THE "PORK" IN NEW YORK, Thoughts of an older American on Constitutional Government in the USA Options

[Livyjr]

"He's taking a page from presidential politics," said Richard Flanagan, a political science professor at the College of Staten Island, who said home visits were popularized in the Empire State by Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer .....

And of course he is .....

FROM THE STATE HOUSE ....

TO THE WHITE HOUSE ....

Is the MANTRA ....

Of the Spitzer CAMP .....

And as they proved this last election .....

THEY ARE IN IT ....

AND THEY ARE IN IT TO WIN ....

And so .....

"Spitzer Donor Sees Albany as Presidential Test - Skadden Arps lawyer Doug Dunham says that if reforms succeed, Eliot could be the next Grover Cleveland."

By Azi Paybarah

According to one of Eliot Spitzer’s major contributors, the success of the Governor’s reform agenda in Albany could end up being a test run for something much bigger down the road.

“I can certainly see him being a really viable contender for President if he’s able to get all these reforms through,” said Doug Dunham, a major Democratic fund-raiser who is counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

By Mr. Dunham’s thinking, Mr. Spitzer needs to succeed in his plan to flip control of the Republican-led State Senate to the Democrats.

He would then be able to push through his agenda of reform, and could in turn parlay that into a successful bid for the White House.

“Certainly, reforming Albany was significant for prior Presidents from New York—for Franklin Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt and, before that, Grover Cleveland,” he said.

“They were all reform-minded Governors who occasionally had to be a little tough but did get reform packages through the State Legislature."

"Wasn’t always the easiest thing to do, but they succeeded eventually, and that laid the groundwork for giving them national reputations as reformers, setting them up for a Presidential run.”

In 2004, Mr. Dunham co-chaired the Committee of New York Lawyers for Kerry-Edwards, which reportedly raised $2.6 million.

By 2005, when Mr. Spitzer’s campaign was kicking into high gear, so was Mr. Dunham’s level of local contribution.

According to state Board of Elections records, Mr. Dunham gave thousands of dollars to both Mr. Spitzer and his running mate, David Paterson.

Not long after Mr. Spitzer’s landslide victory in November, the Governor turned his focus to taking over the Republican-held State Senate.

So did Mr. Dunham.

“I’m going to be working toward a fund-raising event in late spring,” Mr. Dunham said.

The purpose, he said, is to “raise money for winning back a Senate Democratic majority in ’08.”

When asked for comment, Mr. Spitzer’s spokeswoman, Christine Anderson, e-mailed this statement:

“Eliot is entirely focused on doing the job New Yorkers elected him to do."

"He is working hard every day to pass his budget and wider reform agenda and to bring about real change for the people of the state.”

You may reach Azi Paybarah via email at: apaybarah@observer.com .

This column ran on page 8 in the 2/26/2007 edition of The New York Observer.

http://www.nyobserver.com/20070226/2007022..._newsstory2.asp

[Livyjr]

And what about the FBI, then, Livyjr?

What happened to the FBI?

And here is another important question, that needs to be addressed and understood, in assessing this matter that is under discussion in here, which is an alleged "ring" operating in the State of New York, consisting of at least two doctors, and a hospital, and a corporation, and a very powerful and politically connected law firm in the Capital District area of the alleged corrupt EMPIRE of New York, who for an alleged "pay-off", will allegedly remove a witness in a court proceeding, or a witness who is about to initiate proceedings in court, by the expediency of having the doctor falsely and fraudulently "certify" the witness as being a "dangerous mental patient" who requires immediate care and treatment in a secure mental facility operated by the corporation, with the blessings of the "state", or the REPUBLICAN side of it, anyway.

Once "BRANDED" in this way, of course, the witness is done, literally done, and all who must depend on such witness to make a case of government corruption in a court of law are then done, too, which is what this thread is all about.

SO!

The FBI!

What happened to the FBI?

Simple!

They were turned off like a "light bulb", and that was that!

No more contact allowed, by ORDER of the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

How do we know this?

Well, for one, it came directly from the FBI special agent who was doing the digging into this matter of alleged corruption in the Town of Poestenkill Planning Board, and the Rensselaer County Department of Health, from approximately 1978, through 1988, and that is OUR best evidence, of course, and then that fact is also confirmed in Exhibit Q of the ORIGINAL COMPLAINT filed in this matter with Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York on June 18, 2003, about three months AFTER the President of the Albany County, State of New York Bar Association confirmed in a very public newsletter that in the Albany, New York area, where all of this was transpiring, and where the FBI investigation was being conducted out of, ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALBANY COUNTY BAR, have no ethics, which is to say, no integrity.

As the Bar Association President was to say, in paraphrase: "Ah, that GRAND and glorious feeling, give them a GRAND, and they feel just glorious", and folks, that is the way it is!

Money talks, and that is the only voice that can and will be heard in the courts of the State of New York, by order of the management.

Right after the FBI Special Agent filed his report which constitutes Exhibit P of the ORIGINAL COMPLAINT, which exhibit was quoted from above as concluding that the Rensselaer County Department of Health was violating State and local laws to facilitate developers in Rensselaer County, the Office of the U.S. Attorney TURNED THE INVESTIGATION OFF, like a faucet!

According to OUR account, which is based on a first-hand account by a witness, the FBI Special Agent then met with OUR expert and told him that the best course of action for him would be to leave, to just get out of town, and stay there, because OUR witness's "enemies" went way up higher than this FBI Special Agent's head, and where the Office of the U.S. Attorney had officially "turned off" the investigation, there was nothing further that he could do in the matter, and he was not going to jeopardize his career for us, who are essentially, just a bunch of nothing in the world of the rich and powerful in Albany, New York.

And why has this never come out before?

Well, where and how was that going to happen, would be my reply!

After all, it never was a secret in the first place.

Everyone in Rensselaer County at that time KNEW the FBI were investigating, because they don't blend in the first place, when they are around, and they definitely were around, right out in plain sight, trying to find people who would talk about having been threatened or shaken down by personnel from the Rensselaer County Department of Health for an "approval".

And not only was the FBI talking to people in Rensselaer County on what was to be a futile quest to find anyone, outside of OUR expert who would come forward as a witness, they were also present when OUR expert was put on "trial" by Rensselaer County for having made those reports to the State Health Commissioner which resulted in the FBI investigating this matter in the first place.

WE, who in mute witness, stand, were there, and WE saw the FBI there, and they saw us!

SO!

That is how we knew that there would be some kind of FBI records detailing the matter, and years later, through Freedom of Information, we were finally able to obtain copies of those records, which were then immediately "suppressed" again by the "powers-that-be" in Rensselaer County and the State of New York, and that brings us right on up to this present moment in time.

Thank you for your continuing interest.

And so ....

As I have stated in here before ...

Rensselaer County in the State of New York has had a county health department, BY VOTE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY ....

Since 1946 ....

And it has employed PUBLIC HEALTH ENGINEERS ....

To protect OUR rural water supplies ...

Since 1949 ......

Which then begs the question of why none of this DOCUMENTED REGULATORY BACKGROUND was reported in the Albany, New York Times Union article above here on groundwater contamination in New York State THIRTY-SIX YEARS LATER, in 2006 ...

But since the Albany, New York Times Union has never had a reputation for veracity or truthfulness or thoroughness ....

Publishing and operating as it does in the political environment of Albany, New York ......

It is not surprising to encounter outright lies and half-truths in the pages of that newspaper .....

And so .....

PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARDS .....

That is what we are talking about now ...

Since that is what precipitated this incident that took place in the Town of Poestenkill ....

In the County of Rensselaer ...

In the State of New York ....

On August 22, 2001 .....

When Jeffrey Pelletier first assaulted the PLAINTIFF on Liberty Lane in the Town of Poestenkill ....

To deter PLAINTIFF from continuing an investigation ...

Into exactly how it was that Pelletier ...

Was able to PROCURE ....

An approval ...

From defendant Denise Ayers ....

The REPUBLICAN Rensselaer County Director of Health in 2001 ...

To dump his sewage ....

Into the waters of the New Foundland Creek ....

Which flow through the PLAINTIFF's property ..

On their way ...

To the Hudson River ...

And the sea ....

And was then able to procure ....

Through DISBURSEMENTS made through the right lawyer .....

A fraudulent New York State Mental Hygiene Law certification ....

That PLAINTIFF was alleged to be mentally ill ...

And dangerous ...

So that with alleged further DISBURSEMENTS ...

Jeffrey Pelletier was able to use that fraudulent certification of alleged mental illness ...

To have PLAINTIFF barred from bringing on any actions for redress of grievance against either Pelletier ...

Or the REPUBLICAN-controlled Rensselaer County Department of Health ....

In Supreme Court of New York State for Rensselaer County ....

Where such suits for damages and redress must be filed ...

Pursuant to the Constitution and laws ....

Of the State of New York ....

And so ...

And here, before I continue ...

I want to address a question which came in a while ago ..

And that is whether or not any statements were ever made publicly to the effect that the Rensselaer County Department of Health IS CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY .....

As I have alleged in here ....

And for that answer ...

I simply turn right to the pages of the Albany, New York Times Union newspaper itself .....

To Wednesday, October 12, 1988 ....

To a story by ace Times Union "political correspondent" Timothy O'Brien entitled "Report to urge new septic rules" .....

Which was about a plan concocted by the REPUBLICANS, through REPUBLICAN Rensselaer County Legislator Thomas Cholakis, the BROTHER to federal Northern District of New York District Court Judge Con Cholakis .....

To gut the Rensselaer County Sanitary Code ....

Which PLAINTIFF had begun enforcing in 1986 ....

In accordance with the 1982 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the New York State Department of Health ...

And the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ...

Right above here .....

And the Constitution and laws of the State of New York ...

As are clearly and concisely identified .....

In that 1982 Memorandum of Understanding .....

In that October 12, 1988 newspaper article .....

Which was to set the stage for Buono's announcement that same evening ....

On the Kapostacey-Jansing show ...

On TV Channel 13 broadcasting out of Menands, New York ....

That PLAINTIFF was alleged to be mentally ill and dangerous ...

And so could not continue on ....

As Associate Public Health Engineer ...

In the REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED Rensselaer County Department of Health ...

Political scribe O'Brien clearly identified the Rensselaer County Department of Health as being CONTROLLED by the REPUBLICAN PARTY ...

And presumably ...

Before that story was published by the Albany, New York Times Union on the morning of October 12, 1988 .....

The EDITORS of the Albany, New York Times Union would have had an opportunity to review this story for its VERACITY .....

Especially that bit about the Rensselaer County Department of Health being CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY .....

And so .....

And everything that took place subsequently ....

Including the vaunted Federal Bureau of Investigation ...

Of the United States Department of Justice .....

Being sent "ki-yiing" back to Albany, New York .....

Like a whipped dog ...

With its tail between its legs .....

By the REPUBLICANS in Rensselaer County ....

Does nothing, on the one hand .....

To dispel what the Albany, New York Times Union was publishing AS FACT on the morning of October 12, 1988 .....

That in Rensselaer County in the State of New York ...

The REPUBLICAN PARTY indeed has the control of what will constitute "adequate public health protection" for the people of Rensselaer County .....

And on the other ....

Only serves to CORROBORATE ....

The truthfulness ....

Of what O'Brien was reporting that day ....

That at least in Rensselaer County in the State of New York ...

The protection of the public health, safety and well-being ...

HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO ...

OR GIVEN OVER TO ....

OR HAD BEEN TAKEN OVER BY ....

The REPUBLICAN PARTY ...

And so ....

And despite that newspaper article being forwarded as part of a COMPLAINT right up to the level of Dr. Axelrod himself, who was a DEMOCRATIC appointee ...

Who was considered by REPUBLICAN Joseph Bruno, the New York State Senator from Rensselaer County, and John L. Buono, the REPUBLICAN Rensselaer County Executive, and Robert A. "Big BOB" Smith, the REPUBLICAN Rensselaer County Attorney .....

To be nothing more than a sniveling, simpering LIBERAL ....

Nothing was ever done to end that REPUBLICAN control of OUR county health department .....

Nor did the Albany, New York Times Union ever make a further issue of it ...

And so ....

I would say myself ...

Based upon my own experiences with groundwater contamination up here in this corrupt state ....

That there is a direct link between the REPUBLICAN control of health departments here in New York State ...

And the amount of toxic and polluting **** that is in the groundwater up here in the State of New York ...

And so ....

On October 12, 1988, at six o'clock P.M., people all over the greater north-east of OUR America who were watching the Christine Kapostacey-Jansing Show, in the millions, said TV Channel 13 broadcasting out of Menands, New York; those people all saw the face of CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN Rensselaer County Executive John L. Buono come onto their viewing screens, and they heard him tell Kapostacey-Jansing in very serious tones that he had locked the PLAINTIFF herein, the associate public health engineer for the Rensselaer County Health District, out of access to his office in the Rensselaer County Office Building because a group of developers had put the sum of eighty-thousand dollars before him, and so ....

He had to act ....

And Kapostacey-Jansing, herself astute in the ways of REPUBLICAN politics in the Albany area of the State of New York said, "yes" .....

For that kind of money, you have to act ....

And that was that .....

Which is all a matter of public record in the State of New York ....

But would be largely unknown and unheard of in OUR America, for all of that ....

Were it not for the miracle of the internet ...

And this Forum ...

Where common Americans .....

Finally have a place ...

Where for the moment, at least ...

Responsible free speech is still possible ....

So much news is always happening ....

Here in OUR America ...

That people are just overwhelmed by it ...

And so ...

Something like this story we are discussing in this thread ...

Would just slip right between the cracks ...

Especially since no one was at all shocked that Buono actually made such an open admission on a regionally-broadcasted show such as the Kapostacey-Jansing Show, with an alleged combined audience numbered in the millions, according to Kapostacey-Jansing's publicist ....

And such is the state of politics up here in the greater north-east ....

Where it is expected and accepted that a public official would not only take an alleged bribe to perform a "public service" for some special interest group, like barring a public health engineer from access to his office in the Rensselaer County Office Building, while the engineer's office was HOOVERED, which is to say, cleaned out, with all files and records found therein destroyed by Rensselaer County employees on the orders of Buono's attorneys, but make public statements about it on a major upstate-New York TV show ...

A futile attempt, on Buono's part, in the end, to keep silent alleged corrupt practices in the Rensselaer County Department of Health .....

The HOOVERING, I mean ....

Since the key evidence was backed up elsewhere ...

But suffice to say ...

The damage was done ....

And in the end, Buono proved he had what it took to actually be the UNITARY EXECUTIVE ....

And that is absolute control over the law, itself ....

And there, Buono was well-protected ....

As was made very clear to all of us when Buono made the Federal Bureau of Investigation have to get out of Rensselaer County and slink back over to Albany with their tails between their legs like some whipped little dog .....

And publicly so .....

And so .....

"Bruno's son shares office with racing lobbyist - Kenneth R. Bruno law practice is located in same suite as advocate for state track franchise"

By BRENDAN J. LYONS Senior writer, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

ALBANY -- The younger son of Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno shares an office with the lobbyist for one of four groups that are vying for New York's lucrative horse racing franchise.

Kenneth R. Bruno's one-man law practice is located in the same downtown suite as Frederico G. Polsinelli Jr., the registered lobbyist for Capital Play, an Australian consortium that is pressuring the Legislature to consider its bid for the franchise.

Bruno's father has publicly called on the state to consider the firm's bid, even though Capital Play had been disqualified for missing a deadline.

Sen. Bruno, R-Brunswick, was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

He is in Palm Beach this week for for a campaign fundraiser that was hosted Wednesday evening at Donald Trump's estate, Mar-A-Lago.

Posted on Mon, Feb. 19, 2007

"Like Philadelphia's Fumo, a longtime N.Y. senator, Joseph Bruno, faces heat over how he used funds."

By Michael Matza

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Both men are larger-than-life figures in elected office for nearly 30 years.

Both bring home the pork in prodigious barrels, ensuring local popularity.

Both wield tremendous clout as powerful state senators in charge of appropriations.

And both, after years of imperial leadership - tinged with hubris, critics say - may have blurred the line between public service and private agendas.

Pennsylvania has Democrat Vincent J. Fumo, 63, under federal indictment for financial fraud.

New York has Republican Joseph L. Bruno, 77, recently questioned by the FBI about his business relationships and not charged with any crime.

In addition to the FBI inquiry, Bruno has faced a flurry of local and national headlines questioning his use of two campaign funds he controls.

Robert Turner, an assistant professor of government at Skidmore College here in Bruno's district, thinks he knows how veteran politicians run into trouble or just get tarnished.

"There is a certain recognition that politics is a dirty business," particularly in old, machine states like Pennsylvania and New York, and the longer a politician serves, the more likely he is to get muddy.

"When stories come out about mixing personal, campaign and public money, that seems to be a recipe for disaster," said Turner, adding that a veteran pol's thinking may go something like this:

"I am working so hard for the people in the district," delivering millions of dollars in development projects, "why shouldn't someone else pay for me to go golfing at a fancy golf club, or take a nice vacation?"

Fumo's lawyer Richard A. Sprague has defended his client's use of legislative staff for personal errands, on what he contended is their own time, because it freed Fumo to be more effective as a senator.

Whether that explanation satisfies the electorate, let alone jurors should the case go to trial, may be a matter of perception because even if questionable activities turn out to be legal, they may offend public sensibilities.

"The cliche phrase 'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' is a cliche for a reason," said Lawrence Norden of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, which studies campaign-finance laws.

The charges against Fumo include allegations he used taxpayer money and funds from a charity he created to pay for personal items, including cars, power tools, farm equipment, plush appointments for three lavish homes, and a private eye to spy on his ex-wife, former girlfriends and political foes.

Fumo calls the charges a pack of "falsities and half-truths."

