WORDS ON A PIECE OF PAPER CALLED "THE LAW" REALLY DON'T MEAN ANYTHING TO YOUNG ANDY CUOMO, BECAUSE HE SEES HIMSELF AS THE LAW, NOT THE WORDS ON THE PIECE OF PAPER ...
"Cuomo skips franchise board in making Aqueduct convention center deal - Governor bypasses law calling for OK from board governing Aqueduct track"
By JAMES M. ODATO, Capitol bureau, Albany, New York Times Union
Published 11:30 p.m., Thursday, January 5, 2012
ALBANY - Gov. Andrew Cuomo may be colliding with state laws controlling competitive bidding with his plan to create a $4 billion convention center in Queens.
A state board is charged with deciding the fate of development at Aqueduct Race Track, not the governor, and only after an open competition.
The key players in the deal, including the governor's office, declined to answer questions Thursday about the legal requirements of authorizing the project.
Yet in his State of the State speech, Cuomo announced Wednesday that he had struck a deal with the Malaysian-based Genting Group in which the gaming and resorts company agreed to build a 3.8 million square-foot conference complex using $4 billion in private funds at Aqueduct Race Track.
The project would be next to the massive racino Genting won the rights to build.
The racino is doing better than anticipated business since it opened in October.
Even before it greeted its first customer, Genting had already begun lobbying for the operation to become a full-fledged casino to increase its market.
The law creating the state board that keeps an eye on the New York Racing Association, however, spells out a process for such expansion.
The Franchise Oversight Board, the law says, is responsible for representing the interests of the state in "all real estate developments proposed for Aqueduct racetrack."
"Any such real estate development shall only be undertaken pursuant to a competitive process approved by the board, after consultation with the applicable local advisory boards and consideration of local zoning and planning regulation," the law continues.
None of that happened.
Asked about the issue, a spokesman for state Budget Director Robert Megna, chairman of the oversight board, said he could not answer questions raised by the law and the governor's major economic development announcement in Wednesday's speech.
A Genting spokesman also would not discuss the matter, but said the company holds a lease on 67 acres at Aqueduct and needs another parcel of land controlled by the New York and New Jersey Port Authority to develop the proposed convention center and hotel complex.
Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said terms of the deal are still under negotiation.
He released the governor's letter of commitment to Genting, which describes the arrangement as "non-binding" and that terms are being worked out with Empire State Development Corp.
"Negotiations are ongoing and the public will be updated as we go along," Vlasto said.
Former state Sen. Michael Hoblock, who served on the state Racing and Wagering Board until four years ago, said Cuomo's deal "obviously raises a lot of questions on the authority and action of the oversight board in this process."
While chairman of the racing board, Hoblock, now working as a private attorney in East Greenbush, objected to NYRA entering into a contract with MGM to build a racino at Aqueduct in a deal that never was consummated.
Assembly Racing Committee Chairman Gary Pretlow, D-Mount Vernon, added that Cuomo surprised him by naming Genting as a partner in a convention center at the state-owned track without seeking requests for proposal.
"Generally you do that with an RFP," he said.
On Thursday Genting showed how far along it had come with its intentions for the site, releasing artist renderings of its "New York International Convention and Exhibition Center."
It estimated 10,000 construction jobs and 10,000 permanent jobs associated with the center and 3,000 hotel rooms.
The local community board in Queens has not been given a briefing on the plan and is unsure if the project can be supported, said Betty Bratton, chairwoman of the Community Board 10.
"Until I have a better grasp and significantly more detail on what they intend to do I can't answer that," she said.
"Right now we are proceeding with an open mind."
"It could be an economic engine and we believe there should be appropriate community input and review as we move forward."
Genting is pushing for changing laws in New York and Florida to allow for casinos and is spending millions of dollars on lobbying.
In a news release on Thursday, the company said it would erect 2.6 million square feet of convention center space by November 2014.
State officials say they expect the company to ask for a reduction on the amount of video lottery terminal revenues it must give up to the Division of Lottery.
Don Reese, a spokesman for Las Vegas Sands, which competes with Genting in Singapore, said he is aware Genting is paying a high rate to the Division of Lottery.
Reese said his company weighs many things before spending billions of dollars on an integrated resort with a convention center, including the taxes or fees paid to the authorities to run gambling operations.
He said his company would need an assurance of being allowed to run a casino with table games to make such an investment.
Reach Odato at 454-5083 or jodato@timesunion.com
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article ... z1iiTIK1Yp
THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG:
December 15, 2011 11:20 AM
"Cuomo: Lobbying Scene 'Worse Than I Thought'"
BY Celeste Katz
Gov. Cuomo says the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined.
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
Cuomo said during an appearance on Albany's Talk 1300-AM that the system is much more sophisticated than I remember it, according to our Ken Lovett.
The spin permeates everything, he said, from corrupt pols to campaign finance and even non-profits the governor slapped as "fronts for lobbying organizations" who pay demonstrators.
Then, Cuomo said, the problem trickles down to the press and gets regurgitated back to the public, with the aforementioned protesters-for-hire "quoted as if they are champions of democracy."
The gov took the opportunity to hail a new lobbying law that will require advocacy groups to disclose who's bankrolling them, as well as tougher financial disclosure regulations for lawmakers.
On a parallel note, Lovett notes, Cuomo called concerns about his pick of Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore to head the new state ethics panel, JCOPE, "nonsensical."
Government watchdogs have questioned whether DiFiore can fairly carry out her duties considering that as a sitting DA, she could potentially be raising money from the selfsame lobbyists and officials she's charged with policing.
She's a sitting district attorney, which by the way, you can't make an appointment to this body that instills more credibility and seriousness than a sitting DA, Cuomo said.
DiFiore's situation is no different from the other DA's (not to mention attorneys general and judges) who have to scramble for cash from the same people they may later deal with on the judicial field of battle.
Instead, Cuomo dismissed the criticism as part of "the culture problem in Albany which makes qualified candidates shy away from running for office.
COMMENTS:
Thu, 2011-12-15 12:59 - John Galt
QUOTE: Cuomo today said during a radio apparance that "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
JOHN GALT RESPONDS: What an actor is our Young Andy Cuomo ...
He is almost as good an actor was was his daddy Mario ...
And how naive can our Young Andy really be?
I mean, the dude was our Attorney General ...
One would have thought he would have gotten a real good feel for the amount of corruption in the state and especially Albany during that gig ....
And actually, our Young Andy, beloved of all New Yorkers as he is, and being the son of Mario, should have been well aware of how corrupt the state was since 1986, when his father, then-DEMOCRATIC Governor of the State of New York, in 1986 told us all of New York State's "HISTORY" of corruption as it stood right exactly then:
"TEN YEARS AGO, a study by the Joint House-Senate Subcommittee on Investigations estimated the costs of white-collar crime at MORE THAN forty-four BILLION dollars".
"The incidence of white-collar crime has not abated in the last decade; instead, it has spiraled ever-upward as economic crime has become increasingly profitable and sophisticated!"
"The effects of major economic crime can be devastating: THE WHOLE SOCIETY suffers as crimes against business become crimes against consumers."
"GREEDY, WHITE-COLLAR PROFITEERS WILL NOT BE STOPPED until we adopt strong measures to stop them!"
- Governor's Approval memorandum, New York State Legislative Annual -1986, p.236
1986!
Twenty-five years ago now ...
And it really has just gotten worse ...
And here is our governor, Young Andy Cuomo acting surprised about it ...
How pitiful, actually ...
If he had been doing his job, instead of schmoozing and fundraising and campaigning, perhaps he would be as aware of how corrupt Albany is as us common folks out here in the countryside are ...
But alas ....
Young Andy is not part of the solution ....
And we already knew that, did we not?
And so ...
Thu, 2011-12-15 13:33 - John Galt
QUOTE: Cuomo today said during a radio apparance that "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
JOHN GALT RESPONDS FURTHER: And perhaps it is that ignorance on the part of Young Andy Cuomo that has resulted in us common citizens being saddled with this bogus "ethics" commission of his, where, according to the Albany Times Union, "because of its structure the governor as well as Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans have the power to veto any potential investigation" ....
That of course means that Young Andy has the power to protect whomever he will from scrutiny vis-a-vis an inquiry by the alleged ethics commission ....
"OH, MY GOODNESS, THAT'S A FRIEND OF MINE AND A GOOD CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTER, SO BACK OFF AND LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
Yes, our Young Andy has learned his lessons quite well, it seems ...
