Click here for a brief photo gallery from the Second Avenue gas explosion and fire.
de Blasio Press Q&A: The 2nd Avenue Investigation Edition
This afternoon Mayor Bill de Blasio and many of his senior staff provided an update on the Second Avenue buildings destroyed yesterday in an apparent gas explosion. Joined by Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro, OEM Commissioner Joseph Esposito, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce, Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler and other officials, de Blasio described the known facts, but repeatedly emphasized that the cause is not yet known and that the investigation will take at least several days to complete.
Opening statements:
Here are the opening statements of Mayor de Blasio, Fire Commissioner Nigro and OEM Commissioner Esposito:
Q&A:
Here is the full Q&A:
de Blasio On Renewing Mayoral Control
The no-names battle between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo continues, with the current chapter focused on mayoral control of city schools. At a press conference Wednesday Mayor de Blasio was asked whether Governor Cuomo’s characterization of mayoral control of schools as an “experiment” and his proposal that mayoral control be renewed for a shortened three year period “raises questions about whether or not he’s a true reformer on education.” de Blasio gave a forceful argument in support of extending mayoral control, but did not directly address the question’s characterization of Governor Cuomo nor mention Governor Cuomo by name.
A Tale of Two Mayors
In an unusual moment of agreement Mayor Bill de Blasio and former mayor Rudy Giuliani recently wrote a joint letter to Governor Cuomo and the state legislature urging a continuation of mayoral control of the school system. de Blasio and Giuliani have mostly had critical things to say about each other, with their joint letter a rare counterpoint to their more typical criticism. I asked Mayor de Blasio whether the letter signaled a change in their relationship or whether de Blasio’s 15 months in office has affected his view of Giuliani’s mayoralty.
Donovan v. Gentile – The Virtual Edition (Updated)
Congressional candidates Dan Donovan and Vincent Gentile separately answered questions at a Staten Island candidate forum Monday evening. With a little editing we present their head-to-head answers on a few select questions.
The forum, sponsored by “The Middle Class Action Project“, featured the candidates in sequential appearances. Both candidates were asked an identical set of questions, heavily focused on manufacturing, international trade, unions and workers rights. The forum also had a candidate dispute over the format, with Gentile asserting that it was originally intended as a debate and was changed at Donovan’s insistence to separate, sequential appearances. Donovan’s staff insisted that was not true.
The following video excerpts combine Donovan’s and Gentile’s respective answers to specific questions.
Fast Track Trade Agreements & TPP:
The candidates were asked if they “support fast track trade authority”, both generally and specifically concerning the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. Both opposed fast track trade authority. Donovan expressed general discomfort, saying that “we shouldn’t fast track anything.” Gentile focused on the usurpation of congressional authority inherent in such fast tracking. Both expressed opposition to the TPP, although Donovan seemed less familiar with it, ending with a general statement that “all agreements … should be fair to America.” Gentile, who has sought to make the TPP a campaign issue, went through a list of reasons he opposes it.
Continue reading Donovan v. Gentile – The Virtual Edition (Updated)
Gentile On Being In The Minority
Should Democratic candidate Vincent Gentile win the upcoming 11th congressional district special election he will join a lopsided minority in the House of Representatives. With a current division of 245 Republicans and 188 Democrats (and 2 vacancies) Democrats are decidedly out-of-power in the House and Gentile would face significant challenges in accomplishing any of his legislative goals. I asked Gentile about this, with a followup question on his view of Nancy Pelosi. We spoke at a forum Monday evening hosted by the Middle Class Action Project.
Congressional Special Elections – Past & Present


Eric Massa, Christopher Lee, Anthony Weiner and Michael Grimm – which of these names is unlike the others? What do their similarities and differences portend for the 11th Congressional District special election?
Continue reading Congressional Special Elections – Past & Present
Donovan’s Congressional Role Model?
Does Dan Donovan have a congressional role model he would follow should he win the 11th Congressional District special election on May 5th? Here’s how he responded when I asked him:
We spoke at a press conference Wednesday at which Donovan received the endorsement of the MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association.
Republican Candidate On Republican Presidential Hopefuls
With close to 20 aspiring presidential candidates Republicans have a wide range of personalities, experience and ideology to choose from as their presidential selection process moves forward. With such a wide range of options, a presidential selection can provide a worthwhile window into a voter’s views.
“I’ve never met any of the possible candidates” replied Republican congressional hopeful Dan Donovan when I asked whether he favors any of the many candidates. When I asked if that included former New York governor George Pataki Donovan modified his answer, pointing out (correctly) that Pataki says he’s not yet a candidate despite repeated recent visits to New Hampshire and Iowa. (Pataki has said that he’s “likely to become a candidate.”)
Here’s what Donovan had to say:
We spoke at a press conference Wednesday at which Donovan received the endorsement of the MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association.
Donovan v. Gentile: Is It Personal?
Electoral opponents Republican Dan Donovan and Democrat Vincent Gentile are elected officials who serve neighboring districts, Donovan as Staten Island district attorney and Gentile as a council member who’s district includes the Brooklyn side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. As a state senator Gentile represented part of Staten Island, albeit before Donovan was elected to office.
What’s the nature of their pre-campaign relationship? Here’s what Donovan had to say. We spoke at a press conference today where Donovan received the endorsement of the MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association.
Rangel Discusses Switch On Attending Netanyahu Speech
Congressman Charles Rangel today discussed his last minute decision to attend Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, saying that he attended at the urging of “friends” despite his own misgivings. Rangel had said, as late as the day before the speech, that he would not attend.
Rangel on America’s Enemies
Congressman Charles B. Rangel discussed a series of congressional Republican actions which caused him to “wonder” and “worry”, closing with a harsh conclusion – America’s “enemies may not be all abroad.” Rangel spoke following a visit to a Manhattan high school.
Rangel Spins, Talks Food & Life
Congressman Charles B. Rangel visited Edward A. Reynolds High School this afternoon, encouraging students to eat healthfully and, more broadly, to persevere through life’s challenges. His visit began with a spin class. Watch.