Keep Rangel out of the Bronx, Rev. Diaz says

State Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz has come out with another 'What You Should Know,' and this one goes after Assemblyman Denny Farrell. Diaz says Farrell (Manhattan), has no respect for Bronxites.

Farrell was recently quoted in the Daily News about redistricting, saying the first thing they work on is Rep. Charlie Rangel's district to ensure his reelection. Diaz hates this and goes after the 'machine' of Albany

"Are they are all a bunch of sell-outs or do they have the best interest for our community as their top priority?" he says. Here's the full post:

Assemblyman Denny Farrell shows no respect for Bronx residents, for Bronx elected officials, and especially no respect for the Bronx’s growing Hispanic population.

“You must understand, for the last 40 years, whatever district Charlie Rangel wants, we give it to him. I say, ‘Charlie, we can’t draw anything else in the state till we draw you.’ That’s always been our position — we do you and then everything. He’s the dean. He’s the No. 1.”

These words expressed today in a Daily News column by Bill Hammond titled ‘Albany's Gift to Charlie Rangel’ practically confirmed to the world what I have been asking all along about our representatives in Albany: Are they are all a bunch of sell-outs or do they have the best interest for our community as their top priority?

Today, my dear reader, Harlem is a very different community. Charles Rangel and Keith Wright may have brought “progress” to Harlem with great business proposals, 125th Street is thriving with stores and businesses, and people now go to Harlem to shop, but there is one big problem. They pushed their residents out – especially the African American community. They did not protect Harlem residents.

There are not enough African American residents in Harlem to keep Charles Rangel in his position, and there is no one to blame but Charles Rangel himself – and his colleagues. They allowed African Americans to lose Harlem to others communities. In other words, today Harlem is owned by others – not by African Americans as it used to be.

We cannot deny, and you should know, that Charlie Rangel is a legendary figure in the African American community and that whatever he wants for Harlem he has always gotten.
We also have to note that the historical beauty of Harlem has been their residents, their struggle for survival and their history. Harlem was a strong political power for the African American community in the eyes of the nation, until their leadership, led by Charles Rangel, sold them out to former President Bill Clinton and his business associates.

Now Charles Rangel, Denny Farrell and Keith Wright – after losing Harlem – want to come to the Bronx and without respect or consideration to the leadership, to the people of the Bronx, and to all of us who have fought to keep our community intact, contrary to what they did in Harlem. Remember Denny Farrell’s words, “Charlie, we can’t draw anything else in the state till we draw you … we do you and then everything.”

What a joke! What a farce! What a lack of respect to Sheldon Silver, to the rest of the Assembly members and to the people of the Bronx!

We in the Bronx have built housing to protect the Black and Hispanic community from leaving us. The census verified that the Bronx did not lose people – the Bronx gained residents because the Bronx leadership has been responding to the needs of its community and has not allowed others to come and push our people out.

We do not need Charles Rangel to come to the Bronx. We have enough people to get two congressional districts independent and apart from everything else, to take over our struggles and our fight.

When I hear Denny Farrell practically say that the Assembly will not do anything until “we do” Charles Rangel. I must wonder who is the real Speaker, Sheldon Silver or Denny Farrell. I also wonder how my Bronx colleagues will respond to this insult. I’d like to know how they can allow themselves to be disrespected like that.

I am Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

Proposed 32nd Senate district, Ruben Diaz Sr.

Here is LATFOR's redistrict of the Bronx's 31nd Senate District, currently occupied by Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.

He loses some waterfront access to state Sen. Jeff Klein, whose district was pushed farther into the Bronx to give the soon-to-be vacant 37th District in Westchester more Republican support. He also loses the Hunts Point Market

And here is what Diaz's old district looked like:

Could the Bronx get chopped up even more?

Unfortunately, that's not a clever pun for a story about Fresh Direct, the Hunts Point produce market or any other food related issue in the Bronx. It's the thought of another New York State senator getting a small piece of the Bronx, while the majority of his district remains outside the borough, causing the Bronx to get the short end of the stick, again.