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... t#comments
December 15, 2011 11:20 AM
"Cuomo: Lobbying Scene 'Worse Than I Thought'"
BY Celeste Katz
Gov. Cuomo says the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined.
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
Cuomo said during an appearance on Albany's Talk 1300-AM that the system is much more sophisticated than I remember it, according to our Ken Lovett.
The spin permeates everything, he said, from corrupt pols to campaign finance and even non-profits the governor slapped as "fronts for lobbying organizations" who pay demonstrators.
Then, Cuomo said, the problem trickles down to the press and gets regurgitated back to the public, with the aforementioned protesters-for-hire "quoted as if they are champions of democracy."
The gov took the opportunity to hail a new lobbying law that will require advocacy groups to disclose who's bankrolling them, as well as tougher financial disclosure regulations for lawmakers.
On a parallel note, Lovett notes, Cuomo called concerns about his pick of Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore to head the new state ethics panel, JCOPE, "nonsensical."
Government watchdogs have questioned whether DiFiore can fairly carry out her duties considering that as a sitting DA, she could potentially be raising money from the selfsame lobbyists and officials she's charged with policing.
She's a sitting district attorney, which by the way, you can't make an appointment to this body that instills more credibility and seriousness than a sitting DA, Cuomo said.
DiFiore's situation is no different from the other DA's (not to mention attorneys general and judges) who have to scramble for cash from the same people they may later deal with on the judicial field of battle.
Instead, Cuomo dismissed the criticism as part of "the culture problem in Albany which makes qualified candidates shy away from running for office.
COMMENTS:
Thu, 2011-12-15 12:59 - John Galt
QUOTE: Cuomo today said during a radio apparance that "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
JOHN GALT RESPONDS: What an actor is our Young Andy Cuomo ...
He is almost as good an actor was was his daddy Mario ...
And how naive can our Young Andy really be?
I mean, the dude was our Attorney General ...
One would have thought he would have gotten a real good feel for the amount of corruption in the state and especially Albany during that gig ....
And actually, our Young Andy, beloved of all New Yorkers as he is, and being the son of Mario, should have been well aware of how corrupt the state was since 1986, when his father, then-DEMOCRATIC Governor of the State of New York, in 1986 told us all of New York State's "HISTORY" of corruption as it stood right exactly then:
"TEN YEARS AGO, a study by the Joint House-Senate Subcommittee on Investigations estimated the costs of white-collar crime at MORE THAN forty-four BILLION dollars".
"The incidence of white-collar crime has not abated in the last decade; instead, it has spiraled ever-upward as economic crime has become increasingly profitable and sophisticated!"
"The effects of major economic crime can be devastating: THE WHOLE SOCIETY suffers as crimes against business become crimes against consumers."
"GREEDY, WHITE-COLLAR PROFITEERS WILL NOT BE STOPPED until we adopt strong measures to stop them!"
- Governor's Approval memorandum, New York State Legislative Annual -1986, p.236
1986!
Twenty-five years ago now ...
And it really has just gotten worse ...
And here is our governor, Young Andy Cuomo acting surprised about it ...
How pitiful, actually ...
If he had been doing his job, instead of schmoozing and fundraising and campaigning, perhaps he would be as aware of how corrupt Albany is as us common folks out here in the countryside are ...
But alas ....
Young Andy is not part of the solution ....
And we already knew that, did we not?
And so ...
Thu, 2011-12-15 13:33 - John Galt
QUOTE: Cuomo today said during a radio apparance that "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
JOHN GALT RESPONDS FURTHER: And perhaps it is that ignorance on the part of Young Andy Cuomo that has resulted in us common citizens being saddled with this bogus "ethics" commission of his, where, according to the Albany Times Union, "because of its structure the governor as well as Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans have the power to veto any potential investigation" ....
That of course means that Young Andy has the power to protect whomever he will from scrutiny vis-a-vis an inquiry by the alleged ethics commission ....
"OH, MY GOODNESS, THAT'S A FRIEND OF MINE AND A GOOD CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTER, SO BACK OFF AND LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
Yes, our Young Andy has learned his lessons quite well, it seems ...
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... t#comments
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
BY WAY OF SOME NECESSARY BACKGROUND IN HERE TO BRING US UP TO DATE ON WHAT IS NOW GOING ON IN YOUNG ANDY VILLE, AS WE COUNTRY FOLKS NOW CALL THE CAPITAL OF THE STATE ....
THE NEW YORK SUN
"An 'Impatient' Cuomo Eyes Spitzer's Job"
By JACOB GERSHMAN, Staff Reporter of the Sun
May 11, 2007
Now that Mayor Bloomberg has said he has ruled out a run for governor, speculation about who may challenge Governor Spitzer has turned to Attorney General Cuomo.
The possibility that Mr. Cuomo would mount an intra-party challenge to Mr. Spitzer, the man who redefined the office Mr. Cuomo now holds, was an absurdity as little as four months ago.
The common assumption was that Mr. Cuomo, reborn as a disciplined and self-effacing politician after a train wreck of a gubernatorial campaign in 2002, would bide his time for eight years before trying once more to follow his father into the governor's mansion.
In short order, the political landscape has shifted enough to glimpse the outlines of a plausible contest between the two Democratic figures in 2010.
Mr. Cuomo's political operation is apparently attuned to the changing perceptions.
A fund-raiser for the attorney general has been telling donors that Mr. Cuomo may be running for governor sooner than they think, a source close to Democratic Party leaders said.
Mr. Cuomo, 49, is an "impatient person," the source said.
"While he's enjoying being attorney general, he would rather be governor."
Asked about the alleged conversations, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo's political operation, Amy Dowell, said via e-mail:
"Andrew's only interest is running for re-election."
"Anyone saying anything else is simply wrong."
The notion of an accelerated Cuomo candidacy may not be so far-fetched for several reasons.
For one, Mr. Spitzer is no longer the most popular politician in state government.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll last month, he lost that title to Mr. Cuomo, whose investigation of the $85 billion student loan industry has put the attorney general on the national radar in a way reminiscent of Mr. Spitzer's Sheriff of Wall Street glory days.
Mr. Spitzer's job approval numbers have recovered somewhat in recent weeks, but they're still hovering around Mr. Cuomo's ratings.
Mr. Spitzer's frayed relations with organized labor could provide a strategic opening for Mr. Cuomo, one of whose top advisers in last year's race was Jennifer Cunningham, a high-level adviser to the 1199/SEIU health care employees union.
If Mr. Cuomo ran for governor, he probably would get the endorsement of the union, a powerful force in Albany politics.
Mr. Cuomo also has strong support with other labor unions, including New York State United Teachers.
The most intriguing developments go beyond poll numbers.
While Mr. Spitzer's relationship with the Senate and Assembly has been acrimonious almost from the start, Mr. Cuomo has been going out of his way to endear himself to lawmakers.
Mr. Cuomo had nothing but praise for Assembly Democrats who gathered to hear the attorney general speak at a private forum arranged by Speaker Sheldon Silver late last month.
Mr. Spitzer declined an invitation to speak at a similar event earlier in the year.
Mr. Cuomo told the lawmakers that they were "the best legislative body in the country," according to a member who was present.
"For thirsty legislators, it was swallowed with great glee," the lawmaker said.
"Just to have someone say nice things about us for a change."
Said the lawmaker:
"There's no doubt, if there was a vote taken by the Assembly conference, 90% of them would prefer Andrew Cuomo to Eliot Spitzer, which is unbelievable because Andrew Cuomo had never been popular with the Legislature."
Mr. Cuomo's fund-raising team may have tried to take advantage of the animosity.
The fund-raiser who suggested that Mr. Cuomo may run for governor after one term as attorney general made the calls during the height of the comptroller dispute between the governor and lawmakers in February, according to the Democratic source.
Having the backing of individual lawmakers is not insignificant.
While the body as a whole isn't too popular with the public, many of the members are tied in with local political organizations, county leaders, and grassroots and neighborhood opinion makers who play important roles in local races.
"A lot of these people are popular in their districts," the Democratic source said.
"If you accumulate the support of people who have grassroots behind them then you have the potential of mounting a campaign."
Lawmakers have also noticed Mr. Cuomo's absence from the debate over campaign finance laws, an issue that has become the governor's top policy priority in the last weeks of session.
Mr. Spitzer is struggling to get lawmakers to agree to an overhaul of campaign finance restrictions, including an across-the-board reduction in limits and bans on certain forms of giving.
At any moment, Mr. Cuomo could have voiced support for Mr. Spitzer's plan and urged lawmakers to pass the legislation.
