It's been a good couple of weeks for the Squadron Campaign, and the momentum keept rolling today with his endorsement by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer:
"Throughout his career, Daniel Squadron has demonstrated an intelligent, progressive approach to challenging the status quo and getting results, and in this campaign he has shown courage that is almost unheard of in Albany. Only one candidate in this race will be the powerful voice for progressive change that we so desperately need in Albany. That is why, as someone who cares deeply about reforming government at every level, I am proud to support Daniel Squadron."
Even better, Squadron released this 11-point plan on how to make the State Senate an actually functioning legislature once the Democrats take control:
1. Mandate that bills that clear committees see timely debate, of a reasonable time period, and a vote before the full chamber.
2. Ease the restrictions on discharge petitions to more easily allow legislators to force roll-call votes in committee or the entire chamber.
3. Increase transparency related to committee proceedings and require more committee participation.
4. Allow sponsors of passed legislation or the leadership of the houses to call conference committees when similar (but not identical) bills pass both houses.
5. Repeal the 2005 rule forcing rules changes to be approved by the Rules Committee.
6. Equalize the distribution of staff and office resources.
7. Implement a Clean Money, Clean Elections system of public financing for state elections, with a system mirroring New York City's as a starting point.
8. Institute a strong enforcement mechanism and strengthen regulations on personal spending and disclosure requirements.
9. Create a non-partisan independent redistricting commission, so legislators can't draw their own districts, and allow the legislature only a simple up or down vote.
10. Make voting easier by passing Election Day Voter Registration.
11. Improve ballot access by reducing petition signature requirements and reforming the vacancy-filling process.
Lots of great stuff here, and you can read the more detailed version of these bullet points here (PDF).
This is exactly why we run reformers in primary challenges. Connor, while in the minority, had 30 years to try to drain the swamp in Albany, several of those years as the Senate's minority leader. Even as a minority legislator, he did not use his pulpit to promote these issues. Now, despite who wins, these issues are ont he table and Connor is making campaign promises to enact reform if the Democrats take the Senate.
For those who doubt the wisdom of running primary challengers to against entrenched incumbents, Al Smith was completely right when he said the only cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy. |
