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David King

  • Communications Director and Chief Public Information Officer, New York State Inspector General
  • Freelance Journalist, Freelance
Albany
As seen in: Yahoo Canada, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, GlobeNewswire, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, The Columbus Dispatch, EIN News, Democrat and Chronicle, JD Supra and
Covers:  NY State elections, fundraising, politics, juvenile justice, government corruption, , Eliot Spitzer, campaign finance, corruption, Andrew Cuomo, state government, Bill de Blasio
Development at Albany Damien Center. Fomer comms at OIG.
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Tonko tries to remain above the fray as Washington burns - The Alt

Tonko tries to remain above the fray as Washington burns - The Alt

thealt.com — Washington is burning. Donald Trump's nascent presidency has turned into a seemingly endless series of scandals and crises, created and perpetuated by the president in his need to address the public via Twitter with whatever message strikes his fancy-despite the narrative his aides have already set in place.
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In Race to Replace Espaillat, Ramifications for Senate Control, His Power, and More

In Race to Replace Espaillat, Ramifications for Senate Control, His Power, and More

Gotham Gazette — Espaillat, center, & Alcantara, right of center (photo: @Espaillat4NY) Marisol Alcantara, a labor organizer who ran a successful insurgent campaign for district leader in 2010, is seen by many in her Uptown district as a liberal firebrand. As Alcantara now pursues election to the New York State Senate, she is also fighting a proxy war for Senator Adriano Espaillat, who is about to be elected to Congress and Alcantara hopes to replace. The hotly contested Democratic primary for Espaillat's Senate seat is becoming a test of his power and that of his top allies.
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Cuomo Seeks to Undermine Comptroller's Check on His Power

Cuomo Seeks to Undermine Comptroller's Check on His Power

Gotham Gazette — Cuomo, left, and DiNapoli, middle, in 2012 (photo: The Governor's Office) Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent assertion that Comptroller Tom DiNapoli should "educate himself" and that the comptroller's audits on state economic development projects are "dead wrong" and "opinion" drew a lot of attention. Many Albany observers took it as a sign of Cuomo's growing sensitivity to criticism about his signature projects. Those projects, like the Buffalo Billion, are the subject of a federal investigation headed by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. The state Legislature remained fairly removed from oversight of the projects until very recently.
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Trump Could Tip Key Races for State Senate Control

Trump Could Tip Key Races for State Senate Control

Gotham Gazette — photo: @NewYorkGOP New York State Senate Democrats have picked up seats in every presidential year in the past two decades. They've been chomping at the bit for Hillary Clinton, a former New York Senator, to head the presidential ticket, telling anyone who would listen that she would bolster turnout for them and win them swing districts, thereby securing them control of the chamber, perhaps for good. What the Senate minority didn't count on was the Republican presidential candidate being toxic to black and Hispanic voters and alienating a significant portion of his own base, giving even greater hope to Democrats for a takeover of the only lasting Republican stronghold in New York State government.
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Cuomo Cabinet Boat Trip Highlights Campaign Finance Law Concerns

Cuomo Cabinet Boat Trip Highlights Campaign Finance Law Concerns

Gotham Gazette — Lt. Gov. Hochul, left, and Gov. Cuomo, right, on the Hudson (@NYGovCuomo) On Monday, the highest ranking members of the Cuomo administration boarded a boat in the city of Hudson in Columbia County and embarked for New York City. The trip, according to Cuomo administration officials, was strictly work-related. There was a cabinet meeting; strategy sessions for the Governor's 2017 State of the State address, and inspections of infrastructure projects like the "New New York Bridge," which is replacing the Tappan Zee. It was formally called a cabinet retreat, and all of the administration's stated purposes for the journey were government related, separate from any strategizing for Cuomo's 2018 re-election bid.
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With Proposal, Advocates Attempt to Jumpstart State Affordable Housing Spending

