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Candidates for 2017 City Elections


de blasio voting 2017 elections

Mayor de Blasio signs in to vote (photo: Ed Reed/Mayor's Office)


With the party primaries over in the 2017 city election cycle, we head toward the general election, which will take place Tuesday, November 7. Dozens of races will be on the ballot, headlined by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempt at re-election.

The other citywide positions of Public Advocate and Comptroller are also being determined this year, as well as all five Borough Presidents, all 51 City Council seats, and two District Attorney positions (Brooklyn and Manhattan). However, there are several races where the Democratic candidate does not have any general election competition, so those races will not appear on the ballot come November. Some races will be highly competitive, some will have competition in name only.

Public Advocate Letitia James and Comptroller Scott Stringer are running for re-election to their posts, as are all five of the other borough presidents -- Queens’ Melinda Katz, Manhattan’s Gale Brewer, Staten Island’s James Oddo, Brooklyn’s Eric Adams, and Ruben Diaz Jr. of the Bronx.

In the City Council, 41 members in the 51-seat legislative body are seeking re-election. Most of the 10 "open" seats where the incumbent is not seeking reelection, either due to term limits or other reasons, saw intense competition in the primaries, but have limited contention in the general. Still, there are several interesting Council races to watch heading toward November. All three of the citywide races should also be interesting, though much will depend on how well the Republican and other candidates challenging the Democratic incumbents can do with fundraising and how well they run their campaigns.

Below is a list of candidates for many city races of 2017. Keep in mind that some candidates will appear on multiple ballot lines, though we will not necessarily list them all.

Gotham Gazette will be editing this list on a running basis leading to Election Day, November 7, as well as adding more to our 2017 election coverage, including more detail about candidates, races, issues, campaign endorsements and fundraising, debates, and more.

---General election list updated October 3, 2017---

Mayor
Bill de Blasio, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Nicole Malliotakis, Republican & Conservative & Stop de Blasio
Bo Dietl, Dump the Mayor
Sal Albanese, Reform
Aaron Commey, Libertarian
Akeem Browder, Green
Mike Tolkin, Smart Cities
(Dr. Robbie Gosine is waging a write-in campaign)

Public Advocate
Letitia James, incumbent, Democat & Working Families
Juan Carlos "J.C." Polanco, Republican & Reform & Stop de Blasio
James Lane, Green
Michael O'Reilly, Conservative
Devin Balkind, Libertarian

Comptroller
Scott Stringer, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Michel J. Faulkner, Republican & Conservative & Reform & Stop de Blasio
Alex Merced, Libertarian
Julia Willebrand, Green

Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr., incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Steven DeMartis, Republican
Antonio Vitiello, Conservative
Camella Price, Reform

Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Benjamin Kissel, Reform
Vito Bruno, Republican & Conservative

Queens Borough President
Melinda Katz, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
William Kregler, Republican & Conservative
Everly Brown, Homeowners NYCHA

Manhattan Borough President
Gale Brewer, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Frank Scala, Republican
Daniel Vila Rivera, Green
Brian Waddell, Reform & Libertarian 

Staten Island Borough President
James Oddo, incumbent, Republican & Conservative & Reform & Independence
Tom Shcherbenko, Democrat & Working Families
Henry Bardel, Green

Brooklyn District Attorney
Eric Gonzalez, Democrat, incumbent (named acting District Attorney in 2016)
Vincent Gentile, Reform

Manhattan District Attorney
Cy Vance, Democrat, incumbent
(Marc Fliedner announced in early October that he's embracing a write-in campaign for Manhattan DA)

City Council District 1
Margaret Chin, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Bryan Jung, Republican
Aaron Foldenauer, Liberal
Christoper Marte, Independence

City Council District 2 - open seat (held by Rosie Mendez)
Carlina Rivera, Democrat & Working Families
Jimmy McMillan, Republican & Rent is 2 Damn High
Donald Garrity, Libertarian
Manny Cavaco, Green
Jasmin Sanchez, Liberal

City Council District 3
Corey Johnson, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Marni Halasa, Eco Justice

City Council District 4 - open seat (held by Dan Garodnick)
Keith Powers, Democrat
Rebecca Harary, Republican & Women's Equality & Reform & Stop de Blasio
Rachel Honig, Liberal

City Council District 5
Ben Kallos, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Frank Spotorno, Republican

City Council District 6
Helen Rosenthal, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Hyman Drusin, Republican
William Raudenbush, Stand Up Together

City Council District 7
Mark Levine, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Florindo Troncelliti, Green

City Council District 8 - open seat (held by Melissa Mark-Viverito)
Diana Ayala, Democrat & Working Families
Daby Carreras, Republican & Reform & Stop de Blasio & No Rezoning 4 Ever
Linda Ortiz, Conservative

