In the wake of the pummeling State Senate Democrats received from their Republican counterparts yesterday, state Democratic leaders issued a tart statement accusing the GOP of being "out of touch and self-centered" in pushing for a bill that links judicial pay raises with those for lawmakers.
"It is simply outrageous that the Senate Republicans are patting themselves on the back and voting themselves a pay raise when there is so much work to be done," said Democratic state party co-chairs June O’Neill and David Pollak.
The missive fails to point out that all 29 Democratic senators, including Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, signed on to the controversial pay raise bill last week -- only to recant after hearing from Gov. Eliot Spitzer, also a Democrat.
A particularly embarassing moment in yesterday's debate came when freshman Sen. Antoine Thompson of Buffalo admitted he agreed to sponsor the bill before having read it.
James T. Madore
Here’s the statement:
The debate in the New York State Senate yesterday provided the clearest example yet of how out of touch and self-centered Senator Bruno and his colleagues have become.
One after another, the Senate Republicans stood to berate Democratic colleagues for opposing a bill that would increase legislators’ pay.
The Democrats rightfully argued that the discussion of pay raise should come only after the Legislature enacts significant reforms.
The actions of the Senate Republicans would be comical were it not for the fact that at the same time that they are voting themselves a pay raise, they are blocking action on Governor Spitzer’s legislative agenda, including campaign finance, healthy schools, renewable energy and mandate relief bills.
It is simply outrageous that the Senate Republicans are patting themselves on the back and voting themselves a pay raise when there is so much work to be done.
The State Democratic Committee will do its best in the weeks and months ahead to remind New York voters of why the Senate Republicans should be voted out of office, and this will be one of our top examples.
In this regard, we need a Senate majority that places the public interest ahead of self-interest. Democrats can and will provide the leadership that the Republican have failed so miserably to provide.
Comments (7)
If the sleazy senators would just agree to common sense campaign finance reform, they could have their pay raise. Mr. Bruno, if hold the people hostage,it's only right that we hold you hostage. Do the right thing. Do your job. Get paid.
They are not only "sleazy" they are down right crooks just like the thieves in the night.
If everybody knew really how much they are all ready making for sitting on their dead butts and not being able to produce anything but wasted time and tax payers monies, they would demand their impeachment.
If we the American tax payers would start with the representatives and work our way up the ladder with senitors next congressmen and women would think twice about their outrageous salaries and benifits not to mention the kick backs they get from big business.
WAKE UP AMERICA your not only being robbed we as an American Country are also being sold out.
The complete lack of morality, honesty,and patriotism in our government is more than a curse on the working taxpayers of America, they are a curse on the whole world.
Is there any American tax payer whose wife and family will continue to get his full retirement even after he drops dead.
No there is not.
Look up and check the benifits and perks these politicians get and you will be not only amazed, you will steamup like a boiler. I know I did.
And why are they not on Social Security like the rest of us real Americans.
These oppinions made by Harry include the liberals, democrates and all the rest of the politicians that have forgotten (and so conviently) "That it is a government for the people and by the people".
I am a Veteran of 32 years of reserve and active duty.
I am 76 years old with 6 grown children, 12 grand-children and 2 great- grand children. And I am heart broken by the way I will leave this country and the burdens that they will have to carry..
Americans had better start thinking about that.
If the politicians would turn this war over to Gen. Petraus and our service men and women on the front lines, I guarentee it will all be over in a matter of weeks.
Serious situation demand serious actions. And the American service people can do it, they have done it before and they will do it again.
GOD bless them all.
When will the state legislature start paying their employees a living wage? As a former state senate employee (who left because salaries were not high enough to survive in New York City) I think the politics should be taken out of government staff. While childhood friends of senators are paid astronomical amounts to do nothing, talented people leave the state government because they are desperately overworked (to compensate for the hacks eating up all of the salary lines) and definitely underpaid.