Editorial: A Better Albany Project for Bloomberg
July 14th, 2008
Taking advantage of the Senate Republicans' willingness to compromise on ideology in their pursuit of remaining in power, Mayor Michael Bloomberg often successfully bent the conference to his will by sprinkling some of his ample fortune and purportedly non-partisan praise. And, sure enough, with the support of the all-powerful majority, he picked up a fair amount of victories over the last few years, despite his fewer but higher-profile defeats.
Now, though, the tide is turning-and not just because the Democrats are likely to take the majority either this November or by 2010. Already, 35 of the 62 State Senate districts cover parts of the five boroughs. With the upstate exodus continuing and the state population becoming ever-more lopsided toward its southern end, this number will only grow after the next redistricting. At the same time, there will be growth in the number of senators from places like Yonkers and Buffalo, where interests often align with the Big Apple's.
There will then be more than enough senators to start putting together a bipartisan cities caucus that could become the overwhelming force in the Senate. Promoting that, rather than one party's control of the chamber or his own somewhat doubtful gubernatorial prospects, should now become the focus of this mayor, who has a record for pushing positive policy over party politics.
Given the somewhat backward rules of the State Senate that make for a nearly omnipotent majority, his support of the Republicans is understandable. However, given the changing demographics of New York State and the intensifying problems the state government needs to address on behalf of the city, the time for a new approach has clearly come. Who better than Bloomberg to lead the way?
Of course, if he does actually run for governor, leading the charge in state government on behalf of cities across the state would be a savvy political move. A coalition of Republican voters and urban Democrats responding to a proven urban champion could potentially deliver a statewide election.
But Bloomberg cannot do this alone. Whether or not the Democrats take the majority, the mayor would need Minority Leader Malcolm Smith to play a major role. Smith, who not only is from Queens himself, but crossed party lines to endorse Bloomberg's re-election in 2005, would be the perfect partner. If Smith can look past justifiable frustration at the mayor for helping Republicans, and if he can make sure his conference does not tilt too much toward rural and suburban issues to protect marginal seats, he would play a vital role in recalibrating state government to truly help the state's urban centers.
With Bloomberg leading the effort and the city's senators united behind him, this can start to happen. There is more than enough to do on the urban agenda in New York, from improving schools to combating crime to strengthening infrastructure to expanding mass transit.
As demonstrated by the avalanche of coverage in the few weeks since City Hall's sister publication, The Capitol, broke the story about billionaire Tom Golisano wading back into the political fray with his Responsible New York group, a determined man with a clear agenda and sizable checkbook can attract a great deal of attention. Bloomberg, a more credible messenger, could make an even bigger splash.
Now, though, the tide is turning-and not just because the Democrats are likely to take the majority either this November or by 2010. Already, 35 of the 62 State Senate districts cover parts of the five boroughs. With the upstate exodus continuing and the state population becoming ever-more lopsided toward its southern end, this number will only grow after the next redistricting. At the same time, there will be growth in the number of senators from places like Yonkers and Buffalo, where interests often align with the Big Apple's.
There will then be more than enough senators to start putting together a bipartisan cities caucus that could become the overwhelming force in the Senate. Promoting that, rather than one party's control of the chamber or his own somewhat doubtful gubernatorial prospects, should now become the focus of this mayor, who has a record for pushing positive policy over party politics.
Given the somewhat backward rules of the State Senate that make for a nearly omnipotent majority, his support of the Republicans is understandable. However, given the changing demographics of New York State and the intensifying problems the state government needs to address on behalf of the city, the time for a new approach has clearly come. Who better than Bloomberg to lead the way?
Of course, if he does actually run for governor, leading the charge in state government on behalf of cities across the state would be a savvy political move. A coalition of Republican voters and urban Democrats responding to a proven urban champion could potentially deliver a statewide election.
But Bloomberg cannot do this alone. Whether or not the Democrats take the majority, the mayor would need Minority Leader Malcolm Smith to play a major role. Smith, who not only is from Queens himself, but crossed party lines to endorse Bloomberg's re-election in 2005, would be the perfect partner. If Smith can look past justifiable frustration at the mayor for helping Republicans, and if he can make sure his conference does not tilt too much toward rural and suburban issues to protect marginal seats, he would play a vital role in recalibrating state government to truly help the state's urban centers.
With Bloomberg leading the effort and the city's senators united behind him, this can start to happen. There is more than enough to do on the urban agenda in New York, from improving schools to combating crime to strengthening infrastructure to expanding mass transit.
As demonstrated by the avalanche of coverage in the few weeks since City Hall's sister publication, The Capitol, broke the story about billionaire Tom Golisano wading back into the political fray with his Responsible New York group, a determined man with a clear agenda and sizable checkbook can attract a great deal of attention. Bloomberg, a more credible messenger, could make an even bigger splash.
