Spitz Makes Concessions

Steamroller Compromises With Senate GOP

NYS Governor Eliot Spitzer announced a tentative budget agreement between legislative leaders. The unnerving part of the announcement was the absence of any of those other leaders.

How did it (maybe) get done? Spitzer, Bruno and Silver ignored the warnings of Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and decided to spend more tax dollars:

- More than $350 million added to offset proposed cuts in healthcare.

- Approximately $500 million added to education spending to reduce the number of save-harmless districts and provide increased operating aid for districts throughout the state.

- The property tax relief program will provide savings via rebate checks.

- Certain provisions of the proposed corporate tax loophole package will be offset by business tax reductions.

It will be amazing if this agreement actually holds together, but it is obvious that Steamroller Spitzer is all too aware of how to play the Albany Deal Game. Did Spitz cave in the face of falling poll approval numbers? Why concede to the Senate GOP that, given party dynamics and leg majorities, is really the only Republican game in town?

Unfortunately, we will likely never know the answers to these and other questions as the negotiations have taken place in private via the classic "Three Men in a Room" style of politics. So much for reform -