City Council District 9
Bill Perkins, incumbent (elected in February special election), Democrat & Working Families
Jack Royster, Republican
Pierre Gooding, Reform
Tyson-Lord Gray, Liberal
Dianne Mack, Harlem Matters

City Council District 10
Ydanis Rodriguez, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Ronny Goodman, Republican

City Council District 11
Andrew Cohen, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Judah David Powers, Republican & Conservative
Roxanne Delgado, Animal Rights

City Council District 12
Andy King, incumbent, Democrat
Adrienne Erwin, Conservative

City Council District 13 - open seat (held by James Vacca)
Mark Gjonaj, Democrat
John Cerini, Republican & Conservative
Marjorie Velazquez, Working Families
John Doyle, Liberal
Alex Gomez, New Bronx

City Council District 14
Fernando Cabrera, incumbent, Democrat
Randy Abreu, Working Families
Alan Reed, Republican & Conservative
Justin Sanchez, Liberal

City Council District 15
Ritchie Torres, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Jayson Cancel, Jr., Republican & Conservative

City Council District 16
Vanessa Gibson, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Benjamin Eggleston, Republican & Conservative

City Council District 17
Rafael Salamanca, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Patrick Delices, Republican
Oswald Denis, Conservative
Elvis Santana, Empower Society

City Council District 18 - open seat (held by Annabel Palma)
Ruben Diaz, Sr., Democrat
Carl Lundgren, Green
Michael Beltzer, Liberal
William Russell Moore, Reform
Eduadro Ramirez, Conservative

City Council District 19
Paul Vallone, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Konstantinos Poulidis, Republican
Paul Graziano, Reform

City Council District 20
Peter Koo, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 21 - open seat (held by Julissa Ferreras-Copeland)
Francisco Moya, Democrat & Working Families

City Council District 22
Costa Constantinides, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Kathleen Springer, Dive In

City Council District 23
Barry Grodenchik, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Joseph Concannon, Republican & Conservative & Stop de Blasio
John Y. Lim, John Y. Lim

City Council District 24
Rory Lancman, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Mohammad Rahman, Reform

City Council District 25
Daniel Dromm, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families

City Council District 26
Jimmy Van Bramer, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Marvin Jeffcoat, Republican & Conservative

City Council District 27
I. Daneek Miller, Democrat, incumbent
Rupert Green, Republican
Frank Francois, Green

City Council District 28 - open seat (Ruben Wills was convicted on public corruption charges)
Adrienne Adams, Democrat
Ivan Mossop, Republican
Hettie Powell, Working Families

City Council District 29
Karen Koslowitz, incumbent, Democrat

City Council District 30
Elizabeth Crowley, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families & Women's Equality
Robert Holden, Republican & Conservative & Reform & Dump de Blasio

City Council District 31
Donovan Richards, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families

City Council District 32
Eric Ulrich, incumbent, Republican & Conservative & Independence & Reform
Mike Scala, Democrat

City Council District 33
Stephen Levin, Democrat, incumbent
Victoria Cambranes, Progress for All

City Council District 34
Antonio Reynoso, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families

City Council District 35
Laurie Cumbo, Democrat, incumbent
Jabari Brisport, Green & Socialist
Christine Parker, Republican

City Council District 36
Robert Cornegy, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 37
Rafael Espinal, Democrat, incumbent
Persephone Sarah Jane Smith, Green

City Council District 38
Carlos Menchaca, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Carmen Hulbert, Green
Devlis Valdez, Reform
Allan Romaguera, Conservative

City Council District 39
Brad Lander, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families

City Council District 40
Mathieu Eugene, Democrat, incumbent
Brian Cunningham, Reform
Brian Kelly, Conservative

City Council District 41 - open seat (held by Darlene Mealy)
Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Democrat & Working Families
Berneda Jackson, Republican & Conservative
Christoper Carew, Solutions

City Council District 42
Inez Barron, Democrat, incumbent
Ernest Johnson, Conservative
Mawuli Hormeku, Reform

City Council District 43 - open seat (held by Vincent Gentile)
John Quaglione, Republican & Independence & Conservative
Justin Brannan, Democrat & Working Families
Angel Medina, Women's Equality
Bob Capano, Reform

City Council District 44 - open seat (held by David Greenfield, who is not seeking reelection)
Kalman Yeger, Democrat & Conservative
Yoni Hikind, Our Neighborhood
Harold Tischler, School Choice

City Council District 45
Jumaane Williams, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Anthony Beckford, True Freedom

City Council District 46
Alan Maisel, Democrat, incumbent
Jeffrey Ferretti, Conservative

