make government more efficient and less corrupt. The left has taken this assault against America to a higher level with its attempts to normalize the rioting, destruction of property and assaulting police we saw in the George Floyd protests and those we're now watching in Los Angeles. Politicians who encourage this for their own selfish interests and anarchists who feed the flames of and participate in these destructive acts don't seem to have any clue that Americans reject lawlessness. We always have and always will. Charles Michael Sitero Bronx: Protesting because of the deportations are one thing, but assaulting police, burning cars and looting is not protesting. It is criminal behavior. Sympathy has gone out the window because of that. What does waving another country's flag gonna do? If any of those people really respect the country that has given them a chance of living better than what they ran from, that is a nasty way of showing it. Burning the American flag is another form of disrespect that is showing the world that you are unhappy with America and need to go back to the country of the flag you wave. Arlana Solomon Girven Walker Somers, N.Y.: Voicer Marc H. Lavietes is way off-base comparing Yankee Stadium to Citi Field. I am a baseball traditionalist too. If you don't like the 'digital noise' at Citi Field, don't go. The Mets engage with their fans throughout the game as well. Marc, you are sounding like an old, 'get off my grass' baseball fan. I've been to both ballparks and I can certainly converse when they play the music. And the best is Francisco Lindor's walk-up song, 'My Girl,' getting the fans to complete the verse. So good. And you don't like them pandering to young children? We want them to become baseball fans! And lastly, the Mets do put a very, very competitive team on the field. They actually have the best record in the National League and a better record than the Yankees. My advice: Take a seat! Michael Gold Hauppauge, L.I.: As a retired Catholic physician, I have spent more than 40 years dedicated to keeping my patients healthy and alive. I am incredulous that the assisted suicide bill has gone as far as it has through the legislative process in this state. Those who vote to approve this bill, and the physicians who participate, will need more than just our prayers to be forgiven for this heinous act. Enrico Mango Somers, N.Y.: Is it the tip amount that our Daily News carrier has decided to use to measure the distance from our front door to leave the paper? Two more inches and it would be in the street. Previously, it was always thrown very close to our front door since I'm a disabled Korean War veteran of 94. I simply can not go out that far each day to retrieve the paper. I give $50 at Christmas and recently, $20 on my renewal. Please let me know if the tip is inadequate and I'll try to be more generous. If the tip is adequate and the paper continues to be street-located, regretfully, I will have to cancel my subscription. R. LaGravinese Brooklyn: To Voicer Morris D. Fried: You're confusing Jewish religious law with the laws of the Israeli government. Robert Braunstein
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NYC union yanks backing for one Council member, pulls cash to others over Medicare Advantage beef
DC 37, the city's largest public sector union, has rescinded its endorsement of one City Council member and committed to stop donating to several others in retaliation for their support of a bill that would protect retired municipal workers' access to traditional Medicare, according to records obtained by the Daily News. The retribution is born out of a long-running effort by Mayor Adams' administration to shift the city's roughly 250,000 municipal retirees into Medicare Advantage, a privatized, cost-saving version of regular Medicare. DC 37, which represents some 150,000 active city workers, has supported the Advantage switch — its union leaders agreeing with Adams' argument that it would save the city hundreds of millions of dollars each year and continue to provide retirees with adequate health coverage. But a group of municipal retirees has so far blocked Adams' Advantage push in court, arguing it would water down the traditional Medicare coverage they claim they're entitled to by law. Some Council members are siding with the retirees and have introduced legislation to codify into law that the city must offer retirees a traditional plan, comprised of the federal Medicare program boosted by a city-subsidized supplement. The Council effort has infuriated DC 37 brass, and in a previously unreported March 19 meeting, union leaders took action to punish the lawmakers backing the bill, according to minutes of the confab reviewed by The News. In the meeting, union delegates, including DC 37 boss Henry Garrido, authorized a resolution to 'cease' donations or other political assistance to 'any' Council members who support the bill, the minutes reveal. The minutes say the measure was greenlit 'after much discussion,' though the records don't elaborate on that point. Additionally, the delegates approved a motion to 'unendorse' Brooklyn Councilwoman Alexa Aviles 'because of her support' for the legislation, the minutes say. Aviles, a progressive Democrat who faces multiple challengers in June's Democratic primary, was first awarded DC 37's endorsement during her 2021 campaign. She didn't return a Friday request for comment. The DC 37 move comes after Garrido in 2023 privately threatened to 'withdraw support' from any Council members supporting the bill, as first reported by The News. DC 37 is hugely influential in local elections and known to contribute generously to its endorsed candidates, and launch rigorous get-out-the-vote efforts for them. Council records show the bill has 15 co-sponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, whose mayoral run was endorsed by DC 37 last month, hasn't signed on to the bill and her support would likely be required for it to move. The minutes from the DC 37 meeting slam the bill, penned by Manhattan Councilman Chris Marte, for failing to 'identify a single source of funding' to bankroll the continuation of traditional Medicare for retirees. Due to surging health care costs, the minutes say DC 37 leaders fear if the bill becomes law, active duty city workers would lose their free health care and have to 'pay premiums of up $1,500' in order to subsidize the retirees' plans. Marianna Pizzitola, an ex-FDNY EMS who leads the retiree group that has blocked the mayor's plan in court, called DC 37's retaliation against Council members 'disappointing.' 