Politics on the Hudson

Lawmakers are still without agreement on a budget deal, but they are making their way through Gov. David Paterson’s legislative agenda that he put on the special session calendar since last week.

They’ve passed legislation that would let local governments make it easier to form cooperative health-benefit plans and other consolidations and eliminated a loophole that allows certain serious felons to become eligible for parole earlier than intended.  And they have passed a municipal energy-loan program to help homeowners make energy efficiency improvements.

Today, Paterson signed “Leandra’s Law,” a tougher DWI law. It is named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who died last month in an accident in Manhattan as a passenger in a vehicle whose driver was drunk, police said.

“We have now given law-enforcement officials the tools they need to keep people who act with such reckless disregard for human life off the roadways of our state,” Paterson said at the bill signing.

Assemblyman David Koon, D-Perinton, Monroe County, said he submitted legislation 6 1/2 years ago to make DWI with a child in a car a felony, which the new law does. Koon, whose daughter was murdered in 1993, said he was frustrated that it took so long for the measure to become law.

“You know how I feel about kids and losing a child and it just tries me nuts,” Koon said outside the Assembly chambers. “Nobody would even touch” the bill.

Paterson and legislative leaders are now announcing a deal to reform the state’s public authorities. They are scheduled to go into session tonight to pass the bill.

But still no deal on a deficit-reduction plan. And Paterson’s other major agenda item—legalizing same-sex marriage—remains on hold.

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