Sampson: Parker Not Like Monserrate

Democratic Senate Leader John Sampson has come out and publicly stated that “there is no comparison” to the crimes committed by Senator Kevin Parker and Disgraced Senator Hiram Monserrate. Yesterday, Parker was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief for attacking a NY Post photographer while he was taking pictures of Parker’s house. Previous to this event, the Senate voted 53-8 in favor of ousting Hiram Monserrate after he was found guilty of misdemeanor assault after slashing his girlfriend in the face with a piece of glass.

Sampson says that until all of the information is available about Parker’s crime no action will be taken. Furthermore, Sampson says that Monserrate’s crime of domestic violence is more severe than Parker’s and therefore deserved a more severe punishment. What he fails to mention is that he voted against ousting Monserrate from his seat.

This is an absurd statement. There is no justifying Parker’s actions. He attacked a photographer for taking a picture of his house to use in a story. This was not a man trying to steal something or attacking someone. he was taking a picture. Parker ran out, pulled the car door OFF the photographers car, broke his camera, and then broke one of his fingers. There is no need for debate, no questions to ask, these are the actions of an unstable individual. Our state government is unstable enough, we don’t need Parker’s antics making things any more “interesting”.

As a side note, I would like to praise the wonderful city of Rochester for bringing some pride to New York. It would seem that Rochester is the fourth most obscene place in the country! This is according to a study done by Business Insider. Thanks a fucking lot Rochester. I am sure tourists will now flock back to Central New York.

OTB Bill Busts

After waiting all day to go into session, the New York State Senate voted on the NYC OTB restructuring bill. However, due to several Senators being not present at the vote the bill failed 29 to 21.

The legislation would have restructured the OTB program in New York to have mandatory oversight by the state. Furthermore, it would have allowed the NYC OTB to pay only 50 percent of its state taxes for the next two years (for a more comprehensive list of what the bill would have done see the post Senate Doubles Down).

All Democrats present for the vote, voted in favor of the legislation. However, three key votes were missing keeping the action from reaching the necessary 32 needed. Senator Pedro Espada failed to show for the session due to being voted out of office in a Democratic Primary in September, Senator Kevin Parker was busy being found guilty of Criminal Mischief, and Senator Malcolm Smith was in China discussing the possibility of building a High Speed Rail across New York State.

It should be noted that all Republican Senators present for the vote voted as a block against the legislation. Stating that the bill only benefited downstate interests and would not help the upstate OTB offices.

With the failed vote, NYC OTB CEO Greg Rayburn said he would be forced to shut down the organization as of Midnight tonight.

The Elephant In The Room

Finally, we have a confirmation on who will be in control of the New York State Senate…kind of. Over the weekend a federal judge declared that a hand re-count of the 7th Senate District is not necessary to protect the integrity of the election. This means that Republican challenger Jack Martins can claim victory over incumbent Craig Johnson with about a 500 vote lead.

However, the Democrats are not quite ready to give up on their hopes of a win in the 7th District. Senate Democrats are arguing that they might appeal the decision in order to ensure that every single vote is accounted for, ensuring voter protection. Since Nov. 3rd. Democrats have stated that there have been serious scanner machine errors, artificially inflating Martins lead over Craig Johnson.

At this point, it is doubtful that the Democrats will be able to mount a successful request for a hand recount. This is partially due to the fact that continuing to drag out the election will result in continued voter anger and will only hurt any Democrat running in two years. And Partially because the Democrats are out of campaign funds and are hurting to make up the debt they have accrued. The Democrats spent a whopping 2.45 million more than they had during the election. In order to settle the debt, they made a deal with the bank to work on a payment plan. The lack of campaign funds will ultimately keep them from being able to move forward with a hand count, even if they are granted the opportunity.

For the Republicans, a win for Martins means they will officially have control of the Senate when session re-convenes in January. The last outstanding race is for Democrat Suzi Oppenheimer’s seat who is leading her Republican challenger by about 400 votes. If all of this holds true the Republicans will have a 32-30 majority allowing them the opportunity to set the agenda for the Senate. It also allows them the chance to be in control of re-drawing the district lines to protect their members and possibly oust Democrats in more moderate districts. In retrospect, I suspect the Democrats are thinking that they should have passed independent redistricting when they had the chance, but hindsight is always 20-20.

Sign The Fracking Bill Paterson!