'But it is also consistent with their 'throw the retirees under the bus' posture,' she said. The beef over the Council bill aside, courts have repeatedly blocked Adams' administration from implementing the Advantage plan. His administration has appealed the matter to the state's highest court, which is expected to hear arguments later this month.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuomo endorsed by NYC's largest health care union, despite previous call for resignation
NEW YORK — Mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo on Friday locked in the endorsement of New York's largest health care workers' union, continuing a trend of organized labor organization lining up behind the former governor's bid for New York City Hall. The endorsement from 1199SEIU comes even though the union's boss, George Gresham, demanded Cuomo's resignation as governor in 2021 amid accusations that he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. In a statement, the powerful union said it opted to back Cuomo for mayor because he as governor helped raise the state's minimum wage to $15 and expand paid family leave. The union, which is known to finan cially boost its preferred candidates and launch rigorous get-out-the-vote efforts for them, represents 200,000 nurses, therapists, hospital support staff and other health care workers in the city. 'At a time when our city is facing enormous challenges, we need leaders with the experience and vision to deliver real results — our members recognize that Governor Cuomo is the clear choice to lead New York forward,' said Gresham, a longtime Cuomo ally who has recently faced scrutiny from his members amid allegations of financial mismanagement. In a statement, Cuomo said he's 'honored' to have the union's backing. '1199SEIU members are the backbone of health care in New York, they are caregivers, nurses, social workers, housekeepers and so much more — both in our daily lives and in times of crisis,' Cuomo said. Gresham's group, which is also the city's largest private sector union, endorsed progressive lawyer Maya Wiley for mayor in the 2021 election, which Eric Adams won. Adams has dropped out of this summer's Democratic mayoral primary and is instead seeking reelection as an independent in November's general election, a move he made amid continued political fallout from the Trump Justice Department's dismissal of his corruption indictment. Cuomo, who's polling as the clear favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, has been endorsed by a swath of other powerhouse unions in New York, including 32BJ and the Hotel Trades and Gaming Council, both of which also demanded his resignation as governor in 2021. Cuomo has denied sexually harassing anyone, though he apologized upon resigning for making women feel 'uncomfortable.' In a significant break from Cuomo's block of labor support, DC 37, the city's largest municipal workers' union, endorsed Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor earlier this week. Henry Garrido, DC 37's executive director, said at a press conference his union opted against backing Cuomo because of cuts he enacted as governor to benefits for public sector retirees in New York. _____
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuomo endorsed by 1199SEIU, NYC's largest health care union, despite previous call for resignation
Mayoral hopeful Andrew Cuomo on Friday locked in the endorsement of 1199SEIU, New York's largest health care workers' union, continuing a trend of organized labor organization lining up behind the former governor's bid for City Hall. The endorsement comes even though the union's boss, George Gresham, demanded Cuomo's resignation as governor in 2021 amid accusations that he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. In a statement, the powerful union said it opted to back Cuomo for mayor because he as governor helped raise the state's minimum wage to $15 and expand paid family leave. The union, which is known to financially boost its preferred candidates and launch rigorous get-out-the-vote efforts for them, represents 200,000 nurses, therapists, hospital support staff and other health care workers in the city. 