What Obama’s State of the Union Means for New York
By Alan S. Chartock
In politics, there is an old saying: “First you have to win.” A corollary is “Winning is everything.” Another companion idiom in American politics is “There are no co-winners.” Read more
Draining the Swamp
Political resolutions for 2012
If I were these people, I would make the following resolutions:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo: I resolve to clean up the Democratic conference in the State Senate by backing good, progressive, honest Democratic candidates rather than collaborating with the Republicans. I vow to remember that in 2016 I will be running for president of the United States, and some Democrats will have long memories and accuse me of being a bad Democrat. I will keep my distance from Rupert Murdoch—people are beginning to talk. Speaking of talking, before my run for president, I really have to get some coaching about my regional dialect. Read more
The Governor’s Next Big Push
Cuomo should get in front of the medical marijuana debate
I’ve met an awful lot of people who say that they smoke marijuana. They laugh when I tell them that I never have. Nevertheless, a lot of people smoke or have tried it and have created an underground economy, sort of a prohibition do-over, that has helped criminals in our country maintain their elevated style of life.
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What Charters and Public Schools Have in Common?
Unions will need to analyze role, charters will need to adhere to rigorous standards
There has been a spate of articles recently about alleged wrongdoing in specific charter schools in New York. These instances mirror the inevitable wrongdoing that we hear about in our old-style public schools. In both cases, it is almost inevitable that some rotten apples will spoil a good idea. Public education, be it in charter schools or in the old-style schools, is our best hope. The charter schools model was established as one way to challenge our earlier model public schools to do better; in some cases, this is already happening.
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Placing a Sure Bet
Arrogance and corruption are the downfall of tainted state legislators
Around the first of every year, I write my annual predications. Inevitably, I predict a sure thing: that a member of the New York State Legislature will be indicted. I have not yet been wrong. Now that everyone from the governor to the FBI is working hard to clean up the cesspool known as Albany, I should up the ante and predict that several legislators will be indicted. I have good reason to suspect that there are a lot of nervous people around Albany, who are painfully aware that the FBI was listening in on their telephone conversations with State Senator Carl Kruger and lobbyist Richard J. Lipsky.
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Standing at Calamity’s Edge
The American people are being fleeced; how long will they take it?
As state and federal governments continue drowning in a sea of red ink, we are reminded of Johnny Carson’s old edict, “Buy the premise, buy the bit.” There is no doubt that from Wisconsin to New York to Massachusetts, the premise is that we are broke. The narrative continues that we have spent too much on our schools, our hospitals and our bureaucrats. As a result, things are getting uglier. We are beginning to see scenes reminiscent of Egypt, with civil servants gathering in large numbers in peaceful protest.
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You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours
New ethics report should disclose who buys and sells legislators
The New York State Bar Association recently delivered a report on governmental ethics in New York. Before anyone makes unfair jokes about lawyers and sharks or lawyers and ethics as an oxymoron, one should read this good but imperfect report.
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Changing the Rules Mid-Game
With gerrymandering on horizon, Republicans seek overturning law to maintain power
By Alan S. Chartock
Things are getting really confusing in Albany. The way it stands now, only two votes separate the majority Republicans and the minority Democrats in the State Senate. If one vote changes and the Senate is split 31 to 31, the Lieutenant Governor gets to vote for one side or another. Since the Lieutenant Governor is a Democrat, what would a reasonable person expect him to do?
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Pulling the Albany Strings
Next ethics bill must disclose who legislators work for
Most Americans are either too busy or too lazy to pay attention to state politics. They may have some impression of what the president and Congress are doing, but they know very little about what really goes on in Albany. Obviously, if you don’t know what your elected officials are doing, you can’t hold them responsible. You can’t have true democracy unless people know what’s going on and unless they vote. Most people do not vote and those who do play an old game called “the odd finger.”
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Cuomo Sets High Bar for New York
New Governor hits right notes in inauguration speech
Andrew Cuomo gave the speech of his life at his inauguration. He was gracious but stern; humorous but determined; warm and sincere yet somehow dark. He offered his hand to the Legislature and to the people, and you had the feeling you’d better take that hand lest there be trouble ahead. Read more