Bruno, by contrast, is not charged with any crime.

His spokesman, Kris Thompson, said Friday his boss had been assured by the FBI that "he is not a target."

The FBI has declined to comment.

The publicity, however, has turned a harsh spotlight on the New York leader.

Since December, media and public-interest groups have raised questions about his use of campaign contributions to buy stock in private companies in which he personally held shares; the source of funds for a Florida vacation; the connection, if any, between his private consulting company and the appropriations he approves as Senate president.

Bruno and his staff say any expenditures by the senator are entirely proper.

But a taint has a tendency to linger.

"My guess is if the FBI is involved, then it's serious," said James Underwood, a former dean and interim president of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., who said he once attended a meeting with Bruno about higher education, which he began by individually pointing out what he had done for everyone in the room.

"People love [Bruno]."

"You always see that man with a smile on his face," said Lisa Kennedy, a waitress at Compton's Restaurant across the street from Bruno's Saratoga district office.

But since his troubles surfaced, she added, people also say, "Of course."

"What did you expect?"

Blair Horner, legislative director of NYPIRG, New York's Public Interest Research Group, has observed Bruno closely for decades.

"In terms of the way he operates... he goes out of his way to portray himself as approachable," said Horner.

"On Valentine's Day he brought roses to [new Gov. Eliot] Spitzer," with whom Bruno has been publicly feuding.

As for the FBI inquiry and other allegations, said Horner, Bruno "may view these things as perfectly all right even though they may not be."

Or they may all turn out to be perfectly legal.

Horner blames the possibility of "ethical fuzziness" on election laws rife with loopholes and a legislative ethics committee he likened to a lap dog that growls in its sleep.

"People drive faster on the highway when there are no speed traps."

"That's the problem."

"There are no ethical speed traps," Horner said.

"It's an honor system."

"So they self-regulate."

"And the only time they have to pay the price is if the FBI shows up."

Jeffrey M. Stonecash, a professor of politics at Syracuse University, knows New York politics like the back of his hand and has followed Fumo's case, including allegations he used public servants for private errands.

While emphasizing that Fumo, like every defendant, is "innocent until proven guilty," Stonecash said that if the charges against him are true, "he really went over the edge."

"I worked for the [New York] Assembly for 20 years [giving a course for legislative interns]."

"Some people [there] said, 'Hey, go get my laundry, go get my car.' "

For some, he said, that becomes a way of life.

Concerning Bruno's use of campaign contributions to buy stock in private companies, "even if it's legal, it would trouble people enormously," said Stonecash, because "everybody presumes you are raising these monies for your campaign."

"Squeezing lobbyists to raise money for private business... would surely be over the line."

So from all that Stonecash has seen, is there a tendency for politicians to blur the line after 30 years in power?

"I don't think it's confined to politicians."

"It's a widespread phenomenon... ."

"There are faculty members who cross over the edge and start using their expense accounts for personal items."

"There are business people who do it."

"I've always thought there is a normal distribution of people with different ethics out there," said Stonecash.

"The question is: Do you get into a situation where you can act on that?"

"And then, what do you do?"

Contact staff writer Michael Matza at 215 854 2541, or mmatza@phillynews.com.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/lo...ia/16730529.htm

[Livyjr]

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE IV - Executive

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in the governor, who shall hold office for four years; the lieutenant-governor shall be chosen at the same time, and for the same term.

The governor and lieutenant-governor shall be chosen at the general election held in the year nineteen hundred thirty-eight, and each fourth year thereafter.

They shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices, and the legislature by law shall provide for making such choice in such manner.

The respective persons having the highest number of votes cast jointly for them for governor and lieutenant-governor respectively shall be elected.

§ 2. No person shall be eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant-governor, except a citizen of the United States, of the age of not less than thirty years, and who shall have been five years next preceding the election a resident of this state.

§ 3. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the state.

The governor shall have power to convene the legislature, or the senate only, on extraordinary occasions.

At extraordinary sessions convened pursuant to the provisions of this section no subject shall be acted upon, except such as the governor may recommend for consideration.

The governor shall communicate by message to the legislature at every session the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to it as he or she shall judge expedient.

The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

The governor shall receive for his or her services an annual salary to be fixed by joint resolution of the senate and assembly, and there shall be provided for his or her use a suitable and furnished executive residence.

§ 4. The governor shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction, for all offenses except treason and cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations, as he or she may think proper, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law relative to the manner of applying for pardons.

Upon conviction for treason, the governor shall have power to suspend the execution of the sentence, until the case shall be reported to the legislature at its next meeting, when the legislature shall either pardon, or commute the sentence, direct the execution of the sentence, or grant a further reprieve.

The governor shall annually communicate to the legislature each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon granted, stating the name of the convict, the crime of which the convict was convicted, the sentence and its date, and the date of the commutation, pardon or reprieve.

§ 5. In case of the removal of the governor from office or of his or her death or resignation, the lieutenant-governor shall become governor for the remainder of the term.

In case the governor-elect shall decline to serve or shall die, the lieutenant-governor-elect shall become governor for the full term.

In case the governor is impeached, is absent from the state or is otherwise unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor, the lieutenant-governor shall act as governor until the inability shall cease or until the term of the governor shall expire.

In case of the failure of the governor-elect to take the oath of office at the commencement of his or her term, the lieutenant-governor-elect shall act as governor until the governor shall take the oath.

§ 6. The lieutenant-governor shall possess the same qualifications of eligibility for office as the governor.

The lieutenant-governor shall be the president of the senate but shall have only a casting vote therein.

The lieutenant-governor shall receive for his or her services an annual salary to be fixed by joint resolution of the senate and assembly.

In case of vacancy in the offices of both governor and lieutenant-governor, a governor and lieutenant-governor shall be elected for the remainder of the term at the next general election happening not less than three months after both offices shall have become vacant.

No election of a lieutenant-governor shall be had in any event except at the time of electing a governor.

In case of vacancy in the offices of both governor and lieutenant-governor or if both of them shall be impeached, absent from the state or otherwise unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor, the temporary president of the senate shall act as governor until the inability shall cease or until a governor shall be elected.

In case of vacancy in the office of lieutenant-governor alone, or if the lieutenant-governor shall be impeached, absent from the state or otherwise unable to discharge the duties of office, the temporary president of the senate shall perform all the duties of lieutenant-governor during such vacancy or inability.

If, when the duty of acting as governor devolves upon the temporary president of the senate, there be a vacancy in such office or the temporary president of the senate shall be absent from the state or otherwise unable to discharge the duties of governor, the speaker of the assembly shall act as governor during such vacancy or inability.

The legislature may provide for the devolution of the duty of acting as governor in any case not provided for in this article.

§ 7. Every bill which shall have passed the senate and assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor; if the governor approve, he or she shall sign it; but if not, he or she shall return it with his or her objections to the house in which it shall have originated, which shall enter the objections at large on the journal, and proceed to reconsider it.

If after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members elected to that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered; and if approved by two-thirds of the members elected to that house, it shall become a law notwithstanding the objections of the governor.

In all such cases the votes in both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively.

If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him or her, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he or she had signed it, unless the legislature shall, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall not become a law without the approval of the governor.

No bill shall become a law after the final adjournment of the legislature, unless approved by the governor within thirty days after such adjournment.

If any bill presented to the governor contain several items of appropriation of money, the governor may object to one or more of such items while approving of the other portion of the bill.

In such case the governor shall append to the bill, at the time of signing it, a statement of the items to which he or she objects; and the appropriation so objected to shall not take effect.

If the legislature be in session, he or she shall transmit to the house in which the bill originated a copy of such statement, and the items objected to shall be separately reconsidered.

If on reconsideration one or more of such items be approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each house, the same shall be part of the law, notwithstanding the objections of the governor.

All the provisions of this section, in relation to bills not approved by the governor, shall apply in cases in which he or she shall withhold approval from any item or items contained in a bill appropriating money.

§ 8. No rule or regulation made by any state department, board, bureau, officer, authority or commission, except such as relates to the organization or internal management of a state department, board, bureau, authority or commission shall be effective until it is filed in the office of the department of state.

The legislature shall provide for the speedy publication of such rules and regulations by appropriate laws.

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/lbdcinfo/senconstitution.html

"Spitzer pushing legislators to reform"

By JEREMY M. CREELAN

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer has stunned the Legislature by attacking individual members from his own party for choosing to scrap an expert-based comptroller selection process and instead select one of their own.

Observers wonder: How could he let his own temper and thirst for power so jeopardize the legislative process and his own policy agenda?

Will Spitzer's attacks culminate in a coup to oust the speaker of the Assembly?

The truth is that this is not about Spitzer's personality; this is a fundamental shift in the way Albany works.

Even as he is attacking members individually for their votes, he is also demanding that they play a far more important role in the legislative process.

For the first time in recent history, a New York governor is consulting with individual legislators -- rather than just with the Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader -- to discuss the budget and other legislation.

One legislator recently said it was the first time in his more than 30 years in the Assembly that he was asked to discuss the budget directly with the governor.

While individual members may no longer be able to hide behind a party-line vote and let the speaker or majority leader take the heat, they also may now have an opportunity to develop and champion legislation themselves like never before.

That is a real change that could have major consequences not just for the personal politics of Albany but also for our public policy.

Why?

If the governor successfully shifts each member's attention away from his party's agenda (and party-line votes) and toward his own deliberations on an issue, over time, voters will be able to hold their elected representatives in Albany accountable for their individual performance on the issues rather than just for voting with their party.

In an increasingly one-party state, our policy decisions should be based on real deliberations and evaluation by each member rather than on what a single-party policy-making apparatus produces.

An emphasis on the role of rank-and-file members could also produce a far more deliberative process in each chamber as members begin to develop and build momentum for their own bills in committee, even without obtaining the active support of the leadership of their chamber.

If the governor encourages such independent initiatives in the Legislature, it will do more than produce new and greater policy choices.

It could also pressure the leadership to allow the entire chamber to vote on a bill even when the outcomes are not yet clear or when the leader himself opposes the bill.

Some of our country's most important legislation, like the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, grew out of just such a fertile dynamic in committees without the support of Congress' leaders.

Finally, by building alliances with members on a particular bill, the governor can indirectly enrich the debates that occur in each party's legislative conference by ensuring that his policy agenda is not expressed solely through the voice of the speaker or majority leader.

In short, Spitzer's attacks on rank-and-file legislators are just the flip side of his consultations with them: He is demanding they actively represent their constituents at every turn, not just their party's leaders.

Spitzer may fail in this new approach.

And he may be wrong in choosing the comptroller fight to wage this battle; arguably, the Assembly's members were well within their rights to act as they did and, in fact, they bucked the speaker in doing so.

But if he succeeds, it is the legislators themselves and the voters they represent who will benefit from his relentless focus on each legislator's contribution in the legislative process.

Jeremy Creelan is an attorney at Jenner & Block LLP in New York City. He was the principal author of "The New York State Legislative Process: An Evaluation and Blueprint for Reform," published by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. The opinions expressed here are the writer's alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the Brennan Center.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/22/2007

[Livyjr]

From pp.189-191 of I ROSE LIKE A ROCKET - The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt by Paul Grondahl ......

(TEDDY) ROOSEVELT'S GOAL (as a newly-appointed member of the Federal Civil Service Commission in the administration of President Benjamin Harrison in 1889) WAS TO DESTROY THE SPOILS SYSTEM WITH AN AGGRESSIVE AND RELENTLESS ATTACK.

IT PREVENTS "DECENT MEN" FROM TAKING PART IN POLITICS AND "DEGENERATES INTO A MERE CORRUPT SCRAMBLE FOR PLUNDER."

ROOSEVELT ROOTED OUT SCORES OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS WHO HAD BEEN PUT ON THE GOVERNMENT PAYROLL FOR SUPPORTING HARRISON'S CAMPAIGN WITH FAVORABLE EDITORIALS AND POSITIVE COVERAGE.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE IV - Executive

§ 3. The governor shall communicate by message to the legislature at every session the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to it as he or she shall judge expedient.

The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/lbdcinfo/senconstitution.html

"Spitzer exposed Legislature for exactly what it is"

Letters to the Editor, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

I hope Gov. Eliot Spitzer never follows the advice Fred LeBrun gave in his Feb. 9 commentary, where he faults Spitzer for the comptroller debacle.

Any reasonable New Yorker could see that the selection process was fair, open and accountable; including having the checks and balances that Mr. LeBrun accused Spitzer of wanting to leap over.

The governor wanted the process to find the best candidate.

The Legislature wanted the process to rubber stamp its personal selection.

It seemed odd that LeBrun felt Spitzer bullied the Legislature, when it looked more like the Legislature bullied the panel to pick one of its own.

In picking Thomas DiNapoli over the panel's recommendations, the Legislature skirted checks and balances, not Spitzer as LeBrun suggests.

Spitzer simply did what the electorate expects, to bring fair and open government to Albany.

It was the Legislature that embarrassed Albany, not the governor.

Actually, Spitzer successfully exposed the Legislature for what it is, a body committed to serving its power and patronage, rather than the vitality of New York.

Gov. Spitzer's direct approach challenges legislators to openly choose between the desires of their party leaders or of those who elected them.

That is the only way to drive the changes this state needs before another economic boon passes us by.

DAN F.

Clifton Park

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/22/2007

[Livyjr]

"Voter will remember poor legislator decision"

Letters to the Editor, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer can count on me as one who is appalled and disgusted by the inexcusable behavior of state legislators in ignoring the recommendations of a qualified panel and instead choosing Tom DiNapoli for comptroller.

Fred LeBrun has it wrong in stating Governor Spitzer "screwed this up big time."

It is plain to see this is a classic case of entrenched politicians having it their way despite the will of the voters or what is best for the state.

Governor Spitzer attempted to steer the process to benefit New Yorkers and select a highly qualified candidate.

The Legislature has effectively taken a major step backward in appointing someone wholly unqualified to be steward of New York's finances.

It appears little has changed despite the will of the voters.

Let's hope the Legislature's attitude is remembered during the next election.

I, for one, will remember this behavior for a long time to come.

GRANT A.

Burnt Hills

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/22/2007

[Livyjr]

"Identifying legislator cronyism helps voters"

Letters to the Editor, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

I applaud the Times Union for publishing the names of New York legislators who voted against the appointment of Thomas DiNapoli as comptroller.

I also applaud my assemblyman, James Tedisco, for being among those who refused to vote for an unqualified crony of the downstate majority leader.

I will indeed remember Mr. Tedisco at election time.

I will also remember Hugh Farley, my state senator, who voted for an unqualified person and against the interests of his constituents.

BRUCE N.

Schenectady

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/22/2007

[Livyjr]

"Voter will remember poor legislator decision"

Letters to the Editor, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Thursday, February 22, 2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer can count on me as one who is appalled and disgusted by the inexcusable behavior of state legislators in ignoring the recommendations of a qualified panel and instead choosing Tom DiNapoli for comptroller.

Fred LeBrun has it wrong in stating Governor Spitzer "screwed this up big time."

It is plain to see this is a classic case of entrenched politicians having it their way despite the will of the voters or what is best for the state.

GRANT A.

Burnt Hills

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/22/2007

"Spitzer Donor Sees Albany as Presidential Test - Skadden Arps lawyer Doug Dunham says that if reforms succeed, Eliot could be the next Grover Cleveland."

By Azi Paybarah

According to one of Eliot Spitzer’s major contributors, the success of the Governor’s reform agenda in Albany could end up being a test run for something much bigger down the road.

“I can certainly see him being a really viable contender for President if he’s able to get all these reforms through,” said Doug Dunham, a major Democratic fund-raiser who is counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

By Mr. Dunham’s thinking, Mr. Spitzer needs to succeed in his plan to flip control of the Republican-led State Senate to the Democrats.

He would then be able to push through his agenda of reform, and could in turn parlay that into a successful bid for the White House.

http://www.nyobserver.com/20070226/2007022..._newsstory2.asp

Hhhhmmmmm.....

Interesting ......

And a bit of GROSS HYPOCRISY, as well .....

On the part of the CAUDILLO .....

"STEAMROLLER" Spitzer ....

A committee created by former Gov. George Pataki to review the proposals formally recommended Excelsior on Wednesday .....

Despite its earlier elimination, Capital Play received new life Wednesday when a spokesman for Gov. Eliot Spitzer told the Associated Press his administration is not bound by the Pataki committee's recommendation ......

What is that saying about "SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE ..."

We here in the CORRUPT EMPIRE ....

Are supposed to heed ....

The CAUDILLO's cries .....

About the New York State Legislature ....

NOT GIVING HIM WHAT HE WANTED .....

FROM HIS SPECIAL COMMISSION ....

TO PICK A NEW STATE COMPTROLLER ....

BUT ....

WE SHOULD IGNORE HIM ....

IGNORING ....

THE CHOICE OF ANOTHER SPECIAL COMMISSION ....

SET UP ....

BY THE PRIOR HOLDER ....

OF HIS OFFICE .....

To which I say, "Hhhhmmmmm ...."

"YEAH, RIGHT, 'STEAMROLLER' " ....

And so ....

"Spitzer to Review Pataki Panel’s Choice for Racing Franchise"

By JOE DRAPE, NY TIMES

Published: February 22, 2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who wields the most power in deciding the fate of New York’s thoroughbred racing franchise, does not feel bound to ask the State Legislature to award it to the group recommended by a Pataki administration committee, his spokesman said yesterday.

The nine-member Pataki committee released its 270-page report yesterday outlining how and why it selected Excelsior Racing Associates, a group led by Steve Swindal, a general partner of the Yankees, and Richard Fields, a casino developer.

Last November, the committee chose Excelsior to operate Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, which handle more than $2.7 billion a year combined in horse racing bets.

