The May 25th Edition of City & State Magazine

BY ASHLEY HUPFL

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

The Tale of Two de Blasios MAYOR de BLASIO

LANDLORD de BLASIO

• “Rent is the number one expense for New Yorkers.”

• His tenants pay $100,000 in rent.

• Wants stricter Albany rent laws and a rent freeze that prevents landlords from paying the bills.

• He can cover his bills by raising his tenants’ rent.

“ I provide affordable housing for 8 families on the Upper West Side.”

“I provide affordable housing for dozens of families in Bed Stuy and Crown Heights.”

“I provide affordable housing for 15 families in Chelsea.”

A de Blasio rent freeze and his push for stricter Albany rent laws is not only one big contradiction, it will destroy affordable housing for the millions of New Yorkers who depend on it.

“I provide affordable housing for 8 families in Park Slope.”

“I provide affordable housing for 6 families in Bay Ridge.”

“I provide affordable housing for 5 families in Harlem.”

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

May 25 , 2015

CONTENTS

Michael Gareth Johnson Executive Editor

B

CITY

15.......

By Shane Meyer

By Sarina Trangle

14.......

BUFFALO

Buffalo takes a cautious first step toward participatory budgeting

The mayor’s plan to stabilize public housing relies on the whim of Congress

STATE

The Regents are frustrated with the recent teacher evaluations proposal

16.......

THE BIG UGLY

Is a monstrous mishmash of bills looming at the end of session?

By Geoff Decker

By Ashley Hupfl

20......

NEW YORK STATE’S TOP 10 LOBBYISTS

32.......

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

36.......

PERSPECTIVES

Bertha Lewis on ‘men-in-skirts’ fraud …

Reshma Saujani on introducing kids to science … Jonathan Bowles on the need for affordable commercial space

BY ASHLEY HUPFL

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

cit yandstateny.com

@CIT YANDSTATENY

Cover: Illustration

by Guillaume Federighi

38.......

BACK & FORTH

A Q&A with actor Tony Lo Bianco

3

city & state — May 25, 2015

12.......

efore it was called horse-trading it was referred to as logrolling. Both terms are just fashionable ways to describe the Latin term quid pro quo, which in its simplest form means an action contingent on a separate action—whether it be the passage of bills or the transfer of goods.

In Albany, the concept of quid pro quo has been on steroids for years—occasionally cycling off until the equivalent of a “contract year” when lawmakers need to get things done. Since the term quid pro quo has such a connotation of corruption in our society, reporters and even (privately) some politicians have adopted the term “Big Ugly”—a monster package of bills that includes at least one thing lawmakers don’t want to support, in exchange for something they feel they need.

This year, with rent regulations and other housing bills set to expire, along with mayoral control of New York City schools up for renewal, that Big Ugly monster could make yet another appearance. In our cover story written by Albany reporter Ashley Hupfl, we wanted to highlight the previous Big Uglies under the Cuomo administration and explain the moving parts in this year’s end-of-session run-up.

The concept also allowed City & State’s Art Director Guillaume Federighi to have some fun and create a monster out of paper to represent the many bills that could get weaved into the end-of-session deal. How big that monster will get remains to be seen.

It’s also possible he (or she, we haven’t determined the gender) could be hidden in a remote corner of the Capitol for a few months if lawmakers decide to do short-term extensions of key legislation and return to Albany in a special session or hammer out these deals pre-budget in 2016.

The one thing we didn’t want to do was make our monster too ugly. See, many monsters are just a little misunderstood. That’s sort of how you can view the Big Ugly: While it is easy to despise this concept for its confusion and opacity, it is simpleminded to argue that it has no function in modern politics. Some of the controversial bills being debated right now might never pass on their own merits, stifling progress.

So, maybe a Big Ugly isn’t that bad—though it would be great if the public had some time to get to know it, instead of it surprising us in the middle of the night.

Letters to the

Editor

May 13, 2015

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

City & State published a special edition in May featuring the Bronx. A story on the rise of Bronx political power mentioned the new FreshDirect headquarters in the borough, which has been touted by some for bringing in new jobs but has been criticized by others.

city & state — May 25, 2015

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Let’s be clear. FreshDirect doesn’t care about the South Bronx.

Since its inception, the company never bothered to deliver here until it thought we’d be foolish enough to trade our health for its service (at nearly double the cost of our local grocers).

Its half-hearted promises about low-wage jobs, a partial fleet of green trucks (already broken) and a partial list of local (but not really local) electeds who support the move are sugar pills it thinks will distract us from the pain it plans to inflict.

Too many of us in the Bronx have become too familiar with backroom deals and grandiose proclamations of bold opportunities that quietly disintegrate after headlines fade and politicians move on to new offices, leaving only poverty, pollution and broken promises.

The South Bronx’s asthma rate is eight times the national average. One in four of our children has asthma.

The cause is no mystery: Diesel truck-intensive industries and highways saturate and surround our neighborhood.

Yet FreshDirect, by its own (un-revised) reporting, aims to bring 938 more diesel truck trips through our residential streets every day while relying on a 21-year-old environmental impact statement and pretending the benefit outweighs the harm. The CEO even said that if they had to do a full EIS they probably wouldn’t come.

Four locally elected officials, including City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo, state Sen. José M. Serrano and U.S. Rep. José E. Serrano, have called for a moratorium on new development, including FreshDirect, on our public waterfront land until the health consequences can be evaluated.

FreshDirect’s talk about jobs is just as disingenuous as its talk about health. The nearly $140 million subsidy

FreshDirect seeks would support a salary of over $100,000 per job they “promise” to bring, yet Bronxites will maybe land a non-unionized, non-living wage, part-time job because FreshDirect is inexplicably not being held to New York City living wage requirements as a result of the company’s heavy lobbying. And if FreshDirect doesn’t create even one job? They still keep more than $100 million in subsidies.

Reasons for opposing FreshDirect’s move to Mott Haven-Port Morris are manifold, urgent and clear.

The reasons they try to feed us for supporting them are malicious and slippery with misdirection. It doesn’t matter how many politicians’ Christmas parties the company sponsors, nor how many turkeys the company hands out at Thanksgiving, nor how many full-page ads the company buys during Bronx Week, FreshDirect simply doesn’t care about the South Bronx.

—A. Mychal Johnson, South Bronx Unite

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May 18, 2015

EDITORIAL Executive Editor Michael Johnson mjohnson@cityandstateny.com Senior Correspondent Jon Lentz jlentz@cityandstateny.com Web Editor/Reporter Wilder Fleming wfleming@cityandstateny.com CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

In the May 18 magazine, contributor Susan Arbetter wrote about the efforts to fix the state’s broken system for people with developmental disabilities, with a focus on the Sunmount facility in Tupper Lake.

I have been horrified at recent abuses that have occurred at Sunmount too. However, I would like to remind people that there are many wonderful, caring people who work in this field. Our daughter was a resident of Sunmount for 22 years before moving to the community. During that time many special people provided her care. Since moving to the community 21 years ago, again the care she has received at a home operated by St. Lawrence NYSARC and now at a Sunmount-run home has been all that we could possibly ask for. Please let’s not let the horrible actions of a few people overshadow the many special people who work in this field.

—Phyllis Shimmel, Hannawa Falls

Albany Reporter Ashley Hupfl ahupfl@cityandstateny.com Buffalo Reporter Justin Sondel jsondel@cityandstateny.com Staff Reporter Sarina Trangle strangle@cityandstateny.com Editor-at-Large Gerson Borrero gborrero@cityandstateny.com Copy Editor Ryan Somers rsomers@cityandstateny.com

PRODUCTION Art Director Guillaume Federighi gfederighi@cityandstateny.com Senior Designer Michelle Yang myang@cityandstateny.com Marketing Graphic Designer Charles Flores cflores@cityandstateny.com Web Manager Lydia Eck leck@cityandstateny.com

To have your letter to the editor considered for publication, leave a comment at www.cityandstateny.com, tweet us @CityAndStateNY, email editor@cityandstateny.com or write to 61 Broadway, Suite 2825, New York, NY 10006.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.

Illustrator Danilo Agutoli

City & State is published twice monthly. Copyright ©2015, City and State NY, LLC

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CUNY Summer Classes! Register Now!

The most summer courses in New York City at CUNY campuses in all five boroughs.

The most summer courses in NYC at CUNY campuses in all five boroughs.

Welcome

Summer Classes Begin

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Find Courses, Select a Schedule, and Register Now for courses at 18 CUNY colleges in summer sessions of various lengths from May 26 to August 22.

• More than 1,750 programs annually at CUNY • FAQ on Summer Programs

Sign up for the summer course you want.

Below are the first days of classes at each college.

Many colleges have more than one session.

May 26 - Brooklyn College May 28 - John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City College of Technology June 1 - Baruch College, Bronx Community College, The City College of New York, The College of Staten Island, Lehman College, Queens College, Queensborough Community College, York College June 2 - Hunter College, Hostos Community College June 6 - School of Professional Studies June 18 - Bronx Community College, Guttman Community College

Find special offerings and events at each campus.

Kids & Teens test prep to dance and swimming and more in the Bronx.

• Music, theater and dance in Brooklyn for children ages 3 to 18.

• From

Summer Events Missed Connections, a Group Exhibition of New Works May 24-May 29 Transfer, New Student Orientation May 26 Summer Session Visiting Student Walk-in Application and Registration Day May 26 Student Awards Ceremony May 26

Summer Academic Calendar

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Find your course at our one-stop-shopping site!

CREATIVE LICENSE

C

ar owners in New York can already purchase custom license plates commemorating a variety of organizations, professions and passion topics, from autism awareness to environmentalism to the Erie Canal.

But state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would expand that list—including such out-of-the-box proposals as plates honoring the Jamaican bobsled team.

Here is a selection of some of the current proposals and the lawmakers behind them.

JAMAICAN BOBSLED TEAM

CLERGY MEMBERS STATE SEN. BILL LARKIN STATE SEN. RUBÉN DÍAZ SR.

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ASSEMBLYMAN NICK PERRY

‘EXPLORE THE COSMOS NEW YORK’

WEST INDIAN-AMERICAN DAY CARNIVAL

ASSEMBLYMAN NICK PERRY

ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS CRESPO

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

city & state — May 25, 2015

THE WESTCHESTER WAY

ASSEMBLYMAN GARY PRETLOW

ASSEMBLYMAN GARY FINCH

cit yandstateny.com

THE BETTER TESTS NEW YORK KIDS DESERVE It’s time to ring down the curtain on a long-running farce: New York’s current statewide standardized tests. These exams — administered last month — give parents misleading information, encourage schools to focus on test-prep rather than real learning and are all but useless to teachers, the people who need them the most.

Let’s look at the tests’ recent history. Are 80% of the New York State students proficient in reading (the 2009 tests) or fewer than 27% (the 2014 tests)?

And who bears the responsibility for progress or the lack thereof? When city scores on the state tests rose, despite the fact that teachers and other observers said the exams were too easy, then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg took credit for the gain. When scores fell dramatically because of a new test and a political decision to set a very demanding passing score, Gov. Cuomo blamed teachers.

Meantime, independent of Bloomberg’s boasting and Cuomo’s alarmist jeremiads, the most reliable and consistent testing instrument in the nation — the National Assessment of Educational Progress — has shown modest but generally consistent gains in reading and math by New York City students.

This spring, hundreds of thousands of New York families demonstrated their unhappiness with the state’s testing regimen when they refused to let their children sit for these wasteful and wrong-headed state exams — having watched as weeks of their children’s regular class time and enrichment courses like art and music were lost to cramming for tests that provide such little value.

Parent unhappiness with the tests has reached unprecedented levels. On Long Island, Comsewogue reportedly had an opt-out rate of 82%, and Plainedge Middle School 74%. In New York City nearly three-quarters of the eligible children at the Earth School in Manhattan reportedly didn’t take the test, while more than one-third opted out at PS 321 in Brooklyn’s Park Slope.

While the UFT supported parents in their decision, we also know that there is a place for tests in our schools — but not the current tests provided under a $32-million contract with Pearson.

As a teacher, I relied on tests — but shorter, periodic assessments that I used to identify the areas where each of my students needed more instruction. If the state Department of Education really wants to help students, it must develop the capacity to create and manage its own array of tests that comply with federal mandates and state curriculum standards, yet are actually useful to teachers.

Unlike the current tests, which provide only a single score for each child in reading and math, these new tests must be able to identify each child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Also, unlike current exams, which are not returned until the school year is over, these new tests must be administered and scored in time for teachers to help kids in the areas where they are falling short.

In addition, if the state is to restore the confidence of both parents and teachers in the testing process, it must be transparent. Every question and its alternate answers must be publicly available when the test is complete, unlike today’s “gag order” that relieves Pearson from the necessity of releasing — and forbids teachers from even publicly discussing — most test questions, and subjects the state to a financial penalty if the questions get out.

A testing program that met these standards — and offered the opportunity to actually help students rather than just measure them by an artificial standard — could regain the support of both teachers and parents.

Would it be expensive? It would almost certainly cost more than the current annual average of $6.4 million the state pays Pearson, particularly considering that all-new questions would have to be created every year.

But in a state that invests more than $20 billion on aid to education, spending a few million more per year to provide teachers with a better tool to help their students is an investment worth making.

This article reprinted from the Daily News

STRESS, SAVINGS AND SECURITY

ADVOCACY, GOVERNMENT LEADERS WEIGH IN ON RETIREMENT CRISIS

By JEFF STEIN

city & state — May 25, 2015

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ARMAN DZIDZOVIC

T

he fact that New Yorkers, like many across the country, are facing a potential retirement savings crisis should come as no surprise. And yet, a report released on May 20 by AARP, “High Anxiety: Gen X and Boomers Struggle with Stress, Savings and Security,” contains a startling analysis of the looming challenges that threaten the financial security of millions of New Yorkers.

The study, commissioned by AARP to gauge the confidence and financial preparedness of New Yorkers from the Generation X (ages 35-50) and baby boomer (ages 51-69) generations, found that both groups face significant challenges in the lead-up to retirement, with the younger generation reporting markedly higher levels of financial anxiety.

The study’s findings paint a grim picture. With the average retirement savings account balance for working-age New Yorkers hovering around $3,000, and 3.6 million New Yorkers lacking access to a workplace retirement plan, AARP representatives stressed the need for statewide action.

While unveiling the report’s findings at an Albany event, co-hosted

by City & State, Beth Finkel, state director of AARP New York, outlined the worrisome financial state of Gen Xers specifically, as well as the importance of finding a statewide solution to their generation’s “crisis.”

