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Posted by William Kline

Michael Grimm is so busy these days, with Congress and what not, that the eligible elected official spent Valentine’s Day alone.

Grimm, an Aquarius, described to the Staten Island Advance how his 14 to 15 hour workday forced him to break a  promise he made to himself during the campaign–that he would keep his daily work out after the election.

His still unfurnished district office in the New Dorp neighborhood of Staten Island still contains two books: one about the U.S. Marines and one about Reagan. A former marine himself, and a former FBI agent, the freshman said that the “rigorous” schedule surprised him. But he left no doubt that he would seek another term, the Advance reported.

Grimm said he ignored the rumors of possible opponents, including the man he defeated to get the job, Michael McMahon.  McMahon has raised little money since he lost in November, according to his filings with the Federal Elections Commission, but the Advance reported that McMahon has made four appearances at local democratic political clubs, where prospective politicians often build support for their campaign.

McMahon’s $27,000 cash on hand brings him close to Grimm’s $29,000, but that only represents the last quarter of 2010.  A clearer picture will emerge when the FEC releases its first quarter filings next month.

That filing will cover the period from when Grimm took office and conceivably gained a fundraising advantage.  Nevertheless, Grimm will likely have to sacrifice courting a mate for courting voters when the race intensifies.

As the congressman turns into a candidate, the fundraisers, endorsement ceremonies and meet-and-greets at the Staten Island Ferry will stymie any chance of dating.

With that in mind, the NYC Political Delegation would like to submit a personal ad for the busy Grimm. (Tip: avoid craigslist). If it fails to attract a date, it also works as a good stump speech.

A single, swing-district Republican seeks multiple term relationship.  I’m just what you need: a nice Catholic altar boy with Italian, Irish and German heritage.  You need a marine and former FBI agent who served his country before graduating from Baruch.  You need someone who will work everyday to fulfill your needs.  We’re smart enough to know what we want, and we don’t need the government to tell us. So, if you’re looking for a grand old party, join me.  Together, we can make a better future for our children, for New York and for our country

Sneak Peek: Tomorrow’s House Small Biz Budget Hearing

Posted by Margaret Teich

The House Small Business Committee will hold its annual budget hearing tomorrow at 1 pm in DC, and if the past is a good indicator of the future, predictions can be made as follows:

Both parties will emphasize the importance of small businesses in job creation. The Republicans will likely suggest cutting the annual budget, and the Democrats will try suggest the opposite; all while checking in with Karen Mills, Administrator of the US Small Business Association (SBA) to see how her organization if fairing with a freshly-halved budget.

That, in itself, is not that interesting. In fact, that’s how most House budget hearings are going these days. But, what will be interesting, is how each side will justify its position, while still asserting its firm stance that “small businesses drive job creation.”

Oh what a refrain.

When Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) , ascended to the position on January 5th after the Republicans took the House, he brought more than a splashy picture for the website. He also carried the GOP pledge to America: to spend less, and to make jobs.

When Rep. Nydia Velazquez descended from that position to ranking minority member on January 5th, she vowed to also make jobs, but never mentioned cutting the budget to do so.

And now more than ever, Nydia is against the budget cuts at all levels, saying in a statement regarding the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Appropriations Act 2 weeks ago that cutting funds doesn’t yield job creation.

My guess is that Nydia and the Dems will point to the success of programs that encourage entrepreneurship, especially for women and minorities, as proof that complete funding is needed. I also would go out on a limb to say that Sam Graves and the Republicans will speak about American ingenuity and handwork bringing keeping small businesses running in “these tough economic times.”

Meanwhile, Karen Mills will be asked to weigh in on weighs to cut spending, but not quality programs for entrepreneurs. Mills, a President Obama appointee, has a history in venture capitalism and a Harvard M.B.A. But just two weeks ago, the Small Business Administration, of which Mills is the head Administrator, felt its budget halved from 2010, which was unusually high because of stimulus money.

To be honest, these vague guesses are a lay-person’s take on complicated politics, but you can bet I’ll be watching the live stream come 1 pm.

Ackerman Aims For Another SEC Lawyer

Posted by Paul DeBenedetto

It could be round two for Gary Ackerman and the SEC.

In 2009, video of Ackerman scolding Securities Exchange Commission lawyer Andy Vollmer as Vollmer testified before the House Committee on Financial Services, of which Ackerman was a member, made the internet rounds. Vollmer was testifying about the SEC’s failure to investigate Bernie Madoff. In front of the committee, Vollmer claimed “executive privilege,” and refused to answer questions.

“Your value to the American people is worthless,” Ackerman said of Vollmer at the time. Days later, Vollmer was fired by the SEC.

Now, a new SEC lawyer with ties to Madoff is in the hot seat. David M. Becker, Vollmer’s replacement, was set to answer questions from Ackerman on Friday, the Daily News reported.

“Something has to be done,” Ackerman told the News. “We have to have some regulations in place where they have to publicly disclose this sort of thing. It was common sense.”

Becker is targeted as part of the “claw back” campaign being run by Irving H. Picard, a trustee in charge of recovering money from the net winners in Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. The SEC general counsel, along with his two brothers Daniel and William, is alleged to have liquidated his dead mother’s Madoff funds in order to see a profit—something Ackerman says the trio did not make public.

But while Ackerman’s actions may seem heroic in appearance, now—as before—his motives look to be at least partially politically motivated.

Ackerman’s district contains some of the most affluent parts of Queens and Long Island. Nassau County itself was one of the richest in the country at the time, and NY-5 made up a good chunk of the victims affected by Madoff, including 600 people in Great Neck alone, the Voice reported in 2009. (Who knows: maybe Nassau’s recent economic woes can be traced back to Bernie.)

Anyway, since we haven’t yet heard the details of Ackerman’s most recent condemnation—or whether it even happened—you’ll have to settle for this rerun.