With Proposal, Advocates Attempt to Jumpstart State Affordable Housing Spending

Gotham Gazette — Advocates outside Gov. Cuomo's office Wednesday (photo via Coalition for the Homeless) Housing advocates have done a job shirked by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders this session and crafted a plan for how the state should spend $1.9 billion on affordable and supportive housing over the next five years. The governor and Legislature agreed to dedicate $1.9 billion in the April 1 budget, but negotiations on how to actually fully allocate the funds fell apart at the close of the legislative session in June. The details of the spending was to be determined through "memorandum of understanding," or MOU, among Cuomo and legislative leaders.
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For Cuomo, Passing Ethics Bill was Urgent, Signing It is Not

For Cuomo, Passing Ethics Bill was Urgent, Signing It is Not

Gotham Gazette — Gov. Cuomo during his 2016 State of the State (via The Governor's Office) Governor Andrew Cuomo has yet to request the Legislature send him an ethics reform package he personally designed and pushed the Legislature to pass in June with the assistance of a message of necessity he issued, three knowledgeable legislative sources tell Gotham Gazette. Announced by Cuomo late in the legislative session, the actual bill was then a mystery for days before being introduced in the wee hours of the morning on the final day of the session.
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2016 A Far Different Election Year for Independent Democrats

2016 A Far Different Election Year for Independent Democrats

Gotham Gazette — Sen. Jeff Klein (photo: John Nilsen/Governor's Office) The five-member Independent Democratic Conference was under siege. Mainstream Democrats, liberal activists, and the Working Families Party were out to punish IDC members for having empowered Senate Republicans and for preventing a progressive agenda from advancing in the New York State Senate. In 2014, the groups fielded candidates to challenge Bronx Senator Jeff Klein, head of the IDC, and newly-minted IDC member Tony Avella, senator of Queens, in party primaries. It began as an aggressive attempt to oust two of the five members of the IDC, including its leader.
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Super PAC Begins Flyering Bronx Senate Race

Super PAC Begins Flyering Bronx Senate Race

Gotham Gazette — A super PAC has started to blanket the 33rd Senate District in the Bronx with mailers attacking incumbent Democratic state Senator Gustavo Rivera and praising his challenger, Democratic City Council Member Fernando Cabrera. A flyer sent to voters last week praises Cabrera for standing up for family values and for knowing that "single women, mothers and our wives need protection." Flyers sent this week accuse Rivera of "Playing Us For Fools" and excerpts heavily from the June 21 New York Times editorial, " The Old Albany Hustle," which criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders for failing to enact any meaningful ethics reforms this year.
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Senate Republicans Face Departures with Battle for Control Looming

Senate Republicans Face Departures with Battle for Control Looming

Gotham Gazette — Senate Majority Leader Flanagan, second from right (photo via Facebook) New York State Senate Republicans are headed into a fight for their survival, dealing with the departure of veteran lawmakers, top staff, and one rising star. The impending fall elections for all 63 Senate seats will test control of the chamber by Senate Republicans, the party's only check on Democratic strongholds in the state Assembly and four statewide offices, including Governor. There are currently 32 Democrats and 31 Republicans in the chamber but Republicans maintain control with the help of Brooklyn Democrat Simcha Felder, who caucuses with Senate Republicans, and the five-member Independent Democratic Conference.
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Cuomo is Keeping New York from Emulating California, De Blasio Says

Cuomo is Keeping New York from Emulating California, De Blasio Says

Gotham Gazette — De Blasio & Cuomo in 2014 (photo: Rob Bennett, Mayor's Office) Mayor Bill de Blasio has repeatedly voiced his frustration with his fellow Democrat, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who he says has worked with Senate Republicans in the state Legislature to stymie his agenda and major progressive legislation. In an interview with Harry Siegel of the Daily News late last month, the mayor said Cuomo could have "done a lot more to avert" the "divided government in Albany," where Democrats control the Assembly and Republicans the Senate. De Blasio said that New York could be more like California "where Democrats have consolidated power and have done some remarkable things with it."
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Assembly to Begin Implementation of Technology-Based Reforms

Assembly to Begin Implementation of Technology-Based Reforms

Gotham Gazette — photo via The Governor's Office Earlier this year, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced he would implement a series of recommendations -- proposed by the Assembly Workgroup on Legislative Process, Operations and Public Participation -- designed to increase transparency, efficiency and participation in the chamber. Some of those changes were voted on as rules reforms, others were made as pledges. But many of them that deal with technology, like a revamp of the Assembly's website, posting more information about bills and committee hearings online and broadcasting hearings, were not implemented during the legislative session.
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Rangel's Replacement Decided, Other Uptown Races Take Shape

