Quinn on running for mayor, gambling and the living wage

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn was on, what we're going to start calling, the 'pre-campaign' trail today. She brought her father along to the Hebrew Home for the Aged, and according to this 2008 Times article, when Papa Quinn is around, it's for the campaign.

Her and City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell spoke to around 150 residents of the Home, mostly about the power of seniors to fight budget cuts and the vitality that the senior community has (though we counted at least 10 seniors fast asleep during the event).

Quinn and Koppell speak to the crowd at the Home.
That's Papa Lawrence Quinn in the background, in brown.

This is the second visit Quinn's made to Riverdale in the last two months, and we couldn't remember the last time she was up here before that. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was also up here twice in the last month on his own pre-campaign trail.

One member of the Home, while they were waiting for her to arrive, was overheard saying, "She's going to lose a lot of votes; it's not very nice making us wait." 

While they were waiting, Quinn and Koppell were touring the Hebrew Home's newest technology, the nations first low-vision living area, developed by Rensselaer Institute of Technology (RIT).

But Quinn seemed to win over most of the audience once she did arrive, taking questions from the audience until no one had anymore. They ranged from the hyperlocal, requesting W. 261st Street be paved, to the citywide, on whether or not she will run for mayor, to the statewide, on gambling.

As for running for mayor, "I won’t let my father have the microphone because he’ll tell you the answer to that question," she said. "You know, it’s something that I’m thinking about. I haven’t declared yet but it’s certainly something I’m thinking about.”

A member of the audience also questioned her about legalizing gambling (because whose grandparents don't like to gamble!? Stereotypes!). She ducked the question, but we caught up with her afterwards and got a decent answer, though still no commitment from her for either side of the issue.

Quinn speaking to Home residents.
The Home's CEO Daniel Reingold is to her left.

"I'm not a huge fan of gambling, its generally a regressive way to raise money," she said. "That said, if it's going to exist in New York, then I want it to exist in the whole state and then we can decide what we want to do on the city. I wouldn't want the city excluded from it. I'm sympatheic to Governor Cuomo's situation of having to generate revenues."

We also asked her about the living wage and whether or not she thinks it could become broader with a mayor who is more favorable to it (Bloomberg may veto the bill). “I think the key thing for creating more jobs at a living wage in the retail sector is for the Economic Development Corporation to do what L.A. and San Francisco's have done," she said. Both city's have adopted an aggressive policy "where they’re always negotiating towards [a living wage] and with that, you need a mayor who believes in it," she said.

Living Wage deal struck

Koppell speaks on the living wage as Diaz (right) and Quinn (left) look on.

After multiple compromises, a living wage deal has apparently been struck in the City Council.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the second-to-last major barricade in passing the Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, announced her support of a new living wage bill. The last barricade is Mayor Bloomberg, who still does not support the bill, renewed his vow to veto the bill.

However, with Quinn's support, the City Council should be able to garner the 34 votes needed to override the Mayor's veto.

"There is nothing more important for government right now than the work of creating and retaining the best jobs we can," Quinn said in prepared remarks delivered today (full remarks below the jump).

"As Speaker, one of my jobs is to do all that I can to keep and create jobs in New York and to make sure those jobs provide people with the resources they need to support their families."

As everyone already knew, "I could not support the original living wage bill as it was introduced," she said. "The requirement that tenants in subsidized projects pay more when the city has no financial connection with them is a provision that I believe would have cost us future retail jobs. Placing this requirement on businesses that don’t receive a direct benefit is simply unfair."

That being said, Quinn said it was necessary to have the businesses that directly take money to pass the benefit along to their employees.

"I believe it is fair and appropriate for government to place requirements on a business that has voluntarily entered into an economic development agreement with the City. At the end of the day, they have a choice as to whether or not they want both the money offered to them and the wage requirements."

A living wage would require certain developers of direct, significant city subsidies to pay their employees at least $10 an hour with benefits or $11.50 without.