Instead, the attorney general, to the disappointment of the Spitzer administration, has decided thus far to stay on the sidelines.
"The attorney general is a strong advocate for public campaign finance, and that's where he stands," a spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, John Milgrim, said.
http://www.nysun.com/article/54252?page_no=1
THE NEW YORK SUN
"An 'Impatient' Cuomo Eyes Spitzer's Job"
By JACOB GERSHMAN, Staff Reporter of the Sun
May 11, 2007
Now that Mayor Bloomberg has said he has ruled out a run for governor, speculation about who may challenge Governor Spitzer has turned to Attorney General Cuomo.
The possibility that Mr. Cuomo would mount an intra-party challenge to Mr. Spitzer, the man who redefined the office Mr. Cuomo now holds, was an absurdity as little as four months ago.
The common assumption was that Mr. Cuomo, reborn as a disciplined and self-effacing politician after a train wreck of a gubernatorial campaign in 2002, would bide his time for eight years before trying once more to follow his father into the governor's mansion.
In short order, the political landscape has shifted enough to glimpse the outlines of a plausible contest between the two Democratic figures in 2010.
Mr. Cuomo's political operation is apparently attuned to the changing perceptions.
A fund-raiser for the attorney general has been telling donors that Mr. Cuomo may be running for governor sooner than they think, a source close to Democratic Party leaders said.
Mr. Cuomo, 49, is an "impatient person," the source said.
"While he's enjoying being attorney general, he would rather be governor."
Asked about the alleged conversations, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo's political operation, Amy Dowell, said via e-mail:
"Andrew's only interest is running for re-election."
"Anyone saying anything else is simply wrong."
The notion of an accelerated Cuomo candidacy may not be so far-fetched for several reasons.
For one, Mr. Spitzer is no longer the most popular politician in state government.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll last month, he lost that title to Mr. Cuomo, whose investigation of the $85 billion student loan industry has put the attorney general on the national radar in a way reminiscent of Mr. Spitzer's Sheriff of Wall Street glory days.
Mr. Spitzer's job approval numbers have recovered somewhat in recent weeks, but they're still hovering around Mr. Cuomo's ratings.
Mr. Spitzer's frayed relations with organized labor could provide a strategic opening for Mr. Cuomo, one of whose top advisers in last year's race was Jennifer Cunningham, a high-level adviser to the 1199/SEIU health care employees union.
If Mr. Cuomo ran for governor, he probably would get the endorsement of the union, a powerful force in Albany politics.
Mr. Cuomo also has strong support with other labor unions, including New York State United Teachers.
The most intriguing developments go beyond poll numbers.
While Mr. Spitzer's relationship with the Senate and Assembly has been acrimonious almost from the start, Mr. Cuomo has been going out of his way to endear himself to lawmakers.
Mr. Cuomo had nothing but praise for Assembly Democrats who gathered to hear the attorney general speak at a private forum arranged by Speaker Sheldon Silver late last month.
Mr. Spitzer declined an invitation to speak at a similar event earlier in the year.
Mr. Cuomo told the lawmakers that they were "the best legislative body in the country," according to a member who was present.
"For thirsty legislators, it was swallowed with great glee," the lawmaker said.
"Just to have someone say nice things about us for a change."
Said the lawmaker:
"There's no doubt, if there was a vote taken by the Assembly conference, 90% of them would prefer Andrew Cuomo to Eliot Spitzer, which is unbelievable because Andrew Cuomo had never been popular with the Legislature."
Mr. Cuomo's fund-raising team may have tried to take advantage of the animosity.
The fund-raiser who suggested that Mr. Cuomo may run for governor after one term as attorney general made the calls during the height of the comptroller dispute between the governor and lawmakers in February, according to the Democratic source.
Having the backing of individual lawmakers is not insignificant.
While the body as a whole isn't too popular with the public, many of the members are tied in with local political organizations, county leaders, and grassroots and neighborhood opinion makers who play important roles in local races.
"A lot of these people are popular in their districts," the Democratic source said.
"If you accumulate the support of people who have grassroots behind them then you have the potential of mounting a campaign."
Lawmakers have also noticed Mr. Cuomo's absence from the debate over campaign finance laws, an issue that has become the governor's top policy priority in the last weeks of session.
Mr. Spitzer is struggling to get lawmakers to agree to an overhaul of campaign finance restrictions, including an across-the-board reduction in limits and bans on certain forms of giving.
At any moment, Mr. Cuomo could have voiced support for Mr. Spitzer's plan and urged lawmakers to pass the legislation.
Instead, the attorney general, to the disappointment of the Spitzer administration, has decided thus far to stay on the sidelines.
"The attorney general is a strong advocate for public campaign finance, and that's where he stands," a spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, John Milgrim, said.
http://www.nysun.com/article/54252?page_no=1
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG:
"Now On To Fixing Government"
BY Ken Lovett
December 16, 2011 5:34 PM
Heading into his second year, Gov. Cuomo said he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates.
We have a lot to do next year, too, Cuomo said during an appearance on former Gov. David Patersons WOR-AM radio show.
Its going to be on a different front, but its an important one nonetheless.
Revisiting an issue he first raised as attorney general, Cuomo spoke of how there is too much duplication of government and school districts in the state.
"The state government, the machinery, the programs, the agency, the local government, the number of local governments, the mandates."
"This whole system was designed at a different time, different place, and needs serious reorganization and thats going to be a challenge, Cuomo said.
You know how tough it is to challenge the status quo.
He also played up his plan to create an infrastructure fund to help acelerate road and bridge construction projects, saying it will "put the state's construction program on steroids, both from a financial point of view and an operational point of view."
I want to focus more on the operations, he added.
I think the legislative side has been good.
Cuomo touted his tax and jobs package passed last week by the Legislature for taking a balanced approach.
On the one hand he said, it offers a middle class tax cut.
And while he didn't utter the words tax hike, he noted how there was "slightly more revenues on the top" before adding:
"But less than last year and the past three years on the surcharge."
When Paterson, who helped implement the so-called millionaires tax three years ago, jokingly asked Cuomo who put such an "outrageously high surcharge" in place, Cuomo quipped:
"It was the Legislature, David."
Cuomo, who got the Legislature to go along with a number of budgetary actions it rejected under Paterson, defended his predecessor for having a very difficult and painful task of expressing reality to the state, and it was a painful reality.
"You were communicating a shift in the economy, and frankly, people didn't want to hear it."
"We went through that trauma, if you will, and we went through it a couple of years ago and the Legislature was ready to deal with it now."
"In many ways, you had a tougher period than I do because you had to break the news."
"The initial shock was during your term."
"You blew the bugle correctly and properly and loudly."
"And that began the recalibration and it was hard."
"By the time I got there, people get the economic problem, the Legislature gets it, and they were ready to deal with it."
Paterson explained it as a maturation of the Legislature and leadership in dealing with an economy in turmoil, budget deficits, and a return to the concept that government can be more helpful.
It took sacrifice, Paterson said in praising Cuomos performance thus far.
COMMENTS:
QUOTE: Heading into his second year, Gov. Cuomo said he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates.
JOHN GALT RESPONDS: Pardon me, but isn't this all just a bit surreal?
Just the other day, we had our most dearly beloved Young Andy Cuomo, ostensibly the governor of us all, or at least the state, telling us in this BLOG as follows:
Gov. Cuomo says the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined.
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
Cuomo said during an appearance on Albany's Talk 1300-AM that the system is much more sophisticated than I remember it, according to our Ken Lovett.
end quote
Obviously, from his own words, Young Andy just a matter of days ago did not know just how bad "the culture of corruption" really is in this state ...
And now, just a few days later and from out the other side of his mouth, which must be connected to a different part of his brain, he is telling us that heading into his second year, he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates ...
Well, Young Andy, let me help you out here ...
Because it is so corrupt, from bottom to top, right up into the capital building in Albany, OUR system of government, which is not your property, DOES NOT FUNCTION or operate ...
That is what corruption causes to happen - a governmental BREAK-DOWN ...
And you don't cure that by re-organizing the government, you cure that by getting the corruption out of our government, something you obviously failed to accomplish or even address during your stint as the state's top law enforcement officer ...
A question for the citizens of this state is can we really afford such gross ignorance in the office of our governor?
And so ...
Sat, 2011-12-17 07:48 - John Galt
QUOTE: We have a lot to do next year, too, Cuomo said during an appearance on former Gov. David Patersons WOR-AM radio show.
JOHN GALT CONTINUES: Yes, Young Andy, you sure do, starting with curing your own ignorance about how corrupt this state is ...
