Reform NYS - someday somewhere

[TRX]

From 
http://www.dfnyc.org/

FW>


What:  NYC Hearing on Rules Reform in the State Legislature
When:  Tonight, Thursday, Feb. 26, 6-9pm
Where:  250 Broadway, 19th floor (Senate hearing room)
Directions:  Across from City Hall.  Get address-to-address subway directions at http://hopstop.com

The New York State Senate is holding hearings on rules reform.

In 2004, the Brennan Center issued a report calling New York's state government "dysfunctional."

http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/still_broken_new_york_state_legislative_reform_2008_update/#summary

They're holding a hearing tonight, Thursday evening Feb. 26, from 6-9, at 250 Broadway on the 19th floor (Senate hearing room).

** I expect at least a few from Queens will be there **

[mcdirk]

how was it?

[TRX]

I imagine McD that you are much more familiar with the challenges and issues raised.
I wish that hopes for change would be greater.

All or most of the committee members were there and some speakers included former members of the legislature and academics.

http://reformny.blogspot.com/

The link has some updates and mentions Larry Norden and Eric Lane. When voters actually have a choice for Assembly or Senate, I hope they would consider the bullet point list of suggested reforms.
I appreciated the realistic outlook of the testimony, the candidness, the insights, and the reforms are simply to bring NYS in line with how govt. has worked better elsewhere for decades.


From their recent updates:

Among the highlights:

    * Giving members the right to have bills drafted within a reasonable period of time

    * Limiting the number of bills a member can introduce in the Assembly to thirty

    * Ensuring that conference committees include members from each party proportional to their representation in the chamber

    * Rejecting messages of necessity not approved by a two thirds majority of the chamber

    * Requiring actuaries who prepare fiscal notes to attest to no conflict of interest

All of the resolutions failed, even the one that made the single, seemingly modest request that “Access to rooms and facilities by the Minority shall not be unreasonably withheld and once granted, not changed without consent.”

But it’s not all bad news. Three of the bills had meaningful, if not substantial, bipartisan support.

[TRX]

[If you could not get out, please learn more. And vote for fairness.]

www.droptherock.org

www.correctionalassociation.org



Rally to End the Rockefeller
Drug Laws

Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00pm

Governor Paterson's NYC Office
633 3rd Ave. (between 40th and 41st sts.)


On Wednesday, March 25, hundreds of family members,
formerly incarcerated persons,
doctors,
lawyers,
and advocates
will return to this site to urge him and legislative leaders to end the Rockefeller Drug Laws this year.

The word from Albany is that lawmakers are moving closer to a final package.
Remind the state's leaders of the stakes of once again failing to end these laws.
Say NO to over 35 years of injustice.


For more information contact

Drop the Rock!

www.droptherock.org

www.correctionalassociation.org

[TRX]

Rally to End the Rockefeller
Drug Laws

Wednesday, March 25 at 1:00pm

Governor Paterson's NYC Office
633 3rd Ave. (between 40th and 41st sts.)

Found what is to me a pretty balanced article on the issues and debate.

http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1237233270.html

Sides Align In Fight To Repeal

[TRX]

What is the difference between Chicago and Albany?
Would you say there is transparency and accountability in NY?


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/nyregion/30budget.html?hp

ALBANY —
Concluding the most secretive budget negotiations in recent memory, Gov. David A. Paterson and leaders of the Legislature outlined a $131.8 billion agreement on Sunday that would close the state’s gaping deficit with billions of dollars in new taxes, financing from the federal stimulus and a substantial slowdown in the growth of health care spending.

The final days of negotiations between Mr. Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith have been conducted under a veil of secrecy so profound that even well-seasoned Albany cynics were taken aback.

And despite the enormous fiscal pressure the state faces, the budget contains $170 million in financing for pet projects — an amount unchanged from last year — suggesting that Albany’s appetite for with what critics call pork-barrel spending appeared to be undiminished. Listed in the budget were grants to gun clubs, an upstate museum dedicated to bricks and brick-making, the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta and an organization known as the Urban Yoga Foundation.

