Latinos Among City & State's NYC Power 100

The NiLP Report

City & State magazine just released their annual New York City Power 100 list of who they consider the most influential New Yorkers this past year. We usually comment on how few Latinos barely make this list but this year 11 made it and represented a healthy cross-section of influential Latinos. However, considering the Latinos make up 29 percent of the city's population, this list also reflects this community's largely outsider political status.

It is significant that the two most powerful Latinos on this list are women

--- Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, although only 4 of the 11 are women.

It is also interesting that while labor leaders are represented, there are no Latino businesspersons on the list. Nor are there any Latino journalists included, despite the importance of the media in the city's politics.

Here is City & State's assessment of each of their Latino Power 11 (preceded by their ranking among the 100):

12. Melissa Mark-Viverito

New York City Council Speaker

Melissa Mark-Viverito is wrapping up her tenure as the first Latina speaker of the New York City Council. An ally of Mayor Bill de Blasio, she didn't wield the full powers of her office, and progressives were disappointed that she derailed the Right to Know Act, a major police reform bill. Nevertheless, she's still a tough voice on immigration reform and has made significant progress on criminal justice reform. The big questions now are what she'll manage to get done in her last year - and what she plans to do next.

18. Carmen Fariña

New York City Schools Chancellor

With more than four decades of experience, Carmen Fariña is what Mayor Bill de Blasio wanted in a chancellor of New York City's vast education system. Her on-the-ground approach has helped make significant changes, including the successful implementation of universal pre-K and rising high school graduation rates. There were early concerns with Fariña's micromanagement, and she's been grilled by lawmakers and attacked in the tabloids, but if she retires in 2017 as expected, she'll go out with some serious accomplishments.

32. Rubén Díaz Jr.

Bronx Borough President

Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. has powerful friends - and knows how to leverage them. Diaz's relationship with Gov. Andrew Cuomo most recently helped him secure a loan to revive a transformation of the Kingsbridge Armory into an ice rink complex. Diaz's bond with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and state Senate Independent Democratic Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein bolsters his borough. Diaz doesn't seem to need Mayor Bill de Blasio - so much so that Diaz has openly weighed challenging him.

39. Ramón Martinez

Chief of Staff, New York City Council Speaker

Some New York City Council members grumble privately about Ramón Martínez's control over which policies and legislation advance in the legislative body, but in his pivotal behind-the-scenes role he has proven his value to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and, some argue, to the city as a whole. His approach to the needs of the City Council members and their districts is described by some insider observers as merit-based, although his enemies describe him in unprintable terms.

43. Julissa Ferreras-Copeland

New York City Councilwoman

Julissa Ferreras-Copeland is frequently mentioned on the list of New York City Council members jockeying to succeed Melissa Mark-Viverito as speaker, but first, she may need to fend off a primary challenge. Her power currently derives from her position heading the City Council's Committee on Finance, which plays a lead role in the city's budget process. Ferreras-Copeland has been firm about urging city agencies to find savings, and will likely make that a focal point of budget negotiations in the coming months.

60. Nydia Velázquez

Congresswoman

While she was as shocked as anyone with the 2016 presidential election results, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez remains as active as ever. She was one of the first elected officials to rally against President Donald Trump's immigration ban. She's involved not just in her district - which spans Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan - but in other areas that require her assistance. Her longstanding working relationship with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer gives her an edge here and in Washington, D.C.

61. Marcos Crespo

Assemblyman and Bronx County Democratic Committee Chairman

Still, in his 30s, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo has been chairman of the Bronx County Democratic Committee for two years and is an influential player in New York politics. His ascension as party boss was expected to give the likable politician a greater voice to the next generation of politicos. Crespo, who also is chairman of the Assembly's Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, has kept a low profile, but his ties to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr. help him get things done.

64. Henry Garrido

Executive Director, District Council 37

Just a few years ago, District Council 37 had a reputation as a diminished labor union. Since taking over in 2014, Executive Director Henry Garrido has brought activism back to the forefront of one of the largest municipal labor unions, added members as the city increased its head count, collaborated with City Hall to cut health care costs and campaigned to turn dues-payers into active members. Perhaps that's why DC 37 is an obligatory campaign stop for elected officials citywide.

67. Héctor Figueroa

President, 32BJ Service Employees International Union

Héctor Figueroa is a behind-the-scenes player, but the head of the 163,000-member service workers' union is one of the labor's top policymakers. While some unions vented frustration with Mayor Bill de Blasio over policy disagreements or fundraising investigations, 32BJ SEIU has been a loyal ally, backing his affordable housing plan and minimum wage increase. An early pre-Thanksgiving endorsement from the union could be a big reason why there hasn't yet been a serious primary challenge for de Blasio.

83. Adriano Espaillat

Congressman

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican-American in Congress, is also the House of Representatives first member who was previously an undocumented immigrant - giving him an informed perspective as Democrats push back against President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The Harlem and Bronx representative is seeking to join the powerful Congressional Black Caucus despite trying twice to unseat U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel. Espaillat has tremendous shoes to fill and the Latino community will be watching closely.

91. Vincent Alvarez

President, New York City Central Labor Council

As the head of the New York City Central Labor Council, an umbrella group for the city's labor unions, Vincent Alvarez has worked behind the scenes on labor issues across the five boroughs. It's an especially important role in light of recent minimum wage increases, affordable housing legislation, and rules to protect freelancers. Alvarez was a key advocate against Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed horse carriage ban and has urged City Hall to address the uptick in construction worker deaths.

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