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SPITZER'S RESIGNATION AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

by: Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried

Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 12:11:32 PM EDT

(A word from Assemblyman Gottfried. - promoted by phillip anderson)

The resignation of Eliot Spitzer is a tragedy for him, his family and for the people of New York, but having David Paterson as our new Governor gives us an excellent opportunity to move forward.

Governor David Paterson brings great intelligence, grace, integrity, progressive principles, experience and good humor to the job. We will all benefit from that.

Many observers have said that Governor Paterson's roots in the State Legislature will help in his dealings with the Legislature. I believe it is even more important that his understanding of government and issues was shaped by twenty-three years as a legislator serving hundreds of thousands of constituents, including many of New York's neediest people.

Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried :: SPITZER'S RESIGNATION AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION

Former Governor Spitzer's resignation statement forthrightly acknowledged his wrongdoing and stated plainly that he had to resign to take responsibility for his conduct.

Eliot Spitzer believed in public service and working to make government fulfill its responsibilities to people. It is tragic to lose the service of such a leader.

As chair of the Assembly Committee on Health, I especially value the fact that he assembled, in the Governor's office and the Department of Health, the best health team we have ever had in New York. He led that team in making important changes in our health care system, including moving resources into primary and preventive care and beginning work to develop a universal health proposal for New York. I urge Governor Paterson to keep that team in place and continue that work.

New York has also benefited from the talented and responsive leaders he brought into state government in areas such as economic development, the environment, housing, and parks.

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SPITZER'S RESIGNATION AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION | 2 comments

For more info on Assemblyman Gottfried (0.00 / 0)

Assembly Member Gottried's Web Page

75th Assembly District

by: Soundpolitic @ Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 12:54:07 PM CDT

Thanks for participating (4.00 / 2)

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

I, too, have been impressed with the Department of Health under the Spitzer administration, and share your interest in seeing that team move forward under Governor Paterson.

Along with a number of other advocates, and many Assembly members, I had urged former Governor Spitzer to push to pass legislation to establish a Food Policy Council. Such a council, bringing together expertise from many parts of NYS government, along with key advisors from outside government, promotes a wholistic view of the food system, and gives us the opportunity to coordinate state government policy so as to promote good health through access to and education about high quality foods for good nutrition. While universal health care is an essential goal, promoting community food security and healthful nutrition are also important cornerstones in ensuring a healthy population.

Unfortunately, Governor Spitzer chose to institute the Food Policy Council through an Executive Order, rather than statute. Commissioner Daines has been an active participant in the Council to date, and they have just begun some very useful work in Spitzer's first year in office. I am hoping that you and your fellow Assembly members will encourage Governor Paterson to support the continuation of this important work in inter-agency cooperation around wholistic health and lifestyle goals, and toward a resilient, equitable and secure food system. Indeed, the experience of the past week or so may underline the reasons that it may be preferrable to continue this work under statutory protection. The health and nutrition of the population (and the resiliency and security of the food system in times of economic upheaval) are too important to leave to the discretion of any particular Executive.

by: robinia @ Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 13:28:41 PM CDT