And one of the very first things you can do on that score, Young Andy, is to trot yourself down to the legislature and have them amend the BOGUS ethics law you just signed which has built into it a CORRUPTION PROTECTION CLAUSE which, according to the Albany Times Union, "because of its structure the governor as well as Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans have the power to veto any potential investigation" ....
Under Young Andy Cuomo, at present, with that clause in the law, CORRUPTION wins, and we, the people LOSE ...
And so ...
Sat, 2011-12-17 18:41 - John Galt
Getting back to Young Andy Cuomo and his self-professed gross ignorance of just how corrupt this state's government really is, here is what Teddy Roosevelt had to say on the subject of government corruption and lobbyists way back in 1910 in his New Nationalism Speech:
The true friend of property, the true conservative, is he who insists that property shall be the servant and not the master of the commonwealth; who insists that the creature of man's making shall be the servant and not the master of the man who made it.
The citizens of the United States must effectively control the mighty commercial forces which they have called into being.
There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains.
To put an end to it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done.
We must have complete and effective publicity of corporate affairs, so that the people may know beyond peradventure whether the corporations obey the law and whether their management entitles them to the confidence of the public.
It is necessary that laws should be passed to prohibit the use of corporate funds directly or indirectly for political purposes; it is still more necessary that such laws should be thoroughly enforced.
Corporate expenditures for political purposes, and especially such expenditures by public-service corporations, have supplied one of the principal sources of corruption in our political affairs.
Sun, 2011-12-18 14:33 - John Galt
WASTING AWAY IN YOUNG ANDYVILLE:
So ...
Let us recap here then, for the sake of continuity and in the spirit of scientific inquiry, as well ...
In a BLOG post in here on December 15, 2011, at 11:20 AM, our esteemed governor Young Andy Cuomo, son of Mario, told us peons and peasants out here in the wilds and wilderness of New York state that the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined, if you can imagine that, and that despite having served a term as NY AG, that "the culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought," again, if you can possibly imagine that he could be so ignorant, and still be able to breathe on his own without a couple of aides or flunkies to push in and out on his chest for him daily ...
Anyway, that got me to thinking that perhaps Young Andy has amnesia, or something ....
Perhaps he has fallen and hit his head and lost his mind, as a result ...
I say that because in an article entitled "Troopergate called unethical but not criminal - Cuomo calls probe of scandal involving Spitzer aides adequate despite limitations" by RICK KARLIN in the Albany, New York Times Union on Friday, August 31, 2007, our esteemed Young Andy is quoted as follows:
Troopergate has dominated much of the political discussion this summer in Albany, which Cuomo said is probably for the best, despite the slings and arrows that seem to be flying in all directions.
"The use of police is an issue that troubles people," Cuomo said.
"It's all about the Albany dysfunction," he said.
"This is a conversation that we should have had 15 years ago."
end quote
The "Albany dysfunction" and "this is a conversation that we should have had 15 years ago" ....
WHO is "WE", I wonder?
Young Andy and his father?
And if the "Albany dysfunction" is not about corrupt government in Albany, then what else could it possibly be?
And so ....
Sun, 2011-12-18 14:55 - John Galt
Further lending credence to the theory running rampant out here in the countryside that, indeed, our dearly beloved governor Young Andy Cuomo fell and hit his head and got amnesia as a result, or somehow lost his mind in some other fashion so that he is now confused as to whether it is tomarrow or the end of time, there is another article in the Albany, New York Times Union on Friday, August 31, 2007 entitled "Cuomo is right about keeping Troopergate debate going" by none other than the very highly esteemed and let us admit, quite famous FREDMAN LeBRUN, wherein is stated as follows:
Not surprisingly, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is one prominent state Democrat who wants the hoopla over Troopergate to continue, not calm down as others in his party would prefer.
"This is an important conversation to have, and to continue to have ..."
"It's all about the dysfunction of Albany that you guys have been writing about for years."
"It's about public integrity ..."
end quotes
"It's about public integrity" ....
Clearly, from his own words in print back in August of 2007, our dear Young Andy Cuomo was cognizant of exactly how corrupt Albany was AT THAT TIME, and the role the democrat party had in causing that corruption to exist ....
So what happened since, that he has now forgotten all of this?
Did some lobbyist slip him a "Mickey Finn" in a drink that erased his mind for him?
Did they beam his head with some kind of ray that erases memory cells?
Did the lobbyists and democrats conspire amongst themselves to remove Young Andy as a threat to them both, by having his mind washed someplace?
Quite a conundrum, is it not?
The kind of stuff political science PhD theses are based on ....
And so ...
Sun, 2011-12-18 15:24 - John Galt
And it goes on and on ....
The evidence that Young Andy Cuomo once knew how corrupt the state government really is, I mean, and here, I reference a TU story entitled "Pact puts Capitol on notice - DA Soares, Cuomo vow to share resources to clean up corruption in state government" by MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer, Times Union, first published Friday, January 12, 2007, wherein is stated:
ALBANY -- In what they touted as a historic pact, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a joint effort Thursday to root out corruption in state government.
"This is not the changing of the guard," Cuomo said.
"It's the changing of an era."
end quotes
SOOOOO ....
Okay ...
To root out CORRUPTION in New York State government, and "TO CHANGE AN ERA" of rampant and endemic corruption in Albany, on January 12, 2007, young Andy Cuomo held a big PRESS CONFERENCE up there in Albany which got a lot of media coverage, and young Andy got to smile a lot and show off his teeth ...
And at this BIG PRESS CONFERENCE, young Andy Cuomo told US that it was "THE CHANGING OF AN ERA" ....
Teamed up with Albany County DA David Soares, young Andy Cuomo was going to change an era and stamp out corruption forever in Albany ...
So what happened, then?
Did the corrupt democrats kidnap Young Andy and replace him with an android, do you think?
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... ent-909520
"Now On To Fixing Government"
BY Ken Lovett
December 16, 2011 5:34 PM
Heading into his second year, Gov. Cuomo said he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates.
We have a lot to do next year, too, Cuomo said during an appearance on former Gov. David Patersons WOR-AM radio show.
Its going to be on a different front, but its an important one nonetheless.
Revisiting an issue he first raised as attorney general, Cuomo spoke of how there is too much duplication of government and school districts in the state.
"The state government, the machinery, the programs, the agency, the local government, the number of local governments, the mandates."
"This whole system was designed at a different time, different place, and needs serious reorganization and thats going to be a challenge, Cuomo said.
You know how tough it is to challenge the status quo.
He also played up his plan to create an infrastructure fund to help acelerate road and bridge construction projects, saying it will "put the state's construction program on steroids, both from a financial point of view and an operational point of view."
I want to focus more on the operations, he added.
I think the legislative side has been good.
Cuomo touted his tax and jobs package passed last week by the Legislature for taking a balanced approach.
On the one hand he said, it offers a middle class tax cut.
And while he didn't utter the words tax hike, he noted how there was "slightly more revenues on the top" before adding:
"But less than last year and the past three years on the surcharge."
When Paterson, who helped implement the so-called millionaires tax three years ago, jokingly asked Cuomo who put such an "outrageously high surcharge" in place, Cuomo quipped:
"It was the Legislature, David."
Cuomo, who got the Legislature to go along with a number of budgetary actions it rejected under Paterson, defended his predecessor for having a very difficult and painful task of expressing reality to the state, and it was a painful reality.
"You were communicating a shift in the economy, and frankly, people didn't want to hear it."
"We went through that trauma, if you will, and we went through it a couple of years ago and the Legislature was ready to deal with it now."
"In many ways, you had a tougher period than I do because you had to break the news."
"The initial shock was during your term."
"You blew the bugle correctly and properly and loudly."
"And that began the recalibration and it was hard."
"By the time I got there, people get the economic problem, the Legislature gets it, and they were ready to deal with it."
Paterson explained it as a maturation of the Legislature and leadership in dealing with an economy in turmoil, budget deficits, and a return to the concept that government can be more helpful.
It took sacrifice, Paterson said in praising Cuomos performance thus far.
COMMENTS:
QUOTE: Heading into his second year, Gov. Cuomo said he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates.
JOHN GALT RESPONDS: Pardon me, but isn't this all just a bit surreal?
Just the other day, we had our most dearly beloved Young Andy Cuomo, ostensibly the governor of us all, or at least the state, telling us in this BLOG as follows:
Gov. Cuomo says the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined.