“As the first members of Gen X turn 50 this year, many have not built retirement savings,” Finkel said.

“They are sandwiched between paying for their children’s education and caring for their aging parents.”

If left unaddressed, Finkel argued, the financial struggles of many Gen Xers could have a significant longterm impact on the fiscal health of the state. Among the report’s findings was that 66 percent of Generation X

From left: Ashley Hupfl, City & State reporter; Julian Federle, chief policy and programs officer for the Illinois state treasurer; Diane Oakley, executive director of the National Institute of Retirement Security; Thomas Nitido, deputy comptroller for the New York State and Local Retirement System; and Sarah Mysiewicz Gill, AARP senior legislative representative. respondents said they plan to retire outside of New York, a veritable “Genexodus” if it comes to pass.

“It is vital that our elected leaders address this issue,” Finkel warned.

“An uncertain future for Gen X will mean an uncertain future for New York State.”

Mary Beth Labate, the state budget director, offered the Cuomo administration’s perspective on retirement savings for residents.

Tracing the root causes of the crisis, Labate cited the 54 percent drop in median net worth caused by the Great Recession and the steady decline in union affiliation as contributing factors to increased economic anxiety.

“Eighty-two percent of union members have traditional pensions, compared to 22 percent of non-union members, so this drop has had a significant impact on overall retirement savings,” Labate said.

She pointed to items from this year’s budget, such as an allocation of $5 million for emergency home repairs, as well as the state’s No Wrong Door initiative, which connects seniors to a host of services, as actions taken by the state to confront the challenges facing New York seniors. However, Labate conceded that true progress could only come with the implementation of incentives for middle- and low-income New Yorkers to save more for

retirement through increased access to workplace retirement plans.

Labate outlined four key components—increased availability of such plans, auto-enrollment, autoinvestment and auto-escalation, or increases in deductions linked to increases in pay—as essential to any statewide solution.

“We must set up people to have a vibrant life in retirement,” Labate added.

On a panel that followed Labate’s remarks, representatives from AARP, the National Institute on Retirement Security and New York and Illinois state governments echoed Labate’s vision for increased access to cit yandstateny.com

70 years of rent control has not solved New York City’s housing shortage.

Let’s Rethink Housing Affordable Housing means fairness for ALL tenants and owners.

For too long, New Yorkers have lived with a broken housing system. It’s time for stakeholders to come together and reframe the conversation. A clear, workable, and ethical plan is needed to restore an adequate supply of housing so that New Yorkers of all income levels can find and afford quality homes. Contact info@chipnyc.org for more information.

WORK The WORK AND SAVE SAVE Plan: Plan: A Turnkey Turnkey Solution Solution for for New York’s York’s Small Businesses.

Businesses.

Areyou youaabusiness businessowner ownerwho whowould would like like to to offer offer your your employees employees Are waytotosave savefor fortheir theirfuture futurebut butfear fear doing doing so so would would be be too too costly costly aaway toocomplicated complicatedto toadminister? administer?AARP AARP New New York York has has aa solution, solution, orortoo andwants wantstotowork workwith withyou youto tomake make itit aa reality. reality. and “Workand andSave” Save”plan planisisaastate-facilitated state-facilitated retirement retirement savings savings AA“Work optionthat thatwould wouldprovide providebusinesses businesseswith with aa turnkey turnkey solution solution to to offer offer option their employees. It would give your business a competitive edge in their employees. It would give your business a competitive edge in the marketplace and help with employee recruitment and retention. the marketplace and help with employee recruitment and retention.

Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy, and we Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy, and we would love to hear from you. Your voice will be critical to our efforts. would love to hear from you. Your voice will be critical to our efforts.

Please take a moment to visit the link below to Please take a moment to visit the link below to answer a few questions about retirement savings: answer a few questions about retirement savings: action.aarp.org/NYWorkandSave action.aarp.org/NYWorkandSave Paid for by AARP

Paid for by AARP

State Budget Director Mary Beth Labate speaks during the AARP panel discussion.

Our Our Perspective Perspective We Need Better We Need Better Pay for ALL Pay for ALL Low-Wage Workers Low-Wage Workers

By Stuart Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department By Stuart Appelbaum, President, Store Union, RWDSU, UFCW Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, RWDSU, UFCW e are pleased that a state wage board has called by aGovernor Cuomo to e arebeen pleased that state wage board examine the impact of low pay in the has been called by Governor Cuomo to fast food industry. move may result examine The the impact of low payin inwage the increases for fast food workers in result New York. fast food industry.

The move may in wage increases for fast food workers in New York.

Over 100,000 people in New York work in fast food; 100,000 and with people 60 percent of them on government Over in New York work in fast that pay in theon fast food assistance, it’s60 clear food; and with percent of them government sector is astonishingly toopay low.inWe thehope fast that foodthe assistance, it’s clear that board will recommend a higher minimum wage for fast food workers. sector is astonishingly too low. We hope that the board will recommend a higher minimum wage for fast food workers.

While this would be a good first step, there are hundreds offirst While this would be a good While this would be a thousands workers step, there of areother hundreds of good Whilefirst this step, wouldthere be a are throughout New York who need a thousands of other workers hundreds of thousands good first step, there are raise as well.

Retail home throughout New Yorkworkers, who need a of other workers hundreds of thousands healthasaides, car wash workers, raise well. Retail workers, home throughout New York of other workers food service workers, and many in health aides, car wash workers, who need a New raiseYork as well. throughout otherservice industries – all of these food workers, and many in who need a raise as well. higher people are in dire– need other industries all of of these pay.

Even these in the Empire State hold full time jobs, needworkers of higher people arewhen in dire they Even still don’t enough to support themselves and their families. pay. whenearn these workers in the Empire State hold full time jobs, For these New earn Yorkers, it is atostruggle to survive. they still don’t enough supportjust themselves and their families.

For these New Yorkers, it is a struggle just to survive.

And low wages in these industries will continue to hurt many fast food workers as well,inbecause most fastwill food workerstoare not full time and And low wages these industries continue hurt many fast food at other lowtime wage must work even three jobs tofood get by - oftenare workers as two well,orbecause most fast workers not full and jobs industries wage atboard. other low wage mustinwork two or not evenbeing threeconsidered jobs to getby bythe - often jobs in industries not being considered by the wage board.

Government action to raise low wages is a powerful move to help working people.

We to must support and expand effortsmove to raise the Government action raise low wages is a powerful to help minimumpeople. wage for workers in and the state.

This would more working WeALL must support expand efforts toput raise the money in our economy reduce thestate. amount publicput assistance minimum wage for ALL and workers in the Thisofwould more that lowinwage workers and families requireoftopublic survive. money our economy and their reduce the amount assistance that low wage workers and their families require to survive.

The discussion about wage rates is an important one, but we shouldn’t lose sight the fact that best solution income aboutofwage rates is the an important one,tobut we The discussion inequality is still unionization.

Workers face many issues on the job shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the best solution to income besides low rates – theyWorkers need control better inequality is wage still unionization. face over manyscheduling, issues on the job benefits, andwage representation the workplace.

What we needbetter are besides low rates – theyinneed control over scheduling, government that encourage and protectWhat collective bargaining, benefits, andpolicies representation in the workplace. we need are have a voice on the job and the ability to address so that workers government policies that encourage and protect collective bargaining, issues wage rates. have a voice on the job and the ability to address so thatbeyond workersjust issues beyond just wage rates.

W W

For more information, visit For more information, visit www.rwdsu.org

www.rwdsu.org The National Institute of Retirement Security’s Diane Oakley speaks to other panelists.

cit yandstateny.com

11

city & state — May 25, 2015

“We wanted to eliminate the concern that the employer could be blamed in the case of a bad investment,” Federle explained.

Sarah Mysiewicz Gill, senior legislative representative for AARP, praised Illinois’ efforts and offered Washington State as another potential model for New York.

In contrast to Illinois’ creation of a new investment vehicle, Washington has established a marketplace where people can browse state-vetted retirement plans. This “portal model,” Gill argued, is advantageous in that it ensures that retirement savings programs are sufficiently transparent.

“This really helps small businesses compare apples to apples, which has been a big problem in this process thus far,” Gill said.

Regardless of the specific approach taken by individual states, Gill argued that states must act to increase access to retirement savings plans.

“This is a bipartisan issue that knows no boundaries. Financial institutions have come to the table. Labor unions have come to the table. There is broad support for action,” Gill said.

ARMAN DZIDZOVIC

retirement plans.

Julian Federle, chief policy and programs officer for the Illinois state treasurer, described his state’s success in passing the Secure Choice Savings Program Act, a state-mandated retirement savings plan for employers with 25 or more employees. The Illinois law impacts businesses that are more than two years old and currently offer no retirement plan for employees.

“It is a mandatory program, but there is an opt-out provision,” Federle said. “In fact, auto-enrollment is critical to the success of the program.”

The Secure Choice Act’s investment vehicle is similar to a traditional Roth IRA. And like a 529 plan, the state-run earnings incentives program that has become a popular way for families to save for their children’s college education, the vehicle’s funds are independent from the state Treasury, ensuring that they cannot be used in the case of a budget shortfall. The law also establishes a seven-person board, with appointees from the governor, treasurer and comptroller, who will handle all fiduciary duties of management.

CIT Y

NY’s Largest Nurses Union Asks Albany to Push for Support on Vital Healthcare Issues Affecting NY Patients Support Safe Staffing Ratios, Universal Healthcare Program and Ending Healthcare Disparities NYSNA nurses are strongly supporting the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act, a bill that would set safe minimum nurse staffing levels in all New York hospitals. This legislation has been supported by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and other labor, community and patient advocate groups. However, multi-million dollar lobby groups such as the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) have strongly opposed this legislation. NYSNA calls for the immediate passage of the New York Health Act, which would create a statewide universal healthcare program. It would provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers with full choices of doctors and other providers. The program would be publicly funded based on ability to pay and would eliminate the “local share” of Medicaid, saving local governments billions of dollars.

Since 2004, several states have pursued legislation addressing safe-staffing concerns in nursing. As of last December, many states have either enacted legislation or adopted regulations addressing nurse staffing ratios. Seven states have required hospitals to have staffing committees responsible for plans and staffing policy (CT, IL, NV, OH, OR, TX, WA).

However, California is the only state that stipulates that a required minimum nurse-topatient ratio to be maintained at all times by unit. While some critics of safer staffing ratios claim that mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios burden hospitals with higher operational costs, research shows that safe staffing is, actually, more cost-effective. Safe staffing improves nurse performance and patient-mortality rates, reduces turnover rates, staffing costs and liability.

AT THE MERCY OF UNCLE SAM

PART OF DE BLASIO’S PLAN TO STABILIZE PUBLIC HOUSING RELIES ON THE WHIM OF CONGRESS

By SARINA TRANGLE

Listen to New York nurses tell their stories:

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“Right now, in our state, nurses in some facilities are being forced to care for 10, 15, even 20 patients at once. That’s dangerous! Lives are placed in jeopardy when there are not enough nurses at the bedside,” said Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, a registered nurse at Montefiore Medical Center and NYSNA President. “That’s why we’re fighting for safe staffing ratios in all of our hospitals. We have no choice -- our patients’ lives depend on it!”

“The staffing problem in our hospitals has gotten worse lately,” said Kathy Santoiemma, an RN who works at Montefiore Medical Center’s New Rochelle Hospital. “The hospital practice of understaffing is almost a daily problem for us and it must be addressed.”

“There’s a public health crisis rooted in the costs of insurance. That’s why state lawmakers need to pass New York Health, for the sake of our patients, their families and communities across the state,” said Marva Wade, a RN at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and a member of NYSNA’s Board of Directors. “Because of the rising cost of health insurance and rising copayments and deductibles, growing numbers of New Yorkers are prevented from receiving needed health care. We must put in place a healthcare system that gives priority to patient need.”

city & state — May 25, 2015

“Our patients deserve a nurse at their bedside to care to their healthcare needs, and right now… there just aren’t enough nurses to provide the care that they so desperately need,” said Michael Healy, a 13-year critical care ICU RN at St. Charles Hospital on Long Island. “New York state needs a safe staffing law that will ensure that all hospitals – from Buffalo to Brooklyn – have safe nurse-to-patient ratios that not only will protect us, but will protect our patients.”

“In study after study, unsafe staffing levels lead to worse health outcomes, including shock, cardiac arrest, and hospital-acquired pneumonia,” said Martha Wilcox, an RN at Sullivan County Public Health. “We know that a safe and reliable healthcare system of the future cannot be created unless we empower our frontline providers of care, and give them what they need to get the job done. We need hospital management to take safe staffing seriously.”

SARINA TRANGLE

“Putting lives at risk by forcing nurses to take care of additional patients to increase the bottom line is not appropriate,” said Julisa Saud, an RN at Elmhurst Hospital in New York City. “Standards of care are needed, and that’s why I support the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act. It is legislation that will save lives and allow New Yorkers to hold hospitals accountable for the care they provide.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio presents the NextGeneration NYCHA platform.

S

tanding at the front of a public housing community center in East Harlem, de Blasio held up a copy of the 117-page NextGeneration NYCHA platform last week and heralded it as a “game changer.” He and New York City Housing Authority Chairwoman Shola Olatoye said the 10year strategy would steer a 178,0000unit authority beleaguered by years of federal and state “disinvestment” toward financial stability. NYCHA currently has a month’s worth of cash on hand and contends with a $17 billion capital needs shortfall. By NextGeneration’s completion, de Blasio said the authority would have trimmed its capital needs by $4.6 billion and amassed a $200 million surplus. But some $2.95 billion of the capital backlog reductions eyed by the administration are culled, in part, from a federal housing initiative called the Rental Assistance Demonstration

program, which is capped and has been governed by waitlists.

First authorized in 2012, RAD allows public housing authorities to covert traditional projects into Section 8 developments. The shift comes with a 15- to 20-year contract for Section 8 funding, which is considered more politically stable than traditional yearto-year public housing funding. The contract alone allows some public housing authorities to leverage private financing for repairs and other capital needs. But for more distressed public authorities, like NYCHA, the contract would be used to market properties to developers interested in partnering with the authority on bonds or loans in exchange for tax breaks and administrative fees. RAD received more interest than it could accommodate with its 60,000-unit cap and created a waitlist. Congress later authorized 180,000 units this fiscal year—enough cit yandstateny.com

analyst at the Community Service Society, said they had not seen evidence to back up NYCHA’s claims that RAD contracts would guarantee all the rights currently enjoyed by public housing tenants, such as the ability to organize and receive funding for such activities and amnesty from eviction in certain situations.

“In public housing, you have the right to not be evicted for a crime that someone else committed.

