Sunday, December 2, 2018

C'est Vrai : Week In Review : 02 December 2018


C'est Vrai : Week in Review : 02 December 2018


C'est Vrai : Week In Review




A newsletter by Progress New York


02 December 2018


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    • Daniel Dromm : New York City Council
      • The lobbying firm, Yoswein New York, Inc., which had been prominently promoting the troubled Brooklyn-Queens Connector, or BQX, a proposed streetcar service that would join the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts, has been lobbying the New York City Council on behalf of Amazon (dot) com Services, Inc., to secure for the giant online retailer a cloud computer services contract with the City of New York, according to online lobbying records published by the New York City Office of the City Clerk. Two principal targets of Amazon's lobbying have been Councilmembers Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge), chair of the Council contracts committee, and Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). It is not known if the lobbying has led to an agreement or if the procurement contract being sought by Amazon was supposed to be part of the inducement that inspired the selection of Long Island City, Queens to host a second headquarters for Amazon. Amazon was using lobbying firm from BQX to lobby City Government for cloud computing services [Progress New York]

      • Amazon.com Inc. wants New York City as one of its new homes. It also wants the city as a bigger customer for its Amazon Web Services cloud services. Amazon Spends on Lobbying New York City on Cloud Services - WSJ [The Wall Street Journal]

      • In a report that contained no public comment by Councilmember Daniel Dromm, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced that the Council Finance Committee would hold a hearing to examine the Amazon deal. City Council prepares to take action against deal that brings Amazon to Long Island City [TimesLedger]


    • Corey Johnson : New York City Council
      • Corey Johnson said a package of 18 bills is intended to close loopholes and address abusive practices identified in The New York Times's recent series, "Unsheltered," which showed how some large landlords exploit New York's fragmented regulatory system to push apartments out of regulation. 18 Bills With One Goal: Bad-Landlord Crackdown [The New York Times]

      • Members of the New York City Council will host a trio of hearings to grill city officials and Amazon about the closed-door negotiations that led to the tech giant agreeing to build its second headquarters in Queens. New York City Council to Host Hearings on Amazon's Headquarters Deal [The Wall Street Journal]

      • Despite questions raised by Mark Peters over Mayor Bill de Blasio's motives in his firing as commissioner of the Department of Investigation, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson offered his support to Peters' replacement, Margaret Garnett, at a Monday hearing on her nomination. City Council Considers De Blasio Nominee for Department of Investigation [Gotham Gazette]


    • Eric Ulrich : New York City Council


    • Jimmy Van Bramer : New York City Council
      • State Sen. Michael Gianaris and City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who represent the neighborhood, are refusing the state's invitation to join a community advisory committee which will play a role in planning for Amazon's HQ2 campus around Anable Basin while having no veto power, because the "community advisory council is a thinly veiled attempt to present the Amazon development as a fait accompli." Van Bramer, Gianaris reject invite to join Amazon community advisory council [TimesLedger]

      • Amazon's decision to bring half of its planned HQ2 to Long Island City has New York politicians at odds. While some politicians — Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, among them — have welcomed Amazon with open arms, critics have decried the massive tax breaks and other incentives that were offered to the billion-dollar company. Amazon HQ2: Where politicians stand on Long Island City hub [amNewYork]

      • Both Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer and Jumaane Williams signed a letter last year, asking Amazon to come to New York but have come out against the deal since it was announced earlier this month. They charged that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Govenor Andrew Cuomo's decision to bring Amazon to the city was undemocratic. At rain-soaked rally in Long Island City, protesters vow to continue fight against Amazon HQ2 plan [qns.com]

      • ICYMI : City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said that the elected Council members of the body he leads will get "deference" but "no veto" on land use matters. "I try to get to a place of 'yes.'" On Land Use, Johnson Promises 'Deference' to Members But 'No Veto' [Gotham Gazette]