Local leaders around the city have applauded the compromise, the second Bronx-related compromise with the city this week. The first, which elevated the living wage debate into the spotlight, was the issuing of the request for proposals for the Kingsbridge Armory.

“I am extremely happy that we have reached an agreement on the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act, and that this important bill will finally see a vote in the City Council," Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said. "The deal we have reached today creates the strongest ‘living wage’ legislation in the nation, one that will demand that direct recipients of significant taxpayer subsidies do better by their employees."

Diaz had City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma introduce the bill on his behalf.

“This bill will ensure that taxpayer subsidies are used to improve the quality of life of New Yorkers. Today’s announcement is a victory for the people of this City, and I look forward to this legislation becoming law,” Diaz said.

Palma not only applauded the compromise, but also noted that there is now a fight going on for a minimum wage increase at the state level and that it should elevate to the federal level.

“This hard-wrought agreement will help a number of New Yorkers secure jobs that pay a living wage and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and all of those who have been vocal advocates of this bill," Palma said.

"Additionally, it is encouraging that Speaker [Sheldon] Silver is carrying the fight against income inequality in Albany," she said. "I commend him for highlighting the need for a State-wide minimum wage increase tied to the cost of living. I am further encouraged that this idea is picking up steam on both sides of the aisle, with Mayor Bloomberg’s strong endorsement in yesterday’s State of the City address.

"I also urge our Federal representatives to engage in the conversation on economic inequality that is occurring across the country. People throughout our nation are struggling to survive by working low wage jobs, yet it has been over a decade since Washington increased the federal minimum wage. It’s time for our leaders in Washington to get serious about the challenges ahead and the reforms that will be necessary to fix an economy that too often fails our working people.” 

City Comptroller John Liu also released a statement, saying, “This living wage agreement will ensure

better use of public subsidies for private business and help reverse the widening wealth gap in our City. The City Council and the Living Wage Coalition are to be commended for their tenacious effort in getting this accomplished.”

Diaz Jr calls for Living Wage vote

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. first had the Fair Wages for New Yorkers bill introduced to the City Council in 2010, and in 2012 is now calling for the Council to vote on the bill.



A December Quinnipiac poll on the living wage--$10/hr. with benefits or $11.50/hr. without--found that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support a living wage. However, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has so far sided with Mayor Michael Bloomberg strong opposition and not allowed it to come to a vote in the Council. Rumors among the city-wide media say the bill once had enough supporters to override a Bloomberg veto, but more recently the bill appears to be losing steam, even as City Council Members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma, the two main sponsors, scaled the bill back to appease opponents. 

In the video, Diaz says, "This is simply a matter of fairness, and to the mayor and the City Council: it is time for you to be fair to the people of New York City. We can no longer wait. The time to vote is now."

Koppell met with Quinn recently, trying to convince her to support for the bill. He said the meeting didn't convince her to take a stand, and didn't want to speak for her.

"She hasn’t made up her mind yet." Koppell said in a phone interview. "I’m hoping she makes up her mind."

A comment from Quinn's office is forthcoming.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio pushes living wage bill (UPDATE)

The center of the Living Wage battle: The Kingsbridge Armory

In a letter sent yesterday to Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has announced his support for a living wage bill.

The bill, which is currently in limbo in the City Council, would require certain companies receiving city subsidies to pay employees $10 an hour with benefits or $11.50 without. De Blasio is expected to face Quinn in the Democratic primary for mayor, and the debate over a living wage will be a hot topic.

This is going to be a difficult issue for Quinn; she receives major contributions from the business community, which is firmly opposed to it. Bloomberg is also strongly against the bill.

In his letter (below), de Blasio says the prolonged economic crisis has battered the middle class. "Underlying these problems is a rising income inequality that threatens our social fabric and economic future," he writes. 

But de Blasio is calling for one change to the bill, which is to protect smaller businesses by increasing the amount of annual revenue that a business must earn to require offering a living wage to $5 million.

The bill, introduced by City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma on the behest of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., has been sitting in the City Council for months now, and has gone through much debate, both in public and in the Council. Quinn has yet to decide whether or not she will bring it to a vote.