Rangel's Replacement Decided, Other Uptown Races Take Shape

Gotham Gazette — Espaillat & co at unity press conference (photo via @EspaillatNY) After 46 years and 23 terms, voters in the 13th Congressional District in Harlem have chosen someone other than Rep. Charles Rangel to represent them. The retiring 86-year-old, a legendary figure in Harlem's political scene, appeared to want to extend his legacy by keeping the seat he had held for decades in the hands of an experienced politician of his choosing, but changing community demographics, a 2012 redistricting, and a crowded 2016 Democratic primary field seem to have thwarted his efforts.
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Assessing the Aftermath: Top Takeaways for NYC from 2016 Albany Session

Assessing the Aftermath: Top Takeaways for NYC from 2016 Albany Session

Gotham Gazette — De Blasio and Cuomo in 2014; photo via The Governor's Office Mayor Bill de Blasio has made it clear that he feels like he's often fighting for New York City's interests against both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Senate Republicans, with Assembly Democrats as his key allies. In his initial statement reacting to the recent end of the 2016 legislative session in Albany, de Blasio put a thank you to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and company at the forefront, never mentioned Cuomo, and gave his take on what he assessed as a mixed bag for the city.
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In Extended Session, Lawmakers Vote Through Variety of Bills with Little Public Review

In Extended Session, Lawmakers Vote Through Variety of Bills with Little Public Review

Gotham Gazette — The Capitol Building (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin, Governor's Office) Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders finished protracted and messy end-of-session negotiations on Friday night -- one day after the scheduled end of legislative session -- not with the traditional celebratory press conference, but with a series of press releases. Sent to reporters as bills were still be negotiated, printed, and voted upon Friday night, Cuomo's public schedule for Saturday put him in the New York City area with no events. A press release announcing an agreement on a five-point "ethics reform plan" was sent out at about 7 p.m., though actual bill language wasn't available until about 1:45 a.m., with legislators expected to vote on the varied measures immediately thereafter.
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Deals Emerge as Albany Legislative Session Moves Toward Conclusion

Deals Emerge as Albany Legislative Session Moves Toward Conclusion

Gotham Gazette — photo via The Governor's Office After spending most of what was scheduled to be the last day of legislative session in stop-and-start negotiations, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders appeared on Thursday to reach a framework deal on several big-ticket items, though legislators will continue to negotiate, debate, and vote on Friday. After a few issues had been decided on Wednesday, concept agreements emerged Thursday on the process of stripping corrupt lawmakers of their pensions; extending mayoral control of New York City schools for one year; and increasing disclosure requirements for independent political committees.
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With Much Undecided, Last-Minute Frenzy Starts in Albany

With Much Undecided, Last-Minute Frenzy Starts in Albany

Gotham Gazette — Albany leaders (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin, Governor's Office) The pace has picked up dramatically in Albany, where lawmakers had avoided any major legislative decisions since passing the budget in April. With three days left in session, dozens upon dozens of bills are being introduced, amended, and passed at a fever pace. And while a couple of deals among the governor and legislative leaders have been announced on somewhat high-profile matters, thornier issues still remain unsettled and many bills are likely to only pass one house before lawmakers leave the capital. On Monday, with session scheduled to end on Thursday, Gov.
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Fate of $2 Billion in State Housing Funds Unclear as Session Nears End

Fate of $2 Billion in State Housing Funds Unclear as Session Nears End

Gotham Gazette — Heastie, Cuomo, Flanagan (l-r) (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin, The Governor's Office) Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature allocated $2 billion to spend on 100,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in this year's budget, which was agreed to on April 1. But they failed to include specifics -- details of how that money would be spent -- kicking those decisions down the road. Now, two months later, they have yet to sort out the details and many stakeholders are worried no deal is in sight as the major negotiating parties face off over incongruous priorities.
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Espaillat Unveils Plan to Address Child Care Costs

