Results matching “ravitch”

While addressing the special session of the State Legislature, Governor David Paterson made it clear that the state's budget problems were real—and that the lawmakers had to deal with it. Paterson, who has proposed $3 billion in cuts to, mostly, education and Medicaid, said, "I will mortgage my political career on this plan. We stand on the brink of a financial challenge of unprecedented magnitude in the history of this state. This is a historic moment. We’re going to have to make historic decisions." He also added, "Unless immediate action is taken, we are going to have challenges to our state financials and cash flow in 4½ weeks. Frankly, we're running out of money. Right now we stand on the brink of a financial challenge of unprecedented magnitude in the history of the state. That's not opinion, that's not exaggeration -- that's fact."

Former MTA chairman and current Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch declared yesterday that East River tolls will come back to haunt us for eternity! The Daily News reports that he told an NYU graduate school class that "User fees will come back and back, and they will happen." The tolls were part of his solution to solve to the MTA's financial crisis; "the so-called Ravitch plan included tolling the East and Harlem River bridges to avert sky-high fare hikes and Draconian service cuts while paying for critical projects."

Governor Paterson continues to swing wildly at any and all challengers who might want a shot at his governorship, whether they are actually coming for him or not. And apparently now he's also paranoid that Richard Ravitch might want his job. After chatter that he'll resign, Paterson is reportedly worried that such speculation is going to the head of Richard Ravitch, the man whom he handpicked and fought for in court to be lieutenant governor. An "insider" told the Post's Fred Dicker, "I think Paterson thinks that Ravitch can't wait for him to go so he can take over and become governor."

The "will he or won't he" talk surrounding Governor Paterson's 2010 campaign is once again getting overshadowed by speculation that Paterson may not even finish his term. "One of the state's most prominent Democrats" tells Fred Dicker that they think the governor may pass the state's reins over to Richard Ravitch by next spring. Dicker adds that a longtime Paterson backer called his appearance "a pathetic performance" and other Dems are referring to him as "finished," "dead meat," and "not among the political living."

Governor Paterson once again told America Sunday that he has every intention of running to remain in office next year, but he made it even clearer that he has no intention of escalating or even drawing out his ongoing public feud with the White House. Paterson sat down with David Gregory during where the governor spent most of his ten minutes on the national stage refusing to go into the controversy that undoubtedly prompted the show to invite him on in the first place.

Our new lieutenant governor does not know what Twitter is and has a playful sense of swearing. Richard Ravitch wasted no time in spinning out the "I don't give a shit" charm that makes him so appealing to many New Yorkers, telling reporters, "I know that my golf game is going to go to hell in a basket."

Score one for Paterson! The state's highest court just sided with him on his appointment of Richard Ravitch as Lieutenant Govenor. Read the Times piece for a full brief on the 4-3 decision, considered a "stunning reversal" - all the lower courts had held against Paterson.

After Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor was struck down again recently in a state appeals court, it appeared to be curtains for one of Paterson's most popular moves in an attempt to combat the state senate takeover this spring. But yesterday the state's top court gave the governor and Ravitch a glimmer of hope after they were unexpectedly tough on the state senator who took the appointment to court, Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos.

Well you had a good run, Richard Ravitch. After conflicting decisions from the courts in the days immediately following him signing his name as lieutenant governor in Peter Luger's blood, a state appeals panel in Brooklyn has once again struck down Governor Paterson's appointment of Ravitch as unconstitutional. In the panel's unanimous decision today, they said, "We have no quarrel with those who say that having a man of Mr. Ravitch’s stature, knowledge, and experience in the office of lieutenant governor would promote the public interest by providing help and counsel to the governor in difficult times and by bringing much-needed stability to the government of this State...(but) the governor’s purported appointment of Mr. Ravitch was unlawful because no provision of the Constitution or of any statute provides for the filling of the vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor other than by election." While the panel encouraged that Paterson take the fight all the way to the Court of Appeals, the Daily News says that is not likely since that court consists mostly of Pataki appointees.

• From the Gothamist Newsmap: A crime scene at Palmetto St & Seneca Ave in Queens, a capsized boat off the City Island end of Buckley St in the Bronx, and a police car MVA at Wythe Ave & Williamsburg St in Brooklyn.
• An appeals court says that Richard Ravitch can serve as Lieutenant Governor (during the legal dispute) but he can't preside over the Senate.
• Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce testified in front of a grand jury about the night Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself.