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
Cuomo said during an appearance on Albany's Talk 1300-AM that the system is much more sophisticated than I remember it, according to our Ken Lovett.
end quote
Obviously, from his own words, Young Andy just a matter of days ago did not know just how bad "the culture of corruption" really is in this state ...
And now, just a few days later and from out the other side of his mouth, which must be connected to a different part of his brain, he is telling us that heading into his second year, he will start focusing more on how government in New York operates ...
Well, Young Andy, let me help you out here ...
Because it is so corrupt, from bottom to top, right up into the capital building in Albany, OUR system of government, which is not your property, DOES NOT FUNCTION or operate ...
That is what corruption causes to happen - a governmental BREAK-DOWN ...
And you don't cure that by re-organizing the government, you cure that by getting the corruption out of our government, something you obviously failed to accomplish or even address during your stint as the state's top law enforcement officer ...
A question for the citizens of this state is can we really afford such gross ignorance in the office of our governor?
And so ...
Sat, 2011-12-17 07:48 - John Galt
QUOTE: We have a lot to do next year, too, Cuomo said during an appearance on former Gov. David Patersons WOR-AM radio show.
JOHN GALT CONTINUES: Yes, Young Andy, you sure do, starting with curing your own ignorance about how corrupt this state is ...
And one of the very first things you can do on that score, Young Andy, is to trot yourself down to the legislature and have them amend the BOGUS ethics law you just signed which has built into it a CORRUPTION PROTECTION CLAUSE which, according to the Albany Times Union, "because of its structure the governor as well as Assembly Democrats and Senate Republicans have the power to veto any potential investigation" ....
Under Young Andy Cuomo, at present, with that clause in the law, CORRUPTION wins, and we, the people LOSE ...
And so ...
Sat, 2011-12-17 18:41 - John Galt
Getting back to Young Andy Cuomo and his self-professed gross ignorance of just how corrupt this state's government really is, here is what Teddy Roosevelt had to say on the subject of government corruption and lobbyists way back in 1910 in his New Nationalism Speech:
The true friend of property, the true conservative, is he who insists that property shall be the servant and not the master of the commonwealth; who insists that the creature of man's making shall be the servant and not the master of the man who made it.
The citizens of the United States must effectively control the mighty commercial forces which they have called into being.
There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains.
To put an end to it will be neither a short nor an easy task, but it can be done.
We must have complete and effective publicity of corporate affairs, so that the people may know beyond peradventure whether the corporations obey the law and whether their management entitles them to the confidence of the public.
It is necessary that laws should be passed to prohibit the use of corporate funds directly or indirectly for political purposes; it is still more necessary that such laws should be thoroughly enforced.
Corporate expenditures for political purposes, and especially such expenditures by public-service corporations, have supplied one of the principal sources of corruption in our political affairs.
Sun, 2011-12-18 14:33 - John Galt
WASTING AWAY IN YOUNG ANDYVILLE:
So ...
Let us recap here then, for the sake of continuity and in the spirit of scientific inquiry, as well ...
In a BLOG post in here on December 15, 2011, at 11:20 AM, our esteemed governor Young Andy Cuomo, son of Mario, told us peons and peasants out here in the wilds and wilderness of New York state that the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined, if you can imagine that, and that despite having served a term as NY AG, that "the culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought," again, if you can possibly imagine that he could be so ignorant, and still be able to breathe on his own without a couple of aides or flunkies to push in and out on his chest for him daily ...
Anyway, that got me to thinking that perhaps Young Andy has amnesia, or something ....
Perhaps he has fallen and hit his head and lost his mind, as a result ...
I say that because in an article entitled "Troopergate called unethical but not criminal - Cuomo calls probe of scandal involving Spitzer aides adequate despite limitations" by RICK KARLIN in the Albany, New York Times Union on Friday, August 31, 2007, our esteemed Young Andy is quoted as follows:
Troopergate has dominated much of the political discussion this summer in Albany, which Cuomo said is probably for the best, despite the slings and arrows that seem to be flying in all directions.
"The use of police is an issue that troubles people," Cuomo said.
"It's all about the Albany dysfunction," he said.
"This is a conversation that we should have had 15 years ago."
end quote
The "Albany dysfunction" and "this is a conversation that we should have had 15 years ago" ....
WHO is "WE", I wonder?
Young Andy and his father?
And if the "Albany dysfunction" is not about corrupt government in Albany, then what else could it possibly be?
And so ....
Sun, 2011-12-18 14:55 - John Galt
Further lending credence to the theory running rampant out here in the countryside that, indeed, our dearly beloved governor Young Andy Cuomo fell and hit his head and got amnesia as a result, or somehow lost his mind in some other fashion so that he is now confused as to whether it is tomarrow or the end of time, there is another article in the Albany, New York Times Union on Friday, August 31, 2007 entitled "Cuomo is right about keeping Troopergate debate going" by none other than the very highly esteemed and let us admit, quite famous FREDMAN LeBRUN, wherein is stated as follows:
Not surprisingly, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is one prominent state Democrat who wants the hoopla over Troopergate to continue, not calm down as others in his party would prefer.
"This is an important conversation to have, and to continue to have ..."
"It's all about the dysfunction of Albany that you guys have been writing about for years."
"It's about public integrity ..."
end quotes
"It's about public integrity" ....
Clearly, from his own words in print back in August of 2007, our dear Young Andy Cuomo was cognizant of exactly how corrupt Albany was AT THAT TIME, and the role the democrat party had in causing that corruption to exist ....
So what happened since, that he has now forgotten all of this?
Did some lobbyist slip him a "Mickey Finn" in a drink that erased his mind for him?
Did they beam his head with some kind of ray that erases memory cells?
Did the lobbyists and democrats conspire amongst themselves to remove Young Andy as a threat to them both, by having his mind washed someplace?
Quite a conundrum, is it not?
The kind of stuff political science PhD theses are based on ....
And so ...
Sun, 2011-12-18 15:24 - John Galt
And it goes on and on ....
The evidence that Young Andy Cuomo once knew how corrupt the state government really is, I mean, and here, I reference a TU story entitled "Pact puts Capitol on notice - DA Soares, Cuomo vow to share resources to clean up corruption in state government" by MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer, Times Union, first published Friday, January 12, 2007, wherein is stated:
ALBANY -- In what they touted as a historic pact, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a joint effort Thursday to root out corruption in state government.
"This is not the changing of the guard," Cuomo said.
"It's the changing of an era."
end quotes
SOOOOO ....
Okay ...
To root out CORRUPTION in New York State government, and "TO CHANGE AN ERA" of rampant and endemic corruption in Albany, on January 12, 2007, young Andy Cuomo held a big PRESS CONFERENCE up there in Albany which got a lot of media coverage, and young Andy got to smile a lot and show off his teeth ...
And at this BIG PRESS CONFERENCE, young Andy Cuomo told US that it was "THE CHANGING OF AN ERA" ....
Teamed up with Albany County DA David Soares, young Andy Cuomo was going to change an era and stamp out corruption forever in Albany ...
So what happened, then?
Did the corrupt democrats kidnap Young Andy and replace him with an android, do you think?
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... ent-909520
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
The First Constitution, 1777.
The first Constitution of any free people possesses a peculiar interest; especially is this true when, as in the case of New York, the Constitution is the outgrowth and culmination of more than a century of struggle for popular liberty.
Our first Constitution also excites additional interest from the circumstances surrounding its preparation; for it was not framed, as most of the later state Constitutions were framed, to accomplish a peaceful transition from a territorial condition to statehood, and where the authors, with research and deliberation, worked out a plan of government based on the best models.
The framers of our first Constitution worked in the stress of war and revolution and without a model, except as they may possibly have derived assistance from Constitutions of other states, recently adopted, but under which there had been little, if any, actual experience.
Neither was it framed by experienced men of mature years, but by young men reared in luxury, and who had not enjoyed the opportunities of public service and acquaintance with details of public affairs.
John Jay, who is understood to have been the chief author of the Constitution, was only thirty years of age, Robert R. Livingston, one of his colleagues, was only twenty-nine, and Gouverneur Morris, the other, was only twenty-four, when they were appointed on the committee to frame a form of government; yet these wise young patriots exercised a controlling influence in preparing a Constitution which was the fundamental law of the state for forty-five years, and many of whose provisions have been continued without change in all subsequent Constitutions.
The first Constitution was framed, adopted, and put in operation by a congress, or convention, chosen by the people of the colony, and which, after three intermediate congresses, was the successor of the colonial legislature.
The last Colonial Assembly was chosen under writs of election issued January 14, 1769, and returnable February 14.
