Nick Spano

With Republicans making such a fuss over Eliot Spitzer’s plan to allow illegal immigrants to obtain New York State driver’s licenses, it’s worth remembering that the idea was introduced in the state Senate last year by a Republican.

Nick Spano of Westchester, who by the end was essentially a Democrat who happened to vote for Joe Bruno to be majority leader, introduced a bill that would have done the same thing as Spitzer’s initiative.

The bill, S7388-A, was introduced in 2006, right before Spano lost his seat to Democrat Andrea-Stewart Cousins. It was referred to the transportation committee on April 21, and amended on June 12, but never voted on, as far as I know.

After the jump is some text from the bill.  read more »

Hillary Clinton had a small fund-raiser at the 57th Street and 8th Avenue home of Mike DelGuidice last night that featured a number of big Democratic names: Bill Clinton, Terry McAulliffe, former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, among others.

There were also at least two Republicans.

 read more »

Three days into the new administration, the Empire State Pride Agenda released its ranking of state lawmakers and their positions on gay marriage.

The ranking shows some recent movement towards the pro- side in the Assembly, with a total 47 members who have now at least "indicated support", up from 35 when the group put out their last scorecard on September 15. In the Senate, the number went to 16 from 14.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Bronx Democratic chairman Jose Rivera and newly elected Brooklyn Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries are in the "position unknown or unclear" category.

And the apparent level of overall support in the Senate appears to have increased despite the fact that two pro-gay marriage Senators, Republican Nick Spano and Democrat Ada Smith, were replaced this year by Democratic freshmen who are also in the "unknown" column: Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shirley Huntley.

Incidentally, ESPA spokesman Joe Tarver emailed to say that the group is pretty happy with how Eliot Spitzer addressed the issue in his speech yesterday, even though, as noted earlier, the new governor didn't mention it at all.

From the email:

"Governor Spitzer has been very public about his support for marriage for same-sex couples. He has also said marriage for our families will become law in New York State and that he will introduce a program bill aimed at accomplishing this. We fully expect that he will follow through on his promises. We will let his actions do the talking on marriage and on the other issues that are important to our community."

-- Azi Paybarah

Hillary Clinton acknowledged she's thinking about running but said she won't decide until after January 1.

George Pataki's pick for a job on the Public Service Commission, Nick Spano, doesn't want it.

Eliot Spitzer will not use his family fortune to fund future campaigns.

Ben notes that the mayor didn't put a meeting he had with John McCain on his public schedule.

Chuck Bennett is curious about TWU's mass membership meeting.

The new state GOP chairman met major donors at the 101 Club in Manhattan and has been busy canceling consulting contracts.

Rick Santorum may go to work at Fox.

Giuliani Blogger has an interesting poll.

Mole333 reminisces fondly about Major Owens.

Gatemouth looks ahead at Spitzer's first day in office, and offers some advice.

And above is the flag outside City Hall, which flew at half mast today in tribute to the city sanitation worker who died over the weekend after being tossed from his truck.

-- Azi Paybarah

With 100% of precincts reporting, unofficial results have Andrea Stewart-Cousins beating incumbent Westchester state Senator Nick Spano: 41,369 to 39,224.

Kos sums up the conflicted attitude some Democrats and liberals are having today.

The American Prospect is overjoyed with this year and sees better days on the horizon.

"If the Democrats handle the next two years well, they could have 56 or more seats in the Senate when the next president takes office."

RudyBlogger thinks Giuliani may announce his presidential plans around January, and has one distinct advantage over John McCain now. Giuliani doesn't have to serve in a polarized senate for two years.

Then again, Ben notes that according to National Journal, Giuliani backed 26 losing candidates yesterday.

Potamac Flacks has a list of Democratic press people who found themselves working for committee chairman and congressional leaders today.

Early and Often says that last night, "Hillary made herself the show. The optimistically yellow suit didn't hurt, nor did the concise speech."

John Hall's music may be outdated, but his successful bid "may epitomize the 21st Century techno-savvy political campaign," says Liz Benjamin.

Chris Callaghan loses the tie and speaks from the heart.

Jerry Skurnik says the elections were good for the Jews and Buddhists.

El Diario is looking for Latino candidates.

And pictured above is my pass from last night.  read more »

-- Azi Paybarah

How long does Alan Hevesi have to enjoy his victory, if he wins?

How long does it take Republicans to get out the knives for state chairman Stephen Minarik? Who will replace him?

How many votes will decide this year's rematch between Nick Spano and Andrea Stewart-Cousins?

Does John Sweeney hold on? Or does he lose today because of the national Democratic surge? Or because of allegations that he beat his wife?

Who takes the seat in Buffalo: Tom Reynolds or self-financed Republican-turned-Democrat Jack Davis?

Could singer John Hall upset Rep. Sue Kelly?

In the city, how close does Stephen Harrison get to Vito Fossella?

What do the blogs say about Joe Lieberman's comeback in Connecticut?

If Bob Menendez hangs on in New Jersey, how quickly will this stuff go away?