    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez : Nancy Pelosi
      • Anya Parampil puts incoming Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in question, explaining how as a candidate for the democratic nomination, she billed herself as a "socialist" and "progressive" which represented the next generation of the party—only to sell out upon winning office. Anya documents how Ocasio-Cortez has been embraced by corporate democrats, like DNC Chair Tom Perez, offered glowing praise for war-mongering Senator John McCain, and more recently, endorsed Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. Daniel Haiphong, author of the upcoming book "American Exceptionalism and American Innocence", joins Anya to discuss his recent contribution to the Black Agenda Report which accuses Ocasio-Cortez running a PR stunt to help Pelosi. Ocasio-Cortez is a Progressive Fraud [RT America : YouTube]

      • ICYMI : Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is in Nancy Pelosi's corner. Ocasio-Cortez supports Nancy Pelosi in House speaker race [The New York Post]


    • Carolyn Maloney : US House of Representatives
      • After U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, likely chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, discouraged talk of an immediate push to impeach President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney said she was pushing likely House Oversight Committee chair, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, to probe the administration's decision to add a question about citizenship to the U.S. Census. Senior House Democrats Tap Brakes on Investigating Trump [The New York Times]



    • NYCHA : U.S. Attorney's Office
      • The package of taxpayer-funded incentives being offered to Amazon has reached ten figures ; this, as public housing residents face uninhabitable conditions. Ten Figures for Amazon's HQ2 — and Lead Poisoning, Mold, and No Heat for NYCHA's tenants [Progress New York]

      • Most WBAI listeners are quite aware of the disaster that is now NYC's public housing system, known as NYCHA -- widespread toxic mold, lead paint poisoning, broken hot water heaters and elevators...it goes on and on. This isn't something that happened over night -- it's in part the logical outcome of 20 years of neglect by consecutive Republican mayors, as well as big federal funding cuts. But our 'progressive' mayor, Bill de Blasio -- well into his second term -- is increasingly looking remarkably like Michael Bloomberg, when it comes to real estate in general, and especially when it comes to NYCHA. With me is friend-to-the-show, Louis Flores, who has been stalwart in his coverage of NYCHA. Louis Flores on NYCHA and Amazon [WBAI : Archive.org]


    • gentrification : New York City Council
      • Michael McKee argues against repeal of the Urstadt Law. Enacted in 1971, this law prevents the New York City Council from enacting stronger rent laws. CityViews : It is Time for Real Rent-Regulation Reform Across New York State [citylimits.org]

      • The consequences of Amazon could not be graver for residents who live in rent-regulated housing in the surrounding communities of Queens. To understand just how real and lasting the threat of displacement is for these tenants, look no further than the Brooklyn neighborhoods we serve in our work—from Williamsburg/Greenpoint, to Bushwick, and East New York. In the wake of such rapid displacement, tenant harassment in North Brooklyn neighborhoods has reached unprecedented levels. CityViews : Amazon Will Deliver More Displacement to NYC's Working Class [citylimits.org]


    • land use : New York City Council
      • To prevent possible delays or second-guessing of the undemoractic Amazon deal, Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed to bypass the City Council and the city's public land use process. Instead of handing billions in public subsidies to Amazon and other mega-corporations, New York should invest in cooperative, bottom-up economic development led by and directly benefiting people and communities of color, immigrants, and women – who are disproportionately harmed by our current unfair, extractive economy.CityViews : NYC Needs Equitable Economic Development, Not the Amazon Deal [citylimits.org]

      • On Tuesday, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box" to push back against the Amazon backlash. But the project's opponents say that they are currently exploring every option they can to block, slow, or alter the government's deal with Amazon. Do Amazon's Opponents Have Any Hope Of Stopping Queens Campus? [Gothamist]

      • Another former City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, has announced that she will not run, which opens up a lane for Melissa Mark-Viverito to go after the women's vote. Mark-Viverito, Ex-Council Speaker Who Gentrified Spanish Harlem, to Run for Public Advocate [The New York Times]

      • New York's real estate community is fighting a measure backed by the city's hotel workers' union that would make it more difficult to build new properties in certain areas. The measure would restrict new hotel development in areas that are currently zoned for light manufacturing. Hotel Developers Fight NYC Proposal That Would Reduce New Building [The Wall Street Journal]

      • The new dynamics of power in Albany, and the timing of key decision-making processes in the city itself, will make next year a pivotal one for affordability in New York. From Rent Regs to Rezonings, 2019 Will Feature Key Housing Policy Fights [citylimits.org]





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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Donate to Howie Hawkins for Governor


Make a donation to support a special GOTV project for Howie Hawkins and the Green Party.


