Frank G. Runyeon
City & State
New York, NY, United States
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Past articles by Frank:
The scramble to profit from legal pot
The Empire State’s most popular illegal drug is poised to become its hottest legitimate business opportunity.Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s rapid conversion on marijuana legalization – from chief obstacle to chief advocate – has triggered a gold rush mentality among marijuana entrepreneurs, who are investing deeply in what could quickly become one of the world’s most important emerging → Read More
Andrew Cuomo and the curse of the third term
In an inauguration night rich with symbolism, Gov. Andrew Cuomo shipped his invitees across the dark, wind-whipped waters of New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty’s torch. As if in steerage with standing room only, the huddled masses headed for the storied immigration waystation on Ellis Island. As guests shuffled across the swaying gangway toward the brilliantly lit → Read More
Getting left behind
The $90 million plan to update and renovate the little-loved Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan is chugging merrily along its bureaucratic way as the giant public benefit corporation seeks a way to best replace the overwhelmed transit hub. → Read More
Simcha Felder fades into insignificance
Last Tuesday’s elections empowered many Democrats in New York, from the incoming state Senate majority leadership to future committee chairs in the House of Representatives such as Rep. Jerry Nadler. But for one Democrat, state Sen. Simcha Felder, his party’s victory was his loss. → Read More
The lag in Latino political representation
Instead of a “blue wave” or a “red wave,” the lead-up to the U.S. midterm elections has been engulfed by a wave of intolerance, aimed at unwelcome outsiders living in America. In the wake of an anti-Semitic mass shooting in Pittsburgh and pipe bombs mailed to critics of President Donald Trump, the president, boosted by allies, whipped up anti-immigrant fervor over a weary → Read More
The lag in Latino political representation
Instead of a “blue wave” or a “red wave,” the lead-up to the U.S. midterm elections has been engulfed by a wave of intolerance, aimed at unwelcome outsiders living in America. In the wake of an anti-Semitic mass shooting in Pittsburgh and pipe bombs mailed to critics of President Donald Trump, the president, boosted by allies, whipped up anti-immigrant fervor over a weary → Read More
NYC failed to enforce water tank law, council health chair finds
At a New York City Council hearing on Tuesday, health officials were under pressure to respond to reports of neglected drinking water tanks across the city – and they downplayed the risks. → Read More
No judgeships for Klein or Hamilton – for now
Rejecting recent reports suggesting the Bronx and Brooklyn Democratic county leaders might select recently deposed former Independent Democratic Conference state senators Jeff Klein and Jesse Hamilton as judges at county committee meetings Thursday night, party leaders from both boroughs denied to City & State that judgeships were in the works for the controversial politicians. → Read More
Jeff Klein, architect of the IDC, deposed at 58
Jeffrey Klein, a state senator in the Democratic Party for nearly 15 years who created the Republican-aligned Independent Democratic Conference, or IDC, was defeated on Thursday in the 34th state Senate District primary in the Bronx. He was 58 years old.Klein, who some called a political “chess master,” found his political fortunes reversed by progressive primary challenger → Read More
Jeff Klein, architect of the IDC, deposed at 58
Jeffrey Klein, a state senator in the Democratic Party for nearly 15 years who created the Republican-aligned Independent Democratic Conference, or IDC, was defeated on Thursday in the 34th state Senate District primary in the Bronx. He was 58 years old.Klein, who some called a political “chess master,” found his political fortunes reversed by progressive primary challenger → Read More
Jeff Klein, architect of the IDC, deposed at 58
Jeffrey Klein, a state senator in the Democratic Party for nearly 15 years who created the Republican-aligned Independent Democratic Conference, or IDC, was defeated on Thursday in the 34th state Senate District primary in the Bronx. He was 58 years old.Klein, who some called a political “chess master,” found his political fortunes reversed by progressive primary challenger → Read More
Three strikes and you're out? Or third time's a charm?
Considering the many unsuccessful candidates for public office, a career in politics seems to be only for the persistent or the self-flagellating. There’s the need to balance competing interests, the intense scrutiny by journalists (bagel orders included), and the next election looming on the horizon – threatening you with unemployment.In Winston Churchill’s words: “In war you → Read More
Inspectors reported contamination in water tanks. NYCHA had it erased.
The evidence of contamination was there in black and white – until it disappeared.The New York City Housing Authority’s handwritten “Annual Roof Tank Inspection Reports” chronicle a history of tainted drinking water tanks that the housing agency failed to report to city health officials, according to an examination of hundreds of internal NYCHA documents and New York City → Read More
Inspectors reported contamination in water tanks. NYCHA had it erased.
The evidence of contamination was there in black and white – until it disappeared.The New York City Housing Authority’s handwritten “Annual Roof Tank Inspection Reports” chronicle a history of tainted drinking water tanks that the housing agency failed to report to city health officials, according to an examination of hundreds of internal NYCHA documents and New York City → Read More
Voters question petition signatures for Assemblyman Brian Miller
Larry Engel, a resident of Hamden, New York, has no use for politics.“When I get political stuff in the mail, I throw it right in the trash,” Engel said. “Republican, Democrat, you name it. I want nothing to do with any of them.”And yet, Engel’s name was scrawled on the signature line of a Conservative Party ballot petition for Assemblyman Brian Miller dated June 21. “That’s → Read More
Liuba’s coming for Pete
Fresh off her decisive primary win in the Second Congressional District against fellow Democrat DuWayne Gregory, beating him by 16 percentage points, Liuba Grechen Shirley has her eyes set on seismic upset on Long Island in the general election. Grechen Shirley says that Rep. Pete King is vulnerable and has never had a serious challenger in his 25-year reign. The argument → Read More
Donovan easily defeats Grimm in GOP primary
In a victory for conventional wisdom in an era of anything-seems-possible politics, Rep. Dan Donovan defeated former congressman and convicted felon Michael Grimm with nearly twice as many votes. With all precincts reporting after 11 p.m., Donovan had 12,774 votes to Grimm’s 7,219 votes. → Read More
Missing water tank reports at many NYC hospitals
One tank’s innards were rusty and discolored, and a dead pigeon lay nearby. A different tank had bird droppings on it and was missing its roof.Both descriptions were included in inspection records for rooftop water tanks in New York City, which a recent City & State investigation found are poorly regulated, often neglected and potentially at risk of spreading disease. → Read More
Experts: AG suit builds towards possible criminal case against Trump
A lawsuit against the Trump Foundation filed by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has forged a path to felony criminal charges and civil charges against the president and his family, charity law experts said. Based on a review of the attorney general’s state court petition, the petition could open the door for prosecutors to pursue cases on the federal, state and local level. → Read More
Torres critical of federal NYCHA settlement
Federal prosecutors and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that they had reached a new consent agreement that will install a federal monitor over the long-troubled New York City Housing Authority. The agreement will release $1.2 billion in city funds and at least $550 million in state funds to correct violations of health and safety standards that have → Read More