And of course...What are the headlines in tomorrow's tabs?

-- Azi Paybarah

Westchester's Nick Spano recently became the first Republican State Senator to express support [link added] for gay marriage, putting him at odds with majority leader Joe Bruno and his Republican colleagues.

But Spano argues that only a Republican can talk sense to Republicans, and that he'd make an effective catalyst for change inside the State Senate.

"I would be an effective voice in a senate majority conference that needs to hear voices of reason sometimes," Spano said. "I have moved the Senate with my voice, with members who very often were not as sympathetic to issues of marriage equality, gay rights and ending discrimination."

The Empire State Pride Agenda seems to have been moved, and gave their endorsement to Spano over his Democratic opponent Andrea Stewart-Cousins. They were apparently less convinced by her argument that she looks "forward to participating in a dialogue concerning whether these unions should be labeled 'marriage.'"

--Azi Paybarah

Writing in the comments section on Urban Elephants, Forgotten Man wonders, "Is Eliot Spitzer that good or are Republicans that bad?"

Ben has some deep thoughts relating Rupert Murdoch, and sees proof that Bloomberg 2008 is getting more serious.

In the state's most hotly contest legislative race, Empire State Pride Agenda endorsed Republican state Senator Nick Spano over Democratic challenger Andrea-Stewart Cousins. But Liz notes that both "declined to answer a question about the organization's top litmus test - support for legalizing gay marriage."

NY13 blogger notes that the head of the British Army agrees with Rep. Vito Fossella's opponent on Iraq.

The Real Estate follows the latest lack of development with Moynihan Station plans.

The state's horse-racing franchise seeks a bailout from Albany.

Gawker sheds light on the dangers of the gossip trade.

Bill Frist defends Dennis Hastert, and tries raising money for him.

More weird emails from Mark Foley get published. "Have I done something to offend the White House ... I am always getting the shaft."  read more »

And here's the new book (pictured above) on George Pataki by unhappy conservative George Marlin.

-- Azi Paybarah

Chuck Schumer attends a fundraiser for Laura Monte, democrat running for the 142nd Assembly district.

Lakeview Apartment Mitchell-Lama tenants hold a rally protesting possible displacement at Fifth Avenue and East 106th Street.

Jeb Bush and Mike Bloomberg speak at the Association for a Better New York Breakfast at the Hilton New York.

Ed Towns and the U.S. Department of Commerce announce the creation of a Global Trade Development Center at Medgar Evers College.

Lewis Fidler dedicates the corner of Kings Highway and East 35th Street in Brooklyn in honor of 9/11 hero Abe Zelmanowitz.

Tom Suozzi demonstrates kitchen fire safety and prevention tips at the Francis X. Pendle Nassau County Firefighters Museum & Education Center in Garden City.

Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman releases a report showing that Nassau residents are being shortchanged on their STAR rebate checks at his office in Mineola.

Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone endorses Nick Spano and announces a new advertising campaign at Spano's Campaign Headquarters in Yonkers.

Tom Duane condemns the state's order that city HIV/AIDS Services Administration increase rent contribution requirements from clients in government funded housing in front of their headquarters.

John Faso attends a fundraiser hosted by Rudy Giuliani at the St. Regis Hotel.

Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson, Liz Krueger and Eric Schneiderman attend a fundraiser for the NYS DSCC.

Dan Donovan hosts a "Roundtable on Public Safety Issues" at his office in Staten Island.

Common Good and United Federation of Teachers hold a panel discussion on bureaucratic rules and regulations in public schools at the Harvard Club.

Sheryl Crow presents Bill Clinton with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the T.J. Martell Foundation's 31st Annual Gala at the Marriott Marquis.

Tim Bishop calls on Congress to provide health funding for 9/11 first responders at the Kings Park Fire Department.

—Nicole Brydson

It seems odd to think that a Republican would ever some to rely on the support of the Working Families Party.

Yet it must be considered bad news for Nick Spano that the WFP has apparently ruled him out this year. Party members are now deciding between remaining neutral in his State Senate re-election battle and endorsing his Democratic opponent, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

Spano won by a narrow margin over Stewart-Cousins two years ago, thanks in part to a Working Families Endorsement after he pushed a minimum wage increase through Albany.

The difference this time, a party source explained, isn't that Spano has stopped being an loyal ally. It's just that, in the wake of the collapse of a Wal-Mart "Fair Share" bill -- which Spano supported, as this piece from yesterday's Times-Union explained -- he's no longer viewed as an effective one.

-- Josh Benson

So remember those campaigns Mike was threatening to run against Republican State Senators?

Bloomberg appears to have, at least for now, backed down. But an independent group just put down $200,000 to go after two Republican State Senators, Serph Maltese of Queens and Nick Spano of Westchester, with the message that "the clock is ticking" to vote the city bundles of education money.

And the attack ads -- sinister voice, glowy letters, and all -- just happen to have been produced by KnickerbockerSKD, whose Josh Isay played a role on Mike's campaign team.

You can watch the ads on the site of the League of Education Voters.