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RAMOS TAKES A STAND: State Sen. Jessica Ramos made a significant announcement today, challenging one of the wealthiest individuals in the country as he aggressively seeks to expand his presence in New York City.
However, billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen is not backing down.
Despite Ramos’ opposition to his plans to construct a casino at Citi Field, Cohen’s team, consisting of a diverse group, remains determined to pursue their goals. This move was not unexpected, given Ramos’ previous statements indicating her stance on the matter.
“While we respect Senator Ramos’s perspective, the state did not intend for one individual to have the sole authority to approve or halt a gaming project,” stated Karl Rickett, a spokesperson for Cohen’s Metropolitan Park project.
“With broad support from elected officials, unions, and the local community, we are confident that we have the best project in the prime location,” Rickett added. “We have multiple avenues and over a year to secure the necessary approvals. Our team is committed to bringing Metropolitan Park to fruition.”
Rickett emphasized that gaming is essential for creating 23,000 jobs, an $8 billion investment, and significant community benefits — alluding to Ramos’ proposal to repurpose the land for a convention center and hotel rather than a casino.
Cohen requires the support of the state Legislature to repurpose the land in question, a parking lot designated as a park in Ramos’ district. Without her backing, the process becomes more challenging but not insurmountable.
His team could seek support from local businesses and other Queens politicians, hoping to sway the senator’s decision, which Ramos dismissed today.
“No single elected official should have sole authority over this $8 billion investment, so I urge Governor Hochul and the State Senate to explore alternative options to advance the Metropolitan Park proposal and ensure Queens receives its fair share,” posted Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
The Mets owner may attempt to enlist one of Ramos’ Senate colleagues to introduce a bill bypassing her opposition and freeing up the parkland. However, this move, which is rare in a legislature that typically respects local members’ decisions on land use, would likely spark conflict with Ramos.
A source within the state Senate, who chose to remain anonymous, suggested that Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would be unlikely to support a bill disregarding Ramos’ opposition and freeing up parkland in her district.
Bronx Sen. Nathalia Fernandez’s district includes Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point, the location of another casino proposal requiring a parkland bill. She was considered a potential option for Cohen’s team, but she rejected the idea today.
“If the senator chooses to introduce a parkland alienation bill, it will only pertain to her district out of respect for her legislative colleagues,” stated Justin Sanchez, Fernandez’s chief of staff. “Today’s news does not alter this stance.”
Following the announcement that New York state would issue three casino licenses in the New York City area, Cohen has been actively pursuing one, employing a large group of lobbyists, sending numerous mailers, and garnering support from local politicians. He has spared no expense in his efforts.
However, the progressive senator has stood in his way from the start and is occasionally mentioned as a potential primary challenger to Mayor Eric Adams in 2025. After dropping hints for months, Ramos publicly opposed the project today.
“It is concerning when casinos are seen as the primary economic development strategy in our state,” she told reporters from the Capitol’s second floor. “Casinos, by nature, extract wealth from individuals. This is not a beneficial endeavor.” — Jason Beeferman
HOCHUL URGES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA LEGISLATION: Collaborate with the state in developing legislation to safeguard individuals under 18 years old, or face the consequences — that’s the message from Governor Kathy Hochul to social media giants.
The effort to limit minors’ use of social media, a prominent issue in Albany this session, has sparked a clash between tech companies and the Democratic governor. With few unresolved legislative matters, Hochul is focusing her efforts on this particular issue.
“We are not against businesses; we are against harm to our children,” Hochul stated to reporters on Tuesday. “They should recognize this and work with us on legislation rather than rejecting it. Some responsible companies have already taken steps on their own, and I applaud them.”
The legislation aims to protect the mental well-being of children exposed to potentially addictive and troubling content, as argued by advocates including the state teachers’ union. It has faced opposition from prominent social media companies nationwide, such as Meta.
Despite this, Hochul remains hopeful.
She mentioned that the drafted legislation would include stricter measures to verify users’ age, although she did not elaborate on the specifics of these controls.