As of Wednesday the Hydrofracking Moratorium bill found its way to the Governor’s desk. This is in thanks to the Assembly’s recent passage of the legislation in a special session that took place on Tuesday. This means the Governor has 10 days to either sign or veto the legislation. If neither can be done in that time the bill becomes law automatically (this is not a rule because Paterson is blind, although it is convenient for him).

The moratorium would stop all horizontal and vertical hydrolic-fracturing from taking place in New York until May 2011. The Senate passed the bill back in May.

Personally, I say sign the damn thing already. There already is a moratorium on hydrofracking in New York so that the DEC can conclude its investigation into if the practice is safe or not. I don’t think it would hurt putting a final deadline on the process. Plus, let’s get down to brass tacks here, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS IN THE “WATER” THEY USE. I’m sorry, but I have listened to all the arguments for and against Hydrofracking in the world. I know both sides of the story. The fact is this, they want to pump chemicals, that we know are at the very minimum flammable, into our earth…and then leave it there in a well to become part of the underground drainage.

I am not saying that we can not have a drilling industry in New York. I am saying that if you want to drill in New York, you should have to use chemicals that 1. will not kill me. 2. will not light on fire. and 3. will not kill animals…in that order (3 can be up for debate based on the animal it kills and where). I find it hard to believe that drilling companies can not find a safe chemical to use to blow apart rocks with. If they can invent Gorilla Glue, they can do this. So how about drilling companies stop wasting their money on lobbying the New York State Government and try to find a safe way to dig a hole, so that the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas deposits can be accessed without turning New York State into Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith (final Battle Scene). This is not safe…stop the discussion, and sign the bill.

30 Days of Ambiguity

Well, it has been exactly one month since Election Day and I thought today would be a good day to do a quick summary of where New York State stands as we move toward a new legislative session in January.

Governor: As most of you know by now, Cuomo won by a huge margin. This was not a surprise to anyone. He has since organized his transition team which has included both Democrats and Republicans. A few notable names on this list include Onondaga County Exec. Joanie Mahoney (who crossed party lines to endorse Cuomo), Marissa Shorenstein, and Peter Kauffmann (both of whom worked for Paterson and resigned during the domestic violence case Paterson’s aide was involved in.) Cuomo has been fairly reserved about public statements since the election. Only coming out publicly to reiterate his plans and campaign promises for the upcoming session and to publicly admonish the legislature for not dealing with the budget deficit that has appeared mid-year. More to come, I’m sure.

State Senate: The New York State Senate is looking less like a governmental body and more like a tug of war match, with both sides already in the mud. Since election day, of the three races too close to call one has been formally announced. Sen. Antoine Thompson of Buffalo announced earlier this week that he will concede to Mark Grisanti (a Democrat who ran on the Republican line). Grisanti has pledged his support to Sen. Dean Skelos for Majority leader giving the Republicans another much-needed vote. The two remaining races will determine who has the majority in the Senate. The 37th Senate District has Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer up by about 300 votes and appears to be a lock for the Democrats. Meanwhile, the 78th Senate District has republican challenger Jack Martins up by more than 500 votes. For those playing the home game, if this holds true it would give the Senate Republicans a 32-30 majority.

State Assembly: Not a lot to report here. The Assembly Democrats have retained their Majority (as if that was ever in question) and re-elected Sheldon Silver as Speaker…shocked? Me either. However, is worth noting that Assembly Republicans picked up enough new seats to end the veto proof majority the Democrats had in the Assembly. This really changes nothing since almost all votes to override a veto have been supported from all members in the Assembly anyway.

Most recently both houses held a special session where the Senate passed legislation to create a commission to look into the possibility of pay raises for themselves and for judges. FYI neither has had a pay raise since 1999. The Assembly passed legislation supporting a 1 year moratorium on Hydrofracking. Neither house took up the Governor’s proposal to complete a Deficit Reduction Plan that would fill a more than 300 million dollar hole in the existing budget.

Now you are up to date with everything since Nov. 2nd. Brief fact, most of you reading this think you have done more in 7 days than our Government has done in 30…most likely, this is true.

Paterson: Free to Act or Irrelevant?

I have never been a huge fan of Paterson. However, I am very interested in what he will do now that he no longer has the big, ugly, snarling dog known as politics tearing at his leg. Due to his decision to not run for Election this coming season, due to a controversy involving one of his top aides, Paterson theoretically is free to go after real reform the state needs.

In theory, everything works. It is in reality that theory gets blown away. So, while politics is no longer dogging Paterson, it is possible that legislators will consider him erroneous to the system and regard him as a lame duck governor. Legislators will say, he no longer has any real power because he is not running for office and therefore is just keeping the seat warm for Andrew Cuomo.

