Results tagged “dysfunction”

Aggravating—the State Legislature failed to pass the bill that would make it a felony for drunk drivers to have passengers under 16. The Observer reports, "[State Senator Charles] Fuschillo and State Senator Martin Malave Dilan are standing by a bill that would make it a felony to drive with a B.A.C. of over .08 with a child in the car. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said yesterday that chamber would consider (and most certainly pass) a bill where felony penalties kicked in at a BAC of .18, and kept a misdemeanor charge for anyone blowing .08 to .18." Though there was allegedly a deal, the Senate then walked away from the deal and apparently couldn't pass the original bill (felony at .08) because Paterson had to send the bill down... so now it's stalled.

Today, the NY Times launched announced its new editorial series on the incompetence of the NY State government, called "Failed State." A year away from state elections, a fired-up Times rails against the "inbred system [which] allows so many lawmakers to abuse the public trust," summarizing some of the more egregious abuses of the past couple years and some of the major grievances which they plan to address in the series. Warning—if you don't already want to head up to Albany with a pitchfork, you will now:

At least four Albany legislators are collecting sweet pensions on top of their annual salaries, including one Assemblyman who sponsored legislation last year to crack down on state workers for the same practice, known as "double dipping." Seventy-five-year-old Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Island) technically "retired" last year but continues to "work" at the state capital, where you're paying him $101,500 in salary plus a pension of about $72,000. Forget it Jake, it's Albany, where it's perfectly legal for veteran lawmakers to "retire" at 65 and start collecting pensions, but without actually leaving their jobs, giving up their salaries or even telling their constituents.

About two months ago, as Albany was mired in new chaos with two Democrats aligning with the Republicans during coup/power grab, the NY Post sent a clown to Albany to add to the circus of madness. Today, the NY Times looks (fondly?) at the tabloid's move, interviewing Connie Adams, professionally known as Sunny the Clown. She "typically performs at children’s birthday parties and corporate picnics" and was initially "reluctant to cancel her standing Wednesday night gig at a local Burger King and make the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the capital." But now Adams is happy she said yes, what with a mention on NPR, the Post's coverage, the envy of her peers, and a small amount of local fame when she happens to be in public as her alter-ego: "I don’t generally like to go out when I’m in clown. You have to stay in character, and it’s really hard. But some guy turns to me and says: 'Sunny the Clown! I just saw you in the paper!'"

Even though Mayor Bloomberg struck a deal with the State Senate over mayoral control of schools legislation, the high-fives might have to wait: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said the amendments—which the Senate tacked onto the mayoral control bill the Assembly already passed— weren't a done deal. He told the Post, "The only guarantee that was given was that we will take them up with our conference and let them decide what they want to do with them, probably sometime in September. It's possible all will pass, possible none will pass, or some of them [will] pass with various amendments." According to the Daily News, "The Senate is expected to be back sometime next month to pass the Assembly bill. At that same time, the chamber was expected to separately pass the amendments agreed to with the city," but now that seems in jeopardy. State Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) said, "If the Assembly doesn't vote on our amendments, we're not bringing up the main bill... Why should we?" And it's a reminder again that Albany is a huge clusterf*ck.

Guess being secretly sworn in at Peter Luger Steakhouse doesn't guarantee anything: A judge issued an injunction blocking Richard Ravitch from serving as lieutenant governor. Newsday reports, "State Supreme Court Justice William LaMarca said the injunction was needed to give the court time to hear more arguments about the constitutionality of Ravitch's appointment." LaMarca added, "Were the governor to die, resign, or be removed from office, Mr. Ravitch, if allowed to remain in office, is next in the line of succession...For an illegally appointed lieutenant governor to act as governor of the state would clearly constitute irreparable harm."

A new poll from the Siena Research Institute reveals the unsurprising news: 77% of registered voters don't think the State Senate passed any new legislation and think "the senators wasted more than a month of valuable time accomplishing nothing." (Here's the PDF.) Siena's Steven Greenberg said, “Voters from every party and every region overwhelmingly reject the notion that it was good that Senators took the time to resolve their differences. Rather, there is real anger at senators - regardless of the voters‟ party affiliation or region. Although voters have long demonstrated particularly short memories, most feel that their fellow voters will remember the Senate fight next November and a plurality are already prepared to vote out incumbent senators.” Greenberg added, "Most voters in the state have an opinion about Senator Pedro Espada - and by a better than four-to-one margin it's an unfavorable opinion. Additionally, 21 percent of voters, a plurality, think Sen. Espada is most to blame for the Senate fight, followed by Senate Republicans (18%), Senate Democrats (15%) and Governor Paterson (12%)."