'At a time when our city is facing enormous challenges, we need leaders with the experience and vision to deliver real results — our members recognize that Governor Cuomo is the clear choice to lead New York forward,' said Gresham, a longtime Cuomo ally who has recently faced scrutiny from his members amid allegations of financial mismanagement. In a statement, Cuomo said he's 'honored' to have the union's backing. '1199SEIU members are the backbone of healthcare in New York, they are caregivers, nurses, social workers, housekeepers and so much more — both in our daily lives and in times of crisis,' Cuomo said. Gresham's group, which is also the city's largest private sector union, endorsed progressive lawyer Maya Wiley for mayor in the 2021 election, which Eric Adams won. Adams has dropped out of this summer's Democratic mayoral primary and is instead seeking reelection as an independent in November's general election, a move he made amid continued political fallout from the Trump Justice Department's dismissal of his corruption indictment. Cuomo, who's polling as the clear favorite to win the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary, has been endorsed by a swath of other powerhouse unions in New York, including 32BJ and the Hotel Trades and Gaming Council, both of which also demanded his resignation as governor in 2021. Cuomo has denied sexually harassing anyone, though he apologized upon resigning for making women feel 'uncomfortable.' In a significant break from Cuomo's block of labor support, DC 37, the city's largest municipal workers' union, endorsed Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor earlier this week. Henry Garrido, DC 37's executive director, said at a press conference his union opted against backing Cuomo because of cuts he enacted as governor to benefits for public sector retirees in New York.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State attorney general backs Adrienne Adams for NYC mayor, vows to stump for her in Black churches to thwart Cuomo
NEW YORK — In endorsing Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for mayor Wednesday, State Attorney General Tish James vowed to start stumping for her in the city's Black churches, where Andrew Cuomo, the front-runner in the race for City Hall, has been a dominant force so far. Black congregations in the city, especially in the outer-boroughs, are known to vote in high numbers in local elections, and Cuomo has delivered speeches at such churches for months — starting even before he officially launched his mayoral run in early March. Though she didn't call him out by name, James, a longtime political foe to Cuomo, suggested in a thinly-veiled reference to the ex-governor that he has given Black churchgoers a distorted view of his record while on the campaign trail. 'I'm going to campaign with (the speaker), particularly in Black churches, because certain candidates have visited a significant number of Black churches in the city of New York, and I think it's important to remind them of the history of individuals,' James said, speaking at an afternoon press conference where DC 37, the city's largest municipal union, and two other local labor groups also endorsed the speaker's mayoral run. 'I don't think politicians should disgrace a house of faith and for me and for Adrienne, both women of faith, it's pretty serious. You see, we don't go to churches just around election time, we go to church every Sunday … so I can't support someone who just shows up simply because they want votes.' Speaker Adams told the Daily News afterward she believes it's especially important for her and James to highlight to African-American voters that Cuomo 'could have gotten out PPE and vaccines' to Black communities 'much sooner than he chose to' during the COVID pandemic. In response to the comments from the speaker and James, Cuomo's campaign provided a statement from Brooklyn Bishop Orlando Findlayter in which he said the ex-governor 'stood with the Black community during our most difficult days, in ways few elected officials ever have.' 'It is deeply troubling when any leader choose to mislead our community for political gain,' said Findlayter, who has endorsed Cuomo's mayoral run. 'I hope Speaker Adams, as someone who understands the weight of leadership, will reflect on the importance of honesty and unity as we all work toward a better future for our communities.' Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct accusations he denies, has consistently polled as the favorite to win the Democratic June 24 mayoral primary. Speaker Adams, who announced her mayoral run in early March, has struggled to gain momentum for her campaign, with relatively slow fundraising and little traction in the polls. But she's hoping she can shake up the dynamic of the race with the new endorsements from James, DC 37 and the two other unions, the local chapters of UNITE HERE and the Communications Workers of America. In backing the speaker, the three unions bucked a recent trend of the city's politically influential labor groups lining up behind Cuomo. DC 37 executive director Henry Garrido, whose union represents some 150,000 city workers and tens of thousands of more municipal retirees, said a big reason why his group went against Cuomo was because he as governor raised the state's retirement age and cut some retirement benefits for public sector workers. Endorsing against Cuomo could be risky for DC 37, whose leaders would have to negotiate a new labor contract with his administration if he's elected mayor. Asked by The News whether he's concerned about Cuomo retaliating against his union in such labor negotiations, Garrido shot back: 'What you just said is the prime example of why he's not here,' prompting cheers and applause from the audience of DC 37 members. 'I'm not afraid … If the governor gets elected, then we'll deal with it, but until then, we are going to elect Adrienne Adams,' Garrido said. In pitching her mayoral candidacy to the DC 37 members, Adams described herself as a 'scandal free' alternative to both Cuomo and Mayor Adams, who dropped out of June's Democratic primary in favor of seeking reelection as an independent candidate in November amid continued political fallout from the controversial dismissal of his federal corruption indictment. 'For years, I stood up to a mayor who made everything about himself,' she said. 'I fought back in the budget and won for libraries, for children, for workers, and as mayor, I will keep on fighting for all of you.' ____________