2018 NYC Outreach Fund !


GOAL : $20,000.00


In an election year when Corporate Democrats, like Queens Machine Boss Joe Crowley and six of the eight IDC turncoats, were defeated, the ringleader of neoliberals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, bragged that the progressive wave amounted to "not even a ripple." Furthermore, Gov. Cuomo belitted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's historic defeat of Crowley as merely "a fluke." Despite being in a new political era of immense possibility for progressive change, Gov. Cuomo's response to this historic moment is to insult our progressive sensibilities. Is this acceptable to you ?


The Green Party has a plan to make history this year. But we need your help. Please help us raise $20,000 for a special voter outreach fund in New York City.


Donate $35 right now.


In every election, Gov. Cuomo pulls the levers on a political machine to get out the vote in New York City. To counter-act this, my campaign and the Green Party are building a fund to reach those left behind by a political system that has failed to hold Gov. Cuomo accountable for his corruption and betrayals of the public trust.


The Green Party voter outreach fund will allow us to spread our message.


Donate $35 right now.


What we need is a true opposition party, not just a rearrangement of deck chairs among Democrats. For decades, the Green Party has occupied a rare place in American politics : building political independence from the two Establishment Parties.


My campaigns and the Green Party have a proven track record of forcing elected Democrats to take action on our issues. This campaign is about making the Green Party and the movements we support strong enough to win the changes we need. From the accelerating climate emergency to the continuing concentration of income, wealth, and power in the hands of the 1% -- the corrupt bullies in the White House and the state Capitol won't solve the problems we face.


We need your support : make a donation and please volunteer.


We must act now.


Demand More.


Thank you,

Howie





Visit : Howie Hawkins for Governor | Twitter | Facebook


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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Donate to Howie Hawkins for Governor


Make a donation to support a special GOTV project for Howie Hawkins and the Green Party.


2018 NYC Outreach Fund !


GOAL : $20,000.00


This was supposed to be the year when progressives were going to oust Corporate Democrats in the primaries. Whereas big names were taken out -- like Queens Machine Boss Joe Crowley and IDC honcho Jeff Klein -- the King of Corporate Democrats, neoliberal Gov. Andrew Cuomo, survived the primaries.


The Green Party has a plan to make history this year. But we need your help. Please help us raise $20,000 for a special voter outreach fund in New York City.


Donate $35 right now.


In every election, Gov. Cuomo pulls the levers on a political machine to get out the vote in New York City. To counter-act this, my campaign and the Green Party are building a fund to reach those left behind by a political system that has failed to hold Gov. Cuomo accountable for his corruption and betrayals of the public trust.


The Green Party voter outreach fund will allow us to spread our message.


Donate $35 right now.


What we need is a true opposition party, not just a rearrangement of deck chairs among Democrats. For decades, the Green Party has occupied a rare place in American politics : building political independence from the two Establishment Parties.


My campaigns and the Green Party have a proven track record of forcing elected Democrats to take action on our issues. This campaign is about making the Green Party and the movements we support strong enough to win the changes we need. From the accelerating climate emergency to the continuing concentration of income, wealth, and power in the hands of the 1% -- the corrupt bullies in the White House and the state Capitol won't solve the problems we face.


We need your support : make a donation and please volunteer.


We must act now.


Demand More.


Thank you,

Howie





Visit : Howie Hawkins for Governor | Twitter | Facebook


This is a sponsored message being sent to you by Progress New York.




