The Legislature Blew It, but Smith Passed a Test
One thing I'd like to note, lest it get lost in the ruckus surrounding Shelly Silver and Joe Bruno's Comptroller stupidity: new Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith stood up on the right side here. As described in the Albany Times-Union editorial:
But then there was the Democratic minority leader of the Senate, Malcolm Smith of Queens. He attempted, albeit in vain, to have Martha Stark, the New York City finance commissioner, chosen as comptroller. The Assembly minority leader, James Tedisco of Schenectady, also supported Ms. Stark, who was one of the three entirely qualified candidates shunned by the Legislature."We want the people of the state to know that we are not only prepared to govern the way they want us to, but when we make agreements, we are prepared to keep those agreements," said Mr. Smith.
Let his words serve as a battle cry in the war to change the legislative culture.
I've mentioned before that Senator Smith, as Majority Leader-in-Waiting, will be under great scrutiny from progressives.
So credit where credit is due: in the Comptroller battle, at least, Senator Smith sided with reform and with the voters of New York State. Kudos.
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Accountability | Comptroller | Control | Governor | New York State Assembly | New York State Senate | Politics | New York | Malcolm Smith
