Democrats Finally Control the Power in Albany. What Will They Do With It?

Unbelievable that a state with millions of voters can only vote on Election Day! Unbelievable that this super high-tax state, with thousands of homeless, is not even mentioned on the agenda. Unbelievable that democrats would condider giving illegal aliens college funding, instead of giving it to the children of hard working NY American taxpayers. NY is quickly becoming second to CA as the most unfavorable, unlivable state in the country. Good luck. You need it!

The history of the democratic party since the Clinton/Gore/Nunn/Gephardt Democratic Leadership Council shows that they will support anything progressive as long as it doesn't have a chance of getting implemented. Think: Universal Healthcare in California. Twice passed by the democratic legislature, twice vetoed by a republican governor. Yet when they passed it again with democrat Jerry Brown in the state house, Brown saw to it that the bill was killed before it reached his desk. Look for a repeat here. Progressive bills will pass but the important bills will be stopped by the governor with the usual excuses: "We need a better bill than this" or "This is just not the right time." https://emcphd.wordpress.com

What will the Dems do with this power? Abuse it of course. All tyrannies do. That giant sucking sound you hear are more people leaving NY.

As someone who is not from NY I would ask a favor. Please expose your governor as a fake liberal by pushing as many liberal policies as possible. Healthcare, infrastructure, voters rights, legal weed, strong public schools and improved environment. He has plans to run for president and would be a disaster for the nation as president. Thanks in advance.

Increase funding for 4410 and 853 Special Education schools.

I hope the Senate democrats give Simcha Felder all the respect he deserves. None.

Fix elementary and secondary schooling for Hasidic boys and girls.

I'm looking forward to seeing the state assembly address recreational marijuana and perhaps universal healthcare.

It’s easy. Raise taxes. Penalize the “lucky” wealthy. Over spend. Take kick backs from unions. Break anything to do with accountability in the public sector. Vilify those who support immigration law. Glorify those who don’t. And allow every conceivable former vice and misdemeanor. Now it is to be celebrated as a virtue. Add sex techniques and abortion literature in the to be implemented pre/pre/pre K publicly funded schools.

Those decrying the imminent "Death of NY" due to perceived inevitable Democratic incompetence after assuming "complete control" yesterday apparently haven't been paying attention to Washington D.C. That's the place, with full Republican rule, which has - you know - been in the news a lot lately? And rarely, if at all, for anything consequentially positive for a majority of (almost) any substantive demographic slice of the citizenry. Or maybe look at Kansas. Or Wisconsin. Or Pick-Any-Other-Total-Control-State or locality from any other red hat. IMO, the only thing that the last two years-plus of Washington D.C. Republican "winning" - with all its noise and posturing and sound bite mendacity - have provided is a continuously bombastic baby buffoon blowtorch with no off switch; a bunch of cowering, nauseatingly obsequious "yes-me-lord" lackeys; and a trillion dollar plus financial bomb fixing to explode on our grandchildren. How 'bout we give the Dems a chance at least? Let's call it a state-level experiment. Kinda like they tried in Brownback/Kobach Kansas. But let's try stuff based on some facts mixed with some heart and brains. with some informed, experience-based caution. It's not like Republican "tricameral dominance" - certainly at the national level - and not in any red state anywhere I can think of over the last twenty years - has come close to being proven a viable alternative.

This could be a great two years for progressive politics in NYS. After spending 2 terms hindering Democrats from running the Senate because, protestations to the contrary, he preferred the inherently crooked "3 men decide everything" method of politics in Albany to having to negotiate with an actual (Democratic) legislature, Andrew Cuomo is eying a presidential run in 2020 and badly needs to collect some progressive bonafides before he goes national. Get out of him what you can while you can, NY Democrats, because if the national party rejects him, he'll go back to being his true DINO self.

I would hope that the State Democratic Party remembers that the Southern Tier, Central New York and Western New York are more than provinces to be used to get water and dump NYC's garbage. Articles, like tis one, in the NYTimes references only the needs of NYC and its immediate suburbs and dismisses the rest of the State. My list? infrastructure (roads and bridges), a more fair tax system that lessens the penalties on property ownership, a look at how state funded mandates are causing people and businesses to flee the state. And yes, codification of reproductive health, campaign finance reform, mass transport in NYC and the suburbs, recreational marijuana (the laws are essentially over-looked anyway).

First priority needs to be to require disclosure of 10 years of tax returns for anyone who want to be on the presidential ballot

The same liberals that jump up and down saying that trump is destroying democracy have no issue with the Soviet style one party state of New York. This is a liberals version of democracy I guess. Constantly telling me what’s good and not good for me. Penalizing me because I actually get up every day and work at a job. ( can you believe it?) . Giving away “ free” money on my back . It’s really not to be believed in the hypocrisy of the democrats of New York State and the city.

