Lake Placid

In another sign that national Dems are looking to New York -- and an anticipated Hillary landslide -- to pick up seats in the House, DCCC Chair Rahm Emanuel just called to talk about Congressman John Sweeney.

Emanuel just told reporters a few minutes ago on a conference call that U.S. Rep. John Sweeney really, really ought to appear before a New York Assembly committee investigating his role in organizing a $27,000 Lake Placid ski weekend for members of Congress that was attended mostly by lobbyists, local officials, and executives from the New York Power Authority.

Ted Blazer, the Chief Executive of the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which organized the trip, has testified that Sweeney was in charge of picking the guests. Sweeney has countered that he had nothing to do with the invitations, for which he said Blazer's organization was responsible.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky has asked Sweeney to testify and address the discrepancy. Emanuel, who desperately hopes to replace Sweeney with Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, said that the congressman owes it to New York voters to answer Brodsky's questions.

"You look at the news today, we got Iraq, raising energy prices, the economy," said Emanuel . "We are all busy people here, what are we doing drafting invite lists for a ski trip?"

And what are such busy people doing, for that matter, concerning themselves with proceedings in the New York State Assembly?

Jason Horowitz

The Sun reports that the Javits expansion plan comes down to the vote of the Public Authorities Control Board, and Sheldon Silver. AP reports Richard Brodsky has asked John Sweeney to appear before an assembly committee to answer questions about a $27,000 Lake Placid ski weekend.

KT McFarland has another brother, the Post reports.

—Nicole Brydson

Tomorrow morning, CSEA safety and health activists kick off a statewide Safety and Health Conference (pdf) in Lake Placid.

The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University hosts a conference titled Searching for the Just City.

A march for peace, justice and democracy will begin at noon at 22nd Street and run down Broadway to Foley Square.

On Sunday, Hillary Rodham Clinton will be the guest speaker at UJA-Federation of New York's 2006 Annual Gala at the United Nations.

And on Monday, immigrants and supporters will show their solidarity against what they believe is an anti-immigration bill via the 'Great American Boycott 2006,' boycotting work, school and shopping.

—Nicole Brydson

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