Yesterday, the Daily News reported that State Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) was given back his committee chairmanship and the $12,500/year stipend—it had been stripped because of those felony assault charges for allegedly beating his girlfriend. The News' sources suggested Monserrate wanted them back in return to rejoining the Democratic fold, but he told the News, "Me getting the committee chairmanship back is news to me. I never asked to be reinstated as [head] of the ... committee. If that's what you're saying is occurring, oh well. If that's what leadership wants to do, that's their decision." But now the News reports that Monserrate requested to be given back the chairmanship and stipend—according to Sen. John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), head of the Democratic conference, and Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). In an interesting choice of words, Sen. Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn) said Monserrate's reinstatement was "a slap in the face to every woman and every citizen of this state."

Now that the five-week long State Senate coup-turned-stalemate is over, thanks in no small part to Pedro Espada's defection from the Democrats to align with Republicans...only to boomerang back to the Democrats after being made majority leader, Governor Paterson is speaking out against the perks that apparently make switching party allegiances very tempting. He told the Associated Press, "It is so blatantly quid pro quo that it borders on the boundaries of illegality. And because no one is saying anything about it, it's becoming acceptable ... it's becoming very dangerous."

Forget it, New York. It's just Albany. That's what we're thinking as the five week State Senate stalemate circus has ended with the State Senator who represents the Bronx but may actually live in Westchester and who is under investigation for a number of questionable dealings is now our new Senate majority leader. That's right, Espada, who left the Democrats to gain power by aligning with the Republicans, decided to rejoin the Democratic fold, after being assured of a powerful position—PolitickerNY calls him a triple-crosser while the Post sums things up as "SLEAZY DOES IT IN COUP PART 2." The Daily News' Juan Gonzalez's column headline: "Albany back-stabber Pedro Espada comes out ahead in senate stalemate that shut down state."

Just as we were getting used to the idea of a "Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch"—secretly sworn in by Governor Paterson last night—now here's another curveball for New Yorkers: State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. tells the Post he's leaving the Republican coalition and will rejoin the Democrats! He said, "I'm going to tell (Republican leader Sen.) Dean Skelos that I have a handshake agreement with (Democratic leader Sen.) John Sampson to become the majority leader." Keep in mind that Espada and fellow Democrat Hiram Monserrate's alignment with Republicans help send the State Senate down this rabbit hole.

While Governor Paterson may have appointed Richard Ravitch as his lieutenant governor, Senate Republicans are stopping that, by way of a court order signed at 12:23 a.m. "after a petition from the leaders of the Republican-dominated State Senate coalition, Pedro Espada Jr. and Dean Skelos," PolitickerNY reports. A hearing will be held in Mineola, NY tomorrow, because Skelos sought the order in his home county. Skelos, who would be majority leader if the Republicans do control the Senate, said of Ravitch's appointment, "I think it's a publicity stunt and totally illegal." Ravitch, the former head of the MTA, was sworn in at 8 p.m. last night, just three hours after Paterson's announcement.

Well, so much for even pretending to get anything done. PolitickerNY reports, "Three Democratic state senators walked out of the still-divided chamber this afternoon before their Democratic colleagues convened into a regular session. While it didn't have any effect on the session's outcome--there was no quorum, and as such, no bills were acted on--it was a very public show of disunity in a conference that looks increasingly frayed." The three senators were Sens. Carl Kruger, Hiram Monserrate and Ruben Diaz Sr.—three of the four Amigos (the fourth is Pedro Espada Jr., who is aligned with the Republicans these days). The Daily Politics notes that Diaz Sr. issued a statement to assure people he wasn't switching parties, I refuse to allow myself to continue to be used and to be part of the circus where we vote for bill that governor refuses to sign... I am just tired of this circus." Hey, you and millions of New Yorkers! Also, Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) ranted about the Republicans, the NY Post, and many other things while John Sampson, the Democratic conference leader, said the Republicans and Espada are just interested in "T Triple P"—title, power, pork and patronage—and that's why no agreement has been made yet.

