06/08/09 06:13 - 61ºF - ID#48870

NY Senate Coup

Well, big news today: two Democratic NYS Senators have agreed to caucus with the Republicans, flipping control of the chamber.

NY Times:

I am disheartened this basically kills my chance of getting married in NY.

I was pleasantly surprised at some of the rule changes that were voted for after the coup (partial list):

- Committee Chairs and Rankers are term-limited to 8 years.

- Proxy voting in committee is eliminated.

- All agendas and voting records will be published on the Senate Website; all committee meetings recorded and webcast. A plan will be put forward by January 1, 2010 to create NY-SPAN statewide broadcast of legislative proceedings similar to C-SPAN for Congress.

- No bill may be introduced without a named Senate sponsor.

- A non-sponsor amendment if successful will retain its place on the calendar for three days and then shall be taken up by the body for final passage, not returned to committee. Messages of Necessity shall only be permitted in cases of actual emergencies.

- A new motion for consideration is created. A sponsor may move to have his or her bill included on the next active list if a majority of members present and voting agree to the motion.

- A petition for consideration is also created, which allows a majority of the members elected to request a bill be put to the floor. If successful, the bill shall be placed on the active list for the next session day. If within the last four days of session, it shall be immediately considered by the body if successful.

- All procedural votes require only a majority of members present and voting, rather than members elected.

- Debate may exceed 4 hours on budget bills, any bill considered pursuant to a message of necessity, or those which appropriate money.

-- source: (via )

Now granted, this is mostly all just so in 2010 when they end up back in the minority they're not locked out of power (demographic shifts virtually guarantee they'll be ousted again shortly). But still.

This also means that the Republicans will be mostly in charge of redistricting NYS Senate districts, which will keep them from losing as much ground in 2010 versus what the NYS Senate Dems would've drawn.

Ah -- one other new rule I just parsed the meaning of: 'Member items will be divided evenly.' -- essentially pork will be able to be given out by the minority and majority equally, so they can keep the folks back home happy.

An interesting day. Well played, Tom Golisano.

Wasn't he supposed to be in Florida by now?

Permalink: NY_Senate_Coup.html
Words: 452
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

06/05/09 02:26 - 73ºF - ID#48845

Boston?

I may have a chance to permanently transfer to Boston, MA, for my company... it wouldn't happen for a few or six months.

Has anyone here lived in Boston? Should we stay or should we go? I know it's a very expensive city. Presuming I got a cost-of-living adjustment to Boston wages, is it a fun/cool city to actually live in?

Plus, (e:james) and I could get married there :)

Permalink: Boston_.html
Words: 73
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: economics

06/01/09 08:32 - 46ºF - ID#48810

GM: Goodbye and Hello

The car industry almost single handedly killed universal healthcare in the mid 20th century. They saw that sooner or later everyone would demand it, so they came up with a scheme where health insurance was paid for by the company that the workers worked at.

Which of course ~~just about~~ did kill them when, as technology improved, they had far more retirees then active workers due to efficiency. If they hadn't opposed universal health care, they'd be in fine financial shape. What they fought for has bankrupted them, and so wiped out their shareholders. Opposing universal health care turned out to be a violation of their fiduciary duties, oh irony of ironies.

They fought airbags and seat belts, higher fuel efficiency and safety standards, the classification as SUV's as passenger vehicles instead of commercial trucks.

GM was largely responsible for killing mass transit in the early 20th century. They purchased privately run and profitable intracity train lines only so that they could close them. And they were powerful, so we let them.

I am sorry for the workers who are hurt by this, but this is more of a suicide then a bankruptcy. Here's to hoping for a brand new, 21st century smart company when the dust settles. Think bigger GM! Think long term. I am not holding my breath.