By Colin Campbell 5/21/12 3:04pm

redistricting

Oliver Koppell (photo: council.nyc.gov)

Citing ‘A New District,’ Koppell Endorses Espaillat

State Senator Adriano Espaillat and Congressman Charlie Rangel are continuing to announce endorsement after endorsement of elected officials within and around the Congressional District they are both seeking to represent come 2013. The latest is Mr. Espaillat’s endorsement from Bronx Councilman Oliver Koppell, who referred to the district as “new” in his statement praising Mr. Espaillat.

“I am pleased to endorse State Senator Adriano Espaillat in the upcoming Democratic Primary for the 13th Congressional District seat,” he said. “I appreciate and commend Congressman Charlie Rangel’s long service in the Congress. However, a new District and a new day demands new leadership. … He will also be an important role model and advocate for the Dominican and Hispanic communities in my District and beyond. I endorse Adriano Espaillat.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/23/12 11:58am

the bronx

Cliff Stanton (Photo: Bronx Press Politics)

Cliff Stanton to Run for Oliver Koppell’s Council Seat

Cliff Stanton, a local Parents’ Association Co-President and community activist, has registered a committee for term-limited Oliver Koppell’s seat and says he’s moving forward with the campaign.

“We’re moving ahead. We’ve got a ways between now and whenever we get the vote next September. It’s going to be all about raising money, raising my name recognition in the community,” Mr. Stanton said, contending that many area residents are already familiar with him. Among other things, he’s known locally for championing the boycott of the Riverdale Review. Read More

By David Freedlander 5/12/11 5:40pm

Living Wage

Living Wage Fight Comes to City Hall

The next great battle in City Hall was joined today as the City Council held their inaugural hearing on The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, which would require all businesses that receive city subsidies pay at least $10 per hour, with benefits, to all of their employees.

Members of the Council grilled Tokumbo Shobowale, the chief of staff for Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert Steel, who defended a study released yesterday by the Economic Development Corporation that said the bill would put a stranglehold on the city’s economy and hurt job growth. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 5/11/11 6:17pm

Budget Battles

Living Wage Leads to ‘Such a Small Amount of Job Loss’: Supporter

If the city passes a law requiring a “living wage” be paid to workers at projects that receive public subsidies, about 6,000 to 13,000 jobs would be lost, according to a recent report.

For advocates, like Democratic City Councilman Oliver Koppell of the Bronx, that’s the good news.

In a public statement today, he referred to the 6,000 – 13,000 figure as “such a small amount of job loss.” Read More