De Blasio goes after the bill's detractors, defending the stoppage of the Kingsbridge Armory shopping center.

"Some have claimed that a Living Wage bill would inhibit future development, citing the City's experience with the Kingsbridge Armory as an example," he wrote. "I am the first to say that it was a tragedy negotiations were not able to yield a project at the Kingsbridge Armory. I do not subscribe to the notion that no projects are better than imperfect projects. But what killed the Kingsbridge Armory project was brinksmanship in the negotiating process—not the principle of a Living Wage."

UPDATE: Here is a statement from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. It should be noted that de Blasio was at the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club's holiday party last week, where Diaz spoke about the living wage. The BFRDC is also home to Koppell.

“As a leader in the fight to bring a ‘living wage’ law to New York City, I enthusiastically welcome Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s support for the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act," Diaz said. "Public Advocate de Blasio has displayed a strong record of fighting for the rights of those underserved and often ignored residents of this City, and his support for this historic legislation is another great example of his commitment to justice and fairness for New Yorkers.

“For months, the public advocate met with individuals and organizations on all sides of this legislation as he engaged in a thoughtful, deliberative examination of the merits of this bill. After meeting with me personally last week, I am thrilled that he has joined the majority of our City in support of the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act. This further demonstrates that we are gaining momentum in our efforts to pass this important legislation.

“The ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act will ensure that our taxpayer dollars are spent not only to enrich major developers, but also to provide a way forward out of poverty for their employees. Bill de Blasio understands that, and I welcome his support for this bill and look forward to working with him on making it law."

Living Wage

Diaz celebrates new living wage poll

City residents are overwhelmingly in favor of a living wage bill, a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found. This comes as good news for Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., one of the leading supporters of a living wage.

“The people of New York City have made it clear, again and again, not only that they support a ‘living wage’ law, but that they reject the arguments put forward by our opponents that this bill will hurt business. The ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act makes sense for our City, and it is time for this bill to be made law,” Diaz said in a statement.

Bronx City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma introduced the living wage bill on the behest of Diaz last year. Since then, Council Speaker Christine Quinn has been hesitant to lend her support to the bill, refusing to let the bill be voted on.

From the Quinnipiac report:

The "Living Wage" proposal currently before the New York City Council is a "good idea," voters say 74 - 19 percent. Support is 56 - 39 percent among Republicans, 83 - 11 percent among Democrats and 67 - 25 percent among independent voters.

Voters say 81 - 17 percent, including 60 - 39 percent among Republicans, that it is the government's responsibility to make sure workers are paid a decent wage.

New York City voters reject 56 - 36 percent the argument that a "Living Wage" bill would drive jobs out of the city. Women reject the argument 62 - 30 percent while men reject it by a narrower 49 - 44 percent.

A living wage bill would force certain companies that receive taxpayer money pay their employees at least $10.00/hr with benefits or $11.50 without.

This is the second time that a poll has shown major support for both the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act and the concept of a “living wage.” In May, a poll by Baruch College Survey Research was released, showing that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support such “living wage” laws. That survey showed that 78 percent of New Yorkers agreeing with the idea, while just 15 percent did not. This includes 83 percent of all Democrats, 74 percent of independents and 56 percent of Republicans.

Diaz Op/Ed from El Diario

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. published an Op/Ed in El Diario La Prensa this week, discussing the living wage bill in the City Council. It's in Spanish, so for your consideration, here is the English version.

To read the op-ed in the original Spanish, click here.

By Ruben Diaz Jr.
Bronx Borough President

Diaz supports a living wage.

On November 21, thousands of people from all over the City crowded into the Riverside Church in upper Manhattan to make their voices heard loud and clear: it is time for this administration to do right by the people of this City and pass the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act.

What this bill asks for is very modest. When major economic development projects solicit heavy taxpayer subsidies for their projects work, they must pay their employees a “living wage,” currently defined by federal law as $10 per hour with benefits or $11.50 without.

