November 4, 2009

FAST FOOD FACTS

Metro Government Relations Update

WHAT'S HAPPENING

· Yesterday's local elections produced some surprising, some have said shocking, results. Here is a brief rundown of the outcome as of this writing:

New York City - The big news is the narrow five point margin of victory turned in by Mayor Michael Bloomberg that has received a great deal of press coverage.  But in other news, the City Council will have two more (though still only five) Republican members when the new Council takes office in January.  Republicans Dan Halloran and Peter Koo won seats held by outgoing Democrats Tony Avella (who ran and lost in the Democratic primary for Mayor) and John Liu (who was elected yesterday to the Citywide Comptroller position).  Of the 51 City Council members, 13 will be new to the Council come January.  One of them will be Karen Koslowitz, representing Forest Hills.  FIA members will remember Ms. Koslowitz as the Council's Committee on Consumer Affairs Chair until forced out by term limits in 2001.  In the intervening eight years she has served as Queens Deputy Borough President.

Westchester County - Big news here as three-term Democratic incumbent County Executive Andy Spano lost by a 57% to 43% margin to Republican Rob Astorino.  And, although the county Board of Legislators is still firmly in Democratic hands, its chair, William Ryan, trails his Republican challenger Bob Hyland by just 44 votes, necessitating a recount.  Having been advised to wait until after the election to pursue a vote on item pricing reform, it is unclear what impact the unexpected election results will have on that initiative.  It was strongly supported by Mr. Spano and his Consumer Affairs Commissioner Gary Brown, whose appointed job is likely at risk.  Westchester members will also recall that it was Chairman Ryan who blocked a vote on the bill last April.

Nassau County - In another stunner, incumbent Democratic County Executive Tom Suozzi is clinging to a 237 vote lead over his Republican opponent Ed Mangano with 12,000 paper ballots still to be counted.  And, the county legislature flipped with Republicans regaining the majority as Republican Howard Kopel defeated incumbent Democrat Jeffrey Toback 55% to 45%.  Another race - incumbent Democrat David Mejias vs. Republican challenger Joseph Belesi - is still up in the air and could give the Republicans and 11-8 majority.

Suffolk County - County Executive Steve Levy was not up for re-election this year and there was just one surprise in the legislature.  Incumbent Democrat Brian Beedenbender lost his race by a 51% to 49% margin to Republican Thomas Muratore.  Otherwise, incumbents were returned to office with the exception of Republican Cameron Alden who faced term limits.  He will be replaced by another Republican Thomas Cilmi.

Interesting times...