New York State Legislature Travel Expenditures

by: robert.harding

Mon May 05, 2008 at 14:31:43 PM EDT

I filed a Freedom of Information request to obtain the New York State Legislature's travel expenditures for 2007. The exact request I filed was for "per diem payments, taxi fares, mileage, train tickets and any other expenses incurred for travel to Albany."

Via a spreadsheet, you can see all the recipients of these travel expenditures and how much they were reimbursed. Total, New York state legislators received $3,267,903.94 in travel expenditures for 2007.

Here is a preview. These are the top five recipients of travel expenditures.

Legislator		Total Expenditures
Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper (D)		$36,452.25
Sen. Efrain Gonzalez (D)		$34,268.20
Sen. William Stachowski (D)		$32,893.44
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D)		$30,353.31
Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak (D)		$30,274.47

Don't let that preview fool you. This applies to both parties and the amount of money involved is significant. In the large scheme of things, $3 million is a very small fraction of the budget, but it is $3 million nonetheless.

The significance of this is the fact that the state legislators, earlier this year, were trying to justify a pay raise. Future arguments in favor of a legislative pay raise will be made - they seem to be made every year. What these expenditures show us is that the legislators do not have it that bad. On top of their $79,500 salary per year, they get reimbursed for travel to Albany (some more than others). In Silver's case, for example, that means the taxpayers paid him nearly $110,000 last year. That doesn't include any leadership bonuses he received.

Our legislators are taken care of when they are in Albany and when they must travel to Albany.

Again, to see the full spreadsheet, click here.

Paterson Weakened By Budget Process?

by: robert.harding

Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 12:37:41 PM EDT

Certainly Mr. Paterson, who is seen in Albany as an accidental governor, is much different from his fiery - and ultimately self-immolating - predecessor, Eliot Spitzer. In his first week, he introduced himself to New York by confessing to several extramarital affairs and then saying that he had used cocaine in his 20s.

So it was on the serious matters of the state budget, being finished amid a growing fiscal crisis, that the governor's makeshift staff hoped to establish his bona fides. Assistants suggested that Mr. Paterson, with more than two decades of legislative experience, would navigate the process more deftly than Mr. Spitzer, who seemed to spend all of his brief tenure picking fights with lawmakers in both parties.

But Mr. Paterson had to contend with two seasoned political leaders - Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a fellow Democrat, and Joseph L. Bruno, the Senate's Republican leader - as well as Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, whose congestion pricing plan was coming to a head at the same time as the budget.

He succeeded in some areas, including beating back an effort by Mr. Silver to raise taxes on residents earning $1 million or more a year.

But he did not leave much of an imprint on the process, ultimately seeming little more than a bystander. First, Mr. Paterson's assistants pushed to conclude a budget by the March 31 deadline, a tall order for a governor who took office on March 17. That did not work. Then they tried to help the mayor pass his congestion pricing plan. That also failed.

In some ways, it was almost as if he were reprising his former role as leader of the powerless Democratic minority in the State Senate - more critic than participant.

First, calling Gov. Paterson an "accidental governor" is a little over the line. We have a line of succession in this state and Spitzer screwed up. Paterson filled in according to the guidelines set forth in the state's Constitution.

Also, I think we have to keep in mind that this really wasn't all of Paterson's Executive Budget. Remember that Spitzer crafted his own Executive Budget. Paterson didn't have the time or the luxury to do so. So I think that takes away his ability to show that his budget accomplished something - whatever that may be.  

Assembly Session Cancelled; Senate Session Pushed Back

by: robert.harding

Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 19:18:11 PM EDT

From the Times-Union:

Many lawmakers suspect that a budget agreement announced last Thursday was premature and support for Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan is not strong enough for leaders to introduce for a vote.

It was said this week that the budget would be passed by Friday. That looks to be in danger right now. Also, congestion pricing might not have the votes needed. I do not like that this congestion pricing plan was pushed right into the middle of this budget fiasco. I like the plan, but it could have waited until this budget was finalized.  

AD-103: Huff Calls On Molinaro To Take PAC Pledge

by: robert.harding

Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 12:08:32 PM EDT

Huff issued the challenge to his opponent, Assemblyman Marc Molinaro (R-Tivoli). Here is that pledge.

The PAC Pledge states:

1) I will refuse any and all special interest group and PAC money during the campaign.

2) I will refuse any and all special interest group and PAC money while in office.

3) Campaign finance reform is a top priority, and if elected, I will work to limit the influence of special interest groups and push for laws requiring cleaner election money.

In a press release, Huff called on Molinaro to accept this pledge.

Democratic Assembly candidate Joseph Huff pledged on Thursday to reject any and all campaign contributions from special interest groups and political action committees (PACs).  "It is common knowledge by now that special interests hold a tight grip on our system of government," said Huff.  "If candidates reject their money during the campaign season, they wont be under any pressure to be influenced by them while in office."

Assemblyman Marc Molinaro has taken PAC money in the past, but Huff hopes that he will join him in taking the "PAC Pledge" and decline money that inevitably comes with strings attached.  "It is simply hypocritical to accept money from these political action committees and simultaneously claim you represent the interests of Main Street," added Huff.  "It's time for a real change in Albany, not one that is promised on the campaign trail then ignored while in office."

Very good challenge by Huff to Molinaro. Huff wants to rid the special interests from this race and this is one way to do it. Kudos to him.

ON THE WEB:

Contribute to Joseph Huff for Assembly

AD-139: Suhr Announces Candidacy For Assembly

by: robert.harding

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 12:27:32 PM EDT

In New York's 139th Assembly District, Harold Suhr has announced that he will run against Republican Steve Hawley.