It took the committee nearly a year to decide who was best suited to run a valuable gambling entity that will now also include 4,500 slot machines already approved for Aqueduct, at a projected revenue of $650 million a year.

“It will be reviewed and will be part of the governor’s consideration and evaluation,” said Paul Larrabee, a spokesman for Governor Spitzer.

“He does not feel bound by it, and in the next few days we will be announcing a process for that evaluation.”

Mr. Larrabee repeated remarks Mr. Spitzer made last fall about the way the committee conducted the process of choosing bidders for the franchise, which has been held by the New York Racing Association since 1955 and expires at the end of the year.

Mr. Spitzer said he did not believe that integrity should have been judged in a complicated scoring process.

He said bidders either had integrity or they did not.

Mr. Spitzer also raised concerns about the 20-year length of the new franchise, Mr. Larrabee said, and how it does not leave room for re-negotiation or formal review until the end of 20 years.

“It is not his intention to rebid the entire proposal,” Mr. Larrabee said.

Joseph L. Bruno, the State Senate majority leader and a racing enthusiast whose district includes Saratoga Springs, declined to comment yesterday through his spokesman, Kris Thompson.

Charles Carrier, the spokesman for the Assembly speaker, Sheldon Silver, said Mr. Silver agreed that the proposals should be reviewed.

“The governor should have an opportunity to have some input into a decision that will be part of his administration for the next three years if not more,” said Mr. Carrier on behalf of Mr. Silver.

Mr. Swindal, who is the son-in-law of George Steinbrenner, the principal owner of the Yankees and a thoroughbred racehorse owner, said in a statement that the committee chose Excelsior on the bid’s merits, which include investing more than $1 billion in New York racing, including $200 million upfront.

“The Excelsior team is delighted that a bipartisan panel of experts recommended that Excelsior assume leadership of the New York racing franchise,” Mr. Swindal said.

While prominent horse racing figures nationwide donated heavily to Mr. Spitzer’s campaign for governor, few courted him as ardently as an Excelsior principal, Mr. Fields, who contributed $200,000 through various entities he controls.

Mr. Spitzer was criticized during his campaign for letting Mr. Fields fly him in his private plane to fund-raisers outside of New York.

Mr. Larrabee said he did not know, however, if new proposals from bidders, other than the three groups that went through the process, would be allowed.

Excelsior prevailed over the New York Racing Association and over Empire Racing, a group that includes some of horse racing’s strongest participants, including the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and two of the largest racetrack companies, Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corporation.

The New York Racing Association, which has filed for bankruptcy, is complicating the franchise award by claiming that it owns the land on which all three tracks were built.

The state argues, however, that it owns the land and controls the rights to the franchise.

The issue will most likely be decided in court.

The Pataki committee refused to examine a proposal by the Australian consortium CapitalPlay, which missed a deadline.

CapitalPlay is now making its case before the Legislature, with a bid of $1.8 billion, said its chief executive, Karl O’Farrell.

“There’s every indication now that our bid will be considered fully with the other bidders,” Mr. O’Farrell said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/nyregion...amp;oref=slogin

[Livyjr]

New York's first constitution in 1777, and subsequent constitutions of 1821, 1846, and 1894, vested supreme executive power and authority in a governor.

Colonial precedents for a governor as executive officer were the director general, who administered New Netherland under the Dutch from 1624 to 1664; and the royal governor, who administered the colony under the British until 1776.

In April 1777, the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York (renamed the Fourth Provincial Congress) adopted the first State constitution, and two months later George Clinton was elected first governor of New York State.

New York's constitution of 1777 created the office of governor "to take care that the laws are faithfully executed" and "to transact all necessary business with the officers of government."

"In spoiling for a fight, Spitzer shows his dysfunctional side"

Fred LeBrun, Political Analyst, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Tuesday, February 13, 2007

What fantastic political theater we're being forced to watch.

Sweeney Spitzer, the demon barber of State Street, who makes tasty meat pies from legislators who dare oppose him.

In the short term, Eliot Spitzer will rile up the general population that's heard for years how dysfunctional the state political process has become, and he will score a few cheap political points.

Spitzer was trying to steer the process to elect his choice, Martha Stark, New York City's finance commissioner.

Fred LeBrun can be reached at (518) 454-5453 or by e-mail at flebrun@timesunion.com.

"A showdown looming"

Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Saturday, January 27, 2007

Assembly Democrats vented their anger Friday over a screening panel's decision to exclude their colleagues from a list of eligible state comptroller candidates and said they're giving serious thought to breaking ranks with Gov. Eliot Spitzer over the job.

In what could become a battle between the state's top two Democrats, Assembly members said they felt "rolled" by the three-member panel and, more specifically, by Spitzer himself.

The selection of New York City Finance Commissioner Martha Stark would fill all four of the state's top elected posts with New York City residents -- something upstate legislators might dislike.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

We ....

THE PEOPLE .....

Of the State of New York .....

Grateful ....

To Almighty God .....

For ....

OUR FREEDOM ....

In order to secure ....

Its blessings ....

DO ESTABLISH ....

THIS CONSTITUTION .....

And it would have been something ....

UPSTATE CITIZENS of this state ....

Would have disliked, as well .....

BRINGING MORE OF THE PROFLIGATE NEW YORK CITY "WAYS" ....

UP THIS WAY ....

By making New York City Finance Commissioner Martha Stark ....

The next comptroller of the State of New York ....

Where WE, THE PEOPLE ....

Tend to be ....

A lot more conservative ....

Than are the PROFLIGATES ....

Down there in New York City .....

MILLIONAIRES LIKE THE "STEAMROLLER" ....

Eliot Spitzer ....

AN "UP-STATE" CONSERVATISM ....

WHICH HAS US UP HERE ....

LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS .....

As did our parents before us ....

As opposed to ....

The PROFLIGATES ....

Down there in New York City ....

Who are overly reliant .....

On high taxes

To finance their expansive government ....

AN EXPENSIVE ...

AND EXPANSIVE ....

CITY GOVERNMENT ....

WHICH THE "STEAMROLLER" ....

ELIOT SPITZER ....

HAS ALREADY BEGUN ....

TO SET IN PLACE UP HERE ...

AT THE STATE LEVEL ....

AS HE BEGINS HIS BID ....

FOR THE WHITE HOUSE ...

IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ....

INSTEAD OF THE STATE HOUSE ....

In Albany, New York ...

And we would have been upset .....

With making New York City Finance Commissioner Martha Stark ....

The next comptroller of the State of New York ....

OUR FISCAL WATCHDOG ....

With good reason ...

When you look at the facts ....

INSTEAD OF THE HYPE ...

AND HYSTERIA ...

BEING DISHED OUT TO US UP HERE ...

IN THE "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" SECTION ...

OF THE NEW YORK CITY-BASED ....

HEART CORPORATION'S ....

ALBANY, NEW YORK TIMES UNION ....

And so ...

"New York Tops 8 Big Cities in Taxes, Study Shows"

By SEWELL CHAN, NY TIMES

Published: February 22, 2007

New York City has long had a notorious reputation for high taxes, but an official analysis released yesterday shows just how much the city stands out in this regard: State and local taxes swallow $9.02 out of every $100 in household and business income, putting New York’s tax burden far above those of the eight other American cities with populations over one million.

Reputation Meets Reality

The city’s Independent Budget Office, which prepared the report, is widely seen as the authoritative source of nonpartisan fiscal and economic analysis for New York.

The office tackled the same issue in a 2000 report, with similar findings, but this time, it factored in state taxes in comparing the nation’s largest cities.

The new analysis attributed much of the disparity between New York and the other cities to the exceptionally high costs New Yorkers bear for Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor that is run by the federal and state governments but partly financed by the city.

The average state and local tax burden for the other eight cities in the analysis was $6.16 of every $100 in gross taxable resources.

Philadelphia ($7.16) came in a distant second to New York, and Los Angeles ($6.88) came in third, according to the report.

The analysis considered total tax burdens — not the way they are distributed — so it cannot be used to calculate whether a family would pay less in taxes outside of the city.

Nonetheless, the findings were seized on by politicians and others who have raised alarms about the tax burdens New Yorkers face, through a city income tax that tops out at 3.65 percent and a state income tax with a ceiling of 6.95 percent, along with property and sales taxes.

Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a Democrat who represents parts of Queens and Brooklyn and ran for mayor in 2005, called the report “a surprise to no one.”

He called for imposing hefty surcharges on incomes over $1 million and lessening the tax burden on the poor and the middle class.

Kathryn S. Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, the city’s leading business group, warned that the report signaled that the city was overly reliant on high taxes to finance its expansive government, and that any cooling of the real estate market could magnify that problem.

“As the economy flattens out or stabilizes, there is no way to sustain the current tax rates and still meet the expenses we’ve established,” she said.

“This is a long-term problem, and any business looking down the pike sees that New York is in a position where it will have to raise taxes on businesses or high-income individuals.”

David R. Belkin, a senior economist at the Independent Budget Office and the lead author of the report, cautioned that taxes were only one factor in deciding where to live, work and invest.

“This report compares how much state and local governments are taxing in the largest U.S. cities — not what services these governments are providing their taxpayers,” he said.

“Households and businesses look at both sides of the ledger in deciding whether a given tax level is too much.”

On the expense side, according to the analysis, New York is exceptional because of the city’s high share of costs associated with Medicaid and, to a lesser extent, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other welfare programs.

“In no other big city did the municipal or county government face a remotely comparable mandate to fund transfer programs,” the report found.

Without the cost of those two programs, the report said, the city’s tax burden would be much closer to the average of the largest cities.

Although property taxes often dominate the local political discussion, the report found that property and sales taxes in New York City were roughly comparable relative to the other eight cities:

“It is in the area of income taxation — personal and business — that New York City really stands out.”

However, Rae Rosen, a senior economist and assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, warned that it was simplistic to compare New York with other large American cities.

Unlike the largest cities in California and Texas, New York City is the pre-eminent economic engine of the state, she said, so it will inevitably bear a large proportion of the state’s tax burden.

She also noted that businesses stayed in New York even though labor and rent were their biggest expenses, not taxes.

“If businesses are willing to locate here and pay some of the highest wages and rents in the nation, that’s by choice,” she said.

The earlier report, in February 2000, found that in 1997, local government taxes alone absorbed $7.99 of every $100 in taxable resources, 79 percent more than the average in the next nine largest cities, $4.47.

(The comparable figure for local taxes alone, according to the new study, is 90 percent greater than the average in the next eight largest cities.)

However, the office said those figures could not be directly compared to the figures in the new report, because of several adjustments in methodology, including the addition of state tax burdens to the new report.

The new analysis is based on data for 2003-4 from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, both parts of the United States Department of Commerce.

New York, despite its high concentrations of wealth, is hardly the richest big city per capita.

New York’s gross taxable resources — resident personal incomes and gross business operating surpluses, or income minus employee compensation — averaged $61,622 per resident, trailing Dallas ($74,383), Houston ($72,835) and San Diego ($63,814).

The analysis then calculated each city’s tax burden, or tax effort: tax collections per $100 of gross taxable resources, not counting taxes on hotel occupancy and nonresident personal incomes.

Virtually all taxes were considered: income, property, sales, real estate transfers, gasoline and utilities.

In general, the cities with weaker tax bases — San Antonio, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Los Angeles — tended to have higher overall tax burdens than the wealthier cities: Dallas, Houston and San Diego.

(Of the nine cities, Chicago was slightly below average in both per capita taxable resources and tax burden.)

“New York City sits far outside the trend line,” the analysis found, with a stronger tax base than most large cities, but also a much higher tax burden.

New York also led the nine cities in the ratio between local and state taxes.

Of the total state and local tax burden in New York, 62.3 percent went to the city or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and only 37.7 percent went to the state.

In San Diego, Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas, the state’s share of the tax burden was more than half.

Even with a smaller share of the total burden, New York’s state taxes are still, on average, higher than the other cities’.

“The supposition that high New York City municipal taxes are offset by relatively low state taxes is not sustained,” the report found.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/nyregion...mp;ref=nyregion

[Livyjr]

"Spitzer faces scandal-scarred state government"

By MARC HUMBERT, Associated Press
Last updated: 10:52 a.m., Saturday, December 30, 2006

ALBANY -- In the week before Christmas, New York's state comptroller pleaded guilty to a felony and resigned the office to which he had just been re-elected.

A day earlier, the Republican leader of the state Senate announced he was under investigation by the FBI.

The week before that, a state senator from the Bronx, Democrat Efrain Gonzalez Jr., pleaded not guilty to charges that he was using charity groups in a scheme to steal more than $400,000 in state money.

In October, a powerful state Assembly member and major labor leader, Brian McLaughlin of Queens, was indicted on racketeering charges, accused of stealing more than $2.2 million.

In July, state Assemblywoman Diane Gordon was arraigned on bribery charges after prosecutors said they videotaped the Brooklyn Democrat demanding a developer build her a $500,000 house in return for her assistance on a land deal.

Questionable ethics, corruption and plain old thievery have become the hot topics at the state Capitol as state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer prepares to take over as New York's 54th governor.

"It's not a whiff, it's a stench," said Lee Miringoff, head of Marist College's Institute for Public Opinion.

"Stench is the word I would use."

"In the last few years, it's been unprecedented," said government watchdog Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Whether Spitzer will really find it that easy to score in his attempt to reform the culture of Albany remains to be seen.

"IT'S HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED, LIVYJR ..."

"IT'S HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED ..."

"IT'S PAY TO PLAY AROUND HERE ..."

"DON'T YOU KNOW NOTHING?" ......

"WHAT ARE YOU ..."

"AN EEJIT .."

"OR SOMETHING ..."

"Brooklyn party leader convicted - Democrat Clarence Norman is found guilty of extortion"

By EMILY PICKRELL, Special to the Times Union

First published: Saturday, February 24, 2007

NEW YORK -- Former Assemblyman and Brooklyn Democratic Party Chairman Clarence Norman was found guilty Friday of extortion in the last of four criminal cases brought against him by the Kings County district attorney.

Norman, 56, was also found guilty of grand larceny and coercion for demanding payments from two 2002 judicial candidates in exchange for arranging Democratic Party support for them.

"The jury, in convicting Clarence Norman, showed that politics cannot be criminalized," said District Attorney Charles Hynes.

"Clarence Norman proved himself to be nothing more than a thug in a suit."

Civil Court Judge Karen Yellen and Housing Court Judge Marcia Sikowitz had been threatened by Norman that they would lose the support of the Democratic Party if they did not make payments to "preferred vendors" for campaign materials, according to testimony.

Norman had told Yellen that the payment was supposed to be compensation for William Boone, a longtime Democratic campaign operative, for getting mostly African-American voters in central Brooklyn to vote for candidates backed by the Democratic Party, Yellen testified.

Boone told the jury that he considered Yellen's money compensation.

"It could have come from the devil," Boone testified under cross-examination.

"I'd take it and ask the Lord to forgive me."

Jeff Feldman, Norman's former deputy, testified in early February that he remembered seeing Norman yell at Yellen because she refused to make a $9,000 payment to his preferred vendor for fliers.

The defense argued that the Norman trial was an attempt by a district attorney to turn routine political behavior into a crime.

The verdict marks the end of a long descent for Norman, a former Brooklyn assemblyman, who left his Assembly seat in December 2005 after being convicted of campaign corruption.

His earlier charges included violating election law and falsifying business records to hide money given him by a lobbyist for his re-election.

Sentencing is scheduled in April.

Norman could face up to seven years for Friday's conviction, in addition to two to six years he faces for his 2005 convictions.

Norman is appealing the earlier convictions.

Emily Pickrell is a student at the Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University.

[Livyjr]

Gotham Gazette - http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20050704/202/1472

"Surrogate's Court And Why It Should Go"

by Gary Tilzer

04 Jul 2005

In 1977, Edward Koch ran for mayor, attacking the Democratic machine.

Soon after his election, though, Koch did what most reform politicians do after defeating a machine: make a deal with it.

Though Koch set up panels to screen candidates for judgeships, presumably based on merit, as time went on, the erstwhile reformers became more and more dependent on contributions and support from the machine politicians and the law firms that benefit from Surrogate patronage.

Since then, Koch himself – along with other prominent politicians, including former Governor Mario Cuomo -- has been the beneficiary of the Surrogate's Court.

Koch, for example, received $77,000 for a guardianship in 2001 and 2002, according to the New York Observer.

"I'm on the list of people who are qualified," Koch told the Observer.

"They're very careful to prevent [the court] from being used as a trough."

Today, every candidate who runs for Surrogate pledges to make "reforms" and end the court's patronage.

Once elected, they do nothing.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/print/1472

"Last word on judges - New York's judicial nominating conventions could be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court"

Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Saturday, February 24, 2007

New York's broken system of judicial nominating conventions isn't going away as soon as it should.

That's the bad news.

But the good news is that New Yorkers may not have to wait all that long for genuine reform.

Most New Yorkers usually know very little about the men and women who run for seats in state courts, even though they might one day wind up standing before one of the winners.

That's because the state's political party bosses want it that way.

Under New York's judicial convention system, it's the bosses who have the largest say in who is nominated because they have the most influence in choosing the convention delegates who place the names in nomination.

The bosses also have the power to strike cross-endorsement deals with the opposing party, thereby denying voters a choice and ensuring the election of a favored candidate.

That system has long been the target of reformers and critics, including this page.

And last year it was struck down as unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge John Gleeson.

But now there will be one last word on the matter, as the challenge to Judge Gleeson's ruling moves to the U.S. Supreme Court.

It's difficult to fathom how the high court could fault Judge Gleeson's logic, or the patent disenfranchisement of New York voters by party leaders.

Judge Gleeson had ordered the convention system scrapped, and replaced with open primaries, which would give candidates a chance to get their names on the ballot even if the party bosses did not support them.

