Politics on the Hudson

Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, is responding to articles today that he told a group of lobbyists in Kingston last week that they should invest now in the Senate Democratic conference, saying they are like an IPO because they are going to take over the Senate after November.

The New York Post quoted a lobbyist as saying “He said we should get in early because then it doesn’t cost as much. The longer you wait to get in, he said, the more it will cost you and if you don’t get in at all, then it will be painful after November, after the Democrats win the majority.”

The comments drew sharp criticism from Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, who Liz says told WABC-TV in New York City today that what Smith did “borders on criminality.”

“You cannot threaten people to give contributions,” Skelos continued. “Certainly that’s not the change I think people are looking for. That’s thuggery and I think totally inappropriate to make those types of statements. You’re not allowed – quid pro quo is a crime – you go to jail.”

Also, Senate Investigations Committee Chairman George Winner, R-Elmira, called on the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office to investigate possible “coercion, official misconduct, attempted bribery and even conspiracy.”

So Smith responded by not denying the charges, but saying Senate Republicans “have decided to focus on something other than the needs of the people of New York State. ”

Here’s the rest of his statement:

“This time it’s a tournament. We have real issues on the table that need to be dealt with. Further, we were on the day in question at a golf outing. Rain forced us indoors. And like any good host it was important to entertain all guests. That is simply what occurred. And nothing else.

In the Senate, I have consistently supported the strong regulation of lobbyists, including increasing requirements for disclosure. For some of these same lobbyists to serve as a source and accuse me is absurd.

Certainly, there are interests who in the past have been responsible for millions going into Senate Republican coffers, who would strongly prefer to keep the status quo rather than break apart the partnership of do-nothing special interest Albany politics.

Come November, I am confident that the voters will focus on what is truly important and change and reform will rule the day. With regard to the comment Senator Skelos made calling me a “thug”, I think that demeans his position and has questionable overtones. I call on him to apologize.”

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