The governor’s bad trip (TU Ed) It’s fair to say there isn’t a whole lot of respect these days between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature. And what with scandals in both branches of government, it’s entirely understandable respect is in short supply. All the more reason the governor’s plan to skip the ritual of a formal State of the State, in Albany, is a bad idea. Mr. Cuomo might gain a bit of instant gratification dissing the Legislature, but he should consider the longer-term damage he is doing. If that sounds a bit highfalutin, well, it is a big deal. The governor’s little dig at the Legislature is only the latest instance of public officials acting as if they are bigger than the institutions of which they are, in case they forgot, only temporary custodians. Mr. Cuomo’s plan is to take the State of the State on the road, giving the address in six regions, including the Capital Region, though not necessarily at the Capitol. He’ll tailor the messages, taking the opportunity to announce “regional initiatives and groundbreaking proposals.” It sounds more like a traveling news conference than a State of the State. Spreading it over six speeches dilutes what the state constitution intended to be an annual message to the Legislature on “the condition of the state,” in which the governor could also “recommend such matters…as he or she shall judge expedient.”
* As the new legislative session is set to begin on Wednesday amid tensions between Cuomo and the Legislature, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are talking tough about the need for the Legislature to reassert its independence from the governor,
the Daily News’reports. * The governor’s decision to forgo a formal State of the State address in Albany is only the latest instance of public officials acting as if they are bigger than the institutions of which they are, in case they forgot, only temporary custodians,
the Times Union writes. *
Cuomo Adds to His Wish List as State Legislators Seek a Raise (NYT) *
Cuomo's regional addresses a benefit for protestors (NYDN) *
Why Cuomo is ditching his State of the State address (NYP) Why? Mostly because he blocked their pay raise (they haven’t had one since 1999) in what some felt was a double-cross. And, at the eleventh hour, he demanded they take up a massive agenda at a special legislative session before year’s end. No surprise, they declined. The Legislature “must be respected,” a furious Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. Cuomo is also feuding with Mayor de Blasio. Plus, he’s facing federal corruption probes of his administration. A close confidante, Joseph Percoco, and seven others are already under indictment. The hostility, and probes, threaten to sour the legislative season, which kicks off Wednesday. True, paralysis isn’t always bad: “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session,” it’s said. But some matters need attention.*
On eve of session, many lawmakers sour on Cuomo (PoliticoNY)
* The Post writes Cuomo is foregoing his traditional State of the State address to save face because lawmakers threatened to boycott the speech over not getting a pay raise, the ongoing corruption probe into his administration and his feud with de Blasio. * As the state legislative session begins, lawmakers are still grousing about 2016, which suggests there could be hostility during a session where the governor has already proposed a major piece of legislation with his college tuition plan,
the Times reports. * As Cuomo prepares to give his State of the State addresses across the state, several dozen activists gathered to urge the state to preserve the so-called “millionaires tax” that’s slated to expire at the end of the year,
the Times Union reports. *
New York Lawmakers Start the Year Weighted With Old Tensions (NYT) * As the legislative session got underway, state Senate GOP Majority Leader John Flanagan said he would stand up for the body’s independence and Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie took a more conciliatory tone,
the Times Union reports. *
The Daily News writes that the state Senate is shielding evidence of democracy’s happenings by prohibiting the use of cellphones to take photos or video in its chamber, that is, if you call the work they do in Albany democracy. *
Flanagan: ‘I’m going to stand up for the … independenceof this body’ (TU)
More Lawmakers to Take A Pension and Salary
Cuomo Will Continue to Control the Senate Dems With the IDC Continued Alliance with the GOP
Breakaway Senate Dems will continue alliance with Republicans (NYDN) Klein said regardless of what the conference did, the GOP was going to be in the majority because Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) had already separately indicated he would continue to caucus with the GOP, giving the party the exact 32 members needed for a majority. The conference’s two newest members, Sens. Marisol Alcantara, of upper Manhattan, and Jesse Hamilton, of Brooklyn, have been criticized by those on the left and will likely have to deliver progressive accomplishments to help alleviate the threat of primaries in two years, insiders say.
* Despite pressure from the left to strike a deal with mainline Democrats, Senate Independent Democratic Conference leader Jeffrey Klein said his breakaway group will continue in a bipartisan coalition with the state Senate Republicans *
“Lulus Stay Alive in Corrupt Albany” – or extra pay given to lawmakers deemed legislative leaders – are used by party bosses to reward loyalty and punish rivals, and should be abolished in Albany if lawmakers receive the pay raise they’ve been pushing for all year,
the Daily News writes. * State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan released a statement saying the GOP would continue its partnership with the Independent Democratic Conference, and that, through this, he looked forward to continuing to deliver “stellar results,”
the Times Union writes.
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