Have you become uninterested in participating in your own governance ? Unsubscribe.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Progress New York : Articles Update


Progress New York : Articles Update

Progress New York : Articles Update


In a desperate campaign, Cuomo hurls false charges of anti-Semitism, reminiscent of his history of homophobia


Facing an electoral revolt against establishment politicians, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's campaign falsely accused his progressive political rival Cynthia Nixon of anti-Semitism.



  • EDITORIAL : Three decades later, "Vote For Cuomo, Not The Homo" mailer resurfaces The offensive slogan originally dates back to the Democratic Party primary in the 1977 New York City mayoral race when Andrew Cuomo was managing his father's campaign against Ed Koch, but the Cuomo camp used the slogan again during the lingering whisper campaign five years later, in the 1982 New York gubernatorial race. [Progress Queens]


Some mob families have succession plans. So does the Queens Machine.


EDITORIAL : Any political transition of power that lends legitimacy to the ways that the Queens Machine has been allowed to corrupt democratic functions will fail to restore the public's dwindling faith in Government institutions.



U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman turns back on NYCHA tenants after woefully inadequate repair fund settlement


U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman celebrated the announcement of a repair fund for NYCHA residents that has since been revealed to be woefully inadequate.






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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Progress New York : Articles Update


Progress New York : Articles Update

Progress New York : Articles Update


Grace Meng reportedly interested in taking helm of Queens Democratic County Committee that is of interest to Federal investigators


Queens Democrats avoided serious consequences from a previous, reported Federal corruption investigation by installing a Congressional lawmaker as a new chair. Will it work, again ?



Nike consulted ACT UP on donations after the sports wear giant allegedly misappropriated pink triangle synonymous with SILENCE = DEATH poster


Nike has yet to publicly explain its use of an inverted pink triangle on sports wear that appeared to misappropriate or infringe on ACT UP's pink triangle logo.



Unfunded capital improvements at NYCHA balloon to $31,8 billion


The unmet capital improvement budget shortfall at NYCHA makes dramatic rise to $31,8 billion in wake of Federal investigation into lead poisoning.






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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Today is the day! Vote for Ocasio for Congress. Find your polling station inside

Queens Against Crowley

TODAY IS THE DAY! HELP ELECT ALEXANDRIA TO CONGRESS!



Residents of the 14th Congressional District have a chance to make History

Hi there,

Residents of Queens and the Bronx, living in Congressional District 14, have a chance to make history today. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a progressive woman of color and Bronx native who is challenging the long-time corporate incumbent who has completely negletcted voters in his district for years. It is time to elect someone who will actually fight for us.
Today, let's grab a friend, and get out there and vote. You can find your polling station below.

Find Your Polling Station

Alexandria has run an entirely grassroots campaign, made up of people just like us. Today we can elect one of us to Congress. Lets get out the vote!.

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Monday, June 25, 2018

Vote for Ocasio Tuesday, June 26

Queens Against Crowley

With your vote on June 26, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be the first Latina to represent our district in Congress.



Today, Cynthia Nixon and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are Co-Endorsing Each Other

Hi there,

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a progressive woman of color, who is foresaking all corporate PAC donations, who is championing issues that all politicians have forgotten : like fighting for jobs guarantee programs to address the wealth and income inequality that is wreaking havoc on New York City, like fighting gentrification and saving and expanding public housing, like fighting for a "Medical For All" healthcare plan to finally treat healthcare as a human right. These are progressive values that should appeal to all of us. It shouldn't take decades for us to bring about progress to our lives. It only takes political courage.

Queens Against Crowley

Watch the Full Video

On June 26th help elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bronx native, a candidate who will fight for progressive legislation against corporate interests. Please click here to find your polling station.

Follow us on social media for updates.

