Ocasio-Cortez Threatens Vote Against House Dems Leadership Rules Package
U.S. Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, parts of the Bronx) is leading a new progressive Congressional charge in threatening to reject a rules package that the House Democratic leadership is backing because it says it thwarts their ambitious policy plans including Medicare-for-all.
Ocasio-Cortez and U. S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) said Wednesday they will vote against any guidelines that include a provision known as “PAYGO,” or “pay as you go,” which requires that new spending be offset by matching cuts or increases in revenue.
Progressives feel that the rule comes across as a sign that Democrats are committed to the austerity economics championed, at least rhetorically, by conservative groups, according to multiple published reports.
Ocasio-Cortez said yesterday she would vote against the package when it comes up soon after she is sworn in on Thursday.
“PAYGO isn’t only bad economics,” she tweeted, “it’s also a dark political maneuver designed to hamstring progress on healthcare + other leg. We shouldn’t hinder ourselves from the start.”
City Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven), who is running for public advocate in the Feb. 26 s[ecial election, yesterday lit into Mayor Bill de Blasio for a pay-to-play administration following the federal court conviction of Jeremy Reichberg, a former fund-raiser for de Blasio.
Reichberg, 44, of Brooklyn, faces up to 65 years in prison following his conviction on four of five counts, including conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and bribery. He sentencing is slated for April 4.
“Today’s verdict and conviction of Jeremy Reichberg is proof that Bill de Blasio’s administration has been for sale since day one. As Public Advocate, I will hold Mayor de Blasio accountable, and ensure that we strengthen the City’s transparency and conflicts of interest laws to rid our government of this wanton bribery. The evidence presented at the trial highlighted how close Bill de Blasio was to this felon and the government’s key witness, and how much access the Mayor gave to both of them,” said Ulrich.
“No amount of word-play and legal maneuvering justifies how much Mayor de Blasio wanted to hide these relationships from the public. Bill de Blasio talks a big game about ridding the city of big money in politics, but since he took office he has been part of the problem, not the solution. He needs to come clean and tell New Yorkers the whole truth about his relationship with Rechnitz and Reichberg, today,” the lawmaker added.
CM Miller, Katz Co-Host Annual Holiday Celebration
City Council Member I. Daneek Miller (D-Jamaica) and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz welcomed throngs of families at the Miller’s annual Southeast Queens Winterfest holiday celebration at Roy Wilkins Park Recreation Center at the end of December.
Revelers munched on popcorn, cotton candy, and listened to musical tunes; while children posed for pictures with Santa Claus, played in inflatable bouncy houses, designed Christmas cards, participated in a bicycle raffle, and received toys generously donated by members of the community in the weeks prior during the Councilman’s annual drive.
“Every family should be able to experience the joy of the holiday season,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “Southeast Queens Winterfest is for them as well as those less fortunate that may only have enough money to provide for their basic needs instead of gifts under a tree. I’m grateful to my staff and the many gracious partners who collaborated with my office to organize this year’s event, including Borough President Katz, NYC Parks, Southern Queens Park Association, and the members of the New York Police Department’s Explorers Post 2241.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Council Member Miller and our partners at NYC Parks, the Southern Queens Parks Association and NYPD Explorers Post 2241 on holding the Councilman’s Southeast Queens Winterfest holiday gathering,” said Katz. “The event was a joyous celebration of the Christmas season and a great way to begin heralding the arrival of 2019. From our family to yours, we wish everyone an abundance of health, happiness, joy and peace in the new year.”
