More than 50 people rallied yesterday against StudentsFirstNY, a political group launched earlier this year to push for charter schools, for making it easier to lay off teachers and for other education policy changes. Carrying signs saying “StudentsFirstNY = Billionaire$ Fir$t NY” and “Fat Cats – Get Your Dirty Paws Off Our Schools,” demonstrators gathered along 
Wendy Long, the Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, went on the attack against the incumbent earlier this week over the senator’s Off the Sidelines web site, which Long called a “deception” and “a big scam.” The web site, OfftheSidelines.org, portrays itself as an avenue to get women “off the sidelines” and involved in 
DIANE SAVINO New York State Senator Q: What are the key issues facing organized labor? DS: The private-sector unions, especially the service sector, will continue to pursue a legislative agenda that will bring many of their members into the organized sector. Issues like living wage or prevailing wage and paid sick leave top the agenda 
Two years ago I walked into a fund-raiser for Planned Parenthood New York City at a cream-colored midtown apartment filled with fresh flowers. It was a scene out of a Nancy Meyers movie: educated, professional women and men in comfortable chic clothes with sharp eyewear. Council Speaker Christine Quinn was the star attraction, but I 
Behind every powerful politician is a top adviser. Behind every successful campaign is a key consultant. Behind every piece of landmark legislation is a well-connected lobbyist. These influential figures often stay behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. But in this special edition we pull back the curtain on the state’s most influential political 
While much of the Republican Party has been pushing Missouri Rep. Todd Akin to drop out of his U.S. Senate race after his controversial comments about rape, Wendy Long, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in New York, has continued to stop short of saying Akin should step aside. “If I had been in his 
Eliot Spitzer needs no introduction. Since resigning as governor in March 2008, Spitzer has reemerged as a contributor to Slate magazine, an adjunct professor of political science at City College, and a television news commentator first for CNN and now for Current TV. Most recently he joined NY1′s Inside City Hall as one of the 
Brad Hoylman, a candidate for the seat to be vacated by state Sen. Tom Duane, faced questions last night from Democratic primary opponents about his former job at the Partnership for New York City, a pro-business group where he was a vice president and general counsel. At a 27th Senate District debate, one candidate,Tom Greco, asked Hoylman 
Last Friday, a “zombie flash mob” demonstrated against Sony near Union Square, calling for changes in healthcare access for workers and criticizing one of the technology giant’s contractors. The union 32BJ, which planned the event, distributed a press release claiming that “Sony zombifies workers by dealing with irresponsible contractors!” A Sony spokesperson did not immediately 
In 2008, when Marc LaVorgna first met with Mayor Michael Bloomberg about joining his press office, the mayor had one request: “Don’t f— it up.” “I was shell-shocked,” LaVorgna said. “I didn’t know that he says that to everybody, but at that moment I was completely shell-shocked. I didn’t know what to say. He just 