Medicare for all NYS residents and fix the pro-landlord DHCR (Division of Housing and Community Renewal) administration of MCI (Major Capital Improvements). When the building owner says he/she spent $600,000 to fix an elevator, which is a Major Capital Improvement, no one vets that statement. Is the money outrageous? We never know. It's up to the tenants to somehow hire someone who will try to get access to the paperwork. Oh, he only has a month to do that. And then there is MCI itself. That $600,000 (which is always approved) will be divided into the number of rooms in the building. If the building has 200 rooms, then each room is assess 600,000/200 which is $3000 and that $3000 is further divided by 80, the fake monthly payback period. So each room will be assessed $37.50. But that 80 months is fake. The assessment, added to the rent, is permanent. So the 3 room apartment will now pay an additional $100 per month. DHCR should be totally revamped. Its MCI administration is just a way for landlords to soak their rent-stabilized and rent-controlled tenants. My rent has gone up almost $600 per month since the current landlord took over, mostly due to MCIs.

Once more - fix the subway. And not just the subway, but the airports and the interconnections, so we can stop being embarrassed about displaying our third-world transportation system to visitors from advanced countries in Europe and Asia. I'm surprised Amazon thinks it can function here, transport-wise. Maybe they plan to have private buses, like tech companies in San Francisco.

NYC should be given the power decide how much both city income taxes and real estate taxes should be.

Fix the subway. You are putting our children who take the trains to school at risk every time you ask an adolescent or young child and his/her caregivers to deal with the chaos and mess that arises when trains go down. It is bad enough for adults trying to get to work - it is an unnecessary and at times over-the-top stress on families. I’m wondering how many other parents have had to do like I have and spend $40-$50 on a car ride because there was no other way to get to school that day. I’m lucky to be able to do that though it is a hardship. Tardiness because of the trains is not excused by the DOE - though it should be (and my daughter’s school is reasonable about it). There are more school children riding public transportation in NYC than in any other city in the USA. Why aren’t we also bringing this topic in to the discussion when we mention loss of productivity?

What will the Democrats do? They'll take the booty that the Republicans had garnered for themselves and spread it around the Democratic legislators. That's if we're lucky and they don't try to see how much more they can extract from taxpayers or give to public employee unions.

As much as I love the idea of single-payer I suggest fixing the subway first.

Since Mr. Trump is a NY resident and his business is there shutting down the Mueller investigation might be less of a problem than the Manhattan district attorney's office investigations over which the president has no control. All the happy talk is with the House taking control of the Senate, rightfully so as it puts in place checks and balances and returns the Legislative to a more equal branch as intended, but this news will have a more far reaching impact on Donald Trump.

Maybe now NYC will finally start getting its proper allocation for education, like the Supreme Court ordered oh so many years ago.

Fix. the. subway.

You said there was chatter about "curbing the vast amount of money allowed in state campaigns". I would laugh if I wasn't crying. One of the sleaziest governors in American history, Andrew M. Cuomo, will not permit anything to stop or even slow down the flow of money to the political class. He'll need every penny for his Presidential campaign. Talk about a Tweedledum vs Tweedledee race in 2020... Trump vs Cuomo would give you that, with Boss Tweed the honorary forefather of both of them. Dan Kravitz

What we most need is a crackdown on corruption in Albany. Single-payer healthcare is too expensive to be done at the state level and should be left until Democrats retake control at the federal government. All those other priorities listed? Full speed ahead, please! I look forward to living in a truly blue state at last.

Remember the Moorland Commission shut-down? More corruption, for sure.

Obamacare and Roe V Wade actually REDUCE abortions, by providing mandatory coverage of birth control for teens, we have the lowest teen pregnancy rate in history, and if we can provide comprehensive, affordable, local no shame women's reproductive healthcare, where decisions are between a doctor, a patient, and not remotely by some gray haired old legislators, you actually get women who take ownership of what happens, and dramatically reduce abortions, and empower them. So, I am on the side of less abortions, so is every woman for Roe v Wade.

One important action would be to free New York City from the clutches of the state by eliminating the home rule regulations in the City Charter. The city should have the same rights as any other place in the state. Special interests have been bribing upstate legislators for years to get what they want in the city. It is time for reform.

No increase in taxes??? You mean on the rich. Congestion Pricing is another TAX. Most of the poor don't have cars, so this will not affect them. For rich, it will not make any difference. But, as always, middle classes will have to suffer this new TAX.

See Illinois. Lots nice ideas on the way to bankruptcy.

Dems in the Senate and Assembly better push cannabis legalization - tax & regulate. I expect it to be part of Cuomo's budget proposal and it better remain through the finish line. I have faith in the new IDC replacements to push progressive legislation as a block.

The way to make NY more like California (Brad Hoylman) is to have non-partisan districting and early voting, etc., like California has. The reason Republicans controlled the state senate when the assembly was overwhelming Democratic was gerrymandering, which Cuomo controlled last time. With fair districts, at least two more GOP congressmen would have lost, including Chris Collins (27th) whose hourglass district shape comes from carving out Democratic strongholds Buffalo and Rochester. But for Cuomo, Collins would have lost. At least five more Democrats would have been elected to the state senate, too, but for gerrymandering. NY also is one of the lowest voter turnout states. Early voting, voting by mail, etc., would go along way toward making NY like California. There is no progressive agenda without Democratic control. And there is no lasting Democratic control without non-partisan districting and elections designed to encourage voting, not hinder it.