Let’s say your son or daughter does something bad, and you exclude them from your apartment, and they won’t live there, you can’t get evicted. That’s not true in project-based Section 8,” Goldiner said. “(RAD) is essentially project-based Section 8. Contracts expire, and then they go on the market, and people lose—that’s what’s happened in many project-based Section 8 buildings in New York City.”

HUD’s Leicht, however, said the legislation authorizing RAD requires that it mirror the “majority” of the protections given to public housing residents, and that NYCHA could add further mandates. Likewise, the authority said any RAD program it adopts would include “NYCHA retaining control over major decisions, and residents retaining a wide range of rights that equate to the rights they had in public housing.”

Both HUD and the authority stressed that RAD requires one contract renewal, and the initiative gives public housing authorities the ability to extend agreements repeatedly.

Contractual obligations aside, New York City Public Housing Chairman Ritchie Torres said some of NYCHA’s housing is so deteriorated that its longterm viability is already severely limited, and RAD could provide a lifeline.

“If the building is in danger of becoming unlivable in 10 years, in what sense is it permanently affordable?” he said. “If I had to choose between 10 years of affordability or 20 years of affordability, I’m going to opt for the later. But in the case of the later, you’re going to renew those contracts.”

Strengthening the City’s Infrastructure

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to accommodate the full queue on a first-come-firstserved basis, including one NYCHA development— but leaving future RAD development at the whim of Congress.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved NYCHA’s plan to convert 1,400 homes in Ocean Bay Apartments – Bayside in the Rockaways into Section 8 housing through RAD, according to HUD’s New York and New Jersey regional administrator Holly Leicht. But that did not stop de Blasio from including additional conversions in NextGeneration. The document describes plans to convert 8,313 units deemed “obsolete”—or more expensive to repair than to replace—into Section 8 via RAD and tenant protection vouchers, which would reduce capital needs by $1.6 billion. It also seeks to use RAD and the HUD-administered vouchers to transition 6,380 units in nontraditional public housing sites scattered throughout the city into Section 8, which would achieve $1.35 billion in capital needs savings.

“All of that is theoretical right now,” Leicht said of the obsolete and scattered site conversions, which she said HUD was eager to work closely with NYCHA on. “If they’re going to want to do a number of new (RAD) ones, we’re going to be looking at a future cap lift to do that.”

Leicht said the use of RAD had attracted bipartisan support. But HUD and other public housing advocates still had “convincing to do” when it comes to permanently securing an appropriation line in the budget. “Since it’s still relatively new, those conversations are going to happen year to year,” she said.

But the novelty of RAD has some tenant advocates concerned the transition may not be as smooth as NYCHA anticipates. Judith Goldiner, the attorney in charge of the Legal Aid Society’s law reform unit, said developers may create their own lists for incoming and prospective tenants, rather than pulling from NYCHA’s central, publicly accessible list with clearcut rules. She and Victor Bach, senior housing policy

By Joseph F. Spiezio, III, JD

Over the past decade, a number of infrastructure challenges have surfaced.

According to the New York Academy of Sciences, New York City’s sea levels are rising. Understanding that our coastline is longer than Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston combined, one has to wonder what is being done to guard against massive storms that flood the five boroughs. This threat is compounded by the fact that so much of the City’s infrastructure sits along the water.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released flood maps for New York City and the results are sobering. Airports, homes, businesses, and power plants all front the water’s edge, vulnerable to the next big surge.

Approximately 400,000 people live in a flood plain and this number is expected to eclipse 800,000 by 2050.

This area includes John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia International Airport, some of the busiest terminals handling 80 million travelers per year. Rikers Island is at risk of being submerged. Sewage plants and at least eight city-based power plants are in flood zones with weak rules on preparedness. In fact, one energy executive stated that “lightened regulations” allows them to put off resiliency investments.

Con Edison stands apart as the utility invested $1 billion to fortify its energy infrastructure, making major headway toward a more resilient power system. National Grid has also committed millions to upgrade its gas systems; however, other power facilities in the City have yet to follow the lead.

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Reconciling the high costs associated with resiliency benefits should not deter bold leadership on combating rising tides surrounding vital infrastructure.

Unfortunately, there is no level playing field when it comes to resiliency regulations in New York.

Policymakers should consider applying best practices from the nuclear power industry to other electric facilities along the coast. Holding all energy sources to equal, rigorous standards will ensure the City that never sleeps has the juice it needs to keep the lights on throughout cold spells, heat waves, flash flooding or other harsh weather.

NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE

Joseph F. Spiezio, III, JD, is the chairman and CEO of ECSI America, Inc. which specializes in infrastructure construction, real estate development, and occupational risk services.

The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (New York AREA) is a diverse group of business, labor, environmental, and community leaders working together for clean, low-cost and reliable electricity solutions that foster prosperity and jobs for the Empire State.

De Blasio presents the plan flanked by City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoye.

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city & state — May 25, 2015

SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

STATE

EVALUATION EVOLUTION PROPOSAL PROMPTS FRUSTRATION, DISSENT AMONG REGENTS

By GEOFF DECKER from CHALKBEAT NEW YORK

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Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch

S

city & state — May 25, 2015

tate education officials

unveiled recommendations for a new teacher evaluation system last week, providing some clarity but easing few concerns about the bitterly contested policy.

The state Education Department’s proposal appeased those who had called on the state to preserve a principal’s primary role in teacher observations and to create a system for districts to get around an unpopular deadline for implementing the new rating system.

But it went against feedback the state received in other areas, proposing that standardized tests and other statecreated measures factor even more heavily into a teacher’s rating.

A discussion about the proposed changes, presented for the first time at the state’s Board of Regents meeting in Albany, filled in some of those gaps.

But it culminated in frustration from the Regents, who complained the law’s strict parameters kept them on the sidelines.

At one point, some members asked if they could symbolically vote to reject the law to compel the Legislature and Cuomo to make changes before the legislative session ends in mid-June.

The request was denied.

The dissent is symbolic of a new power dynamic among the Regents, a number of whom won their positions promising to push back against education policies ushered in over the last five years under Chancellor Merryl Tisch and former Commissioner John King.

Tisch acknowledged the dissent in an interview after the meeting.

“People at that table do not want to implement the system as written in the law,” Tisch said. “To me that is very clear. Are they a majority on the board? I don’t know.”

One significant change is that the law requires independent evaluators, who have to observe every teacher at least once a year. The requirement leaves districts to coordinate their visits, a logistical challenge that Chancellor Carmen Fariña has said will be costly.

Another change is the method for turning scores into final ratings.

Under the system currently in place, a teacher’s final rating is based on a 100-point scale: Teachers can earn up to 40 points based on student performance and 60 points based on classroom observations. Teachers who earn between 91 and 100 points, for instance, receive a rating of highly effective, while those who earn less than 65 points are rated ineffective.

Instead of a 100-point scale, final ratings in the new system are strictly based on the combination of student performance and observations. The “matrix” that combines the scores shows that the two measures count more or less equally, although there are some scenarios in which one is weighted slightly more than the other.

How ratings on each of those components are scored became clearer on Monday with the release of the state’s recommendations.

On observations, 80 percent of a teacher’s rating would be come from the principal. The remaining 20 percent would come from independent

evaluators, though that would drop to 10 percent for districts that opt to use peer evaluators as well.

For student performance, teachers would be rated entirely on growth from state tests such as math, English or science exams, Regents exams, or other standardized measures. That would fall to 80 percent if districts opt to add second, local assessments.

The state recommended “scoring ranges,” a technical process through which scores from different measures are turned into a rating for each component.

But it was the matrix that frustrated Regents the most, particularly two

scenarios in which the combinations unfairly penalized teachers based on test scores. In one scenario, a teacher rated highly effective on his or her observations could end up with a final rating of developing, the secondlowest rating, if rated ineffective on student performance. In the other, a teacher rated developing would sink to ineffective overall if rated ineffective on student performance.

“What are we going to do with those two cells?” said Tisch, noting the Regents’ hands were tied and that changes to the matrix must be made through the Legislature. “I don’t know how you get around those two cells.”

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BUFFALO TAKES CAUTIOUS FIRST STEP TOWARD PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

By SHANE MEYER from THE PUBLIC

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown

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articipatory budgeting is an “idea whose time has come,” say its proponents. At the core of the practice is the belief that democratizing the budgeting process will make it more efficient and meaningful to the people with intimate knowledge of the challenges presented in their neighborhoods.

The Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, which has been the organizing force for bringing participatory budgeting to Buffalo, calls it “a different way to manage public money, and to engage people in government.”

The process in Buffalo will begin with a meeting, during which community members bring forth ideas for neighborhood improvement. A group of volunteers determines which projects are most viable, and writes proposals for those projects. Residents complete the process by voting. Implementation of the winning projects is overseen by a steering committee, which in the first year will be recommended by members of the Common Council, the Clean Air Coalition and the City Hall participatory budgeting committee.

In following years, the steering committee will be composed of members of the community in which the projects are taking place.

Councilman Michael LoCurto introduced a resolution in July 2014 to establish a committee to implement participatory budgeting in Buffalo, at the time calling it “an empowering tool that the City of Buffalo can utilize to engage city of Buffalo residents on how to spend public money, while simultaneously strengthening communities and deepening democracy.”

The committee included representation from all nine council districts, the Office of Strategic Planning, cit yandstateny.com

and from other organizations and agencies in Buffalo.

Revenue for the winning projects, according to the committee report, could come from the community development block grant program, capital improvement revenue, and/or revenue the city gets from the casino. For now, Mayor Byron Brown will allot money from the city budget.

Natasha Soto at the Clean Air Coalition says advocates asked for $1 million to get the program off the ground, but the council and Brown’s administration struck a deal last week to allocate $150,000 for the process. She questioned whether the smaller figure was enough to get community members excited and, most importantly, involved, remarking that a $100,000 investment would result in a small project; the $150,000 figure would mean enough for only one or two such smaller projects in the first year of participatory budgeting.

For comparison, a recent participatory budgeting vote in Long Island City will bring its residents an updated bikeway at a cost of $500,000, transportation for senior citizens for $55,000 and playground upgrades with a price tag of $500,000. The initial proposed sum was $1 million, which went up.

A City Hall insider who wished to remain anonymous told The Public that Brown was reluctant to include participatory budgeting in the proposed budget because it represents a loss of control of part of the executive’s main source of power—money. He regards the budget as the “mayor’s money.”

“That’s flawed rhetoric,” said the source. “The money belongs to the community.”

Another objection the mayor’s office had, according to the source, is that planning workshops to gather community input for spending projects already exist, making participatory budgeting redundant.

The source claims that these are typically poorly attended and that little effort is exerted by the mayor to encourage greater participation.

Soto of the Clean Air Coalition added that in the running up to the negotiated program Brown was “not against” but “not for” the proposal, noting that he was concerned about questions of implementation and appointments. The mayor’s office was not available for comment at the time of this writing.

With the money set aside it will now be up to community members to keep it going, as lackluster participation could cause lawmakers to pull funding in the future.

City & State reporter Justin Sondel contributed to this report.

BUFFALO

By John Ravitz

As an organization focused on supporting the overall economic health of the Westchester community, The Business Council of Westchester strongly believes that Indian Point is a critical component to the reliability and affordability of power in the State of New York.

Even more so, it is a major contributor to the local economy of Westchester County.

The Business Council of Westchester commissioned a report titled “An Assessment of Energy Needs in Westchester County” that found the closing of Indian Point would have a catastrophic impact on the region, resulting in higher electric rates for businesses and consumers, more power outages, a rapid rise in carbon emissions and a devastating blow to Westchester’s economy. The report stated that the closure of Indian Point would result in the elimination of 3,300 local jobs, $75 million in revenue funding for local services and millions more in economic development resources.

While the economic and environmental arguments in favor of Indian Point are clear, the plant’s continued safe operations transcend all considerations. Our organization supports the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s stringent oversight of plant operations and its commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety for all our country’s nuclear power plants. As the former Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Westchester County, I have toured the plant on numerous occasions and participated in safety and preparedness drills and exercises.

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The Business Council of Westchester believes that Entergy, the owner of Indian Point, has a strong commitment in ensuring safety standards are maintained and exceeded by the more than 1,000 employees at the Indian Point facility. Our organization will continue to support the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s critical role to ensure the highest standards of safety are observed and maintained at Indian Point. In addition, as outlined in the above mentioned compelling reasons we will continue to advocate for the license renewal of the facility.

John Ravitz is the executive vice president of the Business Council of Westchester and former CEO of the American Red Cross in Westchester County. The Business Council of Westchester is a member of New York AREA. SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

New York AREA’s membership includes some of the state’s most vital business, labor and community organizations including the New York State AFL-CIO, Business Council of New York State, Partnership for New York City, New York Building Congress, National Federation of Independent Business and many more.

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city & state — May 25, 2015

DIPPING A TOE IN

Indian Point is Safe and Important for New York

THE BIG UGLY

IS A MONSTROUS MISHMASH OF BILLS LOOMING AT THE 11TH HOUR?

By ASHLEY HUPFL

city & state — May 25, 2015

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Republicans have made it a top priority to extend the 2 percent property tax cap permanently. Also in the mix are such controversial measures as the 421-a tax credit for real estate developers; a package of criminal justice reforms; and an array of education-related bills—from mayoral control and teacher evaluations to the Dream Act and the education investment tax credit.

Of course, one key change since 2011 is the change in legislative leadership following a series of highprofile scandals that have thrown the state Capitol into chaos. In January, then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stepped down from the leadership in the wake of federal corruption charges and was replaced by Carl Heastie. In May, former state Senate Education Chairman John Flanagan was elected as majority leader of the Senate after Sen. Dean Skelos and his son, Adam, were arrested on charges of extortion, fraud and bribery. Skelos resigned his position as majority leader the following week.

This year’s end of session sees the leaders of both houses untried at the negotiating table with Cuomo.

Although Cuomo tried to ram a number of bills through in the state budget process, many key pieces of legislation were dropped and some still need to be addressed before the session ends on June 17.

Some political observers were hesitant to predict how the legislative session could end given the disruptions, new leadership and lengthy remaining agenda.

“It could just end up being ugly, instead of a big one. If (the state Legislature) just focuses on the things that must get done and they could just knock them out and get it over with because these scandals have weakened the legislative leadership—thus helped the governor,” said Blair Horner, legislative director for the New York Public Interest Research Group. “It’s entirely possible you end up with this automatic extension scenario at the end—with very little else getting done and you end on a whimper instead of a bang.”

