By James DeWeese
During his Jan. 5 Albany speech before both houses of the state Legislature, Pataki stressed the importance of continued reform to the legislative body which has drawn intense criticism from members of the Queens delegation over the past year for its arcane rules and repeated failure to pass an on-time budget. Reflecting on his election 10 years ago, Pataki said: “I introduced a new philosophy that day Ð I asked you to join me in seeking not just incremental change but rather bold, sweeping fundamental change – change to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”Pataki touted a record of declining violent crime in the state.”In 1994, New York was the sixth most violent state in the nation,” Pataki said. “Today, a decade later, we're the seventh safest and the safest large state in America.” The 10-year occupant of the state governor's mansion lauded his adminstration's tax-cutting initiatives. But he made no reference to a looming state budget deficit that threatens to further complicate the thorny issue of a landmark court ruling that will likely require the state to inject billions more dollars into the city education system.”Over the past decade we have improved New Yorkers' lives time and time again by embracing bold reforms and sweeping change,” Pataki said. “We cut over $100 billion in taxes, and unleashed our economy's boundless potential.”Pataki stumped for the city's 2012 Olympics bid, which relies heavily on proposed Queens venues in Astoria and Flushing, and expressed support for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial push for West Side Jet's stadium. The stadium has drawn mixed reactions from Queens legislators, some of whom had suggested building the facility in Queens.”Let's work with Mayor Bloomberg and build the sports and convention center on the West Side,” Pataki said. “Let's fulfill New York's Olympic dreams.” During the 69-minute speech, which drew criticism from borough Democrats for its failure to address the fiscal crisis now facing the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Pataki offered a seven-point reform plan aimed at jump-starting a state Legislature that a New York University report called the most dysfunctional in the nation.”As a former member of both the Senate and Assembly, I am extremely encouraged by the new commitment in both houses to make internal reforms,” Pataki said. Among his recommendations were restrictions on lobbying money, streamlining of the state bureacracy and budget process overhaul.The state Assembly Monday enacted reforms that did away with the controversial process by which legislators could vote without being present. The state Senate, however, put off rules changes after the Republican majority withdrew its plan, which had been criticized by Democrats and civic groups.Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
