Pataki's NY State of Mind

If there's one thing Gothamist has realized in the past 10-11 years, it's that Governor Pataki kind of gets worse and worse. As the NY Times' news analysis of the governor's State of the (NY) State address put it well, noting that Pataki has a "propensity to stay on message, and glance over bad news," as he ignores issues like "big deficits, enormous bills coming due for education, transportation and health care, and a national reputation for government gridlock." Gothamist credits Governor Pataki for being a smooth and able politician, but in terms of getting anything done, fie on him 'cause we're getting sick of this poo. This is why Attorney General Eliot Spitzer (seen the right background of this AP Photo) is an attractive opponent in the 2006 gubernatorial race. But let's not forget the NY State Assembly, which sucks and has the worst record for passing legislation in the country. [Related: The NY Times on the most powerful men in Albany - Pataki, Sheldon Silver (Assembly Leader), and Joseph Bruno (NY Senate majority leader): "some of the biggest changes Mr. Pataki successfully ushered into law in 1995 after [former Governor Mario] Cuomo's 12-year rule are coming undone, victims of legislative gridlock and the competing political realities of running the state."] What is wrong with our state?

Here's the text of Pataki's State of the State. Mayor Bloomberg attended the State of the State; he was there with a "laundry list" of NYC's budgetary needs; these needs figure in the billions, what with education and MTA budgets at stake.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 6, 2005 11:26 AM

Comments [rss]

Donna

For NYS politics, see NYCO's Blog. http://www.silent-edge.org/mt/nyco

Larry Littlefield

We have the highest taxes, the biggest debts, a fiscal crisis in the middle of an economic expansion. The city's schools are still underfunded, and almost none of the money is going to the poor anymore, so you can't demonize the usual suspects.

What to do? Tell those in the state who have very good deals they'll have to take a few hits for the future, and for past victims? Naaah. Talk about crime.

They say New York State's government is dysfunctional. Well, it works for someone. Politicians who keep getting re-elected, and the narrow, priviledged interests that back them.

hijiki

i've been kinda sleeping on state politics... any suggestions on where i can find a non-partisan rundown on what i've missed?

Dirk

I can't wait until the day when I can utter the words: Governor Spitzer.

Bary Popik

Did you check out the lead editorial in the NY Sun, "For the Birds"? Pataki's SOTS address declared: "We will add 20 new bird conservation areas to the 28 created since 1995." Wow! Bird conservation areas! What a guy!

The Post's Fred Dicker got the response that it looks like Pataki's done and he knows it.

OT: How can I marry Erica Payne (today's interview)?

MT

Did anyone catch the profile of Spitzer in New York this week? He sounds a little scarey, but I can't wait to elect him Governor and let him take a whack at the state senate/assembly. If anyone can shake it loose, I think he can. Not only is a pitbull, but the man actually sounds like he wants to make this a better place for the people, not just the corporations.