O

ne reason the budget or other major bills don’t get done until the last minute is simple human nature. Putting off hard decisions is easier until deadlines arrive and real consequences loom.

Lawmakers also try to use the delay to their advantage, hoping that they can hold out longer than their

negotiating partners to secure a better deal. Linking bills together can also help legislators sell their constituents on a final deal, allowing votes for unpopular measures as long as they can be explained away as tradeoffs for something more desirable.

The budget is often used strategically to get policy measures passed, since there is little lawmakers can do to amend the full spending plan. The term “Big Ugly” was popularized as a term for the state budget in the 1990s, when the spending plan sometimes wouldn’t get done until August. But in recent years Big Uglies have emerged ahead of other key dates, such as federal or court-ordered deadlines or the expiration of key laws, like rent regulation in 2011 and again this year.

“The idea is to put everything in a package and do all the tradeoffs as you approach the deadline,” said Gerald Benjamin, a political science professor at SUNY New Paltz. “It’s a deadline-driven institutional dynamic.

It leads to the linkage of non-obvious things, things that don’t appear to be substantively related because either there’s a compelling reason to get something done—because something bad will happen if you don’t get it done, like federal aid will be at risk, or a law will sunset and there will be some potential consequence from the sunset—or it’s simply nobody making a deal until they do out of expectation that they can get a better deal at a deadline.”

What troubles critics is that, while there are 213 seats in the state Legislature, the major decisions are largely left to three men: the Assembly speaker, the governor and the state Senate majority leader. The “three-men-in-a-room” style of negotiating has long been criticized in Albany, but little has been done to change it (though in recent years state Sen. Jeffrey Klein, the leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, has also been in on the talks, making it “four men in a room”).

Cuomo has in the past defended such meetings, arguing it is easier to debate with one person representing his or her conference instead of the whole Legislature. But goodgovernment groups have argued the practice gives the three leaders a disproportionate amount of power over the future of legislation—especially when major decisions are made during eleventh-hour talks with little to no public deliberation.

The state constitution does require a three-day waiting period before bills

THE 3 MEN IN A ROOM

GOV. ANDREW CUOMO

STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN FLANAGAN

17 ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE can be voted on in the Legislature, unless the governor issues a message of necessity to bypass the requirement and allow an immediate vote.

Cuomo has used messages of necessity to facilitate his on-time budgets, but during his tenure has used the power far less than his immediate predecessors. A NYPIRG report released last year found an average of 13.5 bills per year have passed either house with a message during the Cuomo administration, compared with 41 under former Govs. Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson and 89.2 under former Gov. George Pataki.

“I have a rule for myself,” explained state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat.

“If a bill shows up at the last minute with a message of necessity from the governor that’s just been printed and we’ve never seen that version of the bill before, but there have been other versions floating around and it’s taken up at 11 o’clock at night—you know it’s a stinker. You know there’s stuff in there no one would agree to if they understood the substance of the bill and you should stay away from it.”

city & state — May 25, 2015

I

n the closing weeks of the 2011 legislative session, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had yet to reach a deal with state lawmakers on some of the biggest bills of the year. The state Senate Republicans, enjoying their return to the majority, were pushing hard for a tax cap to limit the annual growth of local property taxes to less than 2 percent. Assembly Democrats were demanding stronger rent regulation laws, which were set to expire shortly.

Cuomo, just a few months into his first term as governor, was also negotiating with Senate Republicans to secure support for a landmark same-sex marriage law.

“They’re all together because they’re not done,” Senate Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous said at the time, referring to the three proposals, all of them unrelated.

“Whether they’re in the same bill, I don’t know. Those are discussions the governor and the two leaders make.”

Ultimately each measure was passed, although the success was tempered by criticism that they were all lumped together in a last-minute flurry of horse-trading, resulting in a hodgepodge of legislation.

In Albany parlance, this has come to be known as the “Big Ugly”—a term despised by several lawmakers, though privately used by many. For all the negatives associated with the practice—from its lack of transparency to mistakes in bill language that have unintended consequences—it has also opened the door for a lot of controversial measures that would never have gotten passed on their own.

The property tax cap is one example. It was explicitly tied to the renewal of the rent regulation laws in 2011. The final version that passed the state Legislature states the property tax cap will remain in effect as long as the rent control laws exist or until June 15, 2016.

“The key (to the passage of the property tax cap) was the leverage of the rent control laws,” E.J. McMahon, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy, told City & State in a recent interview. “The reason they could do it was because the rent control laws were up.”

This year, lawmakers could be poised to produce another Big Ugly.

The rent control measures that have a huge impact in New York City are set to expire again in mid-June, and Assembly Democrats have made renewing them one of their top priorities for the remainder of the legislative session. And Senate

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“The funny thing about linkage is sometimes things get linked with things we don’t even know are linked. It could be some other thing no one knows is being talked about but they say, ‘Well, OK, we’ll throw in this if you do that.’ ” Bob Bellafiore, communications consultant,

city & state — May 25, 2015

former aide to Gov. George Pataki

Cuomo was criticized in 2013 when he used a message of necessity to pass the SAFE Act, a controversial gun-control law in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting. Gun-rights activists have railed against the law and this year Flanagan promised to push for reforms to the law.

Good-government groups have proposed making a message of necessity only available under real emergencies.

Slowing the process down toward the end of the budget process or session would allow lawmakers and watchdogs to catch their breath and review

the proposed legislation to prevent potential mistakes.

Another way to reform the budget negotiations would be to reform the conference committee process. “My only other recommendation would be that they have a real conference committee process instead of this sort of fake process they have,” NYPIRG’s Horner said. “In the Kabuki theater version of it that they have now there’s no real work done.” The downside would be that with more people in a position to make decisions, the process would be more unwieldy.

“What they call Big Uglies are

the ultimate legislative sausage,” McMahon said. “It’s either savory or repellent, depending on who’s tasting it. The main problem here is not that things end up getting jammed in in the end, it’s that unfortunately so many issues here come out of nowhere with no deliberation, which is very important when things emerge from the ether.”

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he consequences of how Albany routinely operates were demonstrated in March 2012, in what many observers feel was bigger and uglier than the end of the 2011 session. The state Legislature was approaching the deadline to draw new electoral district lines and was willing to pass a host of Cuomo’s priorities if he promised not to veto their redistricting proposals—in which Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans were allowed to draw lines to help secure their respectively majorities.

In the 2010 campaign, both Cuomo and Senate Republicans had promised to create an independent commission to redraw the lines. However, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and many of his conference members had not. Shortly after the election, it seemed clear that an independent commission was not a priority for either chamber, so the old process of forming a 10-member Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment, known as

LATFOR, took hold.

On March 15, 2012, things came to a head as state Senate Democrats tried to blow up the deal, staging a heated debate on the Senate floor, arguing the redistricting plan was deeply partisan and facilitated racial gerrymandering.

“A lot of pledges were broken that night,” said state Sen. Michael Gianaris, referring to the 2010 promises. “They did what they typically do when they are ashamed of what’s happening. They pass something in the evening hours when the fewest amount of people are paying attention and try and do it with a minimal amount of discussion and debate and hope that no one notices.” At one point, the debate grew so heated that news reports said Gianaris, who argued against the bill on the floor, told Senate Republicans to “shove it.”

After Senate Republicans closed off debate on the redistricting bill, the Senate Democrats, led by then-Senate Minority Leader John Sampson, walked out of the chamber in protest and refused to return.

“It’s very hard to get the public to focus on the process of legislation and they know that and they take advantage of it,” Gianaris said. “It’s atrocious.”

State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, who led the redistricting effort for Republicans, defended the redistricting process and at the time said the conference’s decisions were based on population, not politics.

“Senate Democrats abdicated their responsibilities and walked out of the chamber in a cheap publicity stunt and a dereliction of their responsibilities,” he said.

Following the walkout, Republicans proceeded to easily pass several of Cuomo’s legislative priorities, including a less generous Tier 6 pension plan, teacher evaluations, the DNA databank and the bill to legalize casino gambling. They also, as part of the agreement with Cuomo, passed a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting, which voters would eventually approve in 2014.

In the days following, many elected officials, good-government groups and advocates criticized the final product—once they had a chance to comb through it.

New York State United Teachers officials blasted the new pension plan and argued it reduced needed benefits for their union. The Tier 6 plan increased the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 and required workers to contribute more to their pensions. cit yandstateny.com

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ow, Democrats are pushing to not only renew the current rent regulation laws, but strengthen them to promote housing affordability and protect tenants. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is also pushing to reform the expiring 421a tax abatement program to require developers receiving the break to set aside 25 to 30 percent of units as affordable and extend the abatement by 10 years to 35 years.

Political observers told City & State it is likely Democrats and state Senate Republicans pushing for a permanent property tax cap will once again forge a deal.

“Now that leverage has come up again—because it’s the same leverage.

City members don’t care about the property tax cap … and upstate members don’t care about rent control.

One wants the other,” McMahon said.

“Therefore it’s the ideal time and so that’s basically where we are now.”

The housing laws could also play a role in a deal regarding the many education reforms remaining, which both Cuomo and Flanagan have named as a priority before session ends.

Assembly Democrats, who have long been closely allied with the state teachers union, recently passed legislation to delay the new evaluation system for teachers and principals, which was approved in this year’s state budget, along with extending mayoral control of New York City schools and passing the Dream Act. Some Senate Republicans have also expressed support for legislation that would delay the new teacher evaluations. However, Cuomo has publicly said he would not support a blanket extension.

“When it comes to education, we must ensure that every child has the same opportunity to receive a first-class education,” Flanagan said in a statement May 17. “That’s why we cannot end this session without enacting the Education Investment Tax Credit, which has already been approved in the Senate, and increasing the charter school cap. I firmly believe the state must continue to reform our education system to address the concerns raised by parents about Common Core.”

Senate Republicans have been cit yandstateny.com

skeptical of many of the Assembly Democrats’ education proposals, but political observers said there are key issues that both sides are looking to pass that could be potentially linked together in a deal.

“Hopefully we don’t have a Big Ugly at the end of this because we’ve seen how that can go,” said Andrew Pallotta, NYSUT executive vice president for political mobilization and legislative advocacy. “The governor seems to have no plan besides stirring the pot and making things more difficult.”

W

ith only a few session days remaining until June 17, and with a large legislative agenda unresolved, lawmakers could arrive at a large, complicated deal involving both the housing and education issues, or state legislators could decide to only renew the legislation that is set to expire and leave Albany for the year.

When asked what would happen if rent regulations were allowed to expire, Assembly Housing Committee Chairman Keith Wright compared the prospect to a natural disaster.

“Do you remember the impact the tsunami had on those folks in Asia?

It would be something like that,” the Manhattan Democrat said. “It would be devastating.”

Krueger expressed doubt that many legislative issues would be taken up before the end of June. She predicted the bills set to sunset will be renewed, but little else will get done.

“I suspect minimal, minimal issues will be taken up legislatively before the end of June,” Krueger said. “There’s some education issues and housing issues that have to come and get resolved, but for everyone else in the world who’s hoping for movement on important issues, I would be cynical about telling them, ‘Yes, there’s possibility of something happening.’ ”

Republican state Sen. Patrick Gallivan noted that there are a number of the bills still under discussion this session—extending rent regulations and mayoral control in New York City, the state property tax cap, the education investment tax credit, changes to the SAFE Act, criminal justice proposals and various education issues— and described the legislative to-do list as “really quite a bit to deal with.” But in the same breath he predicted that lawmakers would only address what needs to be dealt with immediately.

“Certainly it’s hard to predict how anything will end up,” Gallivan said. “I would say that the things that have expiration dates, that need to be addressed, will be addressed.”

City & State Senior Correspondent Jon Lentz contributed to this report.

“Now that leverage has come up again—because it’s the same leverage. City members don’t care about the property tax cap … and upstate members don’t care about rent control. One wants the other.”

19

E.J. McMahon, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy

city & state — May 25, 2015

NYSUT officials, too, said they did not know what the new pension plan entailed until after the bill was passed.

“In Albany, nothing gets done until everything is done,” Horner said. “So everything waits until the last minute.”

LOBBYISTS

ALBANY’S TOP 10 LOBBYISTS

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city & state — May 25, 2015

L

obbying is a big part of how business gets done in Albany, and it’s only getting bigger. Total state lobbying hit a record high of $226 million in spending last year, driven by the health care and real estate sectors.

Another top issue was education, with hot-button issues like charter schools and teacher evaluations driving the top spenders in 2014, Families for Excellent Schools ($9.63 million) and New York State United Teachers ($3.24 million).

In its second annual state lobbying supplement, City & State highlights the top 10 firms handling all that lobbying business, including a summary of each one and an introduction to their key players in Albany.

cit yandstateny.com

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happens by accident.” happens by accident.” happens by accident.” happens by accident.” happens by accident.”

- Franklin Franklin Delano Delano Roosevelt Roosevelt --- Franklin happens by accident.”

