Countless residents across the Empire State get hot under the collar when they watch that new 30-second television ad by Gov. David Paterson.
That’s the one that opens with the line, “Some say I shouldn’t be running for governor ...”
Paterson doesn’t go so far as to name that somebody — President Obama.
And despite the blatant White House intrusion into New York state politics — the message sent two months ago pressuring Paterson to perish the thought of any re-election bid — the governor has made it clear that he’s in the 2010 race to stay.
The embattled Paterson does make a point, however, when it comes to defending his position.
“Every time I urge fiscal discipline (e.g. budget cuts), the response is that I’m doing it for myself,” the governor says. In fact, Paterson adds, it would be better if the lawmakers started thinking about the people of New York for a change.
On the other hand, if the state lawmakers insisted that it’s all about the next election, at least they’d be thinking of the people and doing what’s right for New York residents, he says.
The governor had called the lawmakers back to Albany in an effort to solve the current budget crisis but the two-day special session was worthless.
In fact, not a fraction of action was taken on Paterson’s plan to reduce the budget by $3 billion. The cuts included about $700 million in school aid, a hard-sell for any lawmaker looking to the next election.
The governor was visibly shaken as he talked with reporters after the lawmakers failed to act on the vital matters at hand. He even suggested expanding the list of “three great lies that people tell.” He thought No. 4 should be: “We’ll work it out and we’ll vote on it when we get to Albany.” It just never happens, he added.
(Undoubtedly, you know the other three lies: “The check’s in the mail,” “We’re doing it for the children,” and “I gave at the office.”)
Finally, the governor raised a question that would stump all the senators and assembly members, and even Andrew Cuomo, the cocky pretender to the Executive Mansion in Albany:
“If we don’t meet our payments in December, I want them to explain how that has anything to do with my political career. The bond rating agencies are not interested in my political career. They’re interested in whether or not New York is going to pay its debts.”
In case you’re not convinced there’s a problem, if the state continues on the present course, it could go broke in about a month.
•••
COSTLY TAB: Is it really worth the time and expenditure to call the state lawmakers to Albany for a do-nothing session on Capitol Hill?
You be the judge.
“It’s a taxpayer funded game of finger pointing,” according to Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Schenectady. “The Legislature points the finger at the governor; the governor points the finger at the Legislature. And it will cost some $150,000 of taxpayer’s money for a couple of days.” Maybe they’ll accomplish something when they go back Monday and Tuesday, as scheduled.
For every day they spend in the capital, the lawmakers collect almost $73,000 in expenses for travel, food and lodging.
•••
FOOTNOTE: The Niagara community has lost a dedicated public servant with the sudden resignation of Betty Babanoury, the executive director of the Niagara Falls Public Library.
During her 15 years in that post, she often was forced to struggle with severe budget cuts, staff shortages, and even reduced maintenance operations.
Babanoury always went the extra mile to promote and encourage the use of the library and its excellent resources.
Under her direction, strongly supported by the board and the Friends of the Library, she helped to enhance the Local History Department collection and to launch the attractive first-floor gift shop. Her professional approach was evident daily.
She also was one of those department heads that the media could always count on to return their phone calls.
Columns
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GLYNN: Special session a waste of taxpayer funds
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