The assembly met for its first session April 4, 1769.
It continued in session at different times until April 3, 1775, when it was prorogued until May 3, 1775.
It was prorogued at different times afterwards until March 11, 1776, and then again till April 17, 1776, but it did not meet at that time, and never met after April 3, 1775.
Events developing the Revolution were crowding each other rapidly during this period, and, in the absence of an assembly authorized to exercise legislative powers and attend to the affairs of the colony, the people assumed control, and at first by committees, and later through elected congresses, gradually worked out a plan of local administration of the colony, culminating in constitutional government * * *
On the 1st of May, [1775, the] * * * Provisional War Committee * * * requested the people of the several counties of the colony to elect delegates to a Provincial Congress, to meet in New York on the 22d of May, 1775, "to deliberate upon, and from time to time to direct, such measures as may be expedient for our common safety."
This congress met at the time appointed at the Exchange in the city of New York.
It is known as the First Provincial Congress, and it became substantially the successor of the Colonial Assembly, which had met for the last time on the 3d of the preceding April.
This congress, on the 18th of October, ordered an election of delegates by ballot, to constitute a new Provincial Congress, to meet November 14, 1775.
The first congress adjourned on the 4th of November.
The second congress was organized on the 6th of December, and continued its sessions at different times until its final adjournment May 13, 1776.
In April, 1776, an election was held for delegates to constitute a new Provincial Congress, to meet on the 14th of May.
The Third Provincial Congress, owing to the failure of a sufficient number of members to attend, was not actually organized until May 22, 1776.
It continued in session until June 30, 1776.
These congresses had no constitutional sanction, but were expedients resorted to by the people in a great emergency.
The Colonial Assembly, which had existed as a component and essential part of colonial government for nearly a century, had been dissolved.
Government by the people, in the manner so positively asserted in the Charter of Liberties, had apparently ceased, and the rights of the people had reverted to the people themselves.
It should be noted as a significant fact, evincing the deepest patriotism and the most conservative self-poise, that in all this trying period, from the failure of real representative government in the old assembly to the institution of a regular form of government under the new state, there was no attempt by any committee or body of patriots to usurp the recognized rights of the people; but in all cases each delegation to the Continental Congress, and each Provincial Congress, was composed of men chosen, either directly by the people, or by representatives of the people elected for that specific purpose: and the government and administration of colonial affairs exercised by the several Provincial Congresses were strictly representative, and recognized to the fullest extent the right of popular self-government * * *
On the 31st of May the Third Provincial Congress, then sitting in New York, adopted the following preamble and resolutions:
"AND WHEREAS, Doubts have arisen whether this Congress are invested with sufficient power and authority to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction, dominion, and control whatever:"
"AND WHEREAS, It appertains, of right, solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubt: Therefore"
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the electors of the several counties in this colony, by election in the manner and form prescribed for the election of the present congress, either to authorize (in addition to the powers vested in this congress) their present deputies, or others in the stead of their present deputies, or either of them, to take into consideration the necessity and propriety of instituting such new government as in and by the said resolution of the Continental Congress is described and recommended."
"And if the majority of the counties by their deputies in Provincial Congress shall be of the opinion that such new government ought to be instituted and established, then to institute and establish such a government as they shall deem best calculated to secure the rights, liberties, and happiness of the good people of this colony, and to continue in force till a future peace with Great Britain shall render the same unnecessary."
And
"Resolved, That the said elections in the several counties ought to be on such a day, and at such place or places, as by the committee of each county respectively shall be determined."
"And it is recommended to the said committees to fix such early days for the elections as that all the deputies to be elected have sufficient time to repair to the city of New York by the second Monday in July next, on which day all the said deputies ought punctually to give their attendance."
"AND WHEREAS, The object of the foregoing resolutions is of the utmost importance to the good people of this colony:"
"Resolved, That it be, and it is, hereby earnestly recommended to the committees, freeholders, and other electors in the different counties of this colony, diligently to carry the same into execution."
"Ordered, That the foregoing resolutions be published in all public newspapers in this colony, and in handbills to be distributed in the counties."
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/e ... ln/pg9.htm
The first Constitution of any free people possesses a peculiar interest; especially is this true when, as in the case of New York, the Constitution is the outgrowth and culmination of more than a century of struggle for popular liberty.
Our first Constitution also excites additional interest from the circumstances surrounding its preparation; for it was not framed, as most of the later state Constitutions were framed, to accomplish a peaceful transition from a territorial condition to statehood, and where the authors, with research and deliberation, worked out a plan of government based on the best models.
The framers of our first Constitution worked in the stress of war and revolution and without a model, except as they may possibly have derived assistance from Constitutions of other states, recently adopted, but under which there had been little, if any, actual experience.
Neither was it framed by experienced men of mature years, but by young men reared in luxury, and who had not enjoyed the opportunities of public service and acquaintance with details of public affairs.
John Jay, who is understood to have been the chief author of the Constitution, was only thirty years of age, Robert R. Livingston, one of his colleagues, was only twenty-nine, and Gouverneur Morris, the other, was only twenty-four, when they were appointed on the committee to frame a form of government; yet these wise young patriots exercised a controlling influence in preparing a Constitution which was the fundamental law of the state for forty-five years, and many of whose provisions have been continued without change in all subsequent Constitutions.
The first Constitution was framed, adopted, and put in operation by a congress, or convention, chosen by the people of the colony, and which, after three intermediate congresses, was the successor of the colonial legislature.
The last Colonial Assembly was chosen under writs of election issued January 14, 1769, and returnable February 14.
The assembly met for its first session April 4, 1769.
It continued in session at different times until April 3, 1775, when it was prorogued until May 3, 1775.
It was prorogued at different times afterwards until March 11, 1776, and then again till April 17, 1776, but it did not meet at that time, and never met after April 3, 1775.
Events developing the Revolution were crowding each other rapidly during this period, and, in the absence of an assembly authorized to exercise legislative powers and attend to the affairs of the colony, the people assumed control, and at first by committees, and later through elected congresses, gradually worked out a plan of local administration of the colony, culminating in constitutional government * * *
On the 1st of May, [1775, the] * * * Provisional War Committee * * * requested the people of the several counties of the colony to elect delegates to a Provincial Congress, to meet in New York on the 22d of May, 1775, "to deliberate upon, and from time to time to direct, such measures as may be expedient for our common safety."
This congress met at the time appointed at the Exchange in the city of New York.
It is known as the First Provincial Congress, and it became substantially the successor of the Colonial Assembly, which had met for the last time on the 3d of the preceding April.
This congress, on the 18th of October, ordered an election of delegates by ballot, to constitute a new Provincial Congress, to meet November 14, 1775.
The first congress adjourned on the 4th of November.
The second congress was organized on the 6th of December, and continued its sessions at different times until its final adjournment May 13, 1776.
In April, 1776, an election was held for delegates to constitute a new Provincial Congress, to meet on the 14th of May.
The Third Provincial Congress, owing to the failure of a sufficient number of members to attend, was not actually organized until May 22, 1776.
It continued in session until June 30, 1776.
These congresses had no constitutional sanction, but were expedients resorted to by the people in a great emergency.
The Colonial Assembly, which had existed as a component and essential part of colonial government for nearly a century, had been dissolved.
Government by the people, in the manner so positively asserted in the Charter of Liberties, had apparently ceased, and the rights of the people had reverted to the people themselves.
It should be noted as a significant fact, evincing the deepest patriotism and the most conservative self-poise, that in all this trying period, from the failure of real representative government in the old assembly to the institution of a regular form of government under the new state, there was no attempt by any committee or body of patriots to usurp the recognized rights of the people; but in all cases each delegation to the Continental Congress, and each Provincial Congress, was composed of men chosen, either directly by the people, or by representatives of the people elected for that specific purpose: and the government and administration of colonial affairs exercised by the several Provincial Congresses were strictly representative, and recognized to the fullest extent the right of popular self-government * * *
On the 31st of May the Third Provincial Congress, then sitting in New York, adopted the following preamble and resolutions:
"AND WHEREAS, Doubts have arisen whether this Congress are invested with sufficient power and authority to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction, dominion, and control whatever:"
"AND WHEREAS, It appertains, of right, solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubt: Therefore"
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the electors of the several counties in this colony, by election in the manner and form prescribed for the election of the present congress, either to authorize (in addition to the powers vested in this congress) their present deputies, or others in the stead of their present deputies, or either of them, to take into consideration the necessity and propriety of instituting such new government as in and by the said resolution of the Continental Congress is described and recommended."
