Crains New York - May 13, 2013 - (Page 6)

THE INSIDER by Erik Engquist Salvaging the session A state legislative session chilled by a gun-control backlash and corruption scandals took on new life last week when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would push for approval of casino gambling now, rather than postpone that effort until 2014. Meanwhile, legislative leaders were moving toward agreements on a response to the scandals and on the governor’s women’s rights agenda. Albany had been in a standstill since its rushed passage of a gun-control law earlier this year sank the Democratic governor’s popularity upstate and inflicted Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos with buyer’s remorse. Then federal prosecutors unveiled corruption charges against several lawmakers and hinted at more, casting doubt over the prospects for a productive end of session next month. When Mr. Cuomo met several weeks ago with Mr. Skelos, the governor found the Long Island lawmaker determined to avoid another gun-control scenario. “Skelos said, ‘You’re not leading me down that 6 | Crain’s New York Business | May 13, 2013 path again,’ ” one Albany insider explained. Translation: The governor won’t get public financing of political campaigns, an expansion of abortion rights, decriminalization of low-level marijuana possession or SHIFTING FORTUNES IN ALBANY Cuomo Silver Klein Skelos CRIMINAL CHARGES IN RECENT WEEKS against rank-and-file New York City Democrats in the Legislature shifted the ground under the state’s top four leaders, though none was accused of wrongdoing himself. Gov. Andrew Cuomo lost his narrative about having fixed Albany, and is scrambling to get new anti-corruption measures passed. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, embarrassed that the first two politicians nabbed were members of his conference, got a break when the next three were senators. Senate co-President Jeff Klein, head of the Independent Democratic Conference, had to expel his group’s sole minority member, who was busted in a bribery scheme. The only leader to emerge unscathed: Dean Skelos, the Republican Senate co-president, who was gift-wrapped a 2014 campaign narrative about dirty Democrats—assuming, of course, that his own caucus can stay out of trouble until then. anything else that smells funny to Senate Republicans. Detours around the Skelos roadblock were quickly closed. Sen. Jeff Klein, a Democrat who shares control of the chamber with Mr. Skelos, was unwilling to circumvent his new partner. And Mr. Cuomo could not trade Mr. Skelos anything because the Republican had no wish list. But they found common ground on casinos and corruption penalties, and Republicans signaled that they could pass elements of Mr. Cuomo’s women’s rights agenda that won’t increase abortions. “It was a quick pivot by Cuomo to other areas where he might be able to accomplish something,” said the insider. Mr. Cuomo’s “clean up Albany” package will likely yield stronger enforcement of campaign rules, tougher penalties for corruption and a misdemeanor charge for failure to report bribe attempts. Some goodgovernment and advocacy groups will be disappointed by the exclusion of public financing of campaigns—just as they were let down by the governor last year when he abandoned a push for independent redistricting. But women’s groups seem prepared to settle for an abridged version of the governor’s 10-point Women’s Equality Act, sources said. Mr. Klein and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who have already achieved their top 2013 goal of a minimum-wage increase, are not positioned to get much else this session, although Mr. Klein’s Independent Democratic Conference is pushing anti-discrimination bills to complement Mr. Cuomo’s women’s package. Ⅲ http://www.peoples.com/wealthmanagement http://www.peoples.com/wealthmanagement

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - May 13, 2013

Crains New York - May 13, 2013
IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
REAL ESTATE DEALS
THE INSIDER
BUSINESS PEOPLE
OPINION
STEVE HINDY
GREG DAVID
SMALL BUSINESS
REPORT: TECHNOLOGY
THE LIST
CLASSIFIEDS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - May 13, 2013