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.

Golisano, Senate GOP, Espada And Monserrate Win, New York Loses

by: robert.harding

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 22:27:04 PM EDT

Florida resident Tom Golisano apparently thinks that he is still relevant in New York politics. This comes only weeks after his big publicity stunt of a move to Florida (where he already had a home anyway), deciding to list his legal residence in Florida so that he could save what he contends would be $5 million in taxes. He whined endlessly about taxes, even though he was stealing the stage from the real victims of high taxation: The millions of middle-class New Yorkers who are feeling the pinch every year they pay their tax bill.

Golisano's involvement in this attempted coup today raises some serious ethical questions. He was right at the forefront during a press conference today and it has been said that he was involved in this all along. Reports have said that this was in the works for months and Golisano was one of the figures involved with it the whole step of the way.

But Dean Skelos and his Senate Republicans also win, although I wouldn't be hoping for Espada and Monserrate to keep their majority in 2010. The Republicans, who were railing against Monserrate for the assault on his girlfriend earlier this year, were more than willing to put that aside as long as it gave them majority. The Senate Republicans were calling for Monserrate's resignation months ago when these charges first came to light. Now, they can call Monserrate one of their own.

And then there is Pedro Espada Jr. He is touting this as a "coalition government." The only problem with that is the coalition only exists to meet his demands. He benefits most from the coalition: He gets the post he was looking for from the beginning (President Pro Tempore). Again, the Republicans are now siding with someone who has campaign finance fines against him and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking into Espada's dealings as well. Why would the Republicans, who are now bragging about the reforms they allegedly passed after taking over today, accept these two on as members? Are they that desperate to be in power that they would throw their morals and ethics out the window and welcome these two in with open arms?

Apparently, yes.

But Espada and Monserrate are the winners here. In my eyes (and many others), they are the villians. They betrayed their party and decided that their own power and glory was more important than the important business this state needs to address in the weeks to come. But they win because they (at least, Espada) got what they wanted: Power. That lust for power was evident early on when the new Senate wasn't even official yet, and Espada and three colleagues, which included Monserrate, were pushing Smith for perks in exchange for their votes. Monserrate broke away from that group, leaving Espada, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Sen. Carl Kruger. But Espada pushed forward, seeking the same seat he was given today by the Senate GOP.

Now, we have the doors locked on the Senate chamber. For all the talk that the Senate Democrats haven't accomplished anything and for all the charges and criticisms that the Senate Democrats have been on the receiving end of since they took control in January, let's see how everyone reacts now that this so-called "coalition government" has led to a shutdown of the Senate chamber. The doors are locked and no one is getting in. This is apparently headed to court, just in time for what many consider the most important time (apart from budget season) on the legislative calendar.

All because a couple of guys don't care about their districts or New York. This is all because they care about empowering themselves, not their constituents. This is about getting their titles, not getting New Yorkers what they need.

The Senate Republicans are willing participants. And this is all being pushed by a billionaire who really lives in Florida now, but still wants to keep his hand in New York politics. This isn't a democracy. Perhaps it never was. But this isn't reform. This is a travesty.