"And if the majority of the counties by their deputies in Provincial Congress shall be of the opinion that such new government ought to be instituted and established, then to institute and establish such a government as they shall deem best calculated to secure the rights, liberties, and happiness of the good people of this colony, and to continue in force till a future peace with Great Britain shall render the same unnecessary."
And
"Resolved, That the said elections in the several counties ought to be on such a day, and at such place or places, as by the committee of each county respectively shall be determined."
"And it is recommended to the said committees to fix such early days for the elections as that all the deputies to be elected have sufficient time to repair to the city of New York by the second Monday in July next, on which day all the said deputies ought punctually to give their attendance."
"AND WHEREAS, The object of the foregoing resolutions is of the utmost importance to the good people of this colony:"
"Resolved, That it be, and it is, hereby earnestly recommended to the committees, freeholders, and other electors in the different counties of this colony, diligently to carry the same into execution."
"Ordered, That the foregoing resolutions be published in all public newspapers in this colony, and in handbills to be distributed in the counties."
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/e ... ln/pg9.htm
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
From The Avalon Project at Yale Law School.
The Lillian Goldman Law Library in Memory of Sol Goldman
The Constitution of New York : April 20, 1777
IN CONVENTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS STATE OF NEW YORK,
Kingston, 20th April, 1777.
Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees, as temporary expedients, and to exist no longer than the grievances of the people should remain without redress;
And whereas the congress of the colony of New York did, on the thirty-first day of May now last past, resolve as follows, viz:
"Whereas the present government of this colony, by congress and committees, was instituted while the former government, under the Crown of Great Britain, existed in full force, and was established for the sole purpose of opposing the usurpation of the British Parliament, and was intended to expire on a reconciliation with Great Britain, which it was then apprehended would soon take place, but is now considered as remote and uncertain;
"And whereas many and great inconveniences attend the said mode of government by congress and committees, as of necessity, in many instances, legislative, judicial, and executive powers have been vested therein, especially since the dissolution of the former government by the abdication of the late governor and the exclusion of this colony from the protection of the King of Great Britain;
"And whereas the Continental Congress did resolve as followeth, to wit:
"'Whereas His Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of his Crown;
and whereas no answers whatever to the humble petition of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain has been, or is likely to be, given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies;
and whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the Crown of Great Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defense of our lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of our enemies:
Therefore,
"'Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.'
Document Information
The Avalon Project : The Constitution of New York : April 20, 1777
The document is located at this URL : http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/ny01.htm.
The document was last corrected for conversion errors or the markup was updated on: 05/29/2005 16:31:14
The Lillian Goldman Law Library in Memory of Sol Goldman.
127 Wall Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
The Lillian Goldman Law Library in Memory of Sol Goldman
The Constitution of New York : April 20, 1777
IN CONVENTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS STATE OF NEW YORK,
Kingston, 20th April, 1777.
Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees, as temporary expedients, and to exist no longer than the grievances of the people should remain without redress;
And whereas the congress of the colony of New York did, on the thirty-first day of May now last past, resolve as follows, viz:
"Whereas the present government of this colony, by congress and committees, was instituted while the former government, under the Crown of Great Britain, existed in full force, and was established for the sole purpose of opposing the usurpation of the British Parliament, and was intended to expire on a reconciliation with Great Britain, which it was then apprehended would soon take place, but is now considered as remote and uncertain;
"And whereas many and great inconveniences attend the said mode of government by congress and committees, as of necessity, in many instances, legislative, judicial, and executive powers have been vested therein, especially since the dissolution of the former government by the abdication of the late governor and the exclusion of this colony from the protection of the King of Great Britain;
"And whereas the Continental Congress did resolve as followeth, to wit:
"'Whereas His Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the lords and commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of his Crown;
and whereas no answers whatever to the humble petition of the colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain has been, or is likely to be, given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies;
and whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government under the Crown of Great Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies for the preservation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the defense of our lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of our enemies:
Therefore,
"'Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.'
Document Information
The Avalon Project : The Constitution of New York : April 20, 1777
The document is located at this URL : http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/ny01.htm.
The document was last corrected for conversion errors or the markup was updated on: 05/29/2005 16:31:14
The Lillian Goldman Law Library in Memory of Sol Goldman.
127 Wall Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
AND HERE IS SOME MORE NECESSARY BACKGROUND ...THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG:
December 15, 2011 11:20 AM
"Cuomo: Lobbying Scene 'Worse Than I Thought'"
BY Celeste Katz
Gov. Cuomo says the lobbying situation in New York is worse than he imagined.
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... t#comments
"Vast ethics power sought - New York's executive, legislative branches discuss creating single oversight agency"
By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press
First published: Friday, January 19, 2007
ALBANY -- High level legislative and executive branch officials are negotiating to create a single, far-reaching ethics agency that could break down jurisdictional walls that currently limit investigations, officials familiar with the talks said Thursday.
If the agency is created, it would mark a historic step toward reforming a state government culture derided for years by critics and government watchdog groups as unseemly, even corrupt.
The new agency would consolidate the state lobbying commission, which can only investigate lobbyists; the Ethics Commission, which can only investigate executive branch employees; and the Ethics Committee, which can only investigate lawmakers, according to the officials in the legislative and executive branches.
They spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of negotiations.
The "omnibus ethics bill" would also ban gifts for all state officials from lobbyists and others trying to influence decisions and laws in Albany and end paid honoraria for speeches.
In addition, the bill is expected to include further limits on the Albany's notorious "revolving door," in which a well-timed exit by legislative aides can place them in lucrative lobbying positions weeks later.
Lawmakers could also face a more strict ban on lobbying Albany after leaving office.
"If adopted as described, it would certainly be the biggest improvement in ethics in 20 years -- maybe in 200 years," said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group when told of the proposal.
He said, however, that the details including who would head the agency are critical for it to be effective.
Gerald Benjamin, a political scientist at the State University of New York at New Paltz, said the key will be to have a strong chief or commissioners lead the new entity.
"The idea of one rule for all is very important for New York ... this would show the Legislature stepping up to the plate," Benjamin said.
Spitzer has already applied the gift ban, limit on paid speeches and a limit on Albany's "revolving door" to executive branch employees.
The details aren't settled.
Earlier discussions included providing the new entity the power to enforce campaign finance laws, but that isn't expected in the final version.
Legislative leaders, however, have so far resisted turning over ethics investigations of lawmakers to a new agency under the executive branch, the officials said.
The consolidation could violate the state constitution's separation of powers, they argue.
But even consolidating the ethics and lobbying agencies into one more powerful agency would be historic for Albany, where smaller, isolated scandals are frequent but few cross the line between government branches.
Spitzer campaigned on a promise to clean up the state government culture in Albany, much of which he has said has an "aura of unseemliness."
A report by NYPIRG and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found 39 states have a single ethics commission for executive and legislative branches.
Horner said any constitutional concern about separation of powers is unfounded.
"The current system has to be scrapped," Horner said.
But he said the most important merger would be to combine the ethics watchdogs for the executive and legislative branches.
"The legislative ethics side is the weakest of all -- legislators meeting in secret to hear complaints against their colleagues," Horner said.
Negotiations continue into the form the new entity would take and who would head it.
Lobbying Commission Executive Director David Grandeau has had public disagreements with Spitzer, who represented the commission when he was attorney general.
Grandeau has also investigated lobbyists in cases involving Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno.
"If you're talking about merging with (Grandeau) in charge of it, I think that's a much better case," said Horner who along with other good-government groups have praised Grandeau's work and independence.
"I'm extremely supportive of any effort to strengthen the integrity units in New York state," Grandeau said.
He said he had discussed the idea with Spitzer's transition team in December, and the key would be to have the political powers agree to give up some power.
"The threat of termination affects the way you pursue integrity cases," Grandeau said.
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
Livyjr wrote:
Gambling in New York is largely prohibited by the state Constitution ...
Article 1, Section 9 states:
"No lottery or the sale of lottery tickets, pool-selling, book-making, or any other kind of gambling, except lotteries operated by the state ... and except pari-mutuel betting on horse races as may be prescribed by the legislature ... shall hereafter be authorized or allowed within this state; and the legislature shall pass appropriate laws to prevent offenses against any of the provisions of this section."
end quote
But not withstanding, both Mario's boy, Young Andy Cuomo, who we are now saddled with as governor, and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer, the democrat "Al D'Amato" of New York, want to bring gambling to New York State big time ...