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Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Crowley: A Campaign in Crisis - Debate No-Show, ICE Hypocrisy and Media Avalanch

Queens Against Crowley

A Campaign in Crisis : Debate No-Show, Immigration Hypocrisy, and an Avalanche of Criticism



Once Considered Untouchable, Crowley's Campaign Starts to Unravel

Hi there,

As the campaign for the 14th Congressional district in New York reaches its final week, the Ocasio campaign has hit its stride, while Crowley (who has never faced a serious primary challenge), on the other hand, appears to be collapsing from pressure.

As media attention turns to Crowley's years of corruption, many have taken to Twitter to spread the news.

Queens Against Crowley
Queens Against Crowley

Journalists and activists have been raising questions about Crowley's hypocrisy of voting for ICE, but then subsequently "protesting" it, the fact that he was a no-show at a recent debate in the Bronx, and the recent news that Crowley hired a Republican lobbyist to help him raise funds.

Queens Against Crowley

See the article here and, if you're not in Ocasio's district, join the discussion on Twitter and Facebook:


Read the Full Post

With only a week left, it's imporant that we have all hands on deck. On June 26th voters go to the polls and have a chance to make history by electing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. We may not have the establishment behind us, but we have each other, and sometimes that's enough. Together, let's #FireBossCrowley.

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Monday, June 18, 2018

Ocasio Scores a Win in Debate Against Opponent Joseph Crowley

Queens Against Crowley

Highlights from the June 15th Debate:
Quotes from Ocasio



Ocasio Scores Major Win Against Crowley on Issues That Matter Most to Queens and Bronx Voters

Hi there,

On June 15th, NY1 hosted a debate between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Congressman Joseph Crowley. Ocasio's progressive positions had Crowley, a Corporate Democrat, on the defensive almost the entire time. You can watch the full debate here.

With a win under her belt, Ocasio positions herself for one of the biggest political upsets of 2018.

Queens Against Crowley

Here are a few selected quotes from the post:

"Not all democrats are the same, and I am proud to be the only Democrat in this race that rejects all corporate money, and champions and advances improved and expanded medicare for all, a federal jobs guarantee, tuition free public college, and the abolition of ICE"

"What I think is really important, in a district that is 85% democrat, overwhelmingly working class, and 70% people of color, we deserve a working class champion."

"Corporations and corporate PAC's are really the real problem. About 99% of my opponents donations come from corporations, big money and lobbyist groups, and 80% of all of my donations to my campaign are less than $200"


Read the Full Post

On June 26th help elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bronx native, a candidate who will fight for progressive legislation against corporate interests.

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Thursday, June 14, 2018

Joe Crowley is not a fan of Bronx voters

Queens Against Crowley

Afraid of Bronx Voters:
Joe Crowley's Race Problem



Joe Crowley Once Hired a Lobbyist to Get Bronx Voters Out of His District

Hi there,

Congressman Joe Crowley claims to represent both Queens and the Bronx, but back in 2011 he tried to get Bronx voters removed from his district. According to one article, it was because that part of his distrist was heavily Latino, and this would make him vulerable to a primary challenge. The hiring of lobbyists, notably, those connected to the disgraced Sheldon Silver, showed Crowley's contempt for the Bronx.

Now, with an upcoming primary election on June 26th, Bronx voters have a chance to elect someone who actually wants to represent them.

Here is an excerpt from our recent post:

A recent tweet by journalist Ryan Grim revealed to many for the first time that, back in 2011, Joseph Crowley (Establishment-NY) hired a lobbyist to remove the Bronx from his Congressional district. The article Grim linked to explained that Crowley had concerns about that section of Bronx's demographic makeup, which is mainly Latino. Apparently, Crowley thought that such a dense concentration of People of Color would have made him vulnerable if he would ever have to face-off against a Latino challenger in the "democratic" primaries. Unfortunately for Crowley, that part of the Bronx remained within the 14th Congressional district, alongside large portions of Queens, some similarly with large minority populations, and while the two boroughs might be divided by the East River, this year, they are uniting against Crowley.

Read the Full Post

On June 26th help elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bronx native, a candidate who will actually fight for Bronx residents.

Follow us on social media for more updates.

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