Charles Barron, who challenged Christine Quinn for the Speaker's chair (like that was a contest) and has gotten into several ... spirited debates with Quinn, is the only Democrat in the Council without a lulu (except for Simcha Felder, who is leaving the Council at the end of January).

Is anyone surprised?

Some interesting assignments (interesting to me, anyway), after the jump:

As expected, Leroy Comie was named chair of the Land Use committee. He is also Deputy Majority Leader, so his combined lulu of $20,000 saves the city several thousand dollars.

Also expected, Domenic Recchia chairs the Finance committee.

The Bronx has moved up somewhat. Joel Rivera is the Majority Leader, and James Vacca got the Transportation committee.

Brooklyn seems to have gotten (aside from the Finance committee) the short end of at least one stick -- two of their three freshman are only subcommittee chairs (Lander and Levin). Is this a bite on Vito Lopez?

Mark Weprin got a subcommittee -- Zoning & Franchises, and therefore only a $4,000 lulu (most committees have a $10,000 lulu). On the other hand, he was making a lot less last year in the Assembly, and that subcommittee has more real power than a lot of full committees.

Gale Brewer took over the Governmental Operations committee. You may remember that Simcha Felder was in charge of that committee during the hearings on extending term limits. Since Mayor Bloomberg is certain to put together a Charter Revision Commission (with Ron Lauder on it, possibly as the chairman), a lot of things may change in the next year or two. This committee is going to be busy dealing with the fallout. Personally, I can't think of anyone in the Council better suited to deal with just about any aspect of government than Gale Brewer, and I'm thrilled that she'll be in charge of this committee.

Margaret Chin, who represents lower Manhattan, got the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment committee. She's a logical choice, which is unusual.

Jumaane Williams got the Oversight and Investigations committee. This committee, under Eric Gioia, never held a hearing (except for budget hearings); look for Williams to be much more active.