Brad Gerstman » Announcements

Capital Tonight: Brad Gerstman Disbands Exploratory Committee

Tim — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:04:07 +0000

Redistricting has claimed its first victim: Brad Gerstman has disbanded his exploratory committee due to a lack of “compelling opportunities” available for him at this time.

Brad Gerstman Disbanding Exploratory Committee

Tim — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:26:34 +0000

From New York Daily News:

Brad Gerstman, the Long Island political consultant and lobbyist who plunged $500,000 of his own into exploring a run for elected office, is disbanding his exploratory committee, The Daily Politics has learned.

I reported back in April that Gerstman — who never actually announced what office he would seek — had dumped $300K into his committee with plans to hike that up to $500K and spend as much as $1 million on an actual run.

Now, that’s all on hold. In short, Gerstman says there just wasn’t an obvious match between him and the offices at hand. He’d previously said he could run for an office as national as Congress or as local as councilman.

“Due to redistricting, my committee determined that there were not any compelling opportunities for me to run for office at this time,” he said. “More importantly, the growth and expansion of my firm, Gotham Government Relations & Communications, is exciting and I am completely focused on serving our clients at this point.”

As for the cash, said the former Bronx ADA, “I’ll be taking that money and putting it aside for the potential backing of future candidates around the state and county,” he said. “I’m also not ruling out using that, and more, money for a possible future run, if there’s an opportunity I feel would be a compelling match.”

So I guess we’ll just stay tuned…

Brad Gerstman Breaks Down Cuomo’s State of the State Address

Tim — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:38:04 +0000

2012: What does Cuomo’s revolution bring to New York State? Gotham’s Brad Gerstman breaks it down, line by line on Long Island’s News12:

Brad Gerstman Calls for Legislative Investigation of NYC Education System

Tim — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:52:01 +0000

NYC Education System Fails to Assign 15,000 Incoming Kindergarteners with Specials Needs to a School

Brad Gerstman Calls for Legislative Investigation

Investigate New York City Department of Education

June 17, 2011; New York, NY – The Daily News’ Daily Politics Blogger, Celeste Katz, wrote earlier today that “the city is on the hook for millions of dollars in private school tuition after failing to find seats for thousands of kindergartners with special needs.” Special Needs Advocate Brad Gerstman, Partner at Gotham Government Relations & Communication, is outraged by the lack of leadership and accountability of New York City officials that are putting special education children last on their list of priorities.

“This is an absolute tragedy of the highest proportions that New York City would continue to pay give diminutive attention to Special-Ed kids and as a result, further cause pain and mistrust to those families that are suffering with a developmental disabled child their household,” Says Gerstman. “These families are going through enough turmoil in their life and when the education systems absolutely fails them, it brings us and the society to a very low point. This cannot happen, it should not happen, and no one in New York City should tolerate it!”

Gerstman is calling for a full review by New York City and New York City legislative investigative bodies to get to the bottom of this wrongdoing and to make certain that this never occurs again in the future.

The blog continues to stat that the city already spends millions to education the enrolled $4,000 students with special needs. The cost to enroll these reaming 15,000 kids will increase the cost dramatically.

ABOUT BRAD GERSTMAN

Brad Gerstman is a well-known advocate for individuals with disabilities and special needs. He is a member of the Nassau University Medical Center, Vice Chair of the Long Island Medical Foundation, Governor’s appointee to his Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, and Chairman of the Tom Suozzi Long Island Autism Coalition. He was recently honored by the Child Abuse Prevention Services. Brad also represents a number of special needs schools, charities, and other developmental disability entities through his work at Gotham.

PRESS CONTACT

Annie Scranton, Pace Public Relations

C: 732.642.7192; E: annie@pacepublicrelations.com

NY State Legislature Passes Autism Insurance Reform Bill

Tim — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:00:50 +0000

Autism Advocate Brad Gerstman Speaks Out on Last Year’s Veto and This Year’s Vote

June 17, 2011; New York, NY – Autism Advocate Brad Gerstman, Partner at Gotham Government Relations & Communications, would like to congratulate the NY State Legislature on finally passing of a ground-breaking new bill that will provide families of autistic children with much-needed insurance coverage. Families, advocates and stakeholders across the state of New York are joyful over this vote, and are excited by Governor Cuomo’s decision.

Last October, the same bill was vetoed by Governor Patterson, and families with members on the spectrum were discouraged and disheartened.

“I am hopeful, our current Governor realizes the importance of this legislation, and the fact that families of autistic children spend, on average, nearly $50,000 per household to pay for the medical expenses needed,” Gerstman said. “Now these families can rest a little easier knowing that help appears to be on the way.”