With the stimulus money and other federal grants, total spending would rise over the next year by $10.5 billion, or 8.7 percent, a major expansion, though the state’s direct spending, which excludes federal funds, would rise by about $3.3 billion, higher than the rate of inflation.

In the end, I guess it is a question of accept the status quo in NYS or move again to another state.

[FZ]

I'm for dysfunctional govt in NY. I mean everytime  these folks  get together  on something, I end up paying more  for less. 

[TRX]

Zappa! What have you been up to?
Feel free to PM.

I dont know about dysfunctional govt being cheaper. I think it is more expensive.
It seems only 2 local elected officials, one in the Assembly and one in the Senate, get together and spend and tax as much as they want. With seemingly no checks or balances.
It is sadly too easy for me to rant about this.

But I do understand a desire perhaps for divided govt. where parties check each other and limit how much legislation is completed.

As it is now, legislation is never refined never scrutinized.

[TRX]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/opinion/19mon1.html

Fed Up With Albany

The clock is ticking. In one year, unless the Albany crowd pulls off some miracle, which we doubt will happen,

it will be up to the voters to get them out,

all of them.

Finally, New York politicians can use campaign money for almost anything — funds have been used for pool covers, country club dues and even legal fees after the lawmaker has left office to do time in jail. The New York State Board of Elections is supposed to monitor those expenses, but as a spokesman for the board told one reporter: “Unless you out-and-out stick it in your pocket and walk away, everything’s legal.”

If there is one change that could make a real difference, an independent commission serving as the state’s fair mapmaker for the Legislature would be it.

[TRX]

http://reformny.blogspot.com/

* The body charged with overseeing the legislature will be appointed by legislative leaders;
* Certain members of the legislature, including lawyers, will needlessly be given a blanket exemption from disclosing outside sources of income; and
* Two commissioners of either political party on the Board of Elections would have effective veto power over the newly created “enforcement counsel” to hold hearings or issue subpoenas in support of his investigations.

 

In the end, it is really up to voters to choose candidates that are open, accountable, and transparent.

[TRX]

It seems eventually there would be redistricting in NYS.
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/nyregion/new-yorks-redistricting-process-led-by-insiders.html
 
 As Closed-Door Redistricting Drags On, Incumbents’ Edge Only Grows   By THOMAS KAPLAN Published: January 22, 2012   New York’s redistricting process has long been derided, and critics of the latest effort, including Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, say it gives an unfair advantage to incumbents. 

With wonky map links to student suggestions:
http://www.redistrictny.org/competition-winners/first-place-congressional-plan

[mcdirk]

Hopefully we get non-partisan redistricting this year - I have faith in Governor Cuomo.  I haven't given up hope yet.

[TRX]

Hopefully we get non-partisan redistricting this year - I have faith in Governor Cuomo.  I haven't given up hope yet.

Keep hope alive, he has had quite a streak. Until then the task force is getting an earfull.


Saw the Common Cause suggestions, which would place Maloney and Crowley in the same district. How would you like that?
It is still a bit strange to see special districts to comply with Voting Rights. The proposed maps would place a number of incumbents against each other.
Appears NYS would not have a public draft for a few weeks.

[TRX]

It is noted that far less than 50% of voters have any familiarity with these issues, and that is understandable.
 
http://www.queenstribune.com/deadline/Deadline_020912_LATFOR.html
 

 
http://www.qchron.com/news/queenswide/hearing-on-district-lines-gets-heated/article_cf9b7ac6-9749-51b5-81e3-2d8e665dfe56.html
 
Appreciation for some local reportage:
 
by Anna Gustafson, Senior Editor
 
Reporter Domenick Rafter

[mcdirk]

I'm still hoping Cuomo vetoes the lines drawn by LATFOR and a judge draws new lines fairly and quickly.