City Council District 47
Mark Treyger, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Raimondo Denaro, Republican & Conservative

City Council District 48
Chaim M. Deutsch, Democrat, incumbent
Steven Saperstein, Republican & Conservative & Reform

City Council District 49
Deborah Rose, incumbent, Democrat & Working Families
Michael Penrose, Republican & Conservative
Kamillah Hanks, Reform

City Council District 50
Steven Matteo, incumbent, Republican & Conservative & Independence & Reform
Richard Florentino, Democrat

City Council District 51
Joseph Borelli, incumbent, Republican & Conservative & Independence & Reform
Dylan Schwartz, Democrat & Working Families

*************


****THE BELOW WAS WRITTEN AHEAD OF THE SEPTEMBER 12 PRIMARY ELECTIONS****

With the 2016 elections behind us and 2017 here, the focus in New York City is turning to this year's city election cycle. There will be dozens of races on the ballot for primaries in September and the general election in November, including Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempt at re-election.

The other citywide positions of Public Advocate and Comptroller will also be voted on, as well as all five Borough Presidents, all 51 City Council seats, and two District Attorney positions (Brooklyn and Manhattan).

Candidates continue to declare their intentions to run and file with the state Board of Elections and city Campaign Finance Board. While filing a campaign committee with the Campaign Finance Board happens on a rolling basis, the most recent filing deadline for financial disclosures was mid-August. Candidates have had to submit ballot petitioning signatures to the Board of Elections, with some candidates then not making the ballot.

Public Advocate Letitia James and Comptroller Scott Stringer are running for re-election to their posts, as are all five of the other borough presidents -- Queens’ Melinda Katz, Manhattan’s Gale Brewer, Staten Island’s James Oddo, Brooklyn’s Eric Adams, and Ruben Diaz Jr. of the Bronx.

In the City Council, there are just seven of the 51 members who are term-limited from running for re-election. One now former Council member, Inez Dickens, was recently elected to the state Assembly and State Senator Bill Perkins was elected to the vacant seat in a special election -- Perkins is seeking reelection. There are several current state legislators running for City Council seats and one, Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for mayor. Additionally, City Council Members Julissa Ferreras-Copeland and David Greenfield have decided not to run for reelection, so their seats have become "open," as has the seat formerly held by Ruben Wills, who was convicted on public corruption charges.

While a few City Council incumbents are facing tough challengers, there will be relatively limited action in City Council races beyond the 10 "open" seats where the current officeholder is term-limited or not seeking reelection. The competition in several of those seats looks like it will be fierce, and there will be several serious races where incumbents are trying to hold on.

Below is a running list of official and rumored candidates for many city races of 2017. Gotham Gazette will be editing this list on a running basis, as well as adding more to our 2017 election coverage, including more detail about candidates, races, issues, campaign endorsements and fundraising, debates, and more. [Note: not listed in this post are offices on the ballot including District Leader, County Committee, and other hyper-local races.]

---Candidate list last updated August 20, 2017---

Mayor
Bill de Blasio, Democrat, incumbent
Sal Albanese, Democrat
Robert Gangi, Democrat
Michael Tolkin, Democrat
Richard Bashner, Democrat

Nicole Malliotakis, Republican

Richard “Bo” Dietl, independent
Aaron Commey, Libertarian
Akeem Browder, Green

Abbey Laurel-Smith, Pilgrims Alliance
Garrett Bowser, independent
Eric W. Armstead, independent
Ahsan Syed, Theocratic
Robbie Gosine, independent
Asim Deen (party TBD)
Scott Joyner (party TBD)
Eric Roman (party TBD)
Rosemary Hameed (party TBD)
James Berry (party TBD)
Salvador Morales, (party TBD)
Louis Puliafito, (party TBD)
Eliseo Santos, (party TBD)
Karmen Smith, (party TBD)

Public Advocate
Letitia James, Democrat, incumbent
David Eisenbach, Democrat & Liberal
J.C. Polanco, Republican
James Lane, Green
Michael O'Reilly, Conservative
Devin Balkind, Libertarian
Cardon Pompey (party TBD)

Comptroller
Scott Stringer, Democrat, incumbent
Michel J. Faulkner, Republican
Alex Merced, Libertarian
Julia Willebrand, Green

Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz, Jr., Democrat, incumbent
Camella Pinkney-Price, Democrat
Avery Selkridge, Democrat
Michael Garcia (party TBD)

Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams, Democrat, incumbent
Ben Kissel, Reform & Libertarian
Vito Bruno, Republican

Queens Borough President
Melinda Katz, Democrat, incumbent
William Kregler, Republican

