By Jill Colvin 5/13 12:16pm

Scandalmania!

Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Andrew Cuomo Doesn’t Want ‘Scandalmania’ Hijacking His Agenda

As the fallout from the recent slew of arrests of state legislators continues, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that he doesn’t want what he dubbed “Scandalmania” hijacking his agenda.

“What I’m trying mightily to do is not allow the Scandalmania–’cuz you know how the press is with scandals and that becomes all-consuming–I don’t want that to eclipse the session and I don’t want it to derail the session because we have a lot of good work to do out there for New Yorkers who just want their government to function,” said the governor during a radio appearance on “The Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/09 3:13pm

Law & Order

Governor Cuomo speaking at the press conference.

Cuomo Proposes Fix to the ‘Truly Ugly Picture of Our Political Landscape’

After a series of New York officials were arrested and charged with corruption last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo says he has the solution–or at least the first step. Accordingly, at press conference earlier this afternoon, Mr. Cuomo unveiled a legislative package aimed at curbing the problem.

“Over the past few days, there have been several charges brought against public officials; they span city and state government,” he began. “And they paint a truly ugly picture of our political landscape. I’d like to say that this is an unprecedented situation, that public corruption is a new problem. But it isn’t and, in many ways, that’s what makes it worse.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/14 1:41pm

The Chronic

FRANCE-CANNABIS-JUSTICE

Mayor Bloomberg to Ease Experience for Marijuana Arrests

In his final State of the City address this afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a number of new policies he’ll implement in the last of his twelve years in office. In addition to banning Styrofoam in restaurants and an expansion of electric car parking space, among other initiatives, Mr. Bloomberg notably announced the city will simply ticket and release New Yorkers caught with misdemeanor amounts of marijuana, rather than holding them in custody.

“There’s more we can do to keep New Yorkers, particularly young men, from ending up with a criminal record,” Mr. Bloomberg declared. “Commissioner Kelly and I support Governor Cuomo’s proposal to make possession of small amounts of marijuana a violation, rather than a misdemeanor. And we’ll work to help him pass it this year. But I’ll tell you, we won’t wait for that to happen.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/18/11 5:22pm

Jailhouse Rock

Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito (Photo: Twitter)

Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito is Glad She Got Arrested for Occupy Wall Street

At about 6 p.m. last night, Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito joined was arrested after sitting down in front of the Brooklyn Bridge prior to last night’s massive march with a group of 98 other people. Their act of civil disobedience was designed to support Occupy Wall Street. Councilwoman Mark Viverito told the Observer about her experience being arrested in the name of the occupation. “I was more than happy to participate in this action,” she said. Read More