Had a very interesting conversation with Tim Merrick, who did yeoman's work last year challenging Betty Little in the 45th State Senate District -- one of the most conservative corners of the state.
We discussed the challenges Albany reform efforts will face as the political momentum shifts in favor of the Democrats. Merrick, who ran as a reform candidate, said that Gov. Spitzer’s efforts so far have demonstrated a willingness to advocate reforms even if they aren’t necessarily politically expedient. But the real question is whether, once Democrats take the Senate, they will still be motivated to push for procedural reform. Merrick agreed that “it will really put the Democrats on the spot†when the reform cause loses its partisan fuel and becomes strictly a matter of good government. Of course, it’s not just a Senate issue – Merrick, who is considering a challenge against Janet Duprey in the 114th Assembly District, suggested that the new context could offer opportunities for reformers to work with Speaker Silver. I pointed out that blogs like Daily Gotham have not exactly been shy to criticize Silver’s leadership; he observed that, in the fight for Albany reform, the more voices the better.
But can a Democrat run for the Assembly as a reformer without running against Silver? Merrick said that we should give Silver some credit – “he has been working tooth and nail against a Republican Senate leader and a Republican governor.†Said Merrick, “let’s see how he does†with those pressures removed. With a Democratic Senate and a Democratic governor, will Silver be more receptive to the arguments of reformers in his own caucus?
OTHER NEWS… Committee members Laura Jean Hawkins and Yudelka Tapia are proposing a “Resolution in Support of Animal Protection Legislation.†The resolution would call on the Legislature to “ban wildlife killing contests and canned shoots; notify students of their right to opt out of dissection courses; include human education in schools and require the installation of fire sprinklers in pet stores and other facilities which shelter animals.†A couple of committee members I spoke to expressed opposition to the last provision, arguing that it seemed over-broad and could place undue burden on small-scale breeders, and even pet owners.
ALSO...Reform Caucus Issues Committee member Elizabeth Aivars stopped by to chat about some of the things her committee is working on, from campaign finance reform to affordable housing to the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act. More on that at a later date...
