Watching leaders in Albany with their self congratulatory comments on the passage of a nearly on-time budget (only nine days late) was painful. One had to wonder how they didn't throw their backs out as they reached around to pat each other on the back.

There is little doubt, by those who watch Albany, from the outside, the budget was a pure “spend fest” totaling more than $121 billion - a 4.9 percent increase over last year. While there might be talk that this was a balanced budget, this is clearly a budget that spends without regard to an economy in turmoil, especially with talk of a $5 billion deficit by the end of the year. It should be no surprise that legislators did not want to make hard choices in an election year.

In a conversation with one local legislator he indicated he was not only not sure whether the state could afford what was in the budget, he wasn't sure what ended up in it. Not exactly a confidence building comment for your average taxpayer.

In fact, that has been one of the chief criticisms of this budget. The process was overly secretive and final deals were cut, not with the rank and file members of the Assembly and Senate in the know, but by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. While a year ago many were questioning their ability to wield power, especially in the face of the then-popular Eliot Spitzer - the world, as it so often does in Albany - has been shaken up like a child's snow globe.

The tone of comments praising new governor, David Paterson, by both Bruno and Silver might make the cynic wonder if he had any role in the budget process at all. In a capitol where getting credit is of paramount importance, they were quick to praise a governor who had been in his “leadership” role less than three weeks.

Yet, by many press accounts, it seems clear that with the change in the Governor's Mansion and the massive uncertainties of an economy in flux, that Paterson's goal may not have been to be heavily involved enough to make “structural reforms,” thus delaying a budget, but instead wanting to get this one behind him so that he can look towards the long term.

While he took the magnanimous step to take responsibility for the lack of transparency in the process, what seems to have occurred is not the usual “three men in a room” (the governor and two legislative leaders), but two men on the phone (Bruno and Silver).

A budget like the one passed is clearly not in the best interests of New Yorkers, only special interests will gain. One can only hope for better next year.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com