Karma makes appointment with the GOP

On: By: admin

Sooner, not later, this will blow up in the Republicans face:

“State Senate Republicans are just fine with rampant corruption.  At least, that’s the message the caucus sent Monday night by voting to let freshly indicted Dean Skelos stay on as their leader.  This isn’t pathetic — it’s rancid.  The vote of confidence came just hours after US Attorney Preet Bharara dropped a 43-page criminal complaint.  This outlined years of evidence — including witness testimony, e-mails and phone wiretaps — in charging that Skelos sold his office to enrich his son Adam.  The senators actually managed the miracle of making Assembly Democrats look good …”

They further embarrassed themselves today when Jack Martins put down efforts by Daniel Squadron and Michael Gianaris to get a floor vote on Senate leadership:


The calls for Skelos to step aside are growing. This will not go on for much longer.

Karma visits Skelos

On: By: admin

Karma paid a visit to the Senate pointman for the SAFE Act:

“Dean G. Skelos, the leader of the New York State Senate, and his son were arrested on Monday by federal authorities on extortion, fraud and bribe solicitation charges, expanding the corruption investigation that has already changed the face of Albany …”

The criminal complaint against him is 43 pages long. Haven’t had a chance to read yet, but here’s a gem:

 

The Observer puts the cherry on top:

“It won’t be hunting season for Dean Skelos anytime soon. Mr. Skelos, the Republican majority leader, was slapped with a six-count criminal complaint today–and will now have to give up his prized shotgun. In addition to his passport and all travel documents, Mr. Skelos must relinquish the shotgun he uses for hunting, a federal judge informed him today …”

Soros’ tax problems

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Bloomberg Business reports, “George Soros May Face a Monster Tax Bill“:

“… While building a record as one of the world’s greatest investors, the 84-year-old billionaire used a loophole that allowed him to defer taxes on fees paid by clients and reinvest them in his fund, where they continued to grow tax-free.  At the end of 2013, Soros—through Soros Fund Management—had amassed $13.3 billion through the use of deferrals … Congress closed the loophole in 2008 and ordered hedge fund managers who used it to pay the accumulated taxes by 2017.  A New York-based money manager such as Soros would be subject to a federal rate of 39.6 percent … according to Andrew Needham, a tax partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore.  Applying those rates to Soros’s deferred income would create a tax bill of $6.7 billion …”

Ouch.

I’m a big fan of capitalism and I believe our tax system is unjust.  However, Soros is a public advocate of high taxes and government regulation, and if the system he supports says he owes money then they need to collect.

Could this affect his ability to fund all sorts of gun control initiatives?  His fortune is worth ~$30 billion, but who knows how that is structured.

Nice idea, but …

On: By: admin

From the Watertown Daily Times, “St. Lawrence County judge faces criticism over pistol permit restrictions“:

“St. Lawrence County Judge Jerome J. Richards is facing criticism from several county legislators who believe restrictions he places on many citizens who hold pistol permits may violate Second Amendment rights outlined in the U.S. Constitution. During their Monday Finance Committee meeting, lawmakers had a lengthy discussion that focused on complaints they’ve received from people who applied for and received pistol permits from Judge Richards …”

I have heard complaints about him before and I told those people they need to get rid of him at the next election. He ran unopposed last year for another 10 year term.

“… According to Legislator Kevin M. Acres, R-Madrid, most of the concealed pistol permits issued by Judge Richards restrict permit holders to carrying the weapons only during outdoor sporting activities such as hunting and target shooting. Constituents have complained that the restrictions prevent them having their pistol on other occasions when they may need to protect themselves or family members …”

Valid concerns, but …

“… Legislator Rick Perkins, D-Parishville, said restrictions placed by Judge Richards on pistol permits are a disservice to citizens. “I think we need to take his personal bias out of this and give the permits or licenses without restrictions. It’s our right,” Mr. Perkins said. County Attorney Stephen D. Button advised legislators Monday they had the authority to adopt their own local law defining “proper cause” because the state so far has failed to do so, even though bills have been introduced in the state Legislature …”

Um, no.  Suffolk County tried this like 20-25 years ago and the court ruled they do not have the authority to do that.

Skelos fading

On: By: admin

Dean Skelos is in a lot of trouble.  I do not believe he will finish out the session as Majority Leader, although I do not see him resigning at this point.

This is karma coming back at him for being Gov. Cuomo’s butt money and fucking over so many people with SAFE.

Possible replacements, in order of probability, are: John Flanagan, Cathy Young and John DeFrancisco with Young being the best of the bunch.

Legislative Report #7

On: By: admin

Legislative Report #7 is now online.

Senate Codes Committee Agenda for Tuesday, April 28:

  • S-2050 – Relates to prohibiting the possession of certain 50 caliber firearms; directs the division of state police to embark on a program whereby persons currently in lawful possession of such weapons may be reimbursed for the fair market value thereof upon turning in such weapons to a designated officer
  • S-2491 – Enacts the “Children’s Weapon Accident Prevention Act”; creates crimes of failure to store a weapon safely in the first and second degrees, aggravated failure to store a weapon, and criminally negligent storage of a weapon in the first and second degrees; provides affirmative defenses; directs the Commissioner of Education to develop a weapons safety program
  • S-2900 – Authorizes the possession of a handgun being sold by a dealer in firearms upon the premises of such dealer

Antigun lobby day is set for Tuesday, May 4.  Expect a bus load of astroturf in the LOB.

Political theater

On: By: admin

When dealing with the state legislature, it is important to know the difference between serious actions and political theater.

Here are examples of the latter:

We go through this every year. A handful of Assembly Republicans ask some of their pro-gun bills be put on the committee agenda. There is a party line and the bills are held for consideration with no further action taken.

The legislature is not going to repeal SAFE. Neither chamber is even going to allow a bill to come up for a vote. Politicians who say otherwise are just pandering to their base. Groups who say otherwise are not being honest with their constituency.

How Might Gun Laws Impact the 2016 Race?

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Halbrook article on SAFE

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Stephen Halbrook wrote an article for the Albany Law Review on the SAFE Act titled, “New York’s not so “SAFE” Act: The Second Amendment in an Alice-in-Wonderland world where words have no meaning.“