Sampson's "Top-To-Bottom" Review Of Senate Staffing

Maybe some should be re-hired (4.00 / 2)

Not that I have anyone specific in mind (Brian Keeler), but clearly some unnamed people who were let go following the coup (Brian Keeler) are more qualified than the people who threw them out.

I could also make a case that the number of people is less important than their position -- I'd like to see fewer central staffers and more staff available for rookie legislators.  One fairly new -- and quite excellent -- Assembly member (who really shall remain unnamed) has talked about having to work 19-hour days because of a lack of staffing.  It's insane.

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by: Dan Jacoby @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 21:54:51 PM UTC

Oddly enough... (4.00 / 1)

Paul Rivera, who is the source of this report, is the person who replaced Brian. Not sure what qualifies Rivera to be a communications director (he has been considered a "political strategist" in the past) but he is also well connected in New York political circles. That's often the most important qualification of all.

I like Brian where he is (for now). He's an effective activist and while I might have my disagreements with ReBoot, I know they are in good hands with Brian. He is a leader and he strives to get things done.

In a perfect world, I would want him in the Senate again. But I wouldn't want him to be thrown in with that pack of wolves.  

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 23:39:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe Sampson was waiting for the verdict (4.00 / 1)

Whatever, the more Boss Bruno hacks he can get rid of, and the more competent Democrats he can hire, the better.

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by: devtob @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 22:33:49 PM UTC

The day that competent people staff the Senate (4.00 / 2)

...we will know that real reform and effective governance have returned, at long last, to Albany.

Somehow, I'm thinking Sampson will still be employing good-looking fashionable women from NYC, and well-dressed young lawyers, all with relatives that contribute heavily.

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by: robinia @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 23:24:28 PM UTC

There are many good people working in the Senate... (4.00 / 1)

...and some that are not so good.

Let's leave it there.

PS. Andrew Hoppin is one of good guys.

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 04:06:02 AM UTC

Didn't mean to imply "none qualified".... (4.00 / 1)

...but, overall, I've been more impressed with their good looks and wardrobes than credentials.

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by: robinia @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 16:18:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Legislative disfunctioning (4.00 / 2)

Patronage = poor performance at a premium price = theft of honest services = grounds for investigation by the FBI.
Lets hope so..

ps.  Legislative employees not assigned to a specific legislators should be merit appointments under civil service law.  Agree?

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by: hawkny @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 12:36:10 PM UTC

Agreed... (4.00 / 1)

But you would have to assure people that the civil service process can't be tainted and that the best people are selected for the job. Even in civil service, that doesn't happen. So you would have to reform the civil service process too (although that might be easier than reforming a whole state government).

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by: robert.harding @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 12:55:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Touche' (0.00 / 0)

Civil Service's "one of three" rule is designed to be exclusive rather than inclusive.  Dump it!  Make the prerequisite testing relevant and hire from the very top of the list.  Fill the bureaucracy with with the best and brightest.  And that goes for the people employed in the NYS Legislature too. Hire by the rules and let the workforce perform by the rules..

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by: hawkny @ Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 00:24:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

We need more solutions and less problems in Albany. (4.00 / 1)

FEWER problems.  Good God.  

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by: learnedhand @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 14:14:32 PM UTC

to be fair, this wasn't the case with Hartgraves (4.00 / 1)

If you hire someone just as a patronage hire to serve in a role that pays them well

Didn't I read her salary was less than 40K?

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by: Clarknt67 @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 22:57:45 PM UTC

She also lives in the Albany area... (4.00 / 1)

So making $38,000 isn't bad. I doubt she was making that much at the TV station. Maybe she was, but with three years of experience, I doubt it.  

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by: robert.harding @ Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 01:23:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]