Lipris just called from Albany with some very intriguing news. Today, of course, is Reform Albany Day, and a large number of citizen lobbyists have descended on the capital to demand reform.

Governor Spitzer briefly addressed a gathering of these visitors and said that the legislature at this writing is debating a major reform bill; it's unclear just what that is, exactly, and Lipris unfortunately had no details. The governor intimated, however, that the bill contained major parts of his reform agenda, and if the legislature passes any of those, we're in much better shape as a state.

Stay tuned; details in comments are most welcome.

Update: Direct quote from Eliot Spitzer:

Today is the day when the New York State Legislature shows its true colors.

Update 2: Announcement expected at 3 PM; there are apparently two bills under consideration in the Assembly, one the Spitzer bill, the other a Silver-backed pseudo-measure. Lipris describes the latter as "nibbling around the edges". So we will get some measure of reform today, certainly on Assembly rules. The question, dear legislators, is whether that change will be real, or cosmetic. Please: we can't go on like this. Have courage. Vote for real change.

Update 3: The Spitzer bill is about campaign finance reform, according to Senator Malcolm Smith.

Update 4: The bill eliminates the LLC/corporate subsidiary donations loophole, puts caps on the amounts family members can give, and beefs up enforcement via the BoE. No word on lowering contribution limits.

Update 5: It's over. To quote Liz Krueger: "Bruno killed it". The Assembly, it appears, had been willing to go along; but the reactionary neanderthals in the Senate, well, they like things just the way they are.

Want reform? Overthrow the republican Senate majority in 2008.