Now, if Cuomo and Paterson had any sense at all, they would agree to throw in some of Cuomo’s more controversial issues into the pot now under Paterson’s watch. This would give Cuomo cover when he takes office and Paterson the opportunity to make some of the real reforms he wants to see made. I have to say, I believe Paterson wants to make the state better and I think his biggest issue was creativity, something Cuomo is not short on. Like I said, let Paterson “borrow” some ideas that Cuomo is not sure about or how they will be received in the legislature.

This makes sense for everyone and gives Cuomo time to trial run things so when he hits his 100 day countdown he can do the most with what he has. Think about it, Paterson could possible lay it all on the line for some real reforms. He is done in the public sector, go out with some flair. Plus, it would give some time to test reform ideas without Cuomo catching the heat. Why not go for it?

Mischief Managed?

Only two weeks after Governor Paterson gave the State of the State address, where he outlined comprehensive ethics reform in Albany, the issue has been picked up by the legislature. There is only one issue, the Governor hates it.

Thats right, Paterson’s spokesmen has stated quite clearly that the new ethics reform bill is nothing more than “election-year window dressing” . I am going to have to agree with Paterson on this one.

Everyone knows that come election time incumbets, specifically democrats, are going to have to answer for the screeching halt of the state government that occured last year. No better way to deflect the question than by being able to say, “yes, but we also past ethics reform legislation that will make New York a better state.” But, have they really passed ethics reform that voters can look at, and like Harry Potter to the Marauder’s Map, say mischief managed?

That answer would be NO. Now, i am a proponet of progress, and the legislature is making steps in the right direction. However, if ethics reform is going to be a central issue for this legislative session and election (and it clearly is), than why not attack the issue comprehensivly rather than picking out a few problems here and there.

For a little background information, the new bill would create a bi-cameral system that would monitor legislators and legislative activities, such as outside income (or the Bruno clause after former Senate Majority Leader Bruno).

But here is the kicker. In all of the shuffling around of committee’s and definitions the law fails to do one very important thing…DEFINE WHAT PUNISHMENTS WILL BE.

The single biggest problem with ethics in the State of New York is that people do not get punished if they do something wrong. For example, Senator Espada owes several thousands of dollars in campaign contribution violations, yet he still recieves his paycheck and is still in office. Creating another bill with no teeth is like trying to discipline a child without actually punishing them…”please billy stop stealing from other kids…now go play with your friends”.

I agree that reform is needed and if this waterdowned version of Governor Paterson’s proposal is all we can get, then lets pass it. But it will do little to actually fix the problem. I suggest we go back to the drawing board and try again.

(for those who read my posts, you will notice that in my state of the state analysis I predicted comprehensive ethics refom would be stripped and watered down)

State of the State Address

So here is the Post-Game Analysis

1. Paterson spoke fairly well today. He was clear and concise with his comments. There was not a whole lot of detail on all points but for the most part he shared an outline of his plans. However, I would say the speech overall was not that impressive. It was mediocre and passable.

2. Paterson did focus mostly on re-building the economy and finding a way to get New Yorkers back to work. At the beginning of the speech Paterson announced he will re-submit a bill that would institute a spending cap for the state government. I think this is a great idea, although, he did not go into too much detail other than a spending cap would help keep spending down….which is fairly obvious.

3. The most expansive he got on any one topic was Ethics Reform. The Reform Albany Act which was submitted in bill form to the legislature today would end “pay to play”, drive contribution limits down, institute public financing at a 4:1 ratio, and lastly, put term limits on public officials. I believe the Governor has submitted a comprehensive reform package that needs to be passed in New York. However, to be realistic, i believe there is a better than average chance that the Reform Albany Act will end up stripped down and gutted, leaving it useless on its face. I hope not, but we shall see.

4. On the topic of ethics, Paterson spoke to the legislature directly by saying that if the legislature does not act, he will. Paterson hinted at the idea of Executive Orders and Constitutional changes if the legislature does not do the “work of the people”. I predicted he would treat the legislature like a child and he did. He ended this section of the speech saying the legislature should have the voice of people by enacting the laws that people want. Like a father to a son, he told them to shape up.

5. Paterson also spoke clearly about oppertunities and ideas he would like implimented to help create a better economy and more jobs in New York. Specifically, he brought up the idea of re-developing the manufacturing districts of our state through a new program called the Excelsior Program. This would aim to bring Green Technology Manufacturing, Green Jobs, and Technology Jobs to the state. The plan also allows the government to buy old manufacturing sites and retro-fit them, bringing them back to operational status, and then sell them to companies. I like this plan overall and I think it could be the biggest success our state has seen in a long time.