Manhattan Borough President
Gale Brewer, Democrat, incumbent
Brian Waddell, Libertarian
Daniel Vila, Green
Linda Liu (party TBD)

Staten Island Borough President
James Oddo, Republican, incumbent
Tom Shcherbenko, Democrat
Henry Bardel, Green

Brooklyn District Attorney
Eric Gonzalez, Democrat, incumbent (named acting District Attorney in 2016)
Patricia Gatling, Democrat
Vincent Gentile, Democrat
Stephanie Ama-Dwimoh, Democrat
Marc Fliedner, Democrat
Anne Swern, Democrat

Manhattan District Attorney
Cy Vance, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 1
Margaret Chin, Democrat, incumbent
Christopher Marte, Democrat
Aaron Foldenauer, Democrat
Dashia Imperiale, Democrat

City Council District 2 - open seat (held by Rosie Mendez)
Carlina Rivera, Democrat
Mary Silver, Democrat
Jasmin Sanchez, Democrat
Ronnie Cho, Democrat
Jorge Vasquez, Democrat
Erin Hussein, Democrat
Jimmy McMillan, Republican & Rent is Too Damn High
Donald Garrity, Libertarian
Manny Cavaco, Green

City Council District 3
Corey Johnson, Democrat, incumbent
Marni Halasa, Green

City Council District 4 - open seat (held by Dan Garodnick)
Jeffrey Mailman, Democrat
Keith Powers, Democrat
Bessie R. Schachter, Democrat
Martha Speranza, Democrat
Maria Castro, Democrat
Vanessa Aronson, Democrat
Barry Shapiro, Democrat
Rachel Honig, Democrat
Alec Hartman, Democrat
Rebecca Harary, Republican

City Council District 5
Ben Kallos, Democrat, incumbent
Patrick Bobilin, Democrat
Gwen Goodwin, Democrat

City Council District 6
Helen Rosenthal, Democrat, incumbent
Cary Goodman, Democrat
Mel Wymore, Democrat
David Owens (party TBD)
William Raudenbush (party TBD)

City Council District 7
Mark Levine, Democrat, incumbent
Thomas Lopez-Pierre, Democrat
Florindo Troncelliti, Green

City Council District 8 - open seat (held by Melissa Mark-Viverito)
Diana Ayala, Democrat
Tamika Mapp, Democrat
Robert Rodriguez, Democrat
Israel Martinez, Democrat

City Council District 9
Bill Perkins, Democrat, incumbent (elected in February special election)
Marvin Holland, Democrat
Marvin Spruill, Democrat
Tyson Lord-Gray, Democrat
Cordell Cleare, Democrat
Julius Tajiddin, Democrat
Jack Royster, Republican
Pierre Gooding, Libertarian

City Council District 10
Ydanis Rodriguez, Democrat, incumbent
Josue Perez, Democrat
Francesca Castellanos
Gregory Purdy, Republican
Anthony del Orbe (party TBD)

City Council District 11
Andrew Cohen, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 12
Andy King, Democrat, incumbent
Pamela Hamilton-Johnson, Democrat
Karrée-Lyn Gordon, Democrat

City Council District 13 - open seat (held by James Vacca)
John C. Doyle, Democrat
Mark Gjonaj, Democrat
Marjorie Velazquez, Democrat
Egidio Sementilli, Democrat
John Cerini, Republican

City Council District 14
Fernando Cabrera, Democrat, incumbent
Randy Abreu, Democrat
Felix Perdomo, Democrat

City Council District 15
Ritchie Torres, Democrat, incumbent
Jayson Cancel, Jr., Martial Arts Party

City Council District 16
Vanessa Gibson, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 17
Rafael Salamanca, Democrat, incumbent
Helen Foreman-Hines, Democrat
Patrick Delices, Republican

City Council District 18 - open seat (held by Annabel Palma)
Amanda Farias, Democrat
Elvin Garcia, Democrat
Michael Beltzer, Democrat
Ruben Diaz, Sr., Democrat
William Moore, Democrat
Carl Lundgren, Green
Eisley Constantine, Republican

City Council District 19
Paul Vallone, Democrat, incumbent
Paul Graziano, Democrat

City Council District 20
Peter Koo, Democrat, incumbent
Alison Tan, Democrat

City Council District 21 - open seat (held by Julissa Ferreras-Copeland)
Hiram Monserrate, Democrat
Francisco Moya, Democrat

City Council District 22
Costa Constantinides, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 23
Barry Grodenchik, Democrat, incumbent
Benny Itteera, Democrat
Joseph Concannon, Republican
John Lim (party TBD)

City Council District 24
Rory Lancman, Democrat, incumbent
Mohammad Rahman, Democrat

