September 9, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 25 | www.cityreviewnr.com
New measures on campaign donors draw criticism
Flags for the fallen
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
Ahead of this year’s Sept. 11 ceremony, dozens of volunteers covered the front lawn of New Rochelle City Hall with thousands of flags in honor of the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Peter Parente, president of the United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association of New Rochelle, uses the somber event to help heal himself and his community. For story, see page 6. Photo/Jen Parente
County officials confirm more cases of Zika in Westchester in Rockland County are also infected with the virus. While there have been no Westchester County residents’ Zika-related births in the area, fears of the Zika virus spreading county health officials reported throughout the Hudson Valley that two of those diagnosed with area may have been realized, af- the virus in Westchester were ter county health officials have previously pregnant; however, once again confirmed its pres- the county has verified that there are no individuals currently ence in the region. According to Caren Halbfin- pregnant to have been infected. In early August, Westchester ger, director of affairs for the Westchester County Department County Executive Rob Astorino, of Health, at least 19 people a Republican, said, “The county throughout the county are con- is working diligently to address firmed to be infected with Zika, Zika through education, surveilas of press time, after contract- lance, and mosquito control.” The first Zika virus case in ing the virus while traveling outside the country. Ten individuals the county was reported in early
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
February, as the health department confirmed that a man had contracted the virus while travelling outside the U.S. According to the Department of Health, the county resident, whose name and address could not be obtained because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, has since made a full recovery of the virus that has impacted countries throughout the globe, including the Western Hemisphere, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Nearly 59 countries have been infiltrated by Zika, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, CDC. To date, no mosquitos in New York state have been tested positive for carrying Zika virus; however, scientists believe the Asian tiger mosquito, which can be found in the Lower Hudson Valley, is one species of mosquito that can transmit the virus. “Truly there has to be an approach coordinated on a federal level to find a vaccine because this is just the beginning of concerns related to Zika,” said Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. “People also need to understand ZIKA continued on page 5
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a measure late last month that aims to toughen election, lobbying and ethics enforcement laws, in an effort to limit the power of independent expenditure campaigns. State Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who is running for re-election, said, “It doesn’t solve the problem.” The legislation would diminish the influence of a U.S. Supreme Court case known as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which has encouraged wealthy donors to increase campaign contributions through independent expenditures to publicly support or criticize a candidate, according to the governor. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same free speech rights as people. An independent expenditure is a political campaign communication that touts or expressively advocates for the defeat of an identified candidate that is not made in cooperation with or at the approval of a candidate, or a candidate’s authorized committee. Cuomo said, “Citizens United is one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in history, and in just six years has already had a profoundly corrosive impact on our democracy.” Under the new agreement, independent spending groups— political consultants and lobbyists—are required to register
with the state and may not be formed by a candidate or run by the candidate’s family members or former staffers. The law will also strengthen anti-coordination between independent spending groups and candidates, as it prohibits independent spenders from contributing directly to candidates and prevents political action committees, PACs, from making contributions to independent expenditure committees operating under common control. However, according to Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican candidate for the state Senate, political spending is not necessarily the issue. “Corrupt and go-along career legislators are the problem,” she said. “If we really want to change the culture of corruption in Albany, we need to enact term limits for state officeholders.” Killian also criticized Cuomo for previously receiving business-backed aid. “It’s ironic that the governor, who has raised tens of millions [of dollars] from people who have state contracts, wants to now limit campaign donations from legitimate organizations who want to express their constitutionally protected free speech,” she said. In 2011 and 2012, a controversial business-backed group called Committee to Save New York spent $17 million to advance Cuomo’s agenda during his first two years as governor. CUOMO continued on page 10
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