Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Kim reverses course on his own bill after donations

From the NY Times:

In a packed hall in the Bronx a few months ago, Ron Kim, a New York State assemblyman, stood clutching a ceremonial pen in his left hand, the other extended into the crowd as labor advocates, politicians and immigrant rights workers thronged to shake it. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had just used the pen to sign into law a bill protecting nail salon workers from labor abuses and potentially dangerous chemicals. It was a measure that Mr. Kim, who represents the mostly Asian enclave of Flushing, Queens, had spent a painstaking summer helping to craft.

Less than a month later, however, Mr. Kim, a Democrat, began to publicly question the law — particularly a provision designed to protect workers from wage fraud. He soon became one of the statute’s most vociferous critics.

As it turns out, while Mr. Kim’s position on the law was evolving, nail salon owners, previously a largely disconnected group, were rapidly organizing. They started a surprisingly sophisticated effort to fight the law. And, behind the scenes, they funneled tens of thousands of dollars in political donations to Mr. Kim.

16 comments:

georgetheatheist said...

“I am confused that he is confused,” said Alphonso B. David, the chief counsel for the governor, a Democrat."

What's to be confused about? . . . Whoredom reigns.

"... the organizations hired the Parkside Group, a lobbying firm where Mr. Kim worked in 2012."

Parkside. Alive and kicking.

georgetheatheist said...

PS Kim and Parkside. You're taking on the NY Times. They've got this nail salon story by its balls. Watch your asses.

Anonymous said...

You make political donation sound like Bribe,witch is it?

(sarc) said...

Unintended consequences...

Anonymous said...

Money talks. Kim and the Stavitskys will all be wearing handcuffs soon.

Anonymous said...

According to several articles in the NY Post, the Times' articles on nail salon working conditions were inaccurate and flawed.

JQ LLC said...

Wasn't this the guy who chased down a robber?

Cause if it is, it made me think of something Larry David pulled to get Cheryl back.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAU1PVJKVAY

Anonymous said...

Koo is a complete phony. He was a republican and then after losing a primary to Toby Stavisky he had a political epiphany and switched to the democrats.

After this flip-flop on nail salons generated by campaign donations he might be headed the way of Jimmy Meng...investigation, resignation, indictment and corruption trial.

Anonymous said...

"Money talks. Kim and the Stavitskys will all be wearing handcuffs soon."

Your mouth to God's ear!!!

Anonymous said...

All I want to know is
Will the cost of a rub and tug go up?

Anonymous said...

Anon no. 8: Ron Kim not Peter Koo.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't this the guy who chased down a robber?

Yep. He doesn't like competition I guess :)

Anonymous said...

Maybe the nail salon owners comprise a type of Korean mafia. More than just money might have reversed Kim's position.
Physical threats...maybe?

Anonymous said...

Proving what? That just about ANY politician can be bought!
A pol's real job is too stay elected, as Kim has just proved.

Unknown said...

Also not to mention the fact that if you are vocal about your concerns the housing specialists and workers at dhs go out of their way. To drag out the applications and go through them with a fine tooth comb hoping to destroy the transaction or delay it for 2 months. It's not fair to the clients, but some abuse their power..

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see Ron Kim in jail.