This, from City and State's daily 'Heard Around Town':

Meanwhile, controversial Councilman Dan Halloran apparently formed a state fundraising committee yesterday that could lay the groundwork for a long-rumored challenge to Democratic Sen. Tony Avella. There is talk about extending the district into more conservative Bronx neighborhoods, and Bronx Republican Chairman Jay Savino is said to be on board with the idea.

Could Tony Avella's Queens district enter the Bronx?

This is the first we've heard about it, but checking with some of our Bronx insiders, the possibility that Avella's district goes to the east Bronx is highly unlikely. The only area Queens Republicans could want of the Bronx would be places like Throggs Neck, Country Club and maybe places like Morris Park and Westchester.

However, this would mean they would have to start messing with Sen. Jeff Klein's district.

"Klein has lived in Morris Park his whole life and has had a very good working relationship with the Republicans this last year as he formed his Independent Democratic Conference," a source in the state Senate said. "I doubt very seriously that this is being seriously considered."

If this is being considered, it would be a slap in the face to Bronxites. Only two state senate districts are in the Bronx 100 percent: Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Gustavo Rivera. Four other districts go into another county at some point, which has angered constituents and even some elected officials. At the LATFOR (the government committee charged with redistricting) Bronx public hearing last year, some spoke about creating districts that better represent the Bronx and don't go off into other counties.

If Republicans did chip away at Klein's district, it would only make it more difficult for them to win there when/if Klein decides to run for Congress. The district was first gerrymandered for Guy Velella, a republican, and includes highly conservative areas of Westchester County. It's much more likely that if the Republicans would take away an area of Klein's district to better their chances of beating a Democrat, it would be in the north. This would give them a better shot at stealing a seat from the Democrats if they can win soon-to-be-retired Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer's Westchester seat.

From one amigo to another: Diaz Sr. wants to hand over power to the IDC to regain Senate control

Diaz would like to see the Senate Democrats hand over
leadership positions to the IDC to help regain the majority.

State Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. really brought it this time with his "What you should know" essay.

He says the Democrats in the state senate should give state Sen. Jeff Klein and the rest of his Independent Democratic Conference members leadership positions if they agree to come back to the Democratic Party.

They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.

Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back.

Diaz, as most remember, was one of the 'four amigos' that held the Democratic Conference hostage in 2009 after jumping to the Republican side. They only returned after they were given leadership positions, with head honcho Pedro Espada Jr. becoming Majority Leader. 

Diaz won't have the full support of his fellow Dems, however. A Democratic senate insider tells us that they will not be toyed with like they were with the Amigos. 

"Senator Diaz does not speak for his colleagues," the source said. "We will not allow the Democratic Conference or the state Senate to be taken hostage by another four amigos who care more about power than they do about the future of New York State."

A message was left with the IDC's spokesman as of Wednesday evening. 

Jump below for Diaz's full statement (the bold is his):

Diaz Sr. tells us more about what we should know

If only because I love the title, here is state Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr., telling us what we should know about the recent Supreme Court decision to prohibit the government from restricting who religious groups may choose as their pastor.

The full text (the bold is his):

No newspaper, nor any media source with the exception of the New York Post newspaper, published the defeat suffered by the administration of President Barack Obama at the hands of the Supreme Court.

You my dear reader, should know that the Supreme Court voted unanimously; with nine (9) votes in favor and zero (0) against, that the federal Government cannot impose on any religious group or on any church who they choose as its Pastor.

This argument started when the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hossana Tabor, in the State of Michigan decided to dismiss a teacher in its school and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission took the case before the courts to show that the Church had committed discrimination when they dismissed its teacher.

The case went before the Supreme Court of the nation, composed of nine judges, who all unanimously, something rarely seen, decided that the Federal Government cannot impose on churches who they hire or who they fire as their pastors, leaders or officers.

Mr. Douglas Laycock, an attorney from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who defended this small congregation from Michigan before the Supreme Court of the nation stated: "This is a tremendous victory for freedom of religion in this nation. The Supreme Court unanimously confirmed the right of churches to select their ministers and religious leaders without the intervention of the Government.”

