This Week’s Headlines: The IDC's de-Klein-ing fortunes

Already dogged by a legislative stipend scandal that has caught the attention of prosecutors, state Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein is facing growing calls to break off his relationship with state Senate Republicans. The push also comes as Democrats regained a numerical majority in the state Senate with Brian Benjamin winning an open Harlem seat.

Smelling blood, the Working Families Party criticized Klein for empowering “Trump” Republicans. Minnesota U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democratic National Committee leader, said he would try to “bring together a Democratic majority in the New York state Senate.” Even state Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who caucuses with the GOP, called on Klein to “unconditionally and publicly rejoin the Democrats.”

Trump up the volume

President Donald Trump talks on the phone aboard Air Force One. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

Facing an onslaught of negative headlines about questionable ties with Russia, President Donald Trump’s administration changed the subject by introducing a budget proposal that would reduce spending by a whopping $4.5 trillion.

It was widely criticized in New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the social safety net cuts would be “devastating” and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said “children will die” if the plan goes through.

De Blasio in da Bronx

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr and Council Member Richie Torres visit small businesses on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. (Edwin J. Torres / Mayoral Photo Office)

De Blasio held his latest City Hall in Your Borough, relocating to the Bronx for the week to take questions and roll out a few announcements. The diehard Red Sox fan displayed his aversion to the local New York Yankees, but perhaps the biggest development was an announcement that he now supports a long-delayed plan to convert the Kingsbridge Armory into an ice rink complex.