Senate rules change

I don't know whether the new Senate rules changes will be completely useless, which is the usual pattern for this kind of thing in Albany, but I was amused at these remarks from a young Democratic freshman, Dan Squadron: "We are moving the ball forward in a significant way and we are leaving the door open to continue that progress. That means a lot. That has never, to my knowledge, happened here before." Au contraire, Dan, that's what pols like you are always saying, leading naive supporters of reform to get their hopes up only to see them dashed when the "reforms" are applied to the real world. I don't know whether Squadron's disconnect from reality is the result of naivete or cynicism.

Comments

[Terry O'Neill, Esq.]

GOP GANG OF THREE

Well, what do you know, the GOP
Has got a Senate Gang of Three.
Bonacic, Griffo and George Winner
Should be sent to bed without their dinner.
Or so says every Democrat
Who thought they’d fold just like that.

[Brian]

I agree with the assessment of the only folks in Albany with an ounce of credibility (the GooGoos): these changes are good but don't get nearly far enough.

Of course, even the first part of their assessment is based on the premise that they will actually be followed. Given the way this year's budget was conducted in violation of the 2007 rules changes, that's hardly a given.