City Council District 25
Daniel Dromm, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 26
Jimmy Van Bramer, Democrat, incumbent
Marvin Jeffcoat, Republican

City Council District 27
I. Daneek Miller, Democrat, incumbent
Anthony Rivers, Democrat
Rupert Green, Republican
Frank Francois, Green

City Council District 28 - open seat (Ruben Wills was convicted on public corruption charges)
Adrienne Adams, Democrat
Richard David, Democrat
Hettie V. Powell, Democrat
Ivan Mossop, Republican

City Council District 29
Karen Koslowitz, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 30
Elizabeth Crowley, Democrat, incumbent
Robert Holden, Democrat

City Council District 31
Donovan Richards, Democrat, incumbent
Derek Hamilton (party TBD)
Latanya Collins (party TBD)

City Council District 32
Eric Ulrich, Republican, incumbent
Mike Scala, Democrat
Helal Sheikh, Democrat
William Ruiz, Democrat
Jay Rivera (party TBD)

City Council District 33
Stephen Levin, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 34
Antonio Reynoso, Democrat, incumbent
Tommy Torres, Democrat

City Council District 35
Laurie Cumbo, Democrat, incumbent
Ede Fox, Democrat
Jabari Brisport, Green
Scott Hutchins, Green
Christine Parker, Republican

City Council District 36
Robert Cornegy, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 37
Rafael Espinal, Democrat, incumbent
Persephone Sarah Jane Smith, Green

City Council District 38
Carlos Menchaca, Democrat, incumbent
Delvis Valdes, Democrat
Sara Gonzalez, Democrat
Felix Ortiz, Democrat
Chris Miao, Democrat
Carmen Hulbert, Green

City Council District 39
Brad Lander, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 40
Mathieu Eugene, Democrat, incumbent
Brian Cunningham, Democrat
Pia Raymond, Democrat
Jennifer Berkley, Democrat

City Council District 41 - open seat (held by Darlene Mealy)
Moreen King, Democrat
Deidre Olivera, Democrat
Cory Provost, Democrat
Henry Butler, Democrat
Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Democrat
David Miller, Democrat
Leopold Cox, Democrat
Royston Antoine, Democrat
Victor Jordan, Democrat

City Council District 42
Inez Barron, Democrat, incumbent
Mawuli Hormeku, Democrat

City Council District 43 - open seat (held by Vincent Gentile)
Bob Capano, Republican
Liam McCabe, Republican
John Quaglione, Republican
Lucretia Regina-Potter, Republican
Justin Brannan, Democrat
Kevin Peter Carroll, Democrat
Nancy Tong, Democrat
Khader El-Yateem, Democrat
Vincenzo Chirico, Democrat

City Council District 44 - open seat (held by David Greenfield, who is not seeking reelection)
Kalman Yeger, Democrat
Yoni Hikind, Our Neighborhood

City Council District 45
Jumaane Williams, Democrat, incumbent
Louis Cespedes, Democrat
Anthony Beckford, Green
Stanley Dumas (party TBD)

City Council District 46
Alan Maisel, Democrat, incumbent

City Council District 47
Mark Treyger, Democrat, incumbent
Raimondo Denaro, Republican

City Council District 48
Chaim M. Deutsch, Democrat, incumbent
Marat Filler, Democrat
Steven Saperstein, Republican

City Council District 49
Debi Rose, Democrat, incumbent
Kamillah Payne-Hanks, Democrat
Michael Penrose, Republican

City Council District 50
Steven Matteo, Republican, incumbent
Richard Florentino, Democrat

City Council District 51
Joe Borelli, Republican, incumbent
Dylan Schwartz, Democrat

***
by Ben Max, Gotham Gazette
     

Read more by this writer.

Brendan Birth contributed to this article.

Official Board of Elections primary listing.

With Trump Presidency Looming, City Officials Reevaluate Financial Picture


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Council Member Ferreras-Copeland (photo: @NYCCouncil)


The potential repercussions of President-elect Donald Trump’s policies on New York City’s budget loomed over a Wednesday City Council hearing. The Council’s Committee on Finance met for oversight on the de Blasio administration’s November Financial Plan Update, which shows a projected increase in spending of $1.3 billion this fiscal year, as well as additional savings being set aside by the city.

On Wednesday at City Hall, Council members led by finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland had questions for city budget officials, who explained that most of the new spending stems from an increase in federal and state funding. The current fiscal year runs through June.

The budget modification does not account for how Trump’s proposals -- from a promised freeze on funding to so-called sanctuary cities to tax code changes to eliminating the Affordable Care Act -- may affect the roughly $7 billion in federal money that comes to the city annually of late.

