Surprisingly Blunt NYT Editorial on Cuomo's Proposed Budget.

[Smarmie Doofus]

In short, it sucks. ( My characterization, not NYT's.)

>>>A conspicuous failure in this budget package is its minimal concern about arrests, investigations, convictions and other political scandals in Albany. After months of promises from Mr. Cuomo and legislative leaders that they were truly going to clean up the statehouse, the deal announced on Saturday doesn’t do the job.

The most fundamental reform — public matching funds for small donations in all state races — is missing. In its place is a very limited pilot program that provides public financing for candidates running for one office, state comptroller, and for this year only.

Even more distressing, Mr. Cuomo has said that he would disband the Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, known as the Moreland commission, which he appointed last year, if the Legislature adopts his small-bore efforts at reform. His proposals would appear to toughen some state anti-bribery laws and enforce the state’s notoriously weak campaign finance laws, but they really don’t come close to attacking the root of the corruption problem.

In its first report, commissioners detailed the toxic influence of big money in Albany and pointed out that “New York’s campaign finance laws and practices enable special interests and wealthy individuals to flood the political process with enormous amounts of money.” Those issues have not been solved.

It is not too late for a better budget from Mr. Cuomo and legislative leaders, particularly State Senator Jeff Klein, who controls swing Democratic votes in his chamber and professes to support full campaign finance reform. The deadline is midnight Monday, but the state will not suffer if this package is a little late. A stronger budget that protects the public interest would be well worth the wait.>>>>
in it's entirety:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/31/opinion/new-yorks-unfinished-budget.html?action=click&contentCollection=Environment®ion=Footer&module=Recommendation&src=recg&pgtype=article

[hrmjustin]

1. Good! Cuomo needs a light shined on his actions because he is getting away with too much.

[hrmjustin]

2. kicking.