Bronx Pols Push Cuomo On Rent Reform; Jeff Klein’s Name Absent

A number of local elected officials are urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to renew and strengthen rent regulation laws, in favor of renters, as part of his budget negotiations with the legislature this month. Last week, about 90 lawmakers signed a letter to the governor pressing the issue. Every Bronx state representative put his or her name on the letter with the exception of one: State Sen. Jeff Klein, whose district covers parts of the Bronx.

Local Council Members Accused in Daily News Probe

A series of New York Daily News articles published this week highlighted the alleged misdeeds of a number of New York City Council members, including several local Bronx representatives. Councilmen Fernando Cabrera, Joel Rivera and Oliver Koppell were among those mentioned in the series of stories, which the paper called “Above the Law.”

Vagabond New State Senator Rivera Doing Business on the Run

State Senator Gustavo Rivera, the new representative of the northwest Bronx’s 33rd District, called a reporter last week from his cell phone while sitting in an office in downtown Manhattan. That’s life for a vagabond freshman politician in the senate’s minority party who is still trying to nail down a district office more than two months into his term.

State of the Borough: Diaz Praises ‘One Bronx’

In response to recent derogatory portrayals of the borough by “American Idol” and Glenn Beck, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. went on the offensive last month, highlighting the positives and success stories of the Bronx during his second state of borough speech. While continuing to press his mantra of borough residents and workers coming together to form “One Bronx,” or “Un Solo Bronx,” Diaz spent a great deal of his nearly 90-minute speech at DeWitt Clinton High School hyping his accomplishments and all of the great things the borough has to offer. “It is time to let the world

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.