While Trump may have a difficult time following through on his promise to withhold all funding from sanctuary cities -- which are those like New York that are welcoming to undocumented immigrants -- he may be able to take a piecemeal approach. Mayor Bill de Blasio has vowed to fight several of Trump’s most extreme campaign promises, like mass deportations.

At the budget hearing this week, City Council Members and Dean Fuleihan, director of the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, agreed that in the coming months, the Council and the administration must work together to evaluate the impact of possible federal actions and prepare a response.

“Our fiscal management will be a critical asset as we move into a period of uncertainty at the federal level,” Fuleihan said. “At this time, the consequences of federal action are unknown and potentially widespread.” He noted several times throughout the hearing that city reserves are at “historic levels.” This is true in terms of the raw dollar amount, which is several billion, but with a $83.4 billion budget that has expanded rapidly under de Blasio, the city is somewhat short of a safe “budget cushion,” according to Comptroller Scott Stringer and other watchdogs.

The November budget update anticipates the $1.3 billion increase in spending from the June adopted budget, much of which stems from increases in federal and state funding, including aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery projects. The plan forecasts a $127 million reduction in projected tax revenues, and also includes $1 billion in savings, through changes in municipal government function, like increased use of electronic payments and expanded car sharing among agencies, as well as spending re-estimates at various agencies.

Generally, Council Members were pleased to see that the November Plan includes more savings, which the Council has been pushing for. “The highlight of the November Plan is a Citywide Savings Plan with savings of more than $1 billion in fiscal years 2017 and 2018,” said Council Member Ferreras-Copeland. “This early release of a savings plan signals a cautionary approach and aligns with the Council's push for programmatic, lasting savings that offset spending increases. I'm also pleased to learn that OMB has put together a team to focus on developing real baseline savings across agency boundaries.”

Gotham Gazette previously reported that OMB had launched a new citywide savings unit to coordinate greater agency savings.

Other concerns with the November Plan addressed at the hearing included the added $115.1 million in new needs funding allocated to the Department of Homeless Services for increased shelter costs; the inclusion of $130 million to cover pension fund obligations due to the fund’s underperformance this year; and $14.4 million allocated to the Department of Correction related to the implementation of the 14-point plan to reduce violence in Rikers Island.

Of the $115 million in new shelter costs, $52 million comes from city funding, a 10 percent increase from the amount in the budget at adoption. “What is causing FY17's increasing shelter costs,” Ferreras-Copeland asked, “and how confident are you that these figures reflect what the city will actually be spending on shelter costs in FY17, and we won't be having this conversation again in the spring?”

“It's important to remember that shelter costs have been increasing since the end...of 2009, when there were about 37,000 in shelters,” Fuleihan said (there are currently more than 60,000 in city shelters). “We have, with your help, instituted programs - government assistance and other preventative measures - that we believe have changed what the shelter population would be today,” Fuleihan added.

Noting that the homeless shelter population varies day to day, Fuleihan asserted that what the November Plan provided is OMB’s “understanding of that population and the costs associated with DHS [Department of Homeless Services] services.”

Asked whether homeless shelter costs would continue to increase beyond what is included in the November Plan for FY 2018, Fuleihan said the administration is making changes and “hoping to stabilize this...there are going to be more additional plans coming out, and as we do that, we will continue making assessment” as the city gets closer to the preliminary budget.”

Mayor de Blasio has also recently said the city will be coming forward with new plans to tackle the homelessness crisis.

Council Member Helen Rosenthal took issue with the city’s rising pension obligations due to the underperformance of the city’s pension funds, noting that the November Plan included nearly $100 million more than what was spent to cover the city’s pension obligations in FY 2016, and that OMB projects the number will increase by about $300 million in the following years. Pensions to former city workers are guaranteed, with city funds required to make up gaps in the returns from pension fund investments. The city is currently paying billions of dollars per year toward pension obligations.

“I'm concerned about the fact that the city is having to put in more money to our pension funds, I'll be interested to hear from the comptroller as to why our investments are coming in lower so that city taxpayers have to put in our current dollars for our retiree expenses,” Rosenthal said, calling the situation “alarming.”

Fuleihan noted that OMB is “simply reporting the earnings that the comptroller gave us,” and that they are committed to “fully funding the pension system by 2032.”

The Department of Correction also accounted for a significant amount of the funding for new needs added to the November Plan. As Ferreras-Copeland noted, the de Blasio administration has consistently increased funding “over multiple financial plans for the DOC’s contract with McKinsey Group to accelerate and sustain the department’s anti-violence reform agenda.” Since fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016), the administration has added $24.2 million for consulting fees, including the $9.9 million for consulting fees included in the November Plan.

