Variation on a G.O.P Fund-Raiser [updated]

Here is an invitation to the first-ever Senate Summer Social, organized by state Senate Republicans for August 21 by the South Street Seaport.

George Pataki held his birthday fund-raisers at that very location for years. But with Republicans holding no statewide office, the job of roping in contributors has now fallen Read More

What Happens at Ranch Bruno

My invitation to tonight’s cook-out at Joe Bruno’s ranch got lost in the mail. But his NYC spokeswoman Lisa Black was kind enough to send over this on-the-record description of what will happen tonight when the governor, legislators and assorted other politicos get together after hours at Ranch Bruno.

"He hosts an annual Read More

On Same-Sex Marriage Vote-Count, Take the Under

Not that anyone really expected Eliot Spitzer's same-sex marriage proposal to succeed anytime soon, but just days after its introduction, both sides of the legislature are talking about passage in purely academic terms.

As I noted earlier, the plan to legalize same-sex marriage is premised on the notion that it can pass Read More

Spitzer, Not So Scary

Here's what state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's spokesperson Lisa Black just told me about Eliot Spitzer’s promise to barnstorm the state — in every Senate district — advocating campaign finance reform:

“He took his tour on the road during for the budget and look how well that worked for him. Read More

Staffing Callaghan

Alan Hevesi’s campaignis an expensive one, with all the trappings you’d expect of statewide incumbent’s reelection effort.

Christopher Callaghan, by comparison, has been a bare-bones effort.

But now, the Republicans, probably sensing an opportunity in light of the chauffeur scandal, are rallying to bolster his stretch-run effort.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno’s spokesperson, Read More

Hevesi and the Senate

Here’s something I missed when discussing possible replacement scenarios for Alan Hevesi.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno reminded me that the governor can call for the removal of a statewide official. If that happens, the matter is referred to the Senate where, basically, a trial is held among the 62 senators. Read More