But he stayed his order pending an appeal of his ruling by political leaders and the state Board of Elections.

Thus, until the Supreme Court resolves the issue, the current system of judicial nominating conventions will remain in effect.

That's regrettable, but if the high court supports Judge Gleeson's ruling, which was upheld last autumn by the 2nd Circuit of Appeals, then it will have been worth the wait.

Like some other reformers, we believe the best way to wring politics out of New York's judicial selection process is to choose candidates based on merit, not political connections.

That system has served well in selecting the state's chief judge.

But until such reform applies to all levels of the judiciary, the next best thing would be to have a nominating process that is competitive and responsive to the voters.

That's what the U.S. Supreme Court should say, and say it soon.

[Livyjr]

Some time back now ....

In the early days of this forum ...

Mr. A.B. ...

Who is a generation older than I am ....

Ran a thread for a time entitled "The Silence of the Lambs" ....

And in that thread, the point that Mr. A.B. was trying to make ...

Or the point that I took from it, anyway ,...

Is that a bunch of just talk ...

About how bad or inept or incompetent government might be ...

Is absolutely worthless ....

If all you do is say it to yourself ....

And so ...

I am myself and have been since Viet Nam a strong believer in that philosophy ....

So when I am afforded an opportunity to speak out to a newspaper ....

In this case the New York Times ....

On an issue of what I perceive to be public importance ....

I follow Mr. A.B.'s advice ....

And I make the most of that opportunity ....

To be educational ...

And so ....

NY TIMES

February 23, 2007, 10:41 am

"Comment Zone: Spitzer and Borglum"

By Patrick LaForge

While other Empire Zone readers continue to aim fire at the legislature over the comptroller selection, Shirley Engel of Kendell Park, N.J., was troubled.

She sent along this observation by e-mail:

Although I have not lived in New York for 17 years, I spent most of my life there, so still am interested in what happens there.

I was pleased when Eliot Spitzer was elected, but to follow his conflicts, arguments, and general behavior since he took office reminds me of a book I read a while ago called “Six Wars At A Time” by Howard Shaff and Audrey Karl Shaff.

The book details “The life and times of Gutzon Borglum.”

Gutzon Borglum — not exactly a household name — is responsible for sculpting the four presidents on Mount Rushmore.

A very talented artist, but … as the title indicates his personality was caustic and many of his works were not completed due to his on-going difficulties with the patrons.

He was an admitted anti-semite, a critic of public policy and a lot more.

I don’t mean to say that Spitzer is any of these things, but his constant bickering with the legislature as a whole and finger-pointing at individuals is not a great way to start his term.

I hope his diplomatic genes kick in soon.

There were signs of cooling off this week, but we get the impression some Zone readers would prefer that Mr. Sptizer keep the heat on.

Here’s an open thread if you feel like talking about that, or anything else political.

7 comments so far...

1.February 23rd,
2007
11:39 am Eliot Spitzer for President!!!!! he is a cut above the rest of the wanna-bee’s ..join the revolution here…… http://spitzerdayone.blogspot.com/ andy

— Posted by andy zito

2.February 23rd,
2007

1:43 pm As someone also outraged by the Comptroller selection, I think this is a valid point.

However, Spitzer should do everything he can to keep his electoral momentum going.

Voters were compelled to vote for him because of his “go for the jugular” rightousness.

If he can become the fist in the velvet glove, New York will be better for it.

— Posted by SimonTnyc

3.February 23rd,
2007

2:39 pm For many years, NY governors had decided it was easier to work with the party bosses rather than take them on.

It’s refreshing that Governor Spitzer believes in good government enough to confront the ongoing rottenness in Albany.

The vote for comptroller was an ideal place to start.

In a single act — a clear power grab — the legislature managed to create a record of which of its members are in the pockets of the bosses.

Now the voters need to target for defeat all 150 of them who claim that Thomas DiNapoli was the most qualified person to be the state’s fiscal watchdog.

If Spitzer can help us break the party bosses’ grib on power, his administration will be a success, regardless of whatever else he accomplishes.

Hopefully, The Times and other news media will continue to follow the events in Albany — and keep a close eye on DiNapoli.

Voters won’t get a chance to send him packing for another four years.

— Posted by Jeff

4.February 23rd,
2007

3:37 pm On a personal level, I find Elliot Spitzer quite distasteful with, as Charley Rangel said, his clear opinion that he’s the smartest guy in the room and his bullying tactics.

Nonetheless, I enthusiastically voted for him because I think it’s quite clear that Albany has become both corrupt and disfunctional and is being run, to an extreme extent, for the office holders and their cronies.

I thought, and continue to hope, that Spitzer might have the combination of obnoxiousness, brains and political savvy to get the state back on track.

With the comptroller dust up, he, probably deliberately, made Shelly Silver and his gang look terrible to the public, but transformed the Assembly from being wary of him to being angry at him.

We’ll see if he’s as smart and skillful as I thought; he’s clearly as obnoxious as I thought.

— Posted by Jerry

5.February 23rd,
2007

11:12 pm thomas dinapoli will make a fine comptroller.

he is honest, experienced in private sector management and in government finances.

if you look at the resumes of the prior comptrollers, his stacks up with all of them.

i think its a disgrace what spitzer did to his repuation and that of hte office, just to win a political point.

— Posted by helen

6.February 24th,
2007

8:47 am If one gets past all the emoting …

Which is becoming excessive in the case of newly-elected Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli …

And IF one takes a hard look at the New York State Constitution, which is the ORGANIC LAW here in the State of New York ….

Which applies to us ALL …

What one will find, in section 1 of Article V, in plain and quite simple language, easy to understand, even if you have no education at all, is that THE SOLE QUALIFICATIONS for New York State Comptroller are the same as those for GOVERNOR - to wit, that the candidate be of the age of not less than thirty years, and who shall have been five years next preceding the election a resident of this state …..

Given that plain Constitutional language, Thomas DiNapoli is just as qualified to be New York State comptroller as self-professed “STEAMROLLER” Eliot Spitzer is qualified to be GOVERNOR ….

SO …..

LET’S GET OFF ALL THE HYPE, FOLKS ….

PURSUANT TO OUR CONSTITUTION, SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE IV - THE JOB OF THE GOVERNOR, AND THIS INCLUDES THE “STEAMROLLER” is as follows:

“The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed” ….

THAT IS WHAT ELIOT SPITZER SIGNED ON FOR, WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR …

AND THAT IS ALL HE GETS NOW THAT HE HAS BEEN ELECTED ….

OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR “STEAMROLLERS OF OUR LEGISLATURE” IN THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR …

WHICH IS WHAT WE HAD BACK IN THE DAYS OF ROYAL GOVERNORS HERE LIKE CORNBURY AND HIS ILK …

And so …

— Posted by Livyjr

7.February 24th,
2007

11:20 am So let me see his reform agenda - put lobbyists as the head of agencies like the PSC, stick his person in as Comptroller, call out the National Guard several days after the snow is blowing like mad in upstate, go after good dems like Magnarelli by talking up Timmy Green a republican scab who’s mentor is Destiny’s developer, try and squeeze out the excess capacity in hospitals which is a great idea especially in a state in which we could have a major terrorist attack and not have enough beds, etc. etc.

Yeah its a new day in Albany –

— Posted by nypocho

http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...er-and-borglum/

[Livyjr]

PURSUANT TO OUR CONSTITUTION, SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE IV - THE JOB OF THE GOVERNOR, AND THIS INCLUDES THE “STEAMROLLER” is as follows:

“The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed” ….

THAT IS WHAT ELIOT SPITZER SIGNED ON FOR, WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR …

AND THAT IS ALL HE GETS NOW THAT HE HAS BEEN ELECTED ….

OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR “STEAMROLLERS OF OUR LEGISLATURE” IN THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR …

WHICH IS WHAT WE HAD BACK IN THE DAYS OF ROYAL GOVERNORS HERE LIKE CORNBURY AND HIS ILK …

And so …

CORNBURY

Viscount Cornbury was the son of Henry Hyde, the second Earl of Clarendon.

He came from a long line of reputable descendents including; his important father, a king as his uncle, a profitable marriage to Katherine, daughter of Lord O'Brien, and perhaps most beneficially, his cousin was Queen Anne.

These connections provided him with a good education in Geneva and a seat in Parliament in 1685.

His prospects sparkled, yet his reputation did not.

Cornbury was noted as being "a spendthrift, a grafter, a bigoted oppressor and a drunken vain fool."

He encountered many problems while in England, including a scuffle with James II.

As an Anglican, Hyde became one of the first army officers to desert James II, integrating himself with the victorious William and Mary.

Many of his burdens were financial, and were eventually the reason he made his move to the American colonies.

Because Cornbury often overindulged in his lavish tastes, he overspent a considerable amount of his income and found himself being pursued by numerous creditors.

In an attempt to escape from his problems, Cornbury fled to the colonies with Queen Anne's blessing.

Immediately upon his arrival in New York in 1701, Anne appointed Cornbury as governor of New York.

Only one year later, in 1702, the Queen added the title of governor of New Jersey to Cornbury's list of duties.

The populace of both New York and New Jersey would learn that Cornbury was not a fit governor, as he was unruly and for the most part indifferent to the needs of the people.

When he first arrived in New Jersey in 1703 the colony was rife with factional and political tension.

In what had earlier been a proprietorship of East and West Jersey, a group of political parties sought Hyde's favor as they fought with each other over such things as land, money, power and religion.

Cornbury was indifferent to these issues, but he saw the possibility for personal gain, hence his poor reputation began.

Hyde gathered a group of politicians who shared his political sentiments, and they called themselves the "Cornbury Ring."

Instead of simply allying himself with an existing faction, he created the Cornbury Ring.

It engaged in such corrupt activities as grabbing land and looting public funds.

Hyde and the Ring had an especially large grievance with the Quaker population, which dominated West Jersey politics.

The Ring tried to disenfranchise the Quakers, attempting to seize control of the assembly.

These unlawful tactics which Hyde resorted to were not successful, and the Cornbury Ring failed to control the assembly.

The Ring passed a number of bills that were designed to enhance Hyde's fortunes, both financially and politically.

It pushed through a militia bill that included a fine on all those who refused to serve and allowed militia officers to levy taxes for the support of their forces.

This severely hurt the Quakers, whose property was confiscated by the militia when they refused to pay.

While this was a direct blow to the Quakers, the Cornbury Ring greatly benefited from the practice, gaining 1,000 pounds a year.

Looking at Viscount Cornbury's governorship in New York, it is apparent that he was equally as corrupt as he was in his New Jersey legislation.

In New York, Hyde allied himself with the Anti-Leislerian party to secure gifts and a revenue.

He twice dismissed uncooperative assemblies, who were largely uncooperative because of his impossible demands.

And he even embezzled a large part of the money raised for the defense of the colony during Queen Anne's War.

An example of his unfair reign as governor of New York is when Hyde illegally seized a Presbyterian parsonage and a church in Jamaica, New York.

He unjustly prosecuted the minister, Francis Makemie, for preaching without a license.

This type of political tyranny, religious oppression, graft and theft were only the beginning of his soiled reputation.

Perhaps the most infamous characteristic of Edward Hyde is not his status as a corrupt politician, but rather that of a cross dresser.

Numerous rumors have circulated that Viscount Cornbury liked to dress in women's clothes in order to have a likeness near to his cousin, Queen Anne.

A painting hangs in the New York Historical Society whose description reads, "Viscount Cornbury, governor of New York and New Jersey (1702-1708)."

The painting is a portrait of a man wearing a woman's clothes, and it was identified as being Cornbury in 1796, seventy-three years after his death.

This painting is a piece of evidence that supports historians' uniform depiction of Hyde as a cross dresser.

There have been many stories told throughout history of his escapades as a transvestite.

One was told by Horace Walpole in a conversation with his friend George James Williams.

Walpole recounted, "He was a clever man."

"His great insanity was dressing himself as a woman."

"Lord Orford [Walpole] says that when Governor in America he opened the Assembly dressed in that fashion."

"When some of those about him remonstrated, his reply was, 'You are very stupid not to see the propriety of it.'"

"'In this place and particularly on this occasion I represent a woman (Queen Anne) and ought in all respects to represent her as faithfully as I can.'"

At this point in the conversation, Williams reacted, saying that his own father "told him that he has done business with Cornbury in woman's clothes."

"He used to sit at the open window so dressed, to the great amusement of the neighbors."

"He employed always the most fashionable milliner, shoemaker, stay maker, etc."

"Mr. Williams has seen a picture of him at Sir Herbert Packington's in Worcestershire, in a gown, stays, tucker, long ruffles, cap, etc."

A letter was written in 1714 by the German diplomat Baron von Bothmer to Hanover relaying the rumor that when in the Indies Cornbury thought "it was necessary for him, in order to represent her Majesty, to dress himself as a woman."

This image was not one that the colony of either New York or New Jersey wanted to portray, and in 1707 an effort began to oust Hyde.

The New Jersey assembly acted first, opening up an investigation of Hyde's conduct and drawing up a list of grievances.

The assembly sent a copy of this list to the Board of Trade, asking the body to "relieve them from the oppressions they groan under by the arbitrary and illegal practices of his excellency."

New York followed suit in 1708, unanimously adopting resolutions condemning Cornbury's illegal activities in the colony.

This double whammy perturbed Queen Anne, who dismissed Hyde of his duties in December of 1708, saying, "his near relation to [her] should not protect him in oppressing [her] subjects."

Upon his dismissal, Cornbury was arrested by the sheriff of New York for his debt.

He stayed in a New York jail until the death of his father, when his inheritance enabled him to pay his debts and return to England.

At the time of his death in 1723, Cornbury had become a symbol of despotism in America.

The immoral character of Viscount Cornbury, both in the public eye and within his personal life, has given him a disreputable name.

If it had not been for this, he may have been known as the pre-founder of King's College.

He is known more for his outrageous personality than for his political influence in the colonies.

Many people who knew Cornbury shared Lewis Morris' assessment of him, which was as "a wretch who by the whole conduct of his life has evidenced he has no regard for honor or virtue."

http://cuhistory3057.tripod.com/hyde/id1.html

[Livyjr]

"Spitzer Donor Sees Albany as Presidential Test - Skadden Arps lawyer Doug Dunham says that if reforms succeed, Eliot could be the next Grover Cleveland."

By Azi Paybarah

According to one of Eliot Spitzer’s major contributors, the success of the Governor’s reform agenda in Albany could end up being a test run for something much bigger down the road.

“I can certainly see him being a really viable contender for President if he’s able to get all these reforms through,” said Doug Dunham, a major Democratic fund-raiser who is counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

By Mr. Dunham’s thinking, Mr. Spitzer needs to succeed in his plan to flip control of the Republican-led State Senate to the Democrats.

He would then be able to push through his agenda of reform, and could in turn parlay that into a successful bid for the White House.

http://www.nyobserver.com/20070226/2007022..._newsstory2.asp

1. February 23rd, 2007, 11:39 am

Eliot Spitzer for President!!!!! he is a cut above the rest of the wanna-bee’s ..join the revolution here……

http://spitzerdayone.blogspot.com/ andy

— Posted by andy zito

http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...er-and-borglum/

"STEAMROLLER" SPITZER FOR PRESIDENT!

"STEAMROLLER" SPITZER FOR PRESIDENT!

That was the DRUMBEAT once again this morning ....

On the Dr. Alan Chartock Show ( http://www.alanchartock.com/ ) on WBKK FM up here ( http://www.wmht.org/radio/wbkk.php ) ....

And this time ...

The DRUM was being beaten by New York State Senator Neil Breslin ( http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?i...L&chamber=S ) .....

A New York State Senator from Albany County in the State of New York ....

Who made the prediction ....

That the "STEAMROLLER" ....

Was only going to be in Albany for a short while ....

Before moving on to the White House down there in Washington, D.C. ...

Which then prompted Dr. Alan Chartock to ask Senator Breslin the obvious question ...

"WHAT ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON?" .....

And while Senator Breslin kind of hemmed and hawed in his response ....

Still ...

It was clear ...

At least to me ...

That he doesn't see Hillary Clinton as being a real viable presidential candidate ....

BECAUSE SHE IS A DIVIDER ....

And she is not truthful ....

And so ....

This thread started ....

In part ...

Because Eliot Spitzer is doing what we call up here, a "BLOW THROUGH" ....

Run for president by first taking over a STATE HOUSE ....

And more specifically ...

A STATE BUDGET ...

With which to BUY yourself the necessary level of support ...

To run a presidential campaign ....

And in this specific case ....

The funding for that SPITZER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ....

Would likely have come out of .......

Funds in the New York State Pension System Account ....

OF WHICH THE NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER ...

IS THE SOLE TRUSTEE ....

And so .....

By making Thomas DiNapoli COMPTROLLER ....

Instead of Martha Stark ....

From New York City ....

Who was Spitzer's HAND-PICKED CHOICE ....

The New York State Legislature ...

HAS KEPT THOSE PENSION FUNDS ....

IF ONLY FOR THE MOMENT .....

OUT OF THE AVARICIOUS HANDS ....

OF "STEAMROLLER" SPITZER FOR PRESIDENT ....

AND HIS TEAM OF PORKOLOGISTS, PORKMEISTERS and PORK DISPENSERS ....

WHO WILL USE OUR STATE TREASURY ....

TO BUY SUPPORT ...

FOR "STEAMROLLER" SPITZER FOR PRESIDENT

And so ...

[Livyjr]

Consider for a moment, if you will, in forming your own thoughts about the contents of this thread, these words of then-DEMOCRATIC Governor of the State of New York MARIO CUOMO in 1986 ....

Concerning New York State's "HISTORY" of corruption as it stood right exactly then:

"TEN YEARS AGO, a study by the Joint House-Senate Subcommittee on Investigations estimated the costs of white-collar crime at MORE THAN forty-four BILLION dollars".

