El Diario/La Prensa Editorial
April 10, 2009
With at least one vacancy expected in the leadership of New York’s Assembly Majority, Speaker Sheldon Silver has the opportunity to address the absence of Latinos on that body.
On Wednesday, Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. announced that he is naming Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene as deputy borough president of the Bronx. With no real opposition, Diaz Jr. is considered a shoe-in for the Bronx borough presidency. His appointment of Greene, a veteran legislator, will leave a vacancy in the Assembly’s Majority Leadership, where she serves as Speaker Pro Tempore. In that position, she is second to Silver in presiding over the Assembly.
As it stands right now, there are 20 positions in the majority leadership. Not one of them is held by a Hispanic, despite the fact that there are 1.5 million eligible Latino voters and counting in New York. Clearly, Silver should take Greene’s pending departure, and others that are anticipated, to address his Latino-less leadership.
With rumors that more Assembly members may cast their lots for city races, other vacancies may arise. This means that Latino legislators must convene to ensure that Hispanics are meaningfully represented in new leadership and committee chair opportunities.
The issue of the lack of Latinos in Assembly leadership positions has already been put on Silver’s radar. And there are legislators who are in talks about pending openings. While some of them may feel more effective as heads of committees, this does not negate the need and importance of having Latino representation in the leadership conference of the Assembly.
Yes, at the helm of the Assembly, there are traditional carrots – a bigger stipend and prestige. But the important reality is that being in the Assembly’s leadership opens political access and a pipeline to larger statewide positions.
We encourage Latino legislators to be proactive in seizing—and creating—leadership opportunities and Speaker Silver to effectively respond to a growing community that deserves equitable representation.
Showing posts with label Sheldon Silver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheldon Silver. Show all posts
Friday, April 10, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Increase Hispanic Judicial Appointments
El Diario-New York
Monday, March 23, 2009
When a New York judicial commission failed to nominate any Latinos or women for the position of chief judge, Governor David Paterson slammed the panel for not reflecting the diversity of the state. He now has a chance to move beyond words to action.
Paterson is soon expected to appoint a presiding justice for the Appellate Division, First Department of the state’s Supreme Court. A vacancy was created when Paterson selected Jonathan Lippman from the no-female, no-Hispanic slate to become head of the Court of Appeals.
The commission that put Lippman’s name on the table came under heavy fire for excluding Latina judge Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, who has served on the Court of Appeals since 1994. Paterson was also criticized for proceeding with an appointment instead of leaving Ciparick to act as interim chief judge. Lippman has more of a record as an administrator than as a jurist and has long had the political backing of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Paterson is now in the process of interviewing four candidates to replace Lippman as presiding justice of the First Department. The candidates include two Hispanics and one woman.
The Appellate Division, First Department covers the Bronx and Manhattan. But out of its 18 judges, only two are from the Bronx. The county with the city’s largest Latino population is grossly underrepresented.
Both State Senator Ruben Diaz and Assemblyman Peter Rivera have demanded that Hispanics no longer be denied an opportunity to serve at all levels of the judiciary. And State Senator John Sampson, who heads the Senate’s judiciary committee, said the governor is also aware of the need for increased Bronx representation.
Paterson can begin to right a wrong. A Latino appointment from the Bronx would be a step in that direction.
Monday, March 23, 2009
When a New York judicial commission failed to nominate any Latinos or women for the position of chief judge, Governor David Paterson slammed the panel for not reflecting the diversity of the state. He now has a chance to move beyond words to action.
Paterson is soon expected to appoint a presiding justice for the Appellate Division, First Department of the state’s Supreme Court. A vacancy was created when Paterson selected Jonathan Lippman from the no-female, no-Hispanic slate to become head of the Court of Appeals.
The commission that put Lippman’s name on the table came under heavy fire for excluding Latina judge Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, who has served on the Court of Appeals since 1994. Paterson was also criticized for proceeding with an appointment instead of leaving Ciparick to act as interim chief judge. Lippman has more of a record as an administrator than as a jurist and has long had the political backing of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Paterson is now in the process of interviewing four candidates to replace Lippman as presiding justice of the First Department. The candidates include two Hispanics and one woman.
The Appellate Division, First Department covers the Bronx and Manhattan. But out of its 18 judges, only two are from the Bronx. The county with the city’s largest Latino population is grossly underrepresented.
