Latest news with #deBlasio
Politico
28-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Cuomo was against raising the minimum wage before he was for it
MINIMUM RAGE: Mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo rallied with several unions today to announce his plan to push for a $20 minimum wage by 2027 — citing his success as governor in raising the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2016. But the former political director of one of the city's largest unions remembers it differently — it was Cuomo who remained the biggest obstacle to boosting the minimum wage in the state, until the push for a $15 minimum went national in 2015 and pressured him to act. 'He only got to $15 after massive national campaign pressure and a commitment from SEIU to basically run a multi-million-dollar ad campaign' said Alison Hirsch, who was the political director and vice president for building service workers union 32BJ SEIU at the time. Hirsh recalled staunch opposition from Cuomo and his administration before they finally got on board with the increase, adding: 'It had nothing to do with actually giving a shit about workers, he just wanted to be able to say, as he had contemplated a national profile, that he was the first in the country to do it, because the winds changed.' Hirsch is no neutral observer — she now manages the mayoral campaign for Democratic rival Brad Lander. But her accounts were substantiated by two others familiar with the talks around the minimum wage at the time. Cuomo's plan, first reported today by The New York Times, will need approval from Gov. Kathy Hochul. She has already passed legislation to raise the minimum wage and index it to inflation. She is up for reelection next year, and will have to weigh liberal pushes like this one against fiscal concerns that may be raised in response from business leaders. The state minimum wage now stands at $16.50 per hour in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, with the upstate minimum wage at $15.50 per hour. As governor in early 2014, Cuomo blocked former Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to raise the minimum wage in New York City, opposing local control over an issue he felt should be dealt with statewide. With his latest proposal, he's attempting the same thing as the mayor he spent years feuding with. In initially rejecting de Blasio's 2014 proposal, Cuomo argued that allowing local governments to set their own wage and tax rules could create a 'chaotic situation' and that the issue should be left to the state. In early 2015, when de Blasio suggested a $13 minimum wage for the city, a Cuomo spokesperson called it a 'non-starter' with state lawmakers. Cuomo was pressured by the Working Families Party in 2014 to back a minimum wage hike as he faced a left-flank challenge from Zephyr Teachout, who was campaigning on the issue. The then-governor recorded a video for the WFP's state convention endorsing an increase along with linking it to inflation. But lefty skepticism that Cuomo truly wanted a hike continued, despite the WFP ultimately supporting his re-election. After sustained pressure from unions and other advocates, Cuomo finally came around. He announced his support for a $15 minimum wage later in 2015 and signed legislation to that effect the following year. He also faced substantial opposition from the Senate, which was then led by a coalition of Republicans and breakaway Democrats. Cuomo claimed today his proposal to boost the minimum wage to $20 matches what the city's minimum wage would be today, if the $15 wage had been indexed to inflation in 2016. 'That is the fair way, and that's what we want, and that's what we're going to get passed,' Cuomo said at the rally. At the time, the Cuomo administration was decidedly against indexing the minimum wage to inflation. 'If he hadn't resisted the efforts at the time in 2016 to have the minimum wage indexed, it would be $20 an hour already,' said James Parrott, senior advisor and fellow at the New School's Center for New York City Affairs. 'In a way he's proposing a solution to a problem he created.' Hirsch recalls calls with Cuomo and his staff, including top Cuomo advisors Melissa DeRosa, Neal Kwatra and Bill Mulrow, where they team berated her as she pushed for Cuomo to raise the minimum wage. 'Andrew Cuomo would yell and scream, or he'd have Melissa or Neal scream, or Bill Mulrow would be very nice about it and block it, but he blocked every attempt at wage increases,' she said. The Cuomo campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Jason Beeferman, Janaki Chadha and Nick Reisman From the Capitol SENATE TAKES ON PLASTICS: The Senate is expected to pass a sweeping measure to reduce plastics and packaging waste later today. The measure, which would also eventually ban certain toxic chemicals from packaging, faces intense opposition from the chemicals and packaged foods industry. Opponents say the bill will raise consumer costs and make some convenient packaged foods unavailable on store shelves in New York. Those concerns are gaining traction with some Assembly Democrats, who worry about affordability, POLITICO Pro reported last week. The Senate passed the packaging bill last year, but it did not get to a vote in the Assembly, where it faces a tougher path. Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who sponsors the bill, last week said she remained 'guardedly optimistic' it would pass this session. She said the study circulated by business groups showing higher consumer costs included products that aren't covered in the bill. 'We understand we're up against big money but I think that we either have to do something to protect the public in a very minor way or just fold up the tent and let the industry do whatever it wants,' Glick said. Business groups have pushed an alternative bill that would give companies more control over reduction efforts and doesn't ban any chemicals from packaging. 