Today's NY Post features a little hit job on the Working Families Party, a progressive political party that advocates for housing reform, living wages, paid sick days, health care, and a host of other issues. But Brooklyn resident Patrick Crooks, who worked with the WFP for three days—following a stint working for former City Councilman Eric Gioia (an outspoken critic of the WFP)—says he was encouraged by higher-ups to falsify signatures and addresses on petitions calling for rent regulation reform. more ›

Because the Working Families Party is under investigation by the US Attorney's office, Andrew Cuomo made it clear that he wouldn't accept an endorsement from them. Yesterday, the WFP went ahead and nominated three placeholder candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, which, Politico reports, some believe is "bowing to...the desire of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Cuomo." The WFP's Dan Cantor told WNYC, "If the situation changes between now and November, under New York law, there are ways to change your ticket. We're confident that at the end of the day, we'll end up with a unified effort with the Democrats." more ›

Have you been waiting for a more interesting race for governor than Cuomo v. Republican? The Working Families Party is allegedly looking to back a "superstar" for a gubernatorial candidate if Andrew Cuomo doesn't accept their support, and the Daily News is claiming that superstar will be 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin! Despite no actual statement or proof from the WFP that they're considering the actor, the Daily News is guessing that Baldwin has just the kind of leftist chutzpah the party is looking for in an independent candidate. They quote Baldwin telling the Times in 2006, "If I ever run for anything, the thing I would like to be is governor of New York." That means it's going to happen, right?! more ›

The MTA may be able to keep the WFP from posting their parody posters in subway stations, but they can't keep disgruntled straphangers everywhere from wearing these shirts! (Or can they?) The Working Families Party sent out an email to supporters saying, "This shirt expresses the reaction of so many New Yorkers to the MTA's ever-worsening fare increases and service cuts -- and it helps send a message to politicians in City Hall and Albany that they should be doing more to support transit riders." more ›

Though the MTA rejected the Working Families Party's request to post their "Service Nightmare" parody ads in the subways, the group has been working hard to get the posters up anyway. They sent a message to their supporters online, saying they will ask the MTA to reverse the decision on free speech grounds and asking followers to sign a petition to back them up. They're also asking supporters on Facebook to post the ad themselves. WFP spokesman Dan Levitan wrote, "what New Yorkers (and the WFP) really want is for the Mayor to step up to the plate and deliver for the millions of transit riders and students who are facing the biggest service cuts in a generation," and he tells us that over 2,300 people have signed the petition in less than 24 hours. more ›

It's not just the Democrats who supported health care reform who are running into trouble. Democrats who opposed the bill infuriated party officials and union supporters—and now liberal groups are trying to push them out of office. That's the case in Staten Island, where Rep. Mike McMahon has drawn the ire of influential Democrats and labor unions for voting against health care reform, even though the vote might have pleased his constituents. more ›

Mark Green went on the attack in last night's public advocate debate, linking his rival Bill de Blasio to the recently scandalized group, ACORN. Up until now, Green has attempted to cruise back into the advocate office based on name recognition and the harshest criticism toward de Blasio has come from Charles Barron (who was not even in the race!). But during last night's debate, Green said, "The Working Families party and ACORN put $30,000 in his pocket, so when they come and visit him at City Council who is he working for? You or his employers?" more ›

After three mayoral candidates—Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Comptroller Bill Thompson, and City Councilman Tony Avella—answered questions in a forum last week, the Working Families Party has endorsed Comptroller Thompson for mayor, though apparently the vote was "contentious." Here's the statement from the WFP: "As our city and nation tackle the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, standing on the sidelines is unacceptable. And the idea that Wall Street knows best no longer convinces anyone. As in last November's election for President, it's time for a new direction..." more ›

At last night's Working Families Party mayoral forum with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Comptroller Bill Thompson and City Councilman Tony Avella, Bloomberg defended his campaign spending, "I made every dime that I have... I've used my money only to talk about what I would do and what I have done. There's nothing wrong with that as far as I can see... Rich people don’t always win...You can't buy an election. The public's much too smart for that. You can use it to get a message out." The NY Times, though, found the explanation "drew some hisses and even laughter." more ›

How far will Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn go in order to get term limits legislation passed through City Council? One source tells the Post that next year Quinn is considering "significant reorganizing of everything, including the Finance Comittee." Such a reshuffling might give the Speaker a convenient way give a push out the door to Finance Committee Chairman David Weprin, one of the most vocal critics of the term limit bill. That would cost Weprin $18,000 of annual salary he receives from his chairmanship. more ›