Every Sunday, we'll publish a quick Q&A with someone from the local political world. Instead of touching on the latest in policy issues and proposed legislation, the intent is to catch a glimpse of the person behind the title. The interviews are done via email.
Legislator Timothy Hogues, left, takes the oath of office during the first session of the year in January. (Sharon Cantillon / Buffalo News)
Timothy Hogues
The Basics:
Age: 40
Party: Democrat
Job Title: Erie County Legislator 1st District
Family: Wife, Melissa; son Christopher, 12; daughter, Destiny, 7; and son, Joseph, 5.
Town: Buffalo
Education: Bachelor of science in business administration, State University of New York at Buffalo
Salary: $42,500
Continue reading "Five Questions with Timothy Hogues" »
Each Saturday on the Politics Now blog, you'll find a list of stories that caught the eyes of The News' political reporters. Here's a sampling of what they were reading the last couple weeks:
"Sources: Cuomo tried to keep New York public labor heads off DNC delegate list," by Maggie Haberman, Politico. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not been shy in his battles with public employee unions. But for someone who will need labor’s support should he be serious about a 2016 national run, this story depicts a Democrat who does not play well in the sandbox with others.
The Legislative Correspondents Association show was held a couple weeks back –- an annual politician-mocking gig put on by some current and former reporters who cover the state Capitol. Politicians get their turn, too, and here is the video put together by Sen. Michael Gianaris, the Queens Democrat in charge of trying to take back the Senate from Republicans this fall. Most Senate Democrats may not be willing to publicly state their anger with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing a redistricting bill intended to help Republicans, but this video makes the point -– in rather not-so-subtle ways. Note: if you don’t want to hear a profanity, turn your sound down when former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato appears.
“White House visitor logs provide window into lobbying industry,” by T.W. Farnam, Washington Post. President Obama, more than any other president before him, vowed to “change the political culture that has fueled the influence of lobbyists,” Farnam writes. But access to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and senior administration officials is still clearly available.
"Republicans in NY: lame in lower house," by Ken Hall, Times Herald-Record. Buffalo developer Carl Paladino, as he is also doing in Western New York, is getting involved in a race for the State Legislature in Albany. Paladino is backing Colin Schmitt, one of two candidates "of the new GOP generation" seeking the 99th Assembly District seat.
