Spin Cycle

We've had a solid Republican delegation for decades - how has that been for Long Island?

You're buying into the argument that leigslators' primary job is delivering pork for their constituents, and as long as they do that, we should keep re-electing them.

Make no mistake, we all want our share, but legislators' primary job is passing laws and crafting the State Budget. And on that front, the Republican delegation has been failing Long Island for decades.

They're why we have sky-high taxes and out of control costs here on Long Island. They're why we can't pass basic laws to protect the environment, cut prescription drug costs, or control overdevelopment. And they stand fully in the way of reforming Albany's corrupt pay-to-play culture.

Finally, even if you want to accept your original point as valid, anyone who has ever actually studied politics knows that it's always the most marginal, at-risk members of a conference that get the greatest spoils. So our Senators get less than more marginal republicans like Serf Maltese, Nick Spano and Joe Robach.

If all you really think more pork is the benchmark for good government, put the Democrats in the majority, elect some more marginal Democrats, and watch the pork flow our way.

If the Dems take over the State Senate, you can turn off the lights Upstate and on Long Island--cause all the power (and money) is going to N-Y-C!

protecting Johnson is very important.

I would like to know what will happen to all the employees that have had jobs for years and that need to support their families if the Democrats took over the Senate?? Not the big shots - they always land on their feet. The little guys.... I pose the question to Mr. Smith - what would he do???? There are peoples lives at steak here.

Let's get real here. The power and influence of the Senate D caucus lies in the NYC members. Accordingly, their votes will be aimed proportionately towards benefitting NYC. It doesn't take rocket science to figure that out, you just have to be able to count!

Once they take over the Senate they won't have to worry about protecting Johnson. Other R's will flip rather than sit in the minority and redistricting is just a few years away. Most of those R Senate districts will be redistricted away. Within a few years, Senate Republicans will merely serve as decorations in the Senate chamber!

If the democrats take over everything, only a fool would believe that's good for LI. LI is looked upon as a cash cow.

Has having democratic assemblymembers helped LI? No. They have been powerless to stop the NYC block from grabbing all the goodies. Only the GOP Senators have been protecting LI. 7th SD voters made a big mistake last Tuesday by voting for Johnson. They bought into all Spitzer's BS and have put all LI taxpayers at risk.

Thanks for the spelling lesson. I am sure you got the point..... Again - peoples lives are at STAKE!

All of the republican patronage hacks that have been larding up the state payroll will probably lose their jobs. If they don't recognize that this is the reality of working in politics, then they don't deserve to keep their jobs anyway.

It will be like this:

1. Malcolm Smith is the smartest Democratic leader in decades. He will take care of all his members because his majority was "made" in Syracuse and Port Jefferson.
2. Malcolm and the Governor are solid. Shelly Silver will be the odd one out of the power pack.
3. After the Dems draw fair district lines, there will be 1 or 2 more Democratic Senators from Long Island, maybe one in Staten Island, one more or more from Democrat from Queens, and less Republicans upstate because they will take the prisoners from NYC and put them back in their city addresses.
4. All the Republicans wil get jobs from Murray by the Hempstead government.

I meant Port Washington.

i do not beleive that the public on long island felt that the republican senate protected them, for if they did they would have voted their vested self interest and elected the republican candidate...if you disagree with that position then we are left with the argument that the public voted against their own pocketbook and for the democrat...which case is the most likely....like most armies, you tend to fight the last war..and the republicans are still fighting the war of the 1980's...nobody ever told them to check the calendar...

11:13,
While it's clear that Silver runs the assembly, Smith is clearly behind Spitzer's "BS" reform agenda. I do not support Fuschillo or any LI Repub who pledges allegiance to a man under criminal investigation (BRUNO). http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=561747&category=STATE&BCCode=&newsdate=2/9/2007

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=561747&category=STATE&BCCode=&newsdate=2/9/2007

link too long, my apologies:
New subpoenas suggest Bruno inquiry widening

By MIKE McINTIRE, New York Times
First published: Friday, February 9, 2007

A federal grand jury investigating the business dealings of Joseph L. Bruno, the New York state Senate majority leader, has issued subpoenas to two more companies that had been affiliated with an Albany businessman who is his friend and business associate, according to documents filed with securities regulators.

The subpoenas were received on Monday by Motient Corp. in Illinois and its subsidiary, TerreStar Networks, a Virginia provider of mobile satellite communications services, Motient disclosed in papers submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday. The Albany businessman, Jared E. Abbruzzese, resigned as chairman of TerreStar last month and had previously been a consultant to Motient.

The scope of the subpoenas, which sought documents related to Bruno, Abbruzzese and other unidentified people and companies, suggested that the federal investigation of Bruno's business activities is widening. Although the nearly yearlong inquiry is believed to have focused on a consulting business the senator ran out of his home -- whose clients included Abbruzzese -- an array of Bruno's financial activities have also come under scrutiny in recent months.

The grand jury has issued subpoenas for information on Bruno's financial records and real estate investments; a consulting arrangement he had with an Albany-based investment firm; his dealings with a veterinarian with whom he owned racehorses; a $500,000 state grant he directed to an upstate company, Evident Technologies, in which Abbruzzese was an investor; and records of a state lobbying commission's inquiry into Bruno's use of airplanes provided by Abbruzzese.

Bruno has denied any wrongdoing. His spokesman had no comment on the subpoenas Thursday.

A message left for Stephen R. Coffey, a lawyer for Abbruzzese, was not answered. Attempts to reach Abbruzzese were unsuccessful.

Most of the regular people working in the Senate are not FAT CAT Republicans who are sitting around enjoying the riches of the Majority. I am talking about regular everyday people who at one time got a break for a starter job in the Senate. People barely making middle class incomes. These people are not HACKS. Although, there are many - but a good majority are not politically active people at all. They are just trying to survive!! Working Pay check to Pay check. I just hope people who so desperately want the Dems to take the majority can stomache 100's of everyday people hitting the unemployment line or worse, the food pantry because they can't feed their family....

Bottom line - you people are buying into the fantasy that Spitzer is different and so are the Dems in the Majority.. That is a joke. I can't wait to read what you side line talkers have to say then!!

Amy,
I really think it'll be ok. Well-connected lawmakers can go into lucrative careers in lobbying and such. Further, they chose to go into public service, and many have willingly hitched their stars to a man currently under criminal investigation, and likely to become imprisoned.

I worry more about taxpayers making even less than State senators, and how their dollars are being wasted on an unfair, smoke-filled room pork fest.

Reform begins with dumping Joe "under FBI investigation" Bruno.

I am not concerned about the welfare of the Senator's, I am talking about the maintenance person, cleaning lady, bill runner, librarian, secretary's, computer personnel, payroll clerks, etc. on and on and on

These people I am referring to are also TAX payers!!

I am just worried about the little guys caught up in this whole mess.

The last I checked - Bruno is only under investigation and NO charges have been filed.

I wouldn't doubt if Silver is under investigation and may other lawmakers. They just happened to LEAK the information about Bruno - Hmmm - wonder why -- oh to help push him out the door.