The good news is that after a regular legislative session that ended miserably in June, state lawmakers are scheduled to return to Albany Oct. 22 to wrap up some important business.
The bad news is that the likelihood of this session actually being productive seems to dwindle every day.
And it all has to do with two men who cannot find the integrity to move past their ego-fueled feud with each other.
Minutes after attending a somber ceremony honoring fallen firefighters and police officers, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno took more cheap shots at each other in statements made to the media.
Both men continue to argue over the scandal in which Spitzer's aides had state police create records about Bruno's travels in an effort to discredit him. The state attorney general and the Albany County district attorney have both concluded nothing illegal took place, and a state ethics panel is also looking into the case.
With this probe ongoing, Spitzer needs to acknowledge that more questions need to be answered. His common refrain these days that this issue is completely behind the state - punctuated by his statement that a reporter asking him about it should “get a life” - is out of touch.
But Bruno is equally misguided. With every statement he makes, Bruno discredits the investigation his state Senate majority is also doing on the case. He's made it clear that he will spend as much taxpayer money as he needs to keep his probe going until he can come up with his damaging material about the governor.
Here's what could be accomplished on Oct. 22. The Senate could approve some of Spitzer's key appointments, including his nominee to the chair the State University of New York board, a position that must be filled in order for the state to hire a SUNY chancellor. Spitzer and the Democratic state Assembly could finalize Senate-approved plans on capital projects and senior citizen property tax breaks.
Perhaps it's asking too much for these men to give up their battle, but it's perfectly reasonable that they can do bicker while also focusing on their actual jobs.
And it all has to do with two men who cannot find the integrity to move past their ego-fueled feud with each other.
Minutes after attending a somber ceremony honoring fallen firefighters and police officers, Gov. Eliot Spitzer and state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno took more cheap shots at each other in statements made to the media.
Both men continue to argue over the scandal in which Spitzer's aides had state police create records about Bruno's travels in an effort to discredit him. The state attorney general and the Albany County district attorney have both concluded nothing illegal took place, and a state ethics panel is also looking into the case.
With this probe ongoing, Spitzer needs to acknowledge that more questions need to be answered. His common refrain these days that this issue is completely behind the state - punctuated by his statement that a reporter asking him about it should “get a life” - is out of touch.
But Bruno is equally misguided. With every statement he makes, Bruno discredits the investigation his state Senate majority is also doing on the case. He's made it clear that he will spend as much taxpayer money as he needs to keep his probe going until he can come up with his damaging material about the governor.
Here's what could be accomplished on Oct. 22. The Senate could approve some of Spitzer's key appointments, including his nominee to the chair the State University of New York board, a position that must be filled in order for the state to hire a SUNY chancellor. Spitzer and the Democratic state Assembly could finalize Senate-approved plans on capital projects and senior citizen property tax breaks.
Perhaps it's asking too much for these men to give up their battle, but it's perfectly reasonable that they can do bicker while also focusing on their actual jobs.
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
curmudgeon wrote on Oct 12, 2007 9:48 AM: