Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
This week's biggest Winners & Losers. City & State
Tropical Storm Ida devastated New York City this week, and we lost at least a dozen people to deadly flooding. As New York’s politicians deal with the aftermath, as well as the likelihood that more and more catastrophic weather is on its way as the planet warms, there is only one clear step forward if you’re New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio: blame the meteorologists. They alone could have prevented this disaster by being more specific with their forecasts. If only there were some elected position that could help pass legislation to better prepare New York for climate change. Alas, until the various weathermen and weatherwomen stop making a “mockery” of their jobs, all the city’s leaders can do is send out tweets about how storms really hit different these days. A tragedy indeed.
Brian Kavanagh and Jeffrey Dinowitz -
Managing to get lawmakers to take time out of their summers to return for a special session truly is extraordinary. After Gov. Kathy Hochul called them back to Albany, legislators passed a bill that will extend the state’s eviction moratorium until Jan. 15, 2022. Sponsored by state Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, the housing chairs in their respective chambers, lawmakers hunkered down, debated and approved the new protections for tenants. As long as it holds up in court, Kavanagh and Dinowitz are golden.
Kathryn Garcia -
Kathryn Garcia has embarked on her redemption arc. The former New York City sanitation commissioner and top mayoral candidate was recently announced as Hochul’s new director of state operations, a strategic addition to her staff. She will manage the daily happenings of the state; incidentally, one of her duties is storm response. We think that’s not a bad way to salvage your political career at all.
Tremaine Wright -
Sure, she may no longer be an Assembly member but Wright has a dope new job in Hochul’s new administration, after she was nominated by the governor to become the chair of the state’s new Cannabis Control Board. Wright will head up a 5-member board that will make decisions pertaining to permits and licensing when it comes to the sale of marijuana, marking a big step toward bringing recreational marijuana to New Yorkers.
Janno Lieber -
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s acting chair and CEO is not personally responsible for decades of underinvestment that contributed to a near-total shutdown of all subway service across the city Wednesday night. But he’s the one that’s got to deal with it. And now, inspired by the videos of underground geysers and subway showers and stairway slide ‘n’ slides, the City Council will pull him in for a hearing. Will the MTA’s quick rebound to service be enough for him to keep his job? Janno dunno.
Dennis Quirk -
New York State Court Officers Association President Dennis Quirk probably could have guessed that targeting New York state’s top judge would lead to swift punishment. Quirk was suspended Aug. 27 for doxxing Chief Judge Janet DiFiore over a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. In a Facebook post, the union head called for protests at DiFiore’s primary residence and vacation home and posted both addresses. Despite facing a 30-day suspension for the post, Quirk didn’t seem remorseful, calling DiFiore “the most corrupt and unethical judge” in the state’s history.
Joseph Strasburg -
It’s been a rough week for Rent Stabilization Association President Joseph Strasburg. After the state recently extended the eviction moratorium through a special legislative session convened by Hochul, infuriating landlords everywhere, the RSA – the largest landlord organization in the state – announced that they would sue to block the law. Strasburg denounced the law, saying it “denies landlords due process rights.” Pandemic 1, landlords 0.
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