The New York State Capital is synonymous with sleazy politics, lackluster political operators, inside deals, cronyism, the quick, greasy handshake between legislator and lobbyist. Albany itself can seem like nothing other than a theme park of hackery.

That seems to be changing.

Republicans in the Senate are flexing their flab and threatening to derail the governor's budget. Sheldon Silver says there will be no government shutdown.

A government shutdown? They're even talking about the possibility? How, how... Federal of them. There are actually substantial issues being discussed, it appears, issues of actual relevance - witness Governor Spitzer's pledge to safeguard abortion rights in this state if the Roberts Court decides to slice up a woman's right to choose. Meanwhile, the departments of the state government are being filled up with bright young things from all over the country. The new Attorney General seems to be in earnest about rooting out the endemic, leaden, systemic corruption of the place.

We're not quite there yet, because Albany has a generational legacy of hackery, in ways of doing business and policy and attitudes. But we're getting there. Your state capital is becoming increasingly relevant, increasingly responsive, in a word, it's beginning to really matter again.

I don't know about you, but I find that sexy.