Reform: It's Cheap!

by: simonstl

Mon May 12, 2008 at 16:00:23 PM EDT

While we've been sitting here arguing about the cost of running a legislature that publically considers and votes on bills, the New York Times suggested a reason for Governor Paterson to support reform in these cash-strapped times: it's cheap!

A steady hand is important. But voters also want reform, Albany desperately needs it, and it is very, very cheap. The only thing that could cost money - public financing for campaigns - would save over the long run. All those lobbyists would have more trouble skewing state money to special interests.

The editorial worries that "now that Mr. Paterson finally has the power he has lost his zeal. He has not charted any real plan to push a resistant Legislature toward reform," but at the same time suggests that a reform agenda could fit well with his goal of bringing financial stability to New York State.

It's an interesting concept, one I hope gains traction.

Hat tip: Reform NY.

Updated first sentence with insertion of "publically considers and" to address Robinia's concern that I wasn't quite precise in my description of her post. I fear that it may make it sound more sarcastic, but oh well.

Some days I hate to be right

by: simonstl

Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 21:03:45 PM EDT

I proposed this as a civics lesson for students studying New York State government:

Legislators provide a public face for the leadership in their district, explaining to the district why what the leadership has decided to do must be right for the district. Legislators also look for projects that the leadership can approve to demonstrate how valuable the leadership is to the district.

Tonight I saw it echoed in the New York Times Empire Zone blog's telling of the budget story:

Inversion

by: simonstl

Sun Mar 04, 2007 at 20:36:39 PM EST

This is way abstract, but after reading "Three Men in a Room", talking with my legislator, and thinking about what I've seen in New York State politics since I was a wee lad (Hugh Carey is the first governor I remember), it seems like it works.

We normally describe political power as flowing up from the voters. As uninvolved as voters may be, and as corrupt as politicians may be, voters provide a key check on the power of politicians.

The New York State Legislature operates on a reverse principle. The check on the power of nearly all politicians comes from the leadership. If you want to get anything done, you have to listen to the leadership. If voters elect someone who won't (wrong party or otherwise disinclined), the voters can be punished by a denial of support for their legislator's projects.