Twenty-three other states already have in place similar laws.

ABOUT BRAD GERSTMAN

ABOUT GOTHAM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

New York’s fastest-growing government relations firm, Gotham Government Relations, provides lobbying, advocacy and consulting to its clients. Gotham offers its clients forward-thinking strategies that tap into political trends and opportunities. The work of its partners has resulted in shaping public policy on a number of key matters, including business advocacy and strategy; land use; special education; and charitable causes. For more information, log onto www.gothamgr.com or call us at 516-880-8170.

PRESS CONTACT

Annie Scranton, Pace Public Relations

C: 732.642.7192; E: annie@pacepublicrelations.com

Newsday: North Hempstead: No Kaiman-Gerstman primary

Tim — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:51:18 +0000

Brad Gerstman, who a month ago was publicly criticizing North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, a fellow Democrat, said he has decided not to mount a challenge against the incumbent. Gerstman told Newsday he met recently with Kaiman and county Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs and “we agreed I wouldn’t run”.

Gerstman said he has put aside more than $500,000 in an exploratory fund and will keep it there in case he decides to run for another office. “My eyes are open for opportunities,” he said. “I want to do things that have real impact.”

Gerstman, an attorney, is a partner at lobbying firm Gotham Government Relations and Communications.

More at Newsday…

Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation To Hold Its Annual Golf Classic

Tim — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:22:26 +0000

October 11th, 2010 – Glen Head, NY; On Monday, October 11th, the Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation (LBGF) will hold its 7th annual Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation Golf Classic at the Glen Head Country Club, honoring Home Depot President Joe McFarland. This outing is one of the foundation’s biggest annual events and has record attendance this year. LBGF is a 501c3 charity, dedicated to helping children with disabilities attend summer camp.

Brad Gerstman, co-founder of Gotham Government Relations Board member of the Nassau University Medical Center, Vice Chair of the Long Island Medical Foundation, Governor’s appointee to his Advisory Council on Interactive Media and Youth Violence, former state advocate for Autism Speaks and recently honored by the Child Abuse Prevention Services, is a well-known advocate for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

“This foundation believes that every child deserves the opportunity to participate in a safe, caring and a fun learning environment,” says Brad Gerstman, Co-Founder of the LBGF. “By partnering with accredited camps, families are able to give their children an experience that they otherwise would have never known.”

ABOUT THE LISA BETH GERSTMAN FOUNDATION

The first Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation camp program was launched in 2003 at the Cross Island YMCA in Bellerose, New York and was an enormous success. In developing this special camp, Jean Dattner, the Cross Island YMCA’s Special Populations Director, realized a lifelong dream to serve an under served population in the community, and will continue to provide her vision and leadership to the camp in the years to come.

GOTHAM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

New Legislation to End Autism Insurance Discrimination

Tim — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:05:18 +0000

Gotham Government Relations Working Pro-Bono to Pass Bill

March 15, 2010; New York, NY – Gotham Government Relations is pleased to announce its participation in working to pass a new bill ending Autism insurance discrimination. Bill Number S7000, sponsored by Senator Neil Breslin, the Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, will amend the insurance law and the public health law. The bill will also expand health insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Gotham Government Relations wholeheartedly supports this new legislation and is lending its full support, pro-bono, to get it passed in both houses and signed by the Governor this session.

“Gotham is honored to work with the bi-partisan coalition of legislators in ending the autism insurance discrimination that has lasted way too long in New York State,” Gotham co-founder Brad Gerstman says. “Too many families struggle day to day with medical bills associated with the treatment of autism. Our goal is to work tirelessly with the legislators, autism groups, and families to have this outstanding bill enacted into law before the end of the 2010 legislative session.”

According to the CDC, Autism now affects 1 in 110 children and 1 in 70 boys. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined and the disorder costs the nation over $35 billion per year. Bill S7000 will require private health insurance companies to provide families the coverage needed for the proper treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The bill has no age caps or dollar caps on these benefits and covers many integral procedures necessary to the treatment of autism.

About Gotham Government Relations

Gotham Government Relations Forms New York’s First State Tobacconist Association

Tim — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:58:04 +0000

New York City, New York-
In an historic gathering of statewide professional tobacconists, a group of over two dozen retail tobacconists gathered at the Grand Havana Room in New York City to launch the New York Tobacconist Association (NYTA).

With the onslaught of anti-tobacco ordinances and legislation, the coalition of traditional competitors are coming together to combat further intrusion into their businesses, to oppose measures that can impact the product choices of their patrons, to address the cost of both doing business in New York, and the cost of goods to their customers.

