NYC Magazine » David Paterson

Cuomo Dominates Paterson in…Everything

Igor Derysh — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:00:23 +0000

Although Governor David Paterson has been able to gain some support over the last six months, he still remains very unpopular in the polls and even less popular with people’s checkbooks. According to the New York Times, not only does Attorney General Andrew Cuomo lead Paterson in the public opinion polls by a 4 to 1 ratio, he is also dominating him in the fundraising race and has five times as much money in his campaign chest as the incumbent governor.

The New York Times reports that Cuomo currently has $16 million at his disposal whereas Paterson has ...continue reading

Harold Ford Now Supports Gay Marriage

Igor Derysh — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:46 +0000

Much like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand did herself, potential senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. has begun to flip-flop on the views that he held while being a Senator from Tennessee, a more conservative state.

The first in what will unlikely be a string of position reversals was Ford changing up his position on gay marriage, something that he opposed while living in an anti-gay marriage state.

We all know that politicians will say anything to get elected and seeing Gillibrand and Ford attempt to move from the conservative side to mainstream Democrat has exemplified this perfectly.

When ...continue reading

Paterson Urges Lesgislators To Legalize UFC

Igor Derysh — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:00:52 +0000

Now this man is talking my language. Seeking creative ways to help stimulate the struggling New York economy, Governor David Paterson has urged lawmakers to finally legalize the popular sport of Mixed Martial Arts (also known as Ultimate Fighting).

The governor pointed out the arenas upstate and even Madison Square Garden are dying to host the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) which has made MMA the fastest growing sport in the world.

The laws that ban the sport now were written in the 1990s when the UFC, under different ownership, made its debut in the wrong way.

Paterson Preaches Ethics In State Of The State Address

Igor Derysh — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:18:38 +0000

Despite the fact that David Paterson is a widely unpopular governor on his way out and despite the fact that the New York State legislature is a bevy of corruption, the governor used his State of the State address to legislators to discuss ethics and vowed to bring reform to Albany.

On the heels of former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno being found guilty on several felony counts and current State Senator (though likely not for long) Hiram Monserrate being found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend, a push to bring some sort of ethics into a chamber ...continue reading

New York Is Broke

Igor Derysh — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:00:31 +0000

For the first time in history, New York State is not just broke but in debt. To paraphrase a line by Louis C.K., if being broke is having no money then New York would have to raise hundreds of millions of dollars just to be broke.

According to the New York Times, the state has a negative balance of $174 million in its general fund (yes, states have bank accounts too) with over a billion dollars due on its bills.

The state will now have to burn an even deeper hole in their account by using up ...continue reading

Paterson Doubles Security To Look More Gubernatorial

Igor Derysh — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:28:10 +0000

In an effort to look “more gubernatorial,” New York Governor David Paterson has apparently doubled his security from what it was last year and according to the New York Post there is now more state troopers working security detail for Paterson than there are patrolling all of Long Island.

According to state troopers, Paterson now travels with a large entourage and usually a motorcade of around four cars which makes him look more important and “helps him politically.”

According to Thomas Mungeer, the president of the State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, points out that despite the fact ...continue reading

SUNY Wastes Money, Paterson Not Cutting Costs

Yelena Mandenberg — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:17:10 +0000

This year, CUNY and SUNY colleges have both raised tuition, cut classes, stopped hiring adjuncts, and in general have tried to cut costs everywhere they can. Well, the Daily News is reporting that while students are paying tons more in fees and tuition, SUNY has spent $29.9 paying overtime through November of this fiscal year (which does not end until March 31).

This new finding means that SUNY is exceeding last year’s total, while other schools have cut overtime.

SUNY spokesman David Belsky said new Chancellor Nancy Zimpher is trying to develop a system-wide plan to cut costs “through greater innovation and reduced ...continue reading

With Giuliani Out, No GOP Candidates Stand Out

Igor Derysh — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:00:54 +0000

As we mentioned earlier this week, the announcement by former New York City Mayor and Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani that he would not run was a devastating blow to the Republicans who are now expected to lose both the gubernatorial and Senate elections because they do not have any viable candidates.

Rudy Giuliani’s departure from the race before it even began shows a side of the GOP that is often unnoticed, the fact that the Party has just a handful of prominent candidates (none of which actually win major elections) and not much else.

In New York, the most prominent Republican in the ...continue reading

Rudy Not Running For Office, Endorses Lazio

Igor Derysh — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:29:25 +0000

It appears that the political gods are in fact merciful and Rudy Giuliani will in fact not run for office in 2010. On Tuesday, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani announced that he will not run for governor or senator in 2010, putting an end to months of relentless rumors about his political future.

Giuliani had been riding the September 11 gravy train after his term as mayor of New York expired and was doing a good job of it as he continuously reminded us of the fact that he was mayor of New York when it was ...continue reading

New York News Week in Review: Dec. 18

Igor Derysh — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:30:06 +0000

Here are a few stories that you might have missed this week:

-New York City’s outer boroughs will be getting a new area code with the amount of numbers expected to run out by 2012. People who are currently in the 718 or 347 area codes will keep their current codes.

-Several education groups have sued Governor David Paterson for the release of money to schools that he has postponed until it becomes financially feasible for the state to pay the aid. Paterson called the move necessary because the State Legislature did not cut enough of the state’s deficit to prevent a large ...continue reading