"The incidence of white-collar crime has not abated in the last decade; instead, it has spiraled ever-upward as economic crime has become increasingly profitable and sophisticated!"

"The effects of major economic crime can be devastating: THE WHOLE SOCIETY suffers as crimes against business become crimes against consumers."

"GREEDY, WHITE-COLLAR PROFITEERS WILL NOT BE STOPPED until we adopt strong measures to stop them!"

- Governor's Approval memorandum, New York State Legislative Annual -1986, p.236

"Spitzer Donor Sees Albany as Presidential Test - Skadden Arps lawyer Doug Dunham says that if reforms succeed, Eliot could be the next Grover Cleveland."

By Azi Paybarah

According to one of Eliot Spitzer’s major contributors, the success of the Governor’s reform agenda in Albany could end up being a test run for something much bigger down the road.

“I can certainly see him being a really viable contender for President if he’s able to get all these reforms through,” said Doug Dunham, a major Democratic fund-raiser who is counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

http://www.nyobserver.com/20070226/2007022..._newsstory2.asp

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
Headquarters New York, N.Y.
# of Offices 22
# of Attorneys 1,915
# of Employees about 4,500
Major Practice Areas General practice
Revenue $1.61 billion USD (2005) [1]
Date Founded April 1, 1948
Founder Marshall Skadden, John Slate, and Les Arps
Company Type Limited liability partnership

Website www.skadden.com

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates (a.k.a. "Skadden, Arps", "Skadden", or "SASM&F"), founded in 1948, is one of the largest and wealthiest law firms in the world.

Its headquarters are in New York City.

In most jurisdictions, the firm is organized as a limited liability partnership (LLP).

The firm's better-known alumni include New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer. [2]

Size

Skadden has approximately 1,915 attorneys[3] in 22 offices.

The total number of employees is nearly 4,500.

With US$1.61 billion in annual revenue, Skadden is the largest law firm in the U.S. in terms of revenue.[1]

The firm has held this position for nine years running and in 1999 became the first law firm to exceed US$1 billion in annual revenue.

Its revenue also makes Skadden the third largest law firm in the world, behind two U.K. firms.[1]

In terms of the number of attorneys, Skadden is the largest law firm in the state of New York,[4] the fifth largest in the United States,[3] and the eighth largest in the world.

Skadden ranks 216th on Forbes's list of the largest U.S.-based private companies.[5]

Despite its size, Skadden has been distinguished by its refusal to expand by mergers or large acquisitions.

The firm has never acquired a practice group larger than six attorneys, in sharp contrast with rivals such as Baker & McKenzie, which has repeatedly absorbed local practices, or DLA Piper and Clifford Chance, which are the products of large mergers (often across national and continental borders).

Consequently, charges of varying quality between offices of comparable-sized firms have been countered by Skadden's assertion that it has controlled the selection and training of its attorneys to match its domestic reputation.

Skadden's ranking on Forbes's list of America's Largest Private Companies consistently increased between 1995 and 2003 but fell in 2004 and 2005.

2005 — 216th[5]
2004 — 205th[6]
2003 — 194th[7]
2002 — 200th[8]
2001 — 224th[9]
2000 — 230th[10]
1999 — 245th[11]
1998 — 269th[12]
1997 — 297th[13]
1996 — 310th[14]
1995 — 335th[14]

Reputation & Prestige

In addition to its headquarters in New York — the largest single law office in the U.S. — Skadden's domestic practice is particularly renowned in its Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., offices.

Internationally, the firm also has particularly high-profile overseas practices in London, Frankfurt, Munich, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

It is ranked the 4th most prestigious American law firm by Vault behind Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; Cravath, Swaine & Moore; and Sullivan & Cromwell.[15]

Starting salaries for new associates in the New York office is set at $160,000.

Famed for pioneering mergers and acquisitions (and hostile takeovers) in the American corporate environment, Skadden has played a significant role in U.S. and international business despite being far younger than many competing white shoe firms.

Arguably the most recognizable law firm outside the legal industry, the firm is considered one of the most prestigious in the world, consistently ranking in the top five of Vault's annual list of the top law firms in the U.S. and boasting highly competitive foreign practices.

The Skadden Fellowship, funded by the firm, is considered the most prestigious public-interest grant in the U.S. and is greatly sought-after by graduates of top law schools.

Among Skadden's main practice areas are mergers and acquisitions (M&A), litigation, securities law, and bankruptcy representation.

The firm has counted a majority of the Fortune 500's top 50 companies as clients.

Skadden has been selected for each of the past six years as the best corporate law firm in the U.S. according to a survey of 1,390 directors and 279 general counsel of publicly traded companies by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting.[16]

Key people

Partners

As of November 2006, there are 424 partners at Skadden.[17]

Unlike some firms which have introduced two-tier partnerships with equity and non-equity partners, Skadden maintains a one-tier partnership.[18]

Among the more notable partners are:

Joseph H. Flom became the firm's first associate in 1948 and is the only living "name partner."

He is recognized as a pioneer in the field of mergers and acquisitions.[19]

Robert C. Sheehan has held the position of Executive Partner, equivalent to a chief executive officer (CEO) in a corporation, since 1994.[20]

The firm has had only one other executive partner, Peter Mullen.

Roger S. Aaron is the senior partner in charge of all of the firm's corporate practice areas.[21]

William P. Frank is the firm's national litigation legal practice leader.[22]

Robert S. Bennett has been called "One of the top white-collar criminal and corporate defense attorneys in the country" in a National Law Journal article titled "The 100 most influential lawyers in America".[23]

Bennett's clients have included Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones case and New York Times reporter Judith Miller in the CIA leak investigation.

Sheila Birnbaum is considered one of the nation's leading experts on toxic tort law.

She has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business"[24] and by the National Law Journal as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America.[23]

Bruce Buck, a partner based in London who oversees all European offices, is chairman of the Chelsea Football Club.[25]

Preeta D. Bansal, former New York State Solicitor General and current member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, heads the firm's appellate litigation and complex legal issues practice.[26]

Of Counsel

"Of counsel" are retired partners who maintain professional ties with the firm.

As of November 2006, the firm has 23 of counsel,[17] including:

Peter P. Mullen served as the firm's Executive Partner from 1981 to 1994.[27]

Non-attorneys

Earle Yaffa is the Managing Director (the highest-ranking non-partner), a position he has held since 1980.[28]

Carol A. Sawdye is a Senior Director.

Laurel E. Henschel is a Senior Director and Chief Administrative Officer.

Noah J. Puntus is the Finance Director.

Harris Z. Tilevitz is Chief Technology Officer.

Peter E. Lesser is Director of Global Technology.

Jodie R. Garfinkel is the Associate Development Director.

Sally J. Feldman is the Director of Marketing and Business Development.

History

1948 — The firm was founded in New York by Marshall Skadden, John Slate and Les Arps.
1954 — Flom became a partner.
1959 — Bill Meagher joined the firm. Elizabeth Head, the firm's first female attorney, was hired.
1961 — The firm's name became Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
1973 — The firm opened its Boston office, the firm's second.
1981 — Peggy Kerr became the first female partner.
1985 — Skadden became one of the U.S.'s three largest law firms.
1987 — The firm opened its first international office in Tokyo.
1988 — The firm founded the Skadden Fellowship Foundation.
2000 — New York City headquarters moved to Four Times Square, also called the Condé Nast Building.

Locations

Skadden has 22 offices.

The number in parentheses indicates the year the office opened.[18]

North America

United States of America

New York, New York (1948)
Boston, Massachusetts (1973)
Chicago, Illinois (1984)
Houston, Texas (1993)
Los Angeles, California (1983)
Palo Alto, California (1998)
San Francisco, California (1987)
Washington, D.C. (1975)
Wilmington, Delaware (1979)
White Plains, New York (non-legal staff only; no attorneys)

Canada

Toronto, Ontario (1990)

Europe

Brussels, Belgium (1990)
Frankfurt, Germany (1990)
London, England (1988)—officially, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
Moscow, Russia (1992)
Munich, Germany (2004)[29]
Paris, France (1990)
Vienna, Austria (2001)—officially, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Europe) LLP

Asia/Pacific

Beijing, China (1991)
Hong Kong, China (1989)—general partnership, not LLP
Singapore (1996)—general partnership, not LLP
Sydney, Australia (1989)—general partnership, not LLP
Tokyo, Japan (1987)—Skadden Arps Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho; Skadden Arps Law Office; Skadden Arps Foreign Law Office (Registered Associated Offices)

Closed offices

Former firm offices no longer in operation include

Newark, New Jersey, United States—closed June 2004
Reston, Virginia, United States—2002–October 2003

Practice areas

The firm specializes in the following areas of law:

Alternative dispute resolution
Antitrust
Appellate litigation and legal issues
Asia
Australia and New Zealand
Banking and institutional investing
Brazil
Canada
China
Communications
Complex mass torts and insurance litigation
Consumer financial services enforcement and litigation
Corporate
Corporation compliance programs
Corporate finance
Corporate governance
Corporate restructuring
Derivative financial products, commodities and futures
Employee benefits and executive compensation
Energy project finance and development
Energy regulatory
Environmental
Environmental (international)
Environmental litigation
Europe
European Union/International Competition
Financial institutions
Financial services
Gaming
Government contract disputes
Government enforcement litigation
Health care
Health care enforcement and litigation
Health care fraud and abuse
Hong Kong law
India
Information technology and e-commerce
Insurance
Intellectual property and technology
International arbitration
International law and policy
International tax
International trade
Investment management
Israel
Italy
Japan
Labor and employment law
Latin America
Lease financing
Life sciences
Litigation
Mergers and acquisitions
Outsourcing
Patent and technology litigation, litigation and counseling
Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device licensing
Political law
Private equity
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Pro bono
Public policy
Real estate
Real estate investment trusts
Russia and CIS
Securities enforcement and compliance
Sports
Structured finance
Tax
Tax controversy and litigation
Trademark, copyright, and advertising litigation and counseling
Trusts and estates
UCC and secured transactions
Utilities mergers and acquisitions
White collar crime

Notable deals and cases

The firm participated in the RJR Nabisco buyout, orchestrated by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. the largest such deal in history, adjusted for inflation.

Partner Peter Atkins led the Skadden team, which advised the RJR board of directors as to the financial soundness of the respective bids.

Skadden's fee at the time was reported to be $25 million.

Scott Simpson leads the European M&A division from London and has represented Gucci Group and Arcelor during their attempts to repel high-profile hostile takeovers.

Jay Kasner and Preeta D. Bansal represented Merrill Lynch before the Supreme Court in Merrill Lynch v. Dabit.

Tokyo partner Nobuhisa Ishizuka represented the U.S. side of the merger between Squaresoft and Enix, the largest in the Japanese electronic gaming industry.

Gregory Miao and Jon Christianson of the Hong Kong office led the IPO of the China Construction Bank, the largest of 2005.

The firm currently represents XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., in its approximately $13 billion tax-free merger-of-equals with Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.

Recognition and rankings

Chambers and Partners selected Skadden as the Global Corporate law Firm of the Year for 2006.[30]

In 2006, Corporate Board Member Magazine named Skadden the top corporate law firm in America, according as selected by 1,390 directors of publicly traded companies.

Skadden has held the top slot for six years.[16]

Vault, Inc. ranked Skadden fourth on its "Top 100 Most Prestigious Firms – 2007", a survey which asked law firm associates to rank the prestige of various firms.

The Vault survey also ranked eight of Skadden's individual practice areas among the nation's ten best: Antitrust (tie, 8th); Bankruptcy (2nd); Corporate (3rd); Litigation (5th); Mergers & Acquisitions (2nd); Real Estate (4th); Securities (3rd); Tax (2nd). [15]

For 2007, Skadden was ranked #9 on the Avery Index list of the Best Prestigious Law Firms to Work For. [31]

In the 2006 edition of Chambers USA, 147 Skadden attorneys are highlighted as leading lawyers - more attorneys than at any other firm.

According to Thomson Financial's third-quarter 2006 M&A Legal league tables, Skadden ranked first by value for worldwide announced deals.

Skadden was named "Global Law Firm of the Year" and "USA Corporate/M&A Law Firm of the Year" at the Chambers and Partners annual dinner on May 19 in London.

Skadden ranked first by volume and deal count representing issuers of U.S. High Yield Offerings with 10 deals worth US$5 billion, according to Bloomberg's Q3 2006 Legal Adviser League Tables published in October 2006.

Notable alumni
In addition to numerous professors and partners, both at Skadden and other firms, some of the more notable former Skadden attorneys include:

Eliot Spitzer, Governor of the State of New York,[2] and his wife, Silda Wall Spitzer[33]
Leo Strine, Vice Chancellor, Delaware Court of Chancery
Mark Weldon, Chief Executive Officer, NZX - the New Zealand Stock Exchange
Laura Ingraham, conservative talk radio host
Chad S. Johnson, former President of the Stonewall Democrats
Faryar Shirzad, Director of International Public Policy and Vice President at Goldman Sachs

Trivia
"Meagher" is pronounced "mar", not "mee-gur".

The salary for a first-year associate (i.e., fresh out of law school) is reported to be $160,000, not including the annual discretionary bonus.[34].

Prominent lawyers at the firm endorsed and financially supported John Kerry in his campaign to become president of the United States in 2004.[35][36]

See also

Thomson Financial League Tables

Further reading

Caplan, Lincoln (1993). Skadden: Power, Money, and the Rise of a Legal Empire. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0-374-26566-6.
"How Skadden Does It", Andrew Longstreth, The American Lawyer, May 2006.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skadden%2C_Arps%2C_Slate%2C_Meagher_%26_Flom"

[Livyjr]

And going back in time ....

Into New York State's long history .....

Of bandying about ...

The empty topic ....

Of GOVERNMENT REFORM ....

In the State of New York ....

And why things never really change .....

Which ultimately ....

Is the fault of the PEOPLE, themselves ....

We have ...

From pp.69,70 of I ROSE LIKE A ROCKET - The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt by Paul Grondahl .....

January 1882

If (Teddy) Roosevelt had come to Albany to take up his father's reformist efforts, he could not avoid his father's old foes.

As the new Republican assemblyman from the Twenty-First District, Roosevelt would come under the thumb of (Roscoe) Conkling, all-powerful boss of the New York State Republican machine.

There was a personal edge to Roosevelt's animosity toward the boss.

He blamed Conkling for destroying his father's political career before it got started and, in the process, contributing to his father's early death.

Revenge against the Roosevelt family's nemesis would not be easy.

Conkling stood six feet three inches tall and was powerfully built, "blond and gigantic as a Viking," according to a correspondent.

Alongside Conkling, Roosevelt looked like a pipsqueak and his position as a freshman assemblyman only exaggerated the political mismatch.

Conkling had a way of reducing the size of his adversaries even further with what Republican reformer George William Curtis called the "Mephistophelean leer and spit."

Conkling's squarish head made his face look as tough as a block of granite and his unruly mop of hair came to a point in a way that resembled a ship's prow splitting waves.

Conkling was born in Albany; POLITICS WAS THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

His father was a well-connected congressman, federal judge, and a leader of New York's Whig Party.

Conkling's wife, Julia Seymour, was the sister of New York Governor Horatio Seymour.

CONKLING ROSE IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WAS ELECTED TO THE U.S. SENATE, AND WAS REWARDED FOR HIS CAMPAIGN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT BY BEING GIVEN THE REINS OF STATE PATRONAGE IN NEW YORK.

CONKLING TOOK GRANT'S BEQUEST AND BUILT IT INTO A MACHINE IN ALBANY THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY; BY DIVIDING THE SPOILS OF VICTORY AMONG HIS HAND-PICKED LIEUTENANTS, LOCAL BOSSES, AND WARD HEELERS, ALL ARRANGED IN A HIERARCHY LORDED OVER BY THE BLOND BEHEMOTH.

CONKLING WAS A TEXTBOOK REPUBLICAN STALWART, WHOSE GOAL WAS TO PRESERVE THE STATUS QUO AND THUS RETAIN HIS GRIP ON POWER.

He was a quarrelsome, surly, and vengeful boss who attacked reformers like the Roosevelts, senior and junior, by derisively labeling them "man-milliners" - men who make and sell women's clothing, a thinly veiled allusion to homosexuals.

James Garfield, who in his run for the presidency caught the brunt of the boss's fury, described Conkling as "a great fighter, inspired more by his hates than his loves."

GARFIELD ABSORBED CONKLING'S ASSAULT AFTER STEALING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FROM CONKLING'S CRONY, FORMER PRESIDENT GRANT, IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1880.

THE DEFEAT BEGAN TO ERODE THE FEAR FACTOR THAT HAD MADE CONKLING SEEM SO INVINCIBLE.

The wounding of his reputation deepened when Conkling was caught in a scandalous extramarital affair in 1881 with Mrs. William Sprague, a senator's wife, who happened to be the daughter of Chief Justice Salmon Chase.

LATER THAT SAME YEAR, NEWLY INAUGURATED PRESIDENT GARFIELD REJECTED TWO OF CONKLING'S TOP APPOINTEES TO KEY POSTS IN HIS CABINET, THUS SERVING NOTICE THAT CONKLING'S DAYS OF RUNNING THE EMPIRE STATE'S SPOILS SYSTEM AS HIS OWN PRIVATE BANK ACCOUNT WERE NUMBERED.

IN A FIT OF PIQUE, CONKLING RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE IN THE SPRING OF 1881 AND CONVINCED NEW YORK'S JUNIOR SENATOR, THOMAS C. PLATT. ALSO TO QUIT IN A NOSE-THUMBING ACT OF UNANIMITY AGAINST GARFIELD.

