NYC/NYS election results: Status Cuomo, a new Democratic state Senate, an open race for Public Advocate after James wins AG
OK, looking at local/state elections... Gov. Andrew Cuomo was easily re-elected--no surprise there--which means continued support for projects like Atlantic Yards and the planned Belmont arena. "Status Cuomo," as the headline goes.
NYC Public Advocate Letitia James was elected state Attorney General, which might mean some more scrutiny of the real-estate industry but--given priorities to represent the state, fight Donald Trump, and go after (some) corruption--seems not so likely.
James's departure from the Public Advocate's position sets up a special election, which could would position the next office holder to run for Mayor in 2021. An enormous number of potential candidates have either been mentioned or expressed interest in running.
Should Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams get the job, not only would that give him new stature in the mayoral race, it would open up the Brooklyn Borough Presidency for a special election. Not that any new Borough President would run against real-estate powers.
The state Senate easily turned blue, which could bring in strengthened rent regulation, criminal justice reform, and congestion pricing. (In Southern Brooklyn, Democratic challenger Andrew Gounardes held a narrow lead over incumbent Republican Marty Golden, though the latter said the results aren't clear until paper ballots are counted.) It also could bring in residential permit parking, a measure pushed by some residents and electeds near the Barclays Center, but that hasn't been mentioned as a priority.
Ballot measures pass
Oh, and all three seemingly good-government ballot measures passed in New York City. To quote City & State:
In City Limits, Tom Waters suggested that term limits wouldn't necessarily solve the problem:
NYC Public Advocate Letitia James was elected state Attorney General, which might mean some more scrutiny of the real-estate industry but--given priorities to represent the state, fight Donald Trump, and go after (some) corruption--seems not so likely.
James's departure from the Public Advocate's position sets up a special election, which could would position the next office holder to run for Mayor in 2021. An enormous number of potential candidates have either been mentioned or expressed interest in running.
Should Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams get the job, not only would that give him new stature in the mayoral race, it would open up the Brooklyn Borough Presidency for a special election. Not that any new Borough President would run against real-estate powers.
The state Senate easily turned blue, which could bring in strengthened rent regulation, criminal justice reform, and congestion pricing. (In Southern Brooklyn, Democratic challenger Andrew Gounardes held a narrow lead over incumbent Republican Marty Golden, though the latter said the results aren't clear until paper ballots are counted.) It also could bring in residential permit parking, a measure pushed by some residents and electeds near the Barclays Center, but that hasn't been mentioned as a priority.
Ballot measures pass
Oh, and all three seemingly good-government ballot measures passed in New York City. To quote City & State:
That means the city will have lower contribution limits for New York City elections, a new civic engagement commission and community board members will be limited to four two-year terms.Indeed, I was among those facing problems.
The wins are a small victory for de Blasio and the good government groups who backed him, and a slight disappointment for 2021 mayoral hopefuls like New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who opposed some of the measures. Most criticism of the civic engagement commission centered on the fact that it would be doubling up on the responsibilities of the New York City Board of Elections, such as helping voters who aren’t fluent in English. But after city voters faced numerous problems on Election Day like broken ballot scanners and long lines, New Yorkers seemed to be eager for change.
Would losing long-term community board members weaken the boards? Well, some, surely. But it also would open up the boards to a younger, less-entrenched membership, at least if those volunteers step up.Finally voted at 4:50. Two of four scanners down. Huge line to get to the scanners and doubled line in playground outside. Much longer line than when I arrived about 90 minutes earlier. PS 130. Windsor Terrace @bradlander— Norman Oder (@AYReport) November 6, 2018
(no bake sale by the time I got in, either) pic.twitter.com/TbgmxtCn5m
In City Limits, Tom Waters suggested that term limits wouldn't necessarily solve the problem:
But long-serving board members are not necessarily either the main barrier to good representation or the main source of technical capacity, so term limits may not have much effect on either issue. It would be better to address each of these issues more directly, with mandates and supports for representative inclusiveness and for developing interactional expertise.
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