I blinked, and the session(s) snuck by

What do they think they're doing? (4.00 / 1)

Are they expecting that somehow people are just going to forget about this, and we'll let it slide until the next election?

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by: Adama @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 17:55:13 PM UTC

I sometimes wonder (0.00 / 0)

whether they'd be doing anything resembling this if it was the 2010 session and not the 2009 session.

But mostly I don't think they're particularly connected to voters anyway.

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by: simonstl @ Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 18:09:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Primary All Of Them (0.00 / 0)

Is there any way to threaten these folks with a slate of reformers from both parties to primary any senator refusing go on record on supporting structural change? This situation is beyond absurdity.

Real structural change would include giving members real power instead of investing it almost entirely in the party leadership. Have real committee hearings. Give members the power to force votes. Fairer distribution of resources among members. Maybe throw in campaign finance and redistricting reform. If members actually had a say in how things are done, maybe we'd have more people in Albany who took legislating seriously. The inability of the present crop to get anything done is pathetic.

I know there are some reformers already there, but they obviously need help. Since the chamber is making such a fool of itself, more voters than ever are aware of how bad things are. If there's a time to challenge the ones who are hacks, now would seem to be it. No one should get a free pass: prove your bona fides, or get primaried by someone who's serious. Enough is enough.

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by: dsimon @ Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 22:26:57 PM UTC

It's gonna cost (0.00 / 0)

There will be tremendous support for insurgent challengers, particularly if they can discuss the problems -- and solutions -- intelligently.

The problem is, challengers will have to raise a lot of money.  Here in NYC it could cost upwards of half a million dollars to defeat an incumbent state senator in a primary.  With millions of dollars being raised for the U.S. Senate seat, and the possibility of millions more for the statewide races, insurgent candidates are going to have to tap a lot of new resources.

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by: Dan Jacoby @ Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 10:16:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]