Franklin Delano Delano Roosevelt Roosevelt - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Pitta Bishop Del Giorno &Delano Giblin LLC - Franklin Delano Roosevelt Pitta Bishop Del Giorno & Giblin LLC - Franklin Roosevelt

Pitta &Giblin GiblinLLC LLC PittaBishop Bishop Del Del Giorno Giorno & Pitta &Giblin GiblinLLC LLC PittaBishop Bishop Del Del Giorno Giorno &

Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Development, Lobbying,Consulting, Consulting,Strategic Strategic Planning, Planning, Business Business Development, Lobbying, Business Development, Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Crisis Management, Fire Safety and Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Fire Safety and Emergency Response, Crisis Management, Fire Safety and Emergency Response, Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Crisis Management, Fire Safety and Relations Emergency Response, Community and Public Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Community and Public Relations Community and Public RelationsStaten CrisisAlbany Management, Fire and Safety and Emergency Response, New York Island Community Public Relations Albany NewPlanning, York Staten Island Crisis Management, Fire Safety Response, Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Business Development, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28thand Floor Emergency 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Albany New York Staten Island 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28th Floor 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Lobbying, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Albany New York Staten Island Albany, NY 12210 New York, NY 10271 Staten Island, NY 10301 Community and Public Relations 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28th Floor 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Albany, NY 12210 New York, NY 10271 Staten Island, NY 10301 111Crisis Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28th Floor Telephone: 718.943.1050 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Telephone: 518.449.3320 Telephone: 212.652.3890 Management, Fire Safety and Emergency Response, Albany,Albany NY518.449.3320 12210Community New York,212.652.3890 NY 10271 and Public Relations Staten Island, NY 10301 Telephone: 718.943.1050 Telephone: Telephone: New York Staten Island Facsimile: 718.943.1051 Albany, NY 12210 New York,212.897.8001 NY 10271 Staten Island, NY 10301 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 Facsimile: Crisis Management, Fire Safety and Emergency Response, Telephone: 718.943.1050 Telephone: 518.449.3320 Telephone: 212.652.3890 Facsimile: 718.943.1051 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 Facsimile: 212.897.8001 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28th Floor 25Telephone: Hyatt Street,718.943.1050 Suite 202 Telephone: 518.449.3320 Telephone: 212.652.3890 Albany New212.897.8001 York Staten Island info@pittabishop.com Facsimile: 718.943.1051 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 Facsimile: Community and Public Relations Albany, NY 12210 New York, NY 10271 info@pittabishop.com Staten Island, NY 10301 Facsimile: 718.943.1051 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 Facsimile: 212.897.8001 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 120 Broadway, 28th Floor Relations 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Community and Public info@pittabishop.com Telephone: 718.943.1050 Telephone: Telephone: York Staten Island Albany,Albany NY518.449.3320 12210 NewNew York,212.652.3890 NY 10271 Staten Island, NY 10301 info@pittabishop.com Facsimile: 518.449.5812 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 Telephone: 518.449.3320 Albany Albany, NY 12210 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 401 Telephone: Albany, NY518.449.3320 12210 Facsimile: 518.449.5812 Telephone: 518.449.3320

Facsimile: 518.449.5812

cit yandstateny.com

Facsimile: 120 Broadway, 28th Floor Telephone: 212.652.3890 New212.897.8001 York info@pittabishop.com New York, NY 10271 Facsimile: 212.897.8001 120 Broadway, 28th Floor Telephone: New York,212.652.3890 NY 10271 info@pittabishop.com Facsimile: 212.897.8001 Telephone: 212.652.3890 info@pittabishop.com Facsimile: 212.897.8001 info@pittabishop.com

Facsimile: 718.943.1051 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Telephone: 718.943.1050 Staten Island Staten Island, NY 10301 Facsimile: 718.943.1051 25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Telephone: 718.943.1050 Staten Island, NY 10301 Facsimile: 718.943.1051 Telephone: 718.943.1050

Facsimile: 718.943.1051

LOBBYISTS

FOUNDED: 1978 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $11,218,428 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 1

KEY PLAYERS KEN SHAPIRO If Albany had a royal family, Regional Managing Partner Ken Shapiro would be part of it. A 30-year veteran of government and former chief counsel to three speakers of the New York State Assembly, Ken founded Wilson Elser’s Government Affairs practice in Albany and New York and built it into what it is today— the top-ranked lobbying firm in Albany for 18 consecutive years. He leads a team of 36 attorneys in a practice that focuses on state and city government affairs. He represents state and national associations and Fortune 500 corporations with concerns in areas as diverse as health care, telecommunications, taxation, insurance, transportation, financial services, accounting, education, construction, tourism and entertainment. The members of his team continue to attract high-profile clients because of their credibility with key policymakers in Albany and New York City and their extensive backgrounds in government service.

It’s no wonder he was named 22nd on City & State’s 2015 Albany Power 100.

21

LISA MARRELLO Deputy Regional Managing Partner Lisa Marrello is an experienced government relations lawyer and skilled lobbyist. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Albany office, she represents a client portfolio of state and national associations and Fortune 500 companies with interests as diverse as racing and gaming, health care, insurance, education, cultural affairs and entertainment, and handles legislative policy, budget and regulatory matters. Lisa is steeped in politics, having worked under former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as a lobbyist for the city of New York and with the New York State Assembly as chief of staff and counsel to the chairman of the Standing Committee on Housing.

OTHERS Other skilled lobbyists in Wilson Elser’s Albany office include: Cynthia Shenker, Jerry Hoffman, Sam NeJame, Theresa Russo, Alex Betke, Jonathan Bing, Chris Del Giudice, Gerald Jennings, Stacey Rowland, Theresa Russo, Jill Sandhaas, Doug Clark, Nick Antenucci and Emily Whalen.

city & state — May 25, 2015

nothing nothing nothing

#1

LOBBYISTS

#2 FOUNDED: 1999 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $7,839,398 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 4

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS GREGORY SERIO AND DAVID POLETO Park Strategies is proud of our achievements and successes on behalf of our clients in New York State, New York City and around the country.

Under the leadership of Managing Partners Gregory Serio and David Poleto, our outstanding Albany-based team of over 15 professionals offers a variety of expert services in state and local government.

JEFFREY LOVELL After 30 years in state government at the highest levels, Jeffrey Lovell now works on endeavors ranging from economic development and budget strategy to postsecondary education and heath policy, among others. Some of his state government clients include

Aetna, LeChase Construction and Aramark.

MEL MILLER As former speaker of the New York State Assembly, Mel Miller is widely recognized as an authority on public finance and the state budgetary process. Miller has served as a consultant to the health care industry, not-for-profits and corporations.

His notable state government clients include the Consortium for Worker Education and Nassau University Medical Center.

JUANITA SCARLETT Juanita Scarlett is a wellknown government affairs and communications professional who represents clients in the energy, education and technology sectors, among others. As half of City & State’s

previously profiled “Political Power Couples,” Scarlett regularly hosts dinner parties that are becoming the political talk of Brooklyn. Some of her Albany clients include The United Way of New York City, MOVE Systems and SAP Technologies. Scarlett also devotes her considerable talents supporting female candidates seeking public office.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Park Strategies has been navigating the complex world of public policy and business development on behalf of our clients since 1999. Our expertise encompasses federal and regulatory affairs, state and local affairs, the emerging foreign marketplace and management and administrative support for trade and industry organizations. Our comprehensive

knowledge and powerful associations enable us to help businesses achieve their goals.

The benefits of working with Park Strategies, a firm with a legacy of anticipating the unanticipated and overcoming all obstacles, are evident in the successes of our clients. Partnering with Park Strategies means you can rest assured that a team of thoroughly experienced professionals is providing guidance to ensure positive outcomes for your business.

Successful business initiatives often arise from the ability to discover unforeseen synergies. The clients of Park Strategies have long benefited from our ability to leverage our expertise and relationships to build alliances that achieve common goals.

Our experience spans a diversity of fields and opens new doors that can save our clients valuable time and resources.

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#3 FOUNDED: 1996 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $7,696,286 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 2

KEY PLAYERS

city & state — May 25, 2015

SURI KASIRER Suri Kasirer is the founder and president of the New York-based consulting firm. She serves on the boards of directors of the New York League of Conservation Voters; the NY Building Foundation; Citymeals-onWheels; and the Women’s Leadership Forum. She is a member of the steering committee for ABNY. She served as special assistant to former Gov. Mario Cuomo.

JULIE GREENBERG Senior Vice President Julie Greenberg acts as liaison to borough presidents’ offices, Assembly and Senate members, New York City Council members and federal representatives. She started as a legislative analyst with the state Assembly speaker’s office, served as

chief of staff to then-Assemblyman Scott Stringer, and was a political director for the 2002 McCall/Mehiel gubernatorial campaign.

many Geto & de Milly clients. He has managed a number of major public policy campaigns involving building large coalitions for organizations.

CYNTHIA DAMES Cynthia Dames has over 18 years’ experience in maintaining a state and city government affairs practice directed at nonprofit advocacy. Cynthia has secured millions of dollars of state and city funding. Prior to working with Kasirer, she was executive director of the Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies (now Coalition of Behavioral Healthcare).

OMAR ALVARELLOS Omar Alvarellos is a vice president coming from government, politics and the corporate sector. He served as a senior aide to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani from 1994-2002. He was principal City Hall liaison to numerous city agencies, mayoral boards and commissions. Omar participated in formulating administration policy regarding economic development, transportation and community development issues.

PETER KROKONDELAS Peter Krokondelas joined Kasirer Consulting as vice president bringing over two decades of government, events management and campaign experience. Prior to joining Kasirer, he played a key role in shaping government affairs strategies for

JERVONNE SINGLETARY Jervonne Singletary most recently served concurrently as chief of staff and special adviser to Assemblyman Karim Camara.

She comes to Kasirer Consulting with a wealth of legislative, government and

community relations experience. For six years she was responsible for legislative development, managing community relations and coordinating events to benefit a diverse constituency.

ASHLEY DENNIS Ashley Dennis served as chief of staff to the president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

In that role she provided strategic direction across the company’s external affairs, development, real estate, asset management, capital and policy divisions.

JASON GOLDMAN Jason Goldman joined Kasirer Consulting after spending over a decade at the United Federation of Teachers, most recently as the assistant director of legislation and political action. In this capacity, he increased the union’s voter turnout and secured millions of dollars in discretionary and capital funding.

cit yandstateny.com

Proudly celebrating our 20th Anniversary and the successful results we get for our clients every day.

SURI KASIRER JULIE GREENBERG OMAR ALVARELLOS CYNTHIA DAMES

Our record of success on behalf of our diverse clientele is unmatched. Our focus is always on those we represent and the end result. Our clients do not just want our advice, counsel and reasoned judgment; they want results, and our professional team knows how to achieve them.

ASHLEY DENNIS TRACY FLETCHER TYESA GALLOWAY

We deliver our services with a combination of hard work, integrity, professionalism, a deep knowledge of how government functions, a reservoir of contacts across the city and, very importantly, our superb relationships with elected and senior government officials as well as business, community and civic leaders across the City.

JASON GOLDMAN

To learn more about Kasirer Consulting, please visit us at www.kasirerconsulting.nyc

SHANE MYERS

321 Broadway, Ste 201, New York, NY 10007 Tel: (212) 285-1800 Email: info@kasirerconsulting.nyc

SAMANTHA JONES MICHAEL KREVET PETER KROKONDELAS

JERVONNE SINGLETARY

LOBBYISTS

#4 FOUNDED: 2001 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $7,011,989 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 7

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS PATRICK E. BROWN Patrick E. Brown employs his extensive public and private sector legal and public policy experience to craft innovative legal solutions that meet clients’ objectives. Patrick started his legal career at the New York State Court of Appeals in 1983, where he eventually became the head of the court’s central staff of law clerks. He joined Gov. Mario Cuomo’s Counsel’s Office in 1987, where he provided legal and public policy counsel to the governor and his senior staff.

DAVID N. WEINRAUB David N. Weinraub is the managing partner of the firm. He sets the overarching vision for the firm and provides the strategic framework necessary to meet each client’s

objectives. David was a member of Gov. Mario Cuomo’s senior staff, serving as director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs; counsel to Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine; and director of regional services for the Department of State.

NEIL BENJAMIN AND CAROLYN KERR Neil Benjamin and Carolyn Kerr anchor the firm’s burgeoning health care practice. Neil joined the firm after 31 years at the New York State Department of Health, most recently as director of the Division of Health Facility Planning. Carolyn previously served as vice president of government affairs for United Health Group in New York, and as health counsel for Gov. George Pataki.

RON GREENBERG Ron Greenberg leads

the

firm’s

technology procurement practice, and served nearly two decades in New York State government in various senior appointed positions, including first deputy budget director to three governors, deputy of enterprise shared services, and assistant deputy commissioner of tax policy. Ron is an innovator in using private-sector best practices to assist government in reforming state business processes.

SABRINA SCHULMAN Sabrina Schulman is the director of the firm’s New York City office, after over a dozen years building political, legislative and grass-roots campaigns for nonprofit advocacy organizations.

She most recently served as the vice president for political and legislative affairs at NARAL Pro-Choice New York and the National Institute for Reproductive Health.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Brown & Weinraub is a premier government relations and full-service law firm that represent clients concerning legislative, regulatory and administrative matters before the state Legislature, executive branch including the attorney general’s and state comptroller’s offices, and local governments throughout New York State.

As former senior government legal and policy advisors with decades of experience, we help clients successfully navigate legislative, policy, administrative, and procurement issues.

We have significant experience working with executive management and corporate counsel, and can develop policy; identify emerging trends, opportunities and challenges; and devise responsive, proactive strategies leading to positive outcomes.

24

#5 FOUNDED: 1992 COMPENSATION IN 2014: $6,931,545 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: 5

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS

city & state — May 25, 2015

GIORGIO DEROSA Considered “one of the best lobbyists in town” by the Albany Times Union, Giorgio DeRosa is a partner at Bolton-St. Johns and a well-known Albany lobbyist. He has worked on several successful procurement projects, including the New York State Prescription Drug Program, valued at $1 billion per year.

ED DRAVES Partner Ed Draves, named “one of labor’s most savvy political operatives” by the Buffalo News, is one of Bolton-St. Johns’ top labor lobbyists and leading grass-roots campaign organizers. Most recently, he was one of the key lobbyists for the successful passage of medical marijuana

legislation in New York.

BILL MCCARTHY Partner Bill McCarthy is known for having close ties with the Senate majority conference and has worked on a range of legislative issues including economic development, real property tax, finance law and energy policy.

Among his accomplishments, Bill has successfully gotten approval for a major natural gas pipeline and he is a member of one of the Capital Region’s most well-respected political families.

EMILY GISKE Partner Emily Giske’s tenacity and political savvy have helped lead Bolton-St. Johns to the top. Giske consistently appears on City & State’s Power 100 lists and offers unparalleled counsel for her diverse clientele. Her legislative successes span sectors,

as she orchestrated the passage of marriage equality in 2011 and negotiated the largest private land-use deal in New York City.

TOM CONNOLLY Partner Tom Connolly is Bolton-St. Johns’ top health care lobbyist. He has worked as an expert in the fields of health care, hospital financing and managed care for more than a decade.

He formerly worked for the Greater New York Hospital Association, and currently represents some of New York’s top hospitals, health care associations, insurance companies and health care unions.

JACK O’DONNELL Jack O’Donnell became a partner at Bolton-St. Johns in 2015, and also leads the firm’s Buffalo and Western New York office. Considered political

royalty in Buffalo, he previously served as director of intergovernmental affairs for Sen. Chuck Schumer and also worked as his state representative to the Energy Committee.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Regularly ranked among the top five firms in New York State and New York City, Bolton-St. Johns has a proven record for developing and implementing strategic plans that deliver tactical results for our clients. We work with more than 90 clients nationwide to develop and communicate their messages to key decision-makers in the New York State Capitol, New York City Hall and throughout New York State. Being well prepared and well informed are essential components of the services we provide. cit yandstateny.com

Lobbying Act Expansion Covering Smaller Municipalities and School Districts Leaves No Time for Implementation By: Mark Glaser

The ethics reform package enacted with the State budget expanded the coverage of New York’s Lobbying Act (the “Act”), already one of the most comprehensive in the country, to include municipalities and school districts with a population of 5,000 or more. There has been virtually no opposition to this amendment. After all, disclosure of who is influencing smaller units of government can’t be a bad thing, right? Maybe so, but the legislation contained a troubling flaw. Rather than making this amendment effective in the future, it problematically contains an immediate effective date.

