Liberal City Councilmembers Form "Progressive" Bloc

Twelve of the city's most liberal Councilmembers have joined forces to push for progressive policies like the creation of more living-wage jobs, paid sick days, increased rent regulations, more affordable housing, greater police accountability, and the legalization of same-sex marriage. The politicians—all Democrats—intend to vote as a bloc, potentially forming a left-wing body that can more effectively promote progressive governance, the Times reports.

"The mayor has done some good things—on the environment, on gun control," said Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-East Harlem), who alongside Councilman Brad Lander (D-Park Slope), leads the movement. "But there are some other issues where he hasn't done a good job, and he's lost sight of the poor, working class and middle class. So yes, this is a response because we don't feel the city is going in the same direction as the majority wants."

The liberal caucus could turn out being influential in budget negotiations and other difficult debates, and it might offer voters in the Democratic primary a left-wing litmus test that will help determine whether other candidates have progressive values. Although the bloc came together in response to Mayor Bloomberg's move to extend term limits—a controversial decision that had the support of Council Speaker Christine Quinn—both the Mayor and Quinn said they don't consider the group to be a threat. A mayoral spokesman said that Bloomberg looks forward to working with the group on affordable housing and other issues, while Quinn called herself a progressive and stated: "I support any and all efforts or movements to help members become more effective, and get more done. That's not a challenge to me; that's exciting to me."

The other members of the liberal caucus include: Annabel Palma (D-Parkchester), Letitia "Tish" James (D-Fort Greene), Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush), Margaret Chin (D-Lower Manhattan), Rosie Mendez (D-East Village), Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights), Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), Julissa Ferreras (D-Corona), Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Long Island City) and Deborah Rose (D-St. George).

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By Ben Muessig in News on March 24, 2010 12:38 PM

Comments [rss]

Professor_X

I for one am looking forward to lots of sick days and lower rent. Easy times are here again my friends!

Can't wait to get sick for free, and now I hear that the Progressive council is going to extract more rights for me from employers and landlords ... prosperity is just around the corner! Hell, if they can get enough sick days out of the fat cat capitalist employers they will HAVE TO hire more people to keep their exploitative businesses going.

Fadlo K. Shell

Sounds encouraging, although I'm a bit skeptical as some of these individuals are arguably not very left/progressive.

BigRed

Great, just what we need now. First the liberals ruin our economy and individual rights with the misguided healthcare bill, and now these jackasses, whoops I mean progressives, decide that we are all entitled to be equal no matter how hard any one person works. Soon it will be a city where nobody will work because everyone will be taking sick days, the police won't be able to stop anyone due to new restrictions, and our taxes will be higher to pay for more subsidized housing. NO THANKS! Vote these idiots out next election.

cjstephens

How about a caucus of City Council members who aren't under indictment? Could we have that? Please?

what_a_dick

fine until Quinn plops her fat ass on top of everything and it all falls apart. she is such a dick

tom9d

Hahahahaha...good one, City Council.

Mordicai

Hell yeah Brad Lander. Keep this up & you'll keep getting my vote. Wait, I voted David Pechefsky. Well, next November you'll probably get mine. ON THE WORKING FAMILIES LINE.

fuboy

"he's lost sight of the poor, working class and middle class"

While I like the fact that the city council is taking measures to help those that need it, I love the fact that Letitia James is in this crew. This is the woman suing a day laborer for more than he's worth because she walked into his (parked) car.

That being the case, I'm forced to wonder how much this progressive clique really cares about lower and middle class people.