Reform needed before raises
State lawmakers are floating the idea of a pay raise for the upcoming special legislative session called by outgoing Republican Governor Pataki. I think that many New Yorkers would be quite unsympathetic to their pleas, as they currently are the third-highest-paid state legislators in the country. Since a sitting Legislature cannot increase its pay, they are hoping to get it in at the tail end of 2006 for 2007. I would like to see the state Legislature enact some basic reform measures before giving itself a raise.
As a candidate for the 107th State Assembly District this past election cycle (thanks to all my supporters), I repeatedly called for fundamental reforms to many aspects of our state government. These included rule changes, clean elections, redistricting reform and other measures. But to be honest, that may just be too much of a good thing for the current legislative leadership (which will be the next leadership).
Perhaps we should start with something more tangible, like asking our lawmakers to publish their schedules online. Would it not be nice to know with whom they are meeting and why?
How about publishing the final language of a bill at least 24 hours prior to final floor vote, so that we can actually read the bills being passed?
And how about publishing every piece of member-item spending on a separate line item in the budget with the sponsoring lawmaker's name attached?
I know that I may be asking for a lot, but what the heck. Maybe someday we all just may remember that they work for us, not the other way around.
Kelly Keck
Stamford