Mr. Kevin Seamus Hasson, Esquire, a former Director of the Becket Fund said, "This decision of the Supreme Court is a total rejection of the radical, anti-religious agenda of the Obama Administration.”

When the President’s administration took the case to Court, the Federal Department of Justice under the direction of Eric Holder, stated that the first amendment of the Constitution is irrelevant regarding the ability of the churches to choose and dismiss their pastors and leaders.  In other words, they want to dictate to churches, how to choose their leaders and that the churches had to be politically correct. My friends, the Obama Administration wanted to tell the churches that sex, sexual preference or religious beliefs  could not disqualify a person from being a pastor or a religious leader in a congregation.

Thank God that all is not lost! The Supreme Court of the nation that is frequently divided five votes to four, on this occasion, came together and in a unanimous vote, gave us Christians and believers a tremendous victory by demonstrating to the Federal Administration and the whole world, that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our God, has never abandoned us and will never abandon us as long as there are men and women that do not bend their knees to Baal.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Bill to legalize using City buildings for religion

For our consideration, state Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz has passed along the bill that would allow houses of worship to use schools and NYCHA buildings for religious meetings and worship. I thought I'd pass it along further.

This bill has hit the spotlight after City Councilman Fernando Cabrera was arrested last week with six other pastors while they were protesting against the status quo.

It has been introduced into the Senate by Sen. Martin Golden and so far cosponsored by Diaz and six other senators. "We are working very hard to get more senators to sign onto this bill," Diaz said.

The bill is sponsored in the Assembly by Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro.

SUMMARY:
S6087  GOLDEN   Same as A 8800  Castro (MS) 
GOLDEN, DIAZ, GALLIVAN, LANZA, LIBOUS, MAZIARZ, SMITH, ZELDIN
Amd S414, Ed L
Authorizes the use of school buildings and school sites for religious meetings and worship when not in use for school purposes or when such service or worship is deemed not disruptive of normal school operations.

---

SPONSORS MEMO:

NEW YORK STATE SENATE
INTRODUCER'S MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT
submitted in accordance with Senate Rule VI. Sec 1

BILL NUMBER: S6087

SPONSOR: GOLDEN              

TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing religious

meetings and worship in school buildings and school sites

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of the bill is to authorize the use of school buildings and

school sites for religious meetings and worship when not in use for

school purposes.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the opening paragraph and paragraph (c) of subdivision

1 of section 414 of the education law, the opening paragraph as amended

by chapter 369 of the laws of 1977 and paragraph (c) as amended by chap-

ter 345 of the laws of 2009, are amended to include:

The City of New York and community school boards and;

A provision that allows religious meetings to include, but not limited

to: meetings, services, and worship.

JUSTIFICATION:

This bill would prevent school districts from excluding groups from

meeting on school property because of the religious content or viewpoint

of their speech, including allowing religious worship services.

Currently, State Education Law allows for social, civic and recreational

meetings and entertainment on school property, as well as other uses

pertaining to the welfare of the community. State law further holds that

such meetings, entertainment and uses shall be nonexclusive and shall be

open to the general public. However, certain groups or organizations are

not always allowed to hold the types of meetings seemingly envisioned

herein, including those with religious content or viewpoints.

For example, several years ago, a U.S. appeals court ruled that the

Bronx Household of Faith church ("Bronx Household"), based in New York

City, was not permitted to use space in a Bronx public middle school for

its Sunday morning worship service. Since then, however, the United

States Supreme Court ruled in Good News Club vs. Milford Central School

that it was unconstitutional for a public school district in upstate New

York to exclude from its facilities "a private Christian organization

for children;u and the Supreme Court further held in the Good News Club

case that "by denying the club access to the school's limited public

forum on the ground that the club was religious in nature, Milford

discriminated against the club because of its religious viewpoint in

violation of the free speech clause.

