Senate for Sale - $50k (or best offer)!

by: Michael Bouldin

Wed Mar 24, 2010 at 09:45:09 AM EDT

And today, we learn that Senate Democrats have put a big fat For Sale shingle on the front door.

New York Post:

ALBANY - Democrats in the state Senate are up for sale - and they don't come cheap!

The Capitol's scandalous "pay to play" culture descended to a new low as Democratic lawmakers told top labor leaders that they would have to pony up $50,000 each in donations if they want special access, The Post has learned.

In a shocking letter to union bosses who are battling state budget cuts, state Sen. Jeff Klein of The Bronx offered to sell them "chairmanships" on a newly created "Labor Advisory Council."

"Advisory Council chairs will have the unique opportunity to advise the Senate Dems on the structure and focus of the Labor Advisory Council," says the letter from Klein, chairman of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee.

"In addition to all meetings, conferences and events that are included with Advisory Council membership, the advisory chairs will be invited to an exclusive meeting with the Senate majority leaders," the letter states.

Klein said the letter was "a fund-raising tool" but conceded it would give the labor leaders "an opportunity to have face time with the leadership" of the Senate.

He denied having altered the Democratic budget plan to put more pressure on the unions to give, but said he had canceled a meeting in Albany promised to donors who gave $25,000.

Change you can believe in.