By Hunter Walker 11:22pm

The Reverend

Reverend Jesse Jackson (Photo: Getty)

Jesse Jackson Takes On Super PACs

Reverend Jesse Jackson served as guest minister for the church service of the annual New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus association weekend at Wilborn Temple in Albany today and his sermon included a call to eliminate super PACs that allow corporations and individuals to contribute unlimited amounts to political campaigns. In a conversation with reporters after the service, Mr. Jackson reiterated his belief super PACs are leading to the “corrupting of our political process.”

“Now we see our politics corrupted by the super PAC process where a few very wealthy people can use their monies to tear down and tear up people, and discourage leadership from emerging in a democratic way. Not one super PAC ad has been on eliminating poverty, or building affordable housing, or making healthcare affordable, or reducing student loan debt, which is greater than credit card debt,” Mr. Jackson said. “The one person one vote is dead until these super PACs become illegal again.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 7:10pm

Cash Money

William Boyland Jr. (Photo: New York State Assembly)

William Boyland Jr. Has 41 Unpaid Judgments Against Him From The Board of Elections

Embattled Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. hasn’t made required financial disclosures for any of his three active political campaign committees in a year-and-a-half. The State Board of Elections has sued Assemblyman Boyland multiple times for his failure to reveal campaign contributions and expenditures resulting in 41 judgments against his three committees and at least $22,586.50 in damages, none of which have been paid. Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/18/12 3:37pm

Cash Money

William Boyland Jr. (Photo: New York State Assembly)

More Trouble For William Boyland Jr.

Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. is currently facing a second round of federal bribery charges, but The Politicker has learned he’s also in hot water with the state Board of Elections because he hasn’t filed required financial disclosures for any of his three active campaign committees in more than a year. A spokesman for the board told us Assemblyman Boyland has already been sued by the Board of Elections multiple times and he may face another lawsuit soon. Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/13/12 12:34pm

C.R.E.A.M.

Kirstin Gillibrand (Photo: U.S. Senate)

Kirsten Gillibrand Opposes Super PAC's, Doesn't Want Obama To Stop Using Them

In her speech at the Association for a Better New York breakfast this morning, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand promised to introduce a campaign finance reform plan that will take on the super PAC’s. However, with the system as it is she doesn’t think President Obama should refrain from using the controversial political action committees

Senator Gillibrand elaborated on her stance on super PAC’s in a Q&A with reporters after her speech.

“You would never disarm unilaterally. Why would you not be able to amplify your voice?” Senator Gillibrand said. “But it doesn’t mean you can’t fight for the transparency and the disclosure. I think you should have that disclosure and I’m going to fight legislatively to accomplish that.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/13/12 11:29am

Tough Talk

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Photo: Hunter Walker)

Kirsten Gillibrand Criticizes Washington's 'Endless Gridlock' And 'Political Posturing'

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke this morning at a breakfast sponsored by the Association for a Better New York where she blasted the lack of bipartisan cooperation in Washington and announced her plan to introduce a campaign finance reform plan that will take on the Super PAC’s.

“It’s the same sense of common purpose that’s shared in this room today that we frankly need so much more of in Washington. With an economy that has been slow to recover and truly an economic crisis that’s rivaled only by the Great Depression,” Senator Gillibrand said. “What do we see in Washington? Unfortunately, endless gridlock, endless political posturing, endless partisan bickering. I haven’t been in Washington very long, but I’ve been there long enough to know that it is broken.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/04/12 8:30pm

SOSNY

Governor Andrew Cuomo (Getty)

Governor Cuomo's 'Ambitious Agenda' For 2012

In his annual State of the State address today, Governor Cuomo outlined his ambitious vision for the future New York State including sweeping campaign finance reform, massive construction projects, an entirely new neighborhood built from scratch on the West Side of Manhattan, legalized casinos and a slew of new social programs. Governor Cuomo described his strategy for 2012 as an effort to build on a first year in office where he changed the culture of Albany from partisanship to constructive cooperation. Read More

By Hunter Walker 6:07pm

suggested reading

Roundup: Carl Kruger's Day In Court; Robots Want Hillary to Run Again

State Senator Carl Kruger will appear in Manhattan Federal Court tomorrow to discuss making a plea in the bribery case against him.

Someone is making mysterious robocalls in support of an effort to draft Hillary Clinton to enter the presidential race.

Councilwoman Tish James knew the woman who was burned alive in Brooklyn this weekend and has set up a fund to help her family afford a funeral.  Read More