A political cartoon of the day showed Platt as a small boy sticking out of Conkling's pocket, with a card labeled, "Me, too!" in one of his hands.

THE PHRASE RESONATED AND ENTERED THE POLITICAL LEXICON AS A DEROGATORY LABEL PINNED ON LIBERAL REPUBLICANS FOR A LACK OF ORIGINALITY AND SPINE.

ROOSEVELT HAD NO USE FOR "ME,TOO!" REPUBLICANS OR ANY OTHERS AFRAID TO VOICE THEIR INDEPENDENCE.

THAT WAS NOT THE END OF IT, THOUGH.

IN THE SMALL, INCESTUOUS WORLD OF ALBANY POLITICS, PLATT AND ROOSEVELT WOULD SQUARE OFF IN A LATER ERA IN WHICH REFORMERS, STALWARTS, HALF-BREEDS, AND "ME, TOO!" REPUBLICANS WERE STILL VERY MUCH AT WAR.

If "EL CAUDILLO" .....

Eliot Spitzer .....

Lord Cornbury ....

The ROYAL GOVERNOR ....

Up from New York City ....

To view his possessions and holdings ....

In upstate New York .....

Including the colonial legislature .....

Presided over by the "IRON DUKE" Joe Bruno ....

And Sheldon Silvers .....

Were to have been governor .....

Back when Teddy Roosevelt was the New York State Assembly MINORITY LEADER ....

OR ....

If Teddy Roosevelt were to be New York State Assembly MINORITY LEADER today .....

Instead of that Jim Tedisco who is in there now .....

And "EL CAUDILLO" Spitzer ....

Were to make that "I'M A ****ING STEAMROLLER, BABY, AND I'LL ROLL ALL OVER YOU" comment to old Teddy Roosevelt .....

It is my thought ....

And my bet ....

That unlike Jim Tedisco ....

Old Teddy Roosevelt would have looked at his watch .....

And said to "EL CAUDILLO" .....

"YOU KNOW WHAT, I'VE GOT SOME FREE TIME ON MY HANDS, SO I THINK I'LL JUST SIGN UP FOR A BLOCK OF INSTRUCTION ON SOME OF THAT STEAMROLLER STUFF YOU'RE SELLING ..."

And then ....

Old Teddy Roosevelt would have waded right on into "EL CAUDILLO" ....

And old Teddy Roosevelt would given "EL CAUDILLO" Spitzer some "what for", alright ....

That would have left "EL CAUDILLO" whimpering in a heap ....

And old Teddy Roosevelt saying, "STEAMROLLER, MY *** ...."

As he walked away .....

A TRUE PROTECTOR .....

OF GOVERNMENT ....

OF ....

BY ....

AND FOR ....

THE PEOPLE ....

AS OUR NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION INTENDED .....

And so ....

Dear Livyjr:

Thank you for your message regarding “pork” in the New York State Budget.

I appreciate you sharing your views on this issue.

In addition to being a strong supporter of sweeping reforms that will allow the citizens of New York State to witness firsthand the inner workings of our Legislative and Executive branches, I am committed to bringing clarity to the process by which our tax dollars are spent.

While I am pleased by the steps taken thus far to increase transparency and accountability in the so-called “Member-Item” process, they represent only a small part of the solution to a large problem.

I have been made aware of at least fifty “secret slush funds” dating back to the 2000-2001 State Budget listed as lump sum allocations without specific projects or legislators identified.

These “slush funds” total nearly $3.4 billion, far surpassing the $200 million “member-item” fund.

These monies have been allocated in a manner not subject to full public scrutiny, a practice which must stop with the current Legislature and Executive.

We need greater transparency, accountability, and awareness.

You can be certain that I will continue to work to give the people of New York a state government they can trust and be proud of.

If you should have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

James N. Tedisco, Assembly Republican Leader

DISTRICT OFFICE: 12 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York 12305, (518) 370-2812, FAX (518) 370-2862
ALBANY OFFICE: Room 933, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-3751, FAX (518) 455-3750[/size]

"I'M A $@#%%*&&*^^%$@???*&&%$#@* STEAMROLLER, BABY, AND I'LL ROLL ALL OVER YOU ...."

- Threatening and POMPOUS statement allegedly made to New York State Assemblyman James "JIM" Tedisco by self-styled DICTATOR of New York Eliot Spitzer, as reported to WGY CLEARCHANNELS AM 810 by New York Assemblyman James "JIM" Tedisco, February 1, 2007 and verified by Spitzer in the same news broadcast .....

PURSUANT TO OUR CONSTITUTION, SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE IV - THE JOB OF THE GOVERNOR, AND THIS INCLUDES THE “STEAMROLLER” ....

Is as follows:

“The governor shall expedite all such measures as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed” ….

THAT IS WHAT ELIOT SPITZER SIGNED ON FOR, WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR …

AND THAT IS ALL HE GETS NOW THAT HE HAS BEEN ELECTED ….

OUR CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR “STEAMROLLERS OF OUR LEGISLATURE” IN THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR …

WHICH IS WHAT WE HAD BACK IN THE DAYS OF ROYAL GOVERNORS HERE LIKE CORNBURY AND HIS ILK …

And so …

"Spitzer missed chance to cut budget"

By JAMES TEDISCO

Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Sunday, February 25, 2007

Teddy Roosevelt, a former president and New York governor, once famously stated, "Speak softly and carry a big stick."

Our new governor, who counts himself as a fan and has a large portrait of Roosevelt adorning his Capitol office, has put a new twist on the century-old adage --

"Speak loudly and carry a really big stick."

In the first 50 days of his administration, a handy marker that has just passed, Gov. Eliot Spitzer's adherence to this motto has yielded considerable results, for which he deserves credit.

We have passed budget reforms that seek to guarantee on-time budgets.

We have passed member-item reforms that seek to increase transparency in the process by which grants of the governor and legislators are doled out.

We have passed an ethics reform bill that increases penalties for ethics violations, prohibits all gifts from lobbyists to elected officials of more than nominal value, prohibits former legislative employees from lobbying the Legislature for two years and creates a new State Commission on Public Integrity with broad authority to enforce ethics and lobbying laws.

Assembly Republicans supported these measures, as we have for years.

The fact that we are Republicans and the governor wielding the "big stick" is a Democrat makes no difference.

Reform is an orphan who seeks love and adoption, and cares not what political affiliation its parents may have.

During the contentious state comptroller vote, the majority of Assembly Republicans stood with the governor and voted for Martha Stark -- one of three candidates recommended by the expert panel.

By contrast, 105 out of 107 Assembly Democrats voted for one of their own, Tom DiNapoli, who was not one of the three.

This is indicative of the "interesting" alliances I promised observers would find when "Day 1" rolled around.

Governor Spitzer has correctly focused heavily on reform, and I applaud that.

However, there is more to do.

First, we must break the "three men in a room" culture that dominates decision-making in Albany.

I represent 42 members who represent 5.5 million New Yorkers.

They and the millions of constituents that the Senate Democratic minority represents deserve a seat at the decision-making table and to have their voices heard.

There has been some progress, and I speak with the governor often.

But much more is needed.

We're not asking for minority rule; we're asking for meaningful minority participation.

While we like the reforms that we helped pass, we tried to make good reforms stronger.

For example, we offered an amendment that would have stripped the pension from any elected official convicted of a felony for defrauding the taxpayers.

That was voted down, even though we had support from a few Democrats.

Finally, there are many things to like in the governor's first budget proposal: increased accountability measures for additional education dollars; the "patients-first" concept for health care delivery; and substantial property tax relief.

But I was disappointed by a missed opportunity.

Governor Spitzer had a huge mandate for change, and we hoped he would use it in his first budget proposal, just as he did with reform.

But he didn't.

He promised in his State of the State message that he would "rein in spending," but he didn't.

State government spending in New York has skyrocketed by 42 percent in the past six years.

Now, Governor Spitzer proposes to increase it by 6.3 percent -- twice the rate of inflation.

We are now looking at a record $120 billion budget.

New York's population is only 6 percent larger than Florida's, yet we spend 60 percent more.

Is it any coincidence that Florida has no income tax and a booming economy?

Higher spending leads to higher taxes, which lead to more citizens leaving the state.

The Republican conference will fight to hold the line on spending during budget negotiations.

We will also fight to ensure that the $6 billion in promised property tax relief over three years goes directly to homeowners as rebate checks.

As proposed, the relief will pass through school districts instead.

Done this way, there is no guarantee that the full relief will reach the taxpayer.

We will work to correct this and deliver mandate relief and other measures to ensure the property tax relief is lasting.

We'll also work to include some business tax cuts.

There are none in the proposed budget proposal; in fact, businesses would face nearly $500 million more in taxes.

Not the best incentive for a business to stay in New York and create jobs.

And we'll work to include debt reform and debt reduction in the budget.

Governor Spitzer has had a good first 50 days.

I would certainly give him an "A" for effort.

During the next 30 days, my conference will work with the governor and the rest of the Legislature to pass further reforms and to make sure that the final budget represents a similar tone of reform -- with less spending, less debt and lower taxes.

Tedisco of Schenectady is the Assembly Republican minority leader.

end quotes

And it is indeed interesting ....

TO SEE ...

STALWART REPUBLICAN JAMES TEDISCO ......

GO ABSOLUTELY SILENT ....

On all of these "SECRET SLUSH FUNDS" ....

That he informed us about above here ...

"SECRET SLUSH FUNDS" ...

That he says ...

TOTAL NEARLY $3.4 BILLION ......

WHY HAS MR. TEDISCO GONE SILENT ON THIS MATTER?

WE DON'T KNOW ....

AND BECAUSE HIS SILENCE ....

IS NOW SO DEAFENING ....

IN HIS APPLAUSE OF THE "STEAMROLLER" .....

WHO MAY JUST HAVE MR. TEDISCO IN HIS POCKET ....

WAVING A LITTLE SIGN ....

THAT SAYS, "ME, TOO" .....

IT IS LIKELY ....

THAT WE WILL NOW NEVER KNOW ....

SINCE SILENCE LIKE MR. TEDISCO'S UP HERE IN CORRUPT ALBANY ....

IS GENERALLY BOUGHT ...

AND PAID FOR ....

WITH THE PROMISE ....

OF A PERSONAL SLUSH FUND ....

FOR HIM ...

SOME "CANDY" ...

"FOR THE BABY" ....

AS THE WAGS IN THE KNOW UP HERE SAY ....

TO KEEP HIM QUIET ....

SO THE STATUS QUO .....

CAN REMAIN ....

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN ....

And so ....

[Livyjr]

CORNBURY

In an attempt to escape from his problems, Cornbury fled to the colonies with Queen Anne's blessing.

Immediately upon his arrival in New York in 1701, Anne appointed Cornbury as governor of New York.

Only one year later, in 1702, the Queen added the title of governor of New Jersey to Cornbury's list of duties.

The populace of both New York and New Jersey would learn that Cornbury was not a fit governor, as he was unruly and for the most part indifferent to the needs of the people.

When he first arrived in New Jersey in 1703 the colony was rife with factional and political tension.

In what had earlier been a proprietorship of East and West Jersey, a group of political parties sought Hyde's favor as they fought with each other over such things as land, money, power and religion.

Cornbury was indifferent to these issues, but he saw the possibility for personal gain, hence his poor reputation began.

Hyde gathered a group of politicians who shared his political sentiments, and they called themselves the "Cornbury Ring."

Instead of simply allying himself with an existing faction, he created the Cornbury Ring.

It engaged in such corrupt activities as grabbing land and looting public funds.

Hyde and the Ring had an especially large grievance with the Quaker population, which dominated West Jersey politics.

The Ring tried to disenfranchise the Quakers, attempting to seize control of the assembly.

These unlawful tactics which Hyde resorted to were not successful, and the Cornbury Ring failed to control the assembly.

The Ring passed a number of bills that were designed to enhance Hyde's fortunes, both financially and politically.

Looking at Viscount Cornbury's governorship in New York, it is apparent that he was equally as corrupt as he was in his New Jersey legislation.

In New York, Hyde allied himself with the Anti-Leislerian party to secure gifts and a revenue.

He twice dismissed uncooperative assemblies, who were largely uncooperative because of his impossible demands.

http://cuhistory3057.tripod.com/hyde/id1.html

NY TIMES

February 21, 2007, 6:42 pm

"Spitzer Plays Nice (by His standards)"

By Danny Hakim

Gov. Eliot Spitzer took his “Bringing Home the Budget” tour to Niagara Falls this afternoon, and our stringer David Staba reports that the governor did not call out any of the local legislators by name over their votes for comptroller earlier this month.

While he did continue to generally bash the legislature over the comptroller vote, his appearance qualifies as a continued downshifting from the governor’s open and personal attacks on fellow Democrats in Syracuse and Westchester County in recent weeks.

Not that he was warm and cuddly, of course.

“I think I’ve been pretty clear in expressing my dissatisfaction with the way many votes were cast two weeks ago,” he said.

“I was disappointed in the fact that many people who said they were for reform and stood by my side, and I stood by their side, when I campaigned and they campaigned on a culture of reform and then when we got to a moment where it was tested and they didn’t cast a vote that I thought was the appropriate vote, I’ve expressed my disappointment in that and will continue to do so.”

5 comments so far...

1. February 21st, 2007

8:31 pm How come The Times has not covered the Spitzer secret slush fund uncovered by the New York Sun?

Secretly funding pork barrel projects for friendly Senate Dems doesn’t sound much like reform to me.

— Posted by Capt. Clean

2. February 21st, 2007

8:50 pm It’s commendable that Governor Spitzer is willing to take on the legislature for its inexcusable vote for one its own cronies as the new State Comptroller.

But it’s not the first time a new governor has crossed swords with party bosses — and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be any more successful than his predecessors.

Teddy Roosevelt was elected governor with the support of Republican-party bosses in 1898, but he soon broke with them and tried to defy their power.

Boss Platt bested Roosevelt, and got him nominated (and elected) as the new Vice President on the Republican ticket with William McKinley, effectively removing Roosevelt from New York, and giving the governorship back to the party machine.

Little did Platt expect that McKinley would get killed — in New York, no less — and Roosevelt would become President in 1901.

As President, Roosevelt took strong charge over NY politics, and pushed for the nomination of Charles Evans Hughes as governor.

When reform-minded Hughes won in 1906 — taking office exactly 100 years ago, in 1907 — it appeared at last that Roosevelt would break the control of party bosses in Albany.

While Hughes managed to pass many reform measures, he failed to push through a a key bill, calling for direct primary elections.

That would have prevented the party machine from controlling the nomination of candidates.

Just months later, in 1910, Hughes was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Taft, who wanted to remove a potential rival from political life.

Once again, the Republican-party machine regained control of the governorship.

By 1912, the Democratic machine, led by Tammany Hall, got their own party hack elected.

But Governor William Sulzer soon proved more difficult to control than expected.

He refused to appoint party cronies to key positions, and he came out in favor of the direct primary.

That’s when Democratic machine began to the most shocking power grab in New York history — the party impeached its own governor.

After just 10 months in office in 1913, Sulzer was removed from the governorship, on charges that he misappropriated campaign funds.

But it was clear that he was impeached not because of anything that he did, but because of what he didn’t do — follow the party machine.

The message in Albany was clear: defy the party bosses and they’ll stop at nothing to toss you out of Albany.

Leading the charge in the State Assembly was Tammany man Al Smith, who later became governor himself.

The following year, in 1914, former governor and president Teddy Roosevelt publicly charged that Albany was run by bosses of both parties (Republican William Barnes and Democrat Charles Murphy) and that they conspired to maintain control.

Barnes wanted to silence Roosevelt, so he brought a $50,000 libel action (big bucks in those days) against Roosevelt.

The case was brought in Albany, where most potential jurors had at least one family memeber who owed their job to the party machine.

That was a serious threat to Roosevelt, but he managed to get a change in venue, and the case was removed to Syracuse.

The trial took a month, in April 1915.

Roosevelt sought the testimony of members of the legislature to support his defense that the bosses really ran the government.

But few people would help him, fearing retribution.

After all, nothing was going to change in Albany, regardless of the outcome of Roosevelt’s trial.

But Roosevelt got key support, not from a fellow Republican, but from a Democrat — his distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, who was also married to Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite niece.

FDR had been a Democratic State Senator from 1910 to 1913.

He left to join the Wilson administration as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the same post previously held by his political idol, Teddy Roosevelt.

FDR’s testimony was a success.

He described how Albany really worked.

And TR’s own testimony also captivated the jury.

After a week of deliberations, the jury ruled in favor of Roosevelt, essentially believing his claim that the state government as undemocratic and run by a few all-powerful party bosses.

In dramatic fashion, Boss Barnes’ lawyer, the former Republican party candidate for NYC mayor in 1905, died just weeks after the end of the trial.

But TR was vindicated, and FDR became well-known, since the press closely followed his testimony.

FDR would later become governor himself.

Despite all of these efforts by Eliot Spitzer’s predecessors, they failed to break the grip on power by the party bosses.

And little has changed since then.

A few months ago, the Democratic-controlled state legislature threatened to impeach one of its own, Democrat Alan Hevesi, for misuse of state funds, if he did not resign.

The legislature high-mindedly spoke in terms of protecting the public, but this was really the first step in the biggest power grab since Governor Sulzer was impeached in 1913.

The goal was to place own of their own in the comptroller’s office, eliminating the position’s independence.

No one should be surprised they were successful in making Thomas DiNapoli, widely viewed as unqualified, the new comptroller.

One hundred years after Charles Evans Hughes, a highly regarded independent reformer, came to Albany, Spitzer himself has similar credentials and similar objectives.

But if history is any guide, he has a long uphill battle in bringing real democracy to Albany.

