The battle is joined. Here's CapCon quoting republican senator Bonacic:

“This report is a missed opportunity to change the dysfunction of Albany to bring about more fairness, more civility and more empowerment for individual Legislators to serve the best interests of their constituents,” Senator John Bonacic (R-C-I, Mount Hope), Co-Chairman of the Committee, said. “The recommendations are small steps to address perception, and do nothing to change the culture that has caused New Yorkers to lose faith and confidence in their state government.”

And here he is on video, taken last year in 2005, claiming anguish over accusations that the upper House is dysfunctional.

A couple of dozen groups (including my own group, Democracy for NYC) are cosponsoring this year's "Reform NY Day" on Tuesday, April 29. Buses will be leaving NYC from 6th Ave. & Spring Street, and from Grand Central Terminal, early that morning for Albany, where we'll be meeting with and lobbying various legislators.

We have a solid lineup of topics, and what may prove to be the best training and activity plan of any of these annual events. To sign up for the free trip, go to the Common Cause signup page and click on the "Register Now" link.

See you on the bus,
Dan

Having offered the Governor a cool glass of lemonade (i.e., “Rules Reform”) to slake his thirst for something – anything – other than “Travelgate,” “Spitzergate,” “Planegate” or whatever other clever “gate” the media can concoct in our post–Watergate era, it was pointed out that there might be something missing – i.e., “sweetener”. Well, sweetener in the sense of – “What’s in it for Joe Bruno and Sheldon Silver?”

What interest do they have in disarming? How does it serve them? And, how does weakening themselves and purportedly strengthening the governor help them? How does it play out?

Basically – what’s their motivation? To begin – both Senator Bruno and Speaker Silver admit that the Legislature needs to do something to restore the public’s confidence in institution. It is one of the reasons they passed rules changes in 2005 and 2007. After the ’07 changes Joe Bruno stated that, “these reforms are the first step, not the last, in our overall government reform effort.” Not to beat a dead horse, but read the City Bar’s report - http://www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/Committee_on_State_Affairs.pdf .  read more »