'The problem with some of their packaging is that it's got toxic substances that are going to leach into our food,' Glick said. — Marie J. French From City Hall CRYPTO BRO: Mayor Eric Adams pledged to create a cryptocurrency bond in New York City today at a Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas. Speaking from the stage, he also urged state lawmakers to nix a license needed to transact in virtual currency and repeatedly compared Bitcoin investors to Betsy Ross, the 19th century seamstress credited with sewing the second American flag. 'She was not some philosophical, intellectual person who wanted to decide what was going to be the foundation of our country. She was an ordinary person like you and I — hardworking, blue-collar people,' Adams said. 'But that flag still stands today.' Adams encouraged Bitcoin investors and practitioners to come to the Big Apple, where he plans to create a 'Bit bond' that could be invested in with cryptocurrency. And he urged attendees to return to their local governments and start advocating for more lenient digital currency policies. Adams spoke directly after Vice President JD Vance, and reflected upon a portion of the GOP standard-bearer's speech. 'Vice President Vance said something you should all listen to: We must be part of the political strength in our country,' Adams said before employing a golf metaphor and adding: 'Local politics will determine what will happen to this industry.' — Joe Anuta IN OTHER NEWS — MESSENGER IN THE MAYOR'S RACE: Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has a thin legislative record but is a forceful voice in Albany. (The New York Times) — PAROLE DIVIDES: Racial disparities in parole decisions continue to worsen across New York state under Hochul, with new data showing a widening gap from a year ago. (Gothamist) — RACE FOR SUPPORT: Several major Jewish community endorsements are still up for grabs in the mayoral race. (THE CITY) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio to pay $330,000 over use of NYPD detail during 2020 presidential run
NEW YORK — Former Mayor Bill de Blasio will pay $330,000 in restitution and fines for violating city rules by using his NYPD detail during his long-shot 2020 presidential bid — the largest settlement in the history of New York City's Conflicts of Interest Board. The settlement, the first time the board has brought an enforcement action against a mayor, marks an end to the three-year legal saga centering on de Blasio's move to have his NYPD detail accompany him on 31 out-of-state trips during his failed 2020 presidential campaign. In Wednesday's agreement, the ex-mayor admitted to taking the security detail along with him despite prior warning from the board. 'In contradiction of the written guidance I received from the board, I did not reimburse the city for these expenses,' de Blasio wrote in the agreement. De Blasio has already paid $100,000 of the settlement, and has agreed to cover the rest in quarterly installments over the next four years, according to the settlement agreement. If he defaults on a payment, his total amount owed is upped to a whooping $475,000. 'Today I settled an outstanding case with the NYC COIB,' de Blasio said in a social media post. 'I acknowledge that I made a mistake, and I deeply regret it. Now it's time to move forward.' Reached over the phone, de Blasio declined to elaborate: 'That's all I have to say.' The historic settlement comes even though de Blasio for years maintained he had done nothing wrong. The ex-mayor also sued the board in 2023, seeking to overturn the the city ethics watchdog's order. That lawsuit was unsuccessful, with a Manhattan Supreme Court justice rejecting it this year and ruling that de Blasio was on the hook to repay the full amount. De Blasio and his attorney Andrew Celli argued after the fine was first imposed in 2023 that the board's decision was 'perilous' and set a standard under which the security of sitting mayors could be at risk. 'Every mayor faces threats, and all mayors are entitled to protection,' Celli said at the time. Queens City Councilman Robert Holden, a centrist Democrat and frequent de Blasio critic, lauded the settlement announcement. 'While the city hasn't yet been made whole, this settlement ends years of litigation and requires de Blasio to begin paying back nearly $330,000 in taxpayer funds,' Holden said. 'His arrogance and misuse of public resources caused lasting damage to this city — but at long last, justice is catching up.' _____
Los Angeles Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Ex-NYC Mayor de Blasio agrees to pay $330,000 for misusing public funds on failed White House bid
NEW YORK — Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has agreed to pay a $329,794 fine to settle an ethics board's complaint that he misspent public funds on his security detail during his brief, failed run for U.S. president. The deal, announced Wednesday by the city's Conflicts of Interest Board, is the costliest repayment order in the ethics board's history. But it allows de Blasio to avoid an even steeper penalty of $475,000 that was previously imposed, a reduction the board said came in light of the former mayor's 'financial situation.' In exchange, de Blasio agreed to drop his appeal of the board's finding. And for the first time, he admitted that he received written warning that his out-of-state security expenses could not legally be covered by city taxpayers. 