In light of Milford, Bronx Household re-petitioned the U.S. appeals

court, which again upheld the school's policy banning the use of its

space for religious worship services, reasoning that "While the conduct

of religious services undoubtedly includes expressions of a religious

point of view, it is not the expression of that point of view that is

prohibited by the rule. Prayer, religious expression of devotion to God,

and the singing of hymns, whether done by a person or group, do not

constitute the conduct of worship services. These activities are not

excluded.

Groups like Bronx Household should be allowed to hold and conduct such

meetings, even in the event that such meetings include religious content

or views in their speech, so long as these meetings are open to the

general public. Some school districts have excluded groups and have

thereby acted to regulate free speech and the conduct of such members of

the public, potentially in violation of the First Amendment to the

Constitution of the United States. This bill seeks to protect such

organizations from these actions.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

(Unknown)

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the state.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.

St. Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz tells us what we should know

Diaz loves Jesus.

St. Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz has come out with another "What You Should Know" column, this one about the city preventing worship services in public buildings, such as schools and housing developments.

Diaz mentions an upcoming rally, in which a group of local religious and elected leaders, led by City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, will demonstrate against Mayor Bloomberg. The rally will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12, when the Mayor will present his State of the City Address.

Here is the full statement. The bold is Diaz's:

The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, has decided to prohibit churches and religious groups from using auditoriums in public schools for worship services to our God.

You should know that this is not the first time that Mayor Bloomberg has demonstrated his rejection of everything that has to do with religion.

During the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers- where more than three thousand people died- Bloomberg forbid formal prayers and the participation of religious leaders, including the Catholic church’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

To counter this new decision of Mayor Bloomberg against churches, a group of religious leaders, led by Councilman Fernando Cabrera, has organized a demonstration against Mayor Bloomberg to be held on the day when the Mayor will present his State of the City Address.

This demonstration will take place this Thursday, January 12 at 12:00 noon in the atrium of Morris High School, located at 1100 Boston Road, on the corner of East  167^th  Street in the Bronx.

As a State Senator representing constituents who attend worship services in public high schools and as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization and through this column I invite all Ministers and members of the community to join us in our protest against having many of our churches and Ministers thrown into the street without a place to worship  God.

I ask all members of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization that when you attend our weekly meeting this Thursday, please wear your White Jacket, as we will be attending this demonstration after our meeting.

I expect that all organizations, singers, evangelists, leaders and members of the Christian community will support the leaders who are coordinating this demonstration in the same way that we like others to support us when we have our meetings or events.

This Thursday, January 12^th  at 12:00 noon at Morris High School, located on Boston Road and  E. 167^th Street, as members of the rank and file, and not as leaders; we will be there to participate and support such a noble cause.

I am Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

A case against Walmart in New York City

I posted something earlier from the Rev. state Sen. Ruben Diaz supporting Walmart, so here is something pointing out the problems Walmart has. While Diaz told us it would be beneficial to have the store's discounts available to the city's poor, there are many who have serious problems with how Walmart treats and pays their workers.

Clergy and community leaders slammed the so-called “community partnership” announced Wednesday between Washington, DC and Walmart. Activists denounced the agreement as window dressing for Walmart’s well-documented practice of providing low-wage jobs with poor benefits, and vowed to fight against similar agreements from being reached in New York.

“People should not forget that this is a company that has a history of making promises and then breaking them,” said Rev. Jerome Washington of the New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. “They can negotiate all kinds of backroom deals, but we’re not going to forget their history of taking our communities for granted. We’re not going to allow this to be replicated in our city.”

“We know what people in our community need: good jobs that come with healthcare and other benefits,” said Joyce Scott-Brayboy of Community Board #5 in Brooklyn. “The agreement reached between Walmart and Washington, DC does nothing to provide that kind of employment. We refuse to be fooled in East New York and we’re going to make sure our elected officials know that.” 

“We have to remember that this company has broken promises over and over again,” said Rev. Demetrius Carolina of First Central Baptist Church. “Today, we need to send a clear message: We’re not going to be fooled by sham community benefits agreements. Instead, we want our political leaders to demand real, enforceable change from Walmart or keep it out all together.” 