To understand why this is a problem, it is necessary to understand the Act’s requirements and prohibitions. First, the Act requires registration of, and subsequent bi-monthly reporting by, entities or persons “retained, employed or designated” to influence certain activities of covered governmental entities. In addition to paid lobbyists, this includes corporate officers or employees who seek to influence governmental entities as part of their duties.

These requirements apply only if the cost of the lobbying effort, whether through compensation of the lobbyist or expenses of the lobbying effort, exceeds $5,000. Lobbyist registration is required within 10 days of beginning lobbying activity or 15 days after entering into an agreement to undertake covered activities. Clients of lobbyists, that is, persons or entities paying for the lobbying effort, are required to file reports twice a year.

Covered activities include influencing bills, resolutions, rules and regulations, executive orders, and procurements by the governmental entity. Thus, attempts to influence changes in local laws and resolutions, including local zoning and land use decisions, school district budgets, matters of district educational policy, as well as local procurements, are covered under the law.

Because the law is effective immediately, persons currently retained, employed, or designated to engage in covered activities before local governments newly included under the law must immediately register with the State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). Furthermore, lobbying reports are due

May 15, covering lobbying activity between April 13 and April 30. The first semiannual client report is due July 15, covering activity before July 1. Failure to meet required filing dates can mean daily penalties.

Of greater concern is that persons and entities previously retained to lobby newly-covered local governments may be committing a crime if their contracts are contingent upon the success of the lobbying effort. Contingent fee lobbying has long been illegal in New York. Unlike failure to file violations, where the penalty is monetary, agreeing to be paid for lobbying on a contingent basis is punishable as a misdemeanor. Thus, the immediate effective date arguably turns those existing agreements into criminal acts.

Finally, there are practical concerns with the effective date. The legislation appears to cover school districts with populations over 5,000. A threshold questions is whether population data for school districts is even available. Another problem is how JCOPE will handle the anticipated significant increase in its workload from the new registrations and reports expected to be filed. JCOPE has been appropriated additional funds for 201516, which will help with technology improvements, but that is a long-term fix, not an immediate one.

So, what can be done to ameliorate the consequences of the immediate effective date? JCOPE should immediately begin an educational campaign to inform the public of the requirements of the new law. Also, JCOPE should administratively determine not to enforce the new law for a period of time long enough to allow affected persons and entities to learn about, and comply with the new law. Delaying the requirement to file registrations until September 1, at the earliest, with reports first due November 15, will give the regulated public the time needed to learn about the new law and will also give JCOPE the time to staff up to meet its new regulatory obligations.

Mark F. Glaser is shareholder in the Government Law & Policy Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Albany, New York office. This article is presented for informational purposes only, and it is not intended to be construed or used as general legal advice nor as a solicitation of any type.

LOBBYISTS

#6 FOUNDED: 1985 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $5,804,999

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS JAMES F. CAPALINO With nearly 40 years of experience working at the highest level of government and business, James F. Capalino is widely recognized as one of New York City’s premier urban policy strategists and problem solvers. As founder and CEO of Capalino+Company, he has overseen the growth of the most well-respected government relations practice in New York City. Before that, he managed former Mayor Ed Koch’s first and second campaigns. Mayor Koch named him commissioner of the Department of General Services at the age of 28, making him the youngest commissioner in New York City history.

26

TRAVIS H. TERRY Chief Operating Officer Travis H. Terry is responsible for overseeing

the firm’s operations and strategic planning as well as managing a number of the firm’s high-profile clients, including some of New York City’s most well-known corporate and not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Capalino+Company in 2002, Travis worked in the management consulting field and in the branding and sports marketing fields.

GEORGE M. FONTAS Since joining Capalino+Company in 2006, Senior Vice President George M. Fontas has earned a reputation as an innovative public policy and community relations strategist. He oversees many of the firm’s efforts in public-sector funding and legislative action and plays a key strategic role in clients’ efforts to secure elected official and community support for major public projects and public policy initiatives.

JEANNE B. MULLGRAV Executive Vice President Jeanne B. Mullgrav brings significant experience in both city and state government and nonprofit management to Capalino+Company, overseeing our Corporate Social Responsibility Group.

In 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed her as commissioner of the New York City Department of Youth And Community Development.

Previously, Jeanne served as vice president for The After School Corporation and deputy director of intergovernmental relations for the state attorney general.

TUNISHA W. WALKER Vice President Tunisha W. Walker brings to Capalino+Company extensive knowledge of governmental affairs on a city and state level and experience with business development, minority- and women-owned business enterprises and community and grass-roots organizing. She was the first African-

American woman to serve as executive director for the state Conference of Black Senators and was later appointed

by Gov. Andrew Cuomo affirmative action administrator for the state Department of Labor’s Division of Equal Opportunity Development.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Among government-relations firms in New York City, Capalino+Company has earned a reputation as the premier problem-solver. Combined with our profound commitment to integrity, we offer a network of close working relationships with government, community, and advocacy organizations. Using our extensive and longstanding knowledge of both state and city administrations, Capalino+Company has helped hundreds of clients to resolve complex policy challenges, including regulatory land use issues and securing delivery of government services.

#7 FOUNDED: LOS ANGELES OFFICE, 1965; ALBANY OFFICE, 2003 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $5,105,467 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 8

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS

city & state — May 25, 2015

JIM LYTLE Jim oversees the firm’s Albany-based lobbying and regulatory practice. He represents a broad array of clients in the health care, educational, cultural, biomedical, insurance and economic development sectors. Before entering private practice, he served as assistant counsel to Gov. Mario Cuomo.

JIM WALSH Jim focuses on legislative and regulatory issues in environmental regulation, government contracting, energy, labor, economic development, consumer protection and higher education. He formerly served as senior assistant counsel to Gov. George Pataki, legislative counsel to the Department of Environmental Conservation and assistant counsel to

the Senate majority leader.

JOANN SMITH JoAnn represents clients primarily on health, human services and educational issues. Prior to joining Manatt, she served as president and CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York State and as deputy secretary for health and human services to Gov. Mario Cuomo.

MARK USTIN Mark represents health care clients before the state agencies and the Legislature, as well as advises health care clients on complex transactional matters. He previously served as deputy director/general counsel to the Berger Commission, as assistant counsel to Gov. George Pataki and as chief counsel to the Senate Health Committee.

JULIA DONNARUMA Julie represents clients in Albany

on a range of legislative, fiscal and regulatory matters. She previously served as a Legislative representative for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, with responsibility for transportation and health, on the governmental affairs staff at two statewide health care associations and on the Assembly Program and Counsel staff.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is known for quality, for extraordinary commitment to clients, for integrated, relationship-based services, and for a range of capabilities typically found only in boutique firms. We are progressive and entrepreneurial compared to other major firms, and we are deeply committed to diversity, to public service, to involvement in the communities we serve and to excellence in all we do.

We are proud to represent a sophisticated client base in a range of industries, including health care, financial services, entertainment, media and advertising, real estate, technology, energy and natural resources, consumer goods and services, and transportation.

Our largest offices are strategically located in Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Orange County and Washington, D.C. Our offices in Sacramento and Albany— the capitals of California and New York—provide connections to government decision-makers and to solutions that are unavailable from our competitors. Our access, influence and reach are enhanced by our subsidiary, Manatt Jones Global Strategies LLC, which develops and implements programs to expand client businesses and promote effective competition on a global basis. cit yandstateny.com

LOBBYISTS

Informed.

Focused.

Effective.

Manatt is proud to be a part of the city and state of New York: as government advisors, as neighbors, as citizens.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, llp

manatt.com

27

#8 FOUNDED: FIRM, 1967; ALBANY OFFICE, 2002 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $4,863,363 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 3

HAROLD N. ISELIN Harold N. Iselin, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Albany office and government law and policy practice chairman, is a leading health care and insurance attorney who represents many health plans on regulatory, transactional and legislative matters. He served as assistant counsel to the governor of New York with responsibility for transportation, education, veterans affairs and freedom of information matters prior to joining Greenberg Traurig.

ROBERT M. HARDING As the New York City deputy mayor for economic development and finance under Mayor Rudy Giuliani, shareholder Robert M. Harding coordinated economic development policies, oversaw cit yandstateny.com

labor negotiations, and was responsible for housing/finance operations. He also served as director for the Office of Management and Budget. He advises clients on economic development matters and a wide variety of legislative issues at the city and state levels.

MARK GLASER Shareholder Mark Glaser served as counsel to the majority of the New York State Assembly. As chief ethics counsel, he was a draftsman of the 1987 Ethics in Government Act and responsible for the Assembly’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Law. In addition to his lobbying practice, Glaser has one of the premier compliance practices in the state.

CHRISTOPHER CERNIK Shareholder Christopher Cernik, a former senior counsel in the New York State Assembly, served as

parliamentarian and special counsel to two Assembly speakers. Cernik advises legislative and lobbying clients on transportation, telecommunications, technology, economic development and energy matters. In 1979, he served as counsel to the Constitutional Convention of the Emerging Republic of Palau.

JANE PRESTON Jane Preston is senior director of government law and policy practice. Her lobbying practice includes representing clients in the health care industry. She previously served in dual roles as chief of staff for the chairman of the Senate Health Committee, and as executive director of the Health Committee. An accomplished policy expert, she has negotiated on behalf of the Senate in key health finance and program initiatives.

MICHAEL MURPHY Shareholder Michael Murphy is one of

the leading legislative and regulatory insurance counsels in the state. He also represents clients in the environment, technology and financial services industries. He served as an assistant counsel to the Senate majority focusing on insurance, housing, finance and energy matters under two different majority leaders.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS As the role of government increases, the need for business-savvy professional services becomes even more critical for businesses and nonprofit entities.

Greenberg Traurig Albany has a diverse practice that includes a full complement of attorneys providing governmental affairs, litigation, health, insurance, mental health agency and education institution services, environmental and energy legal services.

city & state — May 25, 2015

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS

LOBBYISTS

#9 FOUNDED: 1932 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: : $4,772,800 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 9

KEY PLAYERS JIM CARR James Carr is a member of the firm’s education, health and government relations departments. Before joining Hinman Straub, he was president of Carr Public Affairs Inc., a lobbying, public affairs and association management firm. He also has served in the state Senate’s Office of Federal Affairs in Washington, D.C., and with the state Senate Education Committee.

B.J. COSTELLO Bartley J. Costello III is a member of the firm’s litigation, government relations and education departments.

He represents several clients before all New York State and federal courts, the state Legislature, the governor’s office and state regulatory agencies.

TERRI CROWLEY Terri Crowley is administrator of Hinman Straub Advisors, LLC, and a member of the firm’s government relations and education departments.

Prior to joining Hinman Straub, she was the manager for state government relations for Consolidated Edison.

She worked for the state Assembly as legislative coordinator to the speaker for 12 years.

MARA GINSBERG Mara Ginsberg is a member of the firm’s government relations department. Her work—both legislative and legal— focuses on education, technology and health care, including Medicaid compliance. She has served as vice president of government affairs for AmeriChoice and UnitedHealthcare of New York, as counsel for the state Office of Cyber Security & Critical

Infrastructure Coordination, as deputy director and counsel for the state Office for Technology, and as assistant attorney general in the Appeals Bureau.

CARON O’BRIEN CRUMMEY Caron O’Brien Crummey, a member of the firm’s government relations department, specializes in health care, criminal justice and government relations matters. She joined the firm with 27 years of experience in the state Senate majority.

She was chief advisor to the Senate majority leader on all health care matters.

SEAN DOOLAN Sean Doolan is the chair of the firm’s government relations department and provides both legal and legislative representation for numerous clients on a wide range of issues at every level of state government. He is also a member of the firm’s health law and

health insurance departments.

TRACY LLOYD Tracy R. Lloyd, a seasoned senior legislative staff member with 26 years of state and local government experience, is a member of the firm’s government relations department. Before joining Hinman Straub, he was chief of staff for then-state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

JANET SILVER Janet Silver started with the firm as a law clerk while completing her law degree.

Since law school she has developed a practice that focuses on education, economic development, health, human services and research. She provides legal, regulatory and legislative services to a variety of higher education institutions, elementary and secondary schools, and not-for-profits.

28

#10 FOUNDED: 2001 TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2014: $4,208,493 2013 RANK BY COMPENSATION: NO. 6

city & state — May 25, 2015

KEY ALBANY PLAYERS PATRICIA LYNCH President Patricia Lynch founded PLA in 2001, after having worked for more than two decades in government at both the state and federal level. She has since been named among the most influential New Yorkers by several media outlets, including City & State. In addition to being a top 10 lobbying firm, PLA is among the top 3 percent of womenowned businesses in the country to have surpassed $1 million in revenues.

PAUL TOKASZ Partner Paul Tokasz served as an Assembly member from 1988-2006 representing the 143rd District. He spent the last five years as majority leader. He has also served on the

Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures and in 2008 was appointed a member of the governor’s Commission on New York State Property Tax Relief.

CHRIS GRIMALDI Prior to joining PLA, partner Chris Grimaldi worked as assistant counsel in the Senate majority counsel’s office.

He also served as deputy counsel to the New York Republican State Committee. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Albany County Bar Association, and was appointed by the Appellate Division’s Third Judicial Department as a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness.

DARREN DOPP Darren Dopp, partner and founder of

PLA Communications, joined the firm in 2007, after 20 years in government and journalism. He was a top aide to two governors, an attorney general and a legislative leader. Before that, he was an award-winning journalist with The Associated Press and Gannett newspapers. Darren heads media relations at PLA. MARTHA AUSTER Associate Martha Auster has lobbied New York State government since 1992 and her clients have included the American Cancer Society, the Medical Society of the State of New York and Genentech. She is skilled in executing strategic collaborations with advocacy groups and trade associations in order to advance clients’ legislative goals.

Martha has a master’s degree from St. Michael’s College.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Patricia Lynch Associates is one of the top government relations firms in Albany, with a diverse client base encompassing multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller local groups and nonprofit entities.

No other firm can offer what PLA does—a mix of political acumen, media savvy and government expertise that works in unison to enhance your standing and achieve your objectives.

Because of our unparalleled knowledge of the workings of state and local government and our extensive media relations expertise, PLA is uniquely positioned to develop and implement the most effective strategies to advance your issue or cause.

cit yandstateny.com

The Long Island Association watches out for the interests of Long Island business in Albany, in Washington DC, and at the local level, too. Join today and add your voice to ours.