This is, by any measure, a modest sum. Yet our opponents continue to describe this bill as the end of all business in New York City, regardless of the utter lack of truth in their claims.

Jump below for the full piece.

Living wage advocates prepping for City Council hearing

Here's a video from Living Wage NYC, the advocates for the living wage. They're holding a rally Monday, Nov. 21 at the Riverside Church in Manhattan, and then going to the City Council hearing on the bill the following day (details of the meetings are at the end of the video).



The bill would require companies that receive over $1 million in city subsidies to provide a living wage to their employees. A living wage is $10/hr with benefits or $11.50 without. The living wage battle hit the spotlight when the City Council nixed a deal that would have put a shopping center in the Kingsbridge Armory. The developer refused to agree to the living wage mandate, which would have also required their tenants (the stores) to pay a living wage as well.

The main sponsors of the bill are Bronx City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma. They have drastically changed the bill over the last year to appease opponents of the living wage but there is still much debate over the bill. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has yet to take a position on the bill and put off holding a hearing about the issue for months. She has, in the past, held hearings about controversial issues and then refused to bring them to a vote.

"Living" Wage proposal refuses to die

Another story from this week's issue.

By Brendan McHugh 

With increasing pressure from living wage advocates and a new, watered-down bill, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has scheduled a public hearing on the controversial living wage bill.

“The living wage bill introduced last year has undergone significant amendments,” Quinn said in a statement. “Given all of the responsibilities of the council, it is appropriate that the new legislation is given a full public hearing.”

The hearing, scheduled for Nov. 22, breathes new life into the bill yet again, which has had to undergo significant changes due to staunch opposition from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, real estate giants and big business.

Quinn has yet to take a stance on the bill and thus far has refused to let it come to a vote on the Council floor despite support from at least 30 of the 51 Council Members.

Jump below for the full story.

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

Living wage proposal scaled back

Another story from this week's paper. Enjoy!

By Brendan McHugh

Bronx City Council members G. Oliver Koppell and Annabel Palma have cut back on demands of the dubious ‘living wage’ bill, hoping to quiet critics. 

The bill has the support of 30 of the 51 members of the Council, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg and high-powered business leaders in the city oppose it heavily. 

City Council speaker Christine Quinn has thus far neglected to take a position on the bill and allow for a vote, would require employees working in city-subsidized projects to be paid $10 an hour with benefits, or $11.50 without. Minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. 

“We made a whole series of concessions to try and satisfy the objections that we didn’t see going to the heart of the proposal,” Koppell said. “They do narrow the focus of the proposal.”

Jump below for the full story.

Diaz slams City's 'living wage' study, again -- UPDATE: Liu jumps in the criticism

Even since the Kingsbridge Armory
developer backed out of creating
a shopping mall due to a living wage
mandate two years ago, the issue has
been a hot topic for high profile
elected officials.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is one of the leading supporters of implementing a living wage mandate on projects that receive subsidies from the city, so when the New York City Economic Development Corp. released their final report damning the living wage, Diaz shot back, calling the study "nothing more than a ruse" to support Mayor Bloomberg, who is staunchly opposes the proposed mandate.

Diaz slammed the study earlier this year when the EDC (the city's economic development arm) release early reports of the study.

Here's the story from the New York Post on the study.

Jump below for the full statement, and expect a story from this week's Riverdale Review on the living wage to be posted on this blog tomorrow morning. City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, one of the sponsors of the bill that would require the living wage, recently made some alterations to the bill in hopes of gaining more support and appeasing the opponents.

Diaz's statement:

"Supporters of the ‘Fair Wages for New Yorkers’ Act have known since the announcement of  NYCEDC’s study of living wage laws  that  it would be nothing more than a ruse designed to provide cover for Mayor Bloomberg’s clearly stated opposition to living wage mandates. The mayor made it clear from the beginning that he does not support this bill, and the City then hired consultants to conduct the study that have long and extensive records of bias against not only living wage laws, but minimum wage laws as well."

Jump below for the full statement as well as City Comptroller John Liu's statement (I'd jump. Liu's statement is fierce).