Lazio….Really…Again?

I know it has been a while since i updated everyone. That would be becasue my Masters Program is consuming all the time i could possibly have to write anything about Albany. However, when i saw the news that Rick Lazio was going to enter the Gubnatorial Race I felt the need to get this in, for your sake and my own.

I want to start with Party has nothing to do with my critique of Lazio. Yes, he is a republican, and yes i am not all that fond of republicans. However, even i will admit when i see a a good politcian and a good leader. Rick Lazio is neither of these. Here is a man that runs for every political office in the state. Literally, i think since i have been alive i have seen more “vote for Rick Lazio” posters than anyone else. Yet, he never wins.

There has to be a reason for this…oh yeah, it’s because he is ingenuine and has bad ideas for the state. For example, he would like to eliminate one representitve body in the state. WTF???? We have a bi-cameral system in place for a reason. It ensures that everyone has a voice and ensures bills get vetted correctly. Then again this system can only work correctly when democracy works correctly, and we all know that has been a problem for a while now here in New York.

But suggesting we eliminate one legislative body because we are dysfuctional, at least in my view, is giving up on efficiant democracy. It is like when a car tire goes flat, normally a person would just get another tire…(get new legislators)…but Lazio suggests we eliminate an etire axel system and run the damn thing on two wheels. Does that make any sense at all…no, the answer is no, and i know some of you out there are saying but it will streamline the system and that will be good. Yes, it will make the process faster, but not better. Democracy is a slow process, always has been, always will be.

Nevermind that New York has a much too diverse population to do a single legislature. Think about that for a second…New York City has more people than the rest of the entire state, but they should only get one vote. Your right, that sounds reasonable Lazio. I know upstaters and down staters don’t always get along, and thats fine, we have very different needs. However, a single house would be pointless becasue then upstate would be the only one represented fairly. We need both houses to represent both areas.

On a nicer note…Lazio does support a constitutional convention, which i think should happen every chance we get. Sadly, he wants to drive the state into the hole. So, i must openly say that i can not and will not support Lazio…for anything, much less for Governor.

Espada Continues To Be Appeased

So, after attempting to overthrow the Democratic Majority Senator Espada was given more than just a title bump and a “c’est la vie” from party members. According to new reports Espada has already received over 500,000 dollars in support staff.

Now it was my understanding that New York State in currently in a serious recession which has prompted state government to cut programs, staff, and a myriad of other resources. Yet here stands Espada, the new majority leader, who demands he receive more than any other. This does not sound like the fair and balanced bi-partisan government Espada was toting on about during the Coup attempt.

Now lets say, for arguments sake, that Espada wanted to use the excess 500,000 for issue staff that would look into a bi-partisan, fair New York State. Then i doubt he would have hired a convicted campaign finance violater or the attorny that he is using to pay off the 75,000 Espada owes in Campaign Finance Violation fines.

I think it fairly clear now that Espada’s goals were never aimed at creating a more fair and bi-partisan state government. He was out for a power grab. He saw an oppertunity to double his influance and income by hijacking the state senate. Espada should, absolutly and unequivocally, be voted out of office. He has no regard for a better New York, he is just a selfish, power hungry politician who should be looked at a little closer by Andrew Cuomo.

Oink Oink: The Pigs Gone Downstate

First let me start with I apologize to anyone who reads my blog regularly. I have not been posting as often as usual due to being out of town and being busy working two jobs.

With that said, lets discuss the loss of Pork (aka Member-items) to Upstate New York. Newspapers across the state are reporting that Upstate New York has seen a record loss in member item allocated dollars. Somehow this is a suprise to them.

Yes, it is undeniable that every single leader, Republican and Democrat, in the state houses are from downstate resulting in more money flowing to the city and surrounding areas. Yet this is not the sole reason why money is going downstate.

Pork dollars have begun to go downstate because downstate puts more money into the state. Overall downstate puts in way more in taxes than upstate. So, if they recieve more pork, it is not completely unexpected.