After it was suggested by a lawmaker and good government groups that he actually did have the power to appoint a lieutenant governor, Governor Paterson simply said, “I want to thank Assemblyman Gianaris, Citizens Union and Common Cause for working to try to find a way to break the impasse in the Senate. The issues they raised in their letter have been under review for some time by my Counsel. I look forward to working with these groups and others to find a way to end the stalemate and get the Senate back to work.” However, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said that Paterson actually can't appoint a LG to help break the State Senate stalemate!

With the coup-coup State Senate still gridlocked, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and good government group the Citizens Union offer this idea: Governor Paterson can and should appoint a lieutenant governor who can break the tie! Gianaris said, “The answer to the state's gridlock was right under own noses the entire time: the law allows Governor Paterson to choose a Lieutenant Governor when there is a vacancy. I urge the Governor to make this appointment as quickly as possible so the state legislature can resume its work and pass the dozens of important measures that await action."

Yesterday, the State Senate held another Governor Paterson-mandated "extraordinary session." But the post-July 4th session only lasted three minutes, as the State Senate Democrats and Republicans still do not have a deal to share power. Governor Paterson, who is mighty fed up with the stalemate, told the Daily News that maybe the Democrats should give State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. a leadership position, "Whatever you think of [Espada], he has been given the highest position on the coalition side. You may not like him, but you have to respect him. That is where he is."

While the State Senate did meet yesterday during another "extraordinary" session, Newsday reports that it only "lasted about seven minutes... All 31 members of the Republican-dominated coalition were present in the ornate chamber. Five of the 31 Democrats were absent." State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is investigating whether the state is able to withhold Senate pay, Paterson now wants a judge to decide. He told the Daily News, "We want a direct ruling on whether it's right or wrong for them to be paid when our position is they have abdicated their role... It's also our contention that they have been derelict in their duties. Government has been shut down by the Senate. Cities and counties are losing money off of this." The Senate has another session tonight at 6 p.m.—the Democrats and Republicans claim they are closer to an agreement, but seriously—it's been weeks.

There is no power-sharing deal between the Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate, however the NY Times says there's a thaw between the two bickering parties. After the Democratic and Republican leaders met with Paterson yesterday, the Times noticed, "There was a lightened mood — after weeks of insults and accusations that have shattered the chamber’s usual decorum — and suggestions of progress, however halting."

About a week after Governor David Paterson threatened to dock the stalemated State Senators' pay, now State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli moving forward with it. On July 25, DiNapoli's office was trying to figure out whether the Governor had the power to do that, and last night, DiNapoli sent a press release out: "Shortly after the Senate leadership controversy arose, I directed my staff to stop processing any Senate vouchers, including those for Senators’ travel. To date, we are holding more than 250 vouchers, totaling $560,000."

Because the two squabbling State Senate factions haven't come to any sort of leadership/power sharing deal, Governor Paterson issued proclamations for the Senators to hold special sessions at 3 p.m. every day through July 6. Which, Capitol Confidential reports, "means that the Senate will be in Albany through the holiday weekend." Nice—you can read the proclamations for July 2, July 3, July 4, July 5 and July 6.

It's been 23 days since the coup that upturned the State Senate and where are we? Oh, yeah, nothing's happening, except the Democrats and Republicans are still fighting. The Democrats still claim that State Senator Frank Padavan's saunter through the chambers means he should be counted towards a quorum during their (Democrats-only) session, while the Queens Republican insists, "My only motive was to get in the lounge and get a Coke or cup of coffee. I was not in there when the session began. To say otherwise is totally untrue." Padavan told Newsday that he had "a Coke, a V-8 and a tuna fish sandwich." Hilariously, Padavan's affidavit states that he was looking for a coffee, but the Post says, "He later told reporters he'd actually gone to get a Coke, but didn't want to say that because he would be seen to be endorsing a product." Yeah, isn't Pepsi in Purchase?

The Albany soap opera continues: This morning, due to a judge's ruling that the State Senate Democrats and Republicans must meet (and, uh, do their jobs), both sides did just that. But then they adjourned soon after! The Daily Politics says the two sides were "fighting - albeit calmly - over who is supposed to be presiding over the chamber."