“This so-called CBA is nothing more than a glorified press release. If Walmart wants to enter NYC, it's going to have to make real commitments to our communities. Walmart's so-called CBA isn't worth the letterhead it's printed on. If the world's richest retailer actually wanted to do right by DC, they'd make it binding. This is a gimmick, pure and simple,” said Maria Maisonet of East New York.

These types of agreements are not the only way that Walmart tries to fool the public. For example, the company came out in support of national health care reform back in 2010. The company claimed it wanted to expand coverage for employees, but then significantly cut back on health care back less than two years later.

Diaz Sr. tells us what we should know about Walmart

The Rev. state Sen. Ruben Diaz sent out an email today titled "What you should know." His emails are usually full of bold statements, so I hope he continues to use this title.

In the first of hopefully many "What you should know," Diaz tells us that he supports bringing Walmart to New York City. He says that a Walmart would be great for the poor Hispanics and African-Americans in the city because of their bargain deals, but because many of them can't get out of the city to shop, they miss out on the deals, and specifically the Black Friday deals from last week.

By the Rev. Senator Ruben Diaz

The Rev. state Sen. Ruben Diaz loves Jesus and Walmart.

While the City’s poor residentswere the losers of the week, Walmart was the big winner.

The local, state and national mediahave reported that, in terms of sales, this past Thanksgiving weekend wasthe largest in history.

"Black Friday," as thesales date after Friday is called, generated an unprecedented 52.4 billionsin sales, providing an enormous boost to the economy. Despite thefiscal crises, consumers spent an historic amount of money on “Black Friday.”

Shopping centers, supermarketsand all types of stores were overcrowded with people, including rowsof consumers who either slept or stood in lines for more than 48 hoursprior to "Black Friday."

Despite reports of fights, insultsand pepper spraying, because of the astronomic sales, “Black Friday”was a blessing for Walmart. “Black Friday” provided the opportunity ofthe century for the nation’s poor to take advantage of the bargain pricesfor clothing, household goods, food and other items sold at Walmart.

However, because the family ofSam Walton, the founder of Walmart and Sam’s club, has not been allowedto build a store in New York City, the City’s poor residents who couldnot afford to travel to a Walmart store, were not so fortunate.

I understand those who oppose buildinga Walmart in the City. What I do not comprehend is why the City’spoor, mostly Hispanics and African-Americans pay the consequences? Becausethey could not benefit from these mega bargain sales, they were the biggestlosers. However, despite major opposition in the City, theWalton family still reaped in major profits. Clearly, oppositionto Walmart does not extend to the average person. There was no evidenceof any major boycott, including the City’s poor residents.

Although I deplore the violentincidents at some at some Walmart stores, I congratulate Walmart and Sam"s Clubs for their astronomical sales. However, I feel muchmore sympathy for the City’s poor who failed to benefit from Walmart’sbargains.

I am the Rev. Senator Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

Diaz Sr. planning surprise visits to senior centers with Thanksgiving gifts

State senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. will be making surprise visits to 23 senior citizen centers between Nov. 14 and Nov. 23 to distribute 1,500 Thanksgiving gift cards worth $10 each to senior citizens at the centers when he arrives. These gift cards have been sponsored by Diaz and Access Health Care.

 

"During the next two weeks, I will visit 23 senior citizen centers unannounced and all seniors who are present will receive a gift card to help them purchase their Thanksgiving meals," Diaz said. "At Thanksgiving we count all of our blessings, and our senior citizens who are our parents, our aunts, our uncles, our neighbors and our friends are at the top of the list to thank God for being part of our lives."

Jump below for the list of centers he is visiting.

Diaz Sr. says he's honored LGBT group is moving into his building

Despite claims in a NY Post article Sunday that he's "hot and bothered" by LGBT organization Bronx Pride moving into a building that holds his namesake, State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. says he's honored that they would use Rev. Ruben Diaz Gardens for their offices.

