Politics

Cabrera Introduces Tenants Rights Bill

Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera introduced a bill in the City Council last week that aims to protect tenants against landlord abuse by informing them of their rights under the law.

Palma Slams Bloomberg Budget “Fail”

Bronx Councilwoman Annabel Palma had an official response to the proposals of Mayor Bloomberg’s latest budget, which contains large cuts to many services constituents rely on —including $300 million to the city’s social service programs.

Bronx Reps Get Green Group Approval

Congressmen Jose E. Serrano and Eliot Engel, representing the Bronx, were both given stellar marks from the League of Conservation Voters, a political advocacy group that rates legislators based on how they vote on environmental issues.

Velella Dies at 66

Former State Senator Guy Velella, virtually the only Republican representing the borough at any level of government during his entire legislative career, died of lung cancer on Jan. 27 at the age of 66.

With Nudge From Koppell, PSAL Adopts Pitch Limits

Dennis D’Alessandro, DeWitt Clinton high school’s varsity baseball coach, isn’t a huge fan of the PSAL’s decision to limit the number of pitches varsity pitchers can throw per outing next season. “I can’t understand why the city council wants to make the PSAL their plaything when there are other things to worry about such as playing field conditions,” he said in a recent interview.

Assembly to Consider Rent Reform Bill

A package of legislation that would strengthen housing laws in favor of tenants was introduced in the State Assembly last week. Though it has the support of several Bronx Assembly members, including Jeff Dinowitz, the bill will likely face an uphill battle in the now Republican-controlled State Senate.

Bronx Pols Welcome Rivera as New Senator

This is the time of year for the formal, though not required, swearing-in ceremonies of elected officials in their home districts. They are usually for rookie legislators, like the one on Saturday night at the stately Gould Memorial Hall at Bronx Community College for newly minted State Senator Gustavo Rivera, a newcomer politician who is no newcomer to politics, having worked on the staff of other legislators — including Kirsten Gillibrand and Andrea Stewart-Cousins — and on the 2008 Obama campaign in Florida.

Kappy Heads Downtown With One Foot in Boogiedown

The Daily News’ Bob Kappstatter, who writes the popular political news and gossip column in the paper’s weekly Bronx Boro News section (get your copy on Tuesdays), is leaving his longtime role as the News’ Bronx bureau chief to chase down citywide police and crime stories.