Both State Senator Ruben Diaz and Assemblyman Peter Rivera have demanded that Hispanics no longer be denied an opportunity to serve at all levels of the judiciary. And State Senator John Sampson, who heads the Senate’s judiciary committee, said the governor is also aware of the need for increased Bronx representation.
Paterson can begin to right a wrong. A Latino appointment from the Bronx would be a step in that direction.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Speaker Silver Slaps Latinos in the Face and Does Not Appoint a Latino to the State Assembly Leadership
From The Desk of Haile Rivera
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5th, 2009
Bronx, New York -- I was extremely disappointed with the news that Speaker Sheldon Silver did not appoint any Latinos, not one single Latino, to any of Assembly's Leadership positions for 2009-2010 legislative session. This raises questions on the importance Latinos are for the Speaker and I hope that our Latino leaders in the Assembly do not let this pass as if it has no importance.
On December 30th, 2008, I issued a statement calling for the Speaker to consider selecting one or more of our 11 Latino Assembly members. While I did not support any one Assembly member, I was hoping to see Assembly Peter Rivera (no relation to me) selected to a position with the Assembly's Leadership. As the longest-serving Latino lawmaker in New York State, Assemblyman Rivera had definitely earned it and would have been the ideal candidate. But, again, Speaker Silver has failed to recognize the importance Latinos play in this City and State.
If this does not change by the next session, I will be make sure that the Speaker hear the voice of Latinos. We will pay him a visit at his home and his office. Maybe then will the Speaker give Latinos the opportunity we have earned in the State.
In the meantime, I would like to remind the Speaker that the 64th district has undergone some demographic shifts since he was first elected and elections are every 2 years, not in four or six.
I am also ready, willing and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with any of our Latino Assembly members who is/are willing to stand up for the fight. Unity works, just look at the recent results in the State Senate where The Three Amigos (Senators Espada, Diaz and Krueger) stood with each other from beginning to end and now the Senate has Latinos in the leadership. It takes courage and we will all be waiting to see who has it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5th, 2009
Bronx, New York -- I was extremely disappointed with the news that Speaker Sheldon Silver did not appoint any Latinos, not one single Latino, to any of Assembly's Leadership positions for 2009-2010 legislative session. This raises questions on the importance Latinos are for the Speaker and I hope that our Latino leaders in the Assembly do not let this pass as if it has no importance.
On December 30th, 2008, I issued a statement calling for the Speaker to consider selecting one or more of our 11 Latino Assembly members. While I did not support any one Assembly member, I was hoping to see Assembly Peter Rivera (no relation to me) selected to a position with the Assembly's Leadership. As the longest-serving Latino lawmaker in New York State, Assemblyman Rivera had definitely earned it and would have been the ideal candidate. But, again, Speaker Silver has failed to recognize the importance Latinos play in this City and State.
If this does not change by the next session, I will be make sure that the Speaker hear the voice of Latinos. We will pay him a visit at his home and his office. Maybe then will the Speaker give Latinos the opportunity we have earned in the State.
In the meantime, I would like to remind the Speaker that the 64th district has undergone some demographic shifts since he was first elected and elections are every 2 years, not in four or six.
I am also ready, willing and able to stand shoulder to shoulder with any of our Latino Assembly members who is/are willing to stand up for the fight. Unity works, just look at the recent results in the State Senate where The Three Amigos (Senators Espada, Diaz and Krueger) stood with each other from beginning to end and now the Senate has Latinos in the leadership. It takes courage and we will all be waiting to see who has it.
Urge Speaker Silver to Nominate a Latino/a to the Assembly Majority Leadership
December 30, 2008
Hon. Sheldon Silver, Speaker
New York State Assembly
250 Broadway, Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Dear Speaker Silver:
As you re-settle into your post as Speaker to the New York State (NYS) Assembly, we urge you to consider the following observation:
In light of the recent election of Senator Barack Obama to the White House, some in the media as well as various political circles are suggesting that the election of the first African-American to the highest office in this nation signifies a new political paradigm with respect to race and ethnicity. In essence, the argument goes that because of Mr. Obama’s race we are now in a post-racial era and as such any effort to press-on with a “diversity agenda” in our governmental and political institutions is redundant, pointless and unwarranted. We could not disagree more.