From Candice Giove, our former coworker and current Post scribe:

The Bronx’s largest gay-rights group is unfurling its rainbow flag tomorrow at its new headquarters -- ironically located in a building funded by, and named after, the city’s No. 1 gay-marriage opponent, state Sen. Ruben Diaz.

It’s left Diaz, who’s also an ordained minister, hot and bothered, sources said.

But Diaz, who staunchly opposed passing marriage equality in the state legislature this year, released a statement saying this is untrue, and he is in fact glad that Bronx Pride is in his building. 

To contradict Ms. Giove’s reporting and to repeat what I told her during her interview of me last week, I would like everyone to know that I am honored that Bronx Pride is coming to the Rev Ruben Diaz Gardens. They honor me by recognizing my good work on behalf of the community. When everyone abandoned the Bronx, I worked hard to bring jobs, housing and programs that benefit our community. I am glad that Bronx Pride is taking advantage of these opportunities and I will continue to invite everyone to come to the Bronx because the Bronx is open for business.

Regardless of if Diaz is or isn't upset about it, Bronx Pride's executive director, Dirk McCall, is happy this move can be seen a rallying cry for his community.

“I hope people say, ‘Wow, they’re reclaiming this building for the LGBT community!’ ” McCall told the Post. “We’re very excited.”

McCall went on to say that it's just a coincidence that they happened to move into that building.

Diaz’s namesake 111-unit building on Kelly Street and Westchester Avenue opened two years ago, funded by the city Housing and Development Corp. and backed by the lawmaker’s nonprofit.

Diaz Sr. revving up for 2012 campaign

State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. has taken some flack from his Democratic colleagues and constituents for his stern stance against marriage equality and abortion, so he's out of the gate early with prepping for his next election.

Here's part of the email he sent out to his constituents announcing a fundraising breakfast for tomorrow, Nov. 12:

In preparation for my upcoming re-election for State Senate and in view that many groups and others that are angry with my position against gay marriage and abortion, and are getting together their resources and candidates to run against me and my colleagues in the Senate, who share my position, It is of utmost importance that we come together  and not allow them to catch us off guard. 

Jump below for the full letter.

Diaz Sr. congratulating Hispanic colleagues in Skelos boycott

State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. has congratulated the members of the state legislature who joined him in boycotting Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos' Unidad Latina Legislative Conference last week. We've got the full backstory here and here.

The GOP called the conference a success, citing the fact that two current Hispanic members of the Assembly attended. Diaz ponders why they did attend, but ultimately is pleased that most of the Hispanic members of government did not attend. Diaz said in an earlier letter that he was boycotting the conference because Republicans hurt Hispanics in the state budget this year, and the conference was nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Jump below for the full statement.

From Diaz to the members of the Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus:

This memo is to congratulate my Senate colleagues who serve as Members of the New York State Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus: Senator Adriano Espaillat, Chair; Senator Gustavo Rivera, Vice-Chair; and Caucus Members Senator José Peralta, Senator Martin-Malavé Dilan, and Senator José M. Serrano.  I congratulate all of you for showing real unity on behalf of our Caucus and our community by not attending the so-called Legislative Hispanic Unity Conference that was organized by our Senate Majority (Republican) Leader Dean Skelos.

Most importantly, I have to admire our Caucus Chairman, Senator Adriano Espaillat for his leadership.
I have to admire our Caucus Vice-Chair Gustavo Rivera for being forthright in the media last week by stating: “I will not be attending the conference. If the majority leader and the Senate Republicans were serious about addressing the issues affecting Latinos, they would have asked their Latino counterparts in the Senate to help them organize a conference that reflects the issues that are impacting Latinos throughout the state such as immigrants’ rights issues as well as the need to extend the millionaire’s tax so that New York State is able to continue funding important services like education, housing, and healthcare that are so critical to our communities.”