With the legal battle over the constitutionality of Richard Ravitch's appointment as lieutenant governor heading back into a Brookly court tomorrow, Governor Paterson has filed papers stating just how essential it is to have Ravitch around as all of this is being decided. Paterson says that Ravitch is "needed as a 'credible bridge' to business and labor." He also filed an affidavit from former governor Hugh Carey, who supported the choice of Ravitch as "a stellar and dedicated public servant." PolitickerNY sums up Paterson's position: "The crux of it is: You should uphold Richard Ravitch's appointment because Richard Ravitch is great." Senate Republicans have said that nothing Paterson has put forth addresses his constitutionality in making the appointment, something that has been criticized by everyone from Andrew Cuomo to Donald Trump. After getting secretly sworn in at Peter Luger's, state courts have gone back and forth as to whether Ravitch can stick around.

The day after a State Supreme Court justice issued an injunction to block Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, an Appellate judge lifted the injunction. Paterson's office issued a statement saying, "We remain confident that the courts ultimately will confirm that Gov. Paterson’s appointment of Lieutenant Gov. Richard Ravitch was valid and legally correct," while State Senate minority leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) who filed the suit against the appointment said, "The Governor might have bought himself a little time by getting a judge to give him a temporary stay pending a full hearing next week, but like former Chief Judge Sol Wachtler, Lieutenant Gov. Stan Lundine and virtually every legal scholar of note, I believe the courts will agree that Gov. Paterson violated the state’s constitution by attempting to name his own lieutenant governor." Paterson has said if Ravitch's appointment is blocked, he'll introduce a bill allowing governors to appoint lieutenant governors.

Guess being secretly sworn in at Peter Luger Steakhouse doesn't guarantee anything: A judge issued an injunction blocking Richard Ravitch from serving as lieutenant governor. Newsday reports, "State Supreme Court Justice William LaMarca said the injunction was needed to give the court time to hear more arguments about the constitutionality of Ravitch's appointment." LaMarca added, "Were the governor to die, resign, or be removed from office, Mr. Ravitch, if allowed to remain in office, is next in the line of succession...For an illegally appointed lieutenant governor to act as governor of the state would clearly constitute irreparable harm."

Donald Trump had some choice words to say about newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch. The Post prints some of a letter that the developer-bloviator sent to Governor Paterson; here's an excerpt: "His image as a 'Mr. Fix-It' is exactly that, an image... He is able to communicate well with reporters and the press, and his image has always been good and very clean despite his failures as a businessman and representative of state government... If you look at Mr. Ravitch's history with the unions, it will show one thing very clearly: that the unions will love having him at the helm because he will give them whatever they want, even though the deficit of New York has reached catastrophic levels." Trump adds that his dad worked with Ravitch, but "it became obvious to my father, Fred, that Dick Ravitch was very ineffective at getting the lowest price and overall best contract." Oh, and The Donald also blames Ravitch for the MLB strike in 1994 (Ravitch was lead negotiator). As for challenging Ravtich's appointment, that case will be heard on Wednesday.

Grab some quarters if you're crossing the East River today. The crossings run by the MTA—the RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck Bridges plus the Midtown and Battery Tunnels all go up 50 cents to $5.50 today. The toll hike is the last phase of the revenue being raised by the MTA in the face of their budget crisis. Of course at one point the plan involved tolls being introduced to the East River crossings, but that dream proposed by now (sort of) Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch was shot down by everyone's favorite state senators. Other tolls going up today include the Henry Hudson, Marine Bay, Cross Bay and Verrazano Bridges—the last of which is now up to a whopping eleven dollars. One Upper West Sider told WCBS 2, "I don't understand how you can get away with it, I mean it is better than the doomsday scenario. It was poorly advertised and a lot of people are going to be caught off guard."

It's unclear whether Governor Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch will ever hold up as being legal, but at least the pair can rest knowing this—they pulled it off like pimps. Soon after Paterson went on television and made his announcement yesterday and before the GOP could mount a court challenge to block it (way back when they were allied with Sen. Pedro Espada), Ravitch was secretly sworn in while having dinner at Peter Luger Steak House in Williamsburg. When Ravitch's 7:45 reservation for four added a mysterious fifth person, the group explained what was going on and said they were in a hurry. The president of Peter Luger's told the Times, "They drew out some documents, and they were very excited and everything. Mr. Ravitch said, ‘This is my favorite restaurant, and I wouldn’t take the oath of office anywhere else.’ People around them were trying to figure out what was going on.” While there's no word on what Ravitch ordered, he did pose for a picture as he signed his oath, hopefully with the blood of an $85 steak.

Just as we were getting used to the idea of a "Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch"—secretly sworn in by Governor Paterson last night—now here's another curveball for New Yorkers: State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. tells the Post he's leaving the Republican coalition and will rejoin the Democrats! He said, "I'm going to tell (Republican leader Sen.) Dean Skelos that I have a handshake agreement with (Democratic leader Sen.) John Sampson to become the majority leader." Keep in mind that Espada and fellow Democrat Hiram Monserrate's alignment with Republicans help send the State Senate down this rabbit hole.

