Politics on the Hudson

Apparently New York taxpayers, whether they knew it or not, are sending off state Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia Novello in style.
The Albany Times Union has obtained e-mails that spell out details of Novello’s goodbye party on Dec. 21, highlighted by the unveiling of a taxpayer-funded portrait of the commissioner. An insider tells the newspaper the portrait will cost $13,000 and that Novello chose the artist.
The Health Dept. press corps didn’t immediately return calls to comment.

Here is the story.