“This nearly 2,000 page budget extender serves as a microcosm of the dysfunction, secrecy and incompetence in Albany’s budget process," Hawley said. "We have been kept mostly in the dark for days and now are expected to vote on an almost 2,000 page budget extender that will keep the government in function until May 31 only minutes after it was printed.
"This is an absolutely unacceptable way to operate state government, and the state leaders and New York City politicians who are perpetuating this stalemate because they can’t agree after weeks of negotiations should be ashamed of themselves.
"Furthermore, they have cost taxpayers roughly $250,000 in per diem in travel expenses for legislators by keeping them here through the weekend while an agreement is being negotiated.”
This is better than passing a
This is better than passing a bad budget. Of course NYSAFE funding is in the new budget proposal. As I've said repeatedly, the power is in the Senate. If the Senate Republicans in concert with the IDC had Constitutional principals they would refuse to pass any budget until the SAFE Act was unfunded... and hopefully remove some of the ridiculous unfunded mandates. If turning down the budget hurts 'business as usual, then so be it. If it keeps the legislators from getting paid... Oh Well, that's the way it should be. Why should they be paid to provide a bad budget??? Besides I'm sure none of the legislators will go without grocery money, or being able to pay their mortgage if their pay is suspended for a while.
However, Assemblyman Hawley,
However, Assemblyman Hawley, you are right, this is totally unacceptable.
Brian, the problem with your
Brian, the problem with your idea is that many Republicans in the Senate support the SAFE ACT. The only way to get rid of it is for gun owners to get off their butts and vote. But too many just really don't care.
I realize that John, much the
I realize that John, much the same dilemma we have in the US Congress, where the Republicans own everything and still can't get anything done. Actually I don't forsee voting in new, consevative blood as happening any time soon, and Downstate will always rule the Assembly. As far as NYSAFE goes, I've said since it's unethical "message of necessity" passage, the only way to undo it will be in the SCOTUS. Even the District Courts and Circuit Courts IMO aren't vey Constitutionally conservative. As for the rest of the budget mess it's still obviously 3 Men in a Room. Although, Sunday morning on WBEN Hardline, Ranzenhofer was a guest and he said that 'the process in Albany' has never been 3 men in a room during the 9 years he's been there... ???