As noted by Ron Melendi, General Manager of De La Concha tobacconists of New York City, “It is time for our voices to be heard. For too long, we have let our representatives pass laws that adversely affect our businesses, and the ability of our customers to enjoy a perfectly legal array of products. It’s time to say enough is enough.” Melendi was named the founding chairman of the NYTA.

At the heart of it all is Gotham Government Relations, the firm hired by NYTA to lobby these local and state issues.

“Our goal is to educate our legislators on these issues and to advocate that they are currently eroding the rights of New York State residents,” said Brad Gerstman, partner at Gotham Government Relations. “Our clients are small business owners who make a tremendous contribution to New York culture and the economy; and thus, in turn, pay significant taxes to the state and local governments”. “We must stop the policies of hurting our local businesses, who serve adult customers and have made a choice to smoke in cigar bars and smoke shops”; said David Schwartz, partner at Gotham. “Certain members of the legislature want to control every choice that New Yorkers make and its time our Government stop intruding on personal freedoms”, said Schwartz.

The New York effort is also being assisted by Cigar Rights of America (CRA) as a national consumer-based organization for cigar enthusiasts. CRA Executive Director Glynn Loope was present at the organizational meeting, stating “Each of these shops represent thousands of customers. Now, they are voters for the cause. We will educate them about how their representatives vote, about the legislation they introduce, and work to halt this Prohibition Era style of policies flowing from New York City to Albany.”

With the recently adopted flavored tobacco ban central to the group’s concern, there will be a comprehensive agenda of issues to be addressed. In addition to the flavored tobacco issue, the group will address fees and taxation, regulatory matters, and any further indoor or outdoor smoking restrictions.

The New York Tobacconist Association elected a charter board of directors, adopted by-laws, and initiated an “open door” policy that any premium licensed tobacconist in New York can join the group. A plan is currently underway for statewide recruitment for consumer members joining Cigar Rights of America, and retail tobacconists joining the NYTA.

About Cigar Rights of America

Cigar Rights of America (CRA) was founded on the principle of fighting for the freedom to enjoy premium cigars. A consumer-based, non-profit public advocacy organization that works with local, state and federal governments to protect the freedoms of cigar enthusiasts, CRA works with its constituency of members including manufacturers, retailers and cigar enthusiasts to focus on opposing restrictive smoking bans and increased taxation of cigars. www.CigarRights.org

About Gotham Government Relations

Save Hofstra Football

Tim — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:30:43 +0000

Brad Gerstman, High-Powered Lobbyist, Outraged over Hofstra University’s Decision to Dismantle its Football Program. Hofstra Alumni and Gotham Government Relations Partner Seeks Clarification and Reconsideration

Roslyn, NY; December 4, 2009

Hofstra Alumnus and Gotham Government Relations Partner, Brad Gerstman, is speaking out today on the discontinuation of Hofstra University’s Football Program. Gerstman was a member of Hofstra’s Football team from 1986-1989, during which time the team reached the playoffs all four years. Brad is currently one of the founding partners of New York’s fastest-growing government relations firm. He was disappointed to hear the news of Hofstra’s decision to terminate the football program.

“I am deeply upset about this decision,“ Gerstman says. “As an alumnus, former football player and a member of this community, I will personally seek clarification and details on why this occurred. I hope that the University will reconsider this irresponsible decision that ultimately will impact the region in a very profound way, from Long Island high school football players to current Hofstra football players and fans, and many others.”

Hofstra’s President was quoted as saying the cost of the University’s Football Program far exceeds any possible return. Gerstman, however, would like the school to reconsider and take into account how damaging the loss of a football program will be to the reputation of the institution, especially considering that a number of Hofstra alumni have gone on to become professional football players and coaches. Without a football team, Hofstra would join the dubious rank of being one of the nation’s first elite universities without a football team.

“The University is part of the fabric of Long Island and I believe this is damaging to Long Island and the reputation of the school,” Gerstman says. “More importantly, Hofstra isn’t simply a small private business operating in a vacuum. They receive grants from our government and decisions made by the administration can and do impact the region. As such, it’s curious to me that as caretakers of an institution which has had football since it’s inception in the 1930′s, they can make such a radical change in a secretive way, without any notice to anyone, input from outside stakeholders, or public debate.”

Gerstman will seek immediate clarification and reconsideration from University officials on this decision. Gerstman is asking that elected officials, former Hofstra football players and other members of the community step up to seek further explanation.

Gotham Government Relations offers its clients forward-thinking strategies that tap into political trends and opportunities. The work of its partners has resulted in shaping public policy on a number of key matters, including business advocacy and strategy; land use; special education; and charitable causes. For more information, log onto www.gothamgr.com or call us at 516-880-8170.