Brilliant article. How swell it'd be if the mainstream media reported more of the corruption and shady politics that persists in the Capital of New York. The elected officials mentioned in this article are true hypocrites in every sense of the word. Sadly, this is just touching the surface. A candlelit evening with State Senator Parker for $1000 a pop? What an absolute farce! Here's to hoping all that rich money went to charity. These are the same people who hopped on the ethics reform bandwagon several months earlier, most likely to boost their own political standing. They'll do anything to hop on the latest political trends as they turn their backs on the taxpayers behind the scenes. These are the same people who advocate for labor rights but treat legislative staffers like slaves (work until 6 am and be back at 9 am during the busy times of the legislative session). Until money gets out of our politics, the good times at the sleazy fireplace cocktails with your local Don/Assemblymember at the Fort Orange Club will only continue while true democracy either gets flushed down the toilet or brought up in the following session by your favorite, friendly local Don/Assemblymember. Excelsior!
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NY is a one party state, what could go wrong with all the power in the hands of a few ?, but please keep pointing the finger at Trump. Nothing to see behind the curtain in Albany or city hall. Keep paying your taxes and we will think of creative ways to tax you more.
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Nothing ever changes. Money talks
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@Ray Ozyjowski cynicism contributes to this.
Other states are do better than NYS so it is possible to change.
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Thank you for this great, if disturbing, expose. Please follow up with reporting on the bills to address the situation and how they are, or are not, proceeding.
Notable that many other states have better laws. New York's system works for the those in office. They won't address this unless, and until, their constituents demand it.
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Disgusting.
We should all call to encourage Ms. Galef from Ossining, who seems to be one of the few (only?) state representatives with a conscience. And wouldn't it be wonderful if her resistance to this corrupt practice resulted in a wave of non-corporate donations?
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It is not necessarily a two step process. I worked in Albany; legislators meet over coffee with lobbyists and accept campaign contributions at the same time. As long as it is not in a state building, it's legal.
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@JaneF
lol. I believe you have completed missed the point. The point is this is underhanded and devious - only reason it is legal is because the ppl getting paid control its outcome. Cmon now.
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What struck me while reading this article was how so many of the other front page stories were connected to the corruption in our political system where money buys access. From the Boeing story to the breast implants story to the PG&E story what they all have in common is the corruption that comes from all the money sloshing through our system and the resultant regulatory capture and lack of accountability. We cannot fix anything until we have public financing for campaigns and we are in danger of losing our democracy right now.
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And the hypocrisy flows like the liquor being poured. I love the line about the press not being invited. Good times in New York and the rest of America!
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Forget the growing support for campaign finance reform from voters - when are the politicians themselves going to revolt?? Suits/ties, uncomfortable heels, obligatory food/drink, long lines of ‘circuit’ riders......pretending to listen to each and every check-writer......so 1950s.
Speaking of parody (In the news today), I’d love to see every State legislator show up in their House, Senate wearing.....a Halloween cow costume, with an auctioneer- “what is my bid”...... Or in skimpy clothing, with a sash printed with their district.....”If I win, I’ll work for world peace”. Or have their aides toss pennies they scoop up and tuck into a....private place.
I’d like to presume most of these people chose to run, be elected to deal with serious problems affecting their constituents. They shouldn’t have to continue to go through these demeaning rituals to finance their beliefs, gain insight on issues. You are not slabs of beef, stop acting like the main course. Pass that reform bill- and breathe a sigh of relief.
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@Jo Williams We can hope that their ideals will lead them to reform the system. Or we can demand that they do so.
The latter is likely to be more effective. Other states have better systems. We can too.
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Albany is a cesspool of filth and excrement. It makes Washington DC seem like the amateur hour. The link between money and politics in NY is far too cozy. They act like NY is some cutting edge liberal State out to champion the lazy bum in the street who doesn’t want to work. Or the unwed mother who just had to have yet another child out of wedlock. It’s a disgrace. And the irony is that this has caused a massive exodus of ‘the rest of us’ from the State thus causing a shrinking tax base as the legislature comes out with yet more business killing regulations. Before long there will be no one left to pay for all these grand social experiments like paid family leave. That one alone doubled my Workers Comp insurance for my employees. What a waste of money and political clout.
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Did I really just read what I thought I read?
This legislature is ethically challenged. The reporters summed it up by, “Elected officials spend their day meeting with lobbyists in the Capitol to discuss pending legislation and the budget, and then spend their night collecting checks from many of the same people.”
Why do I think the culture is different in Sacramento? I don't. I know it is just as bad.
I am ashamed of America's political class.
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Corruption, plain and simple. Any other description is fictional, fraudulent, and disingenuous. And people wonder why our country is a mess; broken infrastructure, glaring income inequality, a failing social safety net, and deteriorating environment to name just a few issues we are facing. All the while the political class caters to anyone who can pay the price of admission when they should be addressing the concerns and needs of their constituents. Disgusting.
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In a third world country we call it corruption. In my country Canada like in the USA, we call it "political contribution", "lobbying", "paying for access", "fund raising",... but the result is the same you buy your politician so he can do policies good for your business. As a former chairman of General Motor said so well: "What is good for GM, is good for America."
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