Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo spoke at today's Reform Day event at the Sign of the Tree restaurant at the state plaza.The three spoke passionately about the need for reform, to restore trust in government, and said that they were personally in support of many of the issues that reform advocates want.
Smith said he was in support of public financing of campaigns (he's the sponsor of a Senate bill to create a public financing system) and said he's in support of redistricting reform, but that his conference isn't quite there yet. What's more, he doesn't have the votes to make it happen right now. But Smith did issue a warning to Senate Majority Joseph Bruno, that his time is over, "reform is on the way".
Something to keep an eye on during the elections, where this will certainly be campaign issue.
It will also be interesting to see what happens if there's a switch in the majority. It's certainly hard to give up the power to redistrict, the millions more in pork, the multiple staffers, and campaign fundraising advantages once you're the one getting them.
DiNapoli said he's in support of public fundraising, and joked, "I'd like to be the guinea pig for public campaign finance...I would love by the end of session for your bill to be enacted, it would make my life a lot easier," referencing that he's getting ribbed about the fact that he hasn't started fundraising yet.
Cuomo said he's in support of reform in government, including an independent Ethics Commission, an independent redistricting commission, change to the operating rules of the legislature recommended by the Brennan Center, and campaign finance reform.
But since he isn't a legislator, Cuomo can't enact any of these things himself.
You have to like what you hear from Cuomo. His actions show that he is a true believer in reforming Albany. The problem is that he is one man. One man with a lot of power, but one man who isn't a member of the Legislature.
That is why I was glad to see soon-to-be Majority Leader Smith at these events. It was also good to see DiNapoli, a former member of said Legislature, in attendance as well.
I look forward to hearing reports from those who attended today.