Diaz Sr. urges Skelos to open a dialogue

Last week, state Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. urged his fellow Hispanic colleagues in government to boycott Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos' Hispanic gathering, Unidad Latina Legislative Conference. Diaz says that no Hispanic legislators attended the conference, though the GOP says a number of them did.

The letter, released today, is directed at Skelos and calls for him to open up a dialogue with Hispanic lawmakers to start better serving their needs, which were ignored during the state budget agreement, Diaz said.

According to Capitol Confidential, the GOP says Diaz has his facts wrong.

Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif told the Times Union blog that Assembly members Guillermo Linares, Naomi Rivera and Nicole Malliotakis were on hand, as well as former Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez, the first Puerto Rican Democrat county leader in the state, “along with dozens of Hispanic business and community leaders.”

Reif’s full response to CapCon:

This is absolutely not true, and Senator Diaz should be ashamed of himself for putting politics ahead of what’s best for New York’s Hispanic community.  Sponsored by Senator Skelos and the well-respected Hispanic Federation, Unidad Latina was attended by hundreds of people, Senators and Assemblymembers from both political parties, and many Hispanic lawmakers.  And, despite Senator Diaz’ best efforts to bully people into not attending, this conference was an enormous success which gave serious legislators an opportunity to make contacts, to listen and to learn, and to advocate for issues important to the Hispanic community.  The Senate Democrats should spend less time trying to tear people down and more time trying to bring people together, as Senate Republicans have been doing.

Here's a sample of the letter from Diaz. Jump below for the full piece.

"I hope (and in speaking for myself) you will understand that until you build a dialogue with the six Hispanic Senators who serve as your colleagues in the New York State Senate, some of us will have a reason not to participate in your publicity events."

Bronx State legislators calling on Quinn to support living wage

There will be a full story in this week's Bronx Press and Riverdale Review on the living wage, but check this out anyways.

Letter to Speaker Quinn from Bronx State Legislators

Dinowitz applauds another grade, this time a passing one

Coming off a failing grade from the Conservative Party, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz is again delighted at a grade he received--though this time it's a passing one.

He has been awarded a score of 105, tied for the highest score in the Assembly, by EPL/Environmental Advocates in their 2011 Voters’ Guide (PDF--jump below if you don't want to download it). Dinowitz voted for or co-sponsored every bill EPL/Environmental Advocates supported.

Among the bills on which EPL/Environmental Advocates agreed with Dinowitz were his votes in favor of a hydraulic fracturing moratorium, closing the fracking waste loophole, the Water Resources Protection Act, a global warming pollution cap, the Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act, wetlands protection, encouraging “complete street” designs that promote walking, biking and public transit, and mandating recycling of certain materials.

“I am very gratified to have received the highest score from EPL/Environmental Advocates. I have long been an advocate for protecting our environment, and I will continue to fight for this vital cause,” Dinowitz said in a statement.

Jump below for the scores of every Bronx state legislator and the full report.

Senators trying to prevent cuts to hospitals

The story about the hospital cuts in the Bronx Press was shortened, so I wanted to give you the full version.

But before we get to the story, take time to read this New York Post exclusive about New York's representatives in Congress fighting for the same thing the state Senators are fighting for.

By Brendan McHugh 

Pleading with the U.S. Congress, every Bronx state Senator and a handful in Manhattan have signed a letter calling on their congressional delegation to oppose major cuts to New York’s teaching hospitals.

With deficit reduction negotiations ongoing in Washington D.C, three major hospitals in Manhattan and the Bronx are facing cuts of up to $1.25 billion, including Montefiore Medical Center.

The hospitals could see massive cuts in Medicare funding, with aid reductions of as much as $5.8 billion nationally. Such cuts would disproportionately affect New York City, given that it’s home to three of the top teaching hospitals in the country.

Aside from Montefiore, cuts would also have an impact on New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Senators Adriano Espaillat, Bill Perkins, Thomas Duane, Liz Krueger, Gustavo Rivera, Jose Serrano, Jeff Klein, Ruben Diaz Sr. and Ruth Hassell-Thompson signed the letter.

Jump below for the rest of the story.