Yet, Ferreras-Copeland said, neither the administration nor DOC has shared details of the contract with the Council, or information regarding the exact nature of the McKinsey Group’s role in DOC’s reform agenda.

“Can you provide more details on why administration increased funding for DOC consulting fees at each fiscal year, and when do you expect McKinsey Group to finish its consulting for the department on its reform agenda?” Ferreras-Copeland asked, adding that she is seeking information clarifying what exactly the Council should be expecting to see as a result of the added funding.

Fuleihan said the McKinsey group is expected to finish its consulting in April, which the additional $9.9 million from the November Plan should cover, and promised to get Ferreras-Copeland information regarding the McKinsey Group’s role.

While the population at Rikers Island jails is down significantly under de Blasio, to about 7,500 daily, violence continues to plague the facilities. There are about 10,000 detainees and inmates across all city jails on any given day at this point.

Overall, the November Plan’s inclusion of a savings program and increases to city spending were well-received. Some specifics regarding the budget update remain troubling, like the increasing pension obligations, which are projected to cost the city more in years to come, and homeless shelter costs, yet much of the conversation at the hearing was dominated by concerns over New York City’s uncertain financial future when Donald Trump becomes President.

Funds from the federal government reflect about 10 percent of the resources in the city operating budget this year. Trump’s comments have raised concerns among city officials. “Federal funds make up a significant portion of several agencies and authorities - DOE, HPD, NYPD, and NYCHA,” Ferreras-Copeland said, later adding Health + Hospitals, and asking Fuleihan what could be done to mitigate potential damage to city resources moving forward.

“Right now, it’s very difficult to make an assessment as to what is going to happen,” Fuleihan said, though that picture should become clearer in the coming months. “We should, working together, coordinate our response to any action that may be taken in Washington,” he told the Council, and identify what federal aid may be at risk.

***
by Meg O'Connor, Gotham Gazette
     

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Campaign Finance Board Fines De Blasio, Others for 2013 Campaign Violations


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Mayor de Blasio accepts a union endorsement for re-election (photo: Ben Max)


Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2013 campaign is being fined $47,778 by the Campaign Finance Board for ten separate violations, including improper post-election spending. Additionally, the board determined at its Thursday hearing, of the $3,994,496 in public matching funds de Blasio’s 2013 campaign received, it must repay $485.02.

The single largest fine to de Blasio’s campaign, $21,159, is for making impermissible post-election expenditures. The CFB found that de Blasio’s 2013 campaign improperly spent $160,888.45 after the election to 13 vendors; $116,250 of which was spent on Hilltop Public Solutions, the political strategy firm of de Blasio’s campaign manager.

“We strongly disagree with the CFB’s finding,” said Dan Levitan, de Blasio’s campaign spokesperson, in a statement to Gotham Gazette. “The CFB’s own rules would prohibit Hilltop from not charging for this campaign wind-down work.”

CFB ruled that the campaign “failed to provide sufficient explanations and documentation” regarding Hilltop’s role and services as a “general consultant” to the Campaign, and thus failed to demonstrate that the post-election expenditures spent on Hilltop were justified. In August 2015, The New York Post had reported on the eyebrow-raising post-election spending to Hilltop.

At the same time de Blasio’s 2013 campaign continued to pay Hilltop after the November 2013 general election, the newly-created Campaign for One New York, a nonprofit advocacy group started by de Blasio and his allies, began to employ the firm as well. Several of the same strategists who ran de Blasio’s campaign ran the Campaign for One New York, which was shut down amid controversy after taking millions of dollars in donations from entities with city business.

Other violations and fines imposed on the de Blasio 2013 campaign by the CFB include accepting over-the-limit contributions ($12,483); accepting contributions from corporations, LLCs, or partnerships ($6,086); failing to demonstrate compliance with intermediary reporting and documentation requirements ($3,200); failing to file or late filing of daily pre-election disclosure statements ($2,087); accepting contributions from unregistered political committees ($1,000); failing to demonstrate that spending was in furtherance of the campaign ($806); failing to report transactions ($407); failing to document transactions ($300); and commingling campaign funds with funds accepted for a different election ($250).

Levitan said the campaign is “pleased that the 2013 campaign audit is now complete,” though they “strongly disagree with many of the CFB’s findings.” De Blasio’s 2017 re-election campaign, which again employs Levitan’s BerlinRosen firm, is already underway, holding fundraisers and even rolling out several endorsements.

