Politics on the Hudson

Just hours after senators said resources will be shared more equally in the chamber, Senate Democrats released a list today that shows Democrats will receive nearly 90 percent of the state aid for community projects – leaving little for their Republican colleagues.

Democrats released details of how $85 million in member-item money, so-called pork-barrel spending, will be spent. Nearly $77 million will go to Democrats and about $8 million will go to Republicans.

The Senate agreed on a reform package early Thursday morning that will provide more equal distribution of resources and state grants. But the sides agreed to go ahead for this year with the old way of distributing member items, with almost all going to the majority.

The list details spending on more than 3,800 community projects, such as $100,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon and $75,000 for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.

But Senate Republicans, who largely represent upstate New York, will have much less to spread around in their districts than they had been accustomed to.

Republicans held the majority since 1965 and provided little in member-item funding to Democratic senators. Now the roles are reversed.

And that means Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, who brought back millions of dollars in grants to his district when he was in the majority, is getting just $250,000.

Other Senate Republicans are getting similar amounts: $250,000 is going to Sen. George Winner, R-Elmira: $250,600 is going to Sen. Stephen Saland, R-Poughkeepsie; and $300,000 is going to Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, Seneca County.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, is getting about $5.5 million for his district—the most of any senator—and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, is getting $5 million, the second most.

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