While Governor Paterson may have appointed Richard Ravitch as his lieutenant governor, Senate Republicans are stopping that, by way of a court order signed at 12:23 a.m. "after a petition from the leaders of the Republican-dominated State Senate coalition, Pedro Espada Jr. and Dean Skelos," PolitickerNY reports. A hearing will be held in Mineola, NY tomorrow, because Skelos sought the order in his home county. Skelos, who would be majority leader if the Republicans do control the Senate, said of Ravitch's appointment, "I think it's a publicity stunt and totally illegal." Ravitch, the former head of the MTA, was sworn in at 8 p.m. last night, just three hours after Paterson's announcement.

In a few minutes, Governor Paterson will speak to New Yorkers about the State Senate stalemate—and many believe he'll appoint a lieutenant governor! While some speculation was that he would pick Denise O'Donnell, the former Buffalo U.S. attorney and currently Paterson's criminal justice coordinator, and Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, NY1 and the Daily News report the LG will be Richard Ravitch, who formulated recommendations for the recent MTA bailout. 5:01 p.m.: Paterson speaks about the embarrassing situation of the State Senate stalemate, listing the problems it's caused (NYC's hiring freeze, Yonkers' budget problem). He acknowledges the problems lie beyond the Senate—they are with the economy—but emphasizes the Legislature needs to pass bills and how there is no presiding officer in the Senate, especially how there is no successor for him. Paterson says the State Constitution gives him explicit power to appoint a vacant LG. "I have selected Richard Ravitch...to serve with me through 2010. He will not be a candidate thereafter." He adds, "If there's legal action"—hello, AG Cuomo— he wants it done expeditiously. He thinks this is the "right thing to do—we cannot allow for any further exposure to risk during this time of economic uncertainty."

The State Senate and Assembly passed the $2.26 billion plan to bail out the MTA by way of a big payroll tax, a series of fare hikes spread over a few years (think of it as doomsday spread between 2009 and 2013) and numerous other surcharges, including a 50-cent taxi dropoff fee and increased costs for a driver's license. There will be no major service cuts; capital projects are only partially funded in the plan. Governor Paterson is expected to sign the plan; Paterson said, "[Commuters] have suffered, feeling that there would be dramatic increases in fares and service cuts that would actually, in the catchment area in which some lived, would almost prohibit them from getting to work."

The NY State Legislature is meeting this afternoon to pass the MTA bailout the News calls "a slow-motion train wreck (that's) better than nothing." With no long term plans for capital funding and future hikes expected, Richard Ravitch (pictured), the man who got the bailout ball rolling, said, "I am disappointed that they didn't fund the five year plan. I'm disappointed they didn't do the tolls. But I'm thrilled they did something." The lack of East River tolls can be attributed to the maneuvering of the Gang of Three, one of whom (Sen. Carl Kruger) joked at a press conference, "Ravitch is supporting the plan that he opposed two months ago." Politicker NY says that no one laughed. The final push from Governor Paterson and Malcolm Smith was to promise $60 million to Long Island schools in order to get the last two Democratic holdouts on board with subjecting their constituents to the payroll tax that will largely fund the plan. Still, one local official on the Island told Newsday, "I'm very discouraged. I don't believe that Long Island's interests were well represented."

Two preliminary studies suggest that the Bloomberg administration's controversial report cards for schools may be useful in getting those struggling schools to succeed. The Post reports that students in previously failing schools are now doing better on their state tests (which is a big component of the school report cards). Columbia professor Jonah Rockoff, who worked on one study, explained, "One of the big benefits of this accountability system is that it lights a fire under the schools that are lagging behind." Another former Department of Education official credited mayoral control of the schools, "The old Board of Education was unwilling to hold schools accountable for performance. They were more interested in making excuses." However, there are still critics: NYU professor Diane Ravitch, who recently disputed Bloomberg's claims to school success in a Times Op-Ed, says city "look[s] at closing schools joyfully" so charter schools can be put in. Last fall, when school report cards were released, critics also pointed out how school grades focus too much on year-to-year improvements versus proficiency.

With a May 1st deadline for Albany to get done in order to save commuters from the entire wrath of proposed MTA fare hikes and service cuts, Governor Paterson is continuing his aggressive push for legislators to take action. Yesterday he spoke in support of former MTA Commissioner Richard Ravitch and his rescue plan. Paterson said, “He brought back a plan that won the approval of every reasonable point of view from different sides. Except in Albany. It’s a different planet. As we like to point out, there is no gravity.”

