Albany Amok: Whose Bailout Is This, Anyway?

ALBANY—The Three Men in a Room model of government in Albany left much to be desired. It was characterized by partisan gridlock and opacity, as dictatorial legislative leaders and the governor decided the state's business behind closed doors.

Now, what we're seeing is what happens if a handful of other men—ones you've never heard Read More

Where Transportation Plans Go to Die

ALBANY—Unable thus far to agree on what steps to take in order to avert an impending public-transportation catastrophe, Albany’s leaders emerged from a closed-door meeting in the Capitol shortly before noon on March 31 confident, at least, of what wasn’t going to happen.

“The framework I see is that the Senate has really eliminated Read More

Ruben Diaz Sr. Tries His Leverage Thing on the Governor Again

ALBANY—State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is being difficult again.
Diaz Sr. sent this letter to David Paterson’s office after the governor’s staff offered to send a representative to the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization annual banquet instead of attending in person, like he did last year.
“I was disappointed. I think that the Read More

The Smith M.T.A. Plan: Yield to Toll Foes, Worry Later

ALBANY—Democrats in the State Senate finally have a plan they say will plug the M.T.A.’s current $1.2 billion operating deficit with a payroll tax and four percent fare increase, but does not address the authority’s long-term spending needs.
“It deals with their short-term challenge on operation, and we will deal with their capital challenge Read More

Silver Says Senate Needs to ‘Focus’ On M.T.A., as Senators Demur

ALBANY–For the second consecutive week, legislators left the Capitol without passing a package that would alleviate the M.T.A.’s budget deficit. There is still no consensus.
Before session, State Senator Martin Malave Dilan was sipping coffee in the corner of the chamber when I approached him. He was unenthusiastic, following a report in today’s Daily Read More