New York City Council
Allegedly corrupt councilman Dan Halloran will not seek re-election
City Councilman Dan Halloran, who pleaded not guilty to federal bribery and corruption charges, said he will not seek re-election to his seat in eastern Queens. More
(2)Sylvia Kinard runs again, this time for City Council
Sylvia Kinard, the former City Council attorney who ran a primary challenge against Rep. Yvette Clarke last year, is running to unseat City Councilman Mathieu Eugene of central Brooklyn. More
Would-be Council speakers on the prospect of being less powerful than Quinn
If you get past the references to slicing off genitalia and the "sound-proofing" of her City Hall office, the Times story about Christine Quinn helps illustrates the power that comes with being the City Council Speaker. More
'Brooklyn Castle' chess team versus Bloomberg's budget
A chess program at a I.S. 318, a New York City public school that's so good, they've been profiled in The Times, interviewed on The Daily Show this past November, featured in a documentary and hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion, is facing the budget ax in Bloomberg's last budget proposal. More
A well-established assemblyman files for Lew Fidler's Council seat
Assemblyman Alan Maisel has filed paperwork to run for the City Council seat being vacated by Lew Fidler of Brooklyn, according to a source. More
City Council chairmanship changes: Sanders, Nelson and Koo
According to several knowledgable sources, Mike Nelson of Brooklyn is expected to become the chairman of the Civil Service and Labor Committee.
That chairman is vacant because it was held by James Sanders of Queens, who wasrecently elected to the State Senate.
Bronx leadership 'happy' about a Council redistricting plan that takes from Manhattan
Manhattan could see their New York City Council delegation size reduced by one seat, and the Bronx, which has the smallest delegation, could pick up a seat. More
Christine Quinn 'will campaign day and night' to keep Vito Lopez off the City Council
"I will campaign day and night to keep this serial sexual harrasser from entering the City Council," Quinn said through a spokesperson. More
(1)Council spars over stop-and-frisk: 'I thought you were a professional'
Here's an example of how contentious the debate about stop-and-frisk can get, courtesy of Helen Foster and Peter Vallone Jr., two Council members who are diametrically opposed to one another on this issue. More
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The 'scariest bill ever' in the City Council
One bill would create a new office designed to investigate possible wrong-doing by police officers. Another would require police officers leave a business card with people they stop and frisk. A third would require cops to get proof of written or verbal consent before searching people not under arrest. More
The A.G., the councilman and the case of the missing member item
Earlier this month, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman brought charges against State Senator Shirley Huntley, who is alleged to have steered state money toward a staffer and a family member who spent it on themselves. More
Schumer lowers the bar, Council maps compete
City Council
Advocates proposed new City Council maps. [The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund]
The redistricting commission proposed new City Council maps. [nyc.gov]
Minor changes expected to Oliver Koppell's seat in Riverdale. [Miawling Lam]
The way around Quinn, if Paid Sick supporters dare to try
Under the rules of the City Council, the lead sponsor of the legislation—along with seven supporters—can file a "Motion to Discharge" which, if passed by a majority in the Council, would allow the bill to be brought forward for a vote.
(In 2006, the rules were amended to actually make it easier to file a motion to discharge. At the time, Councilman Dan Garodnick said this and other rules changes "shifts power to individual members and gives them more of an ability to do their job for constituents.")
At this point, the lead sponsor of the bill, Gale Brewer of Manhattan, has not exercised that option. More
Rangel defends the process and the Council complains about a 'garbage tax'
The recently approved New York City budget deal which passed the City Council 50-1 includes $17.2 million in revenue from garbage-collection that hasn't yet been approved by city lawmakers, according to the Wall Street Journal. More
An unadvertised Council committee meeting about Ruben Wills' behavior
According to a source, the City Council's Committee on Standard and Ethics will be meeting at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow at 250 Broadway to discuss section 10.80 of the Council bylaws, which deals with "disorderly behavior" on the part of a member. More
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