Paterson, Goo-Goos Have War of Words
-
- June
- 5
After being knocked by Gov. Paterson’s spokeswoman in a tough statement yesterday over government reform, good-government groups fired back today that if Paterson wants their support, he should hold a legislative leaders’ meeting to show he’s serious about reform.
Paterson’s spokeswoman Risa Heller, said yesterday in response to the groups’ press conference that Paterson hasn’t pushed for government reforms that “rather than attacking the governor, the advocacy groups would be far better served by getting the
ir members and New Yorkers across the state to rally behind the governor’s bold package” on campaign finance reform.
She added, “One thing is for certain: Constant naysaying will not lead to progress.”
Blair Horner, right, legislative director of NYPIRG, responded today, “according to the governor’s spokesperson, we should be rallying the public for a proposal that they apparently refused to discuss with the legislative leaders. Refusal by the administration to fight for its own reforms “will not lead to progress.”
We have a better idea—the governor should convene a public leaders meeting this Monday to discuss possible agreement on any of the items in the Administration’s proposed reform agenda.
After two years, New Yorkers want and deserve achievements, not more rhetoric.”
This entry was posted
on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 4:35 pm by Joseph Spector.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
| 
Email This
Hey, maybe the new guv is correct this time. He’ll get nowhere with Silver especially. He needs a groundswell of public outrage to get them to the table and force their hand.
A Constitutional Conventional must be called. The immediate reason, of course, is that the lieutenant governor’s seat is vacant and must be filled, and the governor is having more eye surgery. Then, other problems can be addressed by the Convention—salary increases for legislators, term limits, the length of the legislative session, tax caps, borrowing caps, et al. All good government groups and all newspapers should be calling for a Constitutional Convention right now.
Change that spelling to “Constitutional Convention.” I’ve been suggesting this to Henry Stern, and here’s his “good government” NY Civic on the matter today:
“One important project that Mayor Blooomberg could undertake would be to lead ag a non-partisan effort to seek a new Constitutional Convention for New York State. Under the existing antiquated, incredibly over-specific 51,000-word constitution, the issue of whether to hold a new Convention comes on the ballot automatically just once every twenty years. The proposal was defeated at the polls in 1997 as a result of heavy expenditures by unions and other interests who enjoy particular benefits and immunities under the existing constitution.
“The issue will not appear on the ballot again until 2017, unless the legislature votes for a convention, which is not likely at this time considering their interest in the status quo. Candidates must be elected to the legislature who will support a con-con, as it was called. This is a matter that should be taken up with state-wide elected officials, the state leadership of the political parties, and editorial boards and civic leaders throughout the state. It could influence a voters as to who to support in the 2008 elections. If one waits to 2009 to begin this effort, another two-year cycle will be lost.
“Former Governor Mario Cuomo spoke often of the need for substantial revision of the State Constitution. Former Mayor Ed Koch supports a new Constitution now. Other former and present public officials are likely to join in such a state-wide campaign.. Mayor Bloomberg would be an ideal person to devote time and energy to this extremely important public cause.”
End the dysfunction now! Save this state!