Also, Downstate is haveing a more severe recession then upstate areas. Now, i am not saying that upstate is not having problems, it is. However, the majority of people working downstate work in banks, on wall street, in short, the financial sector. This is where the biggest hurt happend. So, more of them are losing their jobs. Which means they will need more pork to support their municipal goings on.

More importantly, the question needs to be asked about how pork is allocated. Yes, it is unfair. Yes, some years minority members do not recieve the money they need. And yes, a new process is needed. Personally, i am not sure what that is.

However, if i had to take a stab in the dark it would be taking all the projects and members asking for pork and do a needs analysis for the community. I gurantee that if this is done less pork will be doled out and when it is it will have a larger impact. but thats just my thoughts…

Campaign Spending

The deadline passed to submit campaign contribution amounts for the fiscal year. Once again we get the chance to review how much our legislators are raising in order to reatain their seats. Which, this year, could be neccessary since they have performed so poorly.

However, the focus of this will be on the Andrew Cuomo and Governor David Paterson. Cuomo raised about 5.1 million in the last year while Paterson raised 3.7 million. Paterson outspent Cuomo though, spending 1.8 million this year while Cuomo spent only 600,000 dollars.

Cuomo has previously stated that he will not be attempting to run for the Gubnatorial position against Paterson, despite the fact that Cuomo has beaten Paterson in every poll since January. With these new numbers we can make a few assumptions though.

Paterson is spending money as fast as he can make it because he knows he will have to hit the ground running well ahead of any challanger. Paterson has taken serious flak on a myriad of issues, not all are his fault, such as current economic situations. However, he will still be held responsible for answering questions about the many mistakes he has made.

Cuomo on the other hand has remained fairly quite and out of the spotlight. Only coming forward when his opinion was needed or demanded. He has quitly been raising a war chest worthy of the Gubnatorial race. I highly doubt that Cuomo needs 5.1 million dollars for the Attorny Generals race, especially with more than a year away from the election.

Everything Cuomo is doing is indicitive of someone who is seriosly considering a move up the ladder. He is building up a huge surplus of cash and spending nearly none. I believe Cuomo is going to wait a little longer to decide if he is going to challenge Paterson. It looks like Cuomo will only step up if it is clear that Paterson can not beat whoever is running on the Republican ticket. It is possible that Paterson’s numbers could turn around, but only time will tell.

A Quick Summation…

So, after a long weekend of pondering the actions of the New York State Senate I think, think, I have figured out why Pedro Espada was made Majority Leader. I believe, both Democrats and Republicans are fearful of Governor David Patersons pick for Lt. Governor, Richard Ravitch, for differing reasons.

Democrats were afraid that should Richard Ravitch assume the position of Lt. Governor a new head hancho would be in charge of the senate. The Dems like the position they are in now. They like not having to report to anyone but themselves. So, naturally, they do not want the governor steping on their turf. Also, the senate would look entirely useless if they could not solve the problem on their own. Should the Governor have to step in a fix the problem it would add insult to injury and make the clear statment that the Senate Dems can not run a body of government without creating some sort of catastrophic issue. So, a deal needed to be brokered quickly.

The Republicans were put, due to their own actions, into a precarious position once Paterson announced his plans to make Richard Ravitch Lt. Governor. I believe that as long as the senate remained non-functioning a court was likely to find the governor’s actions legal because he was fulfilling the long held practice of check and balances. The executive was checking the legislature to ensure they would not continue to drag down the state government. Also, i am willing to bet more than one judge the republicans consulted told them this. So, therefore the republicans had two choices, gamble it all on a judge who believes in strict constitutionalism, or conceed something to ensure they get something.

I believe they told Espada to go back to the dems and say you can have power but our guy, Espada, must be Majority Leader. That way they can hold it over his head for years that without the Republicans he would not have recieved the placement giving them some leverage. If they had not, there was a decent chance that Ravitch would have come in and given the Dems the majority again and the Republicans would have gotten nothing back and held the blame for the tie-up.

