By Jeffrey Page

We need a new State Senate, and we need 62 principled Conservatives, Liberals, Libertarians, Working Family party members and independents to make it work. Democrats and Republicans need not apply, having proved themselves not up to the task.

Never again can we allow a gaggle of quacking Republicans and Democrats to conduct a public temper tantrum as they did in Albany – all in the name of “reform.” That display, which lasted a month, was no more about “reform” than it was about ice hockey. It was about the exercise of political power and we all suffered for it. Important recurring bills, such as renewal of state permission to impose local sales taxes, were not acted on in a timely manner. Additionally, the future of mayoral control of the New York City Board of Education seems to be up in the air.

The issue of gay marriage seems to be a casualty of the impasse. Think about that: A measure to grant equal rights to a segment of the population – whether you support it or oppose it – is a casualty of the so-called fight for “reform.” 

We witnessed Governor Paterson legally issuing order after order for the Senate to convene, resolve its differences, and work for the people. And we witnessed the 62 senators telling the governor to butt out. The senators gaveled themselves to order and then adjourned. That’s not “reform.” That’s lawlessness. That’s the Gang of 62 informing the people they represent, “You’re dismayed? Let us tell where you can stick your dismay.”

Reform. What a joke. In the end, the not-especially-principled Democrats were so happy to get their majority back that they made Pedro Espada Jr. their majority leader. Of course, it was Espada’s jump to the Republicans a month ago that precipitated this sudden push for “reform” in the first place. How nice that Espada has a title. He’s happy. The Democrats are happy. The Republicans have to live with it. But there’s another group, hasn’t been consulted.

No one asked New Yorkers – the real ones, the people who struggle to pay taxes so that members of the State Senate can draw a salary – how we feel about Espada’s being in a position of power. We weren’t asked because, let’s face it, no one gives a damn what we think.

Senator Bill Larkin, the Republican from Cornwall-on-Hudson, handed The Times Herald-Record one of the great straight lines in the history of standup comedy.

“Almost certainly, we should have done this before,” he said about the push for “reform.”

If by “we,” he means the Republicans, it’s amusing to note that until Jan. 1, the Republicans controlled the Senate for 40 years.

If by “we,” he meant the entire Senate, it’s amusing to note that Larkin has been a member for 18 years.

We should have done this before? We should have done what before? Quick, can anyone name the card-carrying Democrat or Republican who ever made serious noise about “reform” of the State Senate?

There exists a path to real reform, but it takes a raging fury to carry it out. It takes determination. It takes an unwillingness to be played for the fool any longer. Most of all, it takes an understanding that such reform won’t happen quickly but could take years.

It won’t be easy to ignore the Gang of 62 when they start littering our mailboxes with campaign crap next year, but we can do it. It takes the time to sit down and inform these incumbent characters precisely why they won’t get our votes. It takes a clean sweep.

The Senate won’t be spotless after one election. But let 2010 be the start.

Jeffrey can be reached at jeffrey@zestoforange.com.

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