Espaillat Unveils Plan to Address Child Care Costs

Gotham Gazette — Sen. Espaillat (photo: @EspaillatNY) To address the city's escalating affordability crisis, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, Democratic candidate in the 13th Congressional District, is unveiling a proposal to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The announcement comes as the heated Congressional primary enters its final weeks. Espaillat's campaign is announcing a series of policy papers in an attempt to separate itself in a race that has focused on political allegiances, polls, and fundraising. Other candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Charles Rangel include Assemblymember Keith Wright, former Assemblymember Adam Clayton Powell, Assemblymemeber Guillermo Linares, and Clyde Williams, former political director of the Democratic National Committee.
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Bronx Council Member Preparing to Again Challenge Incumbent State Senator

Bronx Council Member Preparing to Again Challenge Incumbent State Senator

Gotham Gazette — City Council Member Cabrera (photo: William Alatriste) City Council Member Fernando Cabrera is preparing for a rematch with incumbent State Senator Gustavo Rivera in the 33rd Senate District in the Bronx, according to sources familiar with Cabrera's intentions. Cabrera did not have an easy go of things when he first challenged Rivera in the 2014 Democratic primary. Reports by various publications highlighted Cabrera's connections to extreme anti-gay groups like The Family Research Council, his praise of Ugandan anti-gay laws, and his conservative voting record. Cabrera lost the 2014 primary by 20 points. He told The Observer that he believed his loss was due to "the liberal media."
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Cuomo Launches End-of-Session Addition to Stagnant Ethics Agenda

Cuomo Launches End-of-Session Addition to Stagnant Ethics Agenda

Gotham Gazette — Gov. Cuomo on Wednesday (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin, Governor's Office) Last year, with ten days remaining in legislative session and confronted with a major ethics reform proposal from Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters, "Let me make this as a blanket statement: It is late in the day for anything." On Wednesday, with only four days remaining of this year's legislative session, Cuomo announced a new prong to his ethics reform agenda: an ambitious plan to better regulate the activities of political action committees and limit the impact of shadowy independent expenditures that he says are all too often not actually independent from the candidate they are supporting.
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Former Government Informant to Run for Old Assembly Seat

Former Government Informant to Run for Old Assembly Seat

Gotham Gazette — Current Assembly Member Victor Pichardo Former Bronx Assemblymember Nelson Castro wants his seat back. Standing in the way, along with the rigors of a campaign and the incumbent, is the fact that Castro served as a government informant for years - to avoid perjury charges. In April 2013 Castro abruptly resigned his Bronx Assembly seat, shocking his colleagues and constituents by announcing that he had worked for the U.S. Attorney's office and that his role as an informant was key to convicting former Assemblymember Eric Stevenson for taking $20,000 in bribes from businesspeople building a daycare facility.
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For Review, Cuomo Chooses Outside Agent Over Existing State Investigators

For Review, Cuomo Chooses Outside Agent Over Existing State Investigators

Gotham Gazette — Scheiderman, left, & Cuomo, center (photo via The Governor's Office on Flickr) More than a month after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that Bart Schwartz, a former federal prosecutor, would head an "independent investigation" into the Buffalo Billion economic development program, it remains unclear whether Schwartz has begun his work and the governor has repeatedly said that his contract with the state is still being finalized. The Buffalo Billion project and other pieces of Cuomo's economic development programs have drawn scrutiny from the U.S. Attorney and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman due to allegations including bid-rigging that favored large Cuomo donors.
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End of Session Menu Previews Next 'Big Ugly' in Albany

End of Session Menu Previews Next 'Big Ugly' in Albany

Gotham Gazette — Heastie, Cuomo, Flanagan June 2015 (photo: Kevin P. Coughlin/Governor's Office) Last week, the Senate came to standstill as the star of popular beer commercials came to the Capitol as a guest of Senate Republicans. Legislators of both parties fawned and snapped pictures with Jonathan Goldsmith, of Dos Equis fame. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan's office proudly posted a picture of the two men together on Twitter; Democratic legislators quoted catchphrases of "the most interesting man in the world" on the Senate floor.
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