Pedro Espada, Espada needed the have a position of power otherwise his ass was going to be voted out of office faster than anyone can imagine. If this whole debacle ended with him on the losing side he would never be allowed back into politics. So, by making a deal and becoming Majority Leader he now stands a chance at retaining his seat.

And lastly, Governor Paterson. Paterson stood the most to gain from this whole situation. His ratings have been in the tank since winter and he needed something to drag him back into the game. He only had to appear resolute and hold the senates feet to the fire for the duration of this process to make this happen. In a more expert political maneuverm, he appointed a Lt. Governor. See, it does not matter if Richard Ravitch was allowed to take the seat at all. It only matters that he made the attempt to solve the issue and flexed his muscles. He can now claim that he solved the senate deadbolt in his campaign to be elected.

Now it all makes sense…

We Come Full Circle…

Well, after more than a month of Senate deadlock the senate has resumed its official business. So, what has changed?

Nothing, but a name, thats it. The whole deadlock was caused by Pedro Espada who left the democratic party because he felt the leadership was not doing a good enough job and was not working with Republicans. So, he switched sides in an attempt to force the issue. Then last night Espada decided to return to the democratic party returning the 32-30 majority to the dems. Only with a catch, he becoem majority leader. The deal was accepted.

Thats right, the guy who decided to address the leadership and partisan issue by creating deadlock in the state senate, essentially halting all productive action, has been put in charge of the senate. WTF?! The guy hijacks the Senate and they appease him! Now, i as much as anyone, is in support of creating rules changes in the senate and would like to see senators have more power and more transparancy. However, something has to be said about debating these things on the floor like a mature democratic system was designed to do.

That did not happen. Espada hijacked the senate and they reward him for his “leadership quailities”. I am ashamed to admit i am a democrat in New York. The Dems should have told Espada that they will be more than happy to create rules changes and transparency in the senate, but you will not be leading the senate. I think Espada had some good issues that needed to be addressed, but what he did proves he does not belong in a leadership position. The only proof that anyone needs is the fact that he acted like a child throwing a tantrum to get what he wants.

To further prove the point that the whole debacle changed almost nothing is the fact that the senate decided to pass over 160 pieces of legislation during the dead of night after the logjam ended. So, after all that, they couldn’t wait till the morning to talk about the bills and pass them then?

The only thing people should be thinking about now is 2010. What deal do you think was cut with the Republicans for the re-drawing of lines after the census. I know this plays into it some how, i just am not sure of the details.

So, don’t worry everyone, the NYS Senate is back and everything is going to go back to the way it was….stupid dysfunctional government.

A New Player Enters the Mix

Most people by now know that Governor David Paterson has decided to appoint Richard Ravitch as Lt. Governor in an attempt to end the senates power debacle. The question now is should he have done it and is it legal?

Governor Paterson has made quite a few bad decsions since he has taken office. That said, in the last few months i believe we have seen Paterson at his best. He has held the hands of both senate republicans and senate democrats trying to get the two to agree, he has forced senators into session, and he has stripped them of their paychecks. Each time both parties spit in his face telling him that they will take care of this themsleves. So, when nothing happend he did the only think he thought would help. He acted.

You can not stand on a pedistal and condem the Paterson for acting like an adult and finding a solution to the problem. The Senate needs a leader, the state needs a line of succession. By appointing someone to the Lt. Governor’s position he can break the gridlock by essentially adding another vote to the democratic caucus.

The question now is, is it legal? Honestly, I have not read the law, nor do I have to to know how this should be decided. The fact of the matter is that government has come to a extraodinary and unexpected halt. Elected Officials have refused to solve the problem in a timely manner. The Governor saw a way of getting the wheels of the senate moving, so he acted. Sometimes, the best course of action is not the legal action, it is just the right thing to do.

Either way, now the appointment will be sent to the courts to decide. Should their decsion come down against appointment the state will be exactally where we were a day ago, if the appointment holds than the senate has finally been greased and is rolling again.