— Posted by Jeff

3. February 21st, 2007

9:19 pm Focusing on Governor Spitzer’s feud with the state legislature over the selection of new Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli diverts attention from the danger posed by DiNapoli apparently intending to continue, if not expand, the costly speculative pension fund management policies of predecessor Alan Hevesi.

DiNapoli recently announced that he “wants to use New York’s gigantic pension fund aggressively to protect the environment, create more affordable housing and promote business development in economically depressed regions.”.

Hevesi pursued a similar course of action and it proved very expensive to the New York State and Local Government Budgets.

If DiNapoli manages the pension fund similarly, the number of “economically depressed regions” may expand geometrically.

New York State, as a matter of course, will be contributing more money to the pension system to pay retiree benefits and will, consequently, have fewer funds available for aid to counties, towns and school districts.

Local Government (Town, Village, County and School District) pension expenses should likewise increase placing added pressure on real estate taxes, which by necessity often accompanies reduced services particularly at the public school level.

Hevesi, like DiNapoli, was a great exponent of using the pension fund for social purposes.

The fallout was disastrous..

In 2002, before Hevesi took office, New York state and local government contributions to the pension fund amounted to only $263.8 million.

Thanks to Hevesi’s pension fund management practices, something apparently never questioned by any oversight from either Governor Pataki or the dysfunctional state legislature, by 2006 payments increased more than tenfold to a shocking $2,782.1 million (nearly $2.8 billion).

Governor Spitzer possesses a significant tool for compelling new Comptroller DiNapoli to cease and desist from harmful investment practices.

The $142.6 billion pension fund assets as of March 31, 2006 could easily have sufficed to pay the $6.15 billion in current annual retiree benefits if invested in good safe bonds paying an average of 4.28% interest per year.

A modest annual contribution of matching funds by the government and employees would be more than enough to cover anticipated increases in benefit payment obligations averaging in recent years in the neighborhood of $400 million.

The Governor has it in his power to reduce state and local government contributions to the pension fund ($2,782.1 million in 2006) to the same substantially lesser and certainly fairer amount as government employees ($241.2 million in 2006).

This would force Comptroller DiNapoli to cease imitating Hevesi’s risky speculations with the $142.6 billion pension fund assets.

Potential benefits of equalizing the contribution level include reduced real estate taxes for county, city, and town governments.

Furthermore, there would be more money available in the State budget enabling the Governor and the Legislature to spend, if they so desire, on the social purposes advocated by DiNapoli, who should have enough on his plate learning about the Comptroller function something he demonstrated limited interest in as a member of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

— Posted by George N. Spitz

4. February 22nd, 2007

1:09 pm Spitzer’s ego led him to believe his reputation alone would scare the “gang” in Albany.

But, they merely let him know him what they have continuously showed the public for years - they don’t care.

By not removing Silver, Spitzer gave the first clue he didn’t know what he was doing.

The next was the watered down “ethics reform” leaving the same oversight on the legislature they had before.

Now, not only are Bruno and Silver still firmly in control, Silver has even more power with his unqualified hack installed as Comptroller.

Change?

— Posted by JC

5. February 25th, 2007

3:10 pm If Eliot Spitzer …..

Known upstate as Lord Cornbury ….

The ROYAL GOVERNOR ….

Up from New York City ….

To view his possessions and holdings ….

In upstate New York …..

Including the colonial legislature …..

Presided over by the “IRON DUKE” Joe Bruno ….

And Sheldon Silvers …..

Were to have been governor …..

Back when Teddy Roosevelt was the New York State Assembly MINORITY LEADER ….

OR ….

If Teddy Roosevelt were to be New York State Assembly MINORITY LEADER today …..

Instead of that Jim Tedisco who is in there now …..

And “LORD CORNBURY” Spitzer ….

Were to make that “I’M A ****ING STEAMROLLER, BABY, AND I’LL ROLL ALL OVER YOU” comment to old Teddy Roosevelt …..

It is my thought ….

And my bet ….

That unlike Jim Tedisco ….

Old Teddy Roosevelt would have looked at his watch …..

And said to LORD CORNBURY THE “STEAMROLLER” …..

“YOU KNOW WHAT, I’VE GOT SOME FREE TIME ON MY HANDS, SO I THINK I’LL JUST SIGN UP FOR A BLOCK OF INSTRUCTION ON SOME OF THAT STEAMROLLER STUFF YOU’RE SELLING …”

And then ….

Old Teddy Roosevelt would have waded right on into “LORD CORNBURY” ….

And old Teddy Roosevelt would given “STEAMROLLER” Spitzer some “what for”, alright ….

That would have left “THE STEAMROLLER” whimpering in a heap ….

And old Teddy Roosevelt saying, “STEAMROLLER, MY *** ….”

As he walked away …..

A TRUE PROTECTOR …..

OF GOVERNMENT ….

OF ….

BY ….

AND FOR ….

THE PEOPLE ….

AS OUR NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION INTENDED …..

And so ….

— Posted by Livyjr

http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...-his-standards/

[Livyjr]

"State officials don't deserve re-election"

Letters to the Editor, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Sunday, February 25, 2007

I find it astonishing that the state Legislature doesn't understand the meaning of the last election.

Yes, the majority voted for Alan Hevesi, being assured he would be replaced.

Then, we were assured by the agreement between the legislative and executive branches that a distinguished panel would vet the candidates and the choice would come from their selections.

The panel did its job.

If the rest of the voters of this state are as incensed as I am, no one who failed to live up to this agreement will be left in office after the next election.

FRANK V.

Newtonville

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/25/2007

[Livyjr]

And continuing on in here ...

With our look ...

At the CONFUSED STATE OF AFFAIRS ....

That persists ....

In government ...

AT ALL LEVELS ...

In New York State today ....

A CONFUSED STATE OF AFFAIRS .....

That drives people away from New York State ....

AND WITH GOOD REASON ....

FOR WHO WANTS TO LIVE IN A HACK-O-CRACY?

WHO WANTS TO TRY AND MAKE A LIFE ...

IN A PLACE ...

WITH A CHRONICALLY UNSTABLE ...

AND INEPT GOVERNMENT ....

THAT JUST SUCKS THE LIFEBLOOD RIGHT OUT OF A PERSON UP HERE ....

IN THE FORM OF HIGHER AND HIGHER TAXES ....

THAT PURCHASE LESS AND LESS REAL SERVICE ....

AND MORE AND MORE INCOMPETENCE ....

AT THE SAME TIME ...

And so ...

From just across the Hudson River ....

From the capital in Albany, New York ...

We have ...

MORE OF THE USUAL CRAP FROM INEPT AND INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT UP HERE ....

And so ...

"Troy, county at odds over 911 - City hasn't paid for dispatch services since contract expired in 2005"

By KENNETH C. CROWE II, Staff writer, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Monday, February 26, 2007

TROY -- The city has not paid Rensselaer County to dispatch its police and fire departments in 14 months, forcing the county to tell Troy it will end the communications service unless there's a new contract.

Police, fire and ambulance calls in Troy account for nearly half the county dispatch center's activity, according to county statistics.

The city paid $285,000 annually to the county under a 10-year contract for dispatch services that expired on Dec. 31, 2005.

The costs for the public safety service should be the main topic when county and city officials sit down this week to negotiate a new deal.

Both governments have heard from their constituents that they don't want higher property taxes.

Both leaders want funds to pay for the services they provide.

"If the city continues to not pay for this service, this is a cost I would have to pass on to the property taxpayers."

"They have made it pretty clear they want less taxes, not more taxes," County Executive Kathy Jimino said.

Mayor Harry Tutunjian said he's just looking out for his taxpayers who are paying both county and city property taxes.

He said the city has money for the county dispatch services set aside in its 2006 and 2007 budgets.

"Certainly the residents of Troy pay a lot in county taxes and do not receive the amount of services that residents in the county do," Tutunjian said.

"We are ready to negotiate a successor agreement for 2007."

Jimino said previous efforts to get a new contract with the city have been fruitless.

She said that since a meeting in September 2006, there had been no response from the city.

Jimino wrote Tutunjian on Feb. 9 telling him it appeared the city did not want to continue the county dispatching service and her staff would begin planning for the city to assume its own dispatching on Jan. 1, 2008.

Instead, they will resume negotiations this week.

The county budgeted $2,965,505 to operate its dispatch center in 2007.

The $285,000 paid by Troy under the expired contract accounts for less than 10 percent of the dispatch center budget.

Tutunjian said times are different than when the contract with the county was signed.

"They assumed this role from the city in 1995."

"Now, 10 or 11 years later we want to take a closer look in what our residents are paying in surcharges," Tutunjian said.

"The entire landscape has changed."

The city provides services to the county for which it is not compensated, Tutunjian said, like the transportation of prisoners between City Court and the county jail; the city Fire Department's role as the county's hazardous materials response unit; and providing services to county offices.

Tutunjian expects the city and county to continue the dispatching contract.

"I'm hopeful we will be able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement," the mayor said.

Jimino said the city is getting a good deal:

"It's considerably less than what the city would have to pay if the city set up their own dispatch center."

"That's the beauty of sharing services."

"That's what we're trying to do more of," Jimino said.

"To walk away from this shared service arrangement would seem counterproductive to the idea of reducing the burden on property taxpayers."

C. Crowe II can be reached at 454-5084 or by e-mail at kcrowe@timesunion.com.

Calling for help

About half the calls to the Rensselaer County dispatch center in recent years have come from Troy.

Here's a breakdown:

YEARS TOTAL CALLS % FROM TROY

2006 108,448 49.9

2005 108,010 48.6

2004 97,279 53.9

Times Union chart

end quotes

"Certainly the residents of Troy pay a lot in county taxes and do not receive the amount of services that residents in the county do," Tutunjian said .......

AND, OF COURSE ....

BASED ON REALITY ....

WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF THE POLITICIANS UP HERE ...

POLITICALLY-INBRED AS THEY ARE UP HERE ....

"IDEOLOGY-DROOLERS", THEY ARE CALLED ...

THAT IS A RIDICULOUS COMMENT BY THE REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF TROY .....

PEOPLE IN RENSSELAER COUNTY OUTSIDE OF TROY GET THE COUNTY ROADS PLOWED BY THE COUNTY IN THE WINTER ....

AND THAT IS ABOUT IT ....

THE COUNTY BUDGET KEEPS CLIMBING HIGHER AND HIGHER ....

AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS EVERY YEAR ....

IT IS MADE PLAIN AS DAY ....

BY REPUBLICAN KATHLEEN JIMINO ....

WHO IS A PART OF THE "BIG JOE" BRUNO POLITICAL MACHINE ...

HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK .....

JUST AS IS TROY MAYOR HARRY TUTUNJIAN ...

THAT MORE AND MORE COUNTY SERVICES ARE BEING CUT BY MS. JIMINO ...

SO ..

THIS COMMENT BY REPUBLICAN TUTUNJIAN IS JUST PLAIN HYPE ....

DEVOID OF SUBSTANCE ....

AS ARE SO MANY POLITICAL SPEECHES HERE IN OUR AMERICA TODAY ...

And so ....

[Livyjr]

"Livyjr, in the light of the past experience that people up there where you are have had with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the United States Attorney, and this Senator Joseph Bruno, and a federal Hobbs Act investigation that was apparently suddenly terminated by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York when the name of this Senator Joseph Bruno came into it in connection with questionable practices in the Rensselaer county Department of Health which were having an adverse impact on the lives, health and property of the people of Rensselaer County in New York State ....."

"Could you tell us how people up there feel ..."

"When they see this Rensselaer County lawyer E. Stewart Jones openly and blatantly threatening these federal prosecutors with retaliation against themselves and their employment in the pages of the Albany, New York TIMES UNION newspaper ..."

"And when they see this Senator Bruno himself, in the pages of the same Albany, New York TIMES UNION newspaper ..."

"Calling this alleged federal investigation a MEDIA EVENT ..."

"DO PEOPLE UP THERE THINK THAT SOMEONE IS GAMING THE SYSTEM HERE?"

HHHhhhmmmm .....

GAMING THE SYSTEM .....

Joe Bruno calls a BIG press conference ...

BIG FBI INVESTIGATION, FOLKS .....

BUT IT'S NOTHING .....

And then ....

SHADES OF 1989 .....

The Office of the United States Attorney comes forward and says, "well, how about that, we took a really, really hard look, but there was nothing there ...."

That is what people are expecting, actually .....

Some with GLEE ....

Joe Bruno's PARTISANS ....

And they are many, actually ....

And the rest .....

Well ...

I would say with TREPIDATION .....

And this brings us to what many see as E. Stewart Jones' TRUMP CARD ......

Which is the fact that in December of 2005 .....

Just a short year ago .....

The federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City .....

PUT ITS SEAL OF APPROVAL .....

ON THE GRANTING OF "PROTECTED PERSON" STATUS HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ...

BY ELECTED OFFICIALS UP HERE IN RENSSELAER COUNTY ....

WHICH IS JOE BRUNO'S COUNTY .....

AND IF JOE BRUNO IS IN FACT DOLING OUT FAVORS AND PROTECTION HERE .....

IT IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE FEDERAL SECOND CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS ALREADY APPROVED ...

CONDUCT THAT THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ITSELF HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH BACK IN AUGUST OF 2001 .....

THAT BEING THE INTIMIDATION AND REMOVAL OF WITNESSES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ....

BY THE "STATE" ITSELF ....

ON BEHALF OF ITS "PROTECTED PERSONS" .....

WHO GET THAT WAY .....

BY PROCURING PROTECTION .....

FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK STATE ...

And so ....

GIVEN ALL OF THAT PRIOR HISTORY ....

PEOPLE UP HERE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO FAITH OR TRUST WHATSOEVER .....

IN EITHER THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ....

OR THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK .....

And if people up here saw E. Stewart Jones returning from Washington, D.C. with an apologetic Alberto Gonzales in tow .....

To personally apologize to Joe Bruno .....

I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS A SOUL UP HERE WHO WOULD BE SURPRISED ...

And I actually think that many are expecting exactly that .....

STARTING WITH THE PARTISANS OF JOE BRUNO ....

Who are many ....

And very powerfull .....

And so .....

"Bruno facing FBI scrutiny - Federal investigators are looking into the outside business interests of state Senate majority leader"

By JAMES M. ODATO and RICK KARLIN, Capitol bureau, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Wednesday, December 20, 2006

ALBANY -- Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno on Tuesday acknowledged he is being investigated by the FBI for what he described as his "outside business interests."

"I have nothing to hide," Bruno said.

Bruno added that he has hired William Dreyer, an Albany lawyer and former federal prosecutor.

The New York State Republican Campaign Committee paid Dreyer's firm about $2,400 between July and November.

John Pikus, the FBI's special agent in charge in Albany, declined comment, referring questions to the office of U.S. Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby.

Calls to the U.S. attorney's office in Albany and Syracuse were not returned late Tuesday.

Bruno owns or has interests in several businesses, including Capital Business Consultants, a firm he started at his Brunswick home after he sold his telecommunications company in 1990.

Bruno has refused to name any of his various business partners or clients.

Bruno said the probe against him won't uncover wrongdoing.

"Everything that I do is appropriate and legal and goes by the ethics counsels and everybody else that can take a look at my life."

"Palm Beach trip probed - Vacation, including a visit to a strip club, part of the Bruno-Abbruzzese inquiry"

By BRENDAN J. LYONS Senior writer, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Sunday, January 14, 2007

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- At a chamber of commerce luncheon last week, Bruno again said he is not a target of a criminal investigation.

A source with intimate knowledge of the case would not say whether anyone will be charged with a crime, only that a criminal investigation is ongoing.

Bruno has declined to divulge details about his private consulting business, or why Abbruzzese allegedly paid the consulting firm several hundred thousand dollars.

Those payments are said to be a primary focus of the probe.

Sometime after the investigation began, according to sources involved in the case, Bruno placed several telephone calls to U.S. Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby, the top federal prosecutor in New York's Northern District.

The investigation is being headed by Suddaby's office and the FBI.

Bruno's spokesman disputes that account of the calls.

"Senator Bruno made one call to the U.S. Attorney's office when he was informed that they were conducting an inquiry," said John McArdle, director of communications for Senate Republicans.

"He did so to offer his complete and total cooperation."

"He did not call anyone repeatedly."

Suddaby declined comment, citing a policy not to discuss pending investigations.

To people up here in the State of New York ......

This alleged telephone call ....

From New York State Senator Joseph "BIG JOE" Bruno .....

To this Glenn Suddaby .....

The TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR in the federal NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ....

Concerning this alleged GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION .....

Of "BIG JOE" Bruno's business dealings here in the State of New York .....

HAS BEEN EXPECTED .....

As it is believed up here that this Glenn Suddaby actually serves at the pleasure of "BIG JOE" Bruno .....

And news of this alleged telephone call ....

From "BIG JOE" Bruno .....

To this TOP FEDERAL PROSECUTOR GLEN SUDDABY .....

In the pages of the Albany, New York TIMES UNION ......

Coming on the heels as it does .....

Of "BIG JOE" Bruno's own claim in the pages of the Albany, New York TIMES UNION ....

That this federal investigation is really nothing more than a MEDIA EVENT ...

Brings us all right back to the spring of 1989 .....

When it is alleged that "BIG JOE" Bruno did the same exact thing .....

Call the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern district of New York .....

To have them get the FBI back out of Rensselaer County in the State of New York ......

AND WHETHER OR NOT "BIG JOE" BRUNO ACTUALLY DID MAKE THAT CALL BACK IN 1989 .....

THE FACT IS, AND REMAINS .....

That the FBI did get out of Rensselaer County ......

LIKE A WHIPPED DOG ....

WITH ITS TAIL BETWEEN ITS LEGS .....

YIPPING ....

AND KI-YIYING ......

ALL THE WAY BACK TO ALBANY .....

AND THAT WAS VERY OBVIOUS ......

TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE UP HERE BACK THEN .....

TO SOME ....

The supporters and partisans of "BIG JOE" Bruno ...

WITH GLEE ....

At this demonstration ....

Of "BIG JOE" Bruno's very considerable POWER .....

And with TREPIDATION .....

By the rest of us .....

Those of us who were for the law as it was written in the State of New York .....

BUT NOT ENFORCED .....

And so .....

With this news of this alleged telephone call .....

From "BIG JOE" Bruno .....

To this U.S. Attorney Glenn Suddaby ......

Simply "hanging" out there .....

In the pages of the Albany, New York TIMES UNION .....

People are once again understandably concerned .....

THAT "BIG JOE" BRUNO .....

IS GOING TO SQUASH ANOTHER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION .....

PUBLICLY .....

RIGHT IN OUR FACES ....

TO ONCE AGAIN DEMONSTRATE TO ALL OF US UP HERE ...

JUST HOW MUCH POWER IT IS ...

THAT HE WIELDS OVER US ....

WITH THE PERMISSION ....

OF THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ....

AND THE AQUIESCENCE ....

Of the federal District Court for the Northern District of New York .....

And the federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City .....

BOTH OF WHICH HAVE GIVEN THEIR TACIT APPROVAL .....

TO THE "MARKETING" OF PROTECTION ....

BY ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ...

TO THOSE WITH THE CONNECTIONS AND CLOUT TO ENABLE THEM TO "SECURE" THIS "PROTECTION" .....

And so ....

That is where we are in this thread right now ......

For any one just stopping by .....

And wondering ....

And so .....

IT IS MADE PLAIN AS DAY ....

BY REPUBLICAN KATHLEEN JIMINO ....

WHO IS A PART OF THE "BIG JOE" BRUNO POLITICAL MACHINE ...

HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK .....

JUST AS IS TROY MAYOR HARRY TUTUNJIAN ...

NY TIMES

"Bruno’s Business Touch Wasn’t Always Golden"

By MIKE McINTIRE

Published: February 26, 2007

It is an oft-told tale that has become part of Albany lore.

Long before he became the State Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno borrowed $5,000 to start a telephone equipment company, built it into a profitable business and sold it for $23 million in 1990.

Born into poverty, Mr. Bruno became a millionaire.

A review of records and interviews with his former partners showed that while Mr. Bruno indeed built his publicly traded firm, Coradian Corporation, from scratch, its sale did not make him a millionaire.

In fact, the company had been steadily losing money, and Mr. Bruno made less than $400,000 from the transaction.

As a result, Mr. Bruno began to pursue other sources of money, and those pursuits are now the subject of a federal investigation.

Some of Mr. Bruno’s other business ventures, before and after he sold Coradian, did poorly.

In one case, he lost about $150,000 on a real estate project that dragged on for 17 years, a former partner said.

And in the past six years, he has lost at least $50,000 on investments in high-tech companies, according to financial disclosure records and interviews with his aides.

Mr. Bruno’s mixed success as a businessman might have important implications for a federal grand jury investigation into his financial dealings.

Soon after selling Coradian, Mr. Bruno — who has for years complained that being in office has hurt his ability to make money — opened a consulting business out of his home.

That business is now the focus of the federal investigation into whether Mr. Bruno provided government favors to his consulting clients, people who have been briefed about the inquiry have said.

Records show that the consulting business has been a consistently reliable stream of income for Mr. Bruno. '

Yet the firm does not advertise or have a published telephone number and Mr. Bruno has refused to publicly identify its clients, describing them only as “substantial and important business people.”

Mr. Bruno, who declined to be interviewed for this article, has consistently defended his right to remain a businessman while serving in the Legislature, asserting that he has never used his power to enrich himself or his business associates.

It is impossible to know the full extent of Mr. Bruno’s wealth because he is not required to provide details about his income or assets on disclosure forms made available to the public.

There are no indications that he is in financial trouble; he lives on a sprawling farm in Rensselaer County, owns thoroughbred horses and earns $121,000 as majority leader.

But interviews and documents suggested that Mr. Bruno, 77, has remained an active consultant and aggressive investor in part because he felt he needed the money.

He suggested as much in an interview with The New York Times in December.

“Nobody wants to hear it, but my being in office has cost me a fortune — millions, literally millions,” he said.

"“I’m worth a hell of a lot less today than I was 30 years ago."

"That’s kind of sad."

"I’m worth a hell of a lot less now than I was 10 years ago.”

By his own account, Mr. Bruno overcame humble origins in upstate poverty by selling ice and frozen food, obtaining an undergraduate degree in business administration and, in the 1950s, teaming with an older businessman, Stanley B. Ringel, to sell insurance and mutual funds.

In the late 1960s, Mr. Ringel and Mr. Bruno began selling office telephone equipment, forming what would become Coradian.

Mr. Bruno, who associates said was a gifted salesman, handled the marketing side and pursued a second career in politics, while Mr. Ringel, the chief executive, managed the day-to-day operations.

By 1981, Coradian had revenues of $35 million and employed about 500 people.

But a major supplier dropped its contract, profits dried up, workers were let go, and an ailing Mr. Ringel stepped aside as chief executive, allowing Mr. Bruno to take over.

In the years after Mr. Bruno was elected to the State Senate in 1976, questions were raised about possible ethical conflicts, since Coradian received $1.5 million in state contracts from 1983 to 1988, according to The Times Union of Albany.

The State Commission on Government Integrity investigated Coradian’s contracts with state and local government agencies in 1988, but reported no evidence of wrongdoing.

By 1989, with Coradian hemorrhaging cash and unable to pay its debts, the company was put up for sale.

It hired a consultant to interview 24 prospective buyers, but 19 expressed no interest, securities filings showed.

Mitel, a Canadian firm that was a major equipment supplier to Coradian, eventually agreed to buy it, paying $10 million in cash and assuming $13 million in debt.

Numerous newspaper accounts since then, including in The Times, have stated or implied that the $23 million sale price resulted in a windfall for Mr. Bruno worth millions of dollars.

In reality, Mr. Bruno owned only enough shares to earn at most $383,000 from the sale, according to the securities filings, and he agreed to remain with the newly merged company for a couple of years at his old salary of $110,000.

George L. Benson, Coradian’s president at the time of the sale, recalled recently that “nobody made a lot of money out of it, I can tell you that."

"It was a graceful exit."

"That was all it was.”

Even before leaving Coradian, Mr. Bruno began pursuing other ways to make money, an effort that intensified after the sale of the company.

One of the earliest was a partnership called First Grafton that he created in 1987, along with his brother and some friends, to purchase and develop a large tract of forest into home sites, a project that seemed vexed from the start and would not be completed until just a few years ago.

After two of his original partners bowed out, Mr. Bruno’s solution — to replace them with two lawyer-lobbyists he knew from his work at Coradian and the state capital — inflamed old charges of ethical carelessness that had begun to dog his Senate career.

The ensuing uproar forced Mr. Bruno to place his interest in First Grafton into a blind trust.

One of the lobbyists, James D. Featherstonhaugh, has represented dozens of special interest groups, including banks, insurance companies, the horse racing industry and labor unions.

In December, the federal grand jury investigating Mr. Bruno sent a subpoena to Mr. Featherstonhaugh for First Grafton’s records.

Mr. Featherstonhaugh said everyone involved in First Grafton had lost money, and he estimated Mr. Bruno’s losses totaled about $150,000 over the 17 years that the project dragged on.

Despite that, he said Mr. Bruno “never seemed to be in financial stress.”

The senator, he said, tended to be frugal.

“He has never struck me as either outrageously wealthy or poor,” Mr. Featherstonhaugh said.

“He just seemed to me to be kind of O.K.”

Mr. Bruno’s willingness to mix public and private interests was apparent in another real estate deal he entered into in 1999, when he and his son Joseph bought a small apartment house in Troy from Russell C. Ball, a state contractor whose wife, Dori Evans, served as finance director for the Senate Republican campaign committee, which Mr. Bruno controls.

Mr. Ball’s Brooklyn-based company, which does underground utility work, has had contracts on several major state projects, and a couple of years ago he created a nonprofit group that purchased full-page newspaper ads saluting Mr. Bruno.

An official familiar with the investigation said the F.B.I. has questioned people about Mr. Ball’s relationship with Mr. Bruno.

Mr. Ball had no comment.

Not long after buying the building, Mr. Bruno’s son decided he wanted out, and Mr. Bruno tapped a friend and neighbor, Joseph L. Magno, to step in and replace his son in the investment and on a $235,000 loan used to buy the property.

“He literally said, ‘Will you please help me out,’ ” said Mr. Magno, who is now a lobbyist.

He said that he lost as much as $30,000 on the investment, and that Mr. Bruno lost money as well.

Mr. Magno was not just a friend, but also an investor in high-tech companies.

In 2000, Mr. Magno agreed to help Mr. Bruno, the senator secured $150,000 in state money to start a statewide trade association of technology firms headed by Mr. Magno.

The same year, an Internet company called Go2pay, whose directors included Mr. Magno, received $250,000 in state economic development funds, at a ceremony presided over by Mr. Bruno and Gov. George E. Pataki.

Mr. Bruno did not lose money on all his ventures.

His financial disclosure statements showed that he seemed to have earned money, on a regular basis, from the consulting business he started, Capital Business Consultants L.L.C.

In a news conference in December when he revealed the F.B.I. inquiry, Mr. Bruno said he provided advice on marketing and business development to lawyers and businesspeople.

He declined to release information about his fees or the names of his clients, though some have been identified as a result of the investigation.

One of his first clients was McGinn Smith, an Albany investment firm.

Mr. Bruno has invested both personal and campaign funds in companies controlled by McGinn Smith’s chairman, Timothy M. McGinn.

In 1999, Mr. Bruno reported making an undisclosed amount of money on the sale of stock in Pointe Financial, a bank holding company of which Mr. McGinn was chairman.

It was one of Mr. Bruno’s few profitable stock investments in recent years.

Another consulting client was Jared Abbruzzese, a businessman and friend who has flown Mr. Bruno around on private jets and who, until recently, was part of a group competing for a statewide horse racing franchise.

From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Bruno decided to award $500,000 in discretionary state grants to a company in which Mr. Abbruzzese was a major investor, Evident Technologies.

The F.B.I. is now investigating Mr. Bruno’s dealings with both McGinn Smith and Mr. Abbruzzese, people who have been briefed about the inquiry said.

Mr. Bruno has defended his use of state money to support Evident and other businesses, saying his only goal was to create jobs.

His aides have also shrugged off questions about his overlapping personal and public interests, saying that Mr. Bruno has been in business and politics so long that interaction with people in both spheres was unavoidable.

To old friends and supporters, some of whom have benefited from the millions in public money that Mr. Bruno has directed to projects over the years, the senator’s current predicament is heartbreaking.

Mr. Benson, who was once Mr. Bruno’s partner at Coradian, said he recently heard about the F.B.I. investigation while listening to the radio and immediately called Mr. Bruno.

“Joe called me back and left a message, saying he was O.K., that he had been re-elected majority leader and that everything was under control,” Mr. Benson said from his home in Wisconsin.

“But I have to say, he didn’t sound all that good.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/nyregion...mp;ref=nyregion

end quotes

FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH IT ....

"BIG JOE" BRUNO'S CORADIAN EQUIPMENT "SOLD" TO RENSSELAER COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ....

WAS JUNK ....

A PIECE OF CRAP ....

WHICH IS WHY THAT BID-NESS OF "BIG JOE'S" WENT BELLY-UP ....

AND IF THE NEW YORK TIMES WOULD CHECK ITS FACTS BETTER ....

IT WOULD FIND THAT IN 1988 ....

"BIG JOE" BRUNO HAD "HOOKED UP" WITH NEW YORK CITY MONEY ....

TO BUILD "WINDFIELD ESTATES" ON LAND OWNED BY "BIG JOE" IN BRUNSWICK, NEW YORK ....

A PROJECT THAT "BIG JOE" WAS ADVERTISING FOR SALE ....

DEPSITE HAVING NO HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPROVALS ....

AS IS REQUIRED BY NEW YORK STATE LAW ....

AND WHEN THE LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER CALLED "BIG JOE" OUT ON THAT ....

"BIG JOE" CRUSHED HIM LIKE A COORS BEER CAN ...

AND WHEN THE FBI CAME SNIFFING AROUND IN EARLY-1989 ....

ACCORDING TO MY SOURCES ....

WHICH INCLUDES THE FBI SPECIAL AGENT DOING THE INVESTIGATION ....

"BIG JOE" HAD THAT INVESTIGATION STOPPED SHORT ....

AND THE FBI SPECIAL AGENT GOT HIS *** "SCORCHED" FOR DIGGING INTO "BIG JOE'S" PERSONAL AFFAIRS ...

AND TODAY ....

THE ONLY "PRODUCT" ....

THAT THE "IRON DUKE" ....

"BIG JOE" BRUNO .....

HAS TO "SELL" ....

OR "MARKET" .....

IS HIS POWER ....

POWER THAT HE IS NOT AT ALL AFRAID TO WIELD ....

AS HAS BEEN PROVED TO US COMMON CITIZENS UP HERE ....

FIRST-HAND ....

WHICH IS WHY "BIG JOE" BRUNO ....

IS CALLED THE "IRON DUKE" ....

BECAUSE HE IS NOT AFRAID TO CRUSH PEOPLE ....

WITH HIS "FIST OF IRON" .....

A "FIST OF IRON" ....

THAT IS AVAILABLE ....

FOR YOUR USE ....

IF YOU HAVE THE COST OF ADMISSION ...

TO THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN ...

WHICH IS THE "IRON DUKE'S' GAME ...

And so ...

[Livyjr]

"Now, it's Spitzer the statesman who needs to step forward"

Fred LeBrun, Political Analyst, Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Friday, February 9, 2007

Spitzer got himself politically bloodied Wednesday over the Legislature's choice of a new comptroller.

The governor had it coming.

If you're going to play the bully -- and Spitzer has with the Legislature over this -- you better have the muscle to back it up, as in the votes.

He didn't.

His persuasive charm was not enough.

Eliot Spitzer, it seems, has a lot to learn about effective governing.

We like our state constitution with its separation of powers.

Frankly, Spitzer makes a lousy Louis XIV, as in "I am the state."

After his candidate, New York City Finance Commissioner Martha Stark, was beaten by the Assembly's preference, Tom DiNapoli, 150-56, Spitzer lost it.

The vote, he said, "showed a stunning lack of integrity that is deeply troubling ..."

"You have just witnessed the insider game of self-dealing that unfortunately confirms every New Yorker's worst fears and image of all that goes on in the Legislature of this state."

Translation of this totally unfair tirade:

"How dare you defy me."

How dare you, governor, try to steer the process for picking your own auditor?

The truth is, it was Spitzer who screwed this up big time by publicly ridiculing and disparaging the entire block of legislators as unfit for the job of comptroller.

I have never seen legislators as a group as viscerally angry as they have been with the governor over this back-handed dismissal.

And it wasn't Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver versus the governor on this, either, as some in the media have portrayed it.

The rank and file members of the Democratic conference are the ones who insisted on exercising their constitutional obligation without interference.

I believe if it were up to Silver, he would have found a way to give Spitzer what he wanted so they could move on to pressing budget matters with at least some sense of collegiality.

But Silver's conference absolutely would not let him do that.

There would have been an open revolt if Silver had tried.

In this instance, at least, the pejorative image of three men in a room doesn't fit what happened.

Silver wasn't directing what the Assembly would do; he was merely the messenger of their collective intentions, and a rather subdued messenger at that.

In the end, the Legislature made the best of a bad deal and they are to be commended for it, not vilified.

It would have been far easier to buckle to the governor than defy him, so they did not take the easy path.

But preserving the separation of powers is important -- critical -- regardless of what reforms need to take place.

The governor would leap right over that separation to achieve what he sees needs doing.

Those who agree with him, those who feel the Legislature should have kowtowed to his wishes, fall into the oldest trap there is: that the ends justify the means.

LeBrun can be reached at 454-5453 or by e-mail at flebrun@timesunion.com.

NY TIMES

February 21, 2007, 6:42 pm

"Spitzer Plays Nice (by His standards)"

By Danny Hakim

Gov. Eliot Spitzer took his “Bringing Home the Budget” tour to Niagara Falls this afternoon, and our stringer David Staba reports that the governor did not call out any of the local legislators by name over their votes for comptroller earlier this month.

While he did continue to generally bash the legislature over the comptroller vote, his appearance qualifies as a continued downshifting from the governor’s open and personal attacks on fellow Democrats in Syracuse and Westchester County in recent weeks.

Not that he was warm and cuddly, of course.

“I think I’ve been pretty clear in expressing my dissatisfaction with the way many votes were cast two weeks ago,” he said.

“I was disappointed ....."

"In the fact ....."

"That many people ...."

"Who said they were for reform ...."

"And stood by my side ....."

"And I stood by their side ...."

"When I campaigned ...."

"And they campaigned ...."

"On a culture of reform ....."

"And then when we got to a moment ...."

"Where it was tested ...."

"And they didn’t cast a vote ...."

"That I thought was the appropriate vote ...."

"I’ve expressed my disappointment in that ...."

"And will continue to do so.”

http://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...-his-standards/

"Don't slam Spitzer, Cuomo for idealism"

Albany, New York Times Union

First published: Monday, February 26, 2007

Usually Fred LeBrun's column evokes some tangible agreement on whatever topic he is musing on at the time.

Not so this time.

I believe what Eliot Spitzer and Andrew Cuomo are really being taken to task for is being too passionate in their idealism.

What are their ideals?

Clean, honest and open government.

I, for one, would rather have a little too strong intensity in that department instead of the status quo.

DAVE R.

Saranac Lake

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story...sdate=2/26/2007