(Alongside the Excelsior Program, Paterson suggested we end the Enterprise Zone program due to its continual failure.)

6. Lastly, Paterson spoke about a revolving door start up/small business loan program that would allow small companies to get their legs and build root. This program could be a huge success, or it could be a money pit. He did not go into a whole lot of detail of the program or how it would be implimented. I am not opposed to this though because small companies do contribute a fair share to the economy of upstate, less in downstate, and therefore need to be maintained.

Overall rating for the speech….3/5

Please add your comments of what you saw and heard!

State of the State Address

I have decided that the best way to tackle the forthcoming State of the State address, which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday, January 6th), is to have a pre-game prediction and a post game analysis. By doing this I think I will be able to flesh out a bit more of what Governor Paterson is going to say and why.

PRE-GAME PREDICTIONS:

1. I think we are going to see a strong call for unity in Albany. After everything that occurred in the Senate this past year, it would be ridiculous to think Paterson would say anything otherwise. However, while a message of unity is going to be apprent, I would bet all my money that it will be undertoned with the message that he will get the “people’s work” done. Essentially saying, if you dont get your shit together I will make you. The Governor enjoyed a slight bump in the polls when he took a hard line during the coup and I imagine we will see that same hard line.

2. I would expect to see an outline of budget cuts. This year the Governor did not release his budget 3 weeks ahead of the speech which means he knows he is going to have some heat due to budget cuts. The longer he waits to release the announcement of the cuts the more time he has to prepare responses.

3. I believe the Governor is going to highlight what he feels are going to be high priority issues, as he does every year. However, i doubt this list will be very long. I truly believe he is going to focus more on the budget and spend a lengthy amount of time on that topic. Issues that will get special recognition…Gay Marriage (for certain), Education (for certain), the Economy (for certain), Higher Education (possibly), and possibly an environmental issue such as Hydro-Fracking.

4. Tax increases, New Taxes, and new programs that will generate revenue. I expect the Governor will have a list of actions needed to generate revenue for the state. This may include new programs similar to the “mandetory new license plates” and “fat-tax”. These programs have not gone over well so far, so i doubt he will mention them individually. Rather, he will say new programs are going to be instituted to help the state out of fiscal crisis. I suspect he is going to announce a tax increase, possible on the wealthy or on cigerettes.

5. As far as the Governor’s tone in the speech. I believe he is going to try and come across as a hard liner on getting work done this session. As i said earlier, he got a poll boost from acting like the guy standing up for the “people’s work”. So, expect him to speak to the two houses like a father scolding his sons.

6. Lastly, and I really would be a little shocked to see it brought up in the speech, the upcoming election. He may touch on the fact that he has made it quite clear that he intends on running no matter how low his poll numbers are. However, i doubt any statements on the election would be very lengthy. No more than a mere mentioning, if at all.

Remember the speech is on Wednesday, January 6th. Please take the time and listen to what the Governor has to say. Even if you do not like the Governor, or his ideas, what he has to say impacts everyone. Also, stay posted for the Post-Speech Analysis!!!

Deals Come and Deals Go, But Politics is Forever

Well, i do have some good news to report today. It would seem that late yesterday a deal was struck, in the traditional way (3 men in a room), between the Assmebly, the Senate, and the Governor on how to address the fiscal crisis New York is in.

The 3 leaders met at the Governors mansion in albany last night and decided that 2.9 million would be cut from the deficit. Cuts would come from health care and the plan would also create a tax amnesty plan that is anticipated to be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Go here for the article by the times union.

But lets get to the fun stuff, promptly after the agreement was reached Paterson released a statement that the agreement did not go far enough, and that he alone was standing up for what the people of the state of New York need.

Now i do not contest the idea that the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Conferance Leader, Sheldon Silver and John Sampson, do NOT have the peoples best interests at heart. Why you ask, because it took them forever and day to do anything about a looming budget problem that they have known about for the better part of a year!

However, Paterson has made the mistake of criticizing forward movement. While movement should be made more quickly, and more efficiantly, progress should not be criticized. The attempt at helping the state move forward was made and that should be applauded, especially when the progress made is late in the making and hard to come by.

I do not want to make this sound like i am agreeing with the leaders of the legislature however. The legislature continues to be a puppet of the leaders and drag its feet on everything that needs to be done due to fear of political pressure. Man up and make the necessary change for the state!