Local Vs. State Control

So, since there is little to dicuss in the about legislation or any proactive action by our state government i thought this would be a good time to talk about something that has plauged New York, and most states, for awhile now. People have been squabbling about who should get to decide how to run their communities, Local governments or State Governments.

Thos who support local government control argue that the state is out of touch of the needs of their community and what their community needs. Often times that is followed up with the argument that small towns and small cities do not have the power that larger cities have and therefore their power is even more reduced.

I even agree with some of these claims. Local governments are much more in touch with communities than state governments are. However, here is where I begin to disagree with the fundemental argument that local governments should have more power.

Local governments and State Governments do not share a federal system like state and federal government. Those powers not reserved by the states do not fall to the communitites. The states are responsible for governing their respective territories completely. In other words, state governments have the final say in every action taken by any local entity. Any and every State Law usurps any and every local law.

Also, on a more commen sense level, what would happen if every local municipality had the power to have conflicting laws and conflicting reasons for such laws. How would the judiciary decide any ruling opinions? It would be anarchy. There could be no precedents to be set, which would impeed on higher courts from decideing other cases.

So, on the mere common sense level the idea of local governments running themselves fails. Which means I do not really have to get into the fact that local governments have proven time and again that without state intervention they would fall apart and not be able to do anything. So, we have no other way to conclude this than with…fix the state government because the local governments are purely advisory. Without our ruling body the state will fall into anarchy.

By Judicial Decree

Thats right, it took a judicial decree to force our New York State Senate to conveen as one whole body. See the State Senate is acting like two brothers who do not want to share a toy. So, the mother (the judiciary) must step in and force them to get along.

The fact that it came to a judicial order to force their hand is an embarresment to the state and the electorate. Our legislative body is so dysfuctional, so pathetic, so thick-headed, that they require another branch of the government to tell them what to do and when to do it.

In a tripartite government each body should be able to act as an autonomous entity. Meaning each one should be able to function with as little interferance from the other two as possible. So, when i say it is embarrassing that our legislature needs another branch to force it to do its job, its an absolute truth. Rather than working like a smooth system, with each branch doing its job. New York State has the Executive and Judicial branches babysitting a dysfunctional legislature pulling them away from their respective duties, making the whole system fall apart.

I suppose this is why we have three branches of government, to ensure the rights of the voting electorate. However, New York is a special case scenario. The founders created the three branch system as a fail safe, a back up to the voters not being able to take action. Which, we can’t currently. But, once we are given to option to fix the problem it is in the voters hands again.

New York has taken the opposite approach. We have decided to rely on the fail-safe of the three branch system exclusively. We continually re-elect the same people to office ensuring the continuation of the problem. Fix the problem people. Stop looking at this situation and saying “not my legislator” becasue it is your legislator, its all of them. Get with it and make an informed decision rather than a decsion that continues the the problem.

The Art of Redistricting

Well, in an earlier post I stated that the reason the Republicans decided to act now and begin this whole senate debacle is because of the census in 2010. That reasoning has been confirmed.

In 2010 the state representitves get the chance to re-draw the district lines according to the new census once it is completed. Obviously, the ones who hold the power will be ones to re-draw as they see necessary and gerrymander districts however they please, just as the Republicans had done for the last 20 plus years.

Now, it is the Dems turn to get some revenge and the Republicans are scared of losing the senate and never getting it back. They could be re-districted out of the senate for over 20 years. However there is something more than just re-districting that has the Republicans scared of the 2010 Census….population shift.

The Democrats may not have to re-district, even though they will, to take the senate and never give it back. Some experts are saying that a large population surge has occured in the downstate area since the last census and upstate has seen a huge drop in population. Since downstate is usually more liberal than upstate it is entirely resonable to think that with a larger population in downstate districts will be forced to split, creating more downstate districts. With the population loss upstate districts will have to merge and see a loss of Republican districts.

So, that is why we are seeing the action by the Republicans now. Essentially, if they didnt act soon they would have been frozen out of the senate and who knows when they could make a comeback…maybe never.