Espada, Monserrate Take In Subway Series With Albany In Chaos

by: robert.harding

Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 09:22:23 AM EDT

Even with the mess on the minds of many, the two men at the center of the controversy decided that they would make a public venture to the Subway Series game featuring both New York City teams - the Mets and Yankees.

And they did so in style.

Senators Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate sat in the Legends Suite section of Yankee Stadium, which are the high-priced seats right on the field. If you try purchasing those tickets online, they run between $525 to $2,625 (it probably depends on the day of the week or the opponent the Yankees are playing) each. Espada claimed in the New York Daily News piece that he paid $150 each for them, a nice bargain.

So what does a Legends Suite come equipped with? This from the Daily News:

The dissident Dems enjoyed the ballgame in the Legends Suite section, complete with cushioned seats, in-seat wait service and a concierge. It also allows exclusive access to a swanky restaurant with an all-inclusive buffet, top-shelf liquor and private rest rooms.

Not bad for two state senators. And not bad for two state senators who many people at the game thought had more important things to do than take in a baseball game.

From the Daily News:

Fans were hardly glad to see the duo taking a night off while the state is embroiled in a crisis they created.

"They should be staying in Albany," said Barry Abramson, 71, of the upper West Side. "They should give some input into fixing the problem.

"I just wonder who paid for their tickets and how did they get here," he added. "Did they get here at the expense of New York state taxpayers?"

Espada said he paid $150 each for the "special occasion" seats.

"I paid for myself and treated my colleague," Espada said, but did not divulge how he got a 75 percent discount on the high-priced seats.

"Isn't that typical of New York politicians, doing everything they shouldn't," said John McCue, 70, of Chatham.

"At least he was in the Bronx," joked Stephen McCabe, 40, of Brooklyn, about Espada's tendency to sleep in Westchester.

"They should be trying to resolve things because there's nothing but gridlock in Albany," he said.

His brother, Anthony McCabe, couldn't fathom why the pair would pull such a stunt.

"What are they going to accomplish here except for promoting themselves?" he asked.

Espada said they went to the game to get away from the intense pressures of the past week.

"We're going to relax," he said on the way to the game.

Normally, there is nothing wrong with two men going to a baseball game. But there is a lot wrong when two state senators are sitting in the Legends Suite section of the ballpark and are taking in this game while Albany is in chaos.

This is just another example that this was about power and selfishness. What better way to reward one's self than by treating yourself to a game in what many consider the best seats in the new Yankees' house? The state has property tax issues, economic problems and many other critical issues to address and these guys are living it up in the Bronx.

If only we were all so lucky.

UPDATED: Session Postponed; Monserrate To Wait One More Day

by: robert.harding

Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 16:47:34 PM EDT

There have been negotiations with both sides trying to win over Monserrate. After a long wait today, the session has been postponed until tomorrow.

If Monserrate decides to come back to the Democrats, it will create a 31 to 31 split - a nightmare scenario that would probably mean nothing will get accomplished with such a split. (This is why there should be an odd number of senators.)

Where Do We Go From Here?

by: robert.harding

Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 11:17:49 AM EDT

So who should we go after? Who needs to be targeted? The list is long:

- ESPADA: This is a guy who is a model for why we need campaign finance reform in New York. It would be nice if he obeyed the current laws that aren't as strong as they need to be, but still exist for a reason. He has no morals, he has no ethics and the Republicans are okay with that. Sen. Dean Skelos is quoted as saying that such issues (Espada's campaign finance issues and investigations along with Monserrate's assault indictment) take a backseat to "reform." I'm sorry, but they don't. Espada isn't above the law. And he isn't above the people of this state who voted for a Democratic majority in 2008 only to have it robbed by the power hungry Espada and his sidekick Monserrate.

MONSERRATE: Monserrate has serious legal issues that could lead to him being ousted from office. Again, Skelos doesn't seem to care because of the short-term gain. But Monserrate, if convicted, will be forced from his seat. The case against Monserrate is a very serious matter. Monserrate, along with Espada, shouldn't be a poster boy for reform. The fact that he is one of the faces attached to this attempted coup and the questionable reform legislation that the GOP passed in the aftermath is terrible for New York.

TOM GOLISANO: Golisano was whining awhile back that he was making his legal residence Florida because of high taxation. As I stated at the time, the $5 million Golisano claims to be saving by making his legal residence in Florida is the same amount he put down as a fund for Responsible New York. Now, he is touting his involvement in this backroom deal (the same backroom deals he criticizes and is supposedly against) as reform. This isn't reform. This is a pampered billionaire getting what he wants.

If you think Espada has a hunger for power, that pales in comparison to the hunger for power that Golisano has. Golisano has hospitals named after him. He owns a sports team. He hands out money like it was candy at a parade. He tried to muscle the Democratic majority (the same one he invested in) and he didn't get what he wanted. So now, he has decided to try the Republicans and see if they will budge.

SENATE REPUBLICANS: These 30 senators should be embarrassed that they chose this time - arguably the most important time (aside from the budget) on the legislative calendar - to turn the Senate upside down. They put their political interests ahead of the serious issues and problems this state faces. The 19 million people of New York did not need this. If they weren't happy with losing the majority, 2010 was their chance. Now, we face uncertainty all because the Senate Republicans, on the taxpayer's time, decided that politics was more important than addressing key issues like reproductive health, campaign finance reform, among many others.

We need to go after all of the characters involved. We can target them one at a time or all of them at the same time. Mark my words: Espada will not be representing the 33rd Senate District come January 2011. Monserrate will not be representing the 13th Senate District come January 2011. And the Senate Republicans will be the minority - again.

As for Tom Golisano, I am ready to go to war with the pampered billionaire. He claims he does things in the name of progress and reform, but all that matters to him is power. And power for Golisano comes in the form of spending money and brokering deals such as this one. If Espada is another example of why we need campaign finance reform, then Golisano is another great example too.

All of these individuals and groups need to be targeted. They might think they won in the short-term. But they have a big shock coming to them in the long-term.