Elections

Biaggi Earns Endorsements of 12 New York State Senators in NY-3 Congressional Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) announced on Feb. 18 that she had secured the endorsements of twelve New York State senators in her bid to win the race for NY congressional district 3, the parameters of which have recently been redrawn and now encompass parts of the senator’s current senatorial district 34 in The Bronx and Southern Westchester, as well as the area spanning the Sound from Northern Westchester to Suffolk County.   In the context of the announcement, Biaggi’s campaign said the senator quickly earned support from her colleagues in the State Senate who campaign officials said have


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NYC Voter Assistance Advisory Committee Holds Public Meeting February 23

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City’s Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) announced that the next public meeting of the New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom.   According to NYCCFB, VAAC advises the board on its nonpartisan voter engagement initiative, NYC Votes, by promoting voter registration, participation and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships. It also recommends legislative and administrative changes to improve NYC elections, sponsors the City’s official debate program, produces the citywide voter guide,


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UPDATE Bowman, Lander Back Alessandra Biaggi in New York’s 3rd Congressional District Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In perhaps not such a surprising announcement, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), who represents parts of The Bronx and Westchester, formally endorsed New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) for U.S. Congress in New York’s 3rd congressional district (NY-3) on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Bowman’s endorsement comes one day after Biaggi launched her congressional campaign to succeed Democrat, Thomas Suozzi, as reported. Suozzi announced a bid to run for governor in November 2021.   “I am proud to endorse Senator Biaggi in her run for Congress,” said Bowman in a written statement. “Senator Biaggi leads with relentless compassion. She’s smart, bold,


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UPDATE Former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Endorses Melanie D’Arrigo for Congress in NY-3

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former New York City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark-Viverito endorsed Melanie D’Arrigo in New York’s 3rd congressional district race on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Described as a healthcare advocate, organizer, activist, mother of three, and a leader in the Latino and Puerto Rican communities in The Bronx, D’Arrigo recently announced her candidacy for the seat which is currently held by moderate Democrat, Thomas Suozzi. Suozzi announced in November 2021 that he was running for governor.   Parts of the eastern section of The Bronx now fall under New York’s 3rd congressional district since Gov. Kathy Hochul recently approved the Democrats’ latest re-districting


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Ruben Diaz Jr. Joins Montefiore as Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Montefiore Health System announced on Tuesday, Feb. 8, that Ruben Diaz Jr., former Bronx Borough President, has joined Montefiore as senior vice president of strategic initiatives. Diaz Jr. served as Bronx borough president from 2009-2021, where according to the official press release, he led an unprecedented revival of The Bronx in areas of economic development, job creation, health, and housing. Prior to serving as borough president, Diaz Jr. was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1997-2009.   Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, president and CEO of Montefiore Health System, said, in the context of the announcement, “Ruben Diaz


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UPDATE Biaggi Launches Campaign for U.S. Congress in NY-3, Others Eye Senatorial Seat

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi announced her candidacy for U.S. Congress in New York’s third congressional district (NY-3) on Monday. Biaggi, known as a progressive leader who has worked to make State government more transparent, said she was running to ensure hard working families along the Sound shore have their voices, needs, and vision heard in Washington D.C.   Up until now, the 3rd congressional district included most of the North Shore of Long Island, and expanded from Northwestern Suffolk County, across Northern Nassau County, and into far Northeastern Queens. However, the newly drawn NY-3 district, following the most


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NYS DOL Announces Bricklayer and Craftworker Apprenticeship Recruitment Drive

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) announced Thursday, Feb. 3 that the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1, will be conducting a recruitment drive from Feb. 25, 2022 through Jan. 27, 2023 (excluding July 2022 and August 2022) for 25 bricklayer-mason apprentices; 25 pointer, caulker & cleaner apprentices; five stone mason apprentices; and five plasterer apprentices.   NYS DOL advised that applications and affidavits will be available online at www.bricklayersandalliedcraftworkerslocal1ny.org 24 hours per day on the following dates: 2/25/22, 3/25/22, 4/29/22, 5/27/22, 6/24/22, 9/30/22, 10/28/22, 11/18/22, and 12/16/22 and 1/27/23.


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New Law Sponsored by Jeffrey Dinowitz Will Require Board of Elections to Offer Voters Absentee Ballot Tracking

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As more New Yorkers get comfortable with absentee voting, a new law sponsored by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) will make it easier for voters to keep track of where their ballot is from start to finish. The new law (A4186-B) was signed on December 22, 2021 and will create a statewide online absentee ballot tracking system, something which is already in effect in New York City, and was used in recent municipal elections. The new law was also carried by State Sen. Leroy Comrie, a Democrat, who represents New York’s 14th senatorial district of South Eastern Queens.  As part


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Dinowitz Secures Absentee Voting Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 8, during his daily COVID-19 briefing that all New Yorkers would be able to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23 primary and special elections. The governor’s still-pending executive order is expected to codify the third and final component of legislation circulated by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), which called for expanding absentee ballot eligibility to include registered voters who are, “unable or averse to appear personally at polling places due to imminent, impending or urgent disease outbreak, including but not limited to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”   Dinowitz


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