Crowley Digs In To Get Democrats' War Vote Passed

Congressmember Joseph Crowley, who was one of the Democratic floor managers who helped round up support last week to win 218- to-212 approval of the historic challenge to President George W. Bush's war powers, said afterward that Congress is finally able to use its Constitutional authority to correct the consistent missteps the president continues to make in the war on terrorism and in Iraq.

The Queens delegation, all Democrats, supported the bill which provides $124.3 billion to continue funding the war, but calls for combat troops to begin leaving Iraq by September 2008.

Bush denounced the measure, promising to veto it. But the bill served the Democrats' purpose for the first time directly challenging the president's conduct of the war.

Bush declared, "To score political points, the Democratic majority in the house has shown it is willing to undermine the gains our troops are making on the ground."

Crowley (D- Queens/The Bronx), a Chief Deputy Whip, contended that the bill supports troops and provides additional support for veterans' health care. He stated: "The House of Representatives now has a chance to lead the nation toward a wiser, more responsible Iraq policy."

Other local lawmakers voting for the bill were Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney, Anthony Weiner, Gary Ackerman, Gregory Meeks and Nydia Velazquez.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are trying to pass a similar bill.

QUINN'S RENTERS' REFUND GAINS SUPPORT: A plan announced last month by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to give renters a $300 tax refund in this year's budget has gained the support of Democrats in the Assembly. The legislature must pass a bill authorizing such action at the city level.

Landlords and property owners already are receiving property tax rebates and Quinn and the council feel it is fair to give renters similar relief. Two bills filed in Albany would do that, but it is not clear how the Republican-controlled state senate will act on the issue.

Under Quinn's plan, more than 1 million households would qualify for the rebate plan, which would cost the city about $261 million a year. Families of three or more persons earning less than $75,000 a year or individuals earning $43,000 or less would be eligible for the $300 rebate.

The Bloomberg administration has not indicated its position on the proposal.

CUT SPENDING, ADMINISTRATION ASKS: Although the Bloomberg mayoral administration has projected a $3.9 billion budget surplus this year and a $1.4 billion surplus for 2008, it put out a warning last week to all city agencies to cut more than 5 percent of spending. That was broken down to a 1.5 percent reduction this year and an additional 4 percent next year.

One reason for the spending reductions is a recently won 8 percent salary increase for firefighters, which is expected to set the pattern for other uniformed services.

Community organizations that receive grants from state legislators in the future will have to

disclose any ties to the lawmaker

involved under an agreement

reached last week between

New York state attorney

general Andrew Cuomo

and legislative leaders.

The agreement formalized

a plan Cuomo had

announced earlier this year

which grew out of broad scaled

criticisms of the grants made at the recommendations of legislators to community based organizations, non-profit, youth sports and church organizations, among others.

Some critics of the grants, which do not require the legislative bodies to vote to approve them individually, have charged that lawmakers use the grants for political purposes and have not been disclosed openly.

After Cuomo's agreement with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D) and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R) was announced, Cuomo stated that while his office continues to review 60,000 member items approved in the past to make sure they are legitimate; "it is important that the public be assured that, going forward, such spending will be transparent and accountable."

Late last year, both Silver and Bruno were reported to have made large grants to organizations that had close ties to them.

Under the agreement Cuomo hammered out with Silver and Bruno, in order for a community group to receive the grant funds, the groups must fill out disclosure form and accountability certifications that will disclose not only ties to lawmakers, but also their legal standing and the public purpose of the funding.

REINTRODUCE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION ACT: Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (D- Queens/Manhattan) and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D- New Jersey) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would help increase awareness of the Holocaust by giving a boost to programs and institutions that teach about the Holocaust and its lessons.

"The best way to promote tolerance and unity is to learn the important lessons of one of history's darkest hours," Maloney declared.

PROPOSE AID FOR NYPD AUXILIARIES: Councilmember David Weprin (D- Hollis), chair of the council Finance Committee, was joined yesterday by council colleagues and NYPD Auxiliary Police Officers as he introduced a 10-point plan to assist the volunteer officers.

The plan would provide the auxiliaries with bulletproof vests, protective masks and defibrillators. It also calls for increased penalties for attacking Auxiliary Police and allocating appropriate benefits for those disabled while on duty.

The proposed aid comes after the recent deaths of two auxiliary cops in a Greenwich Village rampage.

Last week, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly proposed outfitting auxiliary officers with bulletproof vests. It drew strong support from Councilmember Hiram Monserrate (D- Corona), a former police officer.

SABINI SEEKS MORE TRANSIT FUNDS: Speaking as the state senate Democrats' representative last week at joint transportation budget negotiating sessions in Albany, state Senator John Sabini (Jackson Heights) called for better funding for the MTA's bus and subway operations in New York City.

"If we funded our urban subway and bus systems properly, riders would enjoy fewer fare hikes and service interruptions, drivers would enjoy fewer cars on the roads, and everyone would enjoy less congestion, less pollution, less accidents, and less fatalities," Sabini declared.