Even though a judge ordered that the warring State Senate factions had to, you know, actually work and hold a joint session, things are never easy in Albany. Mainly because the Republicans are appealing the ruling and will be granted an automatic stay, since it involves a branch of the government. But let's just enjoy what State Supreme Court Justice Judge Joseph Teresi said about the Democrats' and Republicans' separate back-to-back few-minutes-long sessions, "The intention, as I find it to be in the New York State Constitution, I find that the word convene means to come into session as one group. To come into session as separate groups is a fiction. It's an illusion that these elected officials are working as one elected group that is the New York State Senate, and I will not be part of that fiction."

Update: A judge has ruled that the State Senate must meet and have a joint session tomorrow morning, holding up the lawsuit brought on by Governor Paterson. Republicans are already saying they will appeal the decision, so don't hold your breath for things to get under way first thing tomorrow. NY1 also notes that while the ruling by State Supreme Court Justice Joseph Teresi mandates that all 62 senators get together, it "does not say that anything needs to be accomplished in the session."

Governor Paterson called for another special State Senate session today, because the Democrats and Republicans have been stalemated with a 31 votes each, which is one short of a quorum to get work done. But if today's session is anything like yesterday, PolitickerNY explains what we can expect: "Most of the 62 state senators fighting over their chamber's leadership showed up for an extraordinary session this [Saturday] afternoon—as did the nine people whose nominations were the ostensible purpose of the session—but once again, a bi-partisan gaveling in and out lasted just over five minutes." In the meantime, Democrats and Republicans are meeting behind the scenes, ostensibly to work out some sort of a deal to get work done (they haven't done anything except bicker for the past three weeks!); Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) told PolitickerNY, "The positive things, I think is that both sides are meeting. Talking is always good, but so far there hasn't been anything that has been agreed upon."

Governor Paterson is still irritated at the State Senate for holding special sessions for only a few minutes. Here's how the AP described the Senate's dealings: "In brief, separate, back-to-back sessions, Democrats and their Republican-led opponents complied again with Gov. David Paterson's order to convene. But they conducted no state business and only the Democrats decided to hold a moment of silence for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett." Paterson said today, "This morning, the New York State Senate clocked in and clocked right back out. That’s not work. That’s dereliction of duty... We are no longer paying any member items to senators." Oh, snap—he's referring to the $85 million in pork barrel projects Senators get each year! While there have been some reports that Democrats and Republicans are near a deal, Paterson was skeptical, "They’re telling you they’re very close to an agreement. No. They’re very close to the weekend. If they’re close to an agreement, why couldn’t they go into the chamber today and start passing some of the legislation?"

This is the State Senate's idea of "meeting" today: The Senate Democrats met in the Senate chamber, gaveled in, said the Pledge of Allegiance, have a moment of silence and gaveled out. Then the Senate Republicans entered, gaveled in, said the Pledge, had a moment of silence and gaveled out. Capitol Confidential writes, "So there has been progress today. No camping out on the rostrum, no dueling sessions." The Daily Politics says the Republicans were faster by 42 seconds, but that's because Senator Craig Johnson (D-Long Island) asked for a moment of silence to remember the death of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson.

Late yesterday, after the State Senate "met" for a five-minute session (just the Democrats were present; the Republicans were in court complaining about the Democrats), the Senators signaled they were leaving Albany. Governor Paterson was very, very angry and held a press conference, threatening to "withhold any paychecks or any per diem checks from June 8 forward...If you're not coming to work, you're not getting paid." What a novel idea! He added, "The senators swore to uphold the constitution" and "the constitution empowers the governor to convene a special session. If a senator doesn’t come to a special session, they are in violation of the constitution. That is very clear."

Today, the State Senate managed to have a "mini-session"—the Daily Politics' Elizabeth Benjamin reports, "They came, they gaveled in, they left. That basically sums up extraordinary session No. 2, to which only the Senate Democrats showed up." After saying the Pledge of Allegiance, "Sen. Jeff Klein then stood and read into the record the Senate Democrats' argument that any measures passed at the single-house extraordinary sessions called by the governor are basically moot because the other house isn't also present to pass same-as bills."