In a desperate attempt to resolve the state budget, Gov. David Paterson ordered lawmakers to work through the weekend.
But Paterson's haste to assert his leadership is hindering the process and ultimately hurting the Democrats.
Stringent deadlines play to the majority's favor. As the process speeds up, lawmakers barely have time to read proposed bills before voting.
The subsequent chaos provides a smokescreen for closed-door dealings as bills pass before the minority or general public has time to object.
Paterson gambled that pressuring lawmakers to come to an agreement would end the deadlock.
But the Democratic Assembly and the Republican Senate have such different agendas; the added pressure only increases aggravation, further polarizing the conferences.
Not to mention, rushed work tends to be sloppy. Paterson has already accused lawmakers of providing shallow estimates, a shady con that could be overlooked in a rush to tie up loose ends.
Consider that New York is already projected to have a $3.5 billion deficit due to the recession.
As it stands, some of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's cockamamie tax increases may hold water as the state struggles to find money.
Hard lemonade may become liquor as desperate times call for desperate measures, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to the consumer, because our opinion hasn't been solicited.
Albany has withstood months of scandal and lawmakers have undoubtedly been distracted. The Assembly and Senate should have taken a break this past weekend, to regroup and refocus before moving further on the budget.
The mandated overtime may help resolve one or two bones of contention, but when it comes to justifying a $125 billion budget, nothing should be swept under the rug.
I certainly appreciate Paterson's determination to protect the state's economy, but a seamless transition into the role of governor is not realistic.
Paterson is not the new kid on the block by any means.
But to restore public faith in the Democrats, the budget needs to hold up during the recession.
If the New York deficit is $5 billion heading into 2010, Paterson and the Democrats are both sunk.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
Stringent deadlines play to the majority's favor. As the process speeds up, lawmakers barely have time to read proposed bills before voting.
The subsequent chaos provides a smokescreen for closed-door dealings as bills pass before the minority or general public has time to object.
Paterson gambled that pressuring lawmakers to come to an agreement would end the deadlock.
But the Democratic Assembly and the Republican Senate have such different agendas; the added pressure only increases aggravation, further polarizing the conferences.
Not to mention, rushed work tends to be sloppy. Paterson has already accused lawmakers of providing shallow estimates, a shady con that could be overlooked in a rush to tie up loose ends.
Consider that New York is already projected to have a $3.5 billion deficit due to the recession.
As it stands, some of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's cockamamie tax increases may hold water as the state struggles to find money.
Hard lemonade may become liquor as desperate times call for desperate measures, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to the consumer, because our opinion hasn't been solicited.
Albany has withstood months of scandal and lawmakers have undoubtedly been distracted. The Assembly and Senate should have taken a break this past weekend, to regroup and refocus before moving further on the budget.
The mandated overtime may help resolve one or two bones of contention, but when it comes to justifying a $125 billion budget, nothing should be swept under the rug.
I certainly appreciate Paterson's determination to protect the state's economy, but a seamless transition into the role of governor is not realistic.
Paterson is not the new kid on the block by any means.
But to restore public faith in the Democrats, the budget needs to hold up during the recession.
If the New York deficit is $5 billion heading into 2010, Paterson and the Democrats are both sunk.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
