Politics on the Hudson

Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn, declined earlier this summer to sign former New York City Mayor Ed Koch’s New York Uprising pledges, but he has changed his mind.

In a letter released today by the group, Sampson said he supports their goals—applying generally accepted accounting principles to the state budget, requiring disclosure of lawmakers’ non-government income and appointing an independent commission to redraw legislative district lines.

Koch said in a statement that he is “elated” Sampson is joining the reform effort. “With the upcoming drawing of the legislative lines, Senator Sampson’s support for an independent commission to draw the lines marks a major victory for all those who have been so passionate in their advocacy. With support from both the leaders of the Democrat and Republican parties I am confident that New York will have fair and equitable legislative lines drawn for the first time in history,” he said.

Koch said he believes Sapson “should be and will be” Democratic conference leader in the next Legislature. “His being a part of our reform movement assures its success in the coming legislature of 2011. Today will prove to be monumental in our fight for reform,” Koch said.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, hasn’t signed the pledges. He doesn’t sign pledges, a spokeswoman has said.

Below is the full text of Senator Sampson’s letter:

Dear Mayor Koch,

Like so many New Yorkers, I thank you for your leadership on important reform issues. Indeed, we share the same reform goals—and I look forward following the election of Andrew Cuomo as Governor to implementing the necessary reform measures our state so clearly needs.

As the leader of the Democratic majority in the State Senate—a majority that recently replaced 44 years of Republican rule—I appreciate the need for fundamental change in Albany.

While my policy as leader is not to sign the many pledges that are presented to me, I want you to know my position on the three issues that you have raised with the members of the State Legislature:

I support the concepts of applying generally accepted accounting principles to our state budget, requiring disclosure of lawmakers’ non-government income and  appointing an independent commission to redraw legislative district lines.

I also want you to know our track record on key reform issues.  Since taking control of the State Senate less than two years ago, Democrats have enacted sweeping good-government reforms to Senate rules that empowered rank-and-file members while lifting the Republican-imposed veil of secrecy.

Now, for the first time ever:

· Senators may move a bill from committee to the calendar, so good ideas from both parties can get a hearing

· Nearly every legislative record available under the Freedom of Information Law is made available without the need for formal requests, expanding transparency and reducing bureaucracy

· Every Senate committee meeting, hearing and legislative session is webcast live—with the video archived on the web for the press and public to view at anytime.

In addition, my Democratic colleagues have worked hard to implement reforms that both demonstrate our commitment to a new era in Albany and affect taxpayers directly—including a strict property tax cap, reforms and cost-savings for public employee pensions and tough new rules for insurance companies and HMOs.

We’re just getting started, and I am committed to working with the new Governor and Assembly Speaker to ensure critical reforms are enacted. I look forward to working alongside you as Democrats continue the kind of reform that makes systemic changes to how Albany functions.

Together, let us celebrate a Democratic and reform victory in November.

Warm regards,

Senator John L. Sampson

Majority Conference Leader

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