Charlie "Chuck" was quoted in the NY Daily News as follows on the subject:
"I don't think it is a panacea for our economic problems, but given the fact that it has happening in so many other states, I dont think New York State has much choice," Schumer said.
end quote
Given that the PEOPLE of the state prohibited gambling through a Constitutional amendment, I would counter that the state really does have a choice ...
We DO NOT wish to be saddled with the social costs of widespread gambling in the state ...
But the last person that you would expect to have any knowledge at all about the state Constitution, the state's history, and the true wishes of the people, outside of Mario's boy, Young Andy, would be Charlie "Chuck" ....
And so ...
jeffmoskin wrote:
No society EVER solved its fiscal problems through state-sanctioned lotteries.
Livyjr wrote:
It is too bad that Young Andy Cuomo and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer do not know that ...
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA wrote:
President Obamas NEW NATIONALISM Speech of 2011, concluded .....
This isn't about class warfare.
This is about the nation's welfare.
We still have a stake in each others success.
http://www.barackobama.com/fair-shot?so ... mepage-cta
Livyjr wrote:
Like hell we do, Obama ...
I don't have a stake in the success of Young Andy Cuomo and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer bringing casino gambling and its associated social problems to New York state ...
And so ...
Gambling in New York is largely prohibited by the state Constitution ...
Article 1, Section 9 states:
"No lottery or the sale of lottery tickets, pool-selling, book-making, or any other kind of gambling, except lotteries operated by the state ... and except pari-mutuel betting on horse races as may be prescribed by the legislature ... shall hereafter be authorized or allowed within this state; and the legislature shall pass appropriate laws to prevent offenses against any of the provisions of this section."
end quote
But not withstanding, both Mario's boy, Young Andy Cuomo, who we are now saddled with as governor, and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer, the democrat "Al D'Amato" of New York, want to bring gambling to New York State big time ...
Charlie "Chuck" was quoted in the NY Daily News as follows on the subject:
"I don't think it is a panacea for our economic problems, but given the fact that it has happening in so many other states, I dont think New York State has much choice," Schumer said.
end quote
Given that the PEOPLE of the state prohibited gambling through a Constitutional amendment, I would counter that the state really does have a choice ...
We DO NOT wish to be saddled with the social costs of widespread gambling in the state ...
But the last person that you would expect to have any knowledge at all about the state Constitution, the state's history, and the true wishes of the people, outside of Mario's boy, Young Andy, would be Charlie "Chuck" ....
And so ...
jeffmoskin wrote:
No society EVER solved its fiscal problems through state-sanctioned lotteries.
Livyjr wrote:
It is too bad that Young Andy Cuomo and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer do not know that ...
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA wrote:
President Obamas NEW NATIONALISM Speech of 2011, concluded .....
This isn't about class warfare.
This is about the nation's welfare.
We still have a stake in each others success.
http://www.barackobama.com/fair-shot?so ... mepage-cta
Livyjr wrote:
Like hell we do, Obama ...
I don't have a stake in the success of Young Andy Cuomo and Charlie "Chuck" Schumer bringing casino gambling and its associated social problems to New York state ...
And so ...
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG:
December 15, 2011 10:45 AM
"On Gov. Cuomo's 2012 Agenda: Casino Study"
BY Celeste Katz
Gov. Cuomo Thursday morning said a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in New York may not spell out where the gambling dens would go.
Our Ken Lovett (who's on fire today!) reports:
Cuomo, appearing on Talk 1300 AM this morning, said he wants to take next year to do our homework and let's talk about it and let's start to work on it and do a real study.
Legalizing casino gambling requires two successively elected state Legislatures to pass a constitutional amendment before putting it up for public referendum.
Cuomo today said he does not believe an amendment needs to specifically spell out locations for the casinos.
That could be decided on separately.
You can pass (an amendment) next year without getting into the regulation of the industry, he said.
You can amend the constitution with language without getting into what regions and where..."
"We have two years, frankly, to put a system together.
He added: The fine details here require a lot of thought and work.
Cuomo said talks with the legislative leaders on the issue have been positive, but warned in Albany nothing is done until it's actually done.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... mment-form
December 15, 2011 10:45 AM
"On Gov. Cuomo's 2012 Agenda: Casino Study"
BY Celeste Katz
Gov. Cuomo Thursday morning said a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in New York may not spell out where the gambling dens would go.
Our Ken Lovett (who's on fire today!) reports:
Cuomo, appearing on Talk 1300 AM this morning, said he wants to take next year to do our homework and let's talk about it and let's start to work on it and do a real study.
Legalizing casino gambling requires two successively elected state Legislatures to pass a constitutional amendment before putting it up for public referendum.
Cuomo today said he does not believe an amendment needs to specifically spell out locations for the casinos.
That could be decided on separately.
You can pass (an amendment) next year without getting into the regulation of the industry, he said.
You can amend the constitution with language without getting into what regions and where..."
"We have two years, frankly, to put a system together.
He added: The fine details here require a lot of thought and work.
Cuomo said talks with the legislative leaders on the issue have been positive, but warned in Albany nothing is done until it's actually done.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... mment-form
Re: THE YOUNG ANDY CUOMO ARCHIVES
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG wrote:
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
YOUNG ANDY CUOMO wrote:
You know how tough it is to challenge the status quo.
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG wrote:
Not surprisingly, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is one prominent state Democrat who wants the hoopla over Troopergate to continue, not calm down as others in his party would prefer.
"This is an important conversation to have, and to continue to have ..."
"It's all about the dysfunction of Albany that you guys have been writing about for years."
"It's about public integrity ..."
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG wrote:
And it goes on and on ....
The evidence that Young Andy Cuomo once knew how corrupt the state government really is, I mean, and here, I reference a TU story entitled "Pact puts Capitol on notice - DA Soares, Cuomo vow to share resources to clean up corruption in state government" by MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer, Times Union, first published Friday, January 12, 2007, wherein is stated:
ALBANY -- In what they touted as a historic pact, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a joint effort Thursday to root out corruption in state government.
"This is not the changing of the guard," Cuomo said.
"It's the changing of an era."
end quotes
SOOOOO ....
Okay ...
To root out CORRUPTION in New York State government, and "TO CHANGE AN ERA" of rampant and endemic corruption in Albany, on January 12, 2007, young Andy Cuomo held a big PRESS CONFERENCE up there in Albany which got a lot of media coverage, and young Andy got to smile a lot and show off his teeth ...
And at this BIG PRESS CONFERENCE, young Andy Cuomo told US that it was "THE CHANGING OF AN ERA" ....
Teamed up with Albany County DA David Soares, young Andy Cuomo was going to change an era and stamp out corruption forever in Albany ...
So what happened, then?
Did the corrupt democrats kidnap Young Andy and replace him with an android, do you think?
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... ent-909520
Pointing to this week's NYPIRG analysis about near-record spending of private money to shape public policy, Cuomo today said "The culture of corruption, quote unquote, is worse than I thought."
YOUNG ANDY CUOMO wrote:
You know how tough it is to challenge the status quo.
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG wrote:
Not surprisingly, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is one prominent state Democrat who wants the hoopla over Troopergate to continue, not calm down as others in his party would prefer.
"This is an important conversation to have, and to continue to have ..."
"It's all about the dysfunction of Albany that you guys have been writing about for years."
"It's about public integrity ..."
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS DAILY POLITICS BLOG wrote:
And it goes on and on ....
The evidence that Young Andy Cuomo once knew how corrupt the state government really is, I mean, and here, I reference a TU story entitled "Pact puts Capitol on notice - DA Soares, Cuomo vow to share resources to clean up corruption in state government" by MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer, Times Union, first published Friday, January 12, 2007, wherein is stated:
ALBANY -- In what they touted as a historic pact, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo launched a joint effort Thursday to root out corruption in state government.
"This is not the changing of the guard," Cuomo said.
"It's the changing of an era."
end quotes
SOOOOO ....
Okay ...
To root out CORRUPTION in New York State government, and "TO CHANGE AN ERA" of rampant and endemic corruption in Albany, on January 12, 2007, young Andy Cuomo held a big PRESS CONFERENCE up there in Albany which got a lot of media coverage, and young Andy got to smile a lot and show off his teeth ...
And at this BIG PRESS CONFERENCE, young Andy Cuomo told US that it was "THE CHANGING OF AN ERA" ....
Teamed up with Albany County DA David Soares, young Andy Cuomo was going to change an era and stamp out corruption forever in Albany ...
So what happened, then?
Did the corrupt democrats kidnap Young Andy and replace him with an android, do you think?
And so ...
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailyp ... ent-909520