Norwood News

 

 

County Leader Search Continues
The Bronx Democratic County leader post remains vacant…for now.

As Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz keeps the seat warm as interim county leader, the Bronx Delegation is playing ping-pong over whether to go with Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, a Hispanic legislator and rising star within the Bronx party. Internal rumblings, and stories pegging unnamed sources, suggest that Crespo is next in line for the position.

Crespo has played his hand well these past few years, palling around with the Diaz Dynasty, Independent Democratic Conference Leader Senator Jeff Klein and Bronx Assemblyman doubling as Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who left the county leader post when he rose to the coveted position of speaker last month. Crespo’s political ambitions go beyond assemblyman. He yearns to succeed Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., though he needs to bank on the county post to ensure his presence is noted. But his conservative voting record could work against him.

At a recent powwow filled with moneymen and political insiders, one anonymous legislator said Crespo’s ascension is imminent. Legislators plan to meet sometime in the next two weeks to formally vote Crespo in for the gig. But said legislator also brushed off the position as nothing to sneeze at.

When noting that the last county leader became assembly speaker, said legislator shrugged off the connection as nothing more than a fluke. “Who would want the job of county leader?” they asked.

Dream Act a Fantasy?
In Albany, one of the more contentious debates in the State Legislature will be how the Dream Act is voted. Assembly Democrats (which also include Bronx Assembly Democrats) drew first blood, voting for the Dream Act 81 to 42. The measure would give state-funded college assistance to children of illegal immigrants. It would also be a boon to the estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants in the Bronx.

Lawmakers voted for the bill outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $141.6 billion budget, which ties the Dream Act to the Education Investment Tax Credit. The measure would give tax breaks to business owners who help fund college scholarships. Cuomo’s plan makes the measures dependent on each other, a move opposed by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican.

Thinking emotionally is Heastie, who put the measure to the floor as a “standalone bill.” But Cuomo made his move logically, having already included it in the state budget that’s to be voted on in late May.

Cuomo has support on this from both sides of the Senate aisle, including Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., who believes Democrats should take one for the team. “I am afraid that by voting for it separately–and not as the Governor wanted it to be voted on with the Education Investment Tax Credit–neither will have a chance to become a reality this year,” said Diaz in his weekly newsletter.

De Blasio and Heastie
Normally, statements from politicians reacting to a bill’s passage are par for the course—everyone wants to have a say on major legislation. Mayor de Blasio’s comments of the Dream Act specifically single out Heastie for putting the bill to the floor.

De Blasio, a political strategist at heart, hopes to publically play nice with Heastie. After all, with de Blasio’s uneasy relationship with Cuomo, and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver facing federal corruption charges, de Blasio desperately needs an ally in Albany, even if he ingratiates himself tangibly.

State of the Borough
As usual, there was plenty of flair at the State of the Borough address, and substance. New ideas were kicked around by Diaz, such as a lofty plan to deck three exterior train yards to encourage more housing. Wonder what the MTA engineers have to say about that.

One interesting note is word of the Kingsbridge Armory, which Diaz essentially said was “progressing,” a vague observation that fueled questions from several Bronx reporters following the 41-minute speech. After the speech, Diaz emphasized little over the project when repeatedly asked by a gaggle of reporters. One source indicated that the lack of news coming from the mega project is just a veneer—plenty of activity is apparently happening behind the scenes. But a 2017 start date? Hard to believe that would happen at this stage.

Diaz also flexed his renewed influence in Albany by suggesting Heastie ensure funding is secured for the four Metro-North stations for the East Bronx corridor. Would not look good if Heastie drops the ball on that. 

WABC-TV Forum
Veering from politics to New York media, the Norwood News finds it fascinating that WABC-TV, known for covering the Bronx more than its competitors (except News 12 the Bronx), hosted a forum March 4 that solicited thoughts from Bronxites over what news they’d like to see covered.

It’s akin to a survey, with some WABC-TV heavy hitters on hand to hear what viewers think are issues that are ignored. This kind of market research has never been this pronounced in the Bronx, and an interesting sign the borough is not written off.

A WABC-TV flack noted this is the third time the storied station has scheduled Town Hall style meetings in the borough since 2010.