Is Spitzer Doomed?

posted by Alan Greenblatt

A few months ago, when it was already clear that New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer would be elected governor, I wrote an article raising the question of whether Spitzer, who'd had a celebrated/reviled but undeniably influential run as AG, would be less powerful as governor.

So far, the answer appears to be "yes."

Spitzer certainly outlined a world-beater program in his State of the State address, calling for ethics reform, greater fiscal restraint, economic revitalization particularly in the upstate and major changes to the judiciary and public authorities. The problem is that he needs the legislature to sign off on most of his agenda to make it happen.

The New York legislature is notoriously recalcitrant and stand-offish. Spitzer has decided, it seems, to try to work around this problem by playing an "outside" game, knocking legislators in a highly public way in an effort to shame them.

He's now on a  tour of the state, going to members' districts -- including those of fellow Democrats -- to criticize them. That's not a great way to make friends. This comes on top of his general program to curb pork barreling.

In a sense, none of this is surprising. Spitzer sees himself as a reformer and, having won a major election victory, believes he has the public on his side and can win by persuading legislators that they should bow to public opinion.

Maybe. But Spitzer does have to persuade legislators. And as many governors have found , even legislators who agree with them philosophically will fight all the way if you cut out their perks or otherwise cross them. It's early days, but Spitzer appears convinced it's wise strategy to do both those things.

Comments

[David]

Spitzer is far from doomed -- this is not even the end of round 1. You may remember that in the Democratic primary for Governor in New York, Spitzer was challenged by the Nassau County Executive, Tom Suozzi (a winner of an award from Governing Magazine). Suozzi ran as an insurgent to Spitzer's more establishment, platitudinal run. Suozzi's outspoken agenda was to reform Albany -- and, in fact prior to his run -- he recruited and helped elect a few reform-minded insurgents to the state legislature.

Now it's clear --- that Spizter is really Suozzi on steroids. And Spitzer, held in much higher regard than his legislative colleagues, can embark on a much more widespread campaign to replace status-quo legislators with more reformers -- regardless of their party affiliation. So, no -- Spitzer is far, far from doomed -- in fact -- he's only just begun.

David, you have fair points but the holier than thou and true allturistic rhetoric of the Spitzer administration claims to be backed by a public mandate. Perhaps, but Alan Hevesi won by the same mandate, and speaking of the interview process for Comptroller where the committee found no elected official as qualified to hold office based on their past experiences...if that committee had been looking at the office of governor, Eliot would have not been on the list either...as Tom Suozi had repeatedly pointed out during the primary...but the mandate of the public knowingly prevailed.

Spitzer clearly had the support of the voters in November; that support already appears to be beginning to erode, based upon some of the blog comments I've read from people who voted for him and are now disappointed with his behavior.

He'll either have to adapt to the reality that he's now dealing with people who can fight back, or he'll fight even harder to achieve his goals. I think it'll be the latter, and legislative stasis (and outright warfare) will erupt - and Spitzer may well end up being a one-term governor.

[blacklight]

I was one of those who voted for Elliot Spitzer, specifically to put an end to 12 years of dysfunctional government in Albany. Those who claim that they voted for him, and are now wetting their pants at the very idea of a confrontation with the Legislature should have voted for the Republican opponent, and they still have the option to move out of New York State and stay out of New York State as long as they live: these spineless whiners don't belong here.

The Assembly chose to disregard the selection process, as agreed upon with Governor Spitzer. Well, the Assembly lied, doublecrossed on a freely arrived at agreement and now is trying to brazen its way out. It's that simple, and I will hold my Assemblyman accountable for his vote.

[George Spitz]

Governor Spitzer may seize the initiative by forcing new Comptroller DiNapoli to reform the pension system by restricting state and local government contributions ($2,782.1 million in 2006) to the same amount as government employees ($241.2 million in 2006). The benefits of equaling the contribution level will include reduced real estate taxes for county, city, town governments and school districts

In 2002, the state and local government contributions amounted to only $263.8 million. Poor pension fund investment policies by disgraced former Comptroller Alan Hevesi encouraged by lack of oversight by Governor Pataki and the dysfunctional state legislature; were largely responsible for the more than tenfold payment increase to the $2,782.1 million in 2006. The $142.6 billion pension fund assets as of March 31, 2006 could easily have sufficed to pay the $6.15 billion in current annual retiree benefits if invested in good safe bonds paying an average of 4.28% interest

DiNapoli can make amends for lack of oversight from his position on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee of Hevesi's disastrous investment policies, much in risky speculative ventures. Hevesi's stewardship of the pension fund was not only bad for the New York State budget but also for county and municipal governments forced as a consequence to raise real estate taxes and/or reduce services. The new Comptroller should be guided very carefully by Governor Spitzer but if he doesn't the governor will be able to force his hand by insisting that state and local government contributions to the pension fund not exceed what the employees pay.

George N. Spitz
www.georgespitz.com
212 348 2225
gnspitz1@msn.com