Hawley has been considered a possible contender in the 61st Senate District race as well as the 26th congressional district race.

Suhr (pronounced SURE) said the following in a letter to supporters: "With the challenges New Yorkers will face in the coming months and years, the 139th Assembly District deserves someone who will fight for our fair share of state tax revenue while promoting fiscal responsibility. We deserve someone who represents the call for change that is sweeping our nation, and not an entrenched, ineffective politician."

Harold is a great man and without a doubt the hardest worker I know. He told me an interview several months ago that he used to work up to 20 hours a day. When I asked him yesterday if he would sit down with me on Sunday at 1 p.m., he said he would take a short nap and then be up for the day.

He works until 8 a.m.

He hits the pavement and told supporters yesterday at his announcement that his campaign will be "grassroots." That's what Harold is all about.

I'll have video of this up later.  

AD-103: Huff Challenges Molinaro To Reform Taxes, Schools

by: robert.harding

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 11:54:46 AM EDT

Joseph Huff, candidate for the New York Assembly in the 103rd District, challenged Assemblyman Marc Molinaro to back up his words on tax and school reform with action and results.
Huff supports a plan that would shift school funding from the property tax base to the state income tax base and ultimately save homeowners thousands in dollars.  Likewise, Huff is in favor of amending the state aid formula so as to prevent penalizing schools that meet or exceed academic expectations.
"It is very disappointing that Assemblyman Molinaro continues to ignore the needs of our schools and communities," said Huff.  "Since being elected to the seat, Molinaro has yet to introduce any measures that would put property tax money back in the pockets of Dutchess and Columbia residents.  Likewise, Molinaro seems more interested in hosting campaign fundraisers in our schools rather than working to improve them."
"It's obvious that our state government needs a strong voice for change and not career politicians doing the same unproductive things every year," Huff continued.

Huff is an impressive candidate:

Since graduating from Harvard over two decades ago, I have spent much of my career consulting businesses and governments on how to be more effective, more efficient, and more productive - my latest endeavor, with the New York City Department of Human Resources, has had me clean up after a third-party firm that wasted nearly three million dollars in New York taxpayer money. This is the kind of results-oriented experience I plan to bring to Albany as your assemblyman.

The working and middle class families of Dutchess and Columbia Counties need new leadership, because it has become abundantly clear that their current representation has failed them.  I'll bring about change in Albany and say no to the status quo, and most importantly, I'll fight with every fiber of my being for the values and issues that face the people of the Hudson Valley.

The Republicans hold the enrollment advantage in AD-103 by 5,700 over the Democrats. There are 23,447 blank voters in AD-103 as well.  

Spitzer's driver's license plan backed by counterterrorism official

by: robert.harding

Fri Oct 19, 2007 at 11:10:53 AM EDT

From the Buffalo News:

A former White House counter-terrorism chief is endorsing Gov. Eliot Spitzer's policy to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

The backing by Richard A. Clarke, who has served as a senior White House adviser in the last three presidential administrations, is intended by the Spitzer administration to counter a growing stream of opposition to the plan by Democrats and Republicans, including many in law enforcement.

The article, unfortunately, doesn't include any quotes from Clarke. Sometimes the News posts these things the day before they actually post a full article in the newspaper, but we'll see. I hope this is something that they can get a whole story out of.

UPDATE: The Governor's Office has issued some more information about Clarke's endorsement of this plan. There is a statement by Clarke regarding the plan and a speech was given by Gov. Spitzer regarding the plan and Clarke's backing of the plan.

I agree with Michael. This should've been done from the start, but it certainly is better late than never.

Crain's poll: 73% favor Sheldon Silver's removal

by: Bouldin

Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 20:41:47 PM EST

Following Mr. Hevesi's resignation, Mr. Silver had agreed with the newly-elected governor to allow an independent panel to screen prospective replacements for the post, which oversees the state's $145 billion pension fund. But when the panel shut out all four state legislators who had shown an interest in the position, Mr. Silver reneged on the deal and supported Mr. DiNapoli.

Only 7% of respondents to the Crain's poll were unconditionally supportive of Mr. Silver, while a full 73% said Mr. Silver should be removed, and 20% said the matter should be settled by the Assembly, not the governor.

The anti-Silver sentiment mirrors that reflected in a Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday, showing that 35% of respondents felt lawmakers had broken an agreement with Mr. Spitzer when they voted for Mr. DiNapoli, while 18% felt it was a legitimate exercise of legislative power.

Snip. There's more.

The Albany Project Reform Agenda

by: NYBri

Thu Feb 08, 2007 at 12:59:15 PM EST

There's a project that is in the works, and since this is a community (one that seems to be growing quickly), let me toss this out for your consideration and input. Also, in light of yesterday's appauling demonstration of cronyism, the timing seems to be right.

We are in the process of creating The Albany Project Relform Agenda (TAPRA). The agenda itself will be dedicated to returning New York State Government to its rightful owners, the people.We will do this through the advocacy of specific measures that would lead to  transparent and accountable government...you know, Democracy.

Once in place, we would then approach every legislator and ask them where they stand on the agenda and publish our findings.

Also, in the future, we will be looking for TAPRA candidates to support.

Our goal, of course, is to establish this agenda as a clear, specific package of issues that, when embraced by a majority of the members of the legislature, we can be assured that the rule of the Three Men In A Room will end.

Make the flip to find out what you can do...