With the fate of the MTA up in the air—sure, the agency did pass the "doomsday" fare hikes and service cuts, but the State Legislature still has the opportunity to provide a bailout—there's another try for a rescue plan that will appeal to enough State Senators to break the stalemate. According to the Post, "Gov. Paterson is again on board with a plan that would toll 13 now-free East and Harlem River bridges at the cost of a subway ride for all drivers -- but the latest twist would exempt those crossing the spans for business or medical purposes.... [There would also] be 5 to 10 percent tax increase on all non-city residents who use long-term garage parking spaces in Manhattan and a 50-cent "dropoff" surcharge on every taxi ride." Richard Ravitch, author of the first plan that included bridge tolls, supports this revision, telling the Daily News, "The modification is intended to deal with what many people thought were the most legitimate objections to tolls." However, Senators are kinda to outraged about the amended fees—Sen. Pedro Espada (D-Bronx) said, "It just fundamentally wrong. It is anti business. It is anti small business." So, do we get ready for fare hike number 2?

As the reality of the MTA's approval of a severe fare hike (around 23-25% for subway and bus riders) and service cut (bus lines eliminated, subway lines cut or limited) set in, riders got angry at the MTA, at the State Legislature, at the overall mess. In fact, we thought we could hear our readers gathering their pitchforks...or at least getting their bikes ready. MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger and CEO Elliot Sander gave remarks (full remarks after the jump) pointing out that years of the MTA's borrowing have contributed to the current predicament; Hemmerdinger said, "Our customers may not be 100% happy with us, but this time many clearly understood there are other - external - players who have helped cause our dilemma," and held out hope that Albany will act, "It can only be undone by actions that they will take, so we sure hope the pressure will build."

With t-minus three days until the MTA budget crisis deadline and the intractable (not to mention frequently counterintuitive) stances of the major players in Albany covered, the Daily News turns its eye to someone who has been notably silent throughout the ongoing discussions: Mayor Bloomberg. They talk to a source close to the governor who tells them, "The mayor is doing everything we've asked him to do." Which means nothing? The paper points out that whether it was during the unveiling of the Ravitch Commission's plan in December or Malcolm Smith's proposal earlier this week, Bloomberg has had little to say—possibly a remnant from the wounds he suffered in the congestion pricing battle. The most Bloomberg has offered came earlier this week when asked about the bailout and he said, "It's going to have to be the Democratic senators to come together with the Democratic Assembly people and a Democratic governor and solve this problem."

After Malcolm Smith came forward yesterday with his highly anticipated version of a rescue plan, the Senate Leader turned around today and found just about no one standing behind him—not Governor Paterson, not Assembly Leader Silver and certainly not anyone from the New York newspapers.

Various reports say that State Senate Democrats are dropping the plan to toll East River and Harlem River bridge crossings, which has split their party. The Daily News reports that they "are expected to unveil a watered-down MTA bailout that would keep the city's bridges free but leave less money for transit, sources said Monday night." The NY Times calls the new proposal a "short-term alternative" that still leaves unanswered questions for the MTA.

With layoffs coming and the possible draconian fare increase looming, the war of words between MTA officials and state legislature is heating up. At their emergency board meeting yesterday, MTA Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger said, "This is big stuff. And I think [state lawmakers] don't really understand what's at stake...Trains that will not be there...People who won't be able to get to the doctors, won't be able to get to school, won't be able to get to work." Whether or not Albany is able to help alleviate the fare hike and transit cuts, the "doomsday budget" will include cutting about 200 token booth positions and all 600 station customer assistants with pink slips going out in May. An MTA bailout based around the Ravitch plan has been stalled due to the possibility of East River tolls and other issues. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said, "I just don't think it's appropriate for the MTA to sort of hold the public hostage and say, 'Well if we don't get to the deadline we're going to charge you more. I mean the public didn't cause their failures in terms of how they manage their budget."

With the State Senate stalling on the MTA bailout plan, a plan that has the support of Governor Paterson and Assembly Speaker Silver, the MTA is holding an emergency board meeting to discuss its options. And many think that if there's no bailout, the board will vote to implement the severe fare hikes and service cuts first mentioned last November (monthly Metrocard going from $81 to $103 dollars, bus lines are cut) in order to deal with its deficit. Richard Ravitch, who offered a number of suggestions for MTA revenue, including tolling East River and Harlem River bridges (which appears to be a dealbreaker for many State Senators), told the Daily News, "The public has a right to know - and the board has the responsibility to figure out - what kind of system it can operate with the revenues they have. They have to start thinking about shrinking the system."