Blair Horner on New York States next governors needed path

ost-Paterson, how can the mess in Albany be made manageable?
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Cut Government Immediately
Blair Horner

Blair Horner is legislative director for the New York Public Interest Research Group, a not-for-profit, research and advocacy organization.

Governor Paterson’s decision not to seek election couldn’t come at a worse time. Not only is the budget dangerously out-of-whack, but the recent fight over control of the state Senate, the spate of criminal convictions of state lawmakers, and the resignation of former Governor Spitzer have diminished New Yorkers’ trust in government.

A new governor should slash the many ‘offices’ and ‘authorities’ that have proliferated over the years.

The Great Recession has eroded state revenues, yet the need for services has grown. Thousands of lobbyists clamor for dwindling dollars. The legislative process is substantially hindered since the narrow Senate Democratic majority has trouble cobbling together votes to pass legislation. Yet the governor wields extraordinary powers. New York’s governors are in a dominant position when it comes to the budget.

Also the governor appoints virtually all of the heads of state agencies — which have the power to shape the policies that affect all New Yorkers. The governor can advance public policy by issuing executive orders. And lastly, the governor commands the bully pulpit that, when used properly, can shape public opinion.

The failures of recent governors have stemmed from their direct involvement in political food fights with the legislative branch. These skirmishes may be entertaining, but the public pays billions of dollars in taxes and expects to get something in return.

The next governor will face two crises: one fiscal, the other ethical. While the governor must work with the Legislature to tackle the state’s finances, he can set the appropriate tone by proposing an immediate and dramatic restructuring of state government. The state’s Constitution permits “smart sizing” government if a governor proposed eliminating many of the “divisions,” “offices” and “authorities” that have proliferated over the years.

The new governor should offer a new state budget that slashes the number of these entities. He must do so right away, before his administration feels the pressure to place new appointees in these entities.

In addition, the governor should issue executive orders requiring that all state agencies develop a new “Code of Conduct” that sets high ethical standards for the behavior of governmental appointees, mandates that decisions are developed openly, and creates measurements of success that ensure that government is actually improving the lives of New Yorkers.

New Yorkers should demand that the new governor offer a “blueprint” for a state government that operates in the open, that behaves ethically, that has reasonable costs, and that delivers for the people.