Just some miscellaneous ramblings from an Upstate New Yorker.


Thursday, July 4, 2013

How to fix New York's dysfunctional government

Salon Magazine has done a crapload of articles on the sorry state of the New York state government, and literally what kind of shit shape it really is in. In fact, the publication believes that New York's legislation (and by extension, it's legislators) will never be progressive. Here's how I think we can turn the ship around:

1) Cuomo's Moreland Act Commission investigations need to pick up steam. Heck, if it were me, I'd have some kind of litmus test out there to sniff out members of the state legislature who are truly corrupt, and have them banned from public office.

2) Set term limits in New York: I've said this before: a twelve year limit on ALL state elected officials. That means the top four jobs in New York (governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and comptroller) along with the entire Legislature would be on either a three or six term cycle. Exceptions would come if you're moving up or down a rung (e.g. going from Attorney General to Governor or Governor to a seat in the Assembly).

3) A new State Constitution. Sadly, ours here in New York hasn't aged as well as the Great One in Washington. It's so antiquated that it's scary. Many of our laws that other states have abolished are still on the books.

4) My message to Governor Cuomo: The SAFE Act, as much as it's a landmark piece of legislation, has made you the enemy of middle America. For the love of New York, please don't run for President. Work on bringing up the quality of life here first.

5) Senator Skelos, pipe down. Cuomo's not on a witch hunt, and even if he is, the Legislature needs a cleaned house. End of bloody story.

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