To learn more, call 631-493-3020 or visit Longislandassociation.org

Kevin S. Law President & CEO

May 21, 2015 The Honorable Temporary President and Majority Leader John Flanagan Room 330, State Capitol Building Albany, New York 12247

The Honorable Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion Aubrey LOB 646 Albany, New York 12248

The Honorable Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie LOB 932 Albany, New York 12248

The Honorable Assembly Member Catherine Nolan LOB 836 Albany, New York 12248

Dear Majority Leader Flanagan, Speaker Heastie, and Assembly Members Aubrey and Nolan, We are writing today to inform you of an important analysis conducted by High Achievement New York (HANY) - a broad-based statewide coalition of teachers, civic organizations, and business groups - that reveals high rates of participation in statewide assessments in New York’s largest cities. [attached].

Given these results, we urge the New York State Legislature and the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus to resist efforts to create new laws that take the state backward on higher standards for our schools, encourage test refusal, and put onerous, unfunded mandates on local school districts.

Instead, we ask that you continue the work of improving the implementation of higher standards for all New York’s children, no matter where they come from, and to ensure assessments aligned to these standards are the best possible measures for helping students succeed.

Students in New York’s five largest cities – New York, Buffalo, Syracuse, Yonkers, and Rochester – make up 40 percent of test takers statewide. The analysis released last week highlighted that more than 98 percent of those 470,000 eligible students in the state’s five largest cities participated in this year’s English Language Arts and Math state assessments. These numbers send a clear message -parents in our major cities recognize the value and importance of statewide tests as a means to measure their children’s progress towards achieving college and career readiness.

In addition, HANY released a survey of parents statewide in April that found African American and Hispanic parents support the current statewide tests by a margin of more than two to one. When it comes to “opting out” of tests, 75 percent of African-American parents and 63 percent of Hispanic parents believe it would have a negative impact on children. A poll released by Siena College earlier found strong support among African-American and Hispanic parents for the continued implementation of the Common Core standards. Any new legislation that goes backward on the standards or increases test refusals by children in New York not only sends the wrong message, it will be a disservice to families across the state in three critical ways: First, the effort to implement higher standards for all children would be weakened. The standards are beginning to show positive results in the classroom. The number of African-American and Hispanic students proficient on the assessments is increasing, and overall high school graduation rates reached almost 80 percent statewide for the first class that went through all four years with the standards. Despite this early success, opponents are undeterred. The main sponsor of one opt-out bill has explained that the goal of test refusal is to “starve the beast” of higher standards.

Second, increased test refusals raise the risk of federal action against school districts in our state. The US Department of Education has been clear that those risks include the withdrawal of hundreds of millions of Title I funds that our urban districts rely upon for vital instructional programs.

Last, new test refusal laws would amount to an unfunded mandate on local districts. Pulling students out of exams and requiring an alternative curriculum means preparing instructional materials and assigning additional staff and space. Without new funding, local schools will be forced to remove precious resources from existing programs for these new programs.

The assessments remain relatively new, and should continue to be improved. The move last year to limit state testing time to under 1 percent of instructional time and test prep to no more than 2 percent of school time made New York a leader in this area. Other ideas such as adaptive assessments that change their level of difficulty based on a child’s answer, and giving teachers more information earlier about their students’ performance will make the assessments even stronger.

The key to unlocking student success is all of us - stakeholders, lawmakers, educators, parents and the local communities - working together to make the standards and assessments the best they can be for all kids. The Legislature’s time and efforts should be focused on strengthening the assessments and standards, not on new laws that undermine higher standards, risk federal dollars for urban schools, and pile more onerous unfunded mandates on local districts.

Sincerely,

Derrell Bradford Executive Director NYCAN

Camille Artemus Parent Bedford Stuyvesant

Heather J. Briccetti, Esq. President and CEO Business Council of NY State Inc

Anita Brown Parent East New York

Jenn O’Connor NYS Director Council for a Strong America

Niferteriah Jones Parent Bedford Stuyvesant

Jenny Sedlis Executive Director Students First NY

Mildred Martinez Grandparent Harlem

Leticia Tomas Bustillos, PhD Associate Director, Education Policy Project Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation National Council of La Raza

Ana Mena Parent Fort Greene

Jason Zwara Executive Director Buffalo Reform Ed

LOBBYISTS

LOBBYING SPENDING

$250

In Millions ($)

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$0

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2014 LOBBYING SPENDING BY BUSINESS NATURE Others 12%

Health & Mental Hygiene 17%

FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS, CLIENTS HAVE TRUSTED US TO SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS WITH COMMITMENT, EXPERTISE & INTEGRITY.

Environment & Natural Resources 4% Banking & Financial Services 4% Real Estate & Construction 13%

Transportaion 4%

Insurance 4%

Education 8%

Manufacturing 5% Communications 5% Marketing & Sales 6% cit yandstateny.com

Trade Associations 7%

Public, Community Interest 7%

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TALENTED TEAM, CONTACT TERRI CROWLEY AT TCROWLEY@HINMANSTRAUB.COM.

city & state — May 25, 2015

Labor 4%

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

C 32

ity & State magazine presents its Graduate and Continuing Education Series in an effort to inform our readers, the leaders and future leaders of New York, about the many educational opportunities the state has to offer. Whether a government staffer, business executive or nonprofit advocate, graduate and continuing education programs abound to assist you in attaining applicable training and knowledge. The articles featured in this section outline the benefits of continuing education programs as well as what to look out for when applying. This series features four installments throughout the year, so stay tuned for additional helpful information in future editions.

CONGRATULATIONS EXECUTIVE MPA CLASS OF 2015 ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

Christian¡Cabrera¡ Yesenia¡Crespo Romina¡Frank¡ Christie¡Hubbard Anne¡Lehmann¡

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¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

Jonathan¡Santos-Ramos Kenneth¡Scott Shabana¡Sharif Rebecca¡Telzak Donovan¡Vassell

Empowering graduates to build strengths and contribute to organizational growth city & state — May 25, 2015

For more information, visit baruch.cuny.edu/spa/empa

cit yandstateny.com

By PETERSON’S STAFF

20 REASONS TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL In some disciplines, having a graduate degree is a necessity for getting a “career” job. That does not mean you should dive right in immediately after completing your undergrad degree.

Just make sure you have a good reason for going. Some of the reasons below are more valid than others, but they are all common reasons for which

people attend grad schools.

1.

Greater earning power. This is a popular reason why people go to grad school. However, it should not be the only reason, since getting a grad degree is a very serious commitment.

2.

Advance your career. A grad degree can open up a wider array of career opportunities.

3.

Career change. Many people are finding their current careers unrewarding. An advanced degree can help transition to another career— whether out of desire or necessity.

4.

Enhance your education.

Graduate schools can provide opportunities to explore theories you may have about a topic.

5.

Get community recognition.

If you explore your theories and discover something new, you will get recognition for it.

6. Get international recognition. Carry that recognition further. If your discovery is truly groundbreaking, you may receive international recognition, not to mention awards. Who knows— maybe you have a Nobel Prize within you.

7.

Get research opportunities.

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

SHOULD YOU GO T TO GRADUATE SCHOOL? A GUIDE.

he following article has been edited for space and clarity.

Are you considering going to graduate school? Are you aware of all your options and what a graduate program involves—financially, mentally and emotionally?

Entering a graduate program is an important decision that will affect your life for two-three years and should not be taken lightly. Understand the pros and cons, how you’ll pay for tuition fees, whether you have the stamina and discipline to get through, whether you have the emotional and financial support, and what your prospects are post-graduation when tuition loan interest is mounting.

33

Urban Policy and Planning at HUnter college A SmArt ChoiCe

The hunter College Department of Urban Affairs offers an MS degree in Urban Policy and leadership, an MUP in Urban Planning, and an undergraduate major in Urban Studies. The department’s distinguished faculty are affiliated with the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter, one of New York City’s premier venues for public affairs discourse and debate. http://www.hunteruap.org

cit yandstateny.com

city & state — May 25, 2015

With 66% of the world’s population expected to be living in cities by 2050, there is no better time than now to study urban policy, leadership and planning. And no better place to do it than at Hunter College, located in the heart of New York, the most dynamic city in the world.

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

City and State 1/2 page ad — 4.875 x 12 inches

Experience your MPA at Cornell University

Samantha Cherney MPA 2014 Project Associate RAND Corporation Cornell University Photography

34

Prepare to become a public policy leader. Our dynamic program offers unparalleled flexibility.

Choose from a broad range of concentrations: • Economic & Financial Policy • Environmental Policy • Government, Politics & Policy Studies • Human Rights & Social Justice • International Development Studies • Public & Nonprofit Management • Science, Technology & Infrastructure Policy • Social Policy Take courses that tackle real world policy challenges. Spend a semester studying offcampus in Washington, DC, or at one of our international sites in India, Nepal or Italy.

Go online and learn more today: www.cipa.cornell.edu

city & state — May 25, 2015

Or call us at: (607) 255-8018 Cornell Institute for Public Affairs 294 Caldwell Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2602

Even if you do not get to explore your own theories, there are other opportunities to participate in funded research.

8.

Upgrade your education.

Your knowledge of your field is outdated and you find it difficult to keep up with advancements without following up and getting an advanced degree.

9.

Enjoy travel opportunities.

Some programs require studying abroad for research purposes. For those who like to travel, this is a bonus.

10.

Find teaching opportunities.

Not everyone is suited to teaching, but for those who are, getting a Ph.D. can lead to a tenured position at a university or college, with a nice salary, a teaching or research assistant to help with workload, consulting opportunities (partly shared with your department), and a nice pension upon retirement.

11.

Work on advanced projects.

For example, the computer scientists who delved early into computer graphics set the standards for much of the CGI technology used in movies today.

12. Access to advanced equipment and tools. In a similar vein, entering a grad program could mean having access to advanced equipment on campus—such supercomputers, rare books and even great minds.

13.

Higher potential for future promotion. While obtaining a graduate degree does not necessarily always lead to a high-paying job right away, it can open up opportunities for future promotions.

14.

Not being stuck behind a desk. If you have the necessary education to qualify for a high-ranking position in your chosen industry, it means that you often have the option of not sitting behind a desk all day. You might go meet colleagues or clients, travel or even play golf in the afternoon on a nice day.

15.

Employer incentives. Some large corporations have funds set aside that will pay partial or full fees for qualified employees.

16.

Be part of a chain of knowledge. This doesn’t tickle everyone’s fancy, but just imagine that the knowledge handed to you by your professor came from another professor

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Please visit www.alfreddownstateeducation.com or call: 877-922-2483 cit yandstateny.com

10 SOURCES OF FUNDS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL Depending on the program and school you choose, getting a grad degree can

be costly.

1.

Scholarships and grants.

Look into scholarships and grants that the government, corporations, or private organizations set aside for various types of qualifications (war vet, single parent, cultural member, etc.).

2.

Grad assistant positions.

Many universities receive a certain amount from the government for each grad student they accept, and as such, they will often waive the tuition fee and sometimes offer living expenses via a part-time grad assistant position.

3.

Research grants/positions. In a similar vein, your thesis adviser might have research grant funds coming and might offer that to you in return for your participation as a research assistant. (Note that this might force you into research work that does not interest you, but when you choose a thesis adviser, you often do so because of their previous research topics or academic interests.)

4. Employer education programs. Some large corporations set aside funds to pay partial or full tuitions in the pursuit of advanced education by qualified employees.

5.

Employer salary advance.

Companies that cannot afford to foot the bill might offer an interest-free advance on salary with certain conditions in place.

6.

Family loans. Have wealthy family members? Maybe they can lend you tuition and expenses in return for completing certain milestones in your grad endeavors.

7.

Insurance scholarships. Some insurance companies offer a policy that can only be applied toward college/ university tuition. Unfortunately, you need to have the foresight to sign up years before you need it. The drawback is that there are often multiple conditions to meet, and if you don’t, you could lose the payout.

8.

Credit cards. Credit cards with 0 percent APRs are still being offered by financial institutions. If you’re careful and clever, it is possible to juggle the balance from one card to another when their offer periods run out. However, this is a dangerous and potentially stressful approach. Credit card debt is already fairly high on average. If you get tempted to spend the money on other purchases and/or miss

payments, the financial repercussions can be huge.

9.

Personal line of credit. While getting a 0 percent APR credit card does require good credit, having really good credit can get you a personal line of credit from your bank at reasonable interest rates. Unlike 0 percent APR credit cards, lines of credit rarely have time limits on them.

10. Savings from work.

Considering all the reasons not to go to grad school, you might think about spending a few years working after getting an undergraduate degree and entering a grad program. You can put the savings into safer investments, such as a CD (certificate of deposit) or an online savings account. (What’s more, having some work experience on your resume when you do complete your grad degree makes you more marketable than the person who jumped right into a grad program after college.)

GRADUATE SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

who learned it from someone who learned it from a famous scientist or philosopher. You become part of a chain of knowledge.

17.

Because you want to. To learn, to think critically, to accept the academic challenge.

18.

To stand out. By attending grad school and completing a degree, you join an elite segment of the population.

19.

Free tuition. In some cases, grad schools might not only waive your tuition, but also give you a stipend for living expenses in return for taking on the work of a teaching assistant or research assistant.

20.

Realization of interest. Not everyone realizes during undergraduate studies that they are suited for grad studies. Some of your professors might recommend it to you and offer to supervise—with tuition waived and a research assistant position to cover expenses.

This article originally appeared on Petersons.com, a source for highereducation guidance. Visit the website to read the full article.

35

Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership A Joint Program of Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and Graduate School of Social Service • Program can be completed in 12 months • Class schedule designed for working professionals • Receive ongoing mentorship from a nonprofit CEO For more information, please visit fordham.edu/nonprofits | nonprofits@fordham.edu | 212-636-6676

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Learn about all aspects of nonprofit management and develop a solid foundation in social justice leadership.

PERSPEC TIVES

FRAUD FORGOTTEN

BERTHA LEWIS

A

lbany was rocked this month by the criminal charges against Sen. Dean Skelos, who is accused of using his influence to intervene in Nassau County’s procurement process. Skelos’ case may have gotten more attention, but it’s not the first time that Preet Bharara’s office has found criminal misconduct in the government contracting sector.

While Skelos was forced to resign as majority leader, another bad actor in the contracting process is already on the rebound.

