While most New Yorkers spent the Fourth of July holiday with family and friends, every member of the state Senate was hauled back into the Capitol for yet another special session to figure out yet another solution to the ongoing Senate leadership crisis. While dysfunction continues, upstate New York suffers disproportionally.
My home district’s state senator, Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga Springs), published an excellent piece in the area’s Saratogian newspaper yesterday, laying out the ramifications of the Senate power-struggle for upstate New Yorkers in particular:
A good place to start would be the day the standstill began. Downstate Senate leadership was prepared to send $90 million into New York City, while rationing a meager $8 million to the communities across upstate New York.
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At a time when transparency and accountability were key, downstate leadership allowed for the most secretive and closed door budget process that anybody has ever seen. What they passed directly hurt our communities, from health care to school funding and much more. Upstate was left out, plain and simple.
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The real tragedy is that it has turned into a conflict of upstate versus downstate — we have become David and they have become Goliath. We’re realizing that it’s difficult to survive in the shadow of Goliath, and in the current system, nearly impossible to coexist. Star tax rebate checks have been eliminated, hurting upstate. But at the same time, downstate representatives forced the legislature to pass a Mass Transit Authority (MTA) bailout, sending billions downstate to prevent minimal fee increases for those traveling on the subway system.
In Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, they stole right out of our pockets, taking $3.3 million and $1.1 million from city and county VLT funding, respectively. In Rensselaer County, the budget slashed funding for the Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home in the amount of $1.5 million. These amounts are only the tip of the iceberg. Tax and fee increases, coupled with funding cuts for programs, came at the worst time for upstate New York taxpayers, while property taxes were not addressed at all.
Senator McDonald, it should be noted, is merely being diplomatic when he refers to “downstate Senate leadership.” This, of course, is but a euphemism for “the Democrats.” And he is right to call them out. His allegations, shared by many upstaters, against the pre-June 8 coup Democrat-controlled state government are legitimate, and include but are not limited to:
• Imposing $2,350 in new taxes on middle class families
• Eliminating STAR Rebate Checks Averaging $200-400 per home
• Taxing upstaters’ Electric and Utility Bills
• Increasing spending by $12 billion
• Passing a disastrous MTA Subway System bailout
• Reneging on their promises to reform the operation of the Legislature
• Refusing to allow a public budget process
• Hurting New York businesses by imposing new fees and taxes
• Failing to act on the Power for Jobs program
• Ignoring the Agricultural Community
• Refusing to provide openness and transparency within the legislative process
• Allocating approximately $8 billion in discretionary spending for 3 New York City leaders
The ongoing New York Senate crisis has produced more than the superficial side-effect of an embarrassing circus facade to the rest of the country; it’s also driving a wedge (as if it was needed) between upstate and downstate (mainly New York City).
There’s a lot going on in upstate New York right now: a special election for the 23rd district’s congressional seat, an imminent visit by Vice President Biden to tout the economic stimulus package, a major address by Governor Paterson this evening (probably to appoint a Lt. Governor, further disturbing the Senate), and even reports from the Democratic gang of four (or sometimes five) that the entire Senate power struggle will resolved this Thursday.
Beneath it all, the entire Empire State has been severely demoralized by a stagnant legislature, a clumsy and ineffective governor, and persistent economic hardship exacerbated, according to The Wall Street Journal, by “progressive ideas” and leadership. It’s not surprising that they’re comparing Albany to Sacramento and Trenton—it’s that bad.
Bottom line: New York, especially upstate, is holding out for a hero. Paging Rudy Giuliani.
3 responses so far
1 barker13 // Jul 8, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Rudy’s had two strikes.
I’d certainly support him for Governor, but I’ve gotta admit… I don’t trust “in” him the way I once did.
BILL
2 ottovbvs // Jul 8, 2009 at 3:48 pm
The Democrats surely made a huge mess here. Spitzer falls and we get this waste of space. Absent a star this is one I think the Democrats lose next time around……Rudy’s viable but the electoral arithmetic in the house/senate not to mention the culture is a huge problem. And it’s equal opportunity responsibility. Both parties are culpable for what is a dysfunctional system of state government. Rudy could probably get elected with his name recognition and reputation although he doesn’t have much viability outside NYS. Once in office would the Duce approach work. Maybe. Personally the only guy I see with the name rec, savvy and moxy to make changes is Bloomberg and I’m not sure he wants to put up with the nonsense.
3 Cforchange // Jul 10, 2009 at 12:18 pm
First, Andrew Cuomo needs to do the country a service and help restore the 2 party system. He needs to stay at his job and look for a golden nugget later. Really, if things get more lopsided the boat will be rocked and a 3rd party will emerge. The people are fed up, they want fairness, ethics and opportunity.
If Rudy got out into the state and put a plan out there to prioritize re-energize the state beyond NYC, the job would be his. He has an established/respected track record and the state is just idle and waiting. It has alot of appeal like the booming states out west but by far is a superior option on many counts.
NYS’s green opportunity is astounding, get the “bread basket” going again. Smart scale manufacturing opportunities abound – just why did Ethan Allen close it’s plants??? They didn’t pay union wages so what was the catalyst that made them recently shutter(but hold) their plants?? How many others did this? Might be hard for any Brooklynite to see but opportunity is knocking.
2nd Request, NM needs to study Rudy’s appeal – the key to the all important majority female vote will be revealed! There’s something about him that is a home run…..
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