HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WEB
Local officials rally for ‘better, smarter, fairer’ instant runoff voting
New York City lawmakers and advocacy groups rallied on the City Hall steps Wednesday to again push for an instant runoff system. Read more: CBS New York
Obamacare sites look to improve after bumpy 1st day
For millions of Americans trying to log in, the online insurance marketplaces created by the new health care law began with a stalled website, an error message or a menu that didn’t work. Read more: AP
Obama calls 1st meeting with congressional leaders on shutdown
With much of the federal government paralyzed for a second day, President Obama will meet with congressional leaders today in search of a way to end the government shutdown and increase the debt ceiling. Read more: ABC News
State schools chancellor Merryl Tisch: no rent for charters
The state’s high-profile, reform-minded schools chancellor Tuesday slammed Bill de Blasio’s campaign pledge to charge city charter schools rent. Read more: New York Daily News
Justices to weigh key limit on political donors
The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision reshaped American politics by striking down limits on independent campaign spending by corporations and unions. Read more: New York Times
Hillary Clinton hailed the ‘queen’ of the presidential pack in Quinnipiac poll
A new Quinnipiac poll shows Hillary Clinton as the “queen of the 2016 mountain,” getting nearly six times more support among Democrats than Vice President Joe Biden in a presumed matchup. Read more: New York Daily News
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Ackerman backs Vallone
Former Congressmember Gary Ackerman endorsed Paul Vallone for City Council District 19 on September 26.
“I know the people and the neighborhoods of northeast Queens like the back of my hand, which is why I know Paul Vallone is the right choice to help preserve our precious quality of life and protect the middle-class families who live here,” Ackerman said.
Ackerman retired this January after having served 15 terms in Congress.
He had endorsed Vallone’s rival, Austin Shafran, back in July for the Democratic primary election.
Vallone beat Shafran by nearly 200 votes after a final vote count, though the hard-fought race came down to the wire.
The Flushing attorney now faces Republican challenger Dennis Saffran in the November general election.
“Now more than ever, the people of the 19th City Council District need a leader who can deliver the resources this district deserves,” Ackerman said. “There is no doubt that Paul Vallone is the right man for the job.”