“Companies are already required to do this for online gaming and tobacco sales,” she noted.
“Ya tienes que hacer esto, para que ellos digan que no puedes hacer eso, no me lo creo.”
Julie Samuels, presidenta y CEO de Tech:NYC, dijo que la organización está en “discusiones productivas con legisladores y grupos comunitarios sobre estos proyectos de ley.”
“Pero esta es una tarea extremadamente complicada, y debemos tener cuidado de evitar el destino de todos los demás estados que han aprobado proyectos de ley similares: retrasos de años en obtener apoyo para los niños, ya que la legislación apresurada sigue atascada en los tribunales,” agregó Samuels. – Katelyn Cordero
KENNEDY, STEIN RECLAMAN ACCESO A LAS URNAS: La candidata presidencial del Partido Verde, Jill Stein, se detuvo en el Capitolio esta tarde para afirmar que pronto entregaría suficientes peticiones en la Junta de Elecciones del estado para asegurar un espacio en la boleta de Nueva York.
“Sabemos, por la primaria demócrata celebrada hace poco más de un mes en este estado, que el fondo se ha caído del Partido Demócrata,” dijo Stein.
Los Verdes perdieron su estatus automático en la boleta en 2020, gracias a nuevas reglas que perjudican a los partidos minoritarios. Ahora necesitan presentar 45,000 firmas para una línea en la boleta,
Stein se negó a decir cuántas estaban presentando en realidad. “En realidad no sabemos,” dijo. Afirmó que “el sistema es tan opresivo” que hace imposible contar las firmas.
Otro candidato que presentó peticiones de Nueva York hoy: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., quien reunió más de 135,000 después de un proceso de recolección que ha enfrentado algunas acusaciones de engañar a los firmantes. Eso es más “que cualquier candidato presidencial haya presentado en el estado,” afirmó Kennedy en un tweet.
Eso también parece ser un récord para cualquier candidato. El récord fue reclamado anteriormente por el entonces cuñado de Kennedy, Andrew Cuomo, quien reunió 100,000 para su candidatura a gobernador en 2002. – Bill Mahoney
GUERRAS DE CARTAS: El alcalde de la ciudad de Nueva York, Eric Adams, está manteniendo un estricto control sobre su recién anunciada comisión de revisión de la carta. En una conferencia de prensa hoy, su administración dijo que no planea contratar personal externo para ayudar con la tarea, que implica abrir el documento de gobierno de la ciudad y sugerir cambios que se someterán a votación en la boleta de noviembre.
La ruptura del alcalde con la costumbre – la mayoría de los alcaldes han creado múltiples comisiones de revisión de la carta – hace que la operación sea más receptiva a los deseos del Ayuntamiento en un momento en que la creación de la comisión ya es ampliamente vista como una respuesta ad hoc al impulso del Concejo Municipal por más consejo y consentimiento sobre los nombramientos de Adams.
“Realmente tienes que tener personal si te tomas en serio,” dijo John Kaehny, jefe del grupo de reforma gubernamental Reinvent Albany, en una entrevista. “[La comisión del alcalde] carece de seriedad, y el alcalde realmente está dando municiones a los críticos que dicen que es un ejercicio político fatuo.”
Pero al hablar con los periodistas, Adams dijo que los alcaldes anteriores han gastado demasiado dinero en revisiones de la carta. “Creo en la eficiencia, y en hacer las cosas rápidas y bien,” dijo. “Gastamos demasiado dinero en adornos. Podemos hacer un mejor trabajo.” – Joe Anuta
– El ex senador estatal Todd Kaminsky está utilizando un vacío legal para hacer lobby contra los ecologistas. (Bloomberg)
– El sol se pondrá perfectamente entre los edificios en los próximos dos días en Manhattan. (Daily News)
– Un tribunal de apelaciones dictaminó que el estado violó los derechos al debido proceso de las compañías de opioides, lo que podría significar que Nueva York tendría que reembolsar millones de dólares. (Times Union)
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