What Will They Do With It? Hopefully cleaning up the corruption that has beset Albany for decades Politifact "Yes, New York has more corrupt officials than any other state" Politifact, Sept 19, 2016 Our ruling In her pitch for ethics reform, Phillips said in a Facebook post that "over the past decade in Albany, more than 30 current and former state officeholders have been convicted, sanctioned or accused of wrongdoing — more than any other state." She’s right. The analysis from the University of Missouri researchers shows New York State has had more state lawmakers and statewide officials running afoul of the law. She could have gone further. The data shows New York State has led the nation in public corruption for decades. We rate this claim as True.

Finally! New York is about to see the light in its politics, without the interference of billionaire lovers politicians. Single Payer Insurance? There's money for it, Manhattan is swimming in it. Look for it! And legalize Marijuana in all it's forms.

What will they do with it? Grease left palms rather than right ones.

Get rid of APPR and High Stakes Standardized Testing in our public schools & stop using tax dollars to line the pockets of Charter Schools. Support public schools!!!

I'm sure that Cuomo will soon be playing the Republican role in government, with his ties to Big Money. The Democrats are used to leading from behind and a fragmented, reactive agenda. Real leadership is going to take a serious discussion of values and principles and how to apply them. Treating something like "inclusiveness" as a principle is a failure because every principle has to have boundaries. And what programs they want to implement still have to have some appeal to conservatives, or they may lose the next round of elections. So, I think a sort of state constitutional convention is required, a retreat in which these things are worked out before legislation begins. An agenda, an order of issues, a grounded and realistic program is needed. Expanding rent controls is required and that must include commercial rents, and commercial leases must have more restrictions to reduce the burdens on small businesses, such as having to pay off an entire lease in order to leave it. Expanding health care, education, support for the arts, are all necessary but must be provided with dedicated funding. The transit problems are high on the list, as well as preparation for a shrinking NYC as the ocean levels rise. A rail connection from Staten Island to Brooklyn, for example, can be achieved without other states being involved. Other means are also needed in case of a possible evacuation of Long Island, or even parts of it.

Let's see how the legislative Dems take on the endemic corruption in Albany. It infects both parties, from the Governor's office on down to the lowest levels. We have seen numerous examples over the years, especially highlighted by Governor Andy's ability to run for cover after the conviction of Percocco and the untimely disbandment of the Moreland Commission.

Universal Healthcare.

Gov. Cuomo should keep his promise. Legalize marijuana. It would be a revenue windfall for NYS. Google Colorado. With all of the money from legalization we could get a single payer healthcare system in NYS.

Unchallenged Democratic rule is going to be a predictable disaster in slow motion. The problem with Democratic politicians is a total lack of fiscal discipline, priority or sense of reality. In NY state you have politicians like Ocasio-Cortez promising federal jobs on demand and free Medicare for all, which is not surprising given that her previous job was a waitress. DeBlasio's private sector experience was helping the Sandinistas after college and perfecting the Clinton style, ethically challenged fundraising strategies. Governor Cuomo has been spent his entire career politicking and dispensing public funds. There is something to be said about having built or run a business or at least being responsible for payroll. The new breed of Democratic politicians are likes children run amok in a candy store. The sad truth is that my daughter who ran a lemonade stand for 3 hours has more private sector experience than the Governor and Mayor combined.

Fix the MTS please!

Having waited in line over 3 hours yesterday to cast my ballot, the very least they can do is adopt early and absentee voting.

Priority #1 should entail bringing Massachusetts' version of Obamacare here to NY. Trump is going to continue to chip away at the real thing and congressional Republicans will be even more emboldened to support him. If the U.S. can't have universal health care, it should at least be made available to New Yorkers. This state has the money to fund it- or would have if Cuomo would raise taxes on Wall Street billionaires.

Whatever the Senate Democrats do, we do not abandon them in two years. We stay behind them and give them the courage to pursue liberal policies.

With Democratic control of Albany, we must revisit congestion pricing, and more effectively fund the MTA. Transportation and transit alone is perhaps the single most important factor in maintaining and improving the state and country's largest economy. Additionally, greater measures must be taken to improve renter's protections, while creating and maintaining affordable housing throughout the state. there should be a greater effort by the state to create affordable home-ownership opportunities for New Yorkers in a climate that focuses almost exclusively on renters.

You are too kind (or too mealy-mouthed) to refer to the IDC senators as "more moderate." They were opportunists who voted with Republicans while calling themselves Democrats. Now that actual Democrats have control of both the Assembly and Senate, it will be interesting to see just how "moderate" Gov. Cuomo is in contrast. Take single-payer health insurance: it's been a non-starter in the Senate, though it has support in the Assembly. Cuomo said it's "not time" for it in NY State, preferring to call for single-payer in some non-defined future (when he is a presidential candidate?) The movement that broke the IDC and elected a wave of new representatives is not going to sit on its hands. Expect more pressure, more public engagement and ultimately laws that make life better for New Yorkers.