‘A mess’ as gov calls back pols
Gov. Cuomo on Tuesday scheduled a special session of the Legislature for Wednesday to pass what he hopes will be a quick and simple one-year extension of mayoral school control — but some lawmakers had other plans.
Cuomo issued a proclamation that forces the Assemby and state Senate to take up a clean bill, even as several legislators said there’s a host of other items too important to ignore.
“I would hope that we don’t do simply an extension of mayoral control,” said state Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) on the “Capitol Pressroom” radio show. “There are many, many other issues out there that have to be resolved.”
Deputy Senate Minority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) said Tuesday’s terrifying subway derailment in Harlem made approval of emergency funds to repair the “crumbling” transit system even more essential.
“I understand that the proclamation for the special session is vague enough for other things to come up . . . It seems to me too be just more Albany dysfunction,” he said. “We’re coming back tomorrow, but no one knows exactly what for. It’s a mess.”
Cuomo left the door open by including in the proclamation the possibility of legislation on “other subjects as I may recommend.”
What’s the impact of Gov. Cuomo’s ordering the Legislature back for a special session? Sen. Michael Gianaris (DQueens) on Tuesday summed it up nicely: “We’re coming back tomorrow but no one knows exactly what for. It’s a mess.”
Cuomo’s action cites the need to renew mayoral control of the city schools, but lawmakers do as they wish. And rumors are rife about possible deals, since other issues up in the air include renewal of local sales taxes and the city’s personal-income tax.
Plus relief for flood-damaged Lake Ontario communities, renaming the Tappan Zee Bridge — and, of course, lifting the cap on charter schools in the city.
Gianaris’ add to the list: more funding for the MTA, which we’d likely support if anyone yet knew how much the subways need.
But it’s not clear that anyone’s any less dug in than they were last week, when the regular session ended.
Now fingerpointing, rumored deals and whispered denunciations abound. This isn’t the “sausage factory” that lawmaking is often compared to, but a madhouse.
Recall, too, that Cuomo’s effort for a special session late last year also came up empty, even with a legislative pay raise as bait.
Will lawmakers convene, then promptly adjourn again? Sen. John DeFrancisco (RSyracuse) notes, “The governor could call us back Thursday if we gavel out Wednesday and this game could go on indefinitely.”
Cuomo just told high rollers at a fundraiser that his time as governor is a progressive blueprint for the rest of the country, so we guess he’s got some plan in mind.