Ever since assuming the Assembly’s top leadership post, you have worked hard to maintain the majority in the NYS Assembly by promoting fundamental Democratic ideals such as fairness, equality and freedom. We salute you in your efforts in preserving and sustaining the Democratic majority. However, we were surprised and equally troubled to discover that there is not one Latino/a in the New York State Assembly Majority Leadership, or better yet, not even one Latino/a in leadership in the entire conference (http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=lea). Yet, there are 7 African-Americans and 11 Whites in the House leadership (see, below).
Assembly Majority Leadership
Hon. Sheldon Silver, Speaker
New York State Assembly
250 Broadway, Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Dear Speaker Silver:
As you re-settle into your post as Speaker to the New York State (NYS) Assembly, we urge you to consider the following observation:
In light of the recent election of Senator Barack Obama to the White House, some in the media as well as various political circles are suggesting that the election of the first African-American to the highest office in this nation signifies a new political paradigm with respect to race and ethnicity. In essence, the argument goes that because of Mr. Obama’s race we are now in a post-racial era and as such any effort to press-on with a “diversity agenda” in our governmental and political institutions is redundant, pointless and unwarranted. We could not disagree more.
Ever since assuming the Assembly’s top leadership post, you have worked hard to maintain the majority in the NYS Assembly by promoting fundamental Democratic ideals such as fairness, equality and freedom. We salute you in your efforts in preserving and sustaining the Democratic majority. However, we were surprised and equally troubled to discover that there is not one Latino/a in the New York State Assembly Majority Leadership, or better yet, not even one Latino/a in leadership in the entire conference (http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=lea). Yet, there are 7 African-Americans and 11 Whites in the House leadership (see, below).
Assembly Majority Leadership
- Speaker -- Sheldon Silver
- Majority Leader -- Ron Canestrari
- Chair, Ways and Means Committee -- Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
- Deputy Speaker -- VACANT
- Speaker Pro Tempore -- Aurelia Greene
- Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore -- Harvey Weisenberg
- Assistant Speaker -- Rhoda Jacobs
- Chair of Committee on Standing Committees -- William Parment
- Deputy Majority Leader -- Earlene Hooper
- Assistant Majority Leader -- Vivian Cook
- Majority Whip -- N. Nick Perry
- Deputy Majority Whip -- Dov Hikind
- Assistant Majority Whip -- Barbara Clark
- Chair, Majority Conference -- William Colton
- Vice-Chair, Majority Conference -- Steven Cymbrowitz
- Secretary, Majority Conference -- Annette Robinson
- Chair, Majority Steering Committee -- John J. McEneny
- Vice-Chair, Majority Steering Committee -- Patricia Eddington
- Chair, Majority Program Committee -- Anthony S. Seminerio
We believe that just as President-Elect Obama has made an effort to have a cabinet that is reflective of all Americans so should the New York State Assembly. An atmosphere of civility and mutual respect towards ethnic, racial, religious and other differences is indispensable to an institution that values all New York State residents. We believe in that old axiom of the message being the messenger and vice-a-versa. However, beyond the appointment of Latino staffers in the New York State Assembly, the institution itself needs to make a greater effort to include Latinos/as in the majority conference leadership.
With the sudden departure of Deputy Speaker, Assemblyman Ivan C. Lafayette, the NYS Assembly has an opportunity to address this shortcoming by ensuring that a Latino/a gets nominated to fill the vacancy. We are asking you to lend your full support and influence in the selection of a Latino/a as the next Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly. Thus you will send a signal that the leadership of the Assembly is committed to enriching and fostering the representation of the full spectrum of significant political view points, intellectual perspectives, gender, sexual orientation and yes, racial and ethnic diversity. We are not seeking to have the New York State Assembly impose any artificial “balance” or an “ethnic” quota system. We are asking for the New York State Assembly to commit itself to a policy of inclusion, respect for differences, and fairness in its selection of members to serve on the Assembly Leadership conference.
The New York State Latino Democratic Committee (NYSLDC) was formed early this year to serve as a platform for the mobilization and deployment of a rapidly growing social network of civically minded, service-oriented, and politically engaged Latinos from across New York State. Our aim is to invigorate concerted civic action, gain greater access to statewide political/policy “think tables” and consequently bring about the change for which our community longs.
Our ultimate goal is to prompt open, transparent and responsible conversations regarding how political power might be shared in order to provide for the greater good of all – including Latinos. Therefore, we are calling on you as Speaker to the NYS Assembly, to stand behind the appointment of the first Latino/a to join the ranks of the Assembly Majority Leadership.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
/s/ Juan Ramos
NYSLDC Steering Committee
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