Political scientist Harold Laswell famously defined politics as “who gets what when and how.” This definition was intended to capture the connection between politics and power. Who gets what says something about who has power. When one gets what one wants says something about how important that individual or group is, and just how much power that person or group …
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR: Plastic Bag Ban, Reynolds Playground, Sidewalks, and Boots By Mayor PETER SWIDERSKI
While we are in the midst of a season of lights and joy, Village issues continue to advance, and bear a brief mention in the interests of keeping everyone abreast of local news: Bag Law ======= Earlier this year, the Board of Trustees passed a law that bans plastic bags and polystyrene (styrofoam) within the Village. In the interim, the …
CURRENT COMMENTARY: Police and ‘Professional Courtesy’ By LARRY M. ELKIN
Cops rarely get speeding tickets. They get pulled over about as often as the rest of us, maybe even more. But usually a display of a badge, the simple statement “I’m on the job,” or a request for what is known as “professional courtesy” is enough to end the encounter with another officer from a different jurisdiction, even in a …
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Re-elected as Leader of The Senate Democratic Conference
ALBANY, NY – December 10, 2014 — State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers was re-elected as the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference in Albany on Tuesday. “I am honored and humbled to be re-elected by my Democratic Senate colleagues, and I thank them for their continued trust and support,” said Senate Democratic Conference Leader Stewart-Cousins. “As the Senate Minority …
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, The State Senate Democratic Conference Leader, Announces Criminal Justice Reforms
Press Conference Presented Tuesday, December 9, 2014 Below: ALBANY, NY – December 10, 2014 — Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers, the Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference, announced legislation Tuesday at the State Capitol to reform the state’s criminal justice system and address incidents of police-caused fatalities. This initiative was introduced following a grand jury’s decision not to bring charges against …
WCBoL’s Democratic Caucus Members Condemn Massive Borrowing In 2015 County Budget
WHITE PLAINS, NY – December 9, 2014 — Democratic Caucus members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (WCBoL) strongly condemned the “structural imbalances” in the 2015 County Budget today, citing the massive borrowing, use of one-shot financing fixes and raiding the fund balance to effectuate a zero percent increase in the County tax levy, and, as a result, voted …
Astorino, Board of Legislators Agree on FY 2015 Budget
No tax hike, no layoffs, $276 million in infrastructure improvements WHITE PLANS, NY – December 9, 2014 — Calling the newly approved 2015 budget “smart and responsible,” County Executive Robert P. Astorino today thanked the bipartisan group of legislators that passed the $1.75 billion spending plan, which does not raise the tax levy for the fifth year in a row, …
Gillibrand Testimony Before Senate Judiciary Committee at Hearing to Examine Role of Law Enforcement in Campus Sexual Assault Cases
Senator Gillibrand Testified on Bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act, Addressed Rolling Stone Story About University of Virginia Senator Gillibrand ‘s Testimony Before the Senate Judiciary Committee Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand testified today on behalf of the bipartisan Campus Accountability and Safety Act before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism at a hearing entitled, …
Senate Democratic Conference Announces Reforms To Criminal Justice System
ALBANY, NY – December 9, 2014 — The Senate Democratic Conference today announced the introduction of legislation to reform the state’s criminal justice system and address incidents of police-caused fatalities. This initiative was introduced following a grand jury’s decision not to bring charges against a police officer who caused the death of an unarmed civilian and will implement a permanent …