The Campaign Finance Board on Thursday also determined that 13 other campaigns involved in the 2013 citywide election cycle committed violations, including City Comptroller Scott Stringer, former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (who lost to de Blasio in the mayoral primary), chair of the City Council Committee on Finance Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

No one from the de Blasio campaign appeared before the board to contest the violations, nor did anyone from the Quinn or Ferreas-Copeland campaigns. Brewer, Stringer, and Council Member Vanessa Gibson did send representatives to contest the board’s findings.

Of the 14 campaigns determined to have committed violations, the board determined that nine campaigns are required to repay public funds -- which are issued to match small-dollar private donations to candidate campaigns.

”Today’s determinations reflect the Board’s commitment to safeguarding the public matching funds,” CFB said in a statement. “The $38.2 million that the Board distributed in 2013 helped ensure cleaner, fairer elections in New York City. Every campaign receives a nonpartisan, independent review, and the results encompass a range from technical errors to serious violations."

Quinn was fined $13,611 for eight violations made in relation to her 2013 mayoral bid, including $5,425 for accepting over-the-limit contributions and $3,200 for failing to demonstrate compliance with intermediary reporting and documentation requirements.

The board fined Stringer a total of $10,514 for seven violations, including failing to report transactions ($3,689); accepting over-the-limit contributions ($3,500); failing to demonstrate compliance with intermediary reporting and documentation requirements ($1,500) accepting contributions from unregistered political committees ($675); accepting contributions from corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships ($550); failing to document transactions ($400); and failing to file or late filing of daily pre-election disclosure statements ($200).

Laurence Laufer, an attorney representing Stringer in 2013, and Peter Frank, treasurer of Stringer’s 2013 campaign, appeared before the board to contest three penalties (though they did not contest the board’s findings), asserting that the penalties were too high. Bethany Persky, an attorney for the Campaign Finance Board, dismissed all of Laufer’s arguments, noting that the campaign had “ample opportunity” to respond to the board’s requests accordingly, and that, in regard to intermediary policy, “the campaign is essentially asking the board to rewrite guidelines.”

Four City Council members who won their 2013 elections were fined by the board on Thursday, the same day the Council passed about 20 bills to modify the campaign finance system. Also fined were six candidates who failed to get elected in 2013, many of whom appeared before the board Thursday to give explanations for their violations in an attempt to avoid paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in penalties. The CFB did a significant amount of business Thursday to wrap up much of its final work on the 2013 cycle, just before the 2017 cycle kicks into full gear.

Council Member Ferreras-Copeland was fined $5,718 for eight violations made during her 2013 campaign, most of which stems from failing to demonstrate compliance with reporting requirements for disbursements ($2,000) and failing to file or filing late disclosure statements ($1,850)

Council Member Ruben Wills was fined $810 for four violations, and owes $450 in public funds repayment. Former City Council Member Maria Carmen del Arroyo, who resigned in December, 2015, was fined $5,735 for ten violations, and owes a public funds repayment of $3,607.91, which represents the campaign’s final bank balance.

Out of everyone the board fined on Thursday, the steepest penalties were dealt to Council Member Vanessa Gibson, who, despite the pleas of a representative, Stanley Schlein, that the “application of the three time expenditure limit” is “draconian” and “so severe that it is disproportionate to the conduct,” now owes $68,639 in penalties for nine violations, as well as $2,225.68 in public funds repayment. Almost all of that $68,639 in fines comes from a $65,574 penalty for exceeding the expenditure limit.

Additionally, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer was fined $3,036 for four penalties, $2,600 of which was incurred due to a late response to the draft audit report, and owes $405 in public funds repayment.

Thursday’s meeting marks the final one for CFB Chair Rose Gill Hearn, who had previously announced her intent to leave the board. Mayor de Blasio, in consultation with the Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito, will nominate a new CFB chair in the new year.

Gill Hearn both praised and criticized the City Council for pushing through two packages of bills that will reform the city’s campaign finance system. While Gill Hearn was pleased to see the Council is finally set to approve a number of proposals previously put forward by the CFB, including a bill to eliminate public matching funds for contributions bundled by people who do business with the city, she expressed disappointment with the fact that the Council has essentially rushed through one package of bills with little time for public review and, according to the board, in need of additional tweaks.

The manner in which the Council and the Campaign Finance Board worked together over a long period of time to “get the details right” for the first package of bills “contrasts sharply with the approach taken for another set of bills the Council also plans to adopt today. These bills were introduced just last month,” Gill Hearn said.

The Council has been criticized for rushing the bills through, and CFB added to that chorus, stating in a press release sent out after the hearing that “the Board continues to believe the remaining bills could have been improved significantly if they were considered on a schedule that allowed more time for deliberation…We believe that some of these bills will have an effect that runs contrary to their stated purpose.”

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by Meg O'Connor, Gotham Gazette
     

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