'In contradiction of the written guidance I received from the Board, I did not reimburse the City for these expenses,' de Blasio wrote in the settlement, adding: 'I made a mistake and I deeply regret it.' The payments concern the $319,794.20 in travel-related expenses — including airfare, lodging, meals — that de Blasio's security detail incurred while accompanying him on trips across the country during his presidential campaign in 2019. He will also pay a $10,000 fine. The campaign elicited a mix of mockery and grousing by city residents, who accused the Democrat of abandoning his duties as second-term mayor for the national spotlight. It was suspended within four months. Under the agreement, de Blasio must pay $100,000 immediately, followed by quarterly installments of nearly $15,000 for the next four years. If he misses a payment, he will be deemed in default and ordered to pay the full $475,000. The funds will eventually make their way back into the city treasury, according to a spokesperson for the Conflicts of Interest Board. An attorney for de Blasio, Andrew G. Celli Jr., declined to comment on the settlement. De Blasio had previously argued that forcing him to cover the cost of his security detail's travel violated his 1st Amendment rights by creating an 'unequal burden' between wealthy candidates and career public servants. Since leaving office in 2021, de Blasio has worked as a lecturer at multiple universities, most recently the University of Michigan, and delivered paid speeches in Italy. Offenhartz writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex-NYC Mayor de Blasio agrees to pay $330K for misusing public funds on failed White House bid
NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has agreed to pay a $329,794 fine to settle an ethics board's complaint that he misspent public funds on his security detail during his brief, failed run for U.S. president. The deal, announced Wednesday by the city's Conflicts of Interest Board, is the costliest repayment order in the ethics board's history. But it allows de Blasio to avoid an even steeper penalty of $475,000 that was previously imposed, a reduction the board said came in light of the former mayor's 'financial situation.' In exchange, de Blasio agreed to drop his appeal of the board's finding. And for the first time, he admitted that he received written warning that his out-of-state security expenses could not legally be covered by city taxpayers. 'In contradiction of the written guidance I received from the Board, I did not reimburse the City for these expenses,' de Blasio wrote in the settlement, adding: 'I made a mistake and I deeply regret it.' The payments concern the $319,794.20 in travel-related expenses — including airfare, lodging, meals — that de Blasio's security detail incurred while accompanying him on trips across the country during his presidential campaign in 2019. He will also pay a $10,000 fine. The campaign elicited a mix of mockery and grousing by city residents, who accused the Democrat of abandoning his duties as second-term mayor for the national spotlight. It was suspended within four months. Under the agreement, de Blasio must pay $100,000 immediately, followed by quarterly installments of nearly $15,000 for the next four years. If he misses a payment, he will be deemed in default and ordered to pay the full $475,000. The funds will eventually make their way back into the city treasury, according to a spokesperson for the Conflicts of Interest Board. An attorney for de Blasio, Andrew G. Celli Jr., declined to comment on the settlement. De Blasio had previously argued that forcing him to cover the cost of his security detail's travel violated his First Amendment rights by creating an 'unequal burden' between wealthy candidates and career public servants. Since leaving office in 2021, de Blasio has worked as a lecturer at multiple universities, most recently the University of Michigan, and delivered paid speeches in Italy.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ex-NYC Mayor de Blasio agrees to pay $330K for misusing public funds on failed White House bid
NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has agreed to pay $329,794 fine to settle an ethics board's complaint that he misspent public funds on his security detail during his brief, failed run for U.S. president. The deal, announced Wednesday by the city's Conflicts of Interest Board, is the costliest repayment order in the ethics board's history. But it allows de Blasio to avoid an even steeper penalty of $475,000 that was previously imposed, a reduction the board said came in light of the former mayor's 'financial situation.' In exchange, de Blasio agreed to drop his appeal of the board's finding. And for the first time, he admitted that he received written warning that his out-of-state security expenses could not legally be covered by city taxpayers. 'In contradiction of the written guidance I received from the Board, I did not reimburse the City for these expenses,' de Blasio wrote in the settlement, adding: 'I made a mistake and I deeply regret it.' The payments concern the $319,794.20 in travel-related expenses — including airfare, lodging, meals — that de Blasio's security detail incurred while accompanying him on trips across the country during his presidential campaign in 2019. He will also pay a $10,000 fine. The campaign elicited a mix of mockery and grousing by city residents, who accused the Democrat of abandoning his duties as second-term mayor for the national spotlight. It was suspended within four months. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Under the agreement, de Blasio must pay $100,000 immediately, followed by quarterly installments of nearly $15,000 for the next four years. If he misses a payment, he will be deemed in default and ordered to pay the full $475,000. The funds will eventually make their way back into the city treasury, according to a spokesperson for the Conflicts of Interest Board. An attorney for de Blasio, Andrew G. Celli Jr., declined to comment on the settlement. De Blasio had previously argued that forcing him to cover the cost of his security detail's travel violated his First Amendment rights by creating an 'unequal burden' between wealthy candidates and career public servants. Since leaving office in 2021, de Blasio has worked as a lecturer at multiple universities, most recently the University of Michigan, and delivered paid speeches in Italy.
