By Jill Colvin 5/07 6:14pm

Name Dropping

Shirley Huntley (Photo: Wikimedia)

Judge Rules to Unseal Shirley Huntley Wiretap Names

The names of all of the lawmakers secretly recorded by disgraced ex-State Sen. Shirley Huntley will be unsealed tomorrow, a federal judge has ruled.

The decision came following a petition by members of the press eager to find out who Ms. Huntley had recorded while wearing a wire last year. Documents filed in federal court last week ahead of Ms. Huntley’s sentencing, revealed that, in an effort to reduce her sentence on embezzlement charges, she had agreed to wear a wire to tape conversations with fellow lawmakers. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/11 4:18pm

Soda Wars

(Photo: Getty)

Court Blocks ‘Administrative Leviathan’ Soda Cup Rule, Mayor Vows to Appeal

Earlier today, the state Supreme Court blocked New York City’s controversial attempt to ban large cups for sugary drinks in restaurants and other food establishments. The ruling, which you can view below, blasted the ban as “arbitrary and capricious,” ultimately creating “an administrative Leviathan.” The rules were scheduled to go into effect tomorrow.

“It is arbitrary and capricious because it applies to some but not all food establishments in the City, it excludes other beverages that have significantly higher concentrations of sugar sweeteners and/or calories on suspect grounds and the loopholes inherent in the Rule, including but not limited to no limitations on re-fills, defeat and/or serve to gut the purpose of the Rule,” Judge Milton Tingling ruled. Read More

By Colin Campbell 7/06/12 4:34pm

lgbt

(Photo: Neighborhoodr New York)

Court Rules Against Gay Marriage Foes in New York

Opponents of New York’s 2011 gay marriage law had sought to overturn the legislation under grounds that it violated New York’s Open Meetings Law, arguing the closed-door meetings held by New York State Senate Republicans with Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg constituted an illegal violation. But the State Supreme Court stymied their hopes today and ruled in favor of New York State and gay marriage supporters.

“Accordingly, we conclude that the judgment should be reversed insofar as appealed from, and judgment should be entered in favor of defendants declaring that defendant New York State Senate did notviolate the OML in enacting the [Marriage Equality Act] and that marriages performed thereunder are not invalid,” Acting Justice Robert Wiggins declared. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/28/12 12:44pm

wheee what a great day

Tish James speaking at the rally.

Living Wage Advocates Celebrate Mayoral Override Vote (and Supreme Court Decision!!)

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Come, come, ready?” Councilwoman Tish James hurriedly exclaimed when we started to ask her about today’s Supreme Court ruling on health care reform before a rally celebrating the vote on living wage legislation coming later today.

“So, today I like Roberts. I’m happy that the mandate was upheld. This is a great day for democracy, it’s a great day for the budget, it’s a great day for childcare and after school programs,” she answered. “So, overall, today’s a proud day!” Read More