Gov. Eliot Spitzer checked with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver before inviting Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi to head a commission studying how to cap the property taxes levied by school districts, according to a top gubernatorial aide.
Suozzi angered some with his “Fix Albany” campaign in 2004 in which he worked for the defeat of incumbents led by Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick). Silver retaliated by trying to bar Suozzi from the Democratic Convention.
“He did discuss this with the speaker in advance,” said Paul Francis, Spitzer’s director of state operations. The appointment isn’t “intended to be a poison pill,” dooming the commission’s recommendations to lawmakers. “Tom Suozzi has the energy and focus on this issue that gives...the best chance of getting the best work out of the commission,” Francis said.
Later, Silver described Suozzi as “a friend,” saying he “absolutely” supported the commission appointment.
The pair recently patched up their differences, even attending events together. Suozzi added, “I’m happily enjoying a new, very positive relationship with Speaker Silver.”
James T. Madore