I’m talking about Skanska, the

36 THE SKILLS OUR STUDENTS NEED

RESHMA SAUJANI

city & state — May 25, 2015

W

hen New York City announced its new Summer of STEM initiative this month, it joined a growing number of educators, employers and families who understand the importance of reinforcing math and science skills in a way that is meaningful and fun for kids. Through the program and its partners at Microsoft and New York University, more than 1,200 students will work with industry leaders to build their knowledge in these areas, with an emphasis on serving children in underserved neighborhoods.

multinational construction giant.

Back in 2011, Skanska paid a $19.6 million fine to avoid criminal charges for widespread minority business fraud for its MTA contracts. Skanska used tactics often referred to as “men in skirts,” where women and people of color are used by white men as fronts to qualify for contracts or subsidies for women- or minority-owned businesses.

It’s not a victimless crime.

Men-in-skirts fraud has deprived women- and minority-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) of countless opportunities and chances to succeed.

It has blocked the creation of new jobs in communities of color, and slowed the rebuilding of the black middle class that was badly damaged by the Great Recession.

Skanska paid its fine over four years ago. But this month, an MTA inspector general’s report revealed that the conditions enabling this fraud to occur remain unchanged. Even after more than 30 recent settlements and guilty pleas, the inspector general found that over 70 percent of New York City Transit and Metro-North projects never received a single inspection.

Now, as the Port Authority continues to deliberate over the selection of a prime contractor for the multibillion-dollar LaGuardia Airport Terminal B renovation project,

Skanska is reportedly a top contender.

That’s right—the same company caught systematically cutting out MWBEs at one transportation agency is set to receive control of a $3.6 billion effort with a 35 percent MWBE participation target.

If we can’t trust Skelos, or the many public servants in Albany who have been arrested for “monetizing” their government offices, how can we trust a for-profit company with a record of illegally dodging minority business requirements? And if Skanska is awarded another billion-dollar deal without accountability, how can we trust the state’s MWBE numbers as a whole?

State government has touted its increased MWBE participation rates in recent years, but those gains have been highly concentrated in a select few places, like the School Construction Authority, the Dormitory Authority and the MTA. A project the size of the LaGuardia terminal renovation will noticeably impact the state’s overall MWBE numbers. The question is, can we trust them?

This April, The Black Institute kicked off a campaign for MWBE accountability with the release of our report, “Not Good Enough.”

We were disappointed, but hardly surprised, to read the MTA inspector general’s report soon after. We

know we’ve gotten city and state government’s attention—soon after releasing our report, Governor Cuomo announced a $2 million fund for tech industry MWBEs, and the de Blasio administration revealed it was seeking support for state legislation amending the contracting process.

There’s a reason we titled our report “Not Good Enough”: It a clearly applies to Skanska’s punishment.

We can’t meaningfully address minority business fraud until the punishment is strong enough to deter others from similar crimes. Barring Skanska from the LaGuardia project would be a good start.

That’s also why we’re not backing down from our goal of creating a “chief diversity officer” for New York City—a position that would ensure we have accountability when MWBE goals aren’t met. We’ll be announcing a series of town halls to build support for this, and expect to see City Council legislation soon.

Supporters of the status quo are going to fight us every step of the way.

After all, men-in-skirts fraud is big business. Skelos would be more than a little proud.

This is music to my ears as someone who has worked hard to promote STEM through Girls Who Code, where more than 1,200 girls are enrolled in our Summer Immersion Program. For seven weeks, the girls will have an opportunity to learn coding and other tech skills, as well as interact with experts at a dozen of the city’s leading technology, creative and financial firms. The goal of all of these programs is to expose students at a young age to the skills and careers that will be most relevant when they graduate college and enter the workforce.

This level of engagement was unheard of even five years ago. That’s when I was on the campaign trail and meeting kids who owned every gadget imaginable and kids in other neighborhoods who did not have access to a computer or a teacher to show them how to use these devices.

Girls in particular were missing out. We have made huge strides since then as a city, and we continue to find new ways to bridge the digital gender and socioeconomic divide.

But while summer programs and a growing number of after-school coding and STEM-based programs are a great step forward, we need to do more to ensure we are increasing the number of students who view STEM careers as options for their futures.

According to a recent Pew report,

while U.S. students are scoring higher on national math assessments than they did two decades ago, they still rank in the middle of the pack in international comparisons, and are well behind many other advanced industrial nations.

There are a few ways to do this.

For one, we need a greater emphasis on critical thinking and independent inquiry in our curriculum and less emphasis on teaching to the test.

These skillsets are developed through independent thinking, critical analysis and “out-of-the-box” thinking.

The Common Core state standards are meant to prioritize these skills.

We need our city and state elected leaders to embrace the promise of these standards and help with their implementation rather than try to politicize them out of existence.

Increasing public exposure to STEM is another effective way to fill the gap.

Nobody understands the needs of the workforce more than local employers.

The de Blasio administration should continue to incentivize private partners to invest in STEM education, bring local employers into classrooms and offer support with teacher training and STEM-focused curricula. Several major New York City companies are already partnering with schools in this way. AT&T is in the second year of a pilot program with the city

that expands the STEM curriculum in a dozen middle and high schools.

And the GE Foundation helped fund a three-day STEM institute for city teachers earlier this year. We need to scale and expand these types of publicprivate partnerships.

Finally, schools must take the lead and adopt a more interdisciplinary approach to curriculum advancement by infusing STEM across subjects.

Incorporating mathematics and science lessons into reading curricula is a great example of an emerging best practice. Questioning, summarizing and organizing findings are skills that our kids need to master to succeed in our new knowledge economy.

Instilling our classrooms with the resources they need to acquire these skills will better prepare them for tomorrow’s jobs.

The success or failure of our future economy rests on the shoulders of our children. That is why it is our job to bring together the best and brightest New York City has to offer, and enrich our curriculum with the skills our children need for a successful future.

Bertha Lewis is president of The Black Institute.

Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code and a former candidate for public advocate.

cit yandstateny.com

PLUSONE / SHUTTERSTOCK

JONATHAN BOWLES

L

ast month, Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined a number of innovative proposals to alleviate the city’s affordable housing crisis, adding more detail to what has clearly been one of his administration’s top policy goals. But the city also needs a game plan for ensuring that there is enough affordable commercial space.

The city’s almost unprecedented

cit yandstateny.com

economic boom in recent years has caused commercial rents to skyrocket and vacancy rates to plummet, particularly in the less traditional office districts that have proven so attractive for tech startups, creative agencies, design firms and other fast-growing companies.

Midtown South, home to the city’s largest cluster of tech firms, had the

Jonathan Bowles is executive director of the Center for an Urban Future, an independent think tank focused on growing New York’s economy and expanding economic opportunity.

PERSPEC TIVES

of Class B and C buildings across the five boroughs has decreased by 1.6 million square feet since 2000.

New tax exemptions or low-cost financing for tenant improvements could make it financially attractive for Class B and C owners to preserve their buildings as office spaces.

City economic development officials would also be wise to develop new planning and financial tools to recapture some of the dozens of buildings in up-and-coming commercial districts that are being used for storage. I counted at least 26 self-storage facilities in Long Island City, a neighborhood with a burgeoning tech cluster but surprisingly few affordable spaces for innovation businesses. Buildings that are being used entirely or primarily for storage proliferate in other parts of the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront where there is enormous demand for commercial space but precious little inventory available. At Industry City in Sunset Park, for instance, 30 percent of the tenants are using their space for storage.

Many of these are loft buildings that would be ideal for tech firms, creative companies and light manufacturers.

But the buildings are very profitable and the owners have little incentive to make changes. New city financial incentives could make it worthwhile for owners to convert some storage facilities into more job-intensive uses.

Finally, the administration should look to unlock some second-floor retail spaces that sit empty in a number of the city’s thriving commercial districts—from Fulton Mall in Brooklyn to downtown Jamaica in Queens and the Hub in the Bronx.

Because upper floors won’t fetch hefty rents and building owners are already bringing in lucrative profits with their ground-floor retail tenants, there has been little incentive for building owners to rent out these spaces or put in the upfront investment needed to make them usable. While many retailers aren’t interested in leasing upper-floor space, these spaces might be ideal for some creative businesses, tech firms or nonprofit arts groups.

37

city & state — May 25, 2015

MAKE COMMERCIAL SPACE AFFORDABLE TOO

lowest vacancy rate of any major central business district in the nation in the first quarter of 2015, at 6.1 percent. Rents in the district rose to $62.02 per square foot, an all-time high. The commercial vacancy rate in DUMBO, another desirable hub for tech startups, design firms and creative agencies, has long hovered near zero.

And in nearby Downtown Brooklyn, the vacancy rate is now around 3 percent, down from 8 percent a few years ago.

What’s driving this is a remarkable burst of job creation. The city exceeded its previous private sector employment peak in 2013, and has added a couple hundred thousand new jobs since then. Overall, the city has had a net gain of 425,000 jobs since 2009.

Unlike previous booms, the growth is not being driven by investment banks, law firms and traditional media companies looking for floors of Class A office space. Much of the new demand for commercial space is coming from fast-growing Internet startups, creative companies and even some light manufacturing firms. Between March 2010 and March 2015, employment in the city’s tech sector jumped by 48 percent, while the number of jobs also increased significantly in advertising (up 35 percent), architecture (up 31 percent) and film and TV production (14 percent).

Most of these firms can’t afford the rents in new Class A buildings and have shown a strong preference for being in older office buildings or industrial lofts outside of the city’s two main central business districts.

Fortunately, the growing demand for space is finally beginning to spur new commercial development in Williamsburg, DUMBO and Sunset Park. This is a hugely positive trend that city economic development officials should support. But there are other strategies the de Blasio administration could employ to unleash the potential of commercial spaces that have long gone vacant or underutilized.

For instance, the city should establish new incentives to preserve and upgrade Class B and C office buildings. So many of the city’s tech startups and creative firms today rent space in these older office buildings, which tend to command sharply lower rents than Class A office towers.

Unfortunately, a growing number of these buildings have been converted into condos and hotels. According to the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the supply

‘THE LITTLE FLOWER’

38

City & State: Why do a show about La Guardia?

Tony Lo Bianco: First of all, he was a seven-time congressman, and then he was three-term mayor, from 1934 to 1945. Now, his life seems to parallel very much what’s going in our country today and how we seem to not learn from history. That always fascinates me about the human race, because I always like to look at history to be aware of what was going on then. The ideas back then are prevalent today, and that is the basis of my interest in presenting this show for as long as I have. What people relate to is a man of and for the people who spoke common sense, logic, facts and from history.

city & state — May 25, 2015

was in charge of hundreds of men.

This was a man who was a dreamer, a doer and a fighter. He fought against Tammany Hall. When he first ran for Congress as a Republican, nobody had won an election against the crooks in Tammany Hall in 136 years. La Guardia lost the first time, but had 14,000 out of the Tammany fold so they saw this young upstart had gotten this many votes. When he ran again, he had to deal with Tammany thugs with clubs in hand intimidating voters and dead people voting for Democrats.

lifetime is as the great New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, a transformative historical figure whom the actor has been bringing back to life for more than three decades.

Lo Bianco’s one-man show, “The Little Flower,” is set during the mayor’s final day in office in 1945. For Lo Bianco, the performance is a chance to raise issues that are as pertinent today as they were in La Guardia’s era, including during his three terms in City Hall.

Lo Bianco spoke with City & State Senior Correspondent Jon Lentz about the public perception of La Guardia, the former mayor’s many accomplishments and how other mayors have stacked up since.

The following is an edited transcript.

C&S: Has the script changed over time?

TLB: When we first did it in Albany, in 1984, it was written by Paul Shyre.

It was more of a valentine to him, more what the people expect. They view La Guardia as a cartoon character, you see, a little rotund fellow who made a lot of noise and had a funny voice and read the newspapers and the comics to the kids when there was a newspaper strike. He was everywhere, he did everything, he was a tremendous

A Q&A WITH

TONY LO BIANCO dynamo, and his size and shape sort of dictated in the newspapers a kind of cartoon character.

C&S: But he accomplished a lot, right?

TLB: Tremendous. This is just a bit of what he did in three terms: 14 public housing developments, 15 outdoor swimming pools, 25 new hospitals, 95 new schools, 340 tennis courts, 350 playgrounds, redoing all of Central Park, putting in a brand new zoo, the Belt Parkway and the Marine Parkway in Brooklyn, the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, the Triborough Bridge, the Riis Park Bridge in Queens, the Queens Midtown Tunnel, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, the East River Drive, the West Side Highway, the Henry Hudson Parkway and the Grand Central Parkway. And this is just scratching the surface.

C&S: We did a feature identifying the top 10 mayors of New York City, and La Guardia was No. 1, with Michael Bloomberg at No. 2.

TLB: Well, good. Most mayors, including Bloomberg and Giuliani and Koch and even de Blasio all think of Mayor La Guardia as the mayor—and he was, in his time—of the world.

People forget that when the Second World War broke out, he was in charge of civil defense for the country.

Nobody thinks of those wonderful things he did. The fact is that in the First World War, just five or six months after he became a congressman he volunteered to go to war. He had a friend teach him to fly a plane and enlisted in the Army as a pilot. He fought in battle and knocked the enemy out of the sky. He crashed and injured his spine and his plane was all shot up. He was a lieutenant, a captain and became a major in one year. He

C&S: How does de Blasio stack up to La Guardia?

TLB: Well, he’s just starting out. The mayor that I think comes closest to La Guardia was Rudy Giuliani, because he really got things done. He didn’t have conflict. We have a lot of conflict now with the Police Department and this department. We had conflict when Dinkins was in and tremendous problems with crime and so on. Ed Koch was also a very, very big fan of La Guardia—he kept his desk in front of him and had his picture over his desk. Koch, as a matter of fact, when I did La Guardia in Albany, he narrated it for television. It’s very difficult to compare him, because he was a rough rider. He really was tough. He had so much power and energy and he was a man of the people and for the people. If there was a fire, La Guardia was there. If there was a crime, La Guardia was there. He was everywhere. That kind of energy is what we need—a person that the people believe in, a healer. He ran as a fusion candidate, from both parties.

He said, “I’ve been accused of being a pacifist, a communist, a socialist, a radical, a Republican, a progressive, a Democrat, a conservative, a rebel and a demagogue. Sounds like I’m a wellrounded fellow, don’t you think?”

To read the full interview with Tony Lo Bianco go to www.cityandstateny.com

cit yandstateny.com

MARTHA SWOPE

T

ony Lo Bianco’s role of a

Look Who’s Talking with

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

Alphonso David, Chief Counsel to Governor Cuomo

New York City Public Advocate